Buzz Magazine: Oct. 1, 2009 by Buzz Magazine

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Champaign-Urbana’s community magazine FREE

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week of october 1, 2009

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buzz

VOL7 NO38

OCTOBER 1, 2009

w eekly

IN THIS ISSUE THERE SHE BREWS

Tapping a local keg at Destihl Brewery

THE BRATS ARE BACK

GYNOS

DOIN’ IT WELL

BDSM and the people who love it

2125 South Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820

HAUNTED HOUSES 10

N Check ups

ON THE217.COM

N Skin care

CALENDAR Check out our new and improved calendar that launched today! It’s got a new look, more events and an easier way to search for events. Go to the217. com/calendar to see what’s going on in CU every day.

N Student insurance accepted

IN CHAMPAIGN FOR 30 YEARS

COMMUNITY Just because the “Fun and Games” section is no longer on the website doesn’t mean we’re stopping our coverage of all things fun and game related. Check out a review of the popular video game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, online now.

MOVIES & TV Reviews of Zombieland and The Invention of Lying up on Saturday. Zombieland is a horror comedy starring Woody Harrelson about a group of humans trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies. The Invention of Lying is the latest comedy starring Ricky Gervais, in which he plays a man living in a world where no one lies until he discovers he can.

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TRANSCENDING THE NEBULIZER

CALENDAR

You guide to this week’s events

EDITOR’S NOTE

FOOD & DRINK What do cupcakes and wine have to do with each other? Find out in this week’s wine column, “The Dregs,” online now.

good times poured nightly

Come on a weekly trip around the world

Close to campus.

N All women doctors HEALTH PRACTICE

KIDS DAY AT SPURLOCK

On call 24 hours.

Walk-in appointments.

30 year break and the tunes return

PHOTO BY CODY BRALTS

TOMMY TRAFTON

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve turned on the television to take a break from work or catch up with my favorite show. My neglect of the medium becomes apparent when I ask a classmate how a documentary on a ’60s advertising agency like Madmen can become so popular among college girls. Of course, it makes so much more sense now that I realize it is just another drama show attracting girls like flies to bright lights with its cast full of rich and sophisticated ad men. But it’s instances like this that make me feel out of the loop and make me wonder if it’s worth wasting a good deal of my time catching up on shows, hoping that there is something worthwhile on television. And I’m sure there are plenty of good programs on TV but then again, every time I walk past a television at my house, the only reason why I am ever convinced to stop in my tracks and gawk at the boob tube for a minute is how terrible some of these shows are. For instance, I sat down for a little bit as my roommate was watching The Rachel Zoe Project, a reality show following a fashion designer around town as she goes through her grossly materialistic day. I’d have to admit, it was kind of interesting, but only because of how fake every conversation was and how ready the program was to assume that a viewer would be interested in such an artificial individual. It’s not trying to say that all television is trash, but I do think that all these reality shows have really lowered the standards for programming. I guess their success makes sense — you don’t need to hire real actors or writers, you don’t have to worry about sets or scripts and it’s a perfect spot for product placement and promotions for other shows. It all just seems so much easier than actually writing out an original show. But I still always find myself appalled at how much the networks get away these days. So until someone can sit me down and teach me how to navigate through all of the MTV’s and AMC’s and TLC’s to find a primetime show smartly composed and well written, I’ll stick to the news and not waste my time.

the217.com october 1 - 7, 2009

HEADS

UP!

LET

OUT

What is your favorite part of October? Cassie Schneider

“I like the weather because it is not too hot and not too cold. Plus, it is really nice to be outside.” ellen anderson

“Let’s see, I like pumpkins, wearing sweaters, the threat of Christmas, bugs going away, and little kid Halloween (not the slutty version).” Scott Dwier

Curtis Orchard Produces pumpkin Patch

by Alexandra Morgan

TALK TO BUZZ

buzz staff

The popular apple and pumpkin picking season at Curtis Orchard is now in full swing. The pumpkin patch opened just a week ago, and the season lasts until Halloween, giving farm-goers ample time to select the perfect pumpkin. The orchard also boosts four varieties of “you-pick” apples and seven additional types of store apples. Curtis Orchard also offers face painting, wagon rides, corn mazes and pony rides on the weekends for a small fee; it’s a popular place with college students, too. The orchard offers specials to students with iCards as well. Besides the traditional farm activities, the orchard also serves food at their Flying Monkey Café. In September and October, lunch is served daily, with the menu offering food such as pulled pork, brats, burgers, chili and more. But it’s their homemade donuts and cobblers that draw the most attention. “We’re famous for our apple crisp donuts,” said co-owner Randy Graham. “They’re a huge item for us, they sell like crazy.” Cover Design Jillian Rahn Editor in Chief Tommy Trafton Managing Editor & Copy Chief Mark Grabowski Art Director Claire Keating Photography Editor Wallo Villacorta Image Editor Rebekah Nelson Photographers Sarah Syman, Lu Huang, Brad Thorp, James

Kyung, Tanmay Chowdhary Designers Kamil Kecki, Louis Lee, Jillian Rahn Music Editor Amanda Shively Food Editor Maggie Carrigan MovieS Editor Matt Carey ArtS Editor Jean Kim Community Editor Michell Eloy CU Calendar Bonnie Stiernberg Copy Editors Danielle Perlin Sales Manager Sarah Gleason Marketing/Distribution Brandi Willis Publisher Mary Cory On the Web www.the217.com Email buzz@readbuzz.com Write 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 CALL 217.337.3801

We reserve the right to edit submissions. buzz will not publish a letter without the verbal consent of the writer prior to publication date. buzz Magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. © Illini Media Company 2009.

“My favorite thing about October is that it is fall because it is the ‘Prince of Seasons.’” stephanie kelderhouse

“Besides October Lovers, I like deep converations around bonfires, equipped with friends and s’mores.”

LIKES

GRIPES

MICHELL ELOY COMMUNITY EDITOR

LIKES

» October: Arguably the best month of the 12. Leaves change, temperatures drop and I can start wearing boots again. Coupled with some Bob Dylan music and I’m on cloud nine. Pure bliss. Plus, October also means it’s time for ... » Pumpkin Flavored Goodies: Scones, cookies, pie, coffee; I am drawn to them like a crack addict is to, well, crack. » Gnat/Aphid Slaughtering: Dear gnasty (lol) aphids, I killed 13 of your cousins in my car the other day. Suck on it.

Maggie Carrigan Food & Drink Editor

Gripes

» Excessive E-Mails from my TA: I understand that this is your first time teaching and that the professor is completely scatter-brained so our lectures turn out to be nothing more than her mumbling to herself, but that does not mean you can flood my inbox with 10 e-mails a day in attempt to compensate for these unfortunate facts. » Football Block Parties: I know it must be totally awesome to drink tons of Miller Lite in matching t-shirts, and I’m probably missing out, but I rarely appreciate obscene things being yelled at me by drunken idiots, especially when it’s only three in the afternoon. » Law School Admission Tests: I took one this past weekend, and I cried after it buzz

october 1 - 7, 2009

the217.com

new kid on the block

Destihl Restaurant and Brew Works to open on Neil

restaurant directory

In the summer of 1991, Matt Potts finished his zen — the beers’ names alone may intimidate an undergrad studies at the University of Illinois and inexperienced patron, but the brewery’s sheer decided to explore a new hobby before heading numbers could overwhelm a connoisseur. DESTIHL to DePaul for law school — beer appreciation. He presents 45 to 50 varieties of homebrewed ales, began to value beers with flavor and diversity and lagers and Belgian sours throughout the year, with learned how to brew his own a few years later. In around 12 on tap at any given time, Potts said. 2001, he turned his hobby into a business and Most pints are $4.50, with $2 pints on Sundays. opened his first brewpub. Potts recommends the Märzen Oktoberfest (a Now, 18 years after discovering the joys of “qual- medium-bodied, sweet, red-orange lager) and ity” beers, as he said, he is returning to Champaign his American-style bitter ale dubbed Titan Barley — this time, to share his passion for contemporary Wine (full bodied, with caramel and toffee arobeer and cuisine as the owner and brewmaster of mas), among others. The restaurant also offers a stacked menu, all DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works, “I have always wanted to get back into this great with “a unique DESTIHL twist,” Potts said, from community,” Potts said. “The culture of CU in gen- Cajun shrimp and sausage Jambalaya ($15.95) to eral and that which is added by the presence of the U the standard-with-a-twist American Kobe Beef of I fits perfectly with the culture of our business.” burger (maple jalapeño bacon and homemade Potts calls DESTIHL a “gastrobrewery,” a bar- barbecue sauce included, $12.95), as well as restaurant that takes not only its beer but also its stone oven and flatbread pizzas ($7.95 to $10.50) food very seriously. All and weekend brunch. beer served is brewed on Potts opened the first destihl restaurant & premises, and all dishes branch two years ago in brew works 301 N. Neil St., C are cooked from scratch, Normal, near Illinois State opening date: TBA often with local ingrediUniversity. He said the concept: Contemporary American gastrobrewery ents, according to Potts. DESTIHL team planned prices: $7.95-$24.95 Belgian Double Pale on opening a University Phone: 309-862-2337 Ale, Märzen Oktoberfest, of Illinois branch before web: http://www.destihl.com more on the217.com the original had opened. Weissenheimer Hefewei-

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Photo by Sarah Syman

by Emily Siner

The brewery, part of the unfinished M2 building on Main and Neil, is currently an 8,800 square foot construction site. The wall and floor-to-ceiling windows are installed; the floors, still dirt, are not. Potts hopes to start construction within the next two months. Despite new businesses’ difficulties, he is optimistic about DESTIHL. “The strength of our concept and giving high value to our guests has allowed us to maintain good business throughout a challenging economy, which has existed our entire first two years of business [in Normal],” he said. The Blind Pig Brewery, two blocks south on Neil, opened in May and will begin serving homebrewed

beer in a few weeks, according to owner Chris Knight. It is the first brewery in Champaign since 1994. Knight says he does not view the DESTIHL as competition. “I’m keen to have more breweries in the area,” he says. “It makes the idea of locally-brewed beer more accepted.” Both Knight and Potts highlighted their differences: BPB is strictly beer and other alcohol; DESTIHL focuses on the dining aspect as well. “We are really a completely different kind of brewery and restaurant concept. We can easily coexist,” Potts said. DESTIHL’s expected opening date is still unknown, but Potts seems confident about the outcome.

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FOOD

DRINK

Why do men have nipples?

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR GOOD CHEER AND BEER CU residents to brace Oktoberfest with worldly beer

IS IT

RIPE?

APPLES

by Annie Koval

by Alyssa Schoeneman

Recycle your Keystone cans and raise your glass. fect for the crisp nights and comforting smell of Knight said. “The beers are brewed specifically We are currently in the midst of an infamous two leaves in October. to be drunk in this season; they were brewed in week binge, a holiday that unites beer drinkers Blind Pig Brewery owner Chris Knight said the March, so they have aged six months.” from around the world: Happy Oktoberfest CU. Blind Pig and its sister, the Blind Pig Brewery, are Blind Pig will toast the final hours of Oktoberfest With over six million people attending every year, dedicating six of their 27 taps to Oktoberfest.“There with a full, frosted mug and a party on Oct. 3. “We Oktoberfest is the world’s largest festival. Held in are 6 main breweries in Munich featured during will sell all the Oktoberfest beers at $3 a glass Munich, Germany, it traditionally takes place during Oktoberfest,” Knight said. “We have beers from all and these are the big glasses,” said Knight. “For the sixteen days up to the first Sunday in October. of them.” Their list includes Hacker-Pschorr, Lowen- $1 more you get to keep the glass.” Overseas, we’ve also made it our responsibil- brau, Spaten, Paulaner, Augustiner and Hofbrau. The Blind Pig isn’t the only local bar celebrating ity to carry on the German tradition the best Given the substantial German heritage of many the beerfest. On campus, Legends offers steins as way we know how — we drink German beer, Americans, it would be unfair not to bring in some well. In honor of the season, the bar has $5 steins of and we drink a lot of it. Bars in CU are embracing sort of domestic tribute as well. “We are featuring Samuel Adams, with $3 refills. the spirit of this holiday and offering specialty some of the best American Oktoberfest beers, Samuel Adams Octoberfest has come to be widely beers on tap. Crane Alley is putting on their such as those from Left Hand brewery, Avery and known as a popular choice for seasonal beers, making lederhosen for the month by offering a couple Capital,” Knight added. it a great “transition” beer for those who find the idea of Munich’s finest. Brendan Gamel, the bar’s The Oktoberfest beers have a unique flavor that of veering off course from their Solo cups of nerveday manager says they have both Spaten Okto- differs from your typical Busch Light. “The Okto- racking. Old Chicago bar manager John Bowman said berfest and Hofbrau Oktoberfest brews on tap. berfest beer is a darker beer and full flavored,” Samuel Adams is his October pick and seems to be the most popular among customers. “You can get them by the glass or by the stein!” he adds. Beyond Also among their autumnal list of that, the bar boasts a variety of amber hued beers, Anheuser-Busch’s great German and domestic beers Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale is also on that are sure to have you speaking the menu in honor of the festivities. It’s the season to put a temporary Deutsch, such as Weihenstephaner Hefe Weizen, Southern Tier ban on flippy cups and raise a mug “Heavy” Weizen and of course, full of rich, golden beer instead. If you the German favorite — Becks. can’t help but drink beer competitiveSeven Saints in downtown Chamly, there is always “Das Boot,” so you paign, although not going all out for can get your game on and keep in the the world-wide festival, does have German spirit. If you still aren’t convinced, here are some OktoberFaks some great brews for the season according to bartender Dan Kates. from 2007 that are quite inspiring: Also carrying the renowned Mu6.2 million visitors consumed over nich favorite Spaten Oktoberfest, 6.94 million liters of beer, 521,872 Kates also says “We’ve got Souther chickens, 104 oxen and 142,253 pork Tier’s Harvest Ale in right now, too. sausages. However, a disappointing It’s kind of hoppy and earthy,” per- Exterior of the Blind Pig, which carries six Oktoberfest beers on tap. Photo by Wallo Villacorta zero goose chases were recorded.

With Curtis Orchard right around the corner, it would be a shame not to indulge in an apple or two (or twenty) this fall, especially with the assortment of choices. To find a ripe apple, squeeze the fruit to test for firmness; a ripe apple should not be squishy. A fruit with shiny skin also indicates ripeness. Then, hold the apple up to one’s ear, tapping it with one finger. Also, look for an apple that produces a hollow sound. Some say organic apples are worth the price. The peel of an apple contains valuable phytochemicals that may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, but it is also where pesticides accumulate. If the cost of buying organic is too expensive, scrubbing the skin of an apple under running water can also help to reduce pesticides. Once purchased, apples should be stored in the coolest part of the refrigerator and will last for about two weeks. Granny Smith and Fuji apples have long shelf lives. When apples are sliced, the flesh turns brown upon exposure to air. This process, a chemical reaction, can be minimized by treating the fruit with acidulated water or lemon juice. Apples can be eaten raw, baked or stewed; or, juice and ferment them to produce apple cider. Apples for raw consumption include Fugi, Gala, Jonagold, Pink Lady and Red Delicious varieties. Some great baking varieties include Granny Smith, Braeburn and Red Rome. These apples are typically more tart and do better in storage than eating apples. Goodies like apple donuts, caramel apples, apple cider and apple pies are plentiful in apple orchards and grocery stores alike. Here is how they price at local stores: » Meijer has Michigan Honeycrisp Apples, the local bestseller, for $1.69/lb. They also have fresh apple cider and caramel apples two for $5. » Golden Delicious or Gala apples are $5/ four lbs. at Schnucks. A one gallon jug of cider here will cost you $5. » Strawberry Fields sells a three lb. bag of Fuji apples for $3.09. They also offer four different varieties to be purchased in bulk for $ 1.39-2.99/lb. » Pick your own apples at Curtis Orchard for $9 a bag.

FOOD HOLIDAY

October 4th is National Vodka Day

by Jenny Beightol Get your shot glasses ready — Sunday, Oct. 4 is National Vodka Day. This centuries-old liquor is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages and is consumed across the globe. To honor this clear, smooth spirit, here’s a list of reasons to celebrate the day. So crack open a handle and toast the night away! Vodka gives you an excuse to speak with a Russian accent — While the precise origin of the drink is debatable, documents indicate that vodka production occurred in Russia during the eighth century. The name, vodka, actually stems from the Russian word ‘voda’, meaning water. The liquor was originally distilled for medicinal purposes but became the national drink of the country by the 1400s. In 1911, 90 percent of all alcohol consumed in Russia was vodka. However, its popularity didn’t extend outside of Europe until the 1950s. But by 1975, vodka replaced bourbon as the most popular hard liquor in the United States. It gets the job done — For many years, the alco-

holic content for beverages was relatively low, at or around 14 percent by volume. It wasn’t until the 8th century with the invention of distillation that drinks became stronger. Today, typical vodkas usually have an alcoholic content of 35 percent to 50 percent, or roughly 80 proof (the proof number is twice the alcoholic content of the drink). Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev found 38 percent alcohol or 76 proof to be the perfect proportion. What does this mean? The stronger the drink, the greater the chance of a Russian accent. It has fewer calories than beer — Even the biggest health nuts have a drink from time to time. One 12-ounce beer has 150 calories, compared to 100 calories in a 1.5-ounce shot of 80 proof vodka. Therefore, vodka makes you less fat. Jell-O Shots — Need we say more? It can be mixed with anything — Traditional vodkas are tasteless and ﬂavorless, making mixing ide-

al. It can be combined in tasty juice cocktails, like a screwdriver, or paired with a carbonated soda. To really add some zing, some companies even make chili and cinnamon ﬂavored vodka. We’re crossing our ﬁngers they’ll come out with Pickle soon. So this Sunday, whether you’re raising a classy Martini or a home-made ShotSki, here’s to you, Vodka! SMASHING PUMPKIN MARTINI

» 3 oz. Infused Spiced Pumpkin Vodka* » 1 oz. Amaretto » Toasted Pumpkin seeds for garnish Combine ingredients in a martini shaker with ice. Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. *If you can’t ﬁnd the infused vodka, 2 ½ oz. of Stoli Cinnamon Vodka and ½ oz. of Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur are great substitutes.

buzz

arts

entertainment

One on One

Hidden gem

with melissa sandvig so you think you can dance

Little Miss Sunshine

by Alyssa Schoeneman So You Think You Can Dance has brought dance into mainstream media like never before. Competitors perform solos, duets and group choreography in an array of styles in an effort to win the title of America’s Favorite Dancer. Season five’s top 10 are currently on tour and buzz was lucky enough to catch dancer Melissa Sandvig on the brink of the CU performance. Sandvig, 29, was the SYTYCD’s oldest dancer and was the first classically trained ballerina to make it into any season’s Top 10. » buzz: Describe a typical week of filming the show. Melissa Sandvig: Every day was a little different. On Fridays, we would have an hour and a half with our choreographer to start to learn the routine. That was with the camera. Saturday was another three hours with the choreographer with no camera — just work, work, work. Before or after that we would have costume fittings or press. We were always running back and forth. We were the first season to get a day off (on Sunday), but we would still rehearse ourselves because we needed every extra bit of time to rehearse. We were rehearsing in the hallways, in the parking structure, anywhere we could find space. Monday and Tuesday were in the studio onstage doing lighting and camera work, just trying to get it right for the show. Then we would film on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Thursdays someone went home so that was emotionally really hard on us. It is such a fast process. You have to have your head on straight and be focused because you’re on national television and it had better be good. The rollercoaster never stops.

by Stephanie Ruiz » buzz: You performed in a piece that helped raise breast cancer awareness. Can you talk about what that experience was like? MS: Tyce Diorio was the choreographer and I had done a couple other pieces with him already in the season. I knew right away what the piece was about. Tyce sat Ade and I down at the beginning of the rehearsal and told us that the piece was about his friend who was struggling with breast cancer. We knew it was a very serious topic and one that is very sensitive, very intense. I had never personally known anyone with breast cancer but my mom’s best friend passed away from it. After talking to my mom about it I tried to draw from what that experience would be like. The choreography involved a lot of trust — running and jumping into Ade’s arms and doing some of the lifts — but Ade was the perfect partner for me. The piece came out really naturally in the rehearsal process. I think because I am a little older than the rest of the dancers I was able to dig deep. The piece was number one in Nigel’s eyes. We were really excited about how it came across, and I’m sure we will be performing it for a long time. » buzz: What was your favorite thing about being involved with SYTYCD? MS: It is hard to pick, but for me it was my personal growth and confidence. I and many other people pigeon-holed me as a ballerina and I’ve been that for 25 years. The show showed me that I can do so many other things, and it really gave me more confidence as a dancer. I feel that I grew a lot as an artist as well through my work on some of the more challenging pieces.

Used with permission fromCraig DeCristo

» buzz: What is the hardest thing about being on tour? MS: I would have to say fatigue because we don’t get a lot of sleep as we are going from one venue to the next. Energy management is a good way to put it ... there are some times when your body is tired and hurting and you just have to push though. » buzz: What are your plans for after the tour? MS: I’m open to anything. I‘ve had the ballet company experience before so I’m not necessarily looking to go back to that, but that’s who I am and I’m going to do ballet as long as I can. I’m hoping that because of the show more opportunities will open up in commercial dance and otherwise. I don’t have any definite plans, so I’m just waiting to see what happens. I’m definitely going to go home and see my husband — that’s number one. » buzz: Any advice for aspiring dancers? MS: I would tell other dancers not to be afraid to try something new. For me, the show was a huge growing experience. I never thought I could do these other styles of dance because I was strictly a classical dancer. You just have to try. You have to put your heart and soul into it.

