Spring I 2013 A R L IN GTON HEI G H T S • B E NS E NV I L L E • C H I C AG O • D U PAG E • E L G I N • LA K E C O U N T Y • O R LA ND PA R K • PEO R IA • SC HAUM BUR G • SPR INGF IELD
DORM ROOM STRETCHING PG. 4
MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2013 PG. 6
ST. PATTY'S DAY HOT SPOTS PG. 8 ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
2
THE NEWS
End of the World
The Nuclear Bunker Market is Going to Plummet By Tyson Bosco People went on and on about how the world was going to end. As Armageddon faced us on that cold, dreary evening on the 21st of December, I was among the many to scare off the four horsemen of the apocalypse with nothing more than a whiskey and coke, a bad attitude, and words I’d get fired for writing down. What’s great though is that after a battle of wits, we scared them off. Actually nothing of that sort happened. It was a giant pile of hyped up melodrama that ended absolutely unspectacularly. Notice the first people to shut their mouths about it were the people that talked ceaselessly about it from the very start. Why, do you ask? Because after all the hysteria died down, people were left realizing they fell for the hype. It’s like that story of Chicken Little going on about the sky falling, that is until a group of people grew so tired of
hearing about it that they boiled him into a soup and went on with their days (Ok, so I didn’t pay attention to the end of that story). What most people don’t realize is that the world has been predicted to end about as many times as I’ve made my bed throughout my lifetime. According to Wikipedia, the apocalypse has been predicted a recorded total of 183 times before 2012. There are also another 8 already scheduled after 2012. So don’t worry everyone, if you happened to miss the last few Apocalypses there are a few more scheduled soon enough. Chances are, when these times come, people will freak out all over again. Why is this? We are all just that gullible. Most people take their understanding of the end based on scientific evidence. These people, however, build their ideas on discrepancies and misquoted information from the scientific community. One
Advisory Board
Eagle Advisor
David Pyle Mick McMahon
Paul Gaszak PGaszak@robertmorris.edu
Campus Faculty
Content Team
David Belotti • Lake County DBelotti@robertmorris.edu
Lindsay Dahl [Editor-in-Chief ] Richard Connolly [Executive Editor] Dan Ciaglia [Editor] Stacy Zamskaya [Editor] Adrian Saucedo [Writer] Tyson Bosco [Writer]
Beth Gainer • Bensonville BGainer@robertmorris.edu Nicole Hager • Springfield NHager@robertmorris.edu Gerard Wozek • Dupage GWozek@robertmorris.edu Jane Wendorff-Craps • Peoria JWendorffCraps@robertmorris.edu
Design Team Blake Whitmore [Art Director] Richard Connolly [Designer] Tyson Bosco [Designer] Robert McMorris [Designer] Austin Huette [Designer] Kyle Ashley [Illustrator]
such instance was the 1910 scare dealing with Halley’s Comet. Astronomers figured out that the bright tail following a comet is actually comprised of gases that reflect the Sun’s light, gases that turned out to contain a very poisonous gas called cyanogen. As Halley’s Comet approached the sun in May of 1910, astronomers calculated that Earth would actually pass through the gas tail of the comet. Although they assured the public that the gas would be harmless to us because of the atmosphere and delusion of the spread of the gas, a public panic culminated anyway. Regardless to how much astronomers tried to argue the truth of our safety, people just went off to freak out anyway. On top of that, there were businesses that sold a product called the “comet pill” which was said to protect the purchaser from dying. It should have come with top hat with the word “Gullible” written across it. People have a noticeable way of taking things for granted. It’s a common fact that some statistic of old people have said, at some time or other, that “you kid’s don’t know how easy you have it these days”. It’s partially this fear that fed to another gigantic end of the world scare, known primarily as the Y2K bug. At the end of the year 1999, many people had concerns that because the dates worked into the software of most machines was marked without the beginning 19 for the year, moving up to the year 2000 would make machines inoperable. Most speculated that if the machinery thought it was year 00, it would work incorrectly or not at all. It would be fine if it were just a small group of nine people that thought this, but as the year 2000 approached organizations, companies and firms all around the world checked, fixed and upgraded their software to prepare. Millions of dollars were spent to help limit the extents of the electronics failures, which then turned out to be for nothing. On January 1st 2000, the sound of thousands of company executives
smacking their heads in embarrassment could be heard in every town and city in the world. One major issue with all these end of the world theories is where they come from. For a great number of these prophecies, they have been foretold hundreds of years ago by a civilization known as Maya or by philosophers and seers like Nostradamus. For some odd reason, people of now feel that people of the past, people who didn’t even know about electricity, gravity, what clouds are made of, or even french toast, know more about what will happen now than we do. First off, whatever calculations they made to tell the future were based on what they knew at the time. They didn’t predict baseball would be America’s favorite past time, or even that there would ever be an America because things like that didn’t exist when they were prophesying. The other huge misstep is that most of their prophecies have been misinterpreted. The Mayans ended their calendar because it was the end of a cycle, 5,125.37 years to be exact, not because they felt as though life would be wiped out. Speculation is that we are just entering a new era. The other most stated theory of a scientific doomsday is that the mysterious planet X, known also as Nibiru, was set at a trajectory to collide with the Earth on 2012. This “planet” has never been seen or even partially detected by any astronomy equipment ever, but also most supporters of this don’t actually know where this prophecy came from. It was actually started by a woman named Nancy Lieder, a woman who said that extraterrestrials contacted her to warn her about the end of the world. So to put it bluntly, the made up planet that no one has ever seen is set to collide with the Earth because a woman was told this information by aliens no one has ever seen or contacted either. That sounds about as scientifically plausible as palm trees growing in Antarctica.v
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ROTC at RMU The Green River Success Comes In Uniform A Chicago Tradition Like No Other
By Tyson Bosco By Lindsay Dahl As just about everyone can state from experiences of their own, college is full of opportunity. There are clubs for every activity one could ever want to be a part of, sports that offer that competitive edge for those that demand more than just simple exercise, and chances around every corner to gain scholarship money to help shorten the dreaded college bills. What most people don’t know is that the Army’s ROTC program offers all of those things. The ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corp) program was created to build participants into becoming Officers, trainers, leaders, mentors, and provides the opportunity to experience a little of what the Army is all about and what it has to offer. Students in the program learn to succeed in competitive environments using leadership training and experiences unique to the business world. It’s not just about learning how to better one’s self for their country; students who enroll learn what it takes to balance working in both civil and enlisted personnel roles. These skills can be used in many fields, and as well can add a professional touch to a resume. On the Army ROTC website it’s stated that “Enrolling in the Army ROTC Basic Course does not involve a commitment of service to the Army unless you have received an Army ROTC scholarship," which is one aspect of the program most people misconstrue. It is a flexible program for those that have questions about the Army but don’t want to be shipped off to boot camp in order to get those questions answered. There are courses to take as well as physical programs
to engage in. For example, one of the courses offered is Military Science 122, a course designed to show fundamentals in Armed Forces and how it’s structured. Most students think that an Army based program is set up only to those that want to become a part of the Armed Forces. Although that is partially true it trains students with leadership skills and tools to better themselves for a transition into the Armed Forces - there is still more to offer than just that. For example, the ROTC program is a great way to stay in shape. There are courses offered to keep one at their physical peak, as well as training and exercises to keep participants lean and healthy. In addition, participants also gain many opportunities to make long lasting friendships with other participants through teambuilding exercises. Just because it deals with the Army and training for the betterment of one’s self doesn’t mean it can’t also be fun. Opportunities with the ROTC can also come in the form of financial help. The ROTC allows students that enroll to compete for two, three, and four-year scholarship programs. These scholarships, however, do require a bigger level of commitment to the Armed Forces. If you’re interested in further information, Captain Brian Carroll is a representative of the Army and has an office in the Student Academic Advising Office on the 3rd floor. If there are any questions regarding the ROTC, the scholarship program, or questions pertaining to anything else in that regard, see Captain Carroll or email him at bcarroll@robertmorris.edu.v
The Saturday before St Patrick’s Day has traditionally been the day that Chicago celebrates the holiday, most notably by dyeing the Chicago River green. It started over 50 years ago, and this year will be no different. The festivities will begin on Saturday, March 16th at 10:00 A.M. with the traditional dyeing of the river followed by a three hour parade that kicks off at noon from Balbo and Columbus and proceeds north on Columbus. The river will require 40 lbs of the eco friendly dye, which will be stirred via speed boats, and will last between four and five hours. A plumber who was attempting to locate and disconnect a waste line that was emptying into the river, oddly enough, inspired the tradition. In order to find the correct line, he put bright green dye into questionable lines and then checked the river’s edge for the
dye. One hundred pounds of plumber’s dye was used when the project was first undertaken, which left the river green for a week. The next year fifty pounds were used and lasted for three days. The third time was the charm as it was discovered that twenty-five pounds would dye the river green for only a day. However, environmentalist argued that the dye, which was oil based, was harmful to the river’s ecosystem and a new compound was created that’s been used ever since.v
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR It has only been a few months but 2013 is proving to be an exciting year. The Eagle is now running on a new publication schedule, so keep an eye out for new issues to be released during Weeks 1 & 6 of the upcoming quarters. An awards ceremony at the Illinois College Press Association Conference will hopefully show the improvements made in the newspaper over the last year. The conference is February 2223 here in Chicago so come by and see what we won. Last year we got a second place award for Front Page Design and an honorable mention for a sports article. While we are hoping that last year’s many changes will have suited our efforts well all we can do is wait and see. Win or lose we will keep striving to make our work and ourselves better,
just as everyone should. We have already begun by employing the unique artwork provided by a new illustrator, Kyle Ashley, who is being encouraged by the new designs of our Art Director Blake Whitmore. We hope you enjoy it and remember everyone is welcome at our meetings, We d n e s d a y s at 2pm, in our brand new publication room on the first floor, room 125B.
