9-20-11final by The Northern Light

THENORTHERNLIGHT

September 20, 2011

University of Alaska Anchorage

www.thenorthernlight.org

RESPONDING TO RAPE

Assault on campus highlights need for safety programs By Alden Lee and Teresa Kennedy

Assistant Features Editor and Reporter

Last January, a young woman was raped in the UAA Consortium Library in a narrow stairwell that runs up the back portion of the library. The stairwell is rarely used and leads to a locked fourth floor doorway. It was on these steps that an unnamed assailant took the woman. He then sexually assaulted another woman in the residence halls. UPD has confirmed these reports, and are currently in the process of further investigation. What many find nearly as disturbing is that these assaults were not reported until June. In 2007, there were two reported sexual assaults at the university, one on the main campus and another in housing. Another rape on the main campus was reported in 2009. In 2010 a report was made, but was later determined not to have happened. The sexual assaults at the library and housing are the most recent to be reported. Despite these numbers, rape and sexual assaults are not very prevalent at UAA, said UPD Deputy Chief Brad Munn. However, there is no way to account for the sexual assaults that are not brought to light. “Over the past few years, [rape on campus] has not been a major issue,” said Munn. “We have no control over the things that go unreported, though, and that is a significant problem.” This is a problem shared by rape prevention resources state and nationwide. Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), a sexual assault program that offers 24-hour crisis help lines and sexual assault consultation, has always struggled with the knowledge that large amounts of sexual assaults are never exposed. “Historically, there is a lot of shame and guilt around sexual assault,” said STAR Advocate Erin Patterson. “When you take into account that most rape victims are assaulted by people they know, and a lot of shame and guilt is built up because they feel responsible or that somehow this is their fault, they have the tendency to not report.” When sexual assaults are going unreported, other prevention approaches

See RAD page 06

Index:

photo by spencer mitchell/tnl

This stairwell in the back of the Consortium Library was the scene of a sexual assault last January.

News.....A2

Meet the Seawolf Meet Audri Pleas, KRUA Station Manager and student media enthusiast see page

2012 in 2011 Check out how the Republican candidates are faring in the land of conservatism see page 10

Alternative Sounds How do these two reviews on Antlers and Menomena differ from yours? see page b4

number of rapes reported on campus in the last three years Features.....A6

Opinion.....A9

A&E.....B2

TNL Photo Champs Check out reader entries for best summer photos

Sports......B10

see page b6

Comics.....B12

TNL

News| September 20, 2011

statewide briefs

Library extends hours, plans for new entrance

Scientists shocked by behavior of rare gray whale

By Matt Caprioli

Scientists tracking a rare western Pacific gray whale were shocked last winter when the endangered animal left the Asian coast, crossed the Bering Sea and swam south along Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest coasts. Researchers are back in Russia to see whether the feat will be repeated by other Pacific gray whales. Only about 130 western Pacific gray whales remain and little is known of their winter habits. They spend summers near Russia’s Sahkalin Island. They face threats from offshore petroleum development, according to environmental groups. Researchers last October were limited by foul weather to placing a cigar-size satellite tag on just one whale on the last day of field work. The 13-year-old male was dubbed “Flex.” It spent more than two months feeding near Sakhalin Island before moving across the Sea of Okhotsk to the west coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. On Jan. 3, to the surprise of researchers, it began swimming steadily east across the Bering Sea. Eighty miles north of Alaska’s Pribilof Islands, the whale turned south, and swam between Aleutian Islands into the Gulf of Alaska. It continued southeast to shallow coastal waters off Washington and Oregon. Its last confirmed location was Feb. 4 off Siletz Bay, Ore., where researchers believe the satellite tag fell off. The whale had traveled 5,335 miles over 124 days.

UAF head: Curriculum, mission statement changing As the University of Alaska Fairbanks approaches its 100th birthday, Chancellor Brian Rogers said some changes are ahead for the flagship campus of the school system. Rogers used his 2011 convocation speech Tuesday to focus on the future of academics, facilities and student life at the Fairbanks school. Much of the speech was a look ahead to 2017, when the university will hold its centennial. The chancellor said part of the plan leading up to the centennial involves academic changes at UAF, which is undergoing a periodic evaluation of its accreditation. The university will be updating its mission statement, strategic plan and core curriculum in the near future, he said. The curriculum, which was adopted in 1991, needs to better reflect modern realities without ignoring the value of a liberal education, Rogers said. “Universities are not just job factories,” he said. “At UAF, we need to teach students to think, adapt and use logic.” UAF also was preparing for the future with a handful of new capital projects, including the new life sciences building, new housing and an addition to the student activities center. At the top of the construction wish list is a power plant, estimated to cost more than $200 million.

USUAA Vice-President Amie Stanley and Allison Murrell, a By the end of October, the former USUAA senator, raised library will close at 1 a.m. instead $4,000 during the spring semester of 11 p.m., Sunday, through of last year for a trial run of Thursday. keeping the library open 24 hours This increase of 11 hours per for nine days. week will add $93,000 to the The graduate student Library’s annual association operating budget. and the That money will library both go to pay the three distributed or four people their own who monitor the surveys, to library late at figure out what night. the demand “The reason among why we’re students was not doing this for more now—Friday and hours. -Library Dean Steve Rollins Saturday hours Both found have already that students changed—but want increased we’re really hours for late waiting to put a card reader at the night studying. front of the door,” the Dean of the “We got those comments from Library, Steve Rollins, said. all the surveys. People want more “We feel that it’s pretty hours,” Rollins said. important to do that to give students The original building was built a more secure environment over in 1973. That building was 80,000 ten o’clock. We’re opened over square feet and had approximately 100 hours now, and we’re always 5,000 weekly visitors. dealing with some sort of security The 2004 addition added issue.” 120,000 square feet, making the Rollins noted that because of total surface area of the library the long hours, homeless people roughly 200,000 square feet. tend to frequent the library. He The weekly visitors have since recalls incidents of fighting, doubled to about 10,500 visitors, people throwing up, or, during the Rollins said. 24/7 period during finals, living in the building. An extra entrance Students will need a valid The library was designed with Wolfcard to enter the building a second entrance in mind. after 10pm. “I figured that after a few years, “We think of it as an after hours study facility. The library we’d probably have the chance to is the library, we will have people build it. Well, that hasn’t happened to check out books for those yet,” Rollins said. Rollins worked the 2 to 7 a.m. who want them and we will have computer available, but we’re not shift during finals. A staff member going to staff the reference desk walked around the library and recorded what students were until 1 a.m.,” Rollins said. In his 13 years at UAA, Rollins doing. When it was Rollins turn, said that whenever students want he found that most people were studying, which lead him to extended hours, it often happens. “I have to say, the last two believe that an extra study space years that interest in more hours was needed. “There is enough space (in has increased a quite a bit. The demand on this facility has not the north entrance) that we could easily put a study lounge there. declined at all,” Rollins said. Several student groups have During finals, we only had about 70 students studying at 3am. pushed for more hours.

News Editor

“There is enough space (in the north entrance) that we could easily put a study lounge there.”

But that’s still a sizeable group. We could build out in the north entrance to accommodate those 75 people after hours,” Rollins said. “There’s a lot of demand from people who want to come through that side of the building. The science building is now there, a new parking garage, a new café, they moved the English department to the administrative building. A lot of people want to come through the north entrance,” Rollins said. Rollins is currently working on gaining funding for the extension.

photo Courtesy of UAA

Steve Rollins, UAA Dean of the Library

September 20, 2011 | News

Crime map

Say What? No more cigarettes for smoking Malaysian orangutan

3700 Alumni Dr.

Harassment

CRIME MAP

3300 Seawolf Dr.

A UA

Alumni Dr.

LAKE

Larceny

2801 Spirit Dr.

Trespassing

Traffic

Alaska-Anchorage

PIPER ST

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ELMORE RD

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Disturbance Graphic by CJ Beaudrie/TNL

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- A captive orangutan often spotted smoking cigarettes given to her by zoo visitors is being forced to kick the habit, a Malaysian wildlife official said Monday. Government authorities seized the adult ape named Shirley from a staterun zoo in Malaysia’s southern Johor state last week after she and several other animals there were deemed to be living in poor conditions. Melaka Zoo Director Ahmad Azhar Mohammed said Shirley is not being provided with any more cigarettes because “smoking is not normal behavior for orangutans.” “I would say she is not addicted ... but she might have formed a habit after mimicking human beings who were smoking around her,” Ahmad told The Associated Press. Shirley was so far displaying a regular appetite for food and no obvious signs of depression or illness, Ahmad said. Results from her blood tests and other detailed health examinations were not yet available. Nature Alert, a British-based activist group, wrote to Malaysian officials about Shirley earlier this year, saying conservationists who visited the Johor zoo often saw people throwing lit cigarettes to her in a pitlike enclosure. The group said Shirley seemed to suffer severe mood swings, sometimes looking drowsy and on other occasions appearing “very agitated” without a cigarette. It is not clear when Shirley started smoking. Officials have estimated she is around 20 years old. Orangutans, which are native to rainforests in Borneo and Indonesia’s Sumatra island, can live up to about 60 years in captivity.

Calif. police: Law-breaking Gumby turns himself in SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Gumby has surrendered. San Diego police say the man accused of trying to rob a convenience store last week dressed as the famous claymation character turned himself in Tuesday, with an alleged accomplice. Detective Gary Hassen tells the San Diego Union-Tribune that Jacob Kiss and Jason Giramma voluntarily went to police headquarters. He says Kiss brought the Gumby suit and turned it in as well. Police say a man dressed in a Gumby costume and an accomplice went into a 7-Eleven in Rancho Penasquitos on Labor Day and told the clerk it was a robbery. The clerk thought it was a prank and dismissed him. Both then left the store. Surveillance video shows the clumsy would-be robber struggling to keep the green suit on as he walked out the door.

SC school district moves bus stop from strip club MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -Officials in eastern South Carolina are moving a school bus stop that was by a strip club after parents complained. WPDE-TV reports children had to wait in the parking lot of a strip club in Atlantic Beach to catch the school bus. Misty Umphries, a mother who waits at the stop with her children, says she had to explain to her 4-yearold the meaning of “topless.” Horry County transportation director Jim Wright previously said the stop was the central point of four blocks it needed to accommodate. Wright was concerned that moving the stop to a community center that parents suggested would require some children to walk farther. District officials have since decided to create two bus stops in the area. Neither is at the strip club.

Compiled by Matt Caprioli

TNL

news| September 20, 2011

ROTC commemorates fallen in 24-hour run for 9/11 By Teresa Kennedy Staff Reporter

UAA’s Air Force and Army ROTC programs joined together this year to remember 9/11 in their own way: a 24 hour long run. Thirty five of the school’s cadets signed up and participated in a run that had them carrying the American flag for 24 straight hours non-stop. Working in shifts, each cadet ran for 30 minutes, but most stayed in the commemorative marathon for up to two hours. For Army ROTC Cadet, Danny Canlas, the run honored not only the memory of the tragedy 10 years ago, but also everything the military means to him. “Everyone I know is joining the military because of 9/11. That’s my motive,” Canlas said. For other cadets, however, the run was even more personal. “There was a girl, she’s gone now, but she lost her uncle that day,” Canlas admitted, speaking of the reasons why UAA’s cadets chose to participate in the run. Held by UAA’s Arnold Air Society, this marks the third year the Army and Air Force ROTC programs have united to honor the fallen and those impacted by the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The memorilization was followed by a ceremony held at Heritage Park on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Army Major Adam Carson spoke to the cadets during the ceremony and challenged them to keep the attacks in their mind throughout their military career. “Remember 9/11 as you go forward in your career and may it help you to remember why we serve,” Carson said.

UAA Army and Air Force Cadets carry the American Flag continually for 24 hours to commemorate September 11, 2001.

Photo by Cadet Danny Canlas/Army rotc

FERPA: A student’s bill of rights By Matt Caprioli News Editor

Before 1974, schools could hand out student GPAs, disciplinary records, or phone numbers to almost anyone who asked. The Family Educational Right and Privacy Act changed that. Schools now must ask students for permission before they distribute any educational data. The protections that FERPA provides apply to all students who are admitted to UAA. For the 23 percent of students who are rejected from UAA, FERPA does not apply. FERPA applies to many everyday concerns. For instance, professors are not supposed to leave graded papers in public, though many do. They can distribute emails to other students, but not phone numbers, or other private information. UAA hosted a FERPA training for faculty last Wednesday and Thursday. Interim Registrar

Shirlee Willis-Haslip and Dean of Students Dewain Lee, who deal with FERPA issues on a daily basis, presented. If students offer private information in a public setting, Willis-Haslip recommended that faculty should stop them and suggest that they discuss that in private. Shirlee Willis-Haslip recommended that faculty not transmit records to whoever wants them. Even directory information, faculty is not obligated to release unless they can see a valid educational reason to do so. And in general, “Don’t allow students to see other students’ papers,” Willis-Haslip said. Upon admission, students have the option to remove themselves from the directory. Doing so means that the university cannot contact the student without the student’s explicit permission and confirmation of their identity. Often this backfires. Willis-

Haslip said that a lot of students sign the option without realizing that the university cannot talk to you. A hold will appear on the student’s account, and when the student tries to call the university to ask why, staff can only say that they don’t have the individual on file. In most cases, the student will have to go to the University Center with identification to have the hold removed. “Confidential hold doesn’t go so far as they’re invisible, but it does protect confidential records,” Willis-Haslip said Willis-Haslip said that she has known only two cases where students have said that their FERPA rights were violated. The university researched each case and did not find that FERPA rights were violated. The Dean of Students often handles the release of information when pertaining to disciplinary records.

If the student is under 21, Lee’s office can release information to parents regarding violations of the code of conduct: disciplinary, drinking, etc. Lee said that there have been subpoenas for information in the past, and the office was obligated to turn over information to the police. Some of these subpoenas have

included emails. FERPA is a big deal for schools, as not following it can result in a loss of federal funding. UAA offers FERPA information sessions throughout the year, each tailored to students, parents, and faculty. The registrar maintains a list of relevant FERPA points on its website.

September 20, 2011 | news

Site shows most students would not return to UAA By Matt Caprioli News Editor

The negative opinions on StudentsReview.com would not matter if the site hadn’t logged 26 million visits this year. The problem is that it does, and far more people see its results (that a only 29 percent of students would return to UAA) than the more thorough Noel-Levitz survey that measured student satisfaction, and which suggested that 74 percent of UA students would “do it all over again.” StudentsReview catalogues student submitted opinions on their respective schools. Since 2000, the site has reviewed 3,359 universities, including every school in the UA system. The Noel-Levitz higher education consultants conducted the fall 2007 survey that said 74 percent of students would probably, maybe, or definitely re-enroll at UA. It is important to note that NoelLevitz surveyed the entire UA system, whereas StudentsReview

has a separate survey for each school. The numbers for Fairbanks and Anchorage are in some areas identical. For the Noel-Levitz survey, there were seven options for student response: definitely not, probably not, maybe not, maybe yes, probably yes, definitely yes, an I don’t know. It is a yes or no question on StudentsReview. How the questions are framed can in-part explain the results. StudentsReview reminds surveyees that there are options besides UAA; it sets the student up to think of another school in comparison to UAA. The Noel-Levitz survey encourages the surveyed to think only of UAA—“would you enroll here.” The Noel-Levitz assumes students have less of a choice. Students-Review uses the word ‘chance’, whereas Noel-Levitz uses the phrase ‘had to.’ Some feel Students-Review’s methodology is suspicious,

and even its director, Beracah Yankama, said it could improve. StudentsReview relies on students to come forward and offer

randomly distributed. The sample size is incredibly small: only 25 students submitted their opinion, and all of them were undergrads. There were three times as many females as males. The average ACT score of these reviewers was 28. The average score for UAA students is 21 on the ACT. These students were either stellar and all in the Honors College, or (what’s more probable) lying. Yankama recognizes these Beracah Yankama deficiencies, but Director, StudentsReview.com then highlights the value that submitted their opinion. Why they should comments have. “Read the opinions knowing come forward—anger with the system, sympathy for prospective that they are experiences. They did happen. They didn’t have students—is anyone’s guess. Whatever the motivation, it’s some “probability of happening,” obvious that the survey is not and weren’t some kind of “just

‘Read the opinions knowing that they are experiences. They did happen. They didn’t have some “probability of happening,” and weren’t some kind of “just a complainer” event. Where something happens once, it happens twice.’

a complainer” event. Where something happens once, it happens twice, so read, learn, and make an informed decision. Don’t let others dupe you into dismissing evidence so that you make the same uninformed decision that they did,” Yankama wrote on the website. The site itself doesn’t help its credibility. The website’s design is a relic from the turn of this century. The information on UAA is nearly 10 years old. It lists tuition at the 2002 price of 2,977 per year. In contrast to StudentsReview, the Noel-Levitz Survey released 100 page reports over a one year time period demonstrating their results. The UA system has not conducted a Noel-Levitz Survey since fall 2007. UAA conducted its own assessment (also through NoelLevitz), last year, and plans to release the results later this year.

graphics by Nick Foote and Matt Caprioli/TNL

This chart indicates from Noel-Lovitz consulatants, a firm hired by UA in 2007, reports that 74 percent of UA students would re-enroll This chart from StudentsReview.com indicates that students would choose another university other than UAA

percent

‘What normally happens to people when something bad happens, if they’re not prepared, they freeze. They don’t know what to do.’

POPULATION 20,554 (2011)

291,826 (2010)

Alaska Anchorage UAA 6 (2007-2011)

must be taken. In order to combat rape on campus at its source, UPD holds annual Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes for the female population of UAA. The RAD program was originally brought to UAA following a request by Residence Life to have a program available to female students on campus that would be able to teach selfdefense techniques. Instructors from the lower-48 were brought up to Anchorage, and held a seminar that certified law enforcement agents throughout the state to teach RAD techniques themselves and in their respective regions. RAD is currently the only self-defense program endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement. The program is open to women of all kinds, regardless of ability, age, experience, or strength. The intent of the program is to teach basic self-defense through awareness and recognition of danger, and then how to avoid unsafe situations. “Making people more aware of their surroundings through risk

694 (2009-2011)

Continued from Cover

Sexual Assault Statistics

1486 (2007-2009)

RAD: Safety training

710,231 (2010)

FEATURES

RAPE

UAA student Nicole Bender has seen sexual assault up close, both the actions and how it affected her friends. For her, the RAD class offers a way to avoid that horrible situation. “It’s scary,” Bender said. “I didn’t know what to do [at the time] and I thought this class would help me.” For Sarah Strahley, another UAA student taking the course, the horror of sexual assault is prevalent in her life as well, but for a different reason. Her father is a detective, one who investigated the infamous murder of Delaney Zutz, a thirteen-year old girl who snuck out of her Anchorage home in 2002 with a supposed friend, and was found sexually assaulted and stabbed to death several days later. In the Strahley home, where stories like Zutz’ are brought home regularly, sexual assault is a very real danger.

The Alaska rate of sexual assualt is 2.5 times higher than the national average of sexual assaults are commited by someone known to the victim

2007: 2 (Housing and Main Campus) 2008: 0 2009: 1 (Main Campus) 2010: 1 (Later marked as unfounded, but still has to be marked) 2011: 2 (Main Campus) Sources -United States Census 2010 -University of Alaska Anchorage -Alaska Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Crime Reports 1980 to 2009 -University Police Department -Anchorage Police Department

- UPD Deputy Chief Munn

recognition, risk awareness, risk reduction, and risk avoidance. Those are the four things that are key,” Munn explained. Through lecture and repetitious moves, Munn and the other RAD instructors hope to ingrain the moves they teach into the student’s minds, and make them more aware of their surroundings. And if something does happen, RAD instructors teach the students to have a plan. “What normally happens to people when something bad happens, if they’re not prepared, they freeze. They don’t know what to do,” Munn said. The first RAD program at UAA was taught in the fall of 2007, and was incorporated into the class catalogue in 2009. Each class offers ten spots to students, and most classes see about eight or nine students show up. The whole idea behind the program is to teach students how to temporarily disable an attacker and escape.

60% 2.5

of sexual assaults are not reported to the police

“I wasn’t allowed out of the house on my own for a few weeks,” said Strahley, following the disappearance of Zutz. “I want to have the tools to protect myself if I need to.” That is also what UPD hopes the RAD courses will accomplish: preventing sexual assaults from occurring at all at UAA, reported or unreported. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, there are many options for seeking help:

UAA Student Health and Counseling Center: 786-1120 UPD Emergency Line: 786-1120 STAR Local Crisis Line: 276-7273

Graphic by nick foote/ TNL

September 20, 2011 | features

SEX SEAW LF AND THE

a humor column by Alden Lee

The art of writing college papers

155 miles; but a world away

By Alden Lee

By Megan Edge

Assistant Features Editor

Before I begin, I’d like to make a clarifying statement to any of my professors who may be reading this: Know that in no way do I, or would I, ever subscribe to the methods and tips about to be provided. My papers are the product of 100% wholehearted research and honest effort in the realms of academia—great thought and extensive planning go into each and every piece of writing I submit. Please do not let the column that follows deter you from giving all of my subsequent essays full marks. Alright, let’s get started. You’ve got an essay to write. It was assigned over three weeks ago, but as all rational college students prefer to do, you’ve left it for the night before. Panic mode has set in, threatening to leave you a nerve-wracked, drooling mass on the floor. Your name and a title sit alone at the top of a blank white page, the blinking cursor mocking you. Relax. Cranking out a college paper on a deadline is easy. First, write out your thesis statement. Then state how the professor’s essay question relates to your thesis. Then say it again. Then one more time, for emphasis. Finish off with a thought-provoking quote; it doesn’t even have to relate. This is your introductory paragraph. Now, the body. Broad and open-ended topics are key. This allows you to meander all over the place without straying too reasonably far from your thesis. An essay into the life of Picasso? The perfect opportunity to discuss why he was never made into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle like Michelangelo or Donatello—and, by extension, whether he would have preferred the Bo staff or nunchakus. Heavy prose has the effect of making you sound highly intelligent while you in fact say nothing at all. Politicians do this all the time. Shower your statements with large amounts of “hitherto’s” and therefore’s” and all sorts of five-syllable adjectives, and your pulled-out-the-ass fluff will be the equivalent of literary gold.

Utilize the semi-colon and hyphen at every possible moment; it may make for several run-on sentences, but damn, does your Panglossian approach look professional. Run out of things to say? Throw in a bunch of quotes. Despite what every professor everywhere says, Wikipedia is the most valuable resource at your fingertips. It’s just a matter of how you use it. Don’t cite Wikipedia itself as a source—rather, scroll to the bottom and gobble up all the links listed there. The beauty is you don’t even have to read into them that much. Just grab a couple choice phrases from each, copy-paste, copy-paste, and soon you’ve got a Works Cited page beautiful enough to make your most stringent professor jump out of his sweater vest for joy. Here’s something else to think about: when a professor assigns an essay, they’re setting themselves up for about four and a half billion hours of reading and grading. And since college professors are apparently human beings, with lives outside the classroom and interests beyond reading students’ halfbaked takes on “Postmodernism Philosophy and its Application in Derivative Thought,” there’s going to be some major skimming and lack of focus going on. Which is the perfect opportunity for you to work in some filler. Throw in a recipe for chocolate chip cookies halfway through. Even if your professor does pick up on the fact that “Preheat oven to 375° F and lather cookie sheet with Crisco” has no place in an essay on postmodernism, they’ll most likely get a kick out of the break in repetition. And it’ll make them hungry. Slowly increase the font size every few paragraphs. While you’re at it, keep narrowing the margins: it’ll be such a natural progression that by the end of the paper your professor won’t even notice they’re only reading one word per line. And then all that’s left is to wrap it up! You’re on your own for this one—I’d love to hear how you sum up an essay on postmodernism Teenage Mutant Ninja Picassos baking chocolate chip cookies.

Heavy prose has the effect of making you sound highly intelligent while you in fact say nothing at all.

Sports Editor

Brown cardboard boxes and blue plastic tubs fill the space on my boyfriend’s floor as he prepares himself for the next step

in life. It was another Friday in the office and I had just received the text announcing that my other half had gotten the job in Kenai Alaska. I reacted differently than I would have ever thought. I felt a rush of emotion as tears began to fill my eyes. I was happy that after several months of applying for jobs he was finally able to obtain a job and in his field of choice. Along with the intense emotion of joy for him, I felt fear, sadness, anger and when I started to identify the various emotions running through my body I began to feel more than anything else a sense of selfishness. How could I cry? How could I feel angry? How could I, even for a split second, wish that he never got the job? So here we are now, several days later trying to cope with the fact that the person I love will now resides 155 miles away from me. It does seem rather insignificant, 155 miles- but to me it feels like a world away. After many tears were shed we came to the conclusion that we would try our hand at a long distance relationship. Three little words never seemed so scary until I realized that I would have to experience multiple challenges that come with the circumstance. After leaving work that Friday I climbed into my Stratus, put the keys in the ignition and began to drive away. Ironically the first song that came on my iPod was Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battle Field.” “Do I stand in your way or am I the best thing you ever had? Believe me; believe me, I can’t tell you why. But I am trapped to your love and chained to your side.” Can we say cheesy? Nevertheless, a flood of tears came over my eyes. Quickly I called my mother and began to sob, telling her my woes. Luckily she was at my grandmother’s house, a quick stop on the way to my man’s house.

I needed to pull myself together. After arriving at my grandma’s, my mom wrapped me in a hug that radiates the kind of love and support only a mother can give. We talked for several minutes while I gained my composure and once again I headed to the gray house I have become so fond of walking into. Unfortunately, once I arrived my water works came back but it turns out his had already been running. I still felt incredibly selfish. I wanted, so badly, to ask him to stay, to tell him not to leave but deep down I know that this is just a part of life.

I know that if I truly love him I should be supporting his success. I guess you could say I want the best of both worlds. I want him to be successful and happy and achieve his goals but I want do be right there next to him the entire time, watching it happen, being a part of the action. Doing more than looking through the window. Maybe I have a young innocence about the way I see the world and romance. You could call it a fairy tale way of believing, but until now I never fully understood how brutally reality bashes a fairy tale.

You could call it a fairy tale way of believing, but until now I never fully understood how brutally reality bashes a fairy tale.

Student Today. Alumni Forever. Connect I Advocate I Support www.uaaalumni.org

TNL

features| September 20, 2011

audr

i ple as

By Nicole Luchaco Staff Reporter

At the young age of 22, Audri Pleas is already the Station Manager for the UAA radio station KRUA. A well known personality on campus, you have probably seen her “creeping” around, seeming to pop up anywhere and everywhere at once, always entertaining and well informed on whatever is going on with you. Equipped with the right information, a quick wit, and the kind of personality (as well as fashion-sense) that any DJ would covet, this girl has got some mad “swag.” An interview with TNL

What do you want to be when you grow up? I’ve changed a lot over the last couple of years. At first, I wanted to be an athlete in college. I wrestled for six years, but I am very satisfied with where I am at right now, I want to be a lawyer. At UAA I’m going for history and journalism and public communication, but once I have finished here, it’s off to law school. Ultimately though, I want to nurture students, maybe I can help them to come out of their shell.

How long have you been interested in radio? I got started with the organization in 2008, but I remember listening to KRUA in high school all the way back in 2003. One day the volunteer coordinator stopped me and said, “You don’t need any experience, none of us have the appropriate majors. We just love radio.” And I thought, ‘Oh snap! Radio station? I actually get to talk? People might actually like to listen to my voice?’ It was more curiosity than anything else.

What is your favorite thing about what you do at KRUA right now? I get to manipulate the “swag” with the volunteer coordinator, t-shirts, and talking to students, reminding them that their student fees are going to this organization and that they should capitalize on that. And I get to talk on air. You know broadcasting is one of those

awkward things, you don’t know how you sound until you put those headphones on. It’s interesting to see if you’re going to change your swagger up when you’re on-air, whether you are staying true to yourself as a person.

If you could throw caution to the wind, what would your life look like right now? If I knew that planes didn’t have the possibility of dropping? Because I hate flying! I would go to a slew of music festivals. I got a chance to go to Bonnaroo this summer, and also (thanks to the concert board) I saw The Flaming Lips! I would learn how to drive and I would become the biggest sneaker head in existence! I would buy the largest collection of shoes! I’m talking about limited editions: old school Jordan’s, high tops, mint condition.

