4.26.11

Jah Roots

Local reggae bands perfect rain dance at The Outland Ballroom

P a ge 4

Tuesday • April 26, 2011 • Vol. 104 Issue 29

Briefs

Faculty Senate approves program deletions, comment boxes

Event aims to raise cultural competence

Program deletions were among the decisions made by the Faculty Senate during their carry-over meeting on April 19.

The comprehensive Bachelor of Science in engineering physics as well as the BFA in dance were up for deletion.

Senators expressed con-

Missouri State University, in conjunction with community and corporate sponsors, is hosting the first Diversity and Economic Development Summit.

The event will take place on April 28 on the MSU campus.

The event is made up of a series of speakers and workshops designed to build partnerships, educate and facilitate diversity-related considerations in the community.

SGA releases poll

The Student Government Association would like to encourage the student body to take its poll over their perceptions on the current semester length at Missouri State University.

The poll can be found at sga.missouristate.edu.

By David Hunton The Standard

cerns about the deletion of the Bachelor of Science in engineering physics, but Dr. Shyang Huang reassured the Senate that there would be plenty of alternative engineering degree options for students wishing to pursue one.

Similar worries were raised about the deletion of the BFA in dance.

“There will still be an option in dance offered,” Sen-

ator Sara Brummel said, adding that the move was more of a consolidation than an outright deletion.

Both deletions passed the Senate.

In addition, a Senate action was proposed requesting President Cofer and Provost McCarthy add comment sections to their Web pages to “foster an open and transparent communication

between all authors, including faculty, on topics important to President Cofer and Provost McCarthy,” according to the document filed with the Senate.

The action passed unanimously.

A resolution by the Student Government Association was also presented to the Faculty Senate, proposing that teachers be required to post

the most recent versions of their syllabi online to assist students in choosing future classes.

“These would, of course, not be binding documents,” said Katherine Shellenberg, director of academic affairs for the SGA. She said the idea was to give students better informa See SENATE page 8

Brother Jed speaks his mind

Correction

In last week’s issue of The Standard, the term “Equity Week” was used several times. It should have been “Equality Week.” Equality Week was a BiGALA event.

Calendar

April 26 to May 1

Tuesday

Student Activities Council meeting 4 to 5 p.m., PSU 313 Student Senate meeting 5:30 to 8 p.m., PSU 313 “Essentials of Effective Supervision” 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Glass Hall 115

Wednesday Study Away 101 11 a.m. to noon, PSU 312

Michael Gulledge/THE STANDARD

“Campus Conflict Workshop: How Leaders Manage Conflict” noon to 1 p.m., PSU 315 “WECAN Conference Workshop - Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect” noon to 2 p.m., PSU 313 Interfraternity Council meeting 5:15 to 6 p.m., PSU 313 Panhellenic Council meeting 6 to 7 p.m., PSU 313

Thursday

“Making Presentations” 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Glass Hall 115

Michael Gulledge/THE STANDARD

The crowd-attracting public preacher Brother Jed visited the Strong Hall Ampitheater last week. Brother Jed is a frequenter of the freespeech zones on campus and often stirs debates with students while preaching.

“WECAN Conference Workshop - In Her Shoes” 9 to 11 a.m., PSU 313 “Teaching an Online Course Developed by Others” noon to 1:30 p.m., Meyer Library 204 “WECAN Conference Workshop - Violence Free Families: A Collaborative Partnership” noon to 2 p.m., PSU 313 “Group Nutrition Counseling” 4 to 5 p.m., Taylor Health and Wellness Center conference room Students for a Sustainable Future meeting 4 to 5 p.m., Temple Hall Pit “Community Alliance for Compassionate Care - End of Life Issues” 5:15 to 6:45 p.m., Taylor Health and Wellness Center conference room Chemistry Recognition Banquet 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., PSU 400 GSC 1st Annual Year End Grad Bash 8:30 to 11 p.m., Springfield Brewing Company

Friday

Mini MBA 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Glass Hall 111 Chemistry Board of Advisors meeting 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., PSU 314 Psychology faculty meeting 3 to 5 p.m., Hill Hall 204

Saturday

MSU Marketing Club Car Show for Make a Wish Foundation 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Parking Lots A, B and C Spike Out Hunger Sand Volleyball Tournament 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., sand volleyball courts

Steph Anderson/THE STANDARD

Plans placed for new PSU vendors

By Megan Gates The Standard

Plaster Student Union will undergo major changes this summer as the current food vendors are moved out and new vendors are moved in.

Domino’s Pizza, Blimpie Subs and Salads, Grill 155º, Freshëns and Kaldi’s Coffee will move out while Papa John’s, Subway, Smasher’s Burgers, Chick-fil-A, Red Mango and Starbucks will move in as part of the change from Sodexo to Chartwells, said Thomas Lane, director of the PSU. The university created a committee who chose these new vendors based upon research, Lane said.

“The new PSU retail dining concepts were part of the larger university food service proposal submitted by Chartwells during the recently concluded food service request for proposals process,” he said. “As part of that process, the Food Service RFP committee evaluated proposals on such areas as menu quality, experience and reliability, proposed method of performance, expertise of personnel and renovation of retail space.”

The new vendors will move in throughout the summer and will be ready for students on campus for fall 2011, Lane said.

“Our hope is to have Subway and Papa John’s operational by the first week of July,” he said. “The first week of August, we anticipate

having Chick-fil-A and Smasher’s Burgers operational.”

However, some delays are expected with the opening of the new Starbucks due to renovations to the space available, Lane said.

“Due to the amount of work … developing a full Starbucks, we expect to have it fully operational in October,” he said. “However, during construction of Starbucks, we will be serving Starbucks coffee and offering assorted baked goods in the Kaldi’s space.”

Wok & Roll will remain in the PSU until 2012 when a new vendor will move in and additional seating will be added, Lane said.

“In fall 2012, we anticipate the Wok & Roll space will be converted to a Panda Express,” he said. “It is expected that Panda Express will go beyond the current Wok & Roll space and expand into the PSU Art Gallery space where additional food court seating will be provided as well.”

The PSU has no role in hiring new employees for the incoming vendors or firing the current employees for the outgoing vendors, Lane said.

“They are employees of the various contracted vendors — Sodexo, Domino’s and Kaldi’s,” he said. “The current contracted-vendor employees have been made aware of the change in vendors and are invited to apply with Chartwells for positions in the new retail concepts.”

Charles Liddell, general manager of Domi-

Josh Campbell/THE STANDARD

Blimpie will be leaving the PSU along with several other vendors in May. no’s Pizza, said the Domino’s location in the PSU will remain open until May 14.

“It’s kind of sad, but it is what it is,” he said.

“Our last day open will be May 14. We’re not sure how it will affect our business on campus yet, but we will still have our location at the intersection of National Avenue and Cherry Street available to students.”

Domino’s Pizza will keep all of its current employees, but they will be transferred to their other locations around Springfield, Liddell said.

Blimpie and the other Sodexo-contracted vendors (Freshëns and Grill 155º) declined interview requests for this story, and Kaldi’s Coffee could not be reached for a comment.

2

News

The Standard

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Student Employment geared up for summer

Opportunities to earn extra cash plentiful while on break

By Nick Simpson The Standard

For many students who spend their free time each semester lounging around, the encroaching summer months mean it’s time to make some spare change. But in uncertain economic times —and in a job market running on fumes — the hunt for employment can be more than a little daunting.

Fortunately, there is an office on campus dedicated to using all their available resources to help students find the work they need during the academic year as well as the summer.

The Office of Student Employment, located in Blair-Shannon 113, received word from many employers of available positions. Mary Barb, assistant director of financial aid, awaits every problem that comes through the office doors and has been working to put all of their services online.

“Right now, we have a website especial-

ly dedicated to on- and off-campus employment,” she said. “We are now in a bit of a transition. We should have all of our offcampus jobs on the new system by the middle of this week. Students will be able to access them, see if they’re interested and have information to directly contact whatever employer is out there. Right now, we are transitioning over about 185 jobs that are off campus.”

Barb said, despite the fact their online system can stand on its own, her office will still be there to help.

“Students can still come into the office if they have trouble with the website,” she said, “or if they seem to be having trouble finding a position. A lot of students have schedules that are very difficult to work with. If they have some special needs or special circumstances, we would be glad to sit down and talk with them one-on-one.

(We can) help them make some phone calls and see if we can’t find them some work.”

Barb said many students seek help for their work study program, which still remains available during the summer for qualified students.

“Work study eligibility is determined by the federal government,” she said. “(The FAFSA) needs to be sent in to the Department of Education no later than March 31 because they use that date when doing packaging. The earlier you get in, the better when it comes to work study.”

She also said the majority of the jobs

available through their system are through work study, which has a significant role in the campus community.

“In any given year, around 250 to 300 students are part of our work study program,” she said. “There are work study jobs available in every department. All the departments love to have work study employees. It not only helps the student but it also helps the various departmental budgets, which have been pretty skimpy over the past few years.”

Barb said eligibility is not very steep for on-campus employment that is not work study, but there are still requirements to be met.

“Students that work on campus, who are not work study, have to be enrolled in a minimum of six hours during the fall and spring semesters,” she said. “If they’re not enrolled during the summer, then they have to have been enrolled for six hours the previous spring and pre-enrolled in a minimum of six hours for the coming fall. You also need a GPA of 2.0 to work without special permission.”

Barb said there have been funding cuts in recent years to MSU’s work study budget, which has had a distinct impact on the campus community, but she still offered words of wisdom for the student job hunter.

“It has gotten tougher as the years have gone by, actually, since I’ve started in this area,” she said, “but be persistent. Don’t give up. Check the website every other day because there’s new things that come in

every day. Jobs are kind of short right now, but keep trying.”

Genevieve Moe, a graduate student in the Counseling, Leadership and Special Education Department, has been given the task to work with students in the Office of Student Employment this semester through next year and has seen what a student needs to do to find a job.

“If there is a specific position, office or business that a student is interested in and cannot find them on our website, we suggest that the student visit that location directly,” she said. “In today’s world of electronic communication, face-to-face time is even more valuable for landing a job. Plus, some places may know they will be hiring shortly but have not listed the position with our office yet.”

She also stands by the Office of Student Employment in their ability to help a student in need.

“For those students feeling particularly lost during the job search, our office is always available for advice, guidance and to answer questions,” she said. “Those students who need help with interview skills and résumé writing should contact the Career Center.”

Students can stop by the Office of Student Employment any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students can also call to make an appointment with Mary Barb at 417-836-5627 or with the office at studentemployment@missouristate.edu.

SGA’s GradeLink provides useful tool for students Site based on facts, unlike similar sites

By Amanda Hess The Standard

The Student Government Association released GradeLink, a Web application of information about courses that date back to 2004, just in time for students to utilize for class registration.

Student Body President Jacob Swett said GradeLink is a program that brings back a grade distribution database they had in the

past.

“It provides students an opportunity to objectively view information on courses and instructors from past semesters,” Swett said. “Students will likely be interested in searching the database for classes they were enrolled in previously and also searching for instructors or courses they are interested in.”

Allison Schmitz, a senior psychology major, said GradeLink was better than previous programs and websites she had used before.

“I have used (ratemyprofessor.com) for the last two years to see which kinds of teachers were good or bad,” she said. “GradeLink was a much better gauge of the teacher since it was objective. A lot of comments on Rate My Professor are from disgruntled students and kids that might not have the same opinions as myself.”

The information on GradeLink was provided by the Office of the Registrar and dates back to the fall 2004 semester, Swett said.

“SGA wanted to provide an effective means for students to view objective data on previously offered courses as far back as possible,” Swett said. “SGA worked with the Office of the Registrar to obtain six years of grade distributions to start the database. (The database will be updated) each semester as the grade distributions become available.”

Swett and Ray Lehnhoff, the director of information technology, started the project in February with design input from the SGA cabinet.

“SGA views GradeLink as an accountability mechanism that allows students an opportunity to draw their own conclusions from the information for a given instructor and course,” Swett said.

Schmitz said she used GradeLink to

choose between two teachers for a macroeconomics class.

“I really liked the program and think it could benefit students who want to see which teachers give out which grades,” Schmitz said. “Students with scholarships can use it to figure out if they should take a class to boost their GPA high enough to keep their scholarship, for example.”

GradeLink gives students the grade distributions of courses at MSU’s Springfield campus, Swett said.

Students can see the number of students enrolled in each course, plus-minus grading data, calculated drop rates and course grade point averages.

GradeLink allows students to search by course or professor. It was released to students April 3. Students can access GradeLink from the SGA website at sga.missouristate.edu/GradeLink.

Tuesday

April 26, 2011

The media should stop putting Charlie Sheen in the spotlight Greg Edwards Columnist

He has what the majority of men would happily sell their souls for. Who wouldn’t want a virtually endless supply of sex, drugs and money?

The man has it made.

He’s been in about a thousand movies, was the highest-paid television actor and always has his beautiful “goddesses” by his side.

He’s even raking in a fortune with a crosscountry comedy tour. In almost every show to date, audience members have left in droves, but as Sheen puts it, he “already has their money.”

A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling found that Sheen would have more support from Independent and Democrat voters than Sarah Palin would for a 2012 presidential run.

Who would have ever guessed that Democrats would support a former drug user with little political experience over a

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Send a letter to the editor

Standard@MissouriState.edu or Student Media Center 113

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gun-toting hockey mom?

Oh yeah, that already happened in the 2008 presidential election.

With that said, unless Sheen decides to run against Palin for the Republican ticket for president, it would be nice if everyone would stop obsessing about him.

Right now Sheen’s only real presidential competition would be Donald Trump (God help us), but he still can’t secure enough of the Bible Belt to seriously consider running.

To put it simply, at times America is the most ass-backwards country in the world. We love to glorify mental illness and addictions.

Clearly, Sheen has some pretty extreme mental problems. It doesn’t take a psychiatrist to see that the man clearly has some schizophrenia with a touch of bi-polar tendencies.

He’s crazy. That’s all.

But, for some reason, the American media loves to document every last detail in the downfall of crazy people.

The media loves to find someone who doesn’t deserve an ounce of

attention and feed on them.

It’s interesting to consider how exactly the media decided to have Sheen be their next victim to obsess over to such an extent. It might have went something like this: “Sheen is probably the worst possible representation of American values, but let’s constantly put him in the news,” some media genius probably exclaimed. “All of these countries that hate America will love to see someone like Sheen appear to be an American folk hero.”

Charlie Sheen is off his rocker. He’s a drug addict who got way too out of control and, as he put it, is still in a “violent torpedo of truth.” Everyone already knows this.

So it’s time for the media to leave Sheen alone and find a new clown to obsess over; to document every single ridiculous moment of that person’s life.

Who knows? Maybe in the near future they’ll get to focus on Obama’s “violent torpedo of truth” when a conservative beats him out for the presidency.

Don’t neglect to take a break during exam week

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when it’s not uncommon to find a student passed out in a Meyer Library study room surrounded by stacks of open books and empty cups of coffee.

It’s end-of-semester hell.

Seventy-five percent of The Standard’s editorial board are soon-to-be graduates of Missouri State. We’re very familiar with the whole drinking-coffee-like-it’s-water-and-not-sleeping-for72-hours thing.

Here’s some advice: It’s not worth it.

The all-nighter is about as effective as putting your brain in a blender. You’re not going to retain any knowledge, and whatever project or paper you’re working on is not going to be as good as it could be if you took a break.

Stop panicking and step away from the books. Maybe try some of the fun workouts mentioned in this issue, such as yoga or hiking. Working out is an excellent and healthy way to relieve stress.

Or better yet, get some sleep. And not one of those wimpy 20minute power naps. Sleep for more than five hours.

And for the love of all that is good in this world, drink some water instead of coffee or soda and eat food other than the junk you can buy from a vending machine. You’ll feel better.

(Pizza counts as junk).

Of course, if you’re looking for fun to ways wind down and destress, you could always call that alcohol delivery service. Not that drinking to relieve stress is anything close to healthy.

One final word of advice: Don’t drink and write.

Cartoon by Rachel Brown

A few months ago, I said I wanted to be like Chris Crocker. Everyone in the media was bullying and attacking Sarah Palin to the point that I wanted to yell, “Leave Sarah alone!” just like Crocker begged the media to leave Britney Spears alone.

I talked about how, even though Sarah Palin may be a total moron at times, not even she deserves so much negative media attention on a daily basis. Stupid is as stupid does, and Sarah Palin can be pretty stupid.

End of story.

So, I argued the media needed to quit reporting humongous, controversial stories about Palin that weren’t really a big deal.

Now I feel the exact same way again for someone else but for completely different reasons. The media is always going to latch on to a star’s downfall and obsess over it, but in this particular case, I just wish they would call it quits.

Charlie Sheen is a self-described “rockstar from Mars.” He’s a “warlock” with “Adonis D.N.A.” and “tiger blood” who is “winning.”

Tell us what you think.

Log on at www.the-standard.org

Brother Jed reminds us of Constitution’s limitations

It has been almost two months since the Supreme Court handed down its 8-1 decision in the Snyder v.

Phelps case, the most recent addition to our nation’s free speech jurisprudence.

In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “Speech is powerful.

It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and … inflict great pain.”

As many of you may know, Brother Jed — that “affable” charlatan that we have all come to know through either love or loathing — made the second of his biannual rounds last Wednesday.

Once again the showman tested the limits of our patience but was far from testing the limits of our free speech.

Justice Roberts also wrote that, as a nation, we have chosen “to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate.”

I was not a participant in the public “debate” that occurred last Wednesday, but I did allow myself to be an audience member for a brief period, knowing this

sions are also welcome. The Standard reserves the right to edit all submissions for punctuation, spelling, length and good taste. Letters should be mailed to The Standard, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897 or e-mailed to Standard@Missouri State.edu.

Editorial Policy The Standard is the official student-run newspaper of Missouri State University. Student editors and staff members are responsible for all content. The views expressed do not represent those of the university.

Advertising Policy The Standard will not accept any Letters and Guest Columns advertising that is libelous, proLetters to the Editor should not motes academic dishonesty, vioexceed 250 words and should lates any federal, state or local include the author’s name, telelaws, or encourages discrimination phone number, address and class against any individual or group on standing or position with the univer- the basis of race, sex, age, color, sity. Anonymous letters will not be creed, religion, national origin, sexpublished. Guest column submisual orientation or disability.