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SPORTS & HEALTH
Stretching It
By Richard Connolly Whether you're an exercise fanatic or a couch potato, stretching is an important part of any daily routine. It helps improve
1. Upward Reach: This one is so simple and obvious, you probably already do it everyday. The best part is that you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your bed to do it. Just extend your arms above your head with your palms facing up and fingers interlocked. Reach your hands toward the ceiling to extend your spine and get the blood flowing. Hold this for at least 10 seconds.
4. Cat/Dog Stretch - This classic yoga stretch will warm up your back and abdominal muscles. Begin on your hands and knees with hands directly beneath your shoulders and knees below the hips. Inhale while arching your back and tilting your head back and tailbone up (that's the dog). As you exhale, arch your back toward the ceiling and tuck your chin into your chest (that's the cat). Repeat 10 times.
2. Shoulder Rolls: While either in a sitting or standing position begin by letting your shoulders hang loose and then move them up, back, down, and forward in a circular motion. Repeat in both directions. To loosen the neck, relax your shoulders and lift one shoulder while tilting your head in it's direction until your ear and shoulder meet. Alternate to the other sides, and repeat 10 times. These exercises will help relieve tension in the neck and shoulders.
3. Hamstring Stretch: This stretch is another great way to get the blood flowing and wake you up in the morning. While laying on the ground place one foot flat on the floor while bending at the knee and raise the opposite leg straight into the air – pointing the bottom of your foot toward the ceiling. Hold this position for at least 10 seconds with each leg and repeat until three sets are completed with each leg.
Walking Among Us Keith Liddell
By Dan Ciaglia For athletes across the world, there’s nothing more honorable than representing your country on the world’s biggest stage – the Olympics. Being selected to compete for the United States of America is something so many athletes dream of their entire
circulation, flexibility, balance, and can relieve back pain. Starting your day with a few stretches is a great way to wake up in the morning, and these can be done in time it takes to make a cup of coffee.
lives, but only a select few see that dream become a reality. Keith Liddell, a 26-year old junior at Robert Morris, was well on his way to living that dream. Keith, who grew up on the west side of Chicago and began his boxing career when he was 16, put up an exceptional undefeated record as an amateur which allowed him to qualify for Olympic competition. In 2009, he was selected to represent the United States in boxing at the 2012 London Games, but unfortunately Keith never made it to London after being diagnosed with a double hernia. However, during his training for the Olympics, brothers Aalim and Anthony Muhammad noticed something special – the velocity on Liddell’s punch was astonishingly high. Since his Olympic dream was over, Anthony, a former Welterweight Champion, urged Keith to start training with Larry ‘xxx’ Tankson in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest punch. He worked hard at it for months and,
in October 2012 Keith was clocked at 44 MPH, officially giving him the Guinness World Record for fastest punch. He is also recognized by Guinness and approved by Record Setter for 3 other records including the most speed bag punches in a minute, the longest punch at 10’10”, and the most contact punches in a minute with 900. If that’s not impressive enough, Liddell also says his average punches per second are a remarkable 15. Outside of the ring and gym, Liddell is currently working toward earning his degree in Business. And if you thought the outstanding boxing accolades weren’t enough, he is also a published author. In 2011, in the midst of heavy boxing training, Keith wrote and published a book called “The Tangibility of Nothingness” which analyzes the understanding of purpose and potential in our cosmic reality. In all, Keith Liddell is an outstanding person, and Robert Morris University is proud to have him walking among us. v
Spring I 2012 Sports Report • Feb 3, 2013 -Men’s Hockey Gold-CH Fourth ranked Eagles sweep seventh ranked Lindenwood. Eagles defeat Lions 5-3 & 5-2. • Feb 2, 2013-Men’s Basketball-CH Eagles take down Ashford 69-64 to even record at 12-12. Brian Bradley scored a game high 28 points & Kashaune McKinney added 25 points and 11 rebounds. • Feb 4, 2013-Women’s Outdoor Track & Field-CH: Eagles Compete in Trine Invitational, with Yarisel Mata taking third place and setting the School record in 1600 meters with a record time of 5:29 • Feb 3, 2013-Women’s Soccer: Six Individuals & one team were inducted into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame: Al Bruehl, Mavis Danso, Othyus Jeffers, Katie McFadden, Kurt Melcher, Kulu Yahaya, and the 2004 Women’s Soccer team.
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THEEAGLE
CONTENT TEAM
DO YOU WANT TO: MAKE EXTRA MONEY? BECOME A PUBLISHED WRITER? BECOME A WRITER FOR THE EAGLE! CONTACT LINDSAY DAHL FOR DETAILS: eagleeditor@robertmorris.edu.