You’re quite the personality on campus; tell me something unexpected about yourself Even though I like to be around a lot of people, I love to be by myself. Walking bike paths listening to my music. I probably shouldn’t because there could be bears lurking somewhere, but I so value that innocent time, when you’re by yourself. I don’t think that people really cherish that like they should anymore.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In ten years…I used to watch “Bug Juice” and I will never forget this one young lady on there said, “At 27 I’m going to be married, at 29 I should be financially stable, and have everything in order, so that when I meet my companion it’s not just one supporting the other.” I would really like to be in a fruitful partnership, and have a career that’s been nurtured, one that will allow me to go in multiple directions, because we definitely live in a society where we can’t be ‘one trick ponies’ anymore.

Who do you pull inspiration from? My mom. I come from a single parent home, and when I look at that woman… I want to be as genuine, as humble and as selfless as her. When I used to work at Wal-Mart, I would come home and be like “Man, this was just a terrible day!” And she would say, “Don’t even worry about it, because it is a new day tomorrow.” I hope that I can be an ounce of the woman that she is. And John Skelley, our former administrative assistant, when you meet someone who has such a humane essence, such an incredible work ethic, and such a humble understanding of everyone else around them, you appreciate that. I hope to be a little piece of everyone on my staff, but ultimately, I want to construct this one atomic-being of Audri.

Tackle emotion; eliminate odors By Kate Lindsley Contract Reporter

Why do women cry more than men? Presumably to make men as uncomfortable as possible. Just kidding – if that were true, this guru would repel every man on the planet. I’m a first-class crier. The ASPCA commercials with the sad puppies and kittens played to Sarah McLaughlin music, the part where a barracuda eats Nemo’s mom and when the Chilean miners were rescued. Tears shed for every event. None of this is to say that men don’t cry at all. In fact, it is widely presented that women cry

five times as often as men do. Research suggests that for events that women cry for, men express their physical reaction in words. Studies on depression published in a Scandinavian scientific journal found that men are better at talking about physical pain, such as heart problems, which are a result of their depression. On the other hand, women are more comfortable talking about emotional problems. They then link their feelings to pain they have in their gut. Tears can also work as a balancing act for your body. According to Chip Walter of Scientific American Mind, tears shed out of emotion- (not from being poked in the eye or having

dry eyes), but they contain hormones and chemicals that are known to increase sad feelings. When your body gets rid of a small amount of these compounds in tears, it is one step closer to balancing its emotions. That could be why you feel such relief after a solid cry. I’m getting a little teary-eyed just writing about it; let’s move to the next question.

How do air deodorizers work? What a sweet smelling topic, and a convenient one at that! Air deodorizers, such as Febreeze and Oust, work so well because they actually trap the stink molecules

in little starch rings, according to Anne Marie Helmenstine, PhD. Ok, so the starch rings aren’t actually called that. They’re more commonly known as betacyclodextrin. It is a naturally derived starch made from corn and is a miracle worker for your nose. The bottles contain three ingredients, all important, to make sure no one knows about the Mexican food you had for lunch: Starch rings, water and fragrance. The water dissolves the odor in the air, and then the hydrated odor becomes trapped in the starch ring.

If the odor-ring compound enters your nose, you can’t smell it because the odor is rendered useless by the starch ring! Hah! Then, as the water evaporates from the starch ring, it attracts even more odor molecules and the room gets less stinky over time. Soon, most of the odor is trapped in the starch-rings. These then attach to surfaces and fall on the floor. If you spritz water where they’ve landed, the starch-ring dissolves and you can literally wipe away the odor molecules. Voila, stink destroyed.

OPINION

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EDITORIAL

Younger generation should be listening carefully to Social Security debate too Jennifer Aniston’s character on “Friends”, Rachel, once lamented after receiving her very first paycheck, “Who’s FICA? Why’s he getting all of my money?” Rachel was echoing a question many of us have asked when we see our paycheck go down by at least five percent because of “FICA.” FICA, or Federal Insurance Contributions Act, is what takes money out of your paycheck and puts it in “the bank” for Social Security and Medicare. For the last several years, FICA has been in the middle of a political debate that is set to be one of the defining issues of the 2012 campaign season. Political pundits argue that presidential candidates, including the incumbent President Barack Obama, will be vying for that all important “mature” vote while they debate this issue. But it shouldn’t just be those “mature” folks that pay attention to the debate. College age voters should be paying close attention. That money comes out of our paychecks too. Social Security, of course,

is the system that allows you to collect a retirement check at 67 that will keep you earning a little less than half of what you were earning before you decided to go waste away in Margaritaville. And Medicare will help you get medical care after you get far too sunburnt on the beach. Most politicians, including Obama, admit that the system needs to be reformed. The status quo simply is not a viable option. And why is that? Well, for one, there have been several years that the Social Security program did not take in as much money as it needed to pay out. And that is projected to keep happening with increasing regularity. Social Security has a trust fund that earns interest that can backfill in these instances. The problem with that “failsafe” however, is that Congress routinely takes money out of that fund. In fact, President Bill Clinton borrowed money from that fund to “balance the budget,” as did President George W. Bush, who cut roughly the same dollar amount in taxes at simultaneously.

The bottom line is that there is some inherent risk in the Social Security program, and politicians are going to be bringing it up more and more. While it is a program that has “worked” for years, that doesn’t mean it’s a great program. In fact, why shouldn’t younger members be allowed to opt out of the program? That may seem radical, but after you pay taxes, why should the government tell you what to do with your money? If that extra $100 a month could help you make rent or buy you food for the month, isn’t it you who should decide if you save it for retirement or if you eat? Furthermore, if you want to invest that money in somewhere else, why shouldn’t you be able to? There is one basic argument against those questions: we’re not responsible enough to save our own money; we need the government to do it for us. And let’s be honest, there is a lot of truth to that statement. A lot. But it also creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. People have a way of living up to the expectations given them. If the government keeps expecting

and providing for young people to be irresponsible, then they will be exactly that. Another rebuttal to the responsibility argument is that there is no freedom in a mandatory program. If, as a young adult, I want to save my money differently (or not save it at all), that should be my choice to make. If you want to put your money elsewhere (say, pay student loans off first, then start saving for retirement), shouldn’t you be able to do that? Finally, most retirees do not live off of Social Security alone. In fact, it usually accounts for 50 percent or less of their income. So it’s not a failsafe. Some people might wish to put all of their retirement money into a different type of investment instead of splitting it. The bottom line is that young people should be paying attention to this Social Security debate that will, without a doubt, be a large part of both parties’ bid for the White House in 2012. Especially since it is our money that is paying the Social Security bill as we speak.

on the right side

#2012 already

Harbinger of 2012 in NYC

GOP candidates leave much conservatism to be desired in race

After four years of a destructive Obama presidency, it appears that we may finally get to see some ‘change’ worth having By Daniel McDonald Contributor

It’s fair to say Republicans were wrong about the efficacy of President Obama’s job creating (and/ or saving) policies. Alas, my humble realization has nothing to do with CNN’s infallible fact-checker of truthiness, but is rather a result of last week’s elections. Republicans Bob Turner in New York and Mark Amodei of Nevada clearly owe their new jobs in Congress to the policies of the President. As conservatives, it’s important that we recognize Obama’s landmark achievement by reaching across the aisle and giving credit where credit is due. In less than three years, the President was remarkably able to turn voters against him in New York’s 9th district, which he won handedly in 2008. This is no middle-of-the-road, swing-voting, moderate district we’re dealing with, but one where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 3-to-1. In fact, this upset makes Turner the first Republican to hold the seat since Andrew Petersen’s short-lived victory of 1923. Obama doesn’t deserve all the credit for Turner’s victory, however. The district has a large number of Orthodox and Russian Jews who didn’t approve of Assemblyman David Weprin’s voting history; in particular, the

Democratic candidate’s vote to legalize gay marriage didn’t sit too well with the electorate. One poll station in Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay, a heavily Jewish area, even recorded 69 percent support for Turner, the L.A. Times reports. Weprin, who is himself a member of the Jewish Orthodox community, was castigated by Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein. According to City Hall, Rabbi Wallerstein told voters that Weprin’s support of gay marriage “defied Jewish law and betrayed our values.” His vote, coupled with his affiliation to the party largely blamed for the slow economic recovery, helped Turner coast to victory. But the factor that had a greatest influence on this election was undoubtedly Obama’s lukewarm support for Israel, which led many Democrats, including former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, to support the Republican. A few years ago, Koch gave a speech in which he stated, “I have no hesitation in crossing party lines when I think America’s interests demand that I cross party lines.” And he did just that with his endorsement of the Republican, which stemmed from a strong rejection of the President’s Middle Eastern policy. President Obama’s perceived lack of support is due in large part to his suggestion that Israel return to the 1967 border,

If a Republican can win in on an anti-Obama message in deep-blue New York City, how much more difficult could it be to defeat Barack Obama in a nation-wide election?

which was quickly rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.“The 1967 lines which are both indefensible and which would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines,” Netanyahu said. To Mayor Koch and many others in the Jewish community, this was unacceptable. According to Politico, Koch had one message for Obama: “Mr. President, Mr. President, listen to us!” For many, this race is seen as a harbinger for the 2012 Presidential Election. If a Republican can win in on an anti-Obama message in deep-blue New York City, how much more difficult could it be to defeat Barack Obama in a nationwide election? Although leftists like Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz may try to spin reality by claiming that the 9th district is actually “A very difficult district for Democrats,” most of the rank and file party members realize the significance of Turner’s victory. The election sparked “Democratic fears,” according to Politico. Shortly following the closing of the polls, Democratic donors and strategists described their mood as “awful.” One source went on to say that, “[Democrats] feel betrayed, disappointed, furious, disgusted, [and] hopeless.” I could say that the tears of leftists don’t bring me joy, but that wouldn’t be very honest. The once seemingly invincible President is beginning to look beatable, which means there may yet be a viable future for this country. It could be the case, however, that the New York election means only that Jewish voters are finally leaving the Democratic Party, which they’ve been loyal members of since the days of FDR. This may seem to be inconsequential considering their small numbers, but it should be noted that they tend to vote and donate money at a higher rate than the average citizen; they’ve also historically supported Democrats heavily as a group, second only to Blacks. They also make up a significant portion of the population of Florida, a swing state which went to Obama in 2008. Regardless, it’s hopeful to see the Jewish voting bloc finally separating themselves from an 80 year alliance to a party that harbors less support for Israel than its opposition. If anything, perhaps this is center-right country that strongly supports Israel is finally waking up to the fact that President Obama is no moderate, and that his vision conflicts with that of the average American citizen.

By Shana Roberson Executive Editor

With nearly 20 debates set for just the Republican primary season, keeping track of the candidates can get messy. For the last two weeks, the focus has been on seeing how newly entered Republican candidate for President, Governor Rick Perry, will fare in the land of a thousand candidates. There are a lot of points to be drawn from the vast field of candidates, but the one that most conservatives should be upset about and most liberals should be happy about is this: The two frontrunners each have fundamental problems with their conservative bona fides. And what’s left over in the field isn’t pretty either. With two debates marking his debut to the American audience, Perry is worse for the wear among conservatives who are likely to vote. Why is that? After defending his stance on allowing illegal immigrants in Texas to pay in-state tuition, and also disregarding conservative calls for a border fence, Perry has one strike. Next, Perry used his executive authority to require young girls to receive a vaccination for a sexually transmitted disease to decrease their risk of getting cervical cancer. Perry has said mandating the vaccine was a mistake, and it’s probably the least offensive mistake he could make in the eyes of most Americans. But the fact of the matter is that it’s another strike against conservative values. Then there is the combination of him previously being a Democrat, supporting Al Gore in 1988 and his (refreshingly honest) statement on New York’s recent legislation on gay marriage. “Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with me,” Perry said. These issues would help Perry if he were to face up against Obama, but they present a challenge for him in making it out of the Republican primary. Even if Perry makes it past the conservative test, conservatives should be savvy enough to realize that Perry is going to look a lot like Bush up against Obama. That’s like giving away whatever advantage they might be going in with. Next on the list is Governor Mitt Romney. Romney is not well known for being extremely conservative as it is. Having

overseen an individual mandate driven healthcare system in Massachusetts, Romney lost all conservative credibility possible. To make it worse, the program isn’t doing well in one of the most liberal states in the union AND Romney continues to defend it as “what was right for Massachusetts.” Almost any other approach to his involvement with the individual mandate would be better suited to his run against Obama. If the program were doing well, he could stand up against Obama strongly. Other candidates have issues that come in second only to the fact that they can’t break through in the polls or fundraising the way the frontrunners can. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) had some momentum this summer, but has been on a decline for the last several months. What makes Bachmann strong with the Tea Party makes her unelectable versus Obama. Her “titanium spine” that keeps her to the far right on most issues, will make her tough to elect next November. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich seems to be running as head coach of the candidates, perhaps vying for a cabinet position if a Republican Republican Candidates Michele wins in 2012. Bachmann, Newt He also gave Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Mitt himself a Romney. black eye early with a “misunderstanding” on his position with the budget plan created by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) will never be elected (google his border fence comments last debate), but his presence does keep the candidates in conservative check. The other candidates have a variety of issues, the biggest of which is their inability to break out of the pack. They all have a lot of clean up to do if they want to earn the votes that begin being cast in February.

photos courtesy of the candidates’ campaigns.

TNL

opinion| September 20, 2011

September 20, 2011 | opinion

Lefty on the left

Columnist shamefully blames ‘gay activism’ for murder By Eli Johnson Contributor

With all the media attention that it has gotten, it is not a mystery that LGBT bullying in schools is still a problem. According to Michael L. Brown, it may just be that being gay is part of the problem. Brown is the host of the radio program “Line of Fire.” His most recent major publication was, “A Queer Thing Happened to America,” where he talks about how the LGBT community has had a negative impact on America. In 2009, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) released a study that was the culmination of 10 years of research. It was called The 2009 National School Climate Study. The study came to the conclusion that 9 out of 10 LGBT students are physically or verbally harassed at school. The whole concept of bullying and where it can end really came to a head in the case of a student named Lawrence King. In February, 2008, this 15 year old student was shot and killed in cold blood in the computer lab of his school. Another student named Brandon McInerney shot him with

a pistol and point-blank range in the back of the head. This event is critical in understanding the problem of gay bullying because of how it turned out. The defense attorney made the case that McInerney went into a “dissociative state.” This defense worked, and a mistrial was declared because the jury couldn’t make up their minds if it was 1st-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. The fact that we are asking that question is just pathetic. McInerney had been bullying King for some time. King responded to this bullying by flirting with him. This led him to attempt to get his friends to gang up and beat King, but they declined. So McInerney took it upon himself to get a gun and hunt him down. This was another case where the defense decided to blame the fact that the victim was gay for why he got killed. The defense is not alone in this, either. “But there are others who are complicit in Larry’s terribly tragic

death, and rather than point the finger at a “homophobic” society, they should point it at themselves. I’m speaking of course of gay activists, who have made Larry into a martyr for the cause of gay activism when, in reality, he was more a victim of gay activism,” Michael Brown wrote in a column for American Family News Network. He says later, “After all, it is gay activists who constantly remind us that LGBT kids are bullied and even beaten up at school. They tell us how dangerous the school environment is for kids who identify as LGBT, and yet at the same time, they praise kids like Larry for coming out at 10.” Another strange point is that Brown believes that children should be told that their sexuality is somehow false. “And is it possible that Larry could have benefited from ongoing counseling about his sexuality? Yet gay activists adamantly oppose any form of counseling that does not affirm homosexuality.” Should students be told that

The idea that a person has to get parental permission to have a sexual identity, and that Brown can openly attack them with pride is just plain sick.

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Michael L. Brown holds a doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures and is also a nationally syndicated talk radio host, a speaker and author on spiritual and cultural issues.

their sexuality is somehow wrong? That is a bad way to be? “They even want more Gay Straight Alliances in our middle schools, where pre-teens can declare their gay identity to their peers and faculty advisors without their parents’ knowledge…If our schools really are so “homophobic” and dangerous, why not encourage these kids to keep their sexual orientation to themselves until they’re in a safer environment?” That is, by far, the most egregious of all his statements. The idea that a person has to get parental permission to have a sexual identity, and that Brown can openly attack them with pride is just plain sick. “You know, it takes some real effort to miss the point this badly. Is this how we address harassment

and bullying in schools now – by making the victims responsible for concealing themselves? And letting the violence prevail unchallenged?” said Zinnia Jones, an equal rights vlogger. This matters today because the fact is that the LGBT community is still a target. Instances like Lawrence King are going to happen again. The real question becomes – how much longer is the LGBT community going to have to suffer the lack of acceptance? But they don’t have to change, and it shouldn’t be expected that they change. Brown’s method is oppression, nothing less. That is not, and has never been, the right way to go. Openness, acceptance, and teaching that being gay is okay are proven to work. Somebody might want to let Brown know.

TNL

opinion| September 20, 2011

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September 20, 2011

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Kangogo starts 2011 off, finally healthy Cross-country, track star has high aspirations; both in athletics and academics By Megan Edge Sports Editor

In 2008 when Alfred Kangogo joined the UAA crosscountry team as a freshman, he was quick to make a name for Photo courtesy himself in the of UAA Sports world of college Infomation athletics, receiving All-region and All-Conference honors. The same year he helped the squad complete NCAA Championships with an 11th-place overall finish, and was the fourth ‘Wolf to finish at nationals, coming in 90th place. The same year, he helped his team win the GNAC competition crossing the finish line in third place. Though this may have been the race in which he proved himself to the world, he had already proven himself to UAA Head Coach Michael Friess months before. Before each season begins the team does a small 3k run. At the time Kangogo was suffering

from problems with lateral knee pain, a condition often caused by inflammation of the iliotibial band, but like many athletes he ran through the pain. “I will never forget him, running up that hill, quite fast, just dragging his leg behind him,” Friess said with a smile. It’s moments and qualities like that, that have given him the nickname “The Bulldog.” He is loyal, determined, hard working and a leader to his team; which makes it fitting title, according to Friess. It wasn’t until high school though, that Kangogo really learned he could run. He attended Kitale Boys HS and would compete in small competitions. One day the right man watched. A coach from Texas State University saw the potential that he and others possessed and told them if they studied hard and took the SAT’s they could qualify for various scholarships. And that is just what Kangogo did. “He gave me this book about it, and I read every page in the book

and applied to like six different schools. The coach at UAA responded very positively to me, so I came here,” Kangogo said. Originally from a small village in Eldoret, Kenya, he spent most of his adolescent years running. Running ten miles to his elementary school, then home for lunch, then back after lunch and once again back home. In the evenings he would play soccer or field hocking, but no matter what, he was running. Except for the moments he was dancing. The eldest of seven, the double major in nutrition and nursing, hopes to take his education back home once he graduates. “It’s not like here where there is a doctors office or hospital on every corner,” Kangogo said. “Most places have no doctor, not even nurses.” Unfortunately he won’t be able to start nursing school until the summer of 2012, and in the mean time he is focusing on getting his nutrition degree. Along with his educational goals, he also hopes to eventually finish the 1500m in 3:40, and the

mile under four minutes. “Boy, if I could really do that, I will be so happy,” Kangogo said, laughing. Kangogo said this season will be his beast because he is running like never before. After illness struck Kangogo in the 2010 track season, he now has new inspiration. Right before track and field nationals in 2010, Kangogo discovered a lump on his jaw. He quickly alerted the UAA athletic trainer but she told him he was not to worry, she figured the lump would go away. He proceeded to nationals where he received AllAmerican honors. In May the lump grew significantly. He went to the doctor but again the doctor told him not to worry. In July of the same summer the lump began to grow again, this time much bigger and faster. He returned to the doctor, where they took a X-RAY to discover Kangogo had a Ameloblastoma, a rare noncancerous tumor. The doctors told him they would have to take a bone from see Kangogo page B10