Aaron Hadlow Columnist

would be the last time I would see the man perform.

And boy did he and his troupe put on a show as the crowd swelled to several hundred at times, and there was much spouting of dogmatic rhetoric by all parties.

Though Jed’s behavior raises very little constitutional controversy in relation to protected speech, another inciting religious group that has visited our campus in protest, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), was involved in the already mentioned court case.

The Snyder v. Phelps case involved Albert Snyder, the father of a marine killed in Iraq, and Fred Phelps, the “pastor” and patriarch of the WBC. The Supreme Court’s decision in the case protected the speech of the church from tort liability.

The WBC protested at the funeral of Snyder’s son with

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signs and placards that had absurd statements written upon them, many containing homophobic epithets. However, these signs were not seen by the family during the day of the funeral but were later seen on television.

A lower court ruled in favor of Snyder, awarding him a considerable amount of monetary damages. The WBC appealed to the U.S. District Court, which reduced the sum awarded, but the case was again appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the lower court’s’ findings.

The court’s decision that the speech was protected depended largely on two facts, the first being that the speech was on a matter of public debate, the second being the speech occurred in a public place with the permission of the city.

The lone dissenter in the case was Justice Samuel Alito, who denied that the speech was protected by the First Amendment because it was intended to inflict emotional damage on the Snyder family and maintained that this fact made the church The Standard Physical address: Student Media Center 744 E. Cherry St. Postal address: 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897

liable for their speech.

The vitriol stirred by Brother Jed is barely comparable to what the WBC tends to produce. The church is nearly universally regarded with disdain.

They have caused a wellorganized citizen group composed of motorcyclists to form. This group travels in tandem with the WBC across the country, staging opposing protests.

Groups of hackers hound WBC’s website, godhatesfags.org, to the point of not being operational.

Lawmakers in many states have drafted and passed anti-Westboro regulations that restrict the “time, place and manner” of funeral picketing. These reactionary laws show how great our legal and legislative systems can work together to uphold the Constitution.

All of this reminds us that, of the rights and liberties protected in the Constitution, the one that is absent is the right not to be offended.

Though we wish we could find it somewhere hidden in the minutia, we never will and it’s better that way.

Editor in Chief Sarah Bennett 417-836-5272

Multimedia Editor Bridget Rapp 417-836-5272

Managing Editor Leah Randazzo 417-836-5390

Head Copy Editor Jessica Reynolds 417-836-5272

News and Sports Editor Phone: (417) 836-5272 Jon Poorman Fax: (417) 836-6738 417-836-5390 Standard@Missouri Life Editor State.edu Bobbie Sawyer The Standard is pub417-836-5272 lished Tuesday during Photo Editor the fall and spring Matt Kile semesters.

417-836-5272

Advertising Mgr. Sandy King 417-836-5524 Faculty Adviser Jack Dimond 417-836-8467

Tuesday

April 26, 2011

Calendar April 26 to May 1

Roots of reggae

Tuesday

Carrie’s Restaurant 11:30 a.m. To 1 p.m., Professional Building 426

Live-action Angry Birds 2 to 7 p.m., North Mall, admission: $1 Spanish movie night: “Princesas” 5 to 7 p.m., Siceluff Hall 225

Wednesday SAC present: “No Strings Attached” 9 to 11 p.m., PSU theater Quizical at the Q 7 p.m., Q Enoteca

Thursday

Tommy Castro concert 8 p.m., Nathan P. Murphy’s, general admission: $20 SAC After Hours and Residence Hall Association present: Texas Hold ‘em 9 to 11:59 p.m., PSU food court

Friday

Lindberg’s Rhythm and Boom series presents: According to Nadia 6 to 8 p.m., Lindberg’s SAC presents: Rock-N-Bowl 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., PSU Level 1 Gaming Center

Cafe des Artistes: Young Artist Showcase 7:30 p.m., Creamery Arts Center, admission: $10

Britney Shryer/THE STANDARD

Local Reggae band Jah Roots performs at the Outland Ballroom on April 22 with guests Spoonfed Tribe and 77 Jefferson.

Musical: Monty Python’s “Spamalot” 8:00 to 10:30 p.m., Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts Rags to Riches concert 9 p.m., Mille’s Turn of the Century Cafe

Saturday

Cherry Bomb Burlesque performance 8 p.m., Lindberg’s

Play: “Amadeus” 7:30 p.m., Vandivort Centre Play: Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town” 7:30 p.m., Gillioz Theatre Asian Royalty AAPIO Banquet 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Kentwood Hall Crystal Ballroom

Sunday

Missouri State University Concert Chorale 7 to 8 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church

Briefs Department melds media, dance

The Missouri State Theatre and Dance Department will present “Transfer Points,” an annual dance concert featuring a mix of original works, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday in Craig Hall’s Coger Theatre.

The program will feature a multimedia presentation titled “Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Artistic Process and Expression,” a research project funded by a Provost’s Initiative grant and developed by choreographer, Ruth Barnes; media artist, Vonda Yarberry; and computer artist, S. Brahnam.

Admission is $8, $12 and $14. Tickets may be purchased at any Missouri State Tix location.

Patrons rally for local blues club

Supporters and patrons of Nathan P. Murphy’s are coming together to save the music club from foreclosure with the “Save Murphy’s” benefit concert, which will take place 7 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday on the Nathan P. Murphy’s stage.

The concert will feature performances by Blues artists Justin Cauble, Steve Call & Stella Blue, and Bert Smith & The Walk. On Saturday, patrons will be served $5 dishes provided by Mr. Yen’s and Rib Crib.

There will be nightly raffles and a silent auction, allowing audience members to bid on items throughout the weekend.

Cover for the benefit is $7.

Proceeds go toward the fundraising goal of $62,000.

Britney Shryer/THE STANDARD

Jah Roots Band, guests bring breezy bongo beats to town

Let’s be real. I can’t say I’ve had much experience with reggae in the past, save for a decent collection of Bob Marley and the Wailers and some Bad Brains hanging out on my computer. So I can honestly say I didn’t know what to expect when heading to a reggae show at the Outland Ballroom last Friday.

The Jah Roots Band, Springfield’s preeminent reggae band, along with Spoonfed Tribe and 77 Jefferson, brought the coast to Springfield in its time of need. With this April-showers-bring-May-whatever nonsense, what better time is there for a show made up of bongo drums, rhythmic guitar, soulful vocals and some instruments I’d never even seen before?

I caught Kansas City natives 77 Jefferson

Britney Shryer/THE STANDARD

Jah Roots finished off the night at the Outland.

just as they were taking the stage and was extremeKaycie ly impressed with their blend of regSurrell gae-fusion instruMusic mentals and Reviewer swoon-worthy vocals. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joel Castillo, along with his energetic and entertaining bandmates, were the perfect introduction to reggae for someone who went in not knowing what to expect.

For example, something I definitely didn’t expect was for keyboardist Richard Faught to start playing an instrument that looked to me like a smaller version of a keytar. Upon my loud exclamation of this, a more experienced audience member politely informed me that it was in fact a melodica. What could that be? It looked and sounded like what might happen should a keyboard and a harmonica decide to

The band Spoonfed Tribe brings the drumming to the crowd during the show.

have a go at it.

Lucky for 77 Jefferson, this instrument only added to their breezy island sound. Later, the crowd swooned over sexy songs like “Fast Girl” and the romantic “Ichiban” off of their latest album “In the Mood.”

I was lucky enough to get a decent spot in the crowd behind committed reggae enthusiasts who knew every word to every song the band played and seemed trained in the kind of dancing that would naturally accompany reggae music. Smoothly swaying back and forth while seemlessly moving their arms and legs along with each rolling beat, they propelled the positive energy back and forth between band and audience from start to finish.

Not soon after 77 Jefferson graciously thanked their adoring fans and began packing up their set to an appropriate mix of James Brown songs, the band I had unfortunately missed earlier surprised us all with an See REGGAE page 9

Beer buzz: New business delivers drinks

By Brittany Forell The Standard

It’s Saturday. You want nothing more than to have a chilled beer and a bag of potato chips to accompany you while watching the game. But alas, the refrigerator is beerless and you can’t book it to a grocery store and back during a commercial break.

As of March 1, this scenario is no longer tragic. A new alcohol delivery business opened its doors and fired up its trucks last month, sporting a sensible and simplistic name: Alco-Haul.

Conceived and managed by 24year-old Greg Lee, Alco-Haul delivers beer, wine, champagne, mixers, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and tobacco.

“Alco-Haul is like any other liquor store, except we deliver,” Lee said. “There’s an extensive age-verification process that allows us to ensure only legal sales are made. It works the same way pizza works; you can call in or stop by the store. Soon, you’ll even be able to order online.”

As the billboards will tell you, Lee has modeled his company around the idea of drinking responsibly.

“Never drink and drive,” the logo states. “Get it delivered!”

Much like pizza delivery, alcohol orders are subjected to a $3.00 delivery charge.

“It’s not legal for us to offer free delivery specials at any time, but we do offer penny delivery occasionally

417-862-HAUL Facebook them for their deal of the day

and as a promo for our Haul of Fame members,” Lee said.

Alco-Haul has an on-site inventory that is restocked by local distributors. As a result, the company can offer competitive prices on their products as well as keep their delivery fees down.

