The Vista - April 7th

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Campus Quotes

Edmond

State History

Baseball

Do you know what hot dogs are made of and do you care?

Author Maureen Johnson spoke at Edmond’s Public Library Wednesday morning.

Oklahoma has been drier in the four months following Thanksgiving than it has been in any similar period since 1921.

UCO defeats the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma 6-1.

APR. 7, 2011 uco360.com twitter.com/uco360

THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S student voice since 1903.

Alcohol

COLT 45: ‘GET BLASTED’

HOUSING FAIR TAKES UP SHOP ON CAMPUS PHOTO BY KENZIE HEIDELBERG

By Cody Bromley / Senior Staff Writer It does not look like alcohol, and it will not taste like alcohol, but a single can has as much alcohol as four to five standard drinks.

The Pabst Brewing Company, makers of the malt liquor beverage Colt 45, unveiled their latest product offering “Blast by Colt,” a fruitflavored alcoholic beverage, earlier last year but the product officially launched Tuesday.

Endorsed by rapper Snoop Dogg, and brewed by the Pabst Brewing Company, Blast

by Colt is only the latest in a series of controversial adult beverages. Available in four fruity flavors (blueberry pomegranate, raspberry watermelon, strawberry lemonade or grape) the beverage’s cans and bottles look more like energy drinks or sodas than alcoholic beverages.

The new beverage has watchdogs, including alcohol industry watchdog Marin Institute pouncing because they believe the drink’s bright colors and packaging makes it appeal to underage drinkers as well as young adults who they believe could confuse it for a soft drink. The Marin Institute is also working on a state senate bill in California to get drinks like Blast by Colt, which they call “supersize alcopops,” taken off the market entirely.

In a statement made to Reuters, John Sayer, chief marketing officer of Pabst, said, “Blast is only meant to be consumed by those above legal drinking age and does not contain caffeine.”

But the Marin Institute is not only upset with the beverage itself, but also the way it is being marketed. The Marin Institute has put Snoop Dogg “in the doghouse” because they believe the rap star is targeting African Ameri-

can youth with the beverage. But Snoop Dogg is not the first rapper to jump on the alcohol endorsement bandwagon. Shawn “P-Diddy” Combs is the brand ambassador to Cîroc, a French vodka made from grapes, Jay-Z has prominently featured the champagne Armand de Brignac in his music videos, and rapper turned actor Ice Cube will be appearing in ads for Coors Light later this year.

Blast by Colt’s brewer is optimistic that it can reshape the brand’s image despite Colt 45 having been in decline for many years. While the new beverage is aimed at younger adults, including women and the hip-hop scene, Colt 45 has historically been popular specifically with the African-American community. The 1980s actor Billy Dee Williams, best known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars films, pitched the malt-liquor beverage with the controversial slogan “Works Every Time.”

Pabst has not dropped the old slogan for the new beverage, instead Snoop Dogg has appeared in ads alongside the phrase. As for a potential new slogan, on St. Patrick’s Day the beverage’s official Twitter account encouraged followers to “Get Blasted for St. Patty’s day.”

Despite the controversy over the drink, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission has approved Blast by Colt for sale in the state effective May 1.

“We have concerns like most of the public health community has concerns about the targeting of particular groups, not only age groups but also demographics. Unlike Four

Kelley Wampler, Jordan Lashley and Erin Regan talk to UCO students about Oxford Oaks apartments.

Loko, this product does not contain caffeine, taurine, guarana or any other stimulants so frankly it’s impossible for us to ban or restrict its sale,” John Maisch, general counsel for the ABLE commission and business law adjunct professor at UCO, said.

Recently, the ABLE commission also approved a reformulated version of the alcoholic beverage Four Loko. Last November, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverages Laws Enforcement Commission placed a moratorium on the beverage. The 23.5 ounce canned beverage contained the alcohol-equivalent of roughly four 12-ounce beers, the same amount as a can of Blast by Colt, but also had the caffeine-equivalent of four espresso shots.

The Food and Drug Administration stepped in to declare the alcohol energy drinks were an adulterated product and contained unsafe additives. Phusion Projects, the Chicagobased makers of Four Loko, now make the drink without caffeine.

No new shipments of the caffeinated Four Loko have been allowed into the state since Dec. 3, but existing supplies continue to be

sold across the state, including some stores in Edmond who still have unsold cans of the original caffeinated version.

Maisch said that the drinks are sold and licensed as malt beverages, but that in the process of making the drinks, most of the alcohol is extracted and infused much like a distilled spirit. The classification difference costs the state a potential tax income of $1.37 per liter.

“It’s a huge difference, and that’s going to affect the pricing as well,” Maisch said.

Depending on the retailer, a six-pack of seven-ounce Blast by Colt bottles will sell for around $7 before tax. Maisch said that the commission are not pushing for a ban outright of these beverages, but that they would encourage legislators to consider the possibility of raising the tax on flavored malt beverages such as Four Loko and Blast by Colt or even changing the way they are taxed to make the drinks less accessible.

Because of their high alcohol content, the reformulated Four Loko and Blast by Colt will only be available at package alcohol retailers and licensed bottle clubs.

NASA

WEATHER TODAY

H 89° L 58°

NASA TO CELEBRATION SPRING POWWOW PHOTO PROVIDED

TOMORROW H 90° L 65°

More weather at www.uco360.com The annual spring Powwow celebrates the gathering of different families and tribes to UCO. Last year appromixately 500 visitors attended.

DID YOU KNOW? On average, a licking machine made at Purdue University can get to the center of a Tootsie Pop in 364 licks.

By Jenefar De Leon / Editor in Chief and Treva Yarbrough / Contributor The Native American Student Association will celebrate their rich culture on Saturday and Sunday with traditional Native American food, music and dance at its 39th Annual Spring Powwow.

“It is a gathering of different families and tribes,” Kevin Laxton, vice

president of NASA said. “Powwow is a celebration of cultures. It is one of UCO oldest traditions.”

Laxton, who is a member of the Choctaw nation said, this is an opportunity to educate young Native Americans about their culture and to have the community involved.

The annual spring Powwow will kick off the event with a game of

Choctaw stickball at 3 p.m. April 9 at Hamilton Field.

It is a traditional sport played by few tribes and used at times to resolve disputes. This is the first year UCO will host a traditional game of Choctaw stickball and visitor are welcome to participate.

“Some people compare stickball to lacrosse,” Lindsay Echols, the coordinator of Multicultural Student Services, said.

The next day will follow with food, music and a dance competition.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be local vendors selling Native American jewelry and clothing.

The event will begin with the Gourd Dance at 2 p.m. April 10 at the Hamilton Field House, which is a celebration of singing and dancing, and then followed by a free dinner at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by NASA and the Multicultural Student Services. The food will be provided and cooked by the First Indian Baptist Church of Edmond.

“There will be traditional foods such as corn soup, grape dumpling, fried bread and hominy,” Echols said.

The event will close with a dance competition at 7 p.m., and a drum contest, which will end with prize winners for each category. The awards will be $150 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third. The winner of the drum contest will receive $700.

Contest dancing categories include Men’s Straight, Men’s Traditional, Men’s Grass, Men’s Fancy, Women’s Cloth and Women’s Buckskin, Women’s Jingle, Women’s Fancy and Tiny Tots.

Laxton hopes the community will leave the event with awareness about the array of Native American cultures in Oklahoma and the importance of preserving the rich cultures that are an important part of America’s history.

“Last year over 500 people attended including UCO alumni, future and current UCO students, as well as people within the community,” Echols said. “There will be some UCO students dancing, but mostly the dancers will come from all over the state.”

Laxton said, NASA hopes to increase the number of attendance and hope upcoming events will be bigger and better.

THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 editorial@uco360.com

The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, semi-weekly during the academic year except exam and holiday periods, and only on Wednesdays during the summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

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OPINION

2

APR. 7, 2011

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CAMPUS QUOTES

Do you know what hotdogs are made of? Do you care?

SAMANTHA LANGO

MABEL CHUKWU

HOPE DISMUKE

Freshman - Biology

Senior- Community Health

Senior-Community Health

LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, with a maximum of 150 words, and must include the author’s printed name, title, major, classification and phone number. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.

Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 730345209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be e-mailed to vistauco@gmail.com.

STAFF

Management

Editorial

Jenefar de Leon, Editor-In-Chief Ryan Costello, Managing Editor Samantha Maloy, Copy Editor Chris Wescott, Sports Editor Garett Fisbeck, Photo Editor

Steven Hyde

Kory Oswald, Senior Staff Writer Cody Bromley, Staff Writer Chantal Robbateux, Staff Writer Michael Collins, Staff Writer Brittany Dalton, Staff Writer Christie Southern, Staff Writer Josh Hutton, Staff Writer Nicole Ford, Staff Writer

Advertising

Photography

Kylee Turner

Kathleen Wells

Circulation

Editorial Comic

Bill Southard

Prakriti Adhikari

Graphic Design

Adviser Mr. Teddy Burch

“It’s a mystery. As long as “Well hotdogs can be made from a lot of different kinds they’re good.” of stuff. It just depends on where it comes from.”

“Something really nasty.

I’ll still eat it if it’s grilled.”

ROSS ADAMS

AMY LOT

MOSS MBAO

Junior - Photographic Arts / Journalism

Junior - Sociology

Senior - Finance

Administrative Assistant Tresa Berlemann

Editorial

SURPRISE! SAFETY COMMITTEE VOTES OPEN CARRY UNSAFE

By Cody Bromley / Staff Writer Hide your kids. Hide your wife. And now, hide your guns.

The bill that would have opened up the state to freely carry firearms failed to pass a house committee vote on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 129, the bill the House Public Safety Committee voted on, would have only allowed residents with concealed handgun permits to open-carry firearms. The committee’s 9-8 vote will send it back to the drawing board.

That bill was only one of several firearm pieces of legislation that have been working their way through the state’s legislative system, but SB 129 was the one that set a fire to the state’s gun debate.

Several groups have expressed their approval and disapproval of such laws, among them the National Rifle Association. They expressed their feelings about the bill last month in a complicated statement that did not show support for one side of SB 129 or another.

“The NRA supports good legislation that seeks to expand the firearm rights of law-abiding gun owners. Oklahoma currently has complex, varying layers of requirements and restrictions for carrying firearms that need to be changed.”

The NRA’s state level equivalent, the Oklahoma Rifle Association, has staunchly come out against the open-carry SB 129.

“Allowing citizens, trained or untrained, to carry Rifles and Shotguns either in a scabbard or with a sling on city streets and into business establishments will create an atmosphere of hostility and distrust, not to mention create fear in those in our society who have an aversion to any type of firearm,” the ORA said in a letter to state representatives late last month.

The ORA letter also made mention to SB 129 lowering the age of purchasing firearms from 21 to 18 and the apprehension of the law enforcement community who believe that open-carry would lead to more unnecessary use of deadly force.

They had me at scabbard. The state’s foremost proponent of gun rights is saying this is a bad idea, and I’m inclined to listen.

Personally, I’d prefer to take a more literal reading of the second amendment, but I’ve come to accept the gun culture that comes with living in Oklahoma. Hunting and self-defense are both common and practical uses of guns, but wearing a shotgun on your back as you walk into a bank is a wholly unnecessary display of pride and dominance.

As the other gun bills work their way through the legislature, hopefully lawmakers are willing to see the issues the ORA raises.

“Trash. I don’t consume “Pigs.... We’re all going to trash, so no, I don’t care.” die one day.”

“They’re made of beef, pork, chicken.... I do because I don’t eat pork.”

By Pakriti Adhikari / Cartoonist

NEWS

APR. 7, 2011 Government

3

Opinion

U.S., COLOMBIA REACH DEAL

By Josh Hutton Granny Thunder Up ndigenous protesters march against the Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the U.S. in Ipiales, on Colombia’s southern border with Ecuador, Wednesday March 9, 2011. The congressional ratification of a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Colombia, which was signed during the George W. Bush presidency, has been put off by Barack Obama’s administration. (AP Photo/Wilson Prado)

By Julie Pace / Associated Press

compete on a level playing field internationally.

“It would help create American jobs.

And it would help our relationship with

never brought the agreements up for vote, giving the Obama administration WASHINGTON (AP) — After weeks time to renegotiate areas it found objecof intense negotiations, the United tionable.

States and Colombia have reached a deal The key U.S. conon a free trade pact that the cerns in negotiating White House says is a vital the Colombia pact fopart of President Barack cused on high rates of Obama’s economic agenda. violence against CoThe administration said lombian labor union the agreement came toleaders and insufficient gether after the Colombiprotections for workans agreed to offer greater ers’ rights. Under the protections for workers and new agreement, the union leaders, an area of key Colombian governconcern for the U.S. The fiment will phase in an nal pact will boost U.S. exaction plan throughports to Colombia by more out the year aimed at than $1 billion per year and increasing protections could support thousands of for labor.

American jobs.

The administration The deal has bipartiurged U.S. labor orIndigenous demonstrators protest the Free Trade Agreement besan support in Congress, