The Eagle - Winter 2013 - Issue 1 by Paul Gaszak

THE EAGLE R O B E R T

ISSUE

M O R R I S

U N I V E R S I T Y

No 17.07

I L L I N O I S

WINTER 2013

Arlington Heights • Bensenville • Chicago • DuPage • Elgin • Lake County • Orland Park • Peoria • Schaumburg • Springfield

Est. 1996

CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE:

Cover Design: Ty Bosco Eagle News: Pages 4-6

-Business Person of the Year -RMU Painting Guild Visit -Study Abroad Expanding -Design and Culinary iCenter Project

Arts & Culture: Pages 8-9

-Concert Spotlight: Noise for Toys -Chicago's Winter Wonderland -Wicked Returns

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Thanksgiving has passed and a new quarter has started. With the food comas over and the leftovers dwindling, it is time to start looking towards the quickly approaching holidays. Whether you fought your way to a ridiculous deal on Black Friday or you haven’t started any holiday shopping yet, it is important to keep in mind that the holiday season is about so much more than material gifts. Going to a school that is in session all year long can take its toll on all of us. Faculty, staff, and students will all be here up to the last possible moment. As I am sure you have all heard, class is in session still on Monday December 23rd at class resumes Thursday January 2nd. Keep in mind that your professors didn’t make this decision, so don’t get angry with them for holding class. I know it’s hard, but just remember how much faster you are earning a degree than your high school classmates. While you are home on your quick winter break remember to make time for yourself. Sit back, watch your favorite holiday movie, and drink too much cocoa, because the end of the year is a time to relax, enjoy family, and recharge for the next year. Take a moment in front the fireplace and enjoy this issue of the Eagle this holiday season. Do you have a New Year’s resolution yet? If not it should be to “like” the Eagle on Facebook!

Blake Whitmore Editor-in-Chief

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MISSION STATEMENT

The Eagle is the student-centered news source of Robert Morris University (IL) and does not necessarily represent the views of Robert Morris Univeristy administrators, faculty, or students. The Eagle provides a venue for the exchange of ideas and information pertinent to the students of RMU. Visit our publication page at robertmorris.edu/publications/ eagle Like us! RMU Eagle News Follow us! @RMUEagle

Eat & Drink: Pages 10-11 -Hoosier Mama Pies Review -Drinks with Tyson -Peppermint Hot Chocolate -History of Candy Canes

Perspective: Pages 12-13 -Who's Pulling the Strings? -Top 10 Holiday Do's and Don'ts -Organic Diet He Says She Says

Sports & Health: Pages 14-15

-Everyday Tips for Student Athletes -RMU Men's Basketball

Exit to the Right: Page 6 -Puzzles -Top Charts -Comic

THE EAGLE CONTENT TEAM Blake Whitmore Editor-in-Chief Dan Ciaglia Editor Stacy Zamskaya Editor Heather D. Alexander Editor Adrian Saucedo Writer Christin Rollett Writer Mariaha Gluszek Writer Jessi Bahena Writer Michelle Kupris Writer DESIGN TEAM Austin Huette Art Director Tyson Bosco Designer Robert McMorris Designer Matt Theodosopoulos Designer Kyle Ashley Illustrator PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM Mason Riley Social Media Manager Xavier Cordova Advertising Manager CONTRIBUTORS Alyssa Brown EAGLE ADVISOR Paul Gaszak pgaszak@robertmorris.edu ADVISORY BOARD David Pyle Mick McMahon CAMPUS FACULTY David Belotti - Lake County dbelotti@robertmorris.edu Beth Gainer - Bensenville bgainer@robertmorris.edu Nicole Hager - Springfield nhager@robertmorris.edu Gerard Wozek - Dupage gwozek@robertmorris.edu Jane Wendorff-Craps - Peoria jwendorff-craps@robertmorris.edu

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SOARING EAGLE

NATASHA GRANHOLM BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR MICHELLE KUPRIS

atasha Granholm is the distinguished Robert Morris University alumni recipient of the Business Person of the Year. Granholm graduated from RMU with a Bachelor of Business Administration and majored in Accounting. She currently is in her sixteenth year as a tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the world’s largest professional services firm and one of the largest accountancy firms in the countr y.