“Our prices should be near indistinguishable from other liquor stores or gas stations,” Lee said. “If price is ever a concern, we run different specials pretty much daily.”

These daily drink specials are advertised on Alco-Haul’s extremely active Facebook page. With more than 1,700 fans, the alcohol delivery business has become popular overnight in Springfield.

“In the first month, most of our calls were people asking us if the business was for real,” Lee said.

“Once people realized we were a legitimate business, the real orders started kicking in.”

You can order anything from their movie-night special of margaritas for two with popcorn to full-fledged party materials like kegs, six-, 12- and 24-packs of beer, and even cups and ice.

“I was in need of a shot of Goldschlager the other night,” said Diane Moran, a first-time customer of Alco-

Matt Kile/THE STANDARD

Greg Lee opened Alco-Haul, an alcohol delivery service, in March.

Haul. “It was ice-cold and perfect! I would use them again for pretty much anything I might be in the mood for. Sometimes you just can’t up and leave the house to go to the store.”

Alco-Haul is in its early stages of development, where customer feedback can be the most persuasive factor in shaping the direction of the business.

“I prefer to let customers dictate my inventory based on their preferences,” Lee said. “We don’t have the deep pockets of our competitors to

throw money at advertising or run loss-leading specials. Nor do we have an unlimited inventory or selection.

That’s why customer interaction is the most important aspect at this stage in the game. We want to stock what you want to buy, and we’re small enough to make changes and respond to feedback overnight.”

Alco-Haul opens every day at 3 p.m. and accepts orders until 1 a.m. for delivery no later than 1:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday, the legal cutoff time. The last Sunday order is taken at 11 p.m.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Standard

Life

5

Sweat, stretch away stress with hot yoga

By Abby Webster The Standard

As the end of the school year approaches, so does the clichély dreaded yet honestly terrible finals week. Don’t compromise your sanity; feel better and study clearer by hot yoga-ing your way into happy test taking.

“Not only do you get a workout, not only do you burn calories, but if you’re studying for finals, what better way than to get on your yoga mat and just work it all out?” said Alicia Epps, manager of My Hot Yoga LLC. “De-stress on your mat; it can benefit you in your school work by helping you focus.”

Stephanie Lael and Nikki Adkins, owners of the Springfield branch of Sumit Hot Yoga, said hot yoga is especially good for helping people accomplish their everyday tasks and goals.

“Taking that time out for yourself (and) being in the heat really forces you to keep your focus just on you and to focus only on your breath and not everything else that might be going on around you in your life,” Lael said.

Epps elaborated on the difference between Sumit yoga and the hot yoga that’s practiced at My Hot Yoga.

“With Bikram (yoga), you do a series of 26 asanas, or postures, two times through; so it’s the same class each time,” she said.

“Sumit is the same, but it also has a

vinyasa, a flow, so the postures kind of go sequenced with your breath and it goes a little bit faster.”

My Hot Yoga doesn’t have a set sequence; each class is different every time you come, and each teacher has a different style.

Hot yoga originated in India by Bikram Choudhury. He came up with 26 poses that could cure common ailments. When he came to America, he started bringing in heaters once he noticed that people were doing yoga in air-conditioned rooms, which makes it so that you get less benefit out of your poses and puts you at a higher risk for injury.

In addition to keeping your mind sharp and your stress levels low, Epps emphasized what hot yoga can do for you in terms of your overall health.

“With hot yoga, you can get deeper into postures without pulling any muscles. It helps you burn calories and stimulates weight loss,” Epps said. “It also helps your blood pressure, increases your metabolism and increases energy. There’s just so many benefits mentally and physically that hot yoga provides.”

Hot yoga can also help you to cleanse your body by causing you to sweat profusely.

“It also allows you to sweat and get rid of a lot of toxins in your body, just kind of twisting and ringing out tension in your body. The sweat also helps to cool down

Steph Anderson/THE STANDARD

Alicia Epps, manager of My Hot Yoga, leads her class through yoga postures.

“It was really cold in Chicago,” Lael your body. It’s a natural coolant,” Adkins said. “I like to be warm and I like to sweat, said.

After years in college doing yoga with so I liked the way it made me feel after a videotapes and taking various classes, Lael class. You just sweat out everything that’s first tried hot yoga in Chicago, mainly to get out of the cold.

See YOGA page 9

Burn calories, break boredom with the anti-workout

By Lauren Healey The Standard

Summer is breathing down our necks, and unless you plan on being a hermit, you’re likely to be seen in a swimsuit or shorts at least once.

If you aren’t happy with your current fitness level but have no desire to hit the gym, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to get exercise without “working out.”

C.H. McCoy, a sophomore jazz piano major, said he doesn’t do anything other than transport himself for exercise.

“I have a car, but no parking permit, so I never drive to class,” he said. “I get exercise by biking or walking about two miles to and from class every day, and I walk downtown sometimes too. I read an article recently about how a lot of college students get their exercise by partying and running from the cops or whatever. That sounds about right.”

Neil Harrington, a junior broadcast journalism major, said he enjoys playing sports to switch up his normal running and weights workouts.

“I love Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, softball — pretty much any coed intramural,” he said. “You’re getting exercise but having fun and bonding with peers at the same time. It’s a win-win situation.”

Brittni McCoy, a freshman studying graphic design at

OTC, said hula hooping is a great way to escape daily life for a while.

“It always puts me in a better mood,” she said. “It’s just like dancing freely with your own style. It’s quite the workout too. I can vouch for being able to lose weight and keeping healthy just by hooping for 30 minutes a day. The main thing to remember is that it’s all about having fun.”

The American Council on Exercise, America’s leading authority on fitness and the largest nonprofit fitness certification, education and training organization in the world, found that hula-hooping workouts offer substantial and positive results. And hooping burns about 420 calories in one hour, which is comparable to the exertion of bootcamp-style classes, step aerobics and cardio kickboxing, according to a February press release.

“The findings from our commissioned study indicate that hooping delivers a total-body workout that can improve flexibility and balance while strengthening the back, abdominal, arm and leg muscles,” said Cedric X. Bryant, ACE’s chief science officer, in the press release.

Not only can hooping workouts result in improved cardiovascular health, muscle conditioning, flexibility and balance, but hoopers may also enjoy a fun, relaxing and potentially meditative effect due to the activity’s rhythmic nature, the release said.

Ian Gossett, a junior wildlife biology major and lead staff at Big Rock Climbing Gym, said rock climbing is

good exercise because it engages your whole body.

“Climbing works a lot of muscles you wouldn’t work if you were doing other, more common workouts,” he said.

“It’s an activity you can push yourself with, but it’s fun and easy to stick with. There are always new challenges and new rocks to climb, so you don’t get bored.”

Gossett said rock climbing seems to be the most personally rewarding exercise.

“I used to work out a lot — running, cycling, swimming and wrestling,” he said. “I no longer do any of those because I climb all the time.”

Gossett said there are a several outdoor rock-climbing places within a few hours of Springfield.

“Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper, Ark., is a good place to go,” he said. “I love connecting with nature when climbing outdoors, but I also like indoors because everything is easily accessible and you can choose what you do.”

Gossett said going to an indoor climbing gym like Big Rock is a great way to have fun, connect with your friends and challenge yourself physically and mentally.

“You might have to face a fear of heights,” he said.

“There are a lot of technical aspects as well. You have to think your way through it and know what you’re going to do before you do it. Beginners should remember to push See EXERCISE page 12

Tuesday

April 26, 2011

Scorebox

Baseball Tuesday, April 19 K-State 1 0 6 2 0 0 1 0 X — 10 Mo. State 020020000— 4 Friday, April 22 Ind. State 20000000— 2 Mo. State 0 0 0 3 2 4 0 5 — 14 Saturday, April 23 Ind. State 000003040—7 Mo. State 022002000— 6 Indy State 010000000—1 Mo. State 00002011X—4 Softball Wednesday, April 20 Wichita State 1001010—3 Missouri State 2200001—5 Friday, April 22 Southern Ill. 00000301—4 Missouri State 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 — 3 Southern Ill. 111002X—5 Missouri State 3000000—3 Women’s golf Saturday, April 23 MVC Championship 3rd of 9

Baldwin, Smithpeters join Lusk New coaches look to win another title

By John Cook The Standard

Calendar April 25 to Tuesday

May 1 Michael Gulledge/THE STANDARD

Men’s golf away at MVC Championship, 8:30 a.m.

MSU’s new basketball coaches left to right: Patrick Baldwin, head coach Paul Lusk and Kyle Smithpeters.

Softball at home vs. Wichita State, 5 p.m.

Trio fuels club baseball

Women’s soccer at home vs.

Missouri Southern, 7 p.m.

Wednesday Softball away at Tulsa, 4 p.m.

Baseball away at Missouri, 6 p.m.

Thursday

Track and field away at Kip Janvrin Open, 9 a.m.

Track and field away at Drake Relays, 9 a.m.

Volleyball at home vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m.

Friday

Baseball away at Evansville, 6 p.m.

Saturday

Softball at home vs. Drake (doubleheader), noon Baseball away at Evansville, 2 p.m.

Sunday

Men’s soccer at home vs. Rockhurst, noon Softball at home vs. Drake, noon Baseball away at Evansville, 1 p.m.