Modern Art, Modern Dialogue Krannert Art Museum and School of Art and Design to show Art21 episodes, encourage discussion by Lauren Yang

briefbox

here did Jeff Koons get the idea for his infamous giant chrome balloon animals? How did Cao Fei create a documentary filmed entirely in the virtual world of Second Life? And why on earth did Allan McCollum make an enormous cartoon-like replica of George W. Bush’s head? If any of these questions interest you, you should head to the Art and Design Building to check out the upcoming screenings of PBS’s Art21 series,

Art21 Showings Art & design Building, room 107 when: Every Monday evening in October

from 5-7 p.m. TICKETS: Free to attend. Desserts and drinks will

be provided.

buzz

where you may be able to find some answers (in addition to free drinks and dessert). Every Monday evening in October, the Krannert Art Museum and School of Art and Design will be showing episodes from the fifth season of the awardwinning television program. Art21 goes behind the scenes to explore the perspectives and processes of contemporary artists from across the globe. “Contemporary art is about social and contemporary issues,” said Michael Parsons, a professor in Art and Design and the series’ coordinator at the University. “It’s about real world and contemporary events. It’s imaginative, and it tends to be both fun and serious.” The show’s fifth season showcases contemporary art with visiting artists from every continent except Antarctica. The series delves

into works like William Kentridge’s politicallythemed animations. Photographs by Cindy Sherman document her uncanny ability to transform herself into pop culture icons, exposing not only their working processes but also what their work says about important global issues. Parsons hopes the events will help art students (especially future art educators) to further their interest in contemporary art and how it can be used as a didactic tool in schools. However, he expects a lively discussion from all attendees as they get a glimpse into the minds behind such thought-provoking works. “Contemporary art isn’t easy to interpret — there are lots of different opinions,” Parsons said. “It’s not pushing a point of view, but raising more questions.”

Used with permission from Fox Searchlight

“There are two kinds of people in the world: winners and losers.” Perhaps the same can be said about movies. If that’s the case, then 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine can really only fall into one category. Little Miss Sunshine revolves around a beauty pageant, but beauty is really far from what the movie is about; at least, not in our conventional way of understanding it. It’s about what happens when you take a obnoxiously unsuccessful motivational speaker, his wife, a heroin addicted grandfather, the nation’s number one Proust scholar, and an ambitious and incredibly charming little girl, place them into a bright yellow VW van and follow them on a road trip to Redondo Beach, California. But what really lies at the heart of this film is reality; the reality of family dynamics and dysfunction. It’s about interchanging pain and comedy, making us wonder whether the two are really all that different after all. And while the film itself is zany and chaotic, it’s not done in such a way that makes it completely unbelievable. We’re given an intelligently witty script written by Academy Award winner Michael Arndt, and remarkably framed shots, thanks to the direction of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who use subtle images to make a profound statement in their beautifully crafted piece. From the very beginning, we have a sense of precisely who the Hoover family is. Thanks to a montage set to DeVotchKa that distinguishes each character individually through a series of wonderfully executed movements we see this family and how they function. Their interactions and their relationships, faults and all, come to life, and it’s there that we fall in love. In the end, it’s not really about beauty contests, at all. It’s about the process of discovering your purpose in this hilarious, yet moving satire that leaves quite the impression. And it’s there that the true beauty of this film really lies.

the217.com â&#x20AC; â&#x20AC; october 1 - 7, 2009

Why am I always hungry?

what you should be watching

3Favorites

the wire

Bruce Willis Movies by Zach Creer die Hard (1988)

Often mimicked, never successfully replicated, Die Hard set the standard for what makes up a great action movie. The story follows John McClane as he battles terrorists who are holding an office party hostage till they receive their demands. This movie defined what a Bruce Willis movie is. Willis does a fantastic job acting in great movies such as Pulp Fiction and Sin City, but those arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Bruce Willis movies. A Bruce Willis movie has to have the main character thrown into a dire situation where only he can save everyone. 12 monkeys (1995) Used with permission from HBO

by Matt Carey With the fall television season having a bevy of premieres, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to know which shows are actually worth your time and which are crap. Fortunately, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to tell you about a show that not only is worth your time, but also is possibly the greatest television show ever created. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re probably thinking that last sentence was hyperbole, but it honestly isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t; The Wire is just that incredible and rewarding. The showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main character is Jimmy McNulty, a homicide detective in Baltimore. McNulty is a great cop, but gets himself into trouble when he goes around his superiors to get the job done. McNulty eventually gets shipped to the Major Case Unit, which is focused on taking down a drug dealer named Avon Barksdale. This may seem rather simple, but the amount of detail and attention paid to the every aspect of the drug trade is fascinating. Dealers, cops, addicts, and district attorneys are all presented, and not necessarily with the moral message you might expect. Ostensibly, The Wire appears to be nothing more than a police procedural set in Baltimore. But the show is on a much grander scale than that. The show is about the city of Baltimore. With each of the five seasons, the show expands its focus while still maintaining many of the storylines started in earlier seasons. The first season deals with the drug trade, while the second is about the docks and longshoreman of Baltimore. Season three is about politics, mainly the mayoral race. Season four focuses on the school system, in particular the education of inner city kids. Finally, season the ticker Âť David Cronenberg to remake his own 1986 film, The Fly. Âť A Ghost Rider sequel is being set up at Columbia.

five shows the impact the media can have on the police and political institutions. The Wire is a show that is perfect for watching on DVD as opposed to weekly on HBO. With over forty characters (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right forty characters), it may seem hard to keep track. After the first episode, I was taken aback by how much Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been introduced to in only an hour. However, after watching the second episode, I became immersed in this universe where the men at the top of the police chain of command arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily looking to clean the streets permanently. What is most fascinating about The Wire is each season (besides the disappointing fifth) tops the one before it. The broader focus of each season makes the show more ambitious and emotionally rewarding, leaving the viewer dying to start the next season. The surprising thing is that the writers are smart enough to make sure the long story arcs come to a satisfying conclusion, which is usually wrapped up with a season ending montage set to music. The description of my experience with The Wire I always tell people is this; after finishing the 60 hours of this show, I sat in front of my television and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would honestly sit down and rewatch all 60 episodes of this show again, it was that rewarding.â&#x20AC;? Despite being gritty and slightly depressing at points, The Wire is the most worthwhile television show Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve watched. Even the fifth season is better than every other television season. I promise you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be disappointed. Take the trip to Baltimore. &2%15%.4 -/6)%'/%23 3IGN UP AT WWW GQTI COM FOR THE

One of Willisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lower profile movies, yet Willis carries this movie all the same. Bruce plays the role of a time traveling savior sent back to prevent humanityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complete destruction by a virus. Yet it is not all that easy, as scientists send him first to the early 1900s then to the correct location but six years too early. The story contains all the intricacies time travel requires yet avoids the plot holes that plague the cinematic device and ruin other similar movies. As far as supporting actors go, you could do worse than Brad Pitt, who plays a mad man suspected of releasing the virus. All of these components, plus Bruce Willis doing what he is best at, spell a timeless movie and a pick for one of Bruceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best.

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TOY STORY & TOY STORY 2 3D G (3:06) DLP 3D SURCHARGE WILL APPLY/NO DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED (11:00 Sat & Sun) 12:45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8:00 (11:00 Fri & Sat) ZOMBIELAND R (1:48) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) WHIP IT PG13 (2:11) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) THE INVENTION OF LYING PG13 (2:00) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:40 (12:00 Fri & Sat) FAME PG (2:07) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) SURROGATES PG13 (1:49) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:35 (12:00 Fri & Sat) I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL R (2:05) DLP (11:00 Fri & Sat) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:20 (12:00 Fri & Sat) PANDORUM R (2:08) DLP (11:00 Fri & Sat) 1:35 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) JENNIFERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BODY R (2:03) DLP 4:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) THE INFORMANT R (2:08) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:35 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:35 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 3D (1:50) DLP 3D SURCHARGE WILL APPLY/NO DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:40 (12:00 Fri & Sat) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2D (1:50) DLP (11:30 Sat & Sun) 1:55 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:15 TYLER PERRYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF PG13 (2:13) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) SORORITY ROW R (2:01) DLP 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) 9 PG13 (1:39) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN G (1:26) DLP 11:00 Sat & Sun THE FINAL DESTINATION : 3D (1:57) DLP 3D SURCHARGE WILL APPLY/NO DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 (11:45 Fri & Sat) NO 7:15 OR 9:30 MONDAY ONLY INGLORIOUS BASTERDS R (2:52) 1:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8:00 (11:15 Fri & Sat) OPA! NR (1:54) DLP 8:00 MONDAY ONLY LOVE HAPPENS PG13 (2:09) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:40 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:05 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:35 (12:00 Fri & Sat)

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the fifth element (1997)

My favorite of the three, The Fifth Element features Bruce Willis once again attempting to save the world from destruction. An oncoming of invasion of evil must be stopped by collecting all five elements and preparing an ancient weapon. The plot, while perhaps clichĂŠ, is selfaware enough to keep the viewer from rolling his or her eyes. This movie manages to perfectly blend quirky sci-fi seamlessly with a comedy and a healthy dose of action. Chris Tucker also plays a hilarious role as an effeminate DJ, a seemly perfect match for his â&#x20AC;&#x153;uniqueâ&#x20AC;? voice. Overall, The Fifth Element is the crown jewel of an awesomely entertaining genre of movies.

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buzz â&#x20AC; â&#x20AC;

MUSIC

don’t get left in the dark

I saved you

The Vertebrats celebrate 30-year reunion with two local shows

ack in high school when I was looking at colleges, a friend of my father’s started telling me about U of I, him being an alumni from the early ‘80s. He knew that for me, one of the most important factors of a college experience is the music scene, and he assured me that U of I had everything I wanted in music. Then, like a lightning bolt hit him straight in the head, he said “The Vertebrats!” leaving me far behind. After a quick trip to his car he came back carrying two CD’s and soon we were sitting around listening to the sounds that dominated the Chambana campus decades prior, and I was half way through a music history lesson. The Vertebrats formed in 1979 through a series of strange acquaintances, all meeting by dating or being acquaintances of one of three Brandabur sisters. The members were Ken Draznik on guitar and vocals, Roy Axford on bass and vocals, Matt Brandabur on lead guitar and vocals, and Jimmy Wald on drums. The first show they every played was a 4th of July party which ended in a visit by the local authorities — a great start. Then after practicing a bit more and playing little private shows at a spot called Caucus Studios, the band played their first full fledged gig at the ChanningMurray Foundation in late 1979. A few months

after, the boys played at what would later become their home turf, Mabels, accompanied by lines that extended out the club and down Green Street whenever they played. The reaction to the Vertebrats was something that, at the time, CU had never experienced. The band played a mix of punk, rock ‘n’ roll, pop, country, and whatever else they felt like. In an interview for a cable TV show in the early ‘80s, the boys said, “We try not to be trendy. We try to concentrate more on the music than the image or the appeal or anything. We’re really interested in making good music, good rock ‘n’ roll music. We’re not a punk band, we’re not a new wave band, we’re not avantgarde. We’re not calculated, we do music that we like because we like it.” And they weren’t the only ones who liked it. One single, “Left in the Dark,” was first released on a Voxx compilation record called Battle of the Garages in 1981 and was subsequently covered by bands such as The Replacements, Uncle Tupelo, Courtney Love, and The Leonards. “We didn’t really know what we were going to do with it,” Ken Draznik said in a recent interview with The Daily Herald, “We were just going to give it to friends.” Unfortunately, the band broke up after three years in 1982 without ever releasing a full-length album, “Yeah, maybe if we’d stuck around a few more years,” Draznik said in the Herald interview, “But the music industry is very, very tough. We always thought it was for the best. There’s a lot of talented people out there.” Of course, their influence of the University of Illinois music culture has never ceased. The bands and record companies who flourish here owe their success to the Vertebrats for laying the foundation for the emergence of an unusually vibrant music scene in the 1980s that some observers as far away as New York City talked about as the new pop-rock capitol of the Midwest. After their break-up, the band members went their separate ways and eventually left Champaign-Urbana. By the early ‘90s, however, the

the night is ours

by Dylan Sutcliff

members of the band had begun searching through their basements and making calls to their fans for old cassettes of studio and live recordings. What they found led to two full-length albums, A Thousand Day Dream, a 22-track collection of studio works and another 22-track album called Continuous Shows, which contains live recordings of some their best songs. The release of these two collections spurred their first reunion shows in 1992 which took place at their old home Mabels. The band returned to Champaign three years later in 1995 and then a little more than a decade later in 2006. And on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3, they are doing a 30-year reunion show at Cowboy Monkey and the High Dive. There is also going to be a free acoustic show on Thursday night at Amara Yoga & Arts in Lincoln Square in Urbana. “They will play a lot of songs don’t usually get played, most of which have been written since the Vertebrats disbanded,” said the sister of lead guitarist Matt Brandabur about the acoustic set. Opening for The Vertebrats is another hometown band that is having a reunion, The Outnumbered. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, you may be out of luck as at press time tickets were near capacity at both venues.

Australian rockers Youth Group pay a visit to the Canopy Club

buzz

they describe their experiences complete with accompanying illustrations made by members of the band. Tickets for the Canopy Club are $10 in advance, and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. Used with permission from the band

Youth Group’s hard-hitting lyrics melt with Toby Martin’s angelic, soothing voice. Their albums have been critically acclaimed as a combination of the best of ‘80s and ‘90s rock. Their name has been rumored to be an homage to Teenage Fanclub, a Scottish band that Toby Martin has credited as highly influential to his musical career. The Canopy Club is sure to hear singles like “Two Sides” and “All This will Pass” from Youth Group’s latest release, 2008’s The Night is Ours. The band not only connects with fans during their live shows, but also reaches out using the Internet. While on tour, the band had kept their fans updated through their official website where

Eva Hunter at Mike ‘N’ Molly’s Friday, Sept. 25 by Todd Hunter A familiar face in Danville and Springfield, Bloomington singersongwriter Eva Hunter paid a rare visit to Champaign on Friday. Having released the album No Missing Pieces in July, Hunter played all but one song off it in the Mike ‘n’ Molly’s beer garden before an enthusiastic crowd. Hunter is not an easy artist to pin down, especially without her rock band behind her. She stood alone and awash in gold light, the shadow of her borrowed microphone stand across her face for most of the set. “I’m gonna go back to the new album,” Hunter announced as a woman toward the front shouted, “What?” and Hunter stopped cold. It turned out to be unrelated bar conversation but accentuated the intimate nature of the rest of the audience. The song after, the title track from No Missing Pieces, was a standout with husky vocals that did acrobatics and left Hunter looking appropriately spent at the end of the song. “Crazy Moon Ride” was playful, as if Hunter were relaxed and just rattling it off. “It’s a perfect night for a full moon ride,” she sang, even though overhead was a thick cloud cover and the half-moon nowhere in sight. Hunter introduced “Please Me” as being “about a beautiful day in May,” but closer “Burned Cold” more accurately described the midnight weather. In contrast to before, though, the clouds had parted over the beer garden, and scattered stars at last were visible.

Images used with permission from the band

by Vivianna Sapien On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Canopy Club brings Australian indie-rock success Youth Group to the stage. The catchy four-piece has been together since the late ‘90s after forming in Sydney, Australia. In the U.S., they first made waves in 2006 with their cover of Alphaville’s “Forever Young” on their third album, 2006’s Casino Twilight Dogs. With four albums under their belt, Youth Group has toured with Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay, Kings of Leon and just recently, have joined The Get Up Kids on their reunion tour. Since then, the band’s singles have been featured in major television shows like The O.C. and Gossip Girl.

the set lisT

» Prized Possession » How Much Love It Takes » Don’t Be That Girl » One Phone Call » Don’t Let Me Go » Easy » Every Time You Leave » Night Is Still Young » Weigh You Down » No Missing Pieces » Box » Not Missing You » Crazy Moon Ride » Calling for You » Please Me » Burned Cold

Image used with permission from Eva Hunter

the217.com october 1 - 7, 2009

Why does my boyfriend want me to pee on him?

catching up with ...

This week

Eleni Moraites

Kr annert Center for the Performing arts

Tu OcT 6

7:30pm

Nicole Cabell, soprano // Marquee we OcT 7

7:30pm

UI Symphonic Band II and UI Concert Band I // School of Music

Th OcT 8

Local musician Eleni Moraites talks to buzz about her new album. Photo by Brad Thorp

5pm

Krannert Uncorked // Marquee

7:30pm

Buried Child // Depar tment of Theatre

by Megan Creighton Eleni Moraites is a local pop-folk musician who is putting out her third album Everything You Missed on Oct. 4. Her raw passion for music can be heard through powerful vocals that touch on sentiments of both harrowing heartbreak and pure felicity. Acoustic guitar drives an authentic folk sound that often showcases flairs of country to reflect the nature of individual songs. Moraites tells buzz about her music and what anticipation surrounds the album release show at the Cowboy Monkey on Sunday, Oct. 4. » buzz: Your first album was released in 2001, and your second in 2002. What inspired you to release a third album years later almost seven years later? Eleni Moraites: I was living in town and working as a musician, more as a teacher [years ago]. Then, I actually left town and went to graduate school so it was like a lapse of all those years where I was out of town. That would explain why I’ve been missing. » buzz: How has the nature of your music progressed or shifted? EM: I am much more of a confident song writer, and obviously as six or seven years elapse you become more mature. So I think my music is a little bit more upbeat, more fun, a little bit more, not as serious I guess. There’s obviously a serious nature to some of the songs, but there is a lot more fun on this new record. » buzz: Is there an underlying theme listeners can expect on the new album? EM: I usually write optimistic music ... [As for an] underlying theme, there’s always acoustic guitar. I guess if you want to know one way the

music has changed, it is that my mom actually likes this record. » buzz: What is the most prevalent sound or instrument on your new album? EM: There’s always acoustic guitar. This album is definitely different because there is a full drum set on many of the tracks. I have some fantastic musicians playing with me — Angie Heaton sings with me on one of the tracks, Ryan Groff is on the first track with me, Cody Sokolski (who is in the Delta Kings), he’s a fantastic guitarist and plays on one of the tracks. I’ve made a lot of friends making this record actually. I’ve had such fun. Abby Crull sings on the record, Josh Quirk plays drums on all the drum tracks. Lissette Wells and Amanda Grady also sing on the record. John Tubbs is a bassist. Many of the players are professional musicians. It’s really kind of a local collective thing. » buzz: Now that your third album is ready for the public, what does the future look like? EM: I’ve already started working on a lot of new songs, and my favorite part of the process is definitely recording. I’m a horrible business person. I do it because I just love it, not because I’m trying to be famous or anything. I think my all-time goal or dream would literally be to write songs that I can sell to country singers and other musicians, and that way I can be a normal person. I don’t really have a goal of being a famous musician. To me, the show is really special because I’ve never really played with a live band since high school. We’re just playing all my original songs, so it’s going to be awesome.

QUICK PICK ALBUM review

Thank yOu TO The fOllOwing spOnsOrs:

nicole cabell, soprano Mary and Kenneth Andersen Dolores and Roger Yarbrough

Buried child Sam Shepard twists the American dream into a surreal and slightly silly nightmare when the members of a disjointed Illinois farm family act out their frustrations in violently uproarious scenes. Once the biggest family secret is literally unearthed, a renewed sense of togetherness is awakened. Th-Sa, Oct 8-10 at 7:30pm We-Sa, Oct 14-17 at 7:30pm Su, Oct 18 at 3pm Studio Theatre $8-$15

by Caity LeValley C A L L 3 3 3 . 6 2 8 0 s 1. 8 0 0 . K C P A T I X

ARTIST:

Florence and the Machine

Album:

Lungs

Florence and the Machine is one of those bands that has to grow on you. The groups’ debut album came out on July 6, 2009 in the U.K., and I thought I hated it until about a week ago when I realized “Dog Days Are Over” was stuck on repeat in my head. Their sound is dramatic and sweeping with Florence Welch’s vocals soaring over the backing Machine — a band made up of rotating members. I get a darkly whimsical, Alice in Wonderland-ish feel, and I can only imagine how crazy these kids would be in concert. It may not be your thing on the first take, but try seven or so, and you just might change your mind. Definitely check out “The Drumming Song” for an example of the band’s sound.

Corporate Power Train Team Engine

40 North and Krannert Center —working together to put Champaign County’s culture on the map.

Marquee performances are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council—a state agency which recognizes Krannert Center in its Partners in Excellence Program.

SKIP OR STICK WITH: STICK WITH buzz

LOCAL FRIGHTS FRIGHTS FRIGHTS the217.com

Haunted Houses open near CU

Fear Factory Haunted House (Rantoul)

by Danielle Perlin

ith the beginning of October comes cooler weather, pretty leaves and, most importantly, Halloween. While some people dress up or watch a scary movie in celebration, others just love the idea of haunted houses, getting spooked and seeing their worst nightmares materialized. Luckily, haunted houses are popping up near the Champaign-Urbana area this year, and are sure to provide all the frights necessary for the perfect Halloween.

The Haunted Dungeon (Rantoul)

In it’s 13th year of existence, the Haunted Dungeon will open on Friday, Oct. 16, and is located at 128 E. Sangamon Ave. in Rantoul. Tickets are $7 each for the regular haunts and $1 for the lighted matinee showing on Sunday, Oct. 25. A group rate is offered at $5 a piece. The Haunted Dungeon is located underneath the aquarium pet shop in the hundred-year-old basement, providing the perfect backdrop for all things freaky and frightful. Greg Lavender, one of three men who run the haunted house, said it’s the perfect atmosphere for a haunted house. “[It’s] pretty dark and dank down there ... brick beams and really old lit posts,” he said. Lavender explained that there aren’t any ghost stories tied to the building, but there happens to be a random old tombstone in the basement, which makes the already creepy basement a little bit creepier. “[It was] down there even before they opened this haunted house,” he said. “I don’t know why it’s there. I think everybody’s sort of afraid to move it too far.” According to Lavender, the house has about 3600 usable square feet, including nine or 10 rooms with mazes in between. In addition, the three men have rebuilt the entire basement, and have upped their trafﬁc goal to 2000 visitors this year, as opposed to last year’s 800. “It’ll be a whole new experience for people who’ve been coming for years,” he said. “Hopefully [it’s] a better set up and more interesting this year.”

buzz

the217.com

How can I become a vampire?

Interior shot of The Fear Factory, Rantoul. Photo by Tammay Chowdhary

House of Horrors (Pesotum)

This will be the first year for the Pesotum House of Horrors, located in an old church and school building the corner of Madison and Church Street in Pesotum. Christy Grassman, who is putting this haunted house together, said her friend purchased this almost 100-year-old building in April of this year. “As soon as we saw it, we knew we had to do a haunted house for this October,” she said. Grassman said the locals have told her a few of the rooms in the old church are haunted, something she believes sets the house apart from others in the area. “[There are] specific rooms throughout the church where everyone would be like, ‘That’s where the ghost was.’ Dozens that would make comments like that,” she said. “I won’t go in the building by myself … I’m the first one in the building and last one out, [and] this one door is always at a different angle. It totally creeps me out.”

Ticket prices are $13, and only those 13 and older are allowed. The basement of the church is over 8000 square foot, and the theme for this year’s frights is horror movies. “I went through every horror movie you could imagine ... incorporated the villains into the house in different rooms,” she said. The haunted house will have security and more than 20 frightening actors in different rooms, as well as an additional back-up cast. The Champaign Urbana theatre company will be replacing the regular actors one night to promote its production of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde “as a fundraiser for CUTC,” said Grassman. Though Grassman is “very nervous,” since this is her ﬁrst time doing a haunted house, she thinks it will be great. “I’ve come up with this stuff on my own … It’s a completely fresh perspective,” she said.

Husband and wife Michelle and Jason Tator started Fear Factory Haunted House in Rantoul and still run it. The haunted house is in its 12th year, and is located at 320 E. Letchworth Ave. The idea originated from Jason Tatar’s upbringing. He said his family always had a haunted house on their back porch annually, and when the Tatar’s were married, they started a haunted house in their yard. “It just escalated from starting in your yard to purchasing your own facility to do it,” said Michelle Tatar. Admission is $10 for individuals (cash only), $15 for a speed pass to get in a faster line, group rates for 20 people or more — except on Oct. 30 and 31 — and half price for any military serviceperson with an ID. Michelle also emphasized how it’s important to make improvements annually; this year, the couple made the front of the haunted house to look like a mausoleum, gargoyles and gates included. “When you drive out, you automatically start getting in the mood for a haunted house,” she said. “We don’t leave it the same every year; I think that’s why we keep getting more and more people coming.” She also emphasized that Fear Factor Haunted House has an “element of surprise.” The couple tries to use make-up, including latex and fake blood, rather than masks to make the frights even more frightening. “When walking through our haunted house, we use a lot of real props … we try to make it more realistic,” she said. She gave hints as to what some rooms might resemble. “Some rooms might be a recreation of a movie … some rooms are purely imagination,” she said. “In one room, the ceiling and walls are closing in on you. I envisioned [what] an old, creepy library would look like.” The couple normally starts working on the haunted house right after Easter for about six months. She said she welcomes constructive criticism; any way to make the house better each year. “Halloween, in front of Christmas, is huge for our family,” she said, “[we] deﬁnitely do it for the love of the haunts.”

OCTOBER 1 - 7, 2009

Decatur’s Haunted Decatur Tours

Interior shot of The Fear Factory, Rantoul. Photo by Tammay Chowdhary

OCTOBER 1 - 7, 2009

by Lauren Hise

ooking for some real encounters of the third kind this Halloween? Grab some brave friends and take the hour trip west to Decatur (yes, the place in the Sufjan Stevens song) for a night of gravestones, haunted houses and grim crime scenes, all wrapped up into one ghoulish and spinetingling experience. Though there is no guarantee that you will receive a visit from the other side, no one participating in the Haunted Decatur tours will be able to say it is for lack of trying. The tours, which include your choice of a Haunted History Tour and an expanded Ghost Hunter’s Tour, wind and weave their way through some of the favorite hangouts of the not quite departed. The infamous Greenwood Cemetery, which has graves dating back to the 1800s, is just one of sites that the tours include. Tours take visitors on trips to the Avon and Lincoln theatres, the Powers Mansion and other Decatur landmarks, each with their own haunted histories. Since 1994, the tours have been hosting a wide variety of people looking to trade in the fabricated frights of haunted houses for places where the line between myth and reality is a bit harder to read. Therese Brown, a Decatur native who risked the brush with the supernatural a few years ago, is planning to again this year. “It was so neat to go through the cemetery and hear all these stories about the people who were buried there,” said Brown. “Being there at night just adds this whole other level to it. When I heard the story about the devil’s chair while we were in Greenwood ... it deﬁnitely makes you look over your shoulder.” Tickets are on sale now for the Halloween season and sell out very quickly, so get yours as soon as humanely possible.

Haunted Houses Around Town Haunted Dungeon, Rantoul

House of Horrors, Pesotum

Where: 128 E. Sangamon Ave. in Rantoul Dates: Saturday, Oct. 17; Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25; Thursday, Oct. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 31. Times: Fridays and Saturdays: 7 p.m. to midnight; Thursday: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; On Sunday, Oct. 25, there is a semi-lighted walk-through for younger kids from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the regular haunt resumes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Price: $7 each for the regular haunts, $1 for the lighted matinee showing, group rate is $5 a piece (please call ahead).

Where: Corner of Madison Street and Church Street, Pesotum Dates: Every Friday and Saturday in October. During Halloween week, from Wednesday, Oct. 28 to Saturday, Oct. 31. Times: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Price: $13

Fear Factory Haunted House,

Rantoul Where: 320 E. Letchworth Ave. Dates: Varies throughout the month Times: Varies throughout the month. Price: $10 for individuals (cash only); $15 speed pass to get in a faster line; group rates for 20 people or more, except on Oct. 30 and 31, and half price for any military serviceperson with an ID. For more information, visit http://www. fearfactoryhauntedhouse.com

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CALENDAR

OCTOBER 1 - 7, 2009

Complete listing available at

THE217.COM/CALENDAR

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO THE CALENDAR: Online: forms available at the217.com/calendar â&#x20AC;˘ E-mail: send your notice to calendar@the217.com â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 337-8328, addressed to the217 calendar Snail mail: send printed materials via U.S. Mail to: the217 calendar, Illini Media, 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 â&#x20AC;˘ Call: 531-1456 if you have a question or to leave a message about your event.

FRIDAY 2

karaoke

Top 40 Dance with DJ live music Substitute New Riders of the Golden Chester Street, C, 9pm, Maize $3 Cafe Luna, C, 5:30pm DJ Delayney Appy Hour & Live Music Highdive, C, 10pm, $5 at Silvercreek DJ LEGTWO and DJ Belly Silvercreek, U, 5:30pm Radio Maria, C, 10pm Battle of the Bands DJs Ian Procell and Canopy Club, U, 6pm ReďŹ&#x201A;ex Live Performance at the Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Aroma Cafe: Nathan Ponzar, Ashley Riley, Jes- dance music sica Jolly Belly Dance 101 Aroma Cafe, C, 7pm Springer Cultural Center, Stella Luce C, 5:30pm, $30 Mike â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mollyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, C, 8pm, $5 Solo Salsa 101 The Brat Pack at Fat City Springer Cultural Center, Fat City Bar & Grill, C, C, 6:30pm, $30 8pm No partner or experience Feudinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hillbillies necessary. Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., Barn Dancing with the U, 9pm Tornado Alley Cats The Vertebrats Phillips Recreation Center, Cowboy Monkey, C, 9pm, U, 8pm, $5, $4 seniors $12 and students Pullstring Pistol Salsa Night at Cafe Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Do 2, C, 9pm Luna Kinetix Cafe Luna, C, 8:30pm, Canopy Club, U, 10pm, $7 $5

Amateur Art Show Springer Cultural Center, C, 8am This show highlights blue ribbon winners from the county shows held in spring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not Between, But From the East and Westâ&#x20AC;? Asian American Cultural stage Center, U, 8:30am Lend Me a Tenor This exhibition will proParkland College Themote the understanding atre, C, 7:30pm, $12, $10 of the universal phenomstudents and seniors, $6 enon of drawing from the youth East and the West. Jason Bishop â&#x20AC;&#x153;Metamorphosisâ&#x20AC;? Virginia Theatre, C, Heartland Gallery, U, 10am 7:30pm, $18 adult, $15 Naragon and McDonnell students and seniors, Cinema Gallery, U, 10am $12 children Ceramics and studio furniture by Dwain Naragon and art exhibit paintings by Barbara Mcâ&#x20AC;&#x153;My Perspective of Busey Donnell will be displayed. Woodsâ&#x20AC;? Barns of Illinois Book Anita Purves Nature Cen- Launch & Exhibit ter, U, 8am Larry Kanfer Photography A photo exhibit of all Gallery, C, 5pm things Busey Woods including the changing sea- museum exhibit sons and native plants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Morrill Act: The Land State Town and Country Grant Roots of a Great CG Productions presents RockStar Karaoke featuring Crazy Craig Senatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Grill, Savoy, 9pm Karaoke with the Outlaw D.R. Diggers, C, 9pm

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lectures Friday Forum: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winning High Quality Affordable Health Care As A Guaranteed Right For All in 2009â&#x20AC;? University YMCA, C, 12pm

festivals

Dance Pop Chester Street, C, 9pm, $3 107.9 Rehab Jams Party Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Do 2, C, 9pm Saturday Night Throwdown featuring DJ Mertz Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Kosmo at Soma Soma Ultralounge, C, 10pm DJ Tim Williams Highdive, C, 10pm No cover for students before 11pm.

