July 2, 2009

The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid

Vol. 115, Issue 35 12 Pages

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009

www.theplainsman.com

Mixed drinks, mixed paints

Charter to keep channel

Students bring beverages, learn to paint at Sips N Strokes

By CALLIE GARRETT Staff Writer

By COURTNEY JOHNSON Staff Writer

A new business in Auburn is painting the perfect picture for a night out on the town.

Sips N Strokes, located on University Drive, allows customers to get creative by participating in a painting lesson and going home with their completed work.

As the name implies, customers are invited to bring in a beverage of their choice to enjoy while they paint.

Brad Baggett, owner and manager of the Auburn branch of Sips N Strokes, said the painting classes are offered Monday through Saturday.

“Monday through Wednesday the classes are two hours long and cost $25 and from Thursday through Saturday, Sips N Strokes offers three hour classes for $35,” Baggett said.

The paintings offered during the three-hour classes are slightly more difficult.

However, artists of any level can participate at Sips N Strokes.

“I was inexperienced when I started coming to classes but after attending a few, my painting has definitely improved,” said Traci Stevens, a Sips N Strokes customer.

“The instruction is so helpful and the teachers are encouraging. I have taken Sips N Strokes classes in locations before the Auburn store was opened and I’m so glad they finally have one here.”

The prices include everything customers will need to

crosses,” Baggett said. “Not all of the pictures are ones Wendy has done, and we both have input when we

Charter Communications mistakenly included Auburn in their news release about removing the local channel WSFA news 12 from Chambers County and Lanett.

“WSFA – NBC will remain on our line-up in the City of Auburn and in Lee County, but not in Chambers County and Lanett,” said John Miller, director of communications for Charter Communications.

A press release was sent to newspapers and put up on the screen for Charter subscribers to view, Mark Wilder, WSFA director of operations, said.

“When Charter put out the information to its subscribers, they made a mistake in the wording and included the word Auburn within Chambers County as to the area it was going to be taken off,” Wilder said. “We are indeed going to be taken off Charter cable in Chambers County, which is north of Lee County.”

Marian Carcache, an English professor, said she believes Chambers County will be greatly affected by the loss of WSFA. She said she has heard many complaints from local people about not having any choices for different cable companies in the area.

“That is why we should fight to preserve our right to choices on all levels instead of bowing to corporations,” Carcache said.

Wilder said whoever was responsible for the news re-

> Turn to PAINTING, A2

> Turn to WSFA, A2

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Students paint backgrounds during painting class.

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

A student works on detail for her painting during class.

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Participants are provided all painting materials needed for a class.

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Classes are offered Monday through Saturday.

At Sips N Strokes painting students are encouraged to bring their own beverages, and all classes are aimed for people from all skills levels. Sips N Strokes is located on University Drive in Auburn.

start and finish a painting in one night.

“All they need to do is bring in a beverage and they will walk out of the class with a completely finished

painting,” Baggett said.

Wendy LoVoy, an artist from Birmingham, started Sips N Strokes in 2003 and recently began franchising. Today, there are Sips N

Strokes in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, according to the Sips N Strokes official Web site.

“Wendy is known for her paintings of angels and

Equestrian team hosts 3 camps, gears up for ’09 season

By STEPHANIE ENGLAND Staff Writer

Between camps and individual workouts, the Auburn Equestrian team is staying busy this summer.

Three camps are being offered to riders of all experience levels, said Greg Williams, head coach. One is a day camp which is geared toward beginning riders in the community.

The other two are resident camps where riders stay overnight in the dorms and learn more advanced skills and techniques.

The camp runs Monday through Thursday, said sophomore Ali Loprete. Campers

ride about four times a day team would have, including 5 and work on a variety of dif- a.m. workouts, Loprete said. ferent skills.

They also work directly with One of these resident all of the coaches. camps is “It’s a an elite lot tocamp, u g h e r ,” which is It’s all about practice Williams for those and conditioning yourself said. “But who wish it’s more to be on for the sport.” individua college alized Bailey Dymond equestrithan the sophomore, equestrian team an team. o t h e r “ W e camps.” push the kids a little harder in At the end of each week, the elite camp,” Loprete said. the campers do a demonstra“We get to see how well they tion for family and friends, ride and we make it a team Loprete said. experience for them.”

Helping out with the camps The campers are given the is a good way to stay in shape same schedules a college for the fall.

“

Weather Friday

Partly Cloudy

High Low

91 72

Saturday

T-storms

High Low

92 74

Auburn’s Equestrian team members said they are all making their own individual efforts to do what they can now to prepare for the upcoming competitions.

“Right now I’m just riding as many horses as I can,” said sophomore Bailey Dymond, a western horsemanship rider.

“It’s all about practice and conditioning yourself for the sport.”

NCAA rules don’t allow official workouts until after the first class day in August.

“I’m just trying to stay in shape and ride as much as possible because when school starts we get right into workouts,” Loprete, a hunt seat rider, said.

Inside Sunday

T-Storms

High Low

86 72

See why AU is on a boat Intrigue B1

Printed on Recycled Paper

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn’s equestrian team won the 2008 National Championship and may soon become a scholarship team at Auburn.

The team is always working toward another national championship and the new freshmen will help boost their efforts, Dymond said.

“We want to come back and win a national championship,” Dymond said. “We

> Turn to EQUESTRIAN, A3

Index News

A5

Commentary A4 Sports

Classifieds B3 Intrigue

B5

B1

The Auburn Plainsman

News, A2

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID The Auburn Plainsman is the student newspaper of Auburn University. It is produced entirely by students and is funded by its advertising revenue. The Auburn Plainsman is published every Thursday and averages 15 printings per semester. It is distributed free of charge to Auburn students and faculty. Please take only one copy. First copy free; additional copies are 25 cents. Anyone caught taking more than one copy will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Staff meetings are Wednesdays, 7 p.m. in Suite 1111 of the Student Center. For more information, call 844-4130, e-mail us at mail@theplainsman.com or view our Web site at www.theplainsman.com.

Editorial Staff

Business Staff

Natalie Wade Editor

Tom Hopf Business Manager

Julian Kersh Managing Editor

Erin Coffey Creative Director

Kevin Saucier Copy Editor Sarah Craft / Associate Editor Allison Clark News Editor Sarah Hansen / Associate Editor Natalie Nettles Intrigue Editor Christian Becraft / Associate Editor

Ed May Layout Coordinator Production Artists Brent Lang Geoffrey Pitts Account Executives Andrew Moore Nathan Smith Vincent Aragon Elizabeth Cammon

Patrick Dever Sports Editor Anna Schierholz / Associate Editor Ashlea Draa Photo Editor Austin Nelson / Associate Editor Andrew Sims Online Editor ADVERTISING POLICIES

Campus Calendar is provided by The Auburn Plainsman to all Universitychartered organizations to announce activities. Announcements must be submitted on forms available in the office between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. no later than Monday prior to publication. Submissions must be no more than 30 words and are edited to retain only pertinent information. Classified ads cost $6 for the first 15 words, and 40 cents for each additional word. Forms are available in the office during business hours. Deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. Local advertising rate is $11/ column inch. National advertising rate is $16/ column inch. Deadline for all advertising space reservation is Friday at 3 p.m. The Auburn Plainsman (USPS 434740) is published

by Auburn University, AL 36849 weekly during the school year. We do not publish during class breaks. Subscriptions are $40 a year, $20 a semester.

Periodicals [postage [paid at Auburn, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Auburn Plainsman, Student Union Suite 1111, Auburn University, AL 36849.

DUI Arrests in the City of Auburn June 24 - June 30, 2009 Philip Austin Shamburger of Montgomery West Magnolia Avenue at Thomas Street June 24, 12:45 a.m.

Ronald M. Moss 2061 S. College St. June 28, 4:21 a.m.

PAINTING >From A1

make the calendar for the Auburn store.”

Baggett said the Sips N Strokes teachers are from an array of professional backgrounds.

“We have people with nursing, teaching and art degrees,” Baggett said. “We look for people with a certain personality and someone that has the ability to tell people how to paint in a fun way.”

Attendance has varied so far, said Baggett.

“There are nights with more than 60 participants and nights with only 15,” Baggett said.

Classes are open to anyone age 12 and older. Baggett said that participant’s ages have been between 20 and 60.

Sips N Strokes is offering classes for children ages 5-12 from 10 to 12 p.m. Saturdays during the summer. There will also be a kid’s camp later next month.

“We are in the third week right now, we opened June 10, and we are happy with the way things are going,” Baggett said. “It’s just fun. It’s exciting too. The community seems to like us; they have been strongly supportive. We think Auburn is an ideal place for a Sips N Strokes.”

Sips N Strokes is available for private parties, bachelorette parties, birthday parties and sorority functions.

“It’s the perfect place for a sisterhood event,” said Lauren Nunez, an Auburn alumni who majored in English. “I remember we were always trying to find fun things to do together, as a large group and it was difficult to find something everyone could enjoy, especially locally.”

Baggett said he is excited about the future of the business and what it can do for the Auburn area.

“We just want it to grow as much as it can,” Baggett said.