Briefs Track and field has top five finishes

Missouri State track and field finished strong at the Kansas Relays, including a third-place finish in the 4x100-meter relay.

The relay was made up of Shantel Llewellyn, Pernell Joseph, Kimsue Grant and Kara-Aretha Graham. The group finished with a time of 46.59 seconds, which was good for third out of eight.

In the field events, Missouri State had similar success. Junior Jelani Kelly finished fifth in the shot put with a throw of 47-6.25 feet.

Sophomore Jordan Bond finished fifth in the high jump with 5-3.0 feet.

Aldo Sebben relays back at MSU

The 89th annual Aldo Sebben Missouri State Relays will be taking place at Plaster Sports Complex today.

The meet costs $3 for Missouri State students with an ID and is free for anyone under 18.

The meet features boys and girls high school track and field events from high schools in Southwest Missouri. Both relays and individual events will take place and the meet will take place through most of the day.

Bears finish third in MVC Championship

The Missouri State women’s golf team finished third in the field of 10 teams Saturday at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship in Normal, Ill. Junior Kelsey Welber led the Bears with a score of 78—74—152 in the rainshortened event.

Players say they compare to the Boston Celtics’ Big 3

By Harrison Keegan The Standard

As the Missouri State club baseball team makes a push toward the Club Baseball World Series, they are channeling a championship team from the past. Junior Chris Meza and seniors Austin Kendrick and Newt Starrett are hoping their collaborative nickname can give the team a championship swagger.

“We call ourselves the Boston Three Party after Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce,” Meza said. “It’s always the three of us and the president, Scott Butler, hanging out all the time.”

Kendrick said the nicknames were just a fun way to highlight the success the three friends are having this year.

“We like to call ourselves the Big Three because Chris, Newt and I bat two, three, four and we feel like we do big things,” he

said.

The trend caught on, Starrett said, and now just about everyone on the team has picked a Boston Celtic to represent them.

The Missouri State team is hoping it can do its best impression of the team with the most titles in NBA history as it trails Southeast Missouri State by a half game in the league standings with five games left to play.

The winner of the league will go on to the National Club Baseball World Series in May. The team knows that to make it, they will need Starrett, who plays shortstop and is one of their best pitchers.

“He’s a really good pitcher.

He’s really good defensively and he’s an above-average hitter,” Meza said. “He’s one of the few guys on our team who could probably play actual college baseball somewhere.”

More than his .424 average or his 3-1 record as a pitcher, Kendrick said it is Starrett’s personality that is really valuable to the team.

“He’s the guy we always look toward to pick us up,” Kendrick said. “No matter where we’re at in the game, if we’re down or if we’re up, he’s always there to make sure spirits

stay high.”

Starrett is a physical education major from Forsyth, Mo. He played baseball for four years in high school but wasn’t sure that he wanted to devote all of the time that he would have to in order to play college baseball.

His college baseball future may still take a different path.

He said he is considering trying out for the school team next year, but for now, he is happy where he is with the club baseball team.

“It’s fun hanging out with my teammates,” Starrett said. “To still be able to play baseball competitively, I’m having a lot of fun with that.”

He said he is always trying to pick his teammates up in the dugout and that translates to how he plays on the field.

“Being a pitcher, it’s frustrating when someone behind you makes an error when it could have been an out,” he said. “So I know that, and I don’t want to make an error so other pitchers don’t have to deal with that.”

Newt Starrett and the Missouri State club baseball team look to get back on top of the standings when they host SEMO May 1. The team plays most of their games at Parkview High.

Outdoor sports bring challenges Biking serves as an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors with added perks. The Sac River Trail provides these benefits to Springfield residents.

“The Sac River Trail draws people in with jogging, alternative transportation, health benefits, getting in touch with nature, and it’s just

By Kyle Boaz The Standard

Biking

How often do you physically challenge yourself? Completing a physical task brings a deserved feeling of accomplishment, and it is a great way to maintain a healthy body and mind. Biking, canoeing, rafting and rock climbing are Josh Campbell/THE STANDARD adventurous ways to Mountain biking is one of many outdoor test yourself and get outside.

See OUTDOOR page 7 sports that are available in the area.

Everyone has heard about Missouri State’s new head basketball coach Paul Lusk. Now meet the men that will work alongside Lusk: assistant coaches Patrick Baldwin and Kyle Smithpeters.

Baldwin joins the Bears after a seven-year assistant coaching stint with the Loyola Chicago Ramblers, while Smithpeters comes to MSU after a four-year run at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill. Lusk said he knew Baldwin from his college playing days.

“He was a guy I played against when we were both in See COACHES page 7

Steph Anderson/THE STANDARD

MSU golfer Will Hogan shot a 63 on April 12.

Hogan shoots a 63, ties school record

By Adam Hammons The Standard

Sometimes in sports, athletes just have a good day. This was the case for MSU golfer Will Hogan: He shot a 63, tying the school record.

At the ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate in Arkansas on April 12, Hogan shot a 63, tying the school record for lowest round set by Jack Courington just last year. It was a memorable day for Hogan and a good one for the Bears as they finished fourth in a field of 18 as a team.

Hogan shot a two over for the first round of the tournament, so going into the second and final round, he knew he had to start out with some birdies.

“I knew that, once I got to even par, anything could happen from there,” he said.

From there, several things happened.

Among them was shooting seven under (29) for the front nine while only needing 12 putts for the first 12 holes.

“It sounds kind of cliché, but I really was thinking one shot at a time,” Hogan said. “I really wasn’t worried about anything else.”

Hogan said he was aware of his score See HOGAN page 7

Chiefs, Rams prepare for NFL draft Jon Poorman

Benjamen Loewnau

Sports Editor

Sports Columnist

There’s no doubt that the 2010 season was a great one for the Kansas City Chiefs. After finishing the 2009 season with a dismal 4-12 record, the Chiefs emerged as one of the most exciting, up-andcoming teams in the NFL. Kansas City finished with a 10-6 record and AFC West Division title.

Now that the Chiefs have risen to the upper echelon of league once again, they will be faced with the tough task of building on what they accomplished last year.

It won’t be easy.

Based on 2010 records, the Chiefs have the third-hardest schedule in the league in 2011, including a brutal five-game stretch during which they play the Patriots, Steelers, Bears, Jets and the Super Bowl champion Packers.

Yes, it will be a tough season indeed. But a good way for the team to further improve and prepare for a hard schedule is the draft.

The Chiefs have some decisions See CHIEFS page 11

With the 14th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select…?

On Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will call the name of another piece of the puzzle for the St. Louis Rams that may increase their playoff potential.

Yes, the Rams have made some questionable picks in the past, but they have also picked some future stars like quarterback Sam Bradford (2010).

Bradford’s 3,512 passing yards in his freshman season indicate that

the Rams have captured lightning in a bottle, similar to the love affair experienced between the Colts and Peyton Manning.

Can they do it again?

With the 14th pick in the draft, the Rams have some options. Do they draft a wide receiver, a defensive back or do they pick a lineman?

Their 21st ranked passing offense lends to the idea that a wide receiver should be picked in the See RAMS page 11

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Outdoor Continued from page 6

7

down rivers or by using oars to row, Pennington said. Rowing increases the level of physical activity.

Rafting brings a more challenging aspect than rowing or canoeing “You have to be experienced for rafting,” he said. “It brings on a more physically demanding mindset, and you have to be prepared and aware of the water.”

Canoes and rafts vary in price but can be affordable, and college students may consider renting to save money.

“Rafts and canoes range from $300 to $2,000 in price,” Pennington said. “Prices rise with the amount of seats.”

Beaver Canoe Rental Sales and Campgrounds is in Ava, Mo., a little more than one hour east of Springfield.

fun,” said Lori Tack, program coordinator for the Sac River Trail.

There is a large sampling size to verify Tack’s reasoning.

“A couple thousand people per week take advantage of everything the Sac River Trail provides,” Tack said. These people use the paved paths for biking and jogging, while trails are used for mountain biking, she said.

The paths and trails are constructed to be robust, Tack added.

“The Sac River Trail is a single track area circumference,” she said. “It is two miles around but eight miles of interconnecting trails.”

The Sac River Trail is located off Highway 13 in Springfield Rock Climbing three miles north of I-44; it Rock climbing is one of the remains open year-round during more challenging outdoor sports, daylight hours. which can be very rewarding.

“Just the diversity (draws peoCanoeing/Rafting ple to rock climbing),” said Katrina Canoeing is a nautical way to Beecher, an employee at Big Rock enjoy the great outdoors.

Climbing Gym in Springfield.

“It’s a good water sport and “You can rock climb by top roping, fairly cheap compared to other bouldering or lead climbing.” water sports,” said Dale PenningThis sport brings one of the ton, owner of Beaver Canoe Rental higher levels of physical activity.

Sales and Campgrounds.

There are places you can go rock Canoeing is a relaxing way to climbing, indoors and outdoors. spend an evening in nature. It can Free-handed rock climbing outeither be done by gently floating doors presents a challenge to find a

Coaches Continued from page 6

Sports

The Standard

college,” Lusk said. “I’ve always had a great deal of respect for him. He’s a Northwestern graduate and, overall, just a great person. Everyone who works with him just raves about the knowledge of basketball he has.”

Baldwin started four seasons for the Wildcats, leading the team in steals every year and collecting Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 1994.