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ARTS & CULTURE Most Anticipated
Albums for 2013
By Stacy Zamskaya With 2012 coming to a successful, non-apocalyptic close, music fans are now full of anticipation of what is in store for this new year. Many albums are already set in stone, but there are also rumors floating around the music world about some big projects being released in 2013. Here are some of the most anticipated albums for this year.
TORO Y MOI Anything in Return (Carpark) Release Date: January 22 Chaz Bundick, the face behind Toro Y Moi, has been a key player in bringing “chillwave” to the indie genre. His sultry synth beats and reflective lyrics are once again going to appear on Anything in Return, yet with more organization and better flow. As Bundick matures in his sound, we see how he puts his own spin on pop music on his third album. TEGAN AND SARA Hearthrob (Sire) Release Date: January 29 The Quin twins have left the indie genre and are fully embarking on a pop music journey with the release of their seventh album. The new sound is no surprise to
fans of the band, since the change has been gradually apparent in their past two albums. Filled with catchy lyrics and sweet melodies, Hearthrob is sure to keep you on your feet.
returns to the music scene with a new “rebirth” album. The band is moving in a new direction with this release, bringing out more punchy vocals and pop-infused melodies.
POP, fans are eager to finally hear the final product. Gaga describes the album as being a “very risky” assault, as she has spent months on perfecting the all-original tracks.
YEAH YEAH YEAHS Mosquito (Interscope) Release Date: April 16 After releasing one of the best albums of the decade, this fourth album is already facing a lot of anticipation and criticism. The released singles sound like classic YYYs and Karen O explains that this album is made to evoke more feeling from listeners. Maybe this record will overtake the title of the decade’s best album once more.
DAVID BOWIE The Next Day Release Date: March 12 After several years of rumors, speculations, and wishful thinking David Bowie is finally releasing a new album, as was announced by his producer, Tony Visconti. Bowie says he is not planning on going on tour or being interviewed ever again, but only releasing records in the future. DAVE GROHL AND FRIENDS Sound City: Real to Reel (Roswell/RCA) Release Date: March 12 This month will see the release of Dave Grohl’s documentary, Sound City, a movie about the famous LA recording studio which saw the rise of many of the world’s biggest artists. Sound City: Real to Reel is the soundtrack to the documentary, featuring Grohl on tracks with Corey Taylor, Trent Reznor, Stevie Nicks, Josh Homme, and several others. PARAMORE Paramore (Fueled by Ramen) Release Date: April 9 After a four year hiatus, Hayley Williams
PHOENIX Bankrupt! (Glassnote) Release Date: April After a strange and lengthy hiatus, the French rockers are bringing out a long-awaited follow-up. Phoenix has said that this record will feature a more experimental sound, being largely influenced by the French duo, Air. A new chart-topping hit is bound to appear on this anticipated indie pop album. LADY GAGA ARTPOP (Streamline /Kon Live/ Interscope) Release Date: Spring After all the hype released by Lady Gaga on social networking sites about ART-
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE The 20/20 Experience Release Date: Summer In early January, Timberlake announced his return to music with the release of his track, “Suit & Tie”, featuring Jay-Z. Apparently the pop singer has been working on this album in secret since past summer, focusing on no specific rules or end goals in the process. Keep an eye on Timberlake’s MySpace and you're sure to be the first in the loop of what to expect from this album. THE BLACK KEYS TBA Release Date: Late 2013 The successful El Camino duo is planning on heading into the studio this winter to begin recording a follow-up to their 2011 commercial success. The Grammy winners plan on working with producer Danger Mouse at Dan Auerbach’s Nashville studio. This announcement brings many to wonder whether this record will sell over a million copies as well. v
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Must See Movie
The Last Stand By Adrian Saucedo After a decade of an acting hiatus, Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as a leading actor in “The Last Stand”. As such, critics and fans alike have been critical of Schwarzenegger’s work. “The Last Stand” has received mixed reviews, but the action movie is quite crowd-pleasing. In the film, Schwarzenegger plays Sheriff Ray Owens, a man who used to work for the LAPD, but a failed operation ruined his life and left his partner disabled. Owens lives in an uneventful border town called Summerton Junction. Little crime takes place here, until one day the most wanted drug lord, Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega), escapes from the FBI and
heads to Summerton Junction. The U.S. government will have the final chance to arrest the drug lord in this tiny town before he crosses the border to Mexico. Agent John Bannister (Forest Whitaker), notifies Owens that Cortez has come to town. At first, Owens is reluctant to get involved in the operation because he feels like a failure, due to his past. Upon seeing the ineptitude of his deputies and knowing he can fight against Cortez, Owens accepts the responsibility. Owens gathers his deputies, deputizing Lewis Dinkum (Johnny Knoxville), a vintage arms collector and Frank Martinez (Rodrigo Santoro), a local prisoner seeking revenge for the murder of his friend. After much bloodshed and fighting, Owens cap-
Album Review
By Stacy Zamaskya Contemporary R&B has gained popularity in the past several years, with artists like Frank Ocean and James Blake, creating a new, bolder form of the genre. Many of these artists begin independent projects and release their albums free of charge to fans. They bring together modern pop music with the fundamental form of R&B, creating a wonderfully dark and emotional blend. Abel Tesfaye, otherwise known as The Weeknd, triumphs as the leader of the
tures Cortez and turns him over to Agent Bannister. The movie can be seen as a modern western film. It combines elements of action and comedy. The acting is not
...a failed operation ruined his life and left his partner disabled.