volved in recruiting,” she said. She has extended that opportunity to Robert Morris University and has been working with the School Being a good citizen and good role of Business model, trying to give back to RMU A d m i n i s students by including them in the tration to involve top PwC Honors Program. RMU accounting students in the In the past fourteen years, she com- program. This program provides pleted her MBA at DePaul Universi- onsite job experience and allows ty, became a CPA, and has worked in students to view the inter working Washington, DC and Boston with structure of a global company, an the company. She has provided a opportunity that could potentially wide range of ser vices to US and land the chosen RMU accounting non-US strategic and private equi- honor students an internship with ty companies in a variety of indus- PwC, providing the same stepping tries. Some of the ser vices Ms. Gra- stone Granholm herself took as an nholm has provided include; tax undergraduate student at RMU. Tostructuring, tax due diligence, tax day, the most inf luential role she is compliance, income tax accounting playing with current RMU students and other general tax consulting and graduates is by, “being a good ser vices. Over time she developed citizen and good role model… tr ya specialization in manufacturing ing to give back to RMU students” and retail taxation and then transi- by including them in the PwC Hontioned to mergers and acquisitions. ors Program. E A growing aspect of Natasha’s role at PwC is the development of an honors program for accounting students. “I am becoming ver y in-

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RMU's PAINTING GUILD VISITS RICHARD NOTKIN'S EXHIBIT JESSI BAHENA hicago has plenty of galleries and art museums, just waiting for people to admire the artwork that lies inside. There is always an art gallery featuring many other local artists, from other state, and countries. Most showing goes for a couple of months. Opening receptions are a greet way to meet other artists and art dealers. The only downside from attending an opening reception is, most of the time you will not get one-on-one time with the artist themselves to get the history or an explanation on their work. Your pretty much on your own to read the info card on artwork, if they even have an info card, sometimes its just the title of the piece. Robert Hutchison, RMU’s Painting Guild Coordinator, had invited his students, some RMU staff, and other fellow RMU students to join him on a field trip to a close friends art exhibit. Richard Notkin and Robert had known each other from high school. Richard Notkins has had a prestigious international exhibition history. Robert Hutchison has said, “Richard’s sculptures are most commonly on a relatively small scale, with a “factional” attention to detail in his sculptures”. Notkin has produced a series of teapots that display modern imagery and themes. He has also toured China, giving lectures and demonstrations concerning his work as

well as the traditional “tea ceremony”. Notkin was more than kind enough to devote his afternoon with the Painting Guild. He did a walk through of his exhibit. Giving a detailed explanation behind each one of his pieces. His exhibit displays his series of tiles, a few of his teapots, as well as some cups. The series of tiles were beautifully displayed. Each tile was perfectly cut into place while continuing the scene of each tile. Each tile also had a specific color theme. The main themes behind these series of tile were about all aspects of war. The tiles main goal was to display death, chaos, destruction, and the gullible and foolishness of the masses. This was an amazing opportunity to get inside the brain of an amazing ceramicist. One thing that Richard Notkin had said, that resonated within my head was “ If you love being an artist, then be just that! Don’t let anyone’s opinions stop you from pursuing what makes you happy. But do make sure if being an artist is what you want, then dedicate yourself a 100 percent. It can’t be a part time job; you wont make it that way as an artist. The same goes for any other career path you may choose to go”. If any one would be interested in seeing any of his artwork in person, the Zolla Lieberman Gallery at 325 W. Huron Street will be displaying Richard Notkin’s artwork through December 21, 2013. E

Study Abroad Program Hoping To Expand Its Studies JESSI BAHENA he opportunity to study for a couple weeks in another country is an amazing choice and a very big step in ones education and life. Students can earn academic credit and get to live in another country for however long their specific field of concentration may be. Through participating in a study abroad program, you’ll learn to develop and improve upon a number of academic, personal, as well as professional skills. Deciding to study in another country may be the toughest decision you’ll ever have to make, but it could be the best thing you may ever do. You get to explore different cultures firsthand while gaining independence and confidence. Travel to cities and other countries that you normally wouldn’t be able to visit on your own. You can learn other languages that you may not be familiar with, or just simply expand on your own skill that you may already have obtained. This opportunity may also help create an international professional network for the future of your career. While expanding your education and gaining new experience, you will also meet new people and make new friends from around the world.

This may help enhance your resume with the unique skills and experience. Robert Morris University offers study abroad for a plethora of majors. There are different countries for different majors. If you’re your in any of the following majors you may participate, Art and Design, Culinary and Hospitality, Athletics, CAD/ISPD/AT in Florence Italy, Computer Studies in Hamburg Germany, Business in Paris France, Graduates in London England and Hamburg Germany, and BPS programs are in Florence Italy and Paris France. Each study abroad program falls on different terms for the academic year. Unfortunately, Computer Studies, Athletics, and the Graduate programmed have expired; they studied abroad in the summer quarters. Currently the Culinary and Hospitality, CAD/ISPD/ AT, and BPS majors are in the middles of their studies. Upcoming study abroad programs are open to Art and Design, and Business majors are open for 2014 academic year. Shelley LaMantia, Janice Kaushal, and Mei- Fen Chen had invited a group of senior officers from Min University of Technology in Taiwan. Mei- Fen had delivered a conference speech several