Baldwin said he brings that same defensive intensity to the coaching sidelines.

“I feel like I bring a special energy to the game,” Baldwin said. “I try and bring that passion to the sideline and, hopefully, it rubs off onto the players.”

Smithpeters and Lusk have a different background together. Both are products of Missouri State rival Southern Illinois, where Smithpeters walked on and played in 2004-05.

Smithpeters said his Saluki background is in the past, and he is only focused on MSU. “Don’t hold that against me,” Smithpeters said. “That’s all in the past, and I’m fully committed to Missouri State now.”

After a season full of winning memories, including the first-ever Missouri Valley Conference regular season title, the new coaching staff said they’re looking forward to building on that

Josh Campbell/THE STANDARD

Rock climbing is available in Springfield at the Big Rock Climbing Gym. The gym provides climbing leagues, youth programs and other classes. path up the wall, Beecher said.

Walls with various obstacles provide a test in indoor rock climbing.

There are various styles and ways to rock climb, Beecher said.

In Springfield, Big Rock Climb-

winning atmosphere.

“Right now, we’re trying to finish the 2011 recruiting class and build off what was already here,” Baldwin said. “Our expectations are no different than the ones coach (Cuonzo Martin) had. You want that pressure of winning. We don’t want to be an average team.”

With the loss of four starting seniors — Adam Leonard, Will Creekmore, Nafis Ricks and Jermaine Mallett — recruiting will be a key in another run at the Missouri Valley title. Smithpeters said it’s something that comes with the job of being a coach.

“Every year in this game you get used to filling spots and pieces,” he said. “You don’t really look at it as a down situation. You just have to take it upon yourself to work even harder recruiting better players.”

Lusk said that after only a few practices, the team is still working on getting on the same page.

“They’ve got to figure me out, and I have to figure them out,” Lusk said. “The more we work together, the stronger our relationships will be.”

The new head coach said he doesn’t look at it like he’s trying to fill coach Martin’s shoes.

“He’s been very helpful, and I have a tremendous respect for what he’s done,” Lusk said.

“The good thing about the guys returning is that there is a winning atmosphere already in place; coach Martin instilled that. But the goal wasn’t just to win the Missouri Valley: It was to get to the NCAA Tournament. That’s what we have to strive for.”

ing Gym provides a climbing league, youth programs and classes. It features two sections of indoor walls called the Main Wall and Bouldering Island. Prices for classes, programs and other

Hogan Continued from page 7

throughout the round and was also surprised at how calm he felt. Coach Neal Stafford was there to help him throughout the round.

“I was trying to just be there to help him with spots and trying to club him on certain shots,” Stafford said. “But he was in the zone, so he didn’t need much help from me.”

As Hogan kept shooting birdies, fellow players were recognizing his score. Courington, who shot a 63 last year and originally broke the record by two strokes, was seeing his record slip away.

“I heard he was 10 under when I got done playing, and I was just rooting hard for him,” Courington said. “It was pretty cool.”

After 12 holes, Hogan was 10 under with a good chance of breaking the record. It seemed nothing could go wrong for Hogan who said, “Pretty much everything was going right.”

After that, though, things cooled off a little. Hogan said he was playing well, but the putts just weren’t falling.

He was still 10 under on the 17th hole

options are available on the gym’s official website: www.bigrockclimbinggym.com.

Big Rock Climbing Gym is located at 916 N. Cedarbrook Ave., Suite C in Springfield.

but shot a bogey on what he dubbed the hardest hole on the course. However, Hogan finished with a par on the last hole and one shot away from breaking the record.

“I had Jack in the back of my mind throughout the round, but I couldn’t do it,” Hogan said.

As for how Hogan shot the 63, it could be because the course is a little shorter than some. It’s around a 6,600yard course, while usual course lengths are between 6900 and 7200 yards, according to Stafford. It could also be that Hogan just had one of those days when everything goes right.

“It probably wouldn’t have mattered what course it was on,” Courington said. “Will is such a good player; he can get to any course with his game. I think he was just playing really well that day, and it probably wouldn’t have mattered where he was.”

Hogan only needed 22 putts throughout the round and had 10 birdies with one bogey. His two-day card of 74 and 63 put him tied for second for the tournament.

The golf team will finish their second day of the MVC Championship tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. today in Sunrise Beach, Mo.

836-5524 l the-standard.org l standard@missouristate.edu

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SUMMER OF A LIFETIME! The Wyman Teen Leadership Program is accepting applications from motivated individuals to join their residential camp staff.

Email HR@wymancenter.org for more info. Visit www.wymantlp.org to complete an application.

Earn $1000-$3200 a month to drive our cars with ads. www.AdCarDriver.com

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Intensive French or Spanish Language Study Learn French or Spanish in just a few weeks and complete your foreign language requirement! The University of Missouri-St. Louis summer Intensive Language Program begins in May 2011. For more info, call the Anthropology, Sociology & Languages Office at 314-516-6242 or go online to: http://www.umsl.edu/ divisions/artscience/ forlanglit/aptitude.html or email jkarslake@umsl.edu

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8

News

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Standard

History professor injured, begins classes late

By Amanda Hess The Standard

Three history classes did not meet for the first five weeks of the semester because their teacher was injured and unable to meet with them until the middle of February.

John Chuchiak broke his arm and underwent surgery in early January. He was unable to meet with classes while he was recuperating from the surgery and on pain medication.

Chuchiak had three classes: honors History of the United States to 1877, Latin American Civilization and a graduate proseminar in Latin American History.

Laura Pearson, a senior religious studies Chuchiak major in his honors course, said while Chuchiak was unable to meet with them in person, he still gave assignments to his students.

“While Dr. Chuchiak was out, he remained in consistent communication with us,” Pearson said. “The class was basically converted into an online course, temporarily. Each week, we were given an assignment through email or Blackboard. We read primary and secondary historical sources, watched documentary excerpts, and then discussed them online. We were also given written assignments; something like 5-8 short answer questions to analyze the material for each assignment.”

Sarah Hampton, a sophomore nursing major, said the class began meeting in person on Feb. 17, five weeks into the semester.

“He would post assignments on Blackboard, and we would have a week to complete the assignments,” Hampton said. “Once we got into the classroom, we continued to complete all our assignments through Blackboard. I found it difficult to complete the assignments without meeting in class.

I do not know anything about history as it has never been my strong subject. So trying to understand and actually learn

from these assignments without a teacher presenting the information or to ask questions in person was hard for me.”

Thomas Dicke, the head of the history department, said the course isn’t considered a blended-course but an emergency process since Chuchiak was injured and unable to meet with his lectures.

“There was no other option (other than) to cancel the courses,” Dicke said, “for the graduate class particularly because it was such a specialized class. We don’t do shortterm contracts; this was the least disruptive way to do it by far.”

Pearson said closer to midterms she worried the class might try to cram all the information in the last minute, but Chuchiak adjusted the course schedule for students. He cancelled a research paper because they had not covered a wide enough portion of the class material to start the paper without losing focus of the overall topics of class. Instead, he represented that portion of their grades with the online assignments from the first few weeks.

“In the first week of the semester, I considered changing sections because I don’t actually need the honors credit,” Pearson said. “I’m really glad I didn’t. Dr. Chuchiak did an excellent job of communicating with us while he was out.

We’ve kept up a pace since his return that is both ambitious and reasonable. He’s not sacrificing quality for quantity, and I appreciate that. It’s important to know that while we didn’t meet physically the first five or six weeks of class, we did meet online and were required to keep up with the material, though it was at a slower, more in-depth pace than originally planned.”

Hampton said Chuchiak was doing a good job trying to get students to understand the material, but it was difficult to start class after weeks of it being online.

“I feel very bad for Dr. Chuchiak for his accident and everything he had to go through,” Hampton said. “I completely understand that he was unable to meet in the classroom for many weeks. However, I feel that the History Department could have handled the situation better by giv-

ing our class a substitute teacher until he was ready and able to return. I know that, for me personally, this class was going to be a struggle anyway, and it was even harder not being able to meet in class to hear the information and ask questions.”

Dicke said it was not really an option to bring in another professor to teach Chuchiak’s courses.

“That would be the less satisfactory way,” Dicke said.

“The professor who comes to teach his courses might not like the books he chose or teach the same way as the other professor. We are all different. We are not interchangeable parts.”

Dicke said he did not know the specifics, but to his knowledge switching the courses to online half the semester worked out while Chuchiak was away.

“It’s my understanding that the experience is different, but the results will be the same (as a regular course).”

Erin Hanson, a senior global studies major in his honors course, said the online assignments were the best solution.

“I’ve had class with this professor before, and I really enjoy his teaching style,” Hanson said. “He’s also very helpful and very concerned for his students. This class is no exception for him; his teaching style is just as interesting and in depth as it was when he was not injured. I’ve enjoyed it immensely, regardless of the fact that we were unable to meet in class for the first part of the semester.”

Pearson said the class was informative and taught her even if they didn’t meet in person for the first five weeks.

“The department could have chosen another route, but I’m generally satisfied with the way everything’s turned out,” Pearson said. “The class was flexible. Is that a crime?

Just because everything didn’t go according to the original plan doesn’t mean it was bad or that I’ve learned less. In fact, I’ll probably retain more from those online assignments that I was required to write about and interact with than I do the details lectured to me.”

