September 9, 2014

September 9, 2014

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THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

FEATURES

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Seawolves shine in ‘4,000 Miles’ play

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HELLO my name is

Red Zone: Victim blaming and why it’s dangerous

ANSEP Middle School Academy

On-campus experience for Alaska youth

Bringing big names to UAA 2 famous acts in a span of 2 months

By Kierra Hammons

copy1@thenorthernlight.org The building formerly known as Fireside Cafe on the east side of UAA’s campus is closed for renovation. Starting in November, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program will use the building for middle school programs. The residence halls will also host participants on campus for the duration of each program.

Founded in 2010, the ANSEP Middle School Academy offers educational opportunities to middle school-age children. In years past, the program has taken place in other campus locations, such as the University Lake Annex, but the lack of a dedicated building had distinct challenges.

“Since (the University Lake Annex) wasn’t permanent for us, there was a lot of bringing material there, setup. It was a lot of extra work to have a temporary space,” said Josephine Mattison, ANSEP middle school director. “It also was not an adequate amount of space, either. It was a little too small.”

Each academy program is approximately 11 days long. The program features educational activities pertinent to the science, technology, engineering, and math — or STEM — field.

Students can build and keep a computer and create and stresstest wooden bridges.

“They’re getting some really exciting hands-on opportunities, as well as a campus tour and the planetarium — really highlighting a lot of the benefits that UAA has to offer,” Mattison said.

Enrollment during the academic year is limited by school district, but applications for the at-large summer academies are open statewide to any eligible student.

Through the Alaska Department of Education, the program is free to applicants who are selected. Half of the 54 applicants chosen for each program are boys and half are girls.

Mattison said a committee of ANSEP staff chooses applicants based on academic standing, STEM interest, recommendations, cultural heritage and economic status, among other factors.

“ANSEP is a national best practice,” said David Weaver, director of Housing, Dining and Conference Services. “They are an organization that brings students from communities that

photo courtesy of Timmcgraw.com

Country music artist Tim McGraw live in concert. McGraw will perform at the Alaska Airlines Center Oct. 28 and 29.

SEE BIG NAMES

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UAA Bookstore prices

The reasons why they are so high photo by Adam Eberhardt

The former Fireside Cafe is under renovation to become a middle school academy.

historically have been underrepresented in terms of graduation, they coach them up, they connect them to the university, and they create engineers and scientists and nurses and amazing professionals.”

Weaver said ANSEP has leased approximately 5 percent of the residential campus for academy program use, but this is not expected to crowd out prospective residents.

“We do have the capacity,” Weaver said. “I sincerely don’t foresee a situation where we will be turning away any UAA college student this fall because of ANSEP. … We’ve got a little bit extra (space) than we need, and for the next few years, we’re happy that ANSEP can take advantage of that.”

Last spring was the first semester that ANSEP Middle School Academy students stayed on-campus during the academic year. Programs were held with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and the Lower Kuskokwim School District.

After the Mat-Su students came, ANSEP worked with housing staff to make the experience better for both UAA and middle school students when the Lower Kuskokwim group arrived. “(Housing) addressed some concerns that (UAA) students had raised while the middle school students were here, so we were able to be aware of those and then

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address them with the next group that came in,” Mattison said.

Ryan-Jasen Anders Henne, Department of Residence Life director, said the program and its participants are completely under the authority of ANSEP and the Department of Housing.

Academy students will exclusively occupy the fourth floor of West Hall, but they will not be directly monitored by Residence Life staff.

To balance this, Mattison said chaperones will be with the students throughout the day, including in the residence halls. Youth peer mentors will work with students for evening activities and can assist with any potential troubles.

“It’s a statewide initiative,” Mattison said. “And really, I feel like it kind of benefits all ends of the spectrum, and we’re really growing students. ... Ideally most of these students will be coming back to UAA, or maybe another University of Alaska campus, and pursuing their degrees down the line.”

Construction on the ANSEP Middle School Academy building is scheduled for completion within the next two weeks. The first middle school program in the academy building will begin in November, hosting students from Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. ANSEP is working to put on 12 programs each year.

twitter.com/tnl_updates

By George Hyde

gchyde@thenorthernlight.org In the Kick-Off Edition Aug. 19, The Northern Light published a piece that compared the prices at UAA’s Bookstore to those at sites like Amazon and Chegg. It portrayed the Bookstore in a negative light, and they wished to respond to some of the claims made by the article.

The Bookstore acknowledges that its prices are high, but staff provided a number of reasons for that. First: shipping costs.

The Bookstore spends almost $250,000 annually in shipping, which, according to Bookstore Director Penny Kimball, balloons prices.

“We pay an outrageous amount of money to get books here,” Kimball said. “It’s not easy to pay that much money.”

Another reason the Bookstore offered was funding issues. While companies like Amazon get funding from investors and other companies, the Bookstore gets no outside funding.

“We get no funding from the state, no federal funding, no UAA funding, nothing. Everything we earn goes to pay our bills for the most part,” Kimball said. “If we want the bathroom fixed, we pay for it. If we need to have computers, we need to pay for it. There’s a lot of expenses.”

The Bookstore also contributes to campus activities and athletics, being one of the bigger corporate sponsors. They also offer donations, scholarships and employment to many students at UAA. “Sometimes our prices are a little bit higher. We’re really working on making that better,” Kimball said. “But we also give a lot back to the campus. That’s been our goal over the last two years, to give more and to work harder.”

In addition, the Bookstore is aware of its reputation and is making steps to improve it. For example, it is expanding its rental programs to include more books, and relaxing its return policies to be more flexible.

“We’re giving people more chances and more opportunities to return,” Kimball said. “We’re taking back books that we wouldn’t take before. When you buy online, you don’t know what you’re going to get or when you’re going to get it. Here, if you got the wrong thing, we’ll take it back and give you the right thing.”

While the Bookstore’s prices are still very high, workers are taking steps to improve its image. They acknowledge that it’s hard to compete with sites like Amazon and Chegg, but they still make it clear that they are a vital force on campus.

“We know we’re not always the best option. Are we going to be mad if you shop elsewhere? No. Do we want you to shop here? Yes. Absolutely. We’ve got a lot of things to offer here.”

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FEATURES

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THENORTHERNLIGHT Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Events to check out t

S E P T E M B E R

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5pm ‘Candles, Flour, Tea: History and Economics of Co-ops’ (UAA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE)

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11am 1pm 5pm 5pm

photo by Adam Eberhardt

Doodling, not just for the bored

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Student Involvement Fair (STUDENT UNION) $avvy $eawolf $eries: Stretching Your Dollar (RH-R.108) Taste of Alaska Charity Event (ALASKA AIRLINES CENTER) Logistics Professor Darren Prokop presents ‘The Business of Transportation’ (UAA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE)

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11pm What You Should Know Before Submitting Faculty Developement Grant Applications (CAFE) (UAA/APU CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R.302)

Drawing to increase focus and retain memories

12pm What You Should Know Before Submitting Sabbatical Applications (CAFE)

By Valerie Hudson

5pm ‘All You Need is Love: Forging an Emotional Connection through the Stories We Write and Read

features@thenorthernlight.org

The art of doodling has a bad reputation, designated an activity for bored students trying to waste time during class.

But recent studies have turned this train of thought on its head, finding that doodling can, in fact, improve comprehension of a particular subject matter. But how can a simple doodle affect one’s learning?

In order to truly understand how to use doodling for academic benefit, one must first under-

stand what doodling entails.

“Doodling is simply a mindless, quick drawing” said Gary Mealor, an assistant professor in the UAA Department of Art. According to a thesis by Vicky Faye Aquino from the College of Arts, doodling — despite being seen an act of boredom — can have positive results, including increased focus and memory retention, stress relief and enhanced creativity and imagination.

“Doodling is probably one of the most essential parts of starting a paper, or even writing an essay, because it’s really a map

of where your essay or paper could go,” said Cameron Nay, manager of the UAA Learning Resource Center’s writing department.

While doodling potentially has negative effects, when utilized correctly it can lead to great academic strides. It can be especially beneficial to kinesthetic learners, which are those who learn through physical activities, Nay said.

So next time one is note taking, consider adding a doodle here and there — it may be the key to a successful academic career.

(UAA/APU CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R.302)

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(UAA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE)

8am 2014 Academic Assessment Seminar

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(UAA/APU CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R.307)

3pm Native Students Welcome Back Potluck (RH R.108) 5pm Drive-In Movie and Food Truck Rodeo (ALASKA AIRLINES CENTER)

5pm DEADLINES: Fall 2014 Section Swaps/ Emerging Leaders Program

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7:30pm Alabama Shakes (ALASKA AIRLINES CENTER)

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5pm DEADLINE: Fall 2014 Payment

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12:01am Fall 2014: $125 late fee assessed 1pm Encouraging Creativity in the Classroom: A Faculty Workshop (UAA/APU CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R.307) 5pm ‘Co-ops: Here, There and Everywhere’ (UAA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE)

5pm 10th Annual Constitution Day Lecture (UAA/APU CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R.307)

Compiled by Stefanie Vigoren

OPINION

RED ZONE Why victim blaming is harmful

READ THE STORY ONLINE

FOLLOW THE QR CODE OR GO TO http://bit.ly/1qGfkyQ

graphic by Kierra Hammons

FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT Tuesday, September 9, 2014

A well-meaning column rife with clunky metaphors and horrible advice, Orange Rhymes With is the go-to place to break the monotony of classes and laugh at someone else’s misfortune.

In the year 2013, an alien brain slug from one of the galaxy’s most feared empires crash-landed on Earth and assumed control of a lowly reporter at this newspaper.

These are his stories.

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SEAWOLF

SLUG

Camping vs. curriculum The rise of streaming

Balancing books and freedom

By Evan Dodd Contributor

I spent my first weekend of the semester not doing my microeconomics homework, as perhaps I should have been, but instead camping up at Tangle Lakes with my dad and brother. If it’s any consolation, I did at least take my economics textbook and it made a rather fantastic coaster for the mug of grainy coffee we managed to filter with toilet paper.

The trip was fantastic, mainly consisting of average Alaska activities — berry picking, fishing, a fire much too large for the ring it was in and the occasional tourist-scaring. One Florida woman in particular seemed shocked that a bear gun was necessary despite the utter remoteness of the area, and she kept asking us about the “native ruins” she had passed on the ridge. Considering the ruins consisted of rocks clearly stacked by backpackers, we started trying to run from the conversation at all costs after that.

We bravely chose to eat at the “lodge,” a shack that, despite being over a hundred miles from anything resembling a town, inexplicably had Wi-Fi and an episode of “Glee” playing on the ancient TV in the back. I’m sure there’s a statement to be made about how globalization seems to have shrunk even the distant corners of the world, but we were more amused by the crusty old men watching high school musical numbers.

Our burgers were edible, which is the extent of my praise for them. And despite the fact that the staff was all somehow related and at the bar when we arrived, they seemed thrilled to have new faces to talk to.

Following the meal, we holed up in the camper to escape the wind and blasted Led Zeppelin while turning a pile of nachos into an art form.

We awoke to the harsh reality of winter the next morning, stepping out to discover that all of the tent campers seem to have fled in a panic. The formerly packed campground was now empty, and a solid four inches of snow and ice had appeared on the camper roof. The return was uneventful and gave me the (overwhelmingly false) hope that I would get

my homework done the following day.

Instead, I found myself able to do a 10-mile hike across the Turnagain Arm with a friend, consisting of an enormous pod of belugas, and far too many utterly disappointing Powerbars. The problem was that it quickly became Tuesday afternoon before homework took any sort of priority over trying to ignore the aching sore feeling in my legs.

On the one hand, a few of my initial problems this semester are completely out of my control. For reasons I can’t possibly comprehend, I only have half of my textbooks, despite ordering them a full two weeks before the start of school.

Similarly, no one seems to be able to explain why the online software for a few of my classes seems to only function properly for the instructor.

On the other hand, while I’ve finished every assignment thus far and am completely up to date in the readings for my classes, it’s hard to deny that when it comes down to pure numbers I’ve spent far more hours in the woods so far this semester than I have doing homework.

I could try and rationalize this away with some sort of faux-philosophical statement about how the great outdoors are calling, and I wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

However, it may be more accurate to point out that I much prefer hiking and camping to anything taught within a classroom, particularly lessons that include the word “derivatives.”

So now I’ve managed to stay afloat for the two-day “practice” week we got due to Labor Day, and I’m recommitting my time to focusing on my classes and assignments — well, on one class in particular.

Okay, so it’s the backpacking course and the assignment is a 10- hour field test consuming my entire Friday.

But hey, it’s still early in the semester, and this is technically an academic pursuit. I’m sure as the semester goes on I’ll get my fill of the outdoors and free up time for dense math and economics — but for now I’m considering one class out of five a distinct victory.

All in all, it’s been a great first couple of weeks. We’re just building up from a slow start for the final stretch.

By Klax Zlubzecon

Translated by George Hyde So ... cable television. Raise of hands: How many of you still have it? Right. Not many.

Now how many of you are either subscribed to Netflix and Hulu Plus, or are leeching another person’s account?

Right. A lot.

A recent Nielson study showed that, in 2013, more than 5 million homes dropped television in favor of Internet streaming.

And who can blame them?

According to another study, this time by the NPD group, Americans pay an average of $90 monthly on cable television bills.

But when they hop on and only find reruns of “Cops” and “Full House,” the bill hardly seems fair.

Television and video content remained like this for a while. Before the Internet exploded in popularity, this was about the best way to get video content short of going to the movie theater or the local Blockbuster.