WSFA >From A1

lease sent out from Charter was not aware that Auburn is not included in Chambers County. Their national headquarters probably did not know what county Auburn is in.

After numerous phone calls from concerned viewers of Lee County, WSFA quickly talked to Charter and confirmed that their channel will not be taken off Charter in Lee County because it is significantly viewed, Wilder said.

“Since I would guess that the local stations most people in Lee County watch would be WSFA and the two out of Columbus, it seems only logical to keep the local station that is in the same state Lee County is in, and the same goes for Chambers,” Carcache said.

She said when she watches local news in Alabama, she tunes to WFSA. “When I was growing up in lower Russell County, we watched 3 and 9 out of Columbus, but when I moved to Auburn, I changed to the Montgomery station,” Carcache said.

Miller said the federal government monitors their cable stations to determine which channels will be broadcast.

“There are numerous federal rules regarding the carriage of broadcast TV stations that make it impractical for Charter to continue to carry WSFA – NBC into the Chambers County and Lanett area,” Miller said. “WSFA is not considered significantly viewed in those two areas, therefore by federal guideline, priority carriage is provided to WLTZ – NBC and most of WSFA’s programming would have been blacked out.”

Miller said customers in those two areas will find their NBC programming on WLTZ – NBC.

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

CRIME REPORTS June 24 - June 30, 2009 June 24, Auburn Trail – Burglary reported. One Gatorade Sport water bottle reported stolen.

June 24, Chateau Apartments – Burglary reported. One Highpoint 9MM handgun reported stolen.

June 24, Sigma Pi fraternity house – Burglary reported.

Two wooden benches, one wooden Sigma insignia, miscellaneous artificial plants and one strand of outdoor lights reported stolen. Damage to the carpet was also reported.

June 24, Jack Hampton Drive – Burglary reported. One Fender guitar (Sunburst Stratocaster) and one flat screen computer monitor reported stolen.

June 24, Plainsview Condominiums – Burglary reported.

One Playstation 3, eight assorted Playstation 3 games and one 42” JVC flat screen reported stolen.

June 24, Mount Moriah Baptist Church – Burglary reported. One Dell desktop computer, one HP printer model PSC 2400, one EV speaker and one EV amplifier reported stolen.

One exterior door and one steel door frame reported damaged.

June 24, Bedell Avenue – Theft reported. One 21-speed bicycle, pewter colored with rusty chain reported stolen.

June 24, Ridgewood Village Trailor Park – Burglary reported. One white MacBook laptop reported stolen.

June 24, Plainsview Condominiums – Larceny reported.

One MacBook Pro laptop, model A1226, reported stolen.

June 24, Armstrong Apartments – Theft reported. One 16GB black 3G iPhone reported stolen.

June 24, AU Bookstore – Theft reported. One Cost Management textbook reported stolen.

June 24, Cecil Lane – Burglary reported. One Toshiba 19inch TV/VCR/DVD combo reported stolen. One window glass reported damaged.

June 25, Waffle House – Burglary. One SIRIUS Satellite Radio receiver reported stolen.

June 25, Swann’s Triangle Trailer Park – Burglary reported.

One 32” HDTV Vizio flat screen and one pearl ring reported stolen. One window and one window screen reported damaged.

June 25, Wal-Mart Supercenter – Shoplifting reported. One microwave oven and one package of assorted chips reported stolen.

June 25, Jenkins Drive – Burglary reported. One 8G Apple iPod, light green in color, inside a white and gray sleeve reported stolen June 26, Ridgewood Village Mobile Home Park – Burglary reported. One Playstation 3, 15 assorted Playstation 3 games and two Toshiba laptop computers reported stolen.

June 26, Auburn Crossing – Burglary reported. One Apple iPhone and $130 reported stolen.

June 26, Auburn Crossing – Theft reported. One T-Mobile Sidekick 3 reported stolen.

June 26, Nash Creek Drive – Theft reported. One blue and silver Makita miter saw, one yellow Bostitch nail gun, one Porter-Cable 4x24 belt sander, one black plastic toolbox and various paint supplies reported stolen.

- Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009 Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Another equestrian camp starts next week, and team members are preparing for the camp. The team may be looking forward to scholarship status and new facilities.

EQUESTRIAN

of maneuvers in the horsemanship discipline, or show >From A1 off their abilities in a series of galloping circles, sliding don’t like that ‘almost’ win. stops and spins in the reining We have a lot of good fresh- category.

“Our strengths come from men coming in, and a lot of being determined in everyus are stepping up our game thing we this sumdo, ” Dymer.” mond said.

Williams Th e athletic “You can said unity is have tons of s om ethin g department is moving practice and that makes us toward full funding then have to A u b u r n’s Equestrian and scholarships so it’s get in that team stand going to get better and arena and try to nail out. better. ” ever ything “I love watching Greg Williams in 40 secwhen they head coach onds. That’s where the come toworkmangether as a ship skills come in. ” team,” Williams said. “That is While hunt seat has always by far the greatest, when they are in the trenches and work- been strong, Western is exing together as team, when pected to turn some heads the team means more than this year as well.

“Our Western end is buildtheir own individual efforts.”

Loprete said the team is ing more and more,” Williams one of the most hardwork- said. “The athletic departing teams at Auburn and that ment is moving us toward it takes every single one of full funding and scholarships so it’s going to get better and them to be successful.

“We are a very strong team better.”

Williams said hunt seat is and we work together well,” predicted to rank as one of Loprete said. “I love the team the top teams in the country, experience because it’s someif not number one. thing you don’t usually get in To further its success, the equestrian.” equestrian program may also The team won its first nabe getting some new facilities tional championship in 2006 in the future. and became national cham“Plans for a new facilpions in hunt seat in 2008. ity have been approved,” WilEquestrian competition is liams said. “Right now we’re broken into four categories, in the development stages to two hunt seat, which is Engraise money. ” lish riding, and two western.

Th e team does its own In hunt seat riding, athmaintenance on its facilities, letes demonstrate grace and said Loprete, member of the poise while jumping over 2008 National Championship a course of 3-foot-6-inch jumps or through a series of team. complicated maneuvers in a This makes the equestrian pattern. team different that most These categories are called teams on campus, she said. equitation over fences or eq“We are trying to get someuitation on the flat. thing new, especially for our In western riding, athletes horses,” Loprete said. “We focus on posture and control have some of the best horses while completing a series in the country.”

“

News, A3

OUR NEW WEB SITE LAUNCHES TODAY! Check us out and let us know what you think!

The Auburn Plainsman

COMMENTARY The Auburn Plainsman Founded in 1893 As The Orange & Blue Vol. 116, No. 35

Natalie Wade Editor

Patrick Dever Sports Editor

News Editor

Andrew Sims

Julian Kersh

Ashlea Draa

Online Editor

Managing Editor

Photo Editor

Kevin Saucier

Natalie Nettles

Copy Editor

Intrigue Editor

NATALIE WADE editor@theplainsman.com

OUR VIEW

High school exit exam unnecessary

Alabama’s Board of Education is considering doing away with the high school graduation exam, a change that would be implemented beginning with the 2011 school year.

If we were members of the Board, we’d vote to scrap the test.

For those out-of-staters who may not have taken a high school graduation exam, it’s a standardized test spanning five subjects with the goal of evaluating students’ grasp of fundamental content and their readiness for graduation.

The test is first administered during students’ sophomore year, with several opportunities to re-take the sections if they fail.

But how many students drop out discouraged before getting a chance to retake, having failed the test the first time?

We feel that the AHSGE doesn’t necessarily equip students with a stronger education and that it also presents unfair situations.

Many of us recall a week when material was crammed in preparation of the test.

We think regular course work would serve as a better learning experience than temporarily memorizing this specific information.

Also, it makes no sense that a stu-

dent can pass all of his or her classes, completing all required course work, but still be denied a diploma because he or she couldn’t complete a section of the exit exam.

Granted, it’s probably a rare scenario that a student passes all courses, yet can’t complete the graduation exam, but some students do not test well.

Add a weakness in a particular subject and the nerves of knowing your immediate future hinges on this test and you have a situation that could end disastrously for a hardworking student.

Looking at the situation from a more objective standpoint, many states do not require an exit exam and rank much higher in academic achievement than Alabama.

New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut rank in the top six of “educational effectiveness,” according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

None of these states require high school graduation exams.

Alabama ranks fourth from last.

Many, many factors contribute to these rankings, sure, but if these states are so far ahead of ours, maybe we should take a page out of their book on education, and flunk out the exit exam.

Our Policy The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. These unsigned editorials are the majority opinion of the eight-member editorial board and are the official opinion of the newspaper. The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors and do not necessarily reflect Auburn University students, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

State gun safety critiqued on vague statistics Editor, The Auburn Plainsman

While the editorial board’s June 18th article, “State Must Take Stand Against Gun Violence” was certainly well-intentioned, its arguments were fueled by skewed, agendadriven statistics. The VPC’s numbers appear chilling, but minor digging shows their numbers are built on a shaky basis.

For instance, the VPC shows that the United States averaged 9.8 firearm related deaths per 100,000 in 2004. Of these, 57 percent were suicides. It is illogical to argue that firearms caused suicide.

Statistics show that those who are serious about suicide will find another way if the use of a firearm is not an option. According to the World Health Organization, the U.S.’s suicide rate is markedly below that of China and New Zealand, and on par with the United Kingdom. These data points are of note, because all of these nations sport draconian gun control measures.

The editors assert, “States with strict gun laws… registered fewer gun-related deaths.”

While this may be true for some states, it is misleading to make a sweeping generalization about the entire Nation. As an example, the VPC fails to note the firearm- related death rate in Washington, D.C., despite being based there. While the District is not a state, surely its CDC-reported rate of 23.8 firearm related deaths per 100,000 is notable. It is ap-

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

Saying goodbye is hard

The Editorial Board Allison Clark

A4

M

y roommate of three years is becoming a grown up. By that I mean she’s taken a job offer five and a half hours away from Auburn and nine hours from her parents house. She’ll be in a city where she knows no one, and will be living all by herself. Well she’ll have her dog Mandy, but technically she’ll be living alone.

Although I’m extremely proud of her and confident she will do amazingly well in her new environment, I’m going to miss

her terribly.

We met while moving into our apartment at the C.D.V. Extention. We were potluck roomies and an exception to the normal potluck rule of roommate hell.

We lived on campus for two years and finally moved off this year.

Though the Bat Cave isn’t the best house in the world it was ours.

We’ve taken seven road trips, been on three spring breaks and attended three major concerts together. Basically we’ve had a lot of fun.

She’s started packing her half of the house up this week and I’m sure she’s getting tired of me reminiscing about different events or bringing up different one-liners we’ve laughed about over the years.

But I can’t help it, I’m going to miss her this fall when football season starts. She’s “da grill mastah” and I’ve seen her wear

the same Auburn T-shirt to every game.

I’m going to miss her when I want to get “Chick Salad Shack” (sic) and eat on Samford Lawn, and when Moe’s isn’t a Sunday tradition.

The things you experience and learn by living with your best friend are irreplaceable and I would not change any argument, random road trip or party we’ve had.

I know I’ll talk to her everyday when she moves, but knowing I can’t just run into her room and say “Friend, you want some Moe’s?” is sadder than Moe’s should ever be.

She’s taught me more about being a friend, how to deal with tough situations and how to have fun than she’ll ever know.

Natalie Wade is the editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach her at 844-9021.

Distractions bog down media

ANDREW SIMS andrew.sims@theplainsman.com

I

know I am not alone in complaining about this, but by God it feels like it sometimes. I am plagued with the seemingly incurable disease of distractibility.

Anyone who knows me can second this without batting an eyelash. In fact, just today I have known this column was breathing down my neck, but what did I do? Well, see, first I cleaned my apartment, then I played Halo 3 on the Xbox ... sorry, where was I? So anyway, I digress in regards to my own problems and instead I will do the American thing and point the finger elsewhere. This past week we have had not one, but four losses to our entertain-

ment community. All these losses came with their groups of fans appropriately mourning their losses as well as wall-to-wall news coverage. Some stars, disappointingly, receiving more than others, but I am getting distracted by details.

Here in lies my problem. We are currently in the greatest economic recession our country has ever faced, having surpassed that of the Great Depression. Our world is teetering on the brink of chaos with North Korea threatening nuclear war, Iran struggles to maintain its democracy, and we have yet to supply health care to the millions of Americans struggling from paycheck to paycheck.

My complaint is where is the news on this? It’s almost like Fox, CNN and the rest of ‘em of are using these tragic deaths as a distraction to what is plaguing our world.

Who cares about the current Green Bill that is going through congress that is promising to create hundreds of jobs and help America begin the long, arduous road to relinquishing our tight

grips on fossil fuels?

Forget news, I want to hear more about how Michael Jackson lived a rough life. Don’t get me wrong, please. I love “Thriller” as much as the next person, but I’m sorry if I am just a tad bit more concerned about other things, like whether the institution that created scum like Bernie Madoff and Edward Liddy are brought to justice, not just “bailed” out.

Sorry, I got distracted again.

I don’t mind mourning the loss of some of entertainment’s best and brightest, but we must stay focused on the issues at hand and force our media to stay honest to their job.

I’m a journalist, I know about newsworthiness and getting ratings, but what are we willing to sacrifice for that? Our education and understanding of the world?

I’m not. These distractions are creating a stain upon our hands, and despite what Billy Mays says, OxiClean cannot take this stain out.

Andrew Sims is the online editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach him at 844-9109.

YOUR VIEW parent that these facts have not escaped the chiefs at the VPC. Josh Sugarmann, the VPC’s founder and CEO, is a registered firearms dealer according to the BATFE (1-54-XXX-XXXX-00725). This gives Mr. Sugarmann the legal right to flout many of the harsh handgun laws endured by the citizens of the District.

The authors also argue that the state’s endgame to reduce firearm related deaths should involve “heftier restrictions on obtaining them.” This philosophy is not borne out by the facts. Among the 15 states with the highest homicide rates, 10 have restrictive or very restrictive gun laws.

It stands to reason that criminals would be more successful in an environment where their quarry is denied the tools of self-defense. If we make firearm ownership a crime, only criminals will have firearms.

Unintentional firearm related deaths in the U.S. in 2004 comprised 2 percent of the total.

Nonetheless, the article goes on to posit that unintentional firearm related deaths in the state could be reduced by popularizing handgun safety training courses.

This is undoubtedly true. However, it is currently somewhat difficult to take the course in Lee County. The Sheriff ’s department does indeed offer such a course, but it is only offered a few times a year, and it fills up quickly.

Perhaps if the state wishes to get serious about reducing accidental firearm related deaths, more emphasis and resources should be put into such classes. Indeed, driver’s education is taught in the state’s high schools as an elective to reduce automobile related fatalities. However, to suggest that such classes should be required as part of a firearm licensing scheme is tantamount to an affront to patriotism.

Would you support a free speech license?

Would you be in favor of a measure that requires you to take a class before voting?

While all firearm related deaths are unfortunate, it is important to review the facts before jumping to conclusions. Opportunities to ensure the safety and security of all Alabamians should be paramount, but not at the expense of our basic freedoms.

Matt Zorn

Former student, Alabama alum remembers ‘War Eagle’ airplane Editor, The Auburn Plainsman While I was in Auburn this past weekend for daughter Katherine Gay Zito’s MBA extravaganza, I spoke to the Plainsman’s own Kim concerning an item of historical interest, and perhaps, of interest to your readers.

Some years ago, Hollywood made an adventure picture about a mythical nuclear submarine named the “Crimson Tide.” The good people in Tuscaloosa made much of this bit of fiction!

In July 1944, myself and my crew were assigned to a brand new B-17 Flying Fortress, No. 397977.

After a brief crew meeting, and with my encouragement, the aircraft was named “War Eagle.” Since there were no artists available

at our base in Chelveston, England, and since it was my idea, I personally painted the inspiring cartoon, and more, I did my best to impart the Auburn spirit to strengthen a good crew to start with.

By way of explanation of the photo of the old girl in flight, the letters “KY” on the fuselage are the code designation for the 366th Bomb Squadron. The letter “D” is simply the phonetic alphabet of the time for “dog.”

The black triangle indicated that the War Eagle was a member of the first Air Division of the Historic Eighth Air Force. The letter “G” identified the 305th Bomb Group, which was the proud creation of Gen. Curtis LeMay. A horizontal green stripe was added to the rudder to identify the 40th Combat Wing.

This three-group unit was best known for its part in the Schweinfurt raid of October 1943.

As near as I can find out, the War Eagle flew close to a hundred mission between July 1944 and VE Day in April 1945. The last time I saw the War Eagle was in Romulus, Mich., in June 1945.

She had flown the Atlantic in the company of 10 other aircraft who had been selected for historical preservation.

She had the dings and patches enough to prove an illustrious career. I remember one patch about a square foot under the pilot’s flight bridge. There was a 4-inch square patch on the big patch. A round machine gun bullet patch centered number two.

The War Eagle has flown many times, and many places, but never more proudly than in the flame-filled skies of WWII Europe.

Charlie Gay One of her pilots

- Check out ThePlainsman.com to see the sketch Gay sent with his letter

The Auburn Plainsman

NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009

Austin Nelson / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

“Still Life of Iris” attracted viewers of all ages to the Telfare Peet Theatre last weekend.

It told of an adventerous and fantastic journey made by a young girl named Iris who discovers the importance of memory, family and friendship.

Play targets young audience

By SARAH PHILLIPS Staff Writer

A person finding a hole in his or her coat may think it normal wear and tear or a reminder of an event that created it. For the people of Nocturno, a hole in their coat means a hole in their memory they lose forever.

This past weekend the Auburn University Theatre presented “Still Life with Iris” by Steven Dietz, where a young girl named Iris discovers the value of memory through losing her coat and finding herself.

Directed by Heather May, this summer’s production was appropriate for both children and adults alike.

It was originally commissioned and produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre after Dietz was inspired by the books of Steffan Soule and Cooper Evans, including “Dreams, Magic, and Miracles.”

With most students gone for the summer, May found an opportunity to get the community involved while having her students gain new techniques.

“I was interested in bringing a children’s theater piece (to Auburn) because the families with children are still here,” May said.

As explained in Dietz’s beginning acknowledgements, “the play takes place in a parallel present in two vastly, but

interconnected worlds.

The land of Nocturno is a fantastical world of pragmatic magic where the inhabitants spend each day readying the “known” world for the next day. It exists in a place parallel to our days.

Great Island is a magnificent and remote inland isle ruled by the Great Goods, who also rule Nocturno.

Throughout the play, the audience joins Iris on a journey between the two worlds where she finds the value of memory, friendship and family.

“It’s really an imaginative look at the role family and community play in our lives,” May said.

The play contained humor aimed for both children and adults, bringing the audience onto one level.

“I never felt like I was sitting through a children’s play,” said Natalie McCormick, a senior in civil engineering.

Because the play is aimed at a younger audience, it required different acting skills for the performers to learn.

“It was complex,” said Chris Qualls, who played Man/Mister Matternot and is also an Auburn University Theatre professor. “We had to find symbols and metaphors in the play. It took a month working on it to figure out the connections.”

Not only were the acting techniques complex, but the stage itself was a world

of its own. There were enormous leaves and clouds appearing to float with the wind above the stage while lights shone hues of every blue down below.

“The set was gorgeous,” McCormick said. “It had very detailed painting and it was so neat seeing the big space. They used only a few props and the set and lighting designs were great.”

The play premiered Thursday, June 25 for 230 members of the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. In addition to viewing the play, the members were able to meet the cast and crew during a special question-and-answer session.

“It was a great opportunity for them to experience something they don’t always see,” May said. “It was also a terrific chance for the actors to have entirely children (in the audience).”

Auburn University Theatre’s next production is “Intimate Apparel” by Lynn Nottage, also directed by Heather May. Set in New York City of 1905, the audience will follow Esther, a black seamstress, as she creates intimate apparel for women of all backgrounds.

It will run September 24 - 25 and September 29 - October 3, 2009 and there will be a matinee on September 27.

Tickets will be available free to any University student and will be available for purchase through the box office at (334) 844 - 4154 or online.

A5

Unemployment rises 0.8 percent

By ANDREW SIMS Online Editor

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees announced June 19 that Alabama's state unemployment rate had risen from 9.0 percent in April to 9.8 percent in May. The new May unemplolyment rate equates to 208,917 unemployed persons. The sectors that saw the most significant losses were manufacturing, construction, government, financial activities County unemployment rates and number of and information services. unemployed people in "Since last month's rate held May 2009. steady at 9 percent we had hoped that we would continue to see some stabilization," said Surtees, "Unfortunately, the nation is still gripped in a serious recession, and Alabama is not immune to its effects."

Lee County is not immune to these rise in unemployment numbers either. Over the past month the unemployed numbers have increased by 700 people in the community from 4,168 to 4,868. "That's a dramatic change," said Richard Ault associate professor of economics.

"The economy for the city of Auburn has done by well in the past because the university has continued to grow rapidly," Ault said, "Depending on the TARP funds coming in, we will see where it goes from here. The community has in the past done well because of the University, but that trend could be a thing of the past."

Ault also said that statistics for the city of Auburn can sometimes be misleading.

"These numbers can sometimes be skewed depending on how they count the student population and their incomes,” Ault said. “Sometimes students are not counted as part of the labor force when they should be."

On Monday, Gov. Bob Riley approved a $50,000 grant to further enhance the job skills of 30 employees at the Auburn company, Hoerbiger Automotive Comfort Systems Inc. Hoerbiger will use the grant funds to help train workers in identifying production waste, improve work processes and increase product quality.

“To keep good jobs in our state, Alabama businesses must remain competitive in the global marketplace,” Riley said. “I am pleased to provide this funding to enhance skills, protect jobs and support new employment opportunities.”

Auburn offers course to veterans

By COURTNEY JOHNSON Staff Writer

Auburn has a long-standing history in encouraging and accommodating military students after service.

An example was in the postWWII era, when Auburn was overwhelmed with veteran students taking advantage of their G.I. Bill benefits and coming back to school, administrators panicked to house all of the veterans that wanted to earn their degrees from Auburn.

They decided to transport ninetythree “tugboat deckhouses” from Mobile to serve as housing units to avoid turning any veteran away.

Today, Auburn is still keeping military students in mind and is considerate of serving these veterans in continuing their education through a course called success strategies in the Veterans Learning Community (VLC).

Auburn has made this course available for the upcoming fall semester and it is aimed at transitioning students in the military back to a university setting. The class will create a unique atmosphere, offering a chance for students with similar military backgrounds to learn together and adapt to college courses.

Success strategies is an opportunity for prior service veterans, active duty, National Guard or reserves, said Steve Barnard, Veterans Affairs Certifying Official.

David DiRamio, an assistant professor in the College of Education, is the major developer of this class at Auburn.

As a professor that has experience in the military and in working with military students, DiRamio will also be teaching the course.

This section of success strategies will help military students to develop personal learning and studying plans, and it will also address aspects of transition from military service to the college setting through guest speakers and peer connections, DiRamio said.

“With a focus on helping students make a successful transition from the military service to the university setting, the success strategies course is intended to help deepen students’ understanding of the learning process and the role higher education plays in shaping their lives,” according to the Auburn University official blog.

The long-term goal for this program is to create a learning community of approximately 20-25 veteran students that will be co-enrolled in certain courses through the first year of their post-military education, explained DiRamio.

“The addition of this class is the first step in that long-term goal,” DiRamio said.

DiRamio said that his interests in teaching the course are both personal and professional.

“Personally, I am a veteran and when I came to the University I

could have used a course like this with strategies that could have helped me transition more easily,” DiRamio said. “I had been accepted to the University, but I was overwhelmed because I was rusty in math and science skills that I had learned before my time in the military. If someone had offered me a class like this, I think it definitely would have helped.”

DiRamio recently published a book titled, “Creating a Veteran Friendly Campus,” that contains the combined efforts of researchers throughout the nation in this particular area. DiRamio said that research for his book showed that peer support is something that is learned in the military.

“We are hoping that same peer support will help here at Auburn,” DiRamio said. “It is no coincidence that they will be in the class with me as the teacher and can look to their left and right and have peer support.”

This is a great place for them to re-connect with the university setting, DiRamio said.

DiRamio said he thinks that with the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, which will offer military veterans that have served at least three years after September 11th, 2001, full tuition to match the highest in-state tuition in the state that they are attending along with a monthly living stipend, enrollment from men and women > Turn to VETERAN, A6

Auburn grads shine green light on energy

By JORDAN BRANTLEY Staff Writer

The energy of the future has arrived in Auburn.

Tiger Green Power, LLC is a renewable energy company specializing in providing electricity producing solar water heaters, day-lighting systems, energy conservation techniques, and more, said Robin Price, president and co-founder of Tiger Green Power.

“It’s basically green building,” Price said. “Building homes that won’t hurt the environment.”

Kraig Barnhart, vice president and co-founder of Tiger Green Power, was raised in Ohio but met Price while attending Auburn.

Both said they decided to start the business after spending more than a decade away from Auburn.

Price said she realized she wanted to get involved with renewable

energy after learning about sustainable architecture.

“Sustainability is the practice of using renewable energy to meet our current and future electricity needs without continuing to harm our environment,” Price said.

Jenna Holk, a senior in interior design and student in the masters building construction program, said he is a big supporter of the company.

“Sustainability is the wave of the future,” Holk said. “I think it’s great that we have a local company in this industry and for the right reasons.”

Holk said she recycles and uses compact fluorescent light bulbs to conserve energy.

Ruining natural landscapes such as mountains, for energy sources like coal is unreasonable

> Turn to TIGER, A6

The Auburn Plainsman

NEWS, A6

The Auburn Plainsman NEWS STAFF

ALLISON CLARK Editor

SARAH HANSEN Associate Editor

To reach the staff, call (334) 844-9109.

VETERAN >From A5

with military backgrounds will begin to increase.

“Because of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, Auburn becomes a more realistic opportunity for veterans,” DiRamio said. “Hopefully, this learning community will be able to go through the first year of transitioning with them and give them the best possible chance to succeed.”

“I think it’s a good idea because it seems like it’s a whole different environment over there,” said Brian Thomas, a building science major who was involved in Auburn’s Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC). “They have briefings and specific orders for each day and here you have your schedule for classes but it’s much less structured so I can see how it would be difficult to get used to.”

DiRamio said that his personal experience and the research that he has done in this area will both be specific advantages in better serving this community.

“Through national boards and veteran’s institutes that I am a part of, I get to hear about what is going on all over the nation,” he said.

We have a few hundred students involved in

TIGER >From A5

when there is an abundant source of energy here every day, Holk said.

Renewable energy uses power of the sun, wind and water, which is widely available, unlimited and free, Price said.

Alabama has the same solar potential as Florida; unfortunately wind power potential is ranked 45th in the country, Price said.

“Just devoting one square mile of Alabama’s land to solar power generation can provide enough electricity for nearly 1,200 households every year,” Price said.

A study in 2005 showed Alabama uses 59 percent coal, eight percent natural gas, 25 percent nuclear, eight percent hydroelectric, and less than 1 percent solar and wind power, Price said.

Coal is the most widely used and the most polluting method of generating electricity in Alabama and the USA.

the military, through the marines, Air Force, Army and some of those are currently on active duty, Barnard said.

There are also a lot of graduate students that are still involved and even more that are studying at Auburn through the distancelearning program, Barnard said.

“I’m starting to get e-mails from upper-division graduate students that want to help, too,” DiRamio said.

“Other colleges and universities have done this and DiRamio is spear-heading the efforts here,” Barnard said. “He has done papers on the subject of combat to college transitions.

He is really starting up an outreach to this special community.”

We aren’t the only ones doing this, but we are definitely out in front, DiRamio said.

He said other universities are beginning to consider classes similar to this success strategies course.

“Especially because of our location, close to Fort Benning and in conjunction with the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, now is the time for Auburn to have this opportunity available for military students,” DiRamio said. “I’ve always felt Auburn would be a place that veterans would love to come home to.”

Other than Alabama’s eight percent use of hydro-electric power, Price said the state’s current methods are non-sustainable.

The Department of Energy predicts the state’s power consumption to be 43 percent greater in 2030.

Price said Alabama’s resident per capita use is 7,000 kWh per year, which is 55 percent greater than the national average.

The federal government is currently offering a tax credit of 30% for solar panel systems and solar water heaters installed on homes and businesses.

Price said this is the kind of incentive the state needs to get involved.

“There are also $55 million in grants in place to apply energy efficiency and renewable technology to Alabama’s most financially troubled school districts,” Price said.

Hank Moreman, contractor for Tiger Green Power, has been a builder in the area for 10 years and said he recognized the company as an opportunity.

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 “I see it as an opportunity to be a better builder and to offer more services and a better level of quality,” Moreman said.

Moreman has installed some of the company’s products like solar tube lighting, double-paned insulated windows and cellulose insulation, made from recycled newspaper.

“There is a dramatic drop in quality of materials and my purpose in it is just a craftsman at heart,” Moreman said. “I like to see things done to the best of whoever’s ability to do them.”

Although kind to the environment, solar products are expensive and should be looked at as a long-term investment, Price said.

“The water heaters pay themselves off in about five to six years and last more than 20,” Price said. “Solar panels last 20 to 30 years but take longer to pay off.”

Right now the company has several investors from Ohio and one in Alabama, Price said. In the future, the company plans to have a store in Auburn.

The Auburn Plainsman

INTRIGUE

Reel Review

B C

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

Lighting up Independence Day

Students prepare for the Fourth of July yb by y planning trips or staying in town forr tthe city he c itty of Auburn’s annual celebration. n.

By HOLLY HERETH Staff Writer

With the Fourth of July approaching, many students are making plans for fireworks, sunshine and live music.

Among the festivities going on in Auburn and at nearby Lake Martin, they will not be short on Fourth of July celebrations to choose from.

Ally Wilson from Auburn Parks and Recreation said the city of Auburn’s annual Fourth of July Celebration will be held on Saturday night in front of Duck Samford Football Stadium on Dean Road. Gates will be opening at 6 p.m.

“It is a family event,” Wilson said.

The event is free to the public. c. Live music mu usiic will kick off at 7 p.m., and there will be door prizes, barbeque for sale and a fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m.

Forty-five minutes northwest of Aubur Auburn, rn, n Lake Martin is hosting Fourth of July uly events all day long.

Starting at 10 a.m. there will be a boat ildren’s parade from Kowaliga Marina to Children’s d and Harbor where boats will be judged awarded on their patriotic decoration.

At 7 p.m. a concert will take place att the Lake Martin Amphitheater featuring The ter.

Sweet Young’uns, Muse and Karen Carter. eFollowing the concert, there will be a fire> Turn to PLANS, B2

Public officials urge students to have fun P this th Fourth of July, but to stay safe while driving, boating and handling fireworks. d r

By JORDAN JO BRANTLEY Staff Writer

Regardless of w whether students are staying in Auburn or traveling trave this Fourth of July, they need to be conscious conscio of their safety while celebrating. eeb bra ra rating.

SStudents St udents traveling for the holiday need to p ay special attention while driving because of pay th he increased traffi trafficc flow, said Auburn Police the C Ca pt.

Tom Stofer.

Capt.

“If you’re out, Fourth of July is always a busy weekend, and we urge m motorists to be safe on the roadways roadways, to keep patience in mind, to plan their travel time accordingly and allow themselves plenty of time from point A to B,” Stofer said. “Refrain from drinking and driv-

ing, remember to buckle up and be courteous to other motorists on the roadway.”

Stofer said officers will be watching for drinking and driving.

“We would like everyone to enjoy the Independence Day holiday, but at the same time keep safety in mind,” Stofer said. “Certainly the consumption of alcohol is often times an issue.”

Lt. Ryan Bennett, chief of marine training in Montgomery, said crowded waterways also cause big problems during holidays.

“Boaters should take extra time, slow down and keep an eye out for the people around them,” Bennett said. “There are water rules > Turn to SAFETY, B2

Kindle turns books digital

By CHRISTIAN BECRAFT Associate Intrigue Editor

Austin Nelson / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Local honey, which comes straight from the honey comb to the jar, is becoming an increasingly popular remedy for aiding allergies.

Local honey helps treat allergies

By SARAH CRAFT Associate Copy Editor

Runny noses, watery eyes and embarrassingly loud sneezes could be a thing of the past for Auburn students with a sweet tooth.

Local honey is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to prevent the symptoms of allergies.

“I have terrible allergies this time of year,” said Ben Pryor, a senior in human resources.

Though many college students use prescription medicines to treat allergy-related symptoms every spring and summer, people have been using honey for thousands of years as a natural cure for allergies.

“Honeybees are one of the oldest insects mankind has had interaction with,” said Ben McGehee, local beekeeper and honey sales-

Organization Highlight Every week this semester, The Plainsman will highlight a campus organization.

Check back next week to read about Tiger Habitat.

man. “In the honey, there’s a little bit of pol- different types of prescription allergy medilen from all the plants the bees visit,” McGe- cines,” said Anne Poundstone, a junior in prehee said. “If you take it every day, your body pharmacy. “Honey can definitely be a great natural way to treat those symptoms.” builds immunity to those allergens.”

To get his honey from the McGehee said hives to the jar, McGehee he personally said he puts together a wax does not have If you take (honey) every foundation to slide into the pollen allergies, hives. but many of his day, your body builds immuThis is what the bees customers swear nity to those allergies.” build their honeycombs on. that his honey Once he takes the founhas helped alleBen McGehee, beekeeper dations out of the hives, he viate their sympputs them into an extractor toms.

Some, he said, which spins at 700 rotations even were able to stop taking their prescrip- per minute and draws the honey to the outside tion medicines in favor of using honey as a of the machine. He is then able to draw the remedy.

“In my classes, we learn about all the > Turn to HONEY, B2

“

Dog-earing pages may soon be superfluous as books and newspapers turn digital and pages are turned with the push of a button.

Amazon’s Kindle, a portable digital reading device, allows readers to switch from books to newspapers to magazines as quickly as a reader could turn the page of a hard copy.

Kinley Campbell, a representative from Amazon, explained how users can purchase publications with Kindle.

“Each book is purchased directly from Amazon through the device or through the Web site,” Campbell said. “Books are delivered wirelessly via Amazon Whispernet. Newspapers, magazines and blogs are available via subscription.”

According to its Web site, Kindle is as thin as a pencil at one-third of an inch and can hold nearly 1,500 books. The newest version, Kindle DX, is larger in size and capacity holding 3,500 books.

Amazon also provides free wireless Internet to purchase a new book or periodical without the frustration of finding a wireless network.

The Web site also explains that books purchased at the Kindle Store are backed up on the Web for re-downloading allowing users to alternate books in their library.

Despite the numerous resources at Kindleusers’ fingertips, this digital application has some readers completely opposed to the idea.

“I just feel like it’s unnecessary,” said Caitlin Lassiter, a senior in biomedical sciences. “I like to physically pick up my books and read them. I like highlighting and writing notes and stuff, and when you think about something that you liked and want to read again, it’s right there on your shelf.”

Campbell said users still have the option of highlighting and making annotations on their Kindle just as readers can write in a hard copy.

Kindle also offers a text-to-speech appli> Turn to KINDLE, B2

AU Sailing Club invites students to sail away

By ANDREW SIMS Online Editor

Setting sail for college has never been quite so literal until now.

The Auburn Sailing Club is currently recruiting crew members for the fall of 2009.

The AUSC is open to members of any skill level. Some members have little to no prior sailing experience.

“It really is just easier to throw everyone on a boat with someone who has sailed before and teach them how to do it directly,” said Walter McAndrew, a soph-

more in wildlife biology and club member.

This more relaxed side of the club is referred to as the cruising club which is geared specifically toward teaching new students how to sail.

“It is very relaxed and just a good way to hang out, and it’s a great way to relax and forget about school for a little while,” said club president, or commodore, Sammy Hodges.

In addition to teaching new sailers, the club is working to improve the skills of many of its seasoned members.

Printed on Recycled Paper

“We like to have fun, but we are also very competitive,” said Nick Orleans, a junior in political science and club member.

The team competes with the Southeastern Intercollegiate Sailing Association in races called regattas across the Southeast.

The racing team previously did not compete as much because it was so far away from most of its competition, Hodges said.

“We were in a district with Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado,” Hodges said. “That is why I have moved us to the South

Atlantic district with the Carolinas, Tennessee and Georgia where I hope to go to a lot more competitions this year and get experience for the club.”

The semester dues for membership are $30, and in order to join, all prospective members must fill out four forms.

All of these forms cam be found on the club’s Web site, www.auburnsailing.org.

In addition to the forms and dues, each member must have the AU Club Sports Medical Insurance coverage, which costs $40.

Intrigue, B2

PLANS >From B1

works show that begins at 9 p.m.

“This is the one of the biggest events that Lake Martin has,” said Carla Berry of the Dadeville Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s the 9th annual event, and there is a big turnout every year.”

Jamie Ankenbrandt, a senior in fine arts, attended the Lake Martin Fourth of July celebration last year and is planning to attend again this year.

SAFETY >From B1

such as staying on the right side of a channel in a creek and staying with the flow of traffic.”

Bennett said they will be watching for erratic driving, overloaded boats, expired boat registrations and other boating violations.

Jake Rosser, a senior in business, said he will be spending the holiday on Lake

HONEY >From B1

honey through a spout and into jars.

“My honey comes out of the comb, straight to the jar,” McGehee said.

“That’s all that’s ever done to it. They homogenize and heat (grocery store honey). This takes out all the pollens and

KINDLE >From B1

cation for electronic books to be read aloud.

This automated library-in-one provides other features to make book-reading easier.

The device can also hold MP3 files for

The Auburn Plainsman “The fireworks show at Lake Martin is one of the biggest I can remember,” Ankenbrandt said. “I haven’t heard of any of the bands, but last year they were lots of fun to dance to, so I’m sure this year will be similar.”

Ankenbrand said she is expecting a lot of Auburn students to make the trip to Lake Martin since class is canceled the Friday before the big weekend.

“I don’t think many students will stay in town for the holiday weekend,” Ankenbrandt said. “Most everyone wants to be at the beach or at the lake to beat

the heat, and since Lake Martin is so close, it will draw a big crowd from Auburn.”

Heather Ford, a senior in psychology, said she is headed to the beach with family and friends for the Fourth of July weekend.

“I’m hoping to relax, enjoy the sunshine, eat some good food and hopefully catch a fireworks show on Saturday night,” Ford said. “No matter where students are, everyone wants to see fireworks on the Fourth of July. It’s just the thing you have to do.”

Jordan.

“I feel like people should have a level head on their shoulders and use common sense when it comes to drinking and boating,” Rosser said. “People are out letting their guard down having a good time and not thinking about safety.”

Along with boating and cooking out, fireworks will also be enjoyed during the holiday. Fire precautions cannot be taken lightly.

Stofer said for those celebrating in

Auburn, fireworks are against the law in the city limits.

In areas where fireworks can be utilized, Stofer said students should respect other people and be aware of their surroundings.

Dusty Barrett, a firefighter in Montgomery, said to watch for dry grass while shooting fireworks and to also watch for people in close proximity.

“Be sure and point them away from yourself and never aim them at another person,” Barrett said.

minerals. When they get done with it, it’s no better for you than sugar, which has no nutritional value.”

Using honey as a remedy is not a quick fix, though.

“It’s not like an aspirin,” McGehee said. “It won’t help you tomorrow. It could take between four and six weeks.”

This ancient remedy is not sold in stores, however.

“Our health regulations would say we have to go through the same process as people who can fruits and vegetables, and that’s just not necessary with honey,” McGehee said.

He sells his local honey at the ag market on Thursdays for $4 per 12 oz. “honey bear” containter.

He also sells pints for $6 and quarts for $10.

users to listen to music.

Kindle is compatible with other media gadgets.

According to its Web site, books on a user’s Kindle can be synchronized to an iPhone or an iPod touch.

Blair Stapp, a senior in graphic design, said she is unsure of this next step toward digitalizing writings.

“I love that we’re saving resources

by creating an electronic alternative, and I love that this technology is going against the whole idea that technology is ruining great literature,” Stapp said.

“However, I am still pretty skeptical of the Kindle. I understand that it is more about convenience and instant gratification, but when I sit down to read a great book I’m not worried about speed or efficiency.”

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

ThePlainsman.com

Thursday, JuLY 2, 2009

The Auburn Plainsman

Intrigue, B3

CLASSIFIEDS Nice 3 BR/ 2 BA house, large living/ dining rooms, W/D, fenced yard, pet friendly. 839 Cheyenne Ave. $950/mo. 334524-7945.

2 Trailers for rent, avail.

May $550 and 2 br, 2 ba avail.

August $450. Big lots down Wire Rd. Call 334-559-4030 for info. .................................................

NEW MOBILE HOME FOR RENT - 2 Bedroom, 1 bath, washer & dryer, storm - windows, deck. Bring your horse - pasture, riding arena and trails available.

334-502-6059, 334-787-2665.

Mobile Lease Agent for Rentals in Auburn, Opelika & Lanett Part-time as needed basis - Great and Easy Side Money Need Car, Computer & Cell. 323-270-9637 for more info.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, ,limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

For Rent: 4 BR/ 2 B home approx. 10 min. from campus.

All appliances included, lg. yard, pets ok. $800 a month.

334-524-6807 or 887-1822. .................................................

For Rent: 3 BR/ 2 B close to campus. $1,065 a month all appliances included. Call 334-524-6807 or 887-1822. .................................................

For Rent: 3 BR/ 2 B in Opelika, close to Auburn & Tigertown. All appliances included. $690 a month. Call 334-524-6807 or 887-1822.

For Rent: 1 BR/ 1 B apt. $295 month, all appliances included, pets ok. Call 334-524-6807 or 887-1822. .................................................

Huge/ Nice Duplex 4 BR, $1,100, garage, basement, large living/ dining, porches, $1,100. 334-750-8600. .................................................

1 BR and 2 BR apartments available. Close to campus, quiet neighborhoods, plenty of parking. Rent starting at $350.00/month. Call Watson Properties at 334-887-9865. .................................................

Quiet 3 BR/ 2 BA House, 2 BR duplex, 2 BR THouse on 5 acre lake with fishing privileges, Loachapoka. 1 to 2 adults preferred. 887-9573. .................................................

One bedroom, one block to campus. $385/mo. water, cable, garbage included.

887-9022. .................................................

Two bedroom cable and garbage included $450/mo. 835 North Gay St. 887-9022.

Roommates wanted - Three rooms with private bath available in 4 bedroom condo on Tiger Transit. Furnished area includes LR, DR, and kitchen: range, refrigerator, microwave, washer, dryer, internet, cable. $400/mo., inc. utilities.

The Edge on College Street, Bldg. 5-102 Auburn.

678-860-0415. .................................................

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath duplex available fall, Northpointe, beautifully kept. Washer/ Dryer/ and all other amenities.

Save your money -- pay only $250 each for 3 people.

334-332-1513. .................................................

Male roommates needed, large 3 BR/ 3 BA duplex, nonsmoker, 1/8 mile to campus. $375.00 includes utilities & internet. keschneider@bellsouth.net 770-346-9141.

Male student looking for person to share two bedroom/ two bath apartment.

Full kitchen/ sitting room & washer/ dryer. Carparking.

Excellent location: Courtyard Apartments on College St. Straight across from campusUnique townhouse style unit.

Available August 2009. Only $385 per month. Call: 404-429-0615. Email: ellismw@auburn.edu Duplexes - Two 2 BR/ 1 BA, W/D, fenced yard, pet friendly. 242 Oak St. $600/ mo. and 620 N. Ross St. $450/ mo. 334-524-7945. .................................................

AUBURN CROSSING 2 bedrms, available in nicely furnished/ decorated private condo. Pool, tennis, volleyball, club house & parking.

Female, non-smoking students only! $375 per room plus utilities. Call Kathy at 423-424-8693. .................................................

3/2 TH Crossland Down’s Loads of Amen. - remodeled.

Pets welcome - Avail. 8/1 $825. 334-381-3284 - 1 yr. lease.

3 BD/ 2 BA duplex near Walmart on S. College.

Washer/ Dryer, all kitchen appliances, $750/mon. Call (334)559-9679.

Missing your pet? Check Lee County Humane Society on Shug Jordan PKWY in Auburn.

Manuscript Services Typing, Proofreading, Bibliographies, ResumĂŠs, Data entry, by Walden Lechner 334-821-4484, 334-707-7089 cell, awlechner@charter.net

The Auburn Plainsman

Intrigue, B4

REEL REVIEW Movie: less than meets the eye ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ Rating PG-13

0 HOW WE RATE: ★ - Dismal ★★ - Bearable ★★★ - Average ★★★★ - Good ★★★★★-Excellent

Next Week’s REEL REVIEW:

‘PUBLIC ENEMIES’

Remember that old movie gag in which the hero dropped a huge bell on the villain and then struck it to deafen the foe inside? As a child, I always wondered if that really worked. Sadly, I never got to satiate my curiosity.

Well, now I know, because I’ve seen “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” a loud, stupid and even louder disasterpiece as dizzyingly frantic as it is devastatingly boring.

You can tell from the getgo that continuity doesn’t play a large role in the “Transformers” universe: Bumblebee fixed his voice in the last film, but it’s not working here; the robots are hiding, even though they tore apart Los Angeles in broad daylight; and they hide as bright neon cars.

Sure.

Plot-wise, why bother?

The first “Transformers” suffered from a needlessly convoluted story, but this takes the cake: apparently the robots have been on Earth since the dawn of man and they built the pyramids to hide their weaponry, which can only be found with the

help of the mystical MacGuffin. This is all explained in turgid patches of exposition.

Oh, and the Decepticons want to kill our sun.

Not our sun, Decepticons!

That’s where we get our light and heatness(sic)! Who will the moon talk to? Obviously, this film is for children, but it’s simply insulting.

Now, we’re the generation that grew up with “Ren & Stimpy” and “Rocko’s Modern Life,” so we know a thing or two about innuendo in children’s programming.

But at least that was buried; “Transformers” is a barrage of leg humping, pot brownies and – I’m not kidding – robot testicles.

Worst of all are the racist caricatures of two Autobots named Mudflap and Skids.

The last film featured a jivetalking Autobot (they even called him “Jazz”) who was not only the first Autobot to die, but the only one to die.

This is worse: the pair not only speak like stereotypical, ill-educated black people, but are illiterate and actually have a simian appearance. One of them sports a gold tooth. Yet, for reasons that elude me, they got the

biggest laughs of the film.

Apparently, space racism (spacism?) is hilarious.

I know what the fanboys are thinking right about now: “Hey, man, I just like to shut off my brain to see a movie. Sorry it’s not ‘La Dolce Vita.’” Besides, “Transformers 2” is the first film that will shut your brain down for you. Its four editors cannot keep a single moment of action from being disorienting, and every fight is nothing more than a mesh of unidentifiable fluorescent metal fisticuffs as the humans run from explosions in slow motion.

A more levelheaded person might suggest that I not expect so much from a film based on toys, which is an apt observation. However, with a second act that drags like molasses and an utter lack of thematic exploration, “Transformers 2” is an 80-minute movie crammed into two and a half hours.

Michael Bay didn’t bring the Transformers to life, he made a $200 million adaptation of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

— Review by Jake Cole Opinions Staff

Lighter makeup may bring healthier skin

By SARAH CRAFT Associate Copy Editor

Mineral makeup has been a fad for the past decade, but is it really better for the skin?

Despite debate, most makeup artists agree it is a much healthier alternative than its synthetic makeup counterparts. “(Mineral makeup) actually improves the way skin looks,” said Heather Benton, prestige manager of Ulta in TigerTown. “It has no waxes or fillers which can clog pores.”

Stephanie Taylor, a makeup artist at Blush downtown, said she agrees that mineral makeup is much healthier for skin.

“It’s more natural and has no chemicals,” Taylor said.

“It’s also more lightweight and has no heaviness or cakiness.”

Though brands like Bare Escentuals have been around for 10 or more years, their

popularity hasn’t soared until as recently as the last five.

Many mineral makeup users love it because of its even coverage.

“My mom bought me (mineral makeup) for my birthday two years ago,” said Nikki Busquet, a senior in human development and family studies. “I prefer mineral makeup because no matter how tan or not tan I am at the moment, the mineral makeup will still make my skin look even.”

Other makeup users make the move to mineral because their skin is too sensitive for regular makeup.

“I had been having a problem with makeup breaking me out,” said Jaki Fleming, a senior in chemical engineering who has used mineral makeup for five and half years. “One day my mom saw an infomercial for Bare Minerals and we decided to try it, and I am so glad I did.”

Benton said many of her customers have the same problem of sensitive skin and turn to mineral makeup as a last resort.

“One of the draws of mineral makeup is that people with skin conditions can wear it,” said Robyn Darby, a keyholder at Ulta. “People with rosacea, for example, can wear it and look the same as everyone else.”

Many women also prefer mineral makeup because of its natural feeling.

“When I wear mineral makeup, it feels like I don’t have anything on,” said Amanda Cannon, co-owner of Blush.

Mineral makeup is usually 100 percent natural, which is one other reason that many women prefer it to regular makeup.

“The liner and shadows are all 100 percent natural, and the lip gloss and lipstick use natural oils such as pome-

Fourth of July Photo Contest Send The Auburn Plainsman your Fourth of July photos and the winning photo will be featured in next week’s issue. For more information visit our Web site at theplainsman.com.

The Auburn Plainsman INTRIGUE STAFF

NATALIE NETTLES Editor

CHRISTIAN BECRAFT Associate Editor

To reach the staff, call (334) 844-9112.

granate,” Taylor said. “All of it is infused with untouched virgin soil and minerals.”

Mineral makeup also goes along with the current fad of “going green”.

“I think with everyone being so eco-friendly, mineral makeup will continue to be popular,” Taylor said.

However, mineral makeup’s natural quality doesn’t mean that it can only be worn for casual situations.

“I wear mineral makeup everywhere except the beach or pool,” Fleming said.

Busquet also said she wears her mineral makeup no matter where she’s going.

“It’s not a heavy or cakey look so I can wear it anywhere,” Busquet said.

Though some may consider it a fad, it doesn’t look like mineral makeup is going away any time soon.

“I plan to wear mineral makeup the rest of my life if I can afford it,” Busquet said.

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

The Auburn Plainsman

SPORTS

B5 Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

It’s been a ‘Bodda Getta’ summer Cheerleaders keep Tiger fans’ hands up in summer months.

By JUSTIN DORMAN Staff Writer

Cheerleading falls victim to many common misconceptions. Some people deny it is a sport. Some think that cheerleading is about the football team and nothing else. But for Daniel Friday, Auburn’s Mic Man on the 2009-2010 cheerleading team, the instilling of school spirit in the heart of every Auburn student includes more than just screaming a few cheers.

Friday, a junior mass communications major, said that football games only scratch the surface of what his and his teammates’ jobs entail.

“This summer the main thing we’ve been doing is all the freshman orientations with Camp War Eagle,” Friday said. “We also do these alumni club meetings all over the South.”

Friday said they compete just as much as the other athletes do. Even making the team every year can be a competition.

“I think my chances are pretty good,” Friday said of next year’s tryouts. “ I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch, but I think the experience after two years doing it can really help.”

Latisha Durroh, spirit adviser for the athletic department, said this year’s squad consists of 10 women and 11 men, including Friday.

The rest of the team includes Will Noel, Taylor Sims, Teddy Burns, Jim Trucks, Max Allen, Morgan Bandy, Drew Petrey, Peter Velotas,

Austin Nelson /ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Cheerleaders Brooke Erickson and Max Allen lead a cheer at a Camp War Eagle pep rally.

David Bush, Sarah Beth Dean, Megan Dixon, Mallory Sigle, Faith Palmer, Kali Tucker, Will Bryan, Benton Sprayberry, Jenny Groux, Sequoyah Patrick, Laura Ferguson and Head Cheerleader Brooke Erickson. Also, one can’t

forget to include Aubie, arguably Auburn’s most recognizable cheerleader.

Tryouts for the team are held in the spring.

Any person who makes the team essentially solidifies their spot on the team for another

year. It is a rare occurrence to not have someone make it back, said Friday.

Anyone who has ever been to an Auburn home football game has heard the Mic Man chanting the University’s beloved cheers.

What these fans might not realize is that probably the most important aspect of the cheerleader’s job is crowd control. They are responsible for getting fans out of their seats, and for shutting them up if the situation calls for it.

“I do have that, I guess power, whatever you want to call it, to get the crowd up at the right times,” Friday said. “I’m also supposed to try to keep them from booing. That doesn’t always work out so well.”

Friday also said that it’s important not only that he and his teammates are into the game and leading the cheers, but that the crowd participates also. It could be crucial in the outcome of a game or match.

Friday said both this year’s football and basketball games against LSU, where he did a “spell out,” were his favorite moments as a cheerleader.

“It really got the crowd fired up,” Friday said. “I’ve never had a response like that to a cheer before.”

Friday enjoys some of the other Auburn cheers as well.

“I think ‘Track em’ is a good one, ‘Bodda Getta’ too.” Friday said. “Those two are crowd favorites.”

David Dostie, a junior in the Civil Engineering program, remembers sitting in the front row of Jordan-Hare Stadium mere feet from the Mic Man during last year‘s football season.

“They put the cheerleaders right in front of the student section for a reason,” Dostie said.

“They have the potential to be the loudest section of the stadium. Fan support can really swing the momentum of a game.”

Chipping with coach Clinard Talk with men’s golf head coach on upcoming season, projected success and work ethic.