years ago in Taiwan at their institution. Dr. Chen has said, “The cooperative program between RMU and MCUT will open a new door for RMU to outreach Asian higher education institutions”. This would be a great opportunity for both MCUT and RMU and both these institutions students. The dean of Art and Design department at RMU is excited about the future of expanding this program. Janice has expressed that she believes more students should get involved in the study abroad program, “Students should take advantage, and it’s a great program for the students. It

benefits their learning and helps them gain more skills that they may not be able to obtain at RMU”. Who know, if RMU and MCUT do partner up to make a new study abroad program. Hopefully this will get the program to partner with even more countries. If interested in study abroad, contact your academic advisor or Shelley LaMantia at (312) 935 4850 or at slamantia@robertmorris.edu. Also the Robert Morris University website has a study aboard page for students to read up on and also have a video with testimonial from past participants. E

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ICenter and Gourmet Gardens Continuing Current Project to Next Quarter JESSI BAHENA obert Morris University offers its students the opportunity to join an ICenter project. Each ICenter allows students to work with real clients in an authentic work environment. Choosing to participate in an ICenter project could earn you credits towards your degree. They may also be able to replace CMT 440, an internship class, or a free elective, with dean approval of course. Currently, the culinary department and graphic design department have partnered up and are participating in a food photography project with Gourmet Gardens. Gourmet Gardens produce spice and herbs that are harvested and immediately washed and chopped, and then placed in tubes. They are fresh and are conveniently ready to used while

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cooking. The culinary students are responsible for cooking the recipes that are given to them from the client, also utilizing the products into each and every one of the recipes. Not only are they cooking the food, they are also learning how to properly plate food and make the dish look delicious. The graphic design students set up the lighting and camera, also participate in art directing by choosing the correct dish for the food as well as any other props that ma be beneficial to the pictures. The students are also responsible for having the photo focus on the herb or spices (if easily displayed in the dish) of the recipe while trying to maintain the quality of the dish. This is the first quarter for this ICenter project. Already there are 12 culinary students signed up as well as some po-

tential photography students that will be participating in this exact project next quarter. Chef Jen is the culinary teacher has said “I’m really excited about this project continuing onto next quarter!” and “ Students are getting involved with the clients and are gaining real life experience, that could be used on their resume”. On a plus note, don’t feel as if you have to be a culinary student to participate in the Culinary ICenter. There are currently two chefs in this project. RMU student Gemma Blair who is a culinary student and Shalonda Matthews is a law enforcement student. Shalonda has said “I like to cook, culinary isn’t my major, but it’s a great way to be creative while also learning to cook healthy recipes”. Rob Kosin is the for the graphic design part of the project. He has said, “This is

the best ICenter project ever, we get to test taste our work”. He too is very excited with the direction that this ICenter project is going. You don’t have to be a graphic design student to participate in photography. Since this project is expanding, it’s a great opportunity for graphic design students to gain some real world experience, and learns to work with a client. If interested in joining this ICenter, or any other ICenter project, fee free to apply online. You may also go speak to your academic advisors. The ICenter offers about 25 other different projects for other majors, other than culinary and graphic design. Learn more at the ICenter page on Robertmorris.edu. E

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STACY ZAMSKAYA ansas transplants and now Chicago local favorites, The Noise FM, always know how to throw a party. Whether performing at iconic venues, like The Metro, or taking over a high school auditorium to film a paint-splattering confetti-throwing music video, these guys never settle for boredom. This holiday season, The Noise FM are using their enticing music and dancing powers to help out Chicagoland Toys for Tots, an organization that collects toys in the months prior to the holidays and then distributes the donations to less fortunate children in the surrounding communities. This will be the third year that The Noise FM will host Noise for Toys in Chicago. The event has largely grown since its premiere in 2008 when the band resided in Lawrence, Kansas. Alex Ward, lead singer and guitarist for The Noise FM, explains, “We wanted to do something at that time to help out the community we lived in, and honestly, the only thing we know how to do is put on shows and play rock music, so a benefit concert came naturally to us.” Since its successful beginning five years ago, Noise for Toys has grown to include bigger bands, more Christmas decorations, ugly Christmas sweater contests, a photo booth with a less than sober Santa Claus, and goofier Christmas song covers. This event is a unique experience, which easily blows a generic Christmas cover show out of the water. The participating band members always don the festive attire of holi-

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Alex Ward (left) and Austin Ward (right) rock out at last year’s Noise for Toys show