The paradigm started to shift around the time YouTube became a viable video distribution platform, allowing content creators to share content for free. Eventually, ad revenue came into play, and many YouTubers make a great living fom their channels.

But the biggest threat came from Netflix, or more specifically, Netflix streaming.

It’s pretty hard to believe that Netflix started in 1997 with humble mail-order DVD rentals. It still does this, but the service isn’t nearly as big as its streaming service. It got big enough to warrant splitting the streaming plan from the DVD plan, and while not many saw it as the best move, it’s still successful. In fact, I’m willing to bet that you’re still watching Netflix online — if not right now, then probably sometime later.

And then there’s Hulu. Hulu Plus subscribers get high-definition episodes of TV shows delivered pretty much right after they air, with whole seasons archived for later watching.

Well shoot, it seems like the only reason to keep holding on to cable television is for either sports or “Game of Thrones” — and, well, let’s just say there’s a reason that “Game of Thrones” constantly tops The Pirate Bay’s most-downloaded list.

As one might guess, this paradigm shift is making cable companies more than a little nervous. A couple years ago, GCI introduced data caps to its plans, keeping consumers from using too much Netflixing data. Its cable television plans, naturally, have no such caps.

To be fair, though, the folks at GCI do a much better job at justifying the caps than Comcast does down in the Lower 48. But while bandwidth-hoggers are a legitimate concern, it still looks like a pretty dirty move from the perspective of someone who’s dropped television in favor of pure Internet speed.

See, this is why there was so much hullabaloo when Net Neutrality was threatened a few months back. After it was overturned, we saw companies like Verizon deliberately slow down Netflix’s service in a discriminatory way. Verizon didn’t admit to any wrongdoing, but Netflix fired back with some very snarky remarks during the long loading screens streamers faced.

But at the same time, I can see why companies like Comcast and Verizon are concerned. This is a massive change in the way we consume entertainment. This change practically ended Blockbuster as a company. And regardless of how unprepared companies like Comcast are, it’s starting to look like it’ll end cable television, too.

But don’t feel bad, GCI! We all know you’re looking to bring gigabit Internet up here, so this is a massive opportunity.

What you’re doing is great for Alaskans.

Instead of trying to reject higher Internet speeds like Comcast or Verizon are down in the Lower 48 — look at what they’re doing to poor Google Fiber — you’re trying to adapt to it. Instead of waiting for Google Fiber to arrive, you’re trying to compete with similar speeds. Yes, your data caps stink. But the massive speed increases are admirable, and I hope you continue to improve your service. And who knows? Hopefully, you’ll drop those caps in the future. If you do, the people of Anchorage will stand with you. I know they will.

In the meantime, though, I’m keeping George from his “Firefly” binge. Since when did that become an acceptable term for watching marathons? It’s kind of disgusting. Like the Slug species, I guess.

Maybe I should stop using that word.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. EMBRACE THE SEAWOLF SLUG.

By Valerie Hudson

features@thenorthernlight.org

COLLEG E

HACKS

A series of helpful life tips for college students in a pinch.

1. Fix scuffs on patent leather using Vaseline. Wipe with Windex to renew the shine.

2. Use baking soda to soak up the smell of smelly shoes using a tea bag of your choice.

3. Freeze leftover coffee in ice trays. Once frozen, place a few cubes in a glass and pour milk over them for an instant latte.

4. Got a pimple? Poke a hole in a Advil gel cap and apply the liquid for several minutes.

5. Avoid eyestrain by utilizing the 20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The shift in focus allows your eye muscles to relax.

For more helpful tips, visit Buzzfeed’s Facebook page.

Do you have a life hack that could make someone’s day easier? Email it to features@thenorthernlight.org.

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THENORTHERNLIGHT Tuesday, September 9, 2014

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BIG NAMES: How UAA books world-class performers continued from cover

Photo by Adam Eberhardt

Reggie Watts at the Campus Kick-Off comedy show Aug. 19.

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

UAA has a diverse history of performers entertaining the student body and public alike, from this year’s Campus Kick-Off comedian Reggie Watts to underground rap wordsmith Aesop Rock in 2010.

So how did Global Spectrum, the management firm behind the Alaska Airlines Center, book country superstar Tim McGraw to perform on campus Oct. 28 and 29?

According to Chris Orheim, Alaska Airlines Center general manager, it’s about connections and how hard one is willing to work.

“We need to figure out what the community wants … look for what hasn’t been done recently,” Orheim said.

“That’s where that relationship comes in, knowing people that know people.”

Even when he’s off the clock, Orheim tries to find out who or what community members want to see. He considers this community-minded approach one of his best indicators people want to see.