exceptional, but enough to entertain. While Arnold Schwarzenegger is not at his best, he is still able to portray the role of a hero in the action film. Although the film is not completely serious, Forest Whitaker,
starring as Agent Bannister, and Eduardo Noriega, the drug lord, offer credibility to the film. There is a lack of character development in the story and the plot is anything but original. The story takes a long time to pick up, but the finale is packed with intense action scenes. In this film, Schwarzenegger shows that he still has potential as the star of an action film. While the film has grossed a little more than 11 million dollars as of January 26th, it has exceeded low expectations. Critics argue the film fails to target a specific audience, while others praise its entertainment value. If you are expecting a serious action film, look elsewhere. Bottom line, if you enjoy cliché action flicks, give “The Last Stand” a chance. v
The Weeknd: Trilogy
new R&B genre, as deemed by numerous blogs and critics. His ambitious and unique sound was first heard on House of Balloons, a mixtape released by the artist in early 2011. The album brought a completely new voice to contradict popular R&B. The songs revolved around a theme of desperation and provided a much more ominous feel to the genre, which has been previously known to only sound sultry. A second mixtape, Thursday, brought out Tesfaye to appear more public and play several shows in Canada. The Weeknd then surprised his fans by releasing a third mixtape in December of 2011, entitled Echoes of Silence. In just under a year, Tesfaye released twenty-seven successful songs, at just the age of twenty-one. Trilogy is a compilation album of Tesfaye’s previously released mixtapes, which have been remastered and compiled into a cohesive album. The album also features three previously unreleased tracks. The highlight of the compilation is House of
Balloons, as it sets up the feel for the other mixtapes, with its signature languid melodies, heavy synthesizers, and Tesfaye’s heartbreaking falsetto. Several tracks, such as “Wicked Games” and “The Knowing”, lure the listener with their slow heavy progression and Tesfaye’s gloomy lyrics. Although Tesfaye sometimes provides shocking lyrics, the tracks usually have a heavy chorus or hook to balance the track. The compilation album shows the true genius and expertise of The Weeknd, while also exemplifying the underlying differences between his sound and other current popular R&B artists. Tesfaye focuses more on creating an atmosphere with the production of his music. The mournful timbre of the tracks envelops the listener in a fog of the darkest memories. The Weeknd does not rely fully on beautiful melodies and vocal performance, unlike Frank Ocean. At the same time, Tesfaye stays close to traditional form of the genre, never taking experimentation to the next
level, unlike lo-fi R&B artist How to Dress Well. Although Tesfaye stays independent of other artists’ influence, this sometimes serves as his downfall, as seen through the monotonous tracks of Thursday. This part of the trilogy features songs which take awhile to unwind, with some of the tracks seeming aimless. The last section of the trilogy, Echoes of Silence, shows how Tesfaye has managed to combine the ambition found on House of Balloons and the softer side of Thursday. The album brings on an atmosphere of a wild Friday night party, which comes to a close in the early morning hours. Trilogy combines Tesfaye’s works in a large collection, seeming quite lengthy for a debut album. It appears that if the mixtapes stood alone, they would be more successful, rather than in a thirty track record. Yet throughout the entire collection, Tesfaye carries the listener through a dark journey of self-destruction and hopelessness, making life seem quite ephemeral. v
8
CUISINE
Green Ghost the
By Tyson Bosco
With so may drink recipes out there, sometimes it can be a real challenge figuring out what to order. Do you order a simple drink with a name that is more or less a list of the contents in it; you could order something like a rum and coke or a seven and seven. You could also be daring and order something sweet with a terrible name that your friends will later make fun of you for. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, here are a few reasons
to order a Green Ghost. One reason is that it is absolutely full of alcohol. The second reason is that the drink emits a very light green color to it, making it look as though it were concocted specifically for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s also very refreshing, which is a huge reason to start your festivities with it - before you lose your tastebuds. If you don’t know for sure if this is a drink for you, order it as a virgin Green Ghost. You can also call that by it’s other name, just a glass of Sprite. v
Ingredients:
Directions:
~ Crushed ice ~ 2 parts Bacardi Limon ~ 2 parts Gin ~ 2 parts Sprite ~ Splash of Green Apple Pucker ~ Wedge of lime
1. Fill glass with crushed ice. 2. Pour in Bacardi Limon, Gin and Sprite. 3. Pour in splash of Green Apple Pucker. 4. Add lime wedge and a straw. 5. The drink can then be mixed, but mixing isn’t completely necessary.