TNL

A&E| September 20, 2011

Promoters finally bring big names to Alaska concert goers Beirut continues Album review

to evolve in third album, ‘The Rip Tide’

10 years ago, big names were unheard of; now more and more headliners are being convinced to make trip up north By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

Alaska, home of beautiful mountains, scenic coastlines, large expanses of land, tons of wildlife and mostly friendly people. Alaska, isolated from the rest of the continental United States, still shiny and new by comparison. Unfortunately, that’s exactly why Alaska hasn’t seen many big name entertainment artists until recently. Godsmack, Korn, Shinedown, Mos Def and Elton John are all impressive and well adored musical talents that have flown up to our fair state to entertain and amaze, but it isn’t until the last decade that such big names have ever even considered playing shows up here.

photo courtesty of godsmack

The process for booking an artist is relatively straight forward in concept. A promoter decides to put on a show, and then decides which band or artist to headline. The promoter then researches where the artist is currently touring and compiles a proposal to send to that artist’s agent. The proposal includes the artist’s fees, a date and time that works with the artist’s tour (planned for when the artist is already near the area), proposed lodgings, ticket prices, projected ticket sales and other logistics and incentives. Then, the agent decides whether or not the proposal would work in favor of his or her client, and either accepts or rejects it. Upon acceptance of the proposal, the agent sends a contract back to the promoter outlining their needs and wants regarding the show. Once terms are agreed upon by both parties and the contract signed, the show can be officially advertised and preparations can begin.

photo courtesty of one republic

Alaska, according to Kurt Bunde (the owner of AK Soul, a local promoter, and UAA theater sophomore), is a little different. “It’s a little bit backwards in Alaska,” said Bunde, “Alaska, not being on the routing of a regular tour, we have to find an available

date, and then try to find a band to match that.” Bunde went on to say that agents will typically not get back to promoters until they’ve researched the area and looked into booking other shows for the artist while they would potentally be in the state. Zac Clark, the Concert Board Coordinator, agrees. “They want to see if they can do other shows while they’re up here,” he said, “For an artist in the lower 48, they can do a show one night, they can travel the next day and do a show the next night, and so on and so forth.” With Alaska’s unique and relatively isolated geographical location, artists have the potential to lose money by booking shows here. Despite this, bigger names have been popping more with increasing frequency. Within the past 30 days alone, Godsmack, Mos Def and One Republic have played shows in Palmer and Anchorage. Alaska may owe its new appeal to dropping CD sales. “10 years ago, agents wouldn’t return your phone call and wouldn’t take you seriously no matter how much money you offered, and that’s really changed,” Bunde said, “It all began with the death of the CD, once Napster and MP3s came along. Once CD sales dropped off, bands compensated by touring to make up for that lost revenue.” According to Bunde, bands and their agents began struggling, and branched out their tours, even as far as Alaska when ticket sales in major cities began to steadily drop as artists frequented them more often. “Only when the touring got so saturated, they started having to go to the smaller markets,” he said. “That really helped Alaska.” Clark, however, has a different theory. “I’ve been in this position for six years, and I’ve worked with artists early on, and then I worked with artists later, and they’ve said, “Oh, I talked with so and so who was up a few years ago, and they loved it.” And so, maybe it’s those promoters in town doing all this great work and those artists are going off and telling those they’re on tour with,” he said, “But you know, I think it’s a combination of things.” Even in Alaska however, the concert market can become saturated. According to Bunde, the sheer volume of concerts put on by both smaller local promoters and the much larger Alaska State fair this summer dropped ticket sales to several shows. AK Soul did better than some local promoters, but still felt the hit. “I think you could have put Metallica, or ‘name your most big exciting dream man ever’ right after this summer, and no shows

By Leroy Polk

Assistant A&E Editor

photo courtesty of mos def

would have done that well,” said Bunde. Despite this, both Bunde and Clark are currently planning the next big shows for their respective promoting agencies, and both are set for late this fall. The Concert Board, run completely by students and funded by student fees, is preparing for A Cappella Festivella 18 on Thursday, Oct. 6, and then getting ready for Andrew Bird on Wednesday, Nov. 15., while AK Soul is prepping for their annual Zombiefist on Saturday, Oct. 29, which will be headlined by 36 Crazyfists for the fourth year in a row. Local groups such as Kallahan and Thera are scheduled to perform as well. With musical patrons stealing songs or simply buying single releases instead of entire albums, artist profits will continue to taper south. With this unfortunate turn, combined with tried and true Alaska hospitality, bigger names are becoming more and more willing to make the trek up north

36 Crazyfists.

photo by brian lee

and perform. As terrible as it is, perhaps the pirates are good for something after all.

Named after the capital city of Lebanon, Beirut has been a member of interest in the indie rock community since it was formed. Originally started as a solo-project of front man Zach Condon, the band has expanded in size, genre, and appeal ever since the beginning, and with their third full-length album “The Rip Tide,” Beirut looks to continue this expansion. The many instruments Beirut is known to blend and bend are featured once again in The Rip Tide, such as trumpet, piano, ukulele, cello, tuba, French horn, accordion, and more. Condon began Beirut with little more than his trumpet and ukulele and has been playing both for a good part of his life, so the band has a diverse sound while not seeming forcibly inserted or disingenuous. This is not the case with several other indie groups who, lacking their own sound, decide to include something rare like a trombone to differentiate themselves from other bands, and fall flat. Beirut has a trend to emulate music not typically found in the American indie mainstream. Instead, Condon draws on a wealth of music variety from around the world. This can be heard in the first track “A Candle’s Fire,” with lilting European accordion, or in “Payne’s Bay,” track 5 off the album, whose arrangement would fit within Mexican horn collections fairly easily. That being said, the arrangements in “Tide” are unique even for Beirut. The sound is at once familiar and new, combining elements of past albums with new vibes that don’t immediately seem to fall into any category other

Artist: Beirut Album: The Rip Tide Record Label: Pompeii Records Release Date: August 2, 2011

than a maturing, innate sound the band is growing into. It’s usually curtains for a band that stagnates and becomes less an “original” intellectual property. However with many popular indie acts, developing a specific, recognizable “sound” is important. With “Tide,” Beirut narrows its focus towards this aim. The sound is not the only notable part of the album, either. Combined with typical Condon elements such as the unique instrumental variety, there is also a fundamental love for lyrics. Some of the strongest songs on the album have fairly simplistic lyrical compositions. “East Harlem,” a single released earlier this year and track 3 on “Tide,” only contains two verses of four lines each, which repeat and cascade. That being said, the listener will never find the lyrics lacking or repetitive. Combined with the quality of the vocals, the lyrics convey an overwhelming feeling of intimacy and honesty and are perhaps made more meaningful due to that understated simplicity.

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September 20, 2011 | a&e

Movie review

Drink review

New movie bogged Elegant and spunky: the down by feminine French Lavender cocktail Short and sweet is the stereotypes way to go pre-meal By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

reminiscent of Carry Bradshaw in attitude and personality, and the movie itself is very “Sex and the City”-esque. Parker even provides voiceover narrations for Kate exactly like those done by her Carry character. Brosnan’s character, Jack, is a fairly decent Mr. Big look-alike, and along with the other “Sex and the City” similarities, makes “I Don’t Know How She Does It” feel more like a ‘Carry only’ third installment to the “Sex and the City” franchise than a completely different story. And, while Brosnan’s portrayal of the fun, sensitive and sympathetic Jack is charming, Parker’s role as Kate is very bland. Bland as in, we, the audience, have seen this character before. There is nothing about Kate that sets her apart from nearly every other character that Parker is known for. Quirky, high-strung, emotional, hopeless romantic; all of these things can be found in both Kate and nearly every other Parker