“Every time I get the opportunity to meet somebody new I ask them,” Orheim said. “The best thing you can do is just talk to people. … There’s no magic button. You think about it 24 hours a day.”

Working with concert promoters, Orheim and his team meet with the artist’s agent, draw up a contract and set the dates and pencil them in months, often years, in advance.

Once the musician or comedian is scheduled, it’s Jonathan Dyson, the Alaska Airlines Center marketing director, and his team’s job to devise an advertising strategy.

“People come to the table and say, ‘Hey, we want to do this event here,’” said Dyson, “and then it’s us filling in (the center’s) schedules.”

At the center, UAA events are scheduled before anything else.

“Commencement, graduation and UAA athletic events are the top priority,” Dyson said.

Dyson then organizes promotional functions, VIP visits, meet and greets with the artist, radio and television spots and ads in print media. This is done behind the scenes.

Meetings held by Global Spectrum with concert promoters are not open to the public, but Dyson encourages

the public to send suggestions to aac.marketing@uaa. alaska.edu.

On the other hand, all of UAA Concert Board’s meetings are open to input.

With seven shows annually, Concert Board plans its shows at least a year in advance, especially for Campus Kick-Off comedians.

After researching and making a master list of quality and affordable performers, the seven members hand their suggestions to their coordinator, Zac Clark. Clark approves the suggestions, and those final candidates are voted on by Concert Board members.

Clark discusses terms with agents who then talk to the artists themselves.

“You have to consider (Alaska’s) diversity,” said Concert Board member Felipe Godoy Diaz, “and that just because you bring someone big doesn’t mean everyone’s going to like it.”

Because of Alaska’s distance from the Lower 48, artists may take up to three days out of their schedules to visit and perform.

“We’ve had artists that we’ve asked to come up, and they just said no because we’re so small,” Diaz said.

This is less of a problem for Global Spectrum because it is a subsidiary of Comcast. The international support and larger budget it receives is something Concert Board doesn’t have.

Despite this, Diaz is enthusiastic about the opportunities the Alaska Airlines Center has presented Concert Board with.

“It’s great for Alaska, and I think it’s super that we’re getting so many more concerts,” Diaz said. “Now that the arena’s here, that should be another platform for artists to come up here.”

RISKLAND Remembering the 1964 Alaska Earthquake Closes Sept. 14

Official program of the Anchorage Centennial Sponsored by KTUU and the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Museum members enjoy free general admission. Join today!

SCI-FI FLICKS AND FACTS

MUSIC IN THE MUSEUM

Watch a cult classic, then get the facts from a UAA professor

Lunchtime chamber concert with the Sitka Summer Music Festival

7 p.m. Sept. 11

12:15 to 1 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12

anchoragemuseum.org

TELL YOUR ALASKA STORY Share your tale of coming to Alaska 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24 RSVP 929-9287

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THENORTHERNLIGHT Tuesday, September 9, 2014

FOREIGN FILM FANATIC

‘Filth’ is a dark, empty mess

A consummate McAvoy barely saves lackluster flick

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

Only in the darkest annals of pseudo-snuff horror films has depravity been so boring.

At a certain point while watching “Filth,” I almost fell asleep.

There are so many moments where it’s clear that the incredible James McAvoy reached into the movie’s dark heart and yanked out life more often than director Jon Baird.

Based on the eponymous Irvine Welsh novel, “Filth”

follows the degenerate detective sergeant Bruce Robertson (James McAvoy, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”). He’s a misogynistic, racist shell of a man who has no problem abusing his power, snorting cocaine, drinking whiskey and eating junk food exclusively. When a promotion comes up at work, Bruce vows to stop at nothing to reach the top.

“Filth” starts out dark and only gets darker, eventually substituting the perversely charming quirk for the brutality of a tortured mind. And tortured Bruce is.

In the hands of a lesser actor, Robertson would look like a close-minded grandpa in a young man’s skin. With McAvoy at the helm, he becomes a complex character. Everyone else falls flat.

Whether it’s by the sheer ferocity of his performance or the pseudo-depth of the screenplay, no actor meets McAvoy at his level.

While this reaffirms his vir-

tuosity, the movie suffers for it.

And like the secondary characters, the story is empty also.

Tears are often mistaken for depth. When it comes time for Robertson to become a human being, the movie misses the mark. But “Filth” ends in kind — starting as abruptly as it ends, ultimately feeling hackneyed.

In short, McAvoy’s performance is better than the movie.

“Filth” lives up to its name. It’s dirty and a tough watch, but a virtuosic display of McAvoy’s talent saves it from total ruin.