Food Not Bombs West Side Park, C, 5pm

Market at the Square Lincoln Square Village, U, 7am

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Morrill Act: The Land Grant Roots of a Great Universityâ&#x20AC;? Exhibition Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, C, 9am, $3

art exhibit

lectures

markets

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Perspective of Busey Woodsâ&#x20AC;? Anita Purves Nature Center, U, 8am SATURDAY 3 State Town and Country Amateur Art Show live music karaoke Springer Cultural Center, Dinner with Panache Dragon Karaoke with C, 8am Jim Gould Restaurant, Paul Faber â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not Between, But From C, 5pm CJ Daneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Tolono, 7pm the East and Westâ&#x20AC;? Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for Rooftops CG Productions presents Asian American Cultural Canopy Club, U, 6pm, $5 RockStar Karaoke featur- Center, U, 8:30am in advance, $7 at the door ing Matt Fear â&#x20AC;&#x153;Metamorphosisâ&#x20AC;? BeneďŹ tting Habitat for Senatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Grill, SaHeartland Gallery, U, Humanity. voy, 9pm 10am The Vertebrats 30-year Naragon and McDonnell stage anniversary show Cinema Gallery, U, 10am Highdive, C, 8pm, $12 Lend Me a Tenor Barns of Illinois Book Big Grove Zydeco Parkland College Theatre, C, Launch & Exhibit Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., 7:30pm, $12, $10 students Larry Kanfer Photography U, 9pm and seniors, $6 youth Gallery, C, 5pm

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Decision Making in Living Cellsâ&#x20AC;? Loomis Lab, U, 10:15am

volunteer UC Books to Prisoners work session Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, U, 2pm Blood Drive Curtis Orchard, C, 9am Donate blood and receive a $5 gift certiďŹ cate. Puzzle Painting Project Lincoln Square Mall, U, 10am

classes & workshops Mammal Tracking Workshop

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museum exhibit opening

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Universityâ&#x20AC;? Exhibition Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, C, 9am, $3

Store Hours: Monâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Sat: 9amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;6pm

Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Homer, 9am, $10 per person Lego Club Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, C, 12pm, $20 members, $25 nonmembers

sunday 4 live music Dinner with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 5pm Brunch with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 10am Emerald Rum Blind Pig Co., The, C, 5pm Eleni Moraites Cowboy Monkey, C, 5pm, $5 Live music at Carmon’s Carmon’s Restaurant, C, 5:30pm The Bled Highdive, C, 8pm, $10 Youth Group Canopy Club, U, 8pm

Woods” Anita Purves Nature Center, U, 8am State Town and Country Amateur Art Show Springer Cultural Center, C, 8am “Not Between, But From the East and West” Asian American Cultural Center, U, 8:30am Barns of Illinois Book Launch & Exhibit Larry Kanfer Photography Gallery, C, 5pm

lectures The Camera and Abraham Lincoln Early American Museum, Mahomet, 2pm

recreation Sunday Morning Bird Walks Anita Purves Nature Center, U, 7:30am

classes & workshops

West African Drum Classes Patio Party Capoeira Academy, C, Cowboy Monkey, C, 5pm 4pm, $15, $12 students West African Dance dance music Classes with Djibril Country Western Dance Camara Independent Order of Channing-Murray FounOdd Fellows Arthur Lodge dation, U, 6pm, $10-12 742, U, 5pm, $2

karaoke Dragon Karaoke with Paul Faber CJ Dane’s, Tolono, 7pm Rock Band Sundays Hosted by MC Remy Bentley’s Pub, C, 8pm

monday 5 live music

Feudin’ Hillbillys Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, 9pm Monday Night Live Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm $2 Too Wild Mondays open mic with Jobu Anything Goes Open Mic Canopy Club, U, 10pm Night with Jeremy Harper dj Memphis on Main, C, 8:30pm Industrial Night: DJ SorceryKid presents movies Nekromancy Pizza, Pitcher, & A Movie Chester Street, C, 9pm, Canopy Club, U, 7pm $2 ‘80s Night stage Highdive, C, 10pm So You Think You Can dance music Dance Tour 2009 Assembly Hall, C, Maniac Mondays 7:30pm, $38.50-$56 Cowboy Monkey, C, 4pm Solo Salsa 101 auditions Phillips Recreation Center, Open auditions for Zoo U, 6pm, $22 Improv karaoke Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, MCJS Karaoke U, 1pm American Legion Post 24, C, 7:30pm art exhibit CG Productions presents “My Perspective of Busey RockStar Karaoke featur-

ing Matt Fear Mike ‘n’ Molly’s, C, 10pm

open mic Open Stage for Bands/ Musicians Memphis on Main, C, 8pm

stage Monday Night Improv Courtyard Cafe — Illini Union, U, 8pm

art exhibit “My Perspective of Busey Woods” Anita Purves Nature Center, U, 8am State Town and Country Amateur Art Show Springer Cultural Center, C, 8am “Not Between, But From the East and West” Asian American Cultural Center, U, 8:30am Barns of Illinois Book Launch & Exhibit Larry Kanfer Photography Gallery, C, 5pm “Museum of Mystery: A Thirty-Year Bannerline of Paintings” by Glen C. Davies Parkland Art Gallery, C, 10am

art Art Education Film Series at the University of Illinois: Art21 Art and Design Building, C, 5pm

game-playing Board Game Night with DJ Casanova Radio Maria, C, 10:30pm

classes & workshops Ashtanga/Mysore Classes Lincoln Square Village, U, 6am, $12-25 General Diabetes Nutrition Class Christie Clinic on Windsor, C, 2pm, $10 MELD (Monday Evening Life Drawing) Group McGown Studios, C, 7pm, $7

tuesday 6 live music Nicole Cabell, soprano, Spencer Myer, piano Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, U, 7:30pm, $46, $41 seniors, $31 students The Piano Man

new sibling’s arrival. Physical Challenge Dance art exhibit Research Rx Night “My Perspective of Busey Champaign Public Library, Canopy Club, U, 10pm Woods” C, 7pm Anita Purves Nature Cendance music ter, U, 8am dance music support groups Indian Music Classes State Town and Country Indian Music Classes Emotions Anonymous Channing-Murray FounAmateur Art Show Channing-Murray FounFaith United Methodist dation, U, 4pm, $25 group Springer Cultural Center, dation, U, 4pm, $25 group Church, C, 7:30am class, $45 private class C, 8am lectures class, $45 private class Depression and Bipolar Country Dance Night at “Not Between, But From Belly Dance 101 New Federal Biomedical Support Alliance weekly Bradley’s II the East and West” Phillips Recreation Center, R&D Priorities consumer support group Bradley’s II, C, 8am Asian American Cultural U, 5:30pm, $22 Micro and Nanotechnol- Provena Covenant Medi- Tango Night with DJ Joe Center, U, 8:30am ogy Laboratory, U, 12pm cal Center, U, 7pm Grohens Barns of Illinois Book karaoke Spurlock Museum, U, Cowboy Monkey, C, 8pm Launch & Exhibit “G”-Force Karaoke 7:30pm wednesday 7 Swing Dance Larry Kanfer Photography Memphis on Main, C, Illini Union, U, 9:30pm Gallery, C, 5pm game-playing live music 9pm Weekly Salsa Night “Museum of Mystery: A Liquid Courage CarrieBoltini TNT with Ben Donnie Heitler Cowboy Monkey, C, 10pm Thirty-Year Bannerline oke Gorski Great Impasta, U, 6pm of Paintings” by Glen C. Memphis on Main, C, Boltini Lounge, C, 7pm Joe Asselin “Acoustic and concert Davies 10pm WPGU presents Trivia Alone” UI Symphonic Band II and Parkland Art Gallery, C, MCJS Karaoke Diner hosted by Fishing Rock’s, C, 6pm UI Concert Band I 10am American Legion Post 24, With Dynamite Traditional Irish Music at Foellinger Auditorium, U, museum exhibit C, 7:30pm Canopy Club, U, 7pm Bentley’s Pub 7:30pm, $4-$10 Paul Faber hosts Dragon Bentley’s Pub, C, 7pm The Morrill Act: The volunteer Karaoke Hindustani Instrumental karaoke Land Grant Roots of a The Clark Bar, C, 9pm UC Books to Prisoners Concert — Sitar CG Productions presents Great University ExhibiCG Productions presents work session Smith Hall, U, 7:30pm RockStar Karaoke featur- tion RockStar Karaoke featur- Urbana-Champaign InDave Cooper and Joni ing DJ Switch Krannert Art Museum ing Crazy Craig dependent Media Center, Dreyer The Corner Tavern, Mon- and Kinkead Pavilion, C, Geo’s, U, 9pm U, 7pm Senator’s Bar & Grill, Saticello, 8pm 9am, $3 CG Productions presents voy, 8pm The Legendary Karaoke kids & families RockStar Karaoke featur- kids & families Caleb Cook Night with The Outlaw ing DJ Switch Story Time Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., White Horse Inn, C, 9pm Around the World Bentley’s Pub, C, 9:30pm Champaign Public Library, U, 9pm Wednesday Night Wednesdays CG Productions presents C, 6:30pm Kilborn Alley Blues Karaoke with Paul Faber’s Spurlock Museum, U, RockStar Karaoke featurBand Dragon Productions 9:30am lgbt ing Matt Fear D.R. Diggers, C, 9pm La Gourmandise Bistro on Board Silly Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Rainbow Coffeehouse Main, U, 9pm Douglass Branch Library, Wesley-United Methodist dj “G” Force Karaoke/DJ C, 4pm open mic Church & Wesley Founda- Hillbilly Humpday with every Wednesday at lgbt Open Mic Night with tion, U, 6:30pm DJ Halfdead Fat City Mike Ingram Radmaker’s Rock & Roll Fat City Bar & Grill, C, Dinner and a Movie Cowboy Monkey, C, 10pm mind/body/spirit Tavern, Tolono, 8pm 10pm Asian American Cultural Tarot Card Readings Weekly Top 40 Center, U, 5pm, $5 movies open mic Carmon’s Restaurant, C, Chester Street, C, 9pm support groups Reel Deal: G. I. Joe: The 5:30pm, $15 Country Night at It’ll Open mic at Green St. Rise of Cobra Do 2 Green St. Cafe, C, 8pm Coming Out Support Virginia Theatre, C, 7pm, $2 classes & workshops It’ll Do 2, C, 9pm Open Stage Comedy Group Siblings Class DJ LEGTWO Night Illini Union, U, 7pm art exhibit Provena Covenant Medi- Boltini Lounge, C, 9pm Memphis on Main, C, Christie Clinic Breast “My Perspective of Busey cal Center, U, 3pm I Love the ‘90s 9pm Cancer Support Group Woods” The Siblings Class helps Soma Ultralounge, C, Open-Mic Night Christie Clinic on WindAnita Purves Nature Cen- children prepare for their 10pm Radio Maria, C, 10:30pm sor, C, 7pm ter, U, 8am State Town and Country Amateur Art Show Springer Cultural Center, C, 8am “Not Between, But From the East and West” Asian American Cultural Jazz in the Courtyard Illinites Concert Rock Concert featuring Noon, Free My Dear Alan Andrews, With The Lydia & All The Day Holiday Center, U, 8:30am Doors open at 7pm, $5 Morning, and The 312s Barns of Illinois Book Rock Concert featuring 9pm, Free Eric Radoux & Tyson and the Friction Launch & Exhibit Doors open at 7pm, $5 Larry Kanfer Photography Gallery, C, 5pm “Museum of Mystery: A Thirty-Year Bannerline www.union.illinois.edu/funspots/courtyard of Paintings” by Glen C. Accommodation for hearing impaired patrons is available by calling 244-8938 at least 7 days in advance of the event. Davies Parkland Art Gallery, C, 10am Canopy Club, U, 9pm Corn Desert Ramblers Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, 9pm

museum exhibit

“The Morrill Act: The Land Grant Roots of a Great University” Exhibition Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, C, 9am, $3

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The Daily Illini YOUR SOURCE. buzz

october 1 - 7, 2009

the217.com

CU Sound off

by Tolu Taiwo

What do you think about Jimmy Carter’s racism comment?

fter U.S. North Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson’s outburst during President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress (“You lie!”), Former President Jimmy Carter claimed that act was “based on racism.” Though Wilson’s comment appeared during a debate over

health care, a controversial topic in America, Carter feels that the moment shows just how many people aren’t ready for a president of color. With his approval ratings at 55 percent, it is obvious that Obama is not liked by all. Yet as the first African-American presi-

dent of the United States, any disapproval of his actions may seem like something else besides the general feeling of hatred aimed at the current leader. Does recent discontent toward Obama have anything to do with racism?