Marriage, kids and career; three delicate aspects of life that, when combined, must be juggled with care in order to ensure the growth and prosperity of each. Or, you could cast Sarah Jessica Parker as your juggler, and watch as all three are thrown around haphazardly, as you hope for the best. “I Don’t Know How She Does It” is based on a book of the same name by Allison Pearson, and tells the story of Kate Reddy (Parker, “Sex and the City 2”), wife, mother and career-driven breadwinner for her out-of-work architect husband Richard, (Greg Kinnear, “Thin Ice”) and two children. Kate is selected to work out the kinks in a major deal, which takes this Boston mom back and forth to New York to her firm’s parent company, and big boss Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan, “Salvation Boulevard”), creating a greater conflict between her home and professional life. Perhaps the book is good, but the movie is ridiculously riddled with cliches that stopped being funny and intriguing decades ago. Working women are nothing new, mothers are certainly nothing new and the combination of the two hasn’t been a novelty in society for years. Cliche characters include Kate’s nemesis, a lazy and vain stay-athome mom Wendy (Busy Phillips, “He’s Just Not That In To You”), who delights in pointing out DIRECTED BY: Douglas McGrath any imperfection in STARRING: Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Kate’s homemaking skills and Brosnan, Kelsey Grammer disheveled appearance; Kate’s RUN TIME: 95 minutes hard-working single mother GENRE: Comedy friend, Allison (Christina Hendricks, “Drive”),who is much more domestically challenged than Kate and accidentally provides unset Jello for her kid’s school character. As an actress, she bake sale; Momo (Olivia Munn, doesn’t stretch her abilities, and “Iron man 2”), Kate’s stony-faced, this is both limiting to her career, career-only, child fearing assistant; and a letdown to her fans. Kate’s chauvinistic, backstabbing The characters are as cookie male coworker Chris (Seth cutter as they are one dimensional, Meyers, “Spring Breakdown”) and and the feel of the movie is too even Kate’s unsupportive mother- “Sex and the City.” Combined with in-law Marla (Jane Curtin, “I Love Parker’s predictable performance You, Man”) who claims that life and an archaic story better told in was simpler when each gender a period piece, and “I Don’t Know knew its place in society. How She Does It” turns out to be In addition to the archaic as overbearing and unoriginal as stereotypes, viewers are treated its title. to a main character suspiciously

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

The French Lavender is a fun but elegant cocktail. Consisting of lavender infused vodka, Chambord (blackberry-flavored liquor) and muddled lemon, it’s both tangy and sweet, neither flavor trait overbearing the other if ingested within a few minutes. Served in a small glass over ice with a plastic animal decoration hanging on the rim, the French Lavender has a rich and heavy flavor due mostly to the Chambord, but the lavender infused vodka adds a bit of bitterness that hits the taste buds as the drink slides to the back of one’s throat. The lavender also adds a lightness to the scent of the drink, contrasting the richness of the Chambord’s aroma and mixing together into something moderate in intensity but full and flavorful in quality. The only true downside to the French Lavender is how tangy and bitter the lemon turns the drink if allowed to sit. While the lemon adds a playful pizazz to the sophisticated blend of vodka and liquor, as it continues to sit in the mixture, the sourness of the

photo by heather hamilton/tnl

Sarah Jessica Parker offers predictable performance as a working mother

lemon begins to bleed into the bottom of the glass, making the last few sips more bitter and sour than spunky, nearly eliminating the blackberry and lavender flavors completely. Do yourself a favor, and drink this with an appetizer, but finish

it well before the main course is served. Drink: French Lavender Location: Spenard Roadhouse Price: $8.50

a&e| September 20, 2011

TNL

FACEOFF: Antlers and Menomena leave different Indie rock bands ‘The Antlers’ and ‘Menomena’ performed for UAA last week to a lively audience. By Leroy Polk

Assistant A&E Editor

For those reading this in eager anticipation for a fresh review of the 1997 Travolta/Cage masterpiece “Face/Off” – be prepared to be very disappointed. Instead, this review is a dual-effort between two guys who just happened to sit together at a concert.

Menomena:

The Portland-based group Menomena originally consists of a trio, Paul Alcott on guitar, key boards, and glockenspiel; Justin Harris on bass, guitar, baritone sax and alto sax; and Danny Seim on percussion. At the UAA performance, they added another guitar player to round the group out to four. Their bio remains current in stating, “All members of the band share singing duties.” Basically this type of roleshifting, instrument-blending rotation suits the band’s no-frills fun atmosphere and sound. Their lyrics and vocals, while being proficient, focus more on the effect than the technical aspect. Harris would sing most of a song while slapping bass, then take up his saxophone and the drummer would begin singing without skipping a beat. At several points, all four band members joined together in vocals, and kept in-tune surprisingly well. The entire band seemed to be actually having fun, simply enjoying playing music, and this fact made their set ultimately more enjoyable, deftly warming up the crowd like a good opener should.

The Antlers:

While Menomena got the ball rolling for the “tough crowd” of a roughly 40 percent occupancy Wendy Williamson, The Antlers intercepted that ball and stood around with it instead of aiding its journey onwards. The group consisted of four members who stick to drums, keyboard, bass, and guitar/vocals. The New York-based second act’s set drifted between being incredible, and being incredibly bad. The instrumentals and lyricism showed signs of brilliance at times, but was for the most part was drowned out by insanely loud and high-pitched electro noise, which often grew to be virtually unbearable. This could have been a technical problem on the side of the venue, but as they are very electro-heavy, the involvement of Darby Cicci, the keyboardist and audio mixer, basically determines if they sink or swim. His overpowering electronic sounds grew to deafening levels, and many audience members were actually plugging their ears. When Cicci backed off on the volume levels, Peter Silberman’s enchanting vocals actually became audible, and you could get a sense of why they sound so good

Paul Alcott, a new touring addition to the band’s roster, energetically dances while he slams the keys like a maestro.

on studio recordings. Unfortunately this was rare in the set, and during their encore they punished the audience’s calls with whole minutes of nothing but blaring electrostatic, marking a significant difference between what is music, and what is simply noise.

Photos by spencer mitchell/ TNL

September 20, 2011 | a&e

impressions after recent show at Wendy

Two Northern Light writers attended, and had competing takes on the show; here are their reviews By Matt Caprioli News Editor

The only major disagreement I have regarding the concert at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium (sponsored by Concert Board) is that I thought the Antlers weren’t so bad despite a few irritations. Ultimately, we just enjoyed a concert.

Menomena:

Menomena (as one may guess from their name) is much more playful and upbeat. They kept their set list on a paper plate. They interacted with the several fake plastic trees sprinkled on the stage. They pass notes like a beach ball. Drummer Danny Seim passes the melody to keyboardist Paul Alcott, who passes it to Justin Harris on the alto sax. They all share singing duties, and no one member or instrument seems more important than the others (but that could just be a positive way of saying that nothing stood out). It was interesting to see why the Concert Board thought the bands would compliment each other. Both gain a distinct style through their use of electronics. The Antlers used it much more, which explains in part why many people classify them as “experimental.” Menomena blended their electronics much more (and more sparingly).

The Antlers:

Top left: Peter Siberman belts out lyrics during one of The Antlers’ heavier songs. Top right: Joe Haege displays his musical prowess with not only lightning fast drumming, but in tune singing as well. Bottom left: Peter Siberman’s vocals hit a high note during the Antlers’ set. Bottom right: Darby Cicci adjusts his microphone during the set.

For more pictures from the show, be sure to visit our website at: www.thenorthernlight.org

The Antlers are for grownups, New Yorkers or very serious adolescents. It was curious that they were paired with Menomena, a band for the jolly hipster. Menomena doesn’t have any songs like the Antler’s “Putting the Dog to Sleep”, with lyrics like “Put your trust in me. I’m not gonna die alone,” repeated four times. Unlike Menomena, there is a standout musician for The Antlers. Front man Peter Silberman started The Antlers as a solo project, and his voice remains the most captivating thing about the band, whether live or on record. Unfortunately, keyboardist Darby Cicci was drowning out the other band members, including nearly every word that Silberman sang. This is a pity: the lyrics are powerful, and they were sacrificed for some amplified iMovie effects. Yet, even without words, you feel the emotion. During the concert, The Antlers had more technical requirements and consequently, more technical issues. Bassist Tim Mislock’s power supply went off, so he just sort of boogied in place until it came back on. Cicci was wrapped in so many cords that he sometimes had trouble keeping up with the songs. Despite the occasional cacophony, the show was a great experience.

TNL

a&e| September 20, 2011

summ Cute-Romantic – Liezel Kintana

201

Sport-Extreme –

Funny-Strange – Jin Yeong Jeon

September 20, 2011 | A&E

mer

Local – Holly Andrews

– Sydney West

Foreign-Exotic – Paige Tiede

Winners can come by the TNL offices next to Subway in the Student Union to claim your prize!

TNL

A&E| September 20, 2011 The Walrus and I - September 27

September 20 - 27, 2011

FOCUS EVENTS CALENDAR Clarinet solo with Mark Wolbers - September 25 Long-time UAA clarinet professor Mark Wolbers will be holding a solo recital at the UAA Fine Arts Building on September 25th. He will be performing compositions from a number of different classical composers. More information can be found at http://www.uaa.alaska. edu/music/wolbers.cfm

Senshi-Con - September 24 Senshi-Con is Alaska’s very ﬁrst anime convention founded in 2005 by students from local Anchorage high schools. Senshi-Con is held annually, made up of staff and volunteer’s from Alaska’s anime fan population. More information can be found on the event’s website at http:// www.senshicon.org/

Helen September 8 through October 2

What is the price of beauty? Cyrano’s Theatre Company presents a modern adaptation of Homer’s classic tale of lust and longing in a new updated version. Playwright Ellen McLaughlin examines the place of beauty and status of women in a man’s world. More information can be found at http:// w w w. c y r a n o s . o r g / ComingAttractions. php

Anchorage REI will be hosting a lecture and slideshow with Terry Johnson from University of Fairbanks on September 27. The presentation will be based on and centered around the magestic walrus and its unusual nature. Johnson has been leading trips to some of the walrus’ most prevalent ecosystems in Alaska for over 15 years. More information can be found online at http:// www.rei.com/

Blues Train - September 24 The Alaska Railroad has a severe case of the blues. Ride the rails to Seward and take in the sweet sounds of The Rebel Blues live music. Along with a righteous spread of appetizers, a couple of drink tickets, no host bar, BBQ and one night’s hotel accommodations, the trip is sure to be a tourist hit. The train will leave Anchorage on September 24 and return the following day. More information is available at http://www.alaskarailroad.com