Concert Spotlight: Noise for Toys day sweaters, while putting original and distinctive spins on classic holiday songs. Noise for Toys is a perfect opportunity to wear that itchy wool sweater featuring a giant reindeer your grandma made for you in the seventh grade and not be judged for your questionable fashion choices. The third annual Noise for Toys benefit concert will be held at Subterranean on Saturday, December 14th. This year’s performance includes the return of Chicago dance-rock quintet, Blane Fonda, who co-hosted the event last winter. Joining the show for the first time are two Chicago based groups: Board of Governors and Chasing Mars. The entry fee for this 17+ show is $10 at the door, but only $5 with a donation of a new toy. Advance tickets can be purchased at http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/410193. Come listen to some of the best

up-and-coming Chicago bands, as they showcase their talents through performing their hit singles paired alongside holiday song covers. Noise for Toys is a terrific opportunity to sing along to your favorite holiday tunes while dancing away in your favorite Christmas sweater, surrounded by other twenty somethings who want to unleash their inner holiday spirit. E

Event: 3rd Annual Noise for Toys When: December 14th at 8 pm Where: Subterranean Price: $10 or $5 with toy donation Age: 17+

December 1st through the 19th is Chicago’s FREE Holiday Concert Series. The concerts feature local children’s choirs as well as performances from the renowned Chicago adult choir, The Celestials. All concerts are from noon to one o’ clock PM. Located downtown in front of the city hall. It is truly one of Chicago’s favorite Christmas music spectacles. On Chicago’s famous and historic Navy Pier during winter, there is a wonderland of Christmas lights. The pier is lit up with over 750,000 lights, 25,000 ornaments, and over one hundred fully decorated trees. A walk on the pier

Chicago's Winter Wonderland Michelle Kupris

now covered streets, frigid air and twinkling lights as far as the eye can see, winter is one of the most glorious of all seasons in Chicago. Not only is the city gleaming with radiance, it is also bustling with people partaking in all of the seasonal events. From ice-skating in Millennium Park to shopping on Michigan Avenue, there is an exuberant amount of activities you can experience for yourself. In the last 19 years, Christkindlmarket has grown to become one of the most popular winter attractions in the heart of the city. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Germany, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings international flair and charm to the city. Vendors are there providing unique German foods, handmade Christmas ornaments, and other trinkets. Entering the festival and market is completely FREE. The market offers a variety of activities including shopping, dining, scavenger hunts, music and social gatherings, making Christkindlmarket the number one place to visit this winter season. Christkindlmarket is open daily and will con-

tinue to take run until December 24th. Another favorite Chicagoan activity is ice-skating in the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Mid-November a large section of Millennium Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, with an outdoor ice-skating rink, hot chocolate stands, light covered trees, and complete with the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan backdrops. According to the Chicago Park District, each year more than 100,000 people venture onto the ice day and night to experience the thrill for themselves. The rink is operational from mid-November until the first week of March with FREE ice access and $10 skate rentals. Visiting Macy’s Holiday Happenings is one of Chicago’s favorite Christmas activities. During November and December, Macy’s fills its store with a 45-foot, fully decorated tree with over 1,200 ornaments and over 25,000 lights. Every floor is decorated with lights, statues, and themed displays. Macy’s at both State Street and Michigan Avenue locations are decked out inside and out from top to bottom.

and through the array of lights is a perfect FREE winter activity in Chicago. Although the city may seem frozen during the winter season, there is enough warmth and cheer around the city to keep your heart warm and your spirits up. The next time you are bored on a winter day, check out one of these places to engage your brain. For more information check out the Chicago Park District at http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/ E

Wicked Returns

Heather Alexander

icked has finally made its way back to Chicago! After a seven-year hiatus, Wicked is returning to the Oriental Theatre. The musical tells the story of the witches of Oz and will run from October 30th to December 21st. If you have not seen The Wizard of Oz, do not rush out and rent it just yet. If you are already familiar with The Wizard of Oz, Wicked will definitely answer any and every question about where the witches of Oz came from and how they got their titles. Even though the plot itself is enough to get any theatre buff excited and anxious to see what the musical has to offer, the real magic happens on stage. There is smoke, flames, flying, and of course dramatic music to comprise the full effect

of being in the realm of Oz. The actors have an extraordinary sense of humor and engage the audience throughout the musical in various ways. Wicked is appropriate for all ages, although there are scenes that may be frightening to young children and parental guidance is suggested, it is a great family outing in the Chicago Theatre District. E

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DRINKS WITH TYSON The Cinnamon Symphony TYSON BOSCO

Hoosier Mama Pie Company Restaurant Review CHRISTIN ROLLETT hether it be once in a while or quite frequently, everyone must satisfy their sweet tooth. What better place to do that than Hoosier Mama Pie Company. Located at 1618 1/2 Chicago Avenue, it is easy access to Robert Morris students being that it is only a few stops on the blue line and you are there. As soon as you walk in you will become overwhelmed with the aroma of fresh, hot coffee and the scent of warm, melt in your mouth pies. It is a tight space with little seating so you have to go early to get a seat. One