Madeline Root Freshman in psychology

Macklyn Thornburgh freshman in philosophy

Matt Johnson freshman in computer engineering

Ayesha Mahajan junior in accounting

“I think there’s definitely some racism ... probably more in the South where racism is more of an issue than, like, the big city areas where it’s less of a problem ... The people I surround myself with are not that way so much, so I don’t get that vibe of the Presidency, but I definitely see how it’s an issue in some areas.”

“When it comes to politics, it’s not racism; it’s just a general bi-partisan divide between the [Democrats] and [Republicans]. But with the general public, it is racism, because he’s an African-American and they don’t trust that. So hopefully with Obama being president, people will come to see it’s not about race. It’s about being good and giving back to the country.”

“Maybe some of it is. It depends on who it is that you know. Ideally, hopefully it would not be due to racism, but obviously racism would be a factor to some people, so I guess some of it is that. Your opinion of Obama should be based on what he’s doing, and the condition of how well he’s doing it.”

“I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that there is a Democrat in office currently. We’ve had a Republican for the last eight years, but I think it partly because of racism. It’s history; it is a big change.”

CommuniTy other than our own

how to ...

Spurlock Museum welcomes back “Around the World

Pick a pumpkin

by Abby Wilson by Emily Langhenry

buzz

“It’s a drop-in program on principle, so we try and be ready for whoever comes,” said Robinson. She explained that there are generally crafts in the learning center as well as books and other media, such as film clips and appropriate music representing the theme of the day. An additional activity that varies each week is also offered in the gallery. “Sometimes it’s a story or a guest,” said Robinson. “Sometimes it’s a game we play. Sometimes it’s an introduction to artifacts, or an opportunity to handle a different set of artifacts.” The first session on Oct. 7 will take families to the Pacific Island nation-state of Papua New Guinea, which is also the theme of a temporary exhibit in the museum’s Campbell Gallery until January. The program, which usually lasts six to eight weeks, will continue every Wednesday from Oct. 7 to Nov. 11. No sign

up is required, and guests are invited to participate from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Robinson suggests arriving by 11:00 a.m. in order to have enough time to fully experience each aspect, and a $2 donation per family member to the museum is requested. “Generally, we get very positive feedback. I think it’s a great opportunity for mostly parents and children to have a fun and educational experience in a museum environment,” said Robinson.

Photo by Lu Huang

Spurlock Museum is traveling the globe on a cultural adventure with area families this fall. The on-campus museum is welcoming back the “Around the World Wednesdays” program for its sixth year. Beginning Oct. 7, the museum’s Zahn Learning Center will feature a different part of the earth every week and allow visitors to experience its unique culture. Julia Robinson, the learning center coordinator, developed the program and directs it each semester with the help of student assistants. She said the idea came about when the museum was looking for a way to have more families visit during the week, and eventually became a reality in May 2004. Since then, the program has run each semester and invites children of all ages to come learn a little about different places around the world. “It’s geared towards preschoolers and their families and homeschoolers and their families, but we’ve had kids anywhere from two until teenagers,” said Robinson. “It’s a family program. Sometimes kids come with an aunt or a grandparent, or usually with a parent.” Each Wednesday, the learning center and gallery present a range of activities relating to the focus area. Around 40 people participate a week, although as many as 80 have come before.

With pumpkin season in full swing, everyone wants to be sure that they’ve get the top pick of the patch. Whether you’re picking a pumpkin to carve, to cook or to decorate you, can be sure that these tips will have you saying “jackpot.” » Looking at the pumpkin’s flesh color is a must. Examine the entire pumpkin for any bruises, scratches, splits, cracks or discoloration. If a pumpkin has any evidence of these characteristics steer clear and keep looking. » Pick a completely orange pumpkin. This may be an obvious tip, but don’t settle on a dull-colored pumpkin. » Pay attention to the blossom (the part where the stem of the pumpkin sits on top, middle part of the pumpkin). Touch around the blossom and make sure that it is solid to the touch, rather than soft. » Size does matter. If you want to carve your pumpkin, be sure to scope out only the medium size ones. If you want to cook your pumpkin for a delicious pumpkin dish, be sure to pick a smaller pumpkin. » Don’t pick a pumpkin that is to big for you to carry. You may run the risk of dropping your pumpkin before it makes it to your doorstep.

the217.com october 1 - 7, 2009

Why when I talk to girls on Facebook they don’t answer me?

DOIN’ IT WELL

by Jo SangEr and Ross Wantland

Submitted for your appoval

RANTS & RAVES Tri-Town Talk

Understanding BDSM Bondage and S/M has entered the mainstream. Whether watching T V or attending a bachelor(ette) party, off-hand references to safe words or handcuffs abound. But do we really know what all that means? BDSM — standing for bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadomasochism — is a broad term for sex that involves an explicit, consensual power exchange between partners. This power exchange is not assumed, and can include anything from flogging to feathers — and much more. “Doin’ It Well” wanted to examine BDSM — and help our readers developing their kink-sense. The Kink Link

BDSM includes many ways of playing. Bondage means restraining a partner for sexual pleasure, such as using handcuffs or rope. Discipline, is the use of rules or punishment in a sexual scene, which can be physical and/or psychological. Dominance and submission, related to discipline, is a power exchange between partners, one taking the role of “dom” (in charge) and one the “sub” or “bottom.” Dominance and submission is largely about the mental approach the partners take to the relationship. At an extreme, dominance and submission can include 24/7 (or “total power exchange”) role playing of the dom/sub relationship in all areas of their lives. Finally, sadomasochism (S/M) is probably the most well known term in the BDSM vernacular. Referring to both sadism (enjoying inflicting pain on others) and masochism (enjoying receiving pain), S/M includes most of the more physical aspects used to inflict real or symbolic pain during sex. There are many reasons why folks enjoy BDSM. The experience of exploring power dynamics, role playing, and trust within a sexual relationship can be both pleasurable and enlightening. In fact, many people already engage in some form of power play, even if they don’t call it that, including blindfolding or light bondage. Additionally, non-sexual physical sensations (like feathers, pinching, or icecubes) may intensify sexual arousal or sensations. BDSMville

Unlike the depictions of BDSM behaviors on TV or in mainstream porn, people who engage in BDSM often do so with a lot of communication with both partners and non-partners. We recently heard about a BDSM dungeon (club where patrons can engage in public sex) that employed “consent checkers” — individuals who asked each person engaging in a scene if they were safe and willing. There wasn’t shame or embarrassment about checking for consent; it was just one rule of the community. We were blown away. Imagine if this were a model for everyone — if you knocked on your roommate’s door to make sure everyone was cool with what might be going on!

“Rants and Raves”is an anonymous space for your words, not ours. Post (anonymously) on the 217.com’s Rants & Raves forum (find it on the home page) and we will put your scribblings in an upcoming issue. We reserve the right to refuse to publish any email on the basis of content.



Safety is incredibly important in a BDSM scene or relationship. A major component in playing with a partner is trust — one partner trusts another with their body. This means that partners have to be in touch with one another, knowing what is within the limits and what is not. This is why many BDSM players may have a pre-established safe word or words they can use to increase, decrease, or stop the behavior. Because words like “no” may be used as part of a role-play, the safe word is determined ahead of time, known by all partners, and almost impossible to come up in the context of the scene. (A recent episode of How I Met Your Mother used “flugelhorn” as a couple’s safe word.) In addition to safe words, this means being aware of the risk of serious injuries associated with a behavior, and educating yourself beforehand to know how to practice it safely.

Dear sleep, I know you really enjoy evading me these days. Although it is already midnight, I know we will not meet up for at least four more hours. Unfortunately I have nothing to do until then. I guess it would be nice if you could appear in my life a little bit more. I would really appreciate, because lack of you means a much more tedious day tomorrow.

To the girl macking on her gum in my English class: I find your oral fixation to gum repulsive. You’ve had 20 years to learn how to chew with your mouth closed but you seem to have failed epically. Please don’t be so naive as to think that your loud and distracting gum outbursts make up for your lack of class participation. Yes, we may all know you’re there, but we wish you weren’t.

Trust Fall

In response to “Movie Talkers” in the Sept. 9th issue: So I just caught the remastered Wizard of Oz 70th anniversary showing this past Wednesday, and there were a couple women singing and quoting half the movie. I wanted to choke them. I tried to make eye contact and look fierce, but that didn’t work because they were into their little seat-dance routine. Then I tried to shush them, and that didn’t work either. I think eventually they moved to a different part of the theater because they sensed angry people around them, and I think some theater employees had to speak with them a little later.

Playing It Safe

“Doin’ It Well” has talked a lot about what consent looks like in all relationships, but consent takes on incredible importance in BDSM. As trust is critical to power play, active consent is also critical. In addition to developing and honoring safe words and limits, this trust is increased by talking beforehand (and checking in afterwards) about the experience. Mainstream media paints a picture that BDSM should be sprung on a partner as a way to liven up a monotonous sexual relationship. If we haven’t developed a “scene” with our partner beforehand, “surprising” them by handcuffing them or pouring hot wax on them is not safe, consensual, or about enhancing mutual pleasure and is definitely not sexy. In fact, it’s the intense communication and connection beforehand that allows for hot, intense, enjoyable power exchange during the scene. There may be other questions or concerns related to the specific acts you’re interested in. Check out the resources below or check it out on the web. If you want to play — by yourselves or as part of the BDSM community — being safe, open, and consensual is the key! Check us out next week as “Doin’ It Well” looks at the “new” drunk dialing! Jo and Ross thank all the wonderful readers who have been sending their thoughts and suggestions. Keep it up at buzzdoinitwell@yahoo.com

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the217.com

Free Will Astrology ARIES

(March 21-April 19)

Is the electron a wave or a particle? Physicists had to conduct thousands of experiments to arrive at the definitive answer, which is that it’s both. In other words, the solution to one of the fundamental questions about the nature of reality is a paradox. I think this strongly suggests that the correct response to many other riddles about the ultimate truth might be two seemingly opposing explanations. Could the Unitarians and Buddhists both be right? Socialists and capitalists? Mystics and scientists? In the upcoming days, Aries, you will be offered lots of practice in adopting this approach as you deal with a personal dilemma that’s very much akin to “Is the electron a wave or a particle?”