Chuchiak declined to comment at this time, citing legal reasons.

Senate Continued from page 1

tion about how each professor manages each class and to assist in choosing future classes.

The resolution is aimed at lowering the drop and with-

drawal rates at Missouri State University.

“Information such as how much homework is required or how much reading the class (requires) can help students make better decisions when registering for classes,” she said.

It was the last Faculty Senate meeting of the semester.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Reggae Continued from page 4

impromptu performance.

I heard drums coming from the back of the bar and watched as members of the Texas band, Spoonfed Tribe, made their way to the middle of the crowd and began beating vigorously on their drums, on the floor, and on each other’s drums. Soon enough, the entire audience surrounded them, moving along with the beat however we could.

They played until members of Jah Roots began trickling onstage to check their equipment and then started to make their way back to the merchandise tables.

The crowd was left in awe and was shouting for more when the band was suddenly up on top of the bar. I have no idea how they got up there and played the heck out of those drums without slipping on spilled Pabst Blue Ribbon and breaking legs, but they did it.

Right on cue, The Jah Roots Band was ready to go, making it the smoothest and most impressive band-to-band segue I’ve had the privilege of experiencing. The Jah Roots Band originated here in Springfield and has been laying down their blend of

Yoga Continued from page 5

bad, and it just feels really good.”

Lael and Adkins have been best friends since college, and when a Springfield branch of Sumit Hot Yoga opened, both girls went to Arizona to train to become instructors.

“Sumit Yoga is like a franchise,” Lael said. “There’s a number of studios, and in order to teach at a Sumit studio, you have to train with Sumit Banerjee himself, and that’s based in Arizona.”

Adkins has done yoga since college as well.

“I did it at the Y and then when the studio opened up. We both started teaching there, and we bought it in December.”

Epps also did her training in Arizona with Sumit Banerjee, and now she teaches 10 classes a week at the newly opened yoga studio in the Southern Hills shopping center.

“It opened me up as far as becoming aware of my body. But not only that, it’s taught me patience,” Epps said.

“Inside the yoga room, you’re focusing on yourself. You’re not thinking about your to-do list, your grocery list, what all you have to do today; you’re just focusing on yourself, bringing your attention to you.”

The girls at Sumit elaborated on the history of hot yoga.

“He would tape up the doors so that the

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roots reggae and dub poetry since 2001.

Once lead vocalist Aaron Berger took the stage, the crowd started to buzz, anticipating his quick, rap-influenced lyricism I can compare to the artist Matisyahu. Songs like “Burn Dem Out” and “Chant Down Babylon” gave way to shameless audience singalongs with the help of special guest rapper Sincerely Yours.

I admit that by then I was committed enough to the theme of the evening to try my hand at what wouldn’t likely be called dancing, but I gave it the old college try.

No matter, all were welcome to enjoy the inclusive positive vibes projected through the talented musicians of The Jah Roots Band.

You can’t help but, at the very least, move back and forth a little when a band is playing energetic music and singing about good vibes. Even the usually stoic bartenders cracked a few smiles.

Surprise! Springfield puts on one hell of reggae show. Catch the Spoonfed Tribe at Wakarusa at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark., from June 2 to June 5. The other opening band, 77 Jefferson, will perform at the Kansas City Reggae Festival on May 21 at the Beaumont Club. Stay tuned for an album out this summer by Springfield’s own: The Jah Roots Band.

room would stay warm and then he started Bikram yoga, — Sumit is Bikram’s nephew — and then he sort of branched off and started his own form of yoga, which is what we are,” Lael said.

Sumit’s form of yoga is similar to Bikram’s, but it differs in some ways.

“Sumit is just a little bit younger and a little more Western — with music and stuff that gets your heart rate up and stuff like that,” Lael said.

Both Sumit studio and My Hot Yoga studio offer student discounts and specials. You can find both of the studios’ information and scheduling online.

Don’t think you can’t do yoga because you’re not naturally flexible or think you don’t have the right body type.

“I have people come up to me and say, ‘Oh, I really want to try yoga, but I can’t even touch my toes.’ And that’s our target audience,” Epps said. “If you feel like you’re not flexible or you don’t have balance, that’s not something you need to work on before you come here.

That’s what you work on in the yoga room.”

You can also live a yoga lifestyle by simply practicing balance. You can still eat cheeseburgers and go out to bars as a yoga student.

“I’m just in a better mood all the time,” Epps said. “I’m cleansing myself. It doesn’t matter what I do on the weekends. I can go have a glass of wine or something.

I just feel like I have an overall sense of calm outside of the yoga room, and Bikram yoga started that.

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Standard

Renaissance festival celebrates Shakespeare’s birthday in PSU

Photos by Michael Gulledge/THE STANDARD

A Renaissance fair was held in the Plaster Student Union on Tuesday. The fair was hosted by the English Society in honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday. MSU students sold their crafts and Greenwood art students put on Renaissance displays.

Weekly Crossword © 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

ACROSS 1 Actor McBride 4 Church section 8 Taj Mahal city 12 Baltimore newspaper 13 Hammerhead part 14 "Let's Make a Deal" option 15 Opposites 17 Source 18 Sandwich treat 19 Moment 20 Hearty drinks 22 College VIP, for short 24 Mexican entree 25 Cake enhancement 29 Guitar's cousin 30 Shine 31 Born 32 Represent in words 34 Microwave, e.g.

35 Aspire 36 Intelligent 37 Fix software 40 In the thick of 41 Winged 42 Party guests 46 Bath powder 47 Swerve 48 Agt. 49 Pharaoh's symbol 50 Lancaster foe 51 Firmament DOWN 1 Helgenberger series 2 Attila, e.g.

3 Bills 4 - -ski

5 Mexican money 6 Witness 7 Type measures 8 Aimless 9 Slip-up 10 Santa's runway 11 Pretentious 16 Therefore 19 British singer Stone 20 Poker variety 21 Aftermath 22 Investigate 23 Got up 25 Turn over 26 Sci-fi villains, often 27 - -do-well 28 Bloke 30 Rum recipe 33 House of worship 34 Leave out 36 Smug look

Last Weekʼs Puzzle Answers

37 Information 38 Verve 39 Pitcher's boo-boo 40 State with certainty 42 Wall climber

43 Keanu, in "The Matrix" 44 Comic-strip squeal 45 Bond, for one

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Chiefs Continued from page 6

to make with eight picks in this year’s NFL Draft, including the No. 21 overall selection.

Their biggest needs are at wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker. The Chiefs’ offense exploded in 2010, especially in the running game where KC ranked No. 1 in the NFL. This was thanks to the breakout sensation Jamaal Charles (1,467 yards) and the old veteran workhorse Thomas Jones (896 yards).

However, the passing offense still has room for improvement. The Chiefs ranked No. 12 in the NFL last season, which isn’t bad, but it’s not amazing by any means.

Besides Dwayne Bowe (1,162 yards, 15

touchdowns in 2010), KC doesn’t really have a legitimate receiving threat.

As far as wide receiver prospects go, A.J. Green and Julio Jones are the only two blue-chip wideouts in the draft, which means the Chiefs will not get either and should wait until the second round to go after a pass-catcher.

There will likely be quality players left on the board when the Chiefs pick at No. 55 such as Titus Young (Boise State), Torrey Smith (Maryland) or Leonard Hankerson (Miami).

With that first round pick, however, the Chiefs should try to target defensive players.

Defensive ends such as Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Aldon Smith (Missouri), Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) and Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) would all be solid pick-

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ups at No. 21. KC could also target a defensive tackle such as Corey Liuget (Illinois) or Phil Taylor (Baylor).

Another position the Chiefs could draft is linebacker, where Akeem Ayers (UCLA) would likely be the only firstround prospect the Chiefs have a shot at.

A couple of exceptions the Chiefs might make outside of defense in the first round are offensive linemen Mike Pouncey (Florida) and Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin). With Brian Waters aging at left guard and a lack of an outstanding player at right tackle, Pouncey and Carimi would be solid picks.

Overall, Chiefs fans will be anxious while waiting for 20 picks before KC makes their selection. But with a season like 2010, it’s well worth the wait.

Rams Continued from page 6

first round, while their 25th ranked rushing offense suggests a lineman is necessary.

In 2009, the Rams’ first three picks were cornerstones of last season’s team: offensive tackle Jason Smith (first round), linebacker James Laurinaitis (second round) and corner Bradley Fletcher (third round).

As evidenced by the play of Laurinaitis and Fletcher, the Rams’ defense is improving; therefore, defense should not be addressed until the second or third round.

What they need early on in the draft is a wide receiver.

Georgia standout A.J. Green and Alabama star Julio Jones are the top of the wide receiver crop this year, and the Rams should do whatever they can to get either Green or Jones.

According to ESPN and

Scouts Inc., A.J. Green is the fourth ranked prospect in the entire draft, while Jones is ranked ninth.

With 25 year-old wide receiver Danny Amendola returning after his 689 receiving yards in 2010 and fellow receiver Donnie Avery coming back, the Rams are one big name away from giving Sam Bradford the receiving corps that he needs.

However, since Green and Jones are ranked so high, the Rams might not be able to get either one, so a backup plan should be in order.

If the ideal wide receiver is not there at pick No. 14, the Rams could trade for a pick later in the first round and draft a receiver like Randall Cobb from Kentucky or stay at No. 14 and draft defense.