By GRACE HENDERSON

excited and involved with the program. Also, recruiting is at the top of his list of things to do.

Men’s golf will soon be welcoming a “I’m going to hit the road recruitnew face to the team as Nick Clinard, ing very hard, and we’re going to do head coach at the University of Cen- the best to develop the players that tral Florida for eight years, signs on as we have and establish a winning athead coach. titude,” Clinard said.

Clinard not only brings passion and Moreland said he expects the team experience to Auburn’s program, but and the University to accept Clinard a strong recruiting mindset and a de- with open arms because he has provtermination to succeed. en himself to be a great coach.

“I put a lot of pressure “He’s had a lot of sucon myself to succeed, cess and is definitely a and I’m going to stick guy that deserves a job at with what I know how Auburn, and he’s good in to do, and that’s recruit, his own right,” Moreland and coach, and get the said. former players involved The transition that in our program and get comes with a new coach the donors and boosters isn’t always easy to make, behind what we’re going but Clinard said he to do,” Clinard said. “Nois confident that the CLINARD body puts more pressure challenges will be overon anybody than myself.” come.

Clinard said he is excited to be part “There are always challenges in the of the Auburn golf family and work coaching business, but the resourcunder the leadership of Athletic Di- es are there for us to succeed, and I rector Jay Jacobs. thank the administration for that and He also said he is eager to represent their belief in me, and we’re going to Auburn’s core values and to be coach- do our best to not let them down,” he ing in the Southeastern Conference, said.

Helping the team members grow as the premiere conference in the counindividuals is one of the best parts of try, he said. coaching, Clinard said.

Cole Moreland, a senior on the His relationship with the team is team majoring in finance, said he is not the only thing that makes coachready for the change that Clinard will ing great, but teaching and watching bring to the program. others play and improve their game “You have to be open to everyhelps keep the competitive spirit thing,” Moreland said. “(Clinard) is a alive, he said. new coach, and he was successful at “It keeps me competitive because UCF and he has a certain way of doI used to play in college and profesing things. You really don’t have a say sionally, ” Clinard said. “I love the in the matter because if you’re not, you’re just going to hurt yourself and competition.” the team.”

David Barnett, a senior in exercise One thing that Clinard said he > Turn to CLINARD, B6 plans to do is get the former players Staff Writer

MEDIA RELATIONS & PLAINSMAN ARCHIVES

Men’s and women’s cross country athletes are working hard during the off-season to stay in shape through summer.

Cross Country teams run through summer, into fall

By JACLYN DUNN Staff Writer

With close to one month left before fall semester, the cross country team is getting into gear for another challenging season.

The men’s team will need to hang on strong to defend its NCAA 5th Place Title, and the women will be giving it their all to strive for more after finishing 5th in the SEC this past season.

What better way to start off a new season than with a new coach. However, next season’s coach has not officially been named. Former coach Peter Watson still had a few things to say about the men’s and women’s teams. “Kids here are very dedicated and professional in all their actions,” Watson said. “They sacrifice a lot in order to be top level athletes.”

The men’s team will work to

avenge their 2008 loss to Alabama and win the SEC championship this season.

“We have the power trio of Felix Kiboiywo, 2008 Cross Country AllAmerican and two-time Regional Champion, Girma Mecheso, 2008 Cross Country All-American, 2008 SEC Cross Country Champion, and 2009 10K All American, and Elkanah Kibet, 2008 Cross Country All-American,” said Jeff Sanders, a sophomore undecided major on the men’s team.

“They are returning to finish strong and high in every meet and to repeat the one-two-three sweep at the Regional Championship this coming November.”

Sanders said.

Although Watson will no longer coach for Auburn’s cross country teams, he said he still has his opinions about what might come from the season ahead.

“Expectations for next year

with both teams will be quite high especially with the men, who were fifth in the country last fall,” Watson said. “I would expect them to be at worst in the top 10, but they should be in contention for a top three trophy. This group is unreal in talent and dedication.”

The men and women prepare all summer long for the fall season.

The athletes run somewhere between 80-110 miles a week, Watson said. The focus is on building up the miles. The athletes spend the summer running for mileage and not necessarily worrying about time, Cathryn Albright, a junior in elementary eduction on the women’s team, said.

“The summer is about getting aerobically strong; when the season comes is when we work on getting sharp,” Watson said.

The teams use the summer as a > Turn to CROSS B6

The Auburn Plainsman

Sports, B6

Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

Todd Van Emst / MEDIA RELATIONS

Running backs Eric Smith, Ben Tate, Onterio McCalebb and Mario Fannin (not shown) are working hard to stay light and fit for the 2009 season.

Auburn running backs look to excel during 2009

By JUSTIN DORMAN Staff Writer

The fall semester is on the horizon, and with it comes a brand new football season. Auburn Tigers fans have been anticipating and anxiously awaiting the first football game of the 2009 season on September 5.

This year there is even more buzz surrounding the team, which now consists of a completely new coaching staff.

Since the Auburn offense is dominated by its running game, the position with the most hype at Auburn is typically running back, where the likes of Bo Jackson, Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown among others have thrived and led Auburn to be appropriately nicknamed “Running Back University.”

This year looks to be no different as the Offensive Coordinator, Gus Malzahn, said he looks to implement a system that put up over

One of the reasons for Auburn’s 3,700 rushing yards for the Universtruggles on the gridiron last year sity of Tulsa last season.

Eric Smith, an undeclared sopho- was because of a struggling offense. more in the College of Liberal Arts, Former offensive coordinator, Tony has high hopes for this year’s of- Franklin, was fired in October after only six weeks fense. on the job.

“It’s a lot of Fannin thinks fun, a lot of It’s going to be a that Malzahn’s misdirection’s, really good offense system is demore deep signed to put plays, more run for us. Very explosive. plays,” Smith Mario Fannin, running back up some impressive numsaid. “It’s a lot bers. quicker. I like it.

“That’s something that we are I think it’s going to work really well striving for on offense,” Fannin said. in the SEC.” In fact most, if not all, of the run- “Score as many points as possible. ning backs are buying into the new That’s what we work for everyday.”

Many of Auburn’s football players, system. Mario Fannin, a junior majoring in public business adminis- especially the running backs, are tration, shared Smith’s sentiments spending the summer working out about the new offense. and getting ready for the grueling “It’s going to be a really good of- two-a-day practices that will start fense for us,” Fannin said. “Very ex- near the end of July. plosive.”

Some players may be spending it

CROSS >From B5

break from the intense running to build stamina for the big season ahead.

“We are hoping to come into August now at our peak shape and stay healthy from now until the end of November,” Sanders said.

The arrival of a new coach brings the arrival of new methods and new ideals to the cross country teams.

“It will be a transition from what we are used to to what our new coach wants,” Sanders said. “We are really looking forward to the new challenges and experiences that await us this summer and fall.”

With or without a new coach, a new season leaves room for new expectations.

CLINARD >From B5

science and Auburn golf fan, said he is happy with the hire because Clinard is a proven winner.

“He has already competed against and

“

“This year we are hoping to make even a bigger statement than last year,” Sanders said.

“Our goals are to win the SEC Championship and bring home a trophy from the national meet.”

But whether it’s win or lose, Auburn’s cross country teams understand the importance of being a team.

“It’s a smaller group of us, so we have all become really close, and we work really well together,” Albright said. The teams use their closeness as a driving force to help them succeed.

“We are a family and we work together to make the team better, not just ourselves,” Sanders said.

Men’s and women’s cross country teams start competition in September.

ahead of some SEC teams by winning the Southeast Regionals,” Barnett said. “I appreciate that he has played golf competitively at all levels, and I would imagine that it’s an advantage in coaching when you’ve been there.

I think he’ll bring in some top-notch recruits and help (Auburn) be competitive at the national level.”

making adjustments to their game to fit the new style of offense.

“I’ve just been working out, trying to get better,” Smith said. “Trying to get a little smaller and a little faster.”

Smith is not the only one trying to get faster. Malzahn’s offense thrives on speed.

It will be key in Auburn’s success, said Smith. There also seems to be a consensus on who Auburn’s fastest running back is.

“Onterio McCalebb,” said both Smith and Fannin when asked who was the speediest back. McCalebb, is a freshman from Fort Meade, Fla., who sprinted his way to a touchdown and 75 yards in Auburn’s spring game.

Auburn’s football program is in a rebuilding faze after they completely revamped the coaching staff.

After initial skepticism from the Auburn community, first-year Auburn head coach Gene Chizik seems to

be connecting with his players.

“It’s a lot more disciplined, a lot more strict, as far as having you lockers clean and everything,” Smith said. “Just being an ‘Auburn Man.’ That’s what coach Chizik is always preaching to us, him and Coach Troop (Trooper Taylor). Always being an ‘Auburn Man.’” Coach Chizik and his staff talk about the Auburn Family and how important it is to the game of football.

They have the utmost respect for their players as individuals. Assistant head coach Trooper Taylor especially wants to see the young men on his team succeed.

“Our job is to make sure these guys go professional in something,” said Taylor, who was recognized in 2005 and 2007 as a national top-25 recruiter by Rivals.com. “We try and focus on making them better men as well as better players.”