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

Have you ever mused on the fact that your body is actually a kind of furnace? And that your whole life depends upon it? Food and oxygen are constantly combusting inside you, generating fiery energy that fuels your every movement, thought, and feeling. This awareness of fire as a source of vitality, not a destroyer, would be valuable for you to cultivate in the coming days. Your steady, earthy rhythm needs a shot of radiance and luminosity and fervor. Several couples I know keep lists of the five celebrities they’d be allowed to boink if the chance ever presented itself. My friend Jim, for instance, will incur no karmic repercussions with his girlfriend Alicia if he ever spends a night of carnal delight with the following people: Lady Gaga, Sarah Silverman, Karen O, Shakira, or Halle Berry. Alicia’s permitted to enjoy liaisons with Johnny Depp, Chris Rock, Marilyn Manson, Jimmy Fallon, and Portia de Rossi. I bring this up, Gemini, because I believe you’ll soon be the beneficiary of some extravagant cosmic luck that could offer you a close brush with an exotic form of pleasure. This might not exactly take the form of a onenight stand with a famous fox, but it could be almost as extraordinary.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

I’m happy you’re getting back to fundamentals and shedding pretensions and nourishing your roots, but I also want to make sure that you don’t get too funky and lowdown. I’d hate to have to be hoisting you up out of the gutter next week, or counseling you on how to cover for the fact that you’ve compromised your own highest standards. So please resist any temptations you might feel to descend toward the lowest common denominator, Cancerian. As you deepen your center of gravity, make sure you keep your attitude elevated.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

“I may not love you,” wrote R. R. Doister, “but I can certainly love my fantasy about you.” Personally, I’ve been guilty of embodying that attitude toward certain people in my life. There have also been allies to whom I could have said, “I do love you, although I love my fantasy about you a little more.” And it has even been the case on numerous occasions that I’ve been proud to declare, “I love you even more than I love my fantasy about you.” What about you, Leo? Where do you stand on the issue? This is an excellent time to get on the righteous side of the great divide, which is to say: Adore your special people for who they really are more than for your fantasies about them.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

In a puckish fantasy, the poet Linh Dinh imagined a hypothetical scenario in which it would be uncool to be too cool. “In an effort to inject more pep and resolve into its lethargic citizens,” he waxed with prophetic longing, “the government is mandating the use of an exclamation mark at the end of each sentence, spoken or written. ‘It looks like rain!’ for example, or ‘I must sleep!’” I suggest that you take his vision, Virgo, and turn it into reality for the immediate future! You would really benefit from getting more excited than usual! Who knows, maybe a simple thing like imagining every one of your sentences ending with an exclamation mark could make your whole being more thrillable!

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Is there a big difference between your current job and your beloved career? Do you suffer from the unsettling 18

buzz

j o n e s i n ’

October 1 - October 7 feeling that your calling hasn’t called you yet? Are you under the impression that your main reason for being here on Earth may reveal itself at some unknown time in the future, but not anytime soon? If you answered no to all those questions, congrats! You are more than halfway toward living a victorious life. But if you answered yes to at least one question, it’s high time to take action. Start by formulating an intention to find out what you need to know in order to deal with the problem more aggressively. The cosmic forces are arrayed in such a way as to reward you for doing so.

SCORPIO

by Matt Jones

“C h a n c e C o l l i s i o n s ”-- a ac r o s s a n d d ow n .

random assortment,

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The Indian guru known as Amma has hugged over 30 million people during her three-decades career. I’ve known people who’ve received blessings from her, and they tell me that she can magically undo your karmic knots with her spiritual power, freeing you from having to suffer indefinitely for the bad decisions you made in the past. Amma rarely does a complete unraveling of all karmic knots in one sitting, however. Your negative conditioning might be holding you together, after all, and a sudden super-fix could cause you to fall apart. That’s the situation I suspect is true for you right now, Scorpio: You’ll be wise to undo some, but not all, of your karmic knots.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

The coming week will have something to offend and agitate everyone -- except you. Whines and moans and yelps will ring out across the land, even as you’re emanating poise and aplomb. You may be tempted to brazenly exploit everyone’s vulnerability and seize control of your corner of the world, but I think that would be shortsighted of you. A better strategy for capitalizing on your advantage would be to dole out large doses of mercy, making sure that the people who will be important to your future don’t lose their way.

Solution in Classifieds.

CAPRICORN

Across

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

“The bear must deal with 20 obstacles, and each one of them involves pears,” says the Sufi proverb, “because the bear adores pears.” That’s a twisty truth worth meditating on, Capricorn. I suspect that the gifts coming your way will bring their own unique problems; the dreams you’re in love with will generate new dilemmas to solve. By no means does this imply that you should avoid accepting the gifts or pursuing your dreams. Part of the fun of doing great things is dealing with the changes they generate!

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

On behalf of all us non-Aquarians, I’d like to express our appreciation for the experiments you’ve been performing. Please don’t be discouraged just because the results thus far have been inconclusive and left you feeling a trifle rudderless. We feel confident that sooner or later you’ll come up with discoveries that will have bottom-line value to both you and the rest of us. We’d also like to apologize for the shortsighted and timid types among us who are accusing you of being unrealistic or overly optimistic. Please keep trying those novel approaches and making those imaginative forays.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

While reviewing the work of Angelina Jolie in the film Taking Lives, A. O. Scott called her “the flesh-and-blood actress most likely to be mistaken for a computer-generated special effect.” I don’t expect you to rival Jolie’s odd talent anytime soon, but I wonder if maybe you’ll be seeing a lot of that kind of stuff in the world around you. Some of the characters who will be advancing the plotlines in your life story may seem to be able to breathe fire, walk through walls, or change the weather at will. At the very least, you’ll witness phenomena that resemble optical illusions. My advice: Try to get these exotic outbreaks to work for you rather than against you. Embrace them, don’t fear them.

1 Super power all about transparency 11 Baby on a farm 15 “I’m stumped” 16 Aware of 17 Like a lot of European cathedral architecture in the 16th century 18 Abbr. after old generals’ names 19 Altar exchanges 20 Ear protection? 21 Hired goon 22 Network whose first broadcast was “Gone With the Wind” 23 Average scores 24 Packaging string 25 “...man ___ mouse?” 26 Wearing an underskirt 28 Honor stitched to some jackets 30 Board game with SLIDE spaces 31 Fortune 33 Lewis locale 36 Pict. in a book 38 Ineffectual sort 40 They’d say “like, gag me” in the 1980s 44 Title for Italian monks 45 That is, to Cicero 46 Joel of “Cabaret” 47 Class closer? 48 Honky ___ music 49 Actresses West and Whitman 50 Spoiled brat 51 Opposing opinion 52 Rarest of the main blood types in the U.S. 55 Made stuff up 56 Tool in forestry to measure slope, vertical angles and tree heights 57 1040 IDs 58 Source of a stream

Down

1 Sugar alcohol in some chewing gums 2 They may direct traffic 3 Convert to a computer system, e.g. 4 Part of Y.S.L. 5 Be lazy 6 “___ to Extremes” (Billy Joel song) 7 Phrase of consequence 8 “Ow!” 9 Leaving out 10 Bottle top? 11 Indiana’s second largest city 12 Like some musical “wonders” 13 Bring into harmony 14 Stuck 23 In a sassy way 24 2008 Olympics swimmer Dara 26 Pac-Man dot 27 Creepy-___ 29 Supports at the end of planes 32 Like teddy bears and puppies 34 Like some wisdom? 35 Military planes provide it 37 Manatee’s order 39 Spring holidays 40 Blood pressure, heart rate, etc. 41 Aphrodite’s beloved 42 Of a period that ends in 39-down 43 Transfer an e-mail, perhaps 49 Speed ratio 50 “Leave in,” to a proofreader 53 Pai ___ (Chinese gambling game) 54 Dr.’s org.

What are these strawberries doing on my nipples? I need them for the fruit salad.

AND ANOTHER THING ...

the217.com october 1 - 7, 2009

by MICHAEL COULTER

Ace That Interview Tips on becoming un-unemployed Many experts are beginning to say the economy is looking up just a bit, which is great, but they are also quick to point out that the unemployment will likely remain high for some time. I’d like to comment on this intelligently, but I’m afraid my limited experience with economics was a lecture class in college that I managed to pass only because there was a significant grading curve, a rare instance of good things happening when a large group of dumb people is put in the same room. So I can’t help much there. Some time though, all those unemployed folks are going to have to go in for job interviews, and I can maybe help there. Job interviews are a weird combination of bragging, ass kissing, and trickery, especially if you’re doing it right. Surprisingly, I’ve had the same job for a while and will hopefully have it for a good while longer, so I was a little rusty on all the extras of job interviewing. Fortunately, careerbuilder.com had an article last week that showed people some body language tips that can help a person be more effective during the interviewing process. I’m not sure the tips are especially helpful, but it I have to say it was a creepy little pleasure to read. It was like a cliché clinic of self-help. The first part was called “the wet fish versus the bone crusher.” I’m sure you’ve guessed that this is about the handshake but calling it that makes it seems so much more awesome. They point out that aggressive people have a firm handshake and that people with low self-esteem have a soft handshake. Geez Louise, they are really dropping some psychological shit on us there. They didn’t mention this, but I’m guessing the joy buzzer, while still a completely awesome prank, is probably not recommended in a job interview situation. Here are their tips for a handshake. Make sure your hands are clean and manicured. Ensure hands are warm and free of perspiration. Use a firm grip and a warm smile. Those all make sense, though I’d also like to add my two cents. Make sure there is no blood on your hands, even if it is for a good reason. It’s best not to have five or six stamps from the previous night of drinking on the back of your hand. Sure it’s pretty funny, but don’t stick your hand down the front of your pants and out through your zipper when you approach the interviewer. Some people just don’t get “classy” humor. Next, they talk about eye contact, which was, of course, called “the eyes have it.” Anyway, apparently they are for eye contact. They say sixty percent eye contact is a pretty good baseline to go with. One hundred percent eye contact can

also be effective, but only if you are applying for the job of creepiest person in the world. I would assume it’s also frowned on to roll your eyes repeatedly and say things like “Yeah, whatever, dipshit.” Another eye tip is to keep your eye contact around the nose and eye area. They say staring at a person’s lips can sometimes be considered sexual. It is always considered sexual if your lick your own lips while staring at their lips. The next section, entitled “get it straight,” is about posture. It’s one of those things I’ve been told to do my entire life and have never really done. Sit up straight. This can even help people to breath better. I’m not sure I could remember to do it all the time, but it probably is a good idea. Another tip, never turn your chair around and sit in it backwards as if you’re casually rapping with a buddy. That sort of “zaniest” can often be frowned on in the workplace. Under “get a head in the game,” they basically talk about how you shouldn’t sit there like a freaking bobblehead. Try to keep your head level most of the time. It’s okay to tilt it slightly every so often to give the impression you give a shit about what the person is saying. Be careful though. If you tilt it too much, people may think you hear a distant call from far, far away.

“ ... don’t stick your hand down the front of your pants and out through your zipper when you approach the interviewer. Some people just don’t get ‘classy’ humor.” The last two tips are “arms can lend a hand” and “get a leg up on the competition.” Holy crap, the freaking titles of those sections are written so well you don’t even really need to read the actual content. Basically, don’t wave your arms around like a crazy person. This may not be good advice if you are applying to be one of the folks who parks airplanes though. As far as the legs go, try to keep them still during the interview. This rule should be aggressively overlooked, however, if it’s a Riverdance audition. Follow all of these tips and you just might land that big job. Sure, that job will eventually become a huge pain in your ass, but still. It will give you something to worry and think about all the time. It will make you get up early and stay later than you would care to. It will do nothing but throw a monkey wrench into your daily plans. It will slowly become a huge part of your life. It will often suck. Strangely though, the only thing worse than having a job is not having one. Go figure.

buzz

the217.com

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OCTOBER 1 - 7, 2009

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