Either a safety or a defensive lineman would be a good idea, especially after the loss of safety O.J. Atogwe and the 113.1 yards that opponents gained on the ground against the Rams.

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Players that would help the Rams out in the secondary include Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, Miami defensive back Brandon Harris and Texas defensive back Aaron Williams.

Amukamara may be off the board by the time the Rams pick at No. 14, but his ability to shut down wide receivers would certainly be an asset and worth trading up for.

In the trenches, the Rams could use help either on the end or up the middle.

A defensive tackle would be a solid pick in the later rounds as a means of helping out the run defense.

Regardless of whom the Rams are able to pick in the first round, anyone who they pick should be able to immediately come in and contribute.

The Rams have many needs to address and should be looking to give Bradford more weapons to work with, but the defense has some holes as well.

Last Weekʼs Sudoku Answers

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Exercise Continued from page 5

themselves up with their legs rather than pulling themselves up with their arms.”

Linda Chorice, manager of the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, said hiking is her favorite way to exercise. She said it is beneficial because you get a chance to not only get a little bit of exercise, but also to enjoy the surrounding sights and sounds.

“The beauty of just being out in nature is wonderful,” she said. “The hills give you a variety of terrains, which gives you get a chance to work different muscles and your heart a little more. Vitamin D (absorbed through skin from the sun) is important too.”

Chorice said she also gets a lot of exercise by mowing her yard.

“I despise it, but it certainly gets your heart rate up,” she said. “Gardening also burns a lot of calories because you’re up

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Standard

and down a lot, but those are chore-oriented and not as fun as hiking.”

Chorice said the Nature Center only has walking trails — running is limited to 6 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

“We connect with the Ozark Greenways Trail System that you can bike or rollerblade on,” she said. “But there is a bike rack once you get to our area.”

Chorice said hiking has many emotional benefits.

“It helps people reduce stress, clear their minds and focus,” she said. “Any time you exercise and are with someone else, the time goes faster. Enjoying the beauty of the outdoors connects you with other people and the outdoors.”

Chorice said she suggests everyone who goes hiking should bring binoculars.

“It doesn’t take too much effort to bring them with you, and you will see things you’ve never noticed before,” she said.

“People seem to really enjoy making those discoveries on their own.”

Want to find out how many calories you burn doing a specific activity?

Check out the calories burned calculator at caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php and take advantage of the low costs and convenient hours of these local workout wonderlands.

Big Rock Climbing Gym

Nature Center Trail Hours

Prices: Adult day pass: $10 Rental pack (shoe, harness and chalk bag): $6 Facing your fear of heights: Priceless

Current Building Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.; Closed Mondays

(bigrockclimbinggym.com) Monday – Thursday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

(ozarkgreenways.org) March 1 to October 31: Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

November 1 to February 29: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($ free)

Students raise awareness with 25 Hours of Silence

By Damien M. DiPlacido The Standard

Members of STAND (Students Taking Action Now in Darfur) braved the storms on Sunday night to camp outside Bear Park North in order to raise awareness of the tragedies taking place in several African countries such as Sudan and The Democratic Republic of Congo.

On April 25, STAND participated in an occasion called 25 Hours of Silence. It was an event sponsored by Invisible Children, an organization that aims to end the violent LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) attacks and the use of child soldiers in Africa, said STAND President Aubrey Webster.

The LRA soldiers are made up of children whose ages range from around 512. The children are kidnapped and often forced to murder their families and

neighbors so they will have nothing to come home to, Webster said.

Senior cell and molecular biology major Lauren Lombardi has been a member of STAND for three years and currently serves as their vice president.

“Besides the fact that we want to raise awareness, we’re trying to raise $25 from everyone involved to go toward funding the Invisible Children Protection Plan.” Lombardi said.

The goal is to build radio towers in the African villages where there is little means of communication, Webster said. The towers will warn villagers of impending LRA attacks.

Without communication, the attacks often take weeks to be reported.

“People are coming with guns and massacring the villages and there’s no warning about it,” freshman communication major Matt Ryan said.

“The protection plan is basically to raise money to set up radio towers and to also set up rehabilitation centers for the child soldiers that have been mentally traumatized.”

The targeted children are being forced to vacate their homes at night and travel to cities where they can sleep in very crowded spaces, Webster said. This lessens their chances of being kidnapped, and as a result, they’re called night commuters.

Camping out in the harsh tornado season elements and remaining silent for 25 hours was a representation of the night commuters and how difficult it is for them, Webster said. The 25 Hours of Silence was followed by an event called Break the Silence.

“We’re here to show people that we in America take silence for granted,” Lombardi said. “It’s nearly impossible. I couldn’t even order a pizza.”

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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The Standard

Aliens, wizards, heroes and Alan

Summer 2011: Movies packed with lots of action

It is time once again for the summer blockbusters.

Bust out your popcorn and some 3D glasses. You’re going to need them.

There are a lot of movies slated for release this summer: big action adventures, long awaited comedy flicks, indie treasures and evenlonger-awaited kids movies that I’d bet a lot of us are looking forward to.

Below is a list of some of the biggest, in my opinion, coming out this summer.

Trust me, there are a ton more being released, but there simply isn’t time to list them all. Apologies if your favorite isn’t listed. With no further ado…

“Thor” – Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins.

Based on the Marvel comic book, the Nordic god Thor (Hemsworth) is banished to Earth after his careless actions rekindle an ancient

May 6, 2011

Karman Bowers Reviewer

Abrams and Steven Spielberg; when a train carrying materials from Area 51 derails, a creature escapes and it is caught on camera by two kids filming a movie on a super 8 camera.

Thailand this time for Stu’s June 17, 2011 “Green Lantern” – Starwar, and he must learn what bachelor party. I’m guessing it’s going to be like the first ring Ryan Reynolds, Blake it is to be a true hero.

Lively and Mark Strong. one, only in Thailand.

Based on the DC Comic, May 13, 2011 Hal Jordon (Reynolds), the “Priest” – Starring Paul May 26, 2011 “Kung Fu Panda 2” – newest and only human Bettany and Cam Gigandet.

Set in a dystopian, post- Starring voice talents of recruit to the Green apocalyptic alternative Jack Black and Gary Old- Lanterns, a brotherhood world, a warrior priest must man, the sequal follows Po sworn to keep intergalactic break all his vows when his and the Furious Five who order, must quickly master niece is captured by the are on a quest to find other his powers in order to save creatures man has been pandas when they run into a the world. fighting for centuries: vam- group of bandits and a peacock that is more than what June 24, 2011 pires.

“Cars 2” – Starring the he seems. voice talents of Owen WilMay 20, 2011 son plus some new cars “Pirates of the June 3, 2011 “X-Men: First Class” – voiced by Emily Mortimer Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” – Starring Johnny Starring James McAvoy and and Michael Caine. When Depp, Ian McShane, Pene- Michael Fassbender. A pre- Lightning McQueen and lope Cruz and Geoffrey quel to the X-Men trilogy, Mater head overseas for the Rush. The fourth installment “First Class” follows the first World Grand Prix, in the Pirates franchise sees young duo of Charles Mater gets mixed up in Captain Jack searching for Xavier and Erik Lensherr international espionage. and tells the story of how the Fountain of Youth. they became the fabled Pro- July 1, 2011 “Transformers: Dark of fessor X and Magneto.

May 26, 2011 the Moon” – Starring Shia “The Hangover: Part LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel and II” – Starring Bradley June 10, 2011 “Super 8” – Starring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Kyle Chandler and Elle Fan- Sam (LaBeouf) is still a Bartha. The crew heads to ning. The newest from J.J. reluctant ally of Optimus

Prime but must step up once again when it appears that the Transformers may have had a pivotal role in the space race between the U.S.S.R. and U.S.A.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” – Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Ralph Fiennes. If you don’t already know that this is the final film in the Harry Potter series, then you’ve been living under a big rock.

July 15, 2011

“Captain America: The First Avenger” – Starring Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving. Based on the Marvel comic character, this film chronicles the birth of Captain America and his first fights against evil, particularly The Red Skull.

July 22, 2011

“Cowboys and Aliens” – Starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. This is exactly what it sounds like: the classic cowboy-and-Indian dispute is interrupted when aliens land and plan to enslave the Wild West.

July 29, 2011

“The Rise of the Planet

August 5, 2011

of the Apes” – Starring James Franco, Freida Pinto and Andy Serkis. Set in modern day time, this film chronicles the rise of the apes from the human’s initial genetic engineering to the war for supremacy.

“Conan the Barbarian” – Starring Jason Momoa and Ron Perlman. After watching his father and tribe brutally slaughtered, Conan (Momoa) vows to avenge his people at all costs.

The biggest trend, besides the usual slew of sequels/remakes/prequels that we’ve been seeing lately, is superhero movies. OK, so maybe that isn’t anything new for the summer either, but there is supposedly something big in the works in Hollywood, and this summer seems to be the beginning.

You may have heard that a new “The Avengers” has been brewing. No, not the Uma Thurman/Ralph Fiennes “Avengers,” but a Marvel comics one. We’ve already seen Iron Man; now we’re seeing the origin stories of some other members, i.e. Thor and Captain America. Don’t worry, more origin stories are coming soon.

August 19, 2011

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011