apple pucker bacardi limon delicious gin sprite
St. Patty’s Day
Hotspots
On the one day of the year where everyone is Irish, you’ve got a lot of options as far as your day’s festivities are concerned. Whether your pleasure is green beer, a dark stout, or a finely aged whiskey - your choices
in drinks are only out numbered by your choices in places to spend your holiday. Here are some top picks for guaranteed good food, good drinks, and good craic (that’s Irish for “good times”). Sláinte. v
Miller’s Pub
Blarney Stone
Tom Kelly’s
Tribes Alehouse
Miller’s Pub has Irish roots without delving head deep into clichés. Their Leg of Lamb Sandwich is absolutely delicious, and it's the type of place where if you ask for vinegar with your fries you won't be stared at as though you're on fire. The alcohol selection is one of the best in Chicago – with two full pages of whiskeys alone. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is about as authentic as you get in the loop.
Blarney Stone is a great starting point for a northern migration through Wrigleyville this St. Patrick’s Day. Stop by to grab yourself a brew or two, play some pool, and chow down on a few $1 sloppy joes. With a welcoming bar staff, reasonably priced drinks, and even better priced food, you may find yourself within the friendly confides of this north-side bar longer than you had planned.
Tom Kelly’s has a good menu with an assortment of Irish dishes and regular American pub fare. The Irish Cheese and Chips is always a solid choice for starters. Kelly’s atmosphere leans more toward a family restaurant than an authentic Irish pub experience. It is also only steps away from an AMC movie theater, which makes it a perfect spot for a pre- or post-movie bite to eat and wet your whistle.
Tribes Alehouse has over 50 beers on tap and more choices in bottles and cans. They are also one of the few places where you can find mead! Thier menu is composed of some delicious traditional pub fare. Try the Lager & Cheese Dip and Wisconsin Cheese Curds for starters. It is also family-friendly during lunch and dinner hours, so bring some younger friends and family before things get wild.
134 S Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60603
3424 N Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL 60657
495 Degroate Rd. New Lenox, IL 60451
11220 W Lincoln Hwy. Mokena, IL 60448
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Roasted Red Pepper
Hummus
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 25 minutes
By Richard Connolly
Directions:
This easy to make hummus recipe can be prepared the night before serving to fully chill in the fridge. No pots and pans needed to prepare, just a food processor and a convection or toaster oven. Tahini can be found in many grocery or health food stores in the Middle Eastern section.
1. Begin by broiling the red pepper until the skins blackens and blisters, about 5 minutes. Rotate in quarter turns until all sides are blistered. Remove pepper from oven and place in a bowl and cover for 15-20 minutes.
Ingredients: ~ 1 medium red pepper ~ 1 (15oz) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained ~ 1/4 cup lemon juice ~ 2 tablespoons tahini ~ 1/2 tablespoon olive oil ~ 1 large garlic clove, peeled ~ 3/4 teaspoon salt ~ 1/2 teaspoon curry powder ~ 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander ~ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin ~ Dash of pepper to taste ~ Fresh parsley for garnish
2. Peel off and discard charred skin, and remove the stems and seeds. 3. Place the pepper in a food processor. Add the beans, lemon juice, tahini, oil, garlic and seasonings; cover and process until thoroughly blended. Scraping the side of processor may be necessary. Add additional seasons depending on preference. 4. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover and chill for later use. Serve with pita bread, crackers, or add to a sandwich as a healthier condiment option. v
Black Bean Patties Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
By Richard Connolly
Ingredients: ~ 1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained ~ 1 medium egg ~ 1 cup bread crumbs ~ 1/2 yellow onion, chopped ~ 1 teaspoon dried oregano ~ 1 teaspoon dried basil
Cook Time: 20 minutes
~ 1 clove garlic, minced ~ Salt and pepper to taste ~ Hot sauce to taste ~ 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive
Directions: 1. Mash beans in a large bowl with a fork and add egg, onion, bread crumbs, oregano, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and hot sauce.
2. Mix thoroughly then shape into 6 patties by hand.
3. In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. In batches begin to cook patties – flipping once – until both sides are golden brown, about 10 minutes total.
4. Transfer to buns, and serve with favorite topping and condiments, or eat them on their own with some additional hot sauce. v
10
COMMENTARY
He Says // She Says Social Networking Debate
Adrian Saucedo
Stacy Zamskaya Social networking has had a huge impact on our everyday lives as we focus on tweeting our daily routines, uploading photos to Facebook, and sharing our resumes on LinkedIn. It is quite shocking to think that just five years ago, these online interactions felt like science fiction to most of the population.