Game review

‘Dead Island’ a lifeless romp into zombie territory Despite upping the ante of the genre, bugs and glitches ruin Techland’s latest release By Bryan Dunagan Contributor

Imagine this scenario: you’re waiting for a toy to come out, and it’s a toy that will impact your social status on the playground street scene. It finally comes out, and you drag your parents to take you to the local toy store to pick it up. You get it home in your grubby hands, you tear apart the packaging, and there it is - with some assembly required. You find out the manufacturing company has a recall, and you ship it off. A week later it comes back, shiny and awe inspiring, except that some of the badly molded parts are still there and the spring loaded launchers don’t work. That is precisely what “Dead Island” amounts to. This game is nigh unplayable. With all the hype, all the work and media coverage this game received, why is it a bug-infested, glitch-ridden first person adventure? There is no doubt that the game itself is ambitious, interesting and gorgeous to look at, but the glitches and bugs are game breaking and frustrating. The player starts out as one of four survivors, a firearms expert, a blade expert, a blunt weapons expert or a throwing expert, and

as you wake up you notice that stuff has gone awry. That is, if the game doesn’t crash at the character select screen - which it will. After the game has you wake up in your hotel room, and you figure out the controls and how to play the game, you quickly realize that you in the middle of a Zombacalypse. Zombies have overrun the paradise island of Banoi. No matter, you have a trusty oar and an immunity to disease. The game takes a lot of strides with the zombie genre. It adds some heavy RPG elements and a real feeling of dread that you will die if you aren’t careful. The melee combat is pretty straight forward, but takes a bit of finesse and panache to use effectively, and most of the game is spent trying to get the cash to keep your weapons in working order and not broken and unusable. After you have jabbed 30 or so zombie skulls, broken weapons are inevitable. One of the applauding elements is the realism of the game, or as much as you can get with zombies. They can’t open doors, and aren’t really a menace except in large groups, since they’re pretty easy to knock down and run away from. If you want the experience

points, you should stick around and kill them off, but knocking down the weaker ones and bolting is your best bet to advance more quickly. The game’s bugs are so bad however, that they’re deal breakers. It’s hard to get into a game when the sound cuts out after 45 minutes of play, forcing you to restart your console every time, or it freezing in the middle of a cut scene. The technical difficulties have been addressed once during its launch week, but the bugs are still there, and it’s frustrating. The developers are working on

the patches, and it should be fixed in the few weeks. When that happens, add two more points to this review. GAME: “Dead Island” MAKER: Techland RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2011

September 20, 2011 | A&E

Peter Case a hit to music-lovers Singer delivers memorable and intimate show at Out North Theatre By Leroy Polk

Assistant A&E Editor

When Case took the stage, he sang with fire in his voice, played his electric guitar with fervor; it was obvious that he and the opening act were of different breeds. Case switched back and forth between electric guitar and two different acoustic guitars, each with varied tuning. A definite highlight of his performance was when Case brought out his harmonica and neck rack, and howled away like a Delta blues pro. In addition to his music, Case read from his memoir between songs, and with it weaved together personal details of his life. He performed without a set list, and so was free to navigate his repertoire, playing whatever he felt like

playing, as well as audience shout-out requests. Whether it was his well-known tracks delivered with passionate execution, or even just his banter in between songs, the receptive Anchorage audience was absorbed for the whole set.

SPORTS

B10

KANGOGO: Women deserve equality ‘Bulldog’ overtime on fields and courts too deserves In the world of sports, women need to fight for equality just as hard as they fought his name for the right to vote; which means working to avoid preferential treatment as well 50

By Megan Edge Sports Editor

Photo by Spencer Mitchell/TNL

Kangogo stands for an interview after winning a race on Sept. 9. continued from motion cover

his hip to replace it in his jaw, resulting in a life without running. “I don’t know what I would do,” Kangogo said. “Cross country is everything, it’s my culture.” Fortunately the doctors were able to use wire instead, keeping Kangogo’s running career going. He spent the 2010 cross-country season recovering from the operation but came out strong for the 2011 track season. That season was tragic for not only Kangogo but the rest of the team as well. On February 19, teammate William Ritekwiang was found dead. “That was so hard,” Kangogo said. “You know there are only so many of us Kenyans so when you lose one it’s hard. We will all be standing around and it’s like we are missing one, where did someone go.” His bulldog like qualities pulled him through. He wrapped up NCAA championships receiving third place in the 1500m with a time of 3:57.25. He also became the GNAC Male Athlete of the Year and and received All-American, All-Region and All-Conference honors. He sprung into the the crosscountry season with just as much power. Thus far he has received a second place finish at the UAA Invite, in the 5K race with a time of 15:29; as well as a third place finish at the Big Wave Invite in Kane’oh Hawaii. This is just the start to Kangogo’s season. “To be honest, in the end I know he will be athletically successful, I know he will be academically successful. I just hope that this season is a good and happy one for him,” Friess said.

Recently I started playing Intramural soccer at UAA, and as much fun as I have had with the program thus far; I find certain rules discriminatory towards the female gender. In intramural soccer, if a woman scores a goal, her team receives two points. If a man scores a goal, he only earns the standard one point for his team. The same is true in broomball.

In intramural basketball, a women who makes a basket will receive three points for her team. If a woman is fouled, her team receives one additional point. Maybe it is just my competitive nature, but I think in any team sport the rules should be the same for any person on the field or court. The rules are the rules. No exceptions. This applies not only to intramural sports but every other

Maybe it is just my competitive nature, but I think in any team sport the rules should be the same for any person. They should not change because of a name, age, gender or race.

aspect of life as well. If I am applying for a job I want to get it because I am hard-working, talented and have something to offer the business that none of the other candidates have. Not because I am a female. If I am taking a class, I want to get an A because I deserve it, not because of the way my blouse fits over my chest. Proud leaders fought the women’s rights movement of the 20th century so that our gender could be EQUAL to the male

gender, not so we could get special treatment from society. I know it’s a double standard, we want to be treated the same as the boys but we don’t want chivalry to die. A balance has to be found, but I digress. In the athletic world, women from intramural to professional sports are not given the same respect as their male counterparts. Men’s sports are broadcasted on a regular basis, and things like poker are played on ESPN over women’s basketball or hockey. We have gained the right to vote; now we must fight for a equal place in the athletic world and a spot in the industry.

September 20, 2011 | sports

B11

B12

TNL

Comics| September 20, 2011

BROKE COMIC by alec fritz

HOROSCOPE

YOUR STARS THIS WEEK By Stella Wilder The coming week is likely to give most individuals a golden opportunity to strike out in a new direction and test both daring and talent in a forum that has perhaps only been dreamt of. All must be on the lookout for signs that such an opportunity is fast approaching, for thorough preparations will be required of those who really wish to shine and reap the greatest possible benefits from what comes. Not all will find themselves in the winner’s circle as the week draws to a close -- but just crossing the finish line will count for much. Loved ones are almost sure to be supportive of new ventures this week, though they may express concern and urge caution -- and that caution can make the difference between reaching one’s potential and falling short.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7

Crosswords by Erik Woelber and Double Groove Comics will return next week in the Sept. 27 issue of The Northern Light

You can get ahead of the game this week if you make a quick start. There are those who are using your progress as a kind of barometer. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -Now is the time to rally support for your coming endeavors; no one can do it alone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7

SODUKU

Crossword solution from 9/13, “Animal Crossing”

You’ve been putting something off, and now is the time to make a start -- but don’t make the mistake of trying too much all at once. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- You can put your knowledge and experience to the test in new and exciting ways.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 7)

CRYPTOQUOTE

The simpler your approach, the better. Complications are sure to arise when you do not consider all possibilities. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- Someone is watching you, and you’ll want to be both productive and impressive. Take a chance. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You may not be able to focus squarely on the task at hand early in the week, as distractions abound. Later, you can surely get it done. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -Those who remind you of your limitations are only reacting to their own self-imposed restrictions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) You can put an unfortunate occurrence behind you for good -but much will depend upon your ability to face certain difficult facts. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- What seems a contradiction in terms this week will actually afford you greater overall comprehension.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) The quality of your work will

never be in doubt, provided you do what comes naturally, and stay the course. (March 6-March 20) -- You’ll win raves for a certain accomplishment. This taste of success will compel you to strive for more.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) Give and take is unavoidable; if you try to have it all without granting something in return, disaster looms. (April 5-April 19) -- You may be seeing things in terms of black and white when, in fact, shades of gray abound.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) You and a loved one may be at cross-purposes early in the week. If you take more time to explain yourself, common ground will be recognized. (May 6-May 20) -- Someone is waiting for you to deliver the goods -- but you may not be quite ready just yet.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6 You’ll be playing the waiting game during the first part of the week, but this will give you the chance to ensure that you are truly prepared. (June 7-June 20) -- What comes this week will demand a great deal of you in ways that you had not anticipated.

CANCER (June 21-July 7 Information that comes to you piecemeal must not be ignored, and you’ll want to take plenty of time to sort out a complicated puzzle. (July 8-July 22) -- Once you get started you’ll be able to finish ahead of schedule -- but you won’t be dictated to!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) You may not be fully aware that someone is following in your footsteps. When the realization strikes, you can offer valuable assistance. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- Others may think that you’ve been out of touch for a while, but you’ve been paying attention -- and can prove it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7 You must not answer aggression with aggression; rather, focus on doing all you can with a few well-chosen words. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- A sacrifice early in the week yields far more in the way of personal rewards