Bruce embraces depravity to cover something deeper — ­ it’s just a shame director Baird didn’t have the vision to reach those depths.

Title: “Filth” Director: Jon S. Baird Country: Scotland Genre: Dark comedy Release date: Oct. 4, 2013

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THENORTHERNLIGHT Tuesday, September 9, 2014

THEATER REVIEW

‘4,000 Miles’ is worth the journey

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

Nobody can grate one’s nerves quite like family can, especially when separated by generations.

Simple conversations about the neighbor across the hall can turn verbose. Amy Herzog’s “4,000 Miles” takes this idea and runs with it.

Reeling from the loss of his closest friend, Leo (UAA theater alumnus Jaron Carlson) seeks shelter in his grandmother Vera’s (Linda Benson) apartment. Over the course of a month, Leo and Vera bicker, connect and ultimately touch each other in surprising ways.

It may not look like it at first, but “4,000 Miles” is a play of extreme depth. One could dig for days and still find details to dredge up. Without revealing too much, the script paints a vivid picture of the tragedies that tore Leo and Vera from their family.

On the stage, Carlson and Benson have indelible chemistry. Side characters like Leo’s ex-girlfriend Rebecca (UAA environment and society major Taylor Campbell) and the spirited Amanda (UAA

theater major Lisa-Marie Castro) bring their own brand of piquancy to the play. Though they may have smaller parts than Leo and Vera, they end up leaving their marks.

Each actor has a chance to shine in his or her role. Carlson exudes uncertainty. His unforced brooding provides a unique foil to Benson’s world-weary wisdom.

Campbell’s Rebecca sends ripples through the narrative regardless of whether she’s on stage. And the alltoo-short appearance of Castro’s Amanda is hilarious and affecting, all within 15 short minutes.

But Benson, with her often poignant and always hilarious portrayal of Vera, is the emotional core of the play. After “4,000 Miles” ended, a woman in the front row remarked, “It was like I was looking at my grandma,” and this reviewer has to agree.

As in any consummate production, the characters rub off on each other. Vera forgets words constantly and, by the end, so does Leo. But the changes are subtle in their geneses. There are no grand events or Shakespearean monologues. The language is naturalistic and seldom hackneyed.

It’s only when Rebecca asks Vera why she’s telling her “these

parables of ... trust” that it feels like a message is being spoonfed to the audience. Otherwise, the narrative settles deep in the viewer’s bones and aches most in one beautifully subdued moment.

It’s a simple gesture following an uproarious punchline, but it won’t be spoiled here.

Misty eyes aside, “4,000 Miles” is an adeptly told tale of family, death, and growing up.

While all these themes have been done before, the play manages to make them feel new with understated writing and an honest heart in its chest.

There’s no grand climax or bombastic drama because “4,000 Miles” is at its best in the quiet moments. Words are powerful, but silence, sometimes, is even more so. With this understanding as a roadmap, the play takes a journey well worth witnessing.

Title: “4,000 Miles” Playwright: Amy Herzog Director: Krista M. Schwarting Starring: Jaron Carlson, Linda Benson

photo courtesy of Frank Flavin / Flavin Photography

Jaron Carlson as Leo and Linda Benson as Vera in the play “4,000 Miles.”

“4,000 Miles” starts at 7 p.m. Monday-Fridays and 3 p.m.

Sundays from Sept. 4-28 at Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse.

General admission is $25, and admission is $23 for students, seniors and active military. Latecomers will not be admitted.

GAME REVIEW

‘Depression Quest’: A crucial examination of mental illness

By George Hyde

gchyde@thenorthernlight.org Despite what many people think, depression is a very serious illness. Likened as the “common cold” of the mental illness world, it affects millions of people worldwide. Like many illnesses, there are many common misconceptions about depression that make it more difficult for people to empathize with those who suffer from it.

Thankfully, “Depression Quest” seeks to clear things up, and mostly does a great job at doing so.

You, the player, are the main character. His name is not specified, and players are meant to assume the role themselves. The game outlines that the main character has a loving family, an immensely successful older brother, a frustrating job, a very loving girlfriend and an almost complete lack of social skills. The game tasks the player with tackling various scenarios, all while suffering from depression.

Calling “Depression Quest” a game is a bit of a mis-

nomer. While it certainly has interaction, it feels more like a choose-your-own-adventure novel. Players flip from page to page, reading text and making decisions based on the situations at hand.

Naturally, since the main character has depression, some more optimistic responses to situations are blocked out. For example, say that the main character is lying in bed at 7 in the morning. The choice to force yourself out and head to work is blocked out unless you’re currently seeking help, whether through therapy, medications or a combination of the two.