Social networking harms individuals in the workplace mainly because the line of separation between the personal and professional life becomes blurred. Your personal life becomes so public, that it is difficult to determine what your rights to privacy are and how to exercise them. You, as owner of the account, have the power to determine who sees your profile and updates, and how much of that you want them to see. However, once you have allowed certain people to access your account information, they have the power to distribute that information and comment on it with other individuals. You have now lost the power of maintaining your personal life personal. Here in Illinois, employers are forbidden from asking employees or potential employees for account passwords, however, they are allowed to ask for usernames
to view public account information. Individuals have a right to decline access to their social network accounts, but in an economic recession people are willing to give up their right to privacy and they will do as employers demand. What is the need to access social networking accounts, when resumes are available to explain someone’s professional life? Social networking, no matter how public it is, should remain a personal enterprise, unless the account is a professional account. Some people might argue that if you have a social networking account, you have no rights to privacy. What these people don’t take into consideration is that the problem with social networking is that it opens the possibility of discrimination and poor judgment. On the other side of things, social networking can be harmful to employers if
the employees are distributing confidential information to others. There is also the possibility that the employer’s reputation might be ruined by an employee’s inappropriate comments or posts. Also, if individuals are accessing their social networking accounts during work they might not be as productive as they can be and they might be seen as lazy instead of resourceful. Regardless of the scenario, social networking in the workplace can bring more conflict than solutions. The reality is people are held accountable for whatever mistake or problems they have in their professional life, and they also have to consistently be wary and cautious of what they say and always be careful of their actions in their personal life. Because of this, the personal lives of everyone connected to social media is always open to scrutiny and discrimination. v
With the rise of social networking comes much hesitance as to what should be shared online for the entire world to see. Yet in reality, these networks have provided much interaction and opportunities to achieve our personal goals. Over 1.2 billion people use Facebook worldwide, utilizing the social network to share personal data, but also for various business aspects. Facebook allows people to reunite with old classmates and create new networking connections, making the process of developing a personal network as easy as a click of a button. Businesses create fan pages on Facebook, allowing intimate interaction with their customers. Several major corporations, such as Target, provide promotions for customers to purchase new products through these pages. These promotions are cheaper than traditional advertising, allowing companies to lower their marketing costs while increasing interactivity with their target markets. Seeing as 98% of 18-24 year
olds use some sort of social networking, Facebook provides a great opportunity for companies to attract younger generations and tap into new business opportunities. Social networking also provides the ability for new businesses to succeed much simpler than before. For example, Kickstarter, the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects, allows individuals an opportunity to create such projects. Amanda Palmer, lead singer of The Dresden Dolls, gathered $1.2 million for her new record with the help of Kickstarter and through promoting the fund over various social networking platforms. Her international tour has also been made possible through social networking, as she organized fan meet-ups and found practice spaces all over the world through simple 140 character tweets. One of the most useful aspects of social media for individuals is the ability to create a positive self image. The profiles on each platform allow individuals to shape
the way they are seen by others through sharing their best qualities, which are seen by peers, potential employers, and even university officials. Through focusing on an online persona, individuals gain valuable social and technical skills for today’s digital age. The many new opportunities provided by social networking, balanced by smart decisions of what to put online, allow individuals to self-express who they really are to the entire world. Even the simplest social networking interactions provide concrete data to the individual as a whole. For example, if you take a vacation to Europe and share your experience online, others see you as a worldly citizen. Social media helps remove boundaries between individuals, allowing global interactions to be simpler than ever. Conversations are the lifeblood of the modern world and social networking allows opportunities to connect to the rest of the world through simple communication online. v
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The Grinch Who Stole Valentine's By Tyson Bosco Valentine's Day is seen, in the eyes of a couple million women (and like 12 men), as one of the most romantic holidays that we currently celebrate. It’s a time of year where everyone goes out and finds something wonderful to give their significant other. As well, stores make special deals to make sure that every boyfriend, girlfriend, husband and wife gets something wonderful. Everybody is happy; love rules supreme. If you have vomited twice or more within reading the beginning of this article you are not alone. Valentine's Day is as much of a holiday as Black Friday. What most people don’t know is how Valentine's Day was started. Also known as the Feast of Saint Valentine, this celebration began as a remembrance to early Christian saints named Valentinus. The most popular of the martyrology spoke of a Saint Valentine who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry, as well as acting as a minister for Christians, who were persecuted by the Roman Empire. The actual “lovy-dovyness” of