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may have to wait a while in line to order however, it is worth the wait! For their fall menu, Hoosier Mama Pie Company offers a variety of pies including pumpkin, cranberry, pecan crumble, and the classic American apple pie. Customers can either buy the whole pie or buy a single slice. However, for a student on a budget, one can get a slice of pie and a cup of coffee for only six dollars. The slices of pie are quite large so you may even have enough to take home for a late night treat. Also, guests are allowed as many refills of coffee as they please. What a great deal! “Keep your fork, there’s pie!” E

here are times of celebration when people decide, in unison, to drink something that has a really scary name. It is part of our culture and no one ever seems to ask anything about it. The Irish Car-bomb has been a favorite because of specifically that reason. The drink, when created, must be consumed

as quickly as possible because of how quickly its contents decide to spoil. The Cinnamon Symphony, in comparison, can be consumed as quickly or slowly as the drinker would like. On top of that, it tastes like a mix between a Red Velvet Cake and a Cinnamon Roll. This is one of those drinks that was created to be enjoyed. So enjoy. E

INGREDIENTS:

- 2 Parts Vanilla Vodka - 1 Part Goldschlagger - 2 Parts Kahlua - 1 Glass of Guinness (Or any strong dark Porter or Stout)

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

The History of the Candy Cane CHRISTIN ROLLETT

MARIAHA GLUSZEK

Ingredients: -1/3 cup water -1 quart milk -3/4 teaspoon vanilla -1/4 cup cocoa powder -1/2 cup sugar -Peppermint sticks -Whipped cream

Directions: In a saucepan bring the water to a boil. Add in milk, vanilla, cocoa, and sugar. DO NOT BOIL. Stir for at least five minutes. Pour into a cup or mug and stir with a peppermint stick. You can leave it or take it out. Add whip cream and enjoy!

andy canes are a classic Christmas icon across the United States. Its delicious peppermint flavor, red stripes, and unique shape give the candy its popularity among all ages. Legend says that the first candy cane was invented in the year 1670 by an imaginative choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. He invented the candy cane in order to keep the children quiet throughout the Living Crèche ceremony. Because of the nature of this event, he bent the ends of the candy sticks to represent a shepherds crook. Then, in 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard from Wooster, Ohio introduced the candy cane to the United States when he decorated a Christmas tree with ornaments and white candy canes; the red stripes and peppermint flavoring were not introduced to the candy cane until the 20th century. The red stripes not only added color to the candy, but allowed the candy to tie into the Christmas season better. Throughout the 20th century, several Christian based theories have been created about what the colored stripes mean; however, it is up to personal opinion. Although candy canes are associated with the Christmas season, they are produced and sold all year round. Two of the most popular candy cane companies include Spangler Candy Company

and Hammonds Candy Company. The first step in making their famous candy canes is combining corn syrup and sugar; this mixture is cooked at 288 degrees for 4 minutes. Next, the peppermint flavoring is added and the candy is pulled like taffy until it is a shiny white color. Then the candy is put in a rolling machine to make it into a log form. After this, the traditional red stripes are added to the candy cane. The log is then rolled out into a long strip and the striped sticks are twisted and cut to the appropriate length. Finally, the candy canes are crooked at the ends to form the classic ‘J’ form. Once the candy canes are packaged, they are sent across the country to be sold to millions of Americans. Candy Canes are one of the traditional symbols of the holiday season. They can be used to decorate Christmas trees, added to seasonal dishes, or enjoyed individually as a delectable treat. The most common flavor of candy canes is peppermint, however in recent years some extremely unique flavors have been created, such as watermelon, chocolate, blueberry, and even the strangest of flavors like bacon, pickle and wasabi. Candy canes, no matter the flavor, have continued to be a staple of the holidays. They have been part of a very special tradition for more than three hundred years and will continue to be one for years to come. E

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would have ended up had I been born on the other side of the world. I cannot state that as reality because it is not nor ever will be. The same goes with destiny. The only way someone could prove it was destiny would be to prove it was prophesized in the beginning. There-

fore, the person would have had to not know of it otherwise it could prove that he or she had manipulated events to create or avoid it. There is one rule when it comes to a paradox: do not expect to solve it. E

Top Ten Holiday Do's and Don'ts

THEWHO CHICAGO WALKER IS PULLING THE STRINGS? oes a journey define the outcome of a destination, or is it the destination that creates the reason for the journey? At the early hours of the morning, I find myself wondering that very thing. The fact that I was completely lost for about ten minutes brought me to a strange new thought: when someone decides to go for a completely random walk, what is it that creates the deciding factor as to where this person will be going? Where to go could be decided by memory, personal interests, or even a sudden want to see something new. Others, though, could call this bit of it destiny. It is a belief that many people swear to, the idea of a specific purpose. The thought that a person could be created for one absolute reason and spend his or her whole life not knowing it; there are stranger things out there. The idea of destiny is a rather funny thing though; not in a sense that it is blasphemy or such, but in the idea that it’s very nature can never be proven. In some of the greatest stories passed down from generations is the idea that knowing one’s destiny is how said prophecy gets fulfilled. Take Oedipus, for instance. His father was so afraid his son was going to murder him that he had each child sent out to die in order to keep the future from happening. Because Oedipus Rex did not know his father, he ended up killing him later on; thus fulfilling his destiny. The same instance occurred with the story of Zeus and his father, Chronus. Chronus was so afraid his son would best him that he ate every son his wife created. It was only because