This forces players to look at depression through the lens of a character who has it. This is the way depression works. It’s not so much a sadness, per se, as it is a total lack of emotion or motivation. It’s an emotionally exhaustive illness that leaves the mind unwilling to do much of anything, even if it’s something the sufferer used to really enjoy.

Unfortunately, as well as the game nails the aspects of depression, it still suffers from a lot of writing issues.

Players will face massive walls of text, and not all of it

is paced very well. Players won’t often see the consequences of their actions until it’s too late.

However, players who are willing to look over those issues will find a hauntingly realistic look at the world of depression, and what it does to both people diagnosed with it and those who surround them. It’s a free download on Steam, a single playthrough will last an hour and it’ll run on just about any computer that isn’t more than a decade old. Anybody who knows someone with depression needs to check this out. It will add some very important perspective.

Game: “Depression Quest” Developers: Zoe Quinn, Patrick Lindsey, Isaac Shankler Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Genre: Visual Novel Release Date: Aug. 11, 2014

Dear 2014 Awards and and ChancellorAwards recipients, UAA faculty f o n o ti ra o and collab team, y t n, innovation . You are, as a i io re v at tu ic e fu d e e g d th e n r Lo well fo AA . Th ositioned us f service to U ay and have p many years o

e tod r your niversity. itution we ar st Thank you fo in ty ence of our u h ll e ig m xc nergy and e e e th th d e d at invest your e ents an d to u n st r se u o staff have cre o f ch o e ud you hav r the success specially pro e e responsible fo ar e w d an , ves. laska ud of at UAA d changing li ro an p e ts b n niversity of A e d U to u e st ch th u g m to in t e ir n av e sp h We ork of in commitm e important w edication and d r u o y r fo passion in th aff sources! faculty and st a’s greatest re g sk in la w A o f ll o e fo n e o ons to th ake UAA Congratulati l you do to m al r fo u o y k an Anchorage. Th ase cellor Tom C an h C , ly re ce Sin

S D R A W A R CHANCELLO

Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Tracey K. Burke, Associate Professor, School of Social Work Dr. Rebeca Maseda, Assistant Professor, Spanish, Department of Language Dr. Landry SignĂŠ, Assistant Professor, Political Science Shawnalee Whitney, Associate Professor, Journalism and Communication

Excellence in Academic Research/Creative Activity Dr. Landry SignĂŠ, Assistant Professor, Political Science

5 Years Richard H Adams Jonathan E Alevy Alvin E Amason Elizabeth Arnold Rhonda J Atkins Dallas M Baldwin Paul P Barrett Barbara J Berner Mark R Berryman Donald L Bickley Jr Andrew L Bill David Bowie Jared Douglas Brandner Jennifer McFerran Brock Carey Don Brown Suzanne M Buie Jason Lee Burkhead Gary J Bushor Constance Huberine Carlisle Martha L Carver Keith Cates Debra A Cieplak Michael F Conti Rene V Contreras Heather L Corriere Julie Marie Cotterell Cathy A Coulter Thomas Alan Dalrymple Kitty Lynn Deal Cindy Lee Detablan Danielle Larae Dixon Shannon M Donovan Scott Michael Downing Susie Ann Edwards Cathy L Ewing Micheal Anthony Eymann John R Faunce Thomas James Flanagan Sarah Corinna Frick Gennady Gienko Bobbie Jo Gottschalk

Jane Galblum Haigh Nile S Hamaker Calvin R Hansen UAA is an EEO/AA employer and educational institution.

Dr. Joshua K. Swift, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, Clinical-Community Psychology, UAF-UAA Joint Ph.D. Program

Diversity

Promoting Student Achievement

Community Engagement and Service

Deborah “Deb� Mole, Librarian/ Professor, Library, Instruction & Research Services Lora Volden, Registrar

Staff Excellence

Aisha Merced, Assistant to the Director, New Student Orientation, Division of Student Access, Advising & Transition

Nicholas W Hazelton Elizabeth Hodges Seanna A Huffman Nancy E Johnson Cynthia Gay Jones Lacy Nicole Karpilo Richard Anthony KieferODonnell Gayle A Kildal Seong Dae Kim Penny Aila Lynne Kimball Jody Lynn King Diane Hotaling Kozak Lynda L Kreps Kelsie Ann Lance Jeffrey Dale Laube Karen Petersen Lee Yonggang Lu Brian J Macko Douglas S Markussen Pamela M Mason Colin Michael McGill Leonidas Medal Aisha E Merced John T Michel Susan C Mircovich Tami S Monette David Murdoch Tana Josserand Myrstol Bradley Allen Myrstol Duane A Nease Jessie Marie Nixon Julie Nolen Kevin E OConnor Yasuhiro Ozuru Sarah Michelle Pace Brian C Partridge Jifeng Peng Tiffani J Perry Todd H Petersen Andrew Paul-Odevar Pfeiffer David M Pierce Margaret Ann Rauwolf Sherilyn A Romanik Lauralee F Samalot Mikayla Tomoko Savikko