Valentine's Day didn’t come until Geoffrey Chaucer, known for his seemingly endless collection of stories called “ The Canterbury Tales”. Because of a misunderstanding in Chaucer’s poem “Parlement of Foules”, an association grew between February 14 and a metaphor for birds choosing their mates at that time. Other poets used this same metaphor within a few years of Chaucer, which brought February 14th into more romantic grounds. That’s all well and good, but where does that leave us now? Valentine's Day of today is quite a different story as to that of the days of old. After Valentine's Day started growing a romantic theme, People used to go out of their way to show how much they cared about the ones they loved. People of today are more or less forced to get things for their significant other. What’s the fun in that? Romance isn’t a system of “buy me things on the day you are supposed to and I won’t be mad at you”. If there’s ever going to be true feelings on a day that’s supposed to be now dedicated to romance, people shouldn’t be forced to celebrate it. I know what you’re thinking; my nega-
Living in the Ruins By Richard Connolly
Mankind has survived the end of the world once again. December 21st came and went with no great explosion, no polar shift, and no pandemic which eradicated the human race – but what if the end doesn’t come in a JJ Abrams wrapped package? Maybe the end of the world will creep up slowly and unnoticed. With certain exceptions, the world is a pretty crummy place right now. Mass shootings make an appearance in the news every few months, with each incident progressively becoming more horrific. The blame gets pointed at gun control and psychiatric screenings, but despite one’s stance on those issues, the fact remains that the number one thing that needs to change is that we need a stronger respect for life itself. We have got to share this planet with
seven billion other folks, whether we like it or not. In today’s fast-paced modern society, we often get lost in our own worlds instead. The Earth is a beautiful, vast, and amazing place, but most people seem content to exist with their heads within the confines of their tiny handheld screens. The wonderful feeling you get from interacting with fellow human beings – receiving a warm greeting, or even just exchanging a smile – has been replaced with an unsatisfying crave for more “likes”, “karma”, and “re-tweets”. An emphasis on one's outward appearance continues to escalate in taking precedence over the substance of one’s character and intellectual self-improvement. As Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden, “It would be easier for [people] to hobble to town with a broken leg than with a broken pantaloon.” We are far more concerned
tive opinion comes from the fact that I don’t have anyone and I use that as an excuse to be extra “Bah Humbug” about it. I have dated before, so it’s not as though I don’t know what the sensation is like. My significant other and I also had a day that we celebrated our relationship; it’s called an anniversary. The spectacular thing about this is that it actually meant something to us, which is what made us actually go out of our way to get gifts for each other. I remember how Valentine's Day was celebrated when I was a child in elementary
school. You bought a bunch of these stupid little cards that usually had some kind of candy in them, you wrote your name on a thousand of them along with the names of every student in your class. If you want to think about how petty this holiday is, remember times like that. Everyone got a card so no one felt left out. If you ended up getting a card, you and the 20 something students in your class, how special do you feel after that? If anything, the holiday is a reminder as to how un-special our relationships can be.v
with what we wear than what we eat, or rather the looks of what we consume. It is estimated that almost half of the world’s food is thrown away. Much of this waste is due to farmers and grocers discarding produce that is not “shelf-worthy,” meaning no one will buy an ugly carrot – even if it tastes the same in a soup. Despite the enormous amount of food that goes to waste, Americans continue to gain weight, while the rest of the world slowly starves. In addition to the backward problem of wasting too much food, another similar situation remains: we have more empty homes than we do homeless in the United States. The solution should be clear for both, but the amount of logistics involved and money to be spent to fix this issue overpower the will to help those in need. Who wants to spend money when they can make it instead? This constant drive to keep up with the Joneses (or the Kardashians) will forever keep us wandering about in an MTV col-
ored fog, looking for the fast track to a life of fancy cars, name-brand clothes, Cristal champagne, and a casual drug habit. This lifestyle is not the one that has ever contributed to the advancement of the human race, so why is it idolized? If you ask a child who they look up to, their answer will likely be along the lines of their favorite actor, singer, or athlete. Younger children have a tendency of claiming their desires to be a fireman, nurse, or teacher when they grow up, but by the time they reach the age of comprehending money, you can bet that answer will change. You can get way more attention and money by appearing on Teen Mom or making fun of “fat-chicks” on a reality television show. At least that is the message we put across. There is an old Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” If we’re going to save ourselves, we need to start planting the seeds for the world’s future and stop digging for gold. v
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PUZZLES
Sudoku WordScramble Fill in the grid with numbers so each INSTRUCTIONS row, column, and 3x3 block has every number from 1 to 9.
Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)
2 4 9
6
3
ARAPOEMR
5 7
3
3
8
7 4
IEMDA
1
9
INSTRUCTIONS Unscramble the letters to make meaningful words and write them in the space given at the bottom. Use the letters entered in the circles, as well as the hint provided, to unscramble the answer phrase.
4
1
7 5
1
6
9
1
6
5
8 7
2
7 1
________ _____
_________
NEKXLVLOI
_______
POXNHIE
UMMSUH
______
N A LY R E B
_______
NAESITELNV
GRTILOY
_______
SOUMOITQ
________
N B P U R AT K
__________
4
Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Thu Feb 7 16:48:08 2013 GMT. Enjoy!
No Class by Richard Connolly
HINT: CONSEQUENCE OF TOO MUCH CELEBRATION
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