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of his mother’s compassion and Zeus’s own lust for revenge that Zeus ended up slaying him, and thus Chronus’s destiny came true. We have many instances of the same sort of thing in today’s cinema: Terminator, Premonition, The Time Machine, and Looper just to name a few. In terms of psychology, this sort of action is known as a self-fulfilled prophecy. Sometimes it feels like everything in one’s life has come up to one specific moment. To many, it is finding love, getting that new career, making a work of art, or even changing the world in other ways. It seems, at the time, that every wrong turn, right turn, and even moment of doubt lead to that moment; therefore, it absolutely had to have been planned. Is that destiny though, or was it that great consequences build from an entire life of specific actions? It is completely a normal human reaction to try and find similarities to things that do not connect. It is, in fact, how our mind comprehends its surroundings. What about all the moments in one’s life where there was a feeling that something great was supposed to happen but nothing did? Everyone has had one of those: a promising date that did not go well; a job interview that lead absolutely nowhere; and giant stepping stones in our lives that ended up having nothing to do with the future. Those are things people shrug off in order to have this extended feeling of destiny. How much of it is self-induced? Being able to prove destiny would be the equivalent to proving how something would have gone had what happened not have happened. I can never truthfully state that I know how my life

MARIAHA GLUSZEK t is that time of year again everyone! When the snow starts to fall and people go overboard with the candies, cakes, and well pretty much everything. We all know that the holidays can be as stressful as they are memorable. So here is a few tips on the Do’s and Don’ts of the holiday season.

5 Do not let your Christmas lights be-

1 First, do not go overboard with the dé-

as it may sound to some of us. Why have it be the only room not decorated? No I am not saying go all out and have a party in the bathroom. Just add a little candle or bushel of berries. When the holidays are coming up make sure it is stocked up.

cor. There is such a thing as too much. So go simple. For the most part simplicity is the best way to go. Not only is it simple it is also beautiful and is not so cluttered. Also decorating down may leave a little extra cash in your pocket. Remember less IS more.

2 Do not limit yourself to just the tradi-

tional red and green holiday colors. Do use different colors and hues. Colors like blue, white, and gold work well together and are becoming more popular during Christmas time. But just remember not to go overboard. Mix it up.

3 Do not cross of the poinsettias off

your list. It has been rumored that they are deadly. This festive plant is only dangerous in very high doses if eaten. So unless you plan on cooking an eight course poinsettia meal do not be afraid to grab one or two of the red beauties for some harmless holiday décor.

come a safety hazard. Inspect lights for loose bulbs and bad wiring. Secure your lights so they cannot be tripped on and use cord covers to keep pets and children safe. No one wants a trip to the emergency room during the holidays.

6 Do not ignore the facilities. As weird

Do not use disposable silverware and plates. Save those for another date. Break out the fine china and make the dinner table look nice. A nice table and good food makes for great memories.

8 Do not get the presents mixed up. You do not want Uncle Andy opening Gianna’s My Little Ponies and Grandma getting Dad’s new power tools. Name tags are the best solution for this situation.

Do not expect perfection. Face it things go wrong no matter how well you plan for them not to. So when all goes wrong take a sit have a glass of wine and chill out.

4 Do not keep the festivities going all 10 Finally, do not leave the Christmas night. Turn out the lights. Especially if you are the “go big or go home” type of person when it comes to decorations. So unplug those Christmas lights before bed. It will save you some extra cash, help save the environment, and lessen complaints from your neighbors.

tree up until the sun comes out and the birds are singing. Water your tree daily when you have it, but do not keep it forever. Say your goodbyes, pack up the ornaments, organize the lights, and get it out. E

HE SAYS SHE SAYS Is an Organic Diet More Beneficial for Americans? ADRIAN SAUCEDO he United States has seen a meteoritic rise in obesity rates in recent years, which prompted the First Lady Michelle Obama and other government officials to become more active in anti-obesity movements, especially for youths. This year, the United States had a slight decrease in obesity, now ranking second in the world for highest obesity rates. However, middle-aged adults are still a major concern given they comprise the largest group of obesity cases and their statistics have not improved significantly. Healthier food choices and exercise are the recommended choices to lose weight and be healthy. With the growing concern of obesity and interest in being healthy, many Americans, or at least those who can afford it, have turned to organic foods. There is a lot of hype about organic foods, and a lot of products and foods are advertised as organic, but are they really the best option for Americans? The reality is the food industry, along with the pharmaceutical industry, is a business that generates massive profits. To keep those profits, companies are not willing to disclose 100% of the contents of their products. This means that unless people grow their own fruits and vegetables in their garden, they cannot really know if the product was genetically modified or if it contains harmful chemicals. The USDA label guarantees nothing of the quality of the product. Recently, Washington D.C. pushed for more detailed labeling of ingredients in products. Major companies such as Coca Cola and Nestle opposed, but also companies that sell organic food such as Monsanto. Why would a company that is supposedly selling integrity in food be opposed to more honest labeling? Perhaps companies that sell organic products are taking advantage of the fact that people are looking for healthier alternatives, but are not necessarily delivering healthier foods. As consumers we have a right to know what we are buying. The regulations allow for the labeling of foods to be or-

ganic if the product contains a limited amount of pesticides or other chemicals. No study so far has guaranteed that there are any additional health benefits when switching a non-organic food to the equivalent organic food. So if a person’s budget is small he or she should go for the non-organic foods which will last longer and be cheaper. Also, just because a food is labeled organic does not mean it is healthy. Potato chips, for example, can be made of organic ingredients but that does not mean one can splurge on them or that they should replace a healthier snack such as an apple. Many organic products contain high sodium or high carbohydrates, and people assume they are healthy because they are organic. The truth is many organic products are no better than non-organic products. Some are even junk foods that are labeled as healthy which is counterproductive to America’s movement to be a healthier country. Organic food is not the best option for Americans because many cannot afford it. The majority of Americans buy a few organic products once in a while, but most could not afford to buy all organic. As long as the prices are high and companies do not disclose the ingredients in their products, Americans are never going to get integral food. Remember that moderate exercise is just as important as a balanced diet. E

STACY ZAMSKAYA alking into a produce aisle at a grocery store, consumers are faced with numerous challenges of which products to purchase. Phrases such as “all natural” and “organic” surround fruits and vegetables which look the same as their “conventional” counterparts. Although the products may look alike, they greatly differ on the inside. An organic revolution has taken over America over the past several years as consumers are becoming more aware of what they eat, and people are turning more towards organic food as a way to maintain a more nutritious diet and a way to stay healthy. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) gives the following definition to organic, “organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.” Organic vegetables are grown without using conventional pesticides, while organic meat and dairy come from animals that are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. In order for food to be labeled as organic, it must meet specific USDA guidelines and be marked with a USDA organic seal to assure consumers of the quality and integrity of the products. Seeing how organic food has to meet stringent guidelines, consumers can rest assured that the growers and manufacturers of the products have gone through a complex process to verify the validity of how organic the product truly is. Consumers receive several health benefits from choosing organic food. First of all, organic food has more nutrients than the conventional products. A five year European Union study on organic food has shown that organic products are more nutritious and may contain higher concentrations of cancer fighting and heart beneficial antioxidants. Specifically, organic fruits and vegetables have up to 40% more antioxidants than non-organically grown produce, while organic milk contains 60% more antioxidants

than non-organic milk. Organic production reduces health risks by avoiding the use of chemicals. The EPA considers 60% of all herbicides, 90% of fungicides, and 30% of insecticides as potentially cancer causing. Organic food production avoids the use of such chemicals, as well as antibiotics which may create harmful antibiotic resistant pathogens. Organic farming does not only benefit people, but also helps conserve our environment. By avoiding the use of chemicals in food production, no leaching of harmful substances occurs in our water sources. Water contamination is greatly reduced when organic farms do not produce any toxic runoff. Organic farming works in a specific balance with nature as it aims to retain a healthy ecosystem for the products grown. Wildlife is encouraged through rotating forage crops, while retaining wetlands and other natural areas. As many Americans begin to focus on a better and healthier lifestyle, organic food is a necessary part in their journey. While receiving various health benefits, such as reducing the consumption of cancer causing chemicals, organic food also works to better the environment. At the same time, organic foods taste better due to better balanced soil used to grow the products. Many high-end restaurants, usually only use organic produce in their dishes, emphasizing the true quality of such products. The next time you find yourself debating which apple to purchase, pay the 15 extra cents per pound in order to consume a better quality product and help yourself in the longrun. E

Winter I 2013 | 13

Everyday Tips for

Student-Athletes

Dan Ciaglia he ultimate goal that comes from going to college is to find a full-time job, but a lot of people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize being a college student is a full-time job in itself. For example, the unwritten rule of thumb for being a college student is that for every hour you spend in class, another hour should be spent outside of class studying or doing homework. When being a member of a sports team is thrown into the mix, the amount of work and time commitments you become subject to vastly increases. There has to be time set aside for practices, games, traveling, workouts, and studying film all on top of your school work. Life could get hectic for student-athletes, but these 3 tips could help you maintain some balance in your

14 | The Eagle

life and keep yourself on the right path toward graduating. First and foremost, never forget that you are a student-athlete in that order. In every case, being a student always comes first. It is important to remember this because when you graduate with your degree, it is your grades and abilities you have learned in the classroom that will find you a job before your athletic abilities. Being on a team is certainly a great quality that employers look for, but your number of touchdowns or home runs always comes second to your GPA. Always be sure to make sure your homework and studying are done whenever possible to ensure you are keeping up with your classes. If being a student is your first priority, you will do great everywhere else.