Tobias Schwoerer Jessica Coral Sheldon-Hess Gianna L Shorney-Linton Brian Cody Slone Courtney Brooke Smith William Christopher Start Diana L Steer Kendra Diane Sticka Greg E Stoddard Stasia C Straley Patrick F Sullivan Michael Paul Swanson Jeanne M Taylor Leslie A Tuovinen Alejandra Villalobos-Melendez David William Weaver Katherine E Wells Stephanie Nicole Whaley Paul Justin White Paula Williams Bryan Zak

10 Years Robert W A Askew Donna G Bozeman Anita Kay Bradbury Mark C Bruner Sandra Doreen Chichenoff Kerry Allison OSteen Davis Teena L Dyer Douglas Keith Edin Anna Lynn Gage Margaret E Holm Joseph C Hopkins Anthony J Houston William R N Howell Jr Trudy Jezebel James Rhonda M Johnson George Michael Kalamarides Marnie Kaler Edward M Kazzimir Danny W Kennedy Sylvia M Luff Mark Alan Martinson

Marva Watson, Director of the

Compliance

Arlene Schmuland, Head, Archives & Special Collections/Professor, UAA/APU Consortium Library Deborah “Deb� Periman, Associate Professor, Legal Studies Program Coordinator, Justice Center

2014 Chancellor Stewardship Awards Operational Effectiveness — Small Team The Assessment Team, Student Affairs Sustainability — Individual Dr. Larry M. Foster, Professor of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics and Statistics Safety — Large Team UAA Smoke Free Task Force

S D R A W A Y T LONGEVI Gerald W Metcalf Betty Buchan Monsour John David Moore Frank William Moore Megan Sumner Olson Jennifer Myrick Pedersen Eileen M Reemtsma Michael C Robinson Ira Rosnel Mark A Schreiter Carol Lynn Senette Kathryn Heithoff Smith Mary L Sonnichsen Kevin L Stevenson J Christian Sturm Catherine Helene Sullivan Glenn A Thomas Torgor A Volden Pamela Lynn Ward Christopher M Washko Jeffrey M Welker Carolyn Sue Wohlers Delano O Young

15 Years Elizabeth Lynne Barnes Kimber Lee Bloomstrom Diana K Campbell Anne Caston Georgia K Dekeyser Kim R Dufour Larry M Foster Reginald Henson N Yvonne Herron Kristina May Keays-Gant Betsy Lynn Korzeniewski Billijo Marie Link Heidi A Mannion Deng Nanthalaksa Linda Nisbeth Deborah Kay Periman Stephen J Rollins Francesca A Russell

Theresa Anna Rzeczycki Nathan Samuel Sagan Jessica E Salas Patricia R Sandberg Vera M Serebryakova Ryan Christopher Stafford Pearl S Tatum Julie Ann Weber

20 Years Dede M Allen Alexander R Casanova Ralph E Courtney Yuan-Fang Dong Korrena Marie Dunham Catherine Margaret Dunham June F Ebert Carolyn D Gordon Judith F Green Karen Elaine Haddock Paul E Herrick Greg A Jerich Susan M Kalina Sarah J Kirk Maryann I Kniffen He Liu Linda J McCarriston Louis Nagy Jr Kamal Narang Maureen O Malley George Russell Osborne Jane M Pallister James T Pantaleone Karl T Pfeiffer Marie Samson Michael B Smith Cheryl Joan Spalinger Deborah K Tharp Dorn Vandommelen Christine A Volk Karen M Ward

Deidre C Watt Jan M Westfall

25 Years Jack W Anderson Raymond P Bailey Janet E Burton Darla J Carlson Colin G Clausson F Elizabeth Graber Alexandra R Hill Eric George Holmberg Paul R Johnson Patricia Kelly Melodee A Monson Lynn M Murphy Janice J Peyton Greg J Protasel Sara L Reinert Cheryl Eugene Smith Roxanne Alice Swallows Bonnie G Wendt Yi-Miin L Yen

30 Years Allan R Barnes Jane Ellen McKay Doug J Parry Dave W Robinson Kathleen Margaret Shepro Paul I Stoklos

35 Years Don M Barker Bruno M Kappes John M Kennish

um

CONTACTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT Tuesday, September 9, 2014

08

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