Second, set aside some time for yourself to do whatever you need to relax. Balancing classes and everything that comes with being a student-athlete will get stressful. The only way to curb that stress is to sit back and relax even if it is just for an hour. Part of the college experience is finding time for you, so go hang out with some friends, watch a movie, play some video games, or just lie down and get a quick rest; do whatever you need to that helps you relax. It may seem contradictory to the focus of this article, but a great way to keep calm and stay focused in college is being able to step away from your responsibilities for a quick moment and just relax. Third, establish a personal connection with your professors. As it has been said earlier, being a student comes first.

When you are a student-athlete, it is almost a guarantee that you will miss some class time due to games and the required travel to those games. Right at the beginning of the quarter, set up a meeting with each of your professors and let them know beforehand which dates youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll likely miss because of your sports schedule. It will show them that you are willing to make an extra effort to succeed in their class, and professors will always find a way to work something out with you. With professors, it is necessary to start off on the right foot. Being a student-athlete in college is a commitment that most young people probably are not ready for, but if you follow these 3 guidelines, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be on the right track to success. E

Men’s Basketball Looking for Fresh Start in Division 2

Dan Ciaglia ere at Robert Morris University, the Men’s Basketball program has been synonymous with success since the late 1990’s. Over the past 16 seasons, the Eagles have been the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season champions 13 times, and tournament champions 10 times. On the national stage, the team has made 11 NAIA Tournament appearances in the last 13 seasons, including 6 trips to the Final Four. However, the Eagles haven’t been so lucky as of late – their

last Final Four appearance was in 2010, and they haven’t been in the National Championship game since 2002. Due to these past successes, Head Coach Al Bruehl and the Eagles set one goal every season: make it to the NAIA tournament. This season, however, will be the first time since 2002 that the Eagles will be competing on the Division 2 level; they spent the last 11 seasons in Division 1. Although they were moved down a division, the Eagles will still begin their ’13-14 campaign as the 6th ranked team in Division 2, alluding to the fact that this season

will be no different in the sense that everyone in the program is expecting success. Much of that success is attributed to Bruehl and his staff. Coach Bruehl will be entering his 17th season with Robert Morris, where he’s earned over 350 victories and over 500 over his career as a coach. His system of playing an up-tempo offense and a high pressure defense, the cornerstones of success in his program, have helped Robert Morris become one of the more prominent NAIA programs in the country. While Coach Bruehl leads his Eagles

from the bench, he looks to his senior forwards Sean Montgomery and Kashaune McKinney for leadership on the court. Montgomery finished last season as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, which earned him First Team All-Independent honors as well as an NAIA Division 1 All-American Honorable Mention. Both he and McKinney retain their starting roles and will look to take the Eagles to new heights. E

Winter I 2013 | 15

Sudoku Numbrix Fill the grid with numbers so each INSTRUCTIONS row, column, and 3x3 block has every number from 1 to 9.

23 17 8

9 6

49 6

24 57

26 25

60 46

41 42

Check out the Eagle on Facebook for this issue's answers!

Lorde 2 The Monster Eminem 3 Wrecking Ball Miley Cyrus

4 Counting Stars OneRepublic

5 Wake Me Up! Avicii

6 Demons

Imagine Dragons

Warner Bros.

2 Icycle: On Thin Ice Chillingo Ltd.

3 Facetune

Lightricks Ltd.

36 38

1 Royals

1 Heads Up!

34 32

59 13

5 1

6 9

2 4

Fill the grid with numbers 1 to 81 in such that they connect either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

7 3

INSTRUCTIONS

Top Charts

1 Hunger Games 2 4 The Best Man Holiday Nov. 22nd, 2013

Nov. 15th, 2013

2 Frozen

3 Thor: Dark World 6 Delivery Man

5 Homefront

Nov. 26th, 2013

Nov. 27th, 2013

Nov. 8th, 2013

Nov. 22nd, 2013

1 Takedown Twenty Janet Evanovich

2 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney

3 King and Maxwell David Baldacci

No Class by Kyle Ashley Why are you such a clean freak!

What?

Everything HAS to be spotless! ALWAYS polishing the glass!

I COULD HAVE DIED!

You walked into the door again didn’t you?

16 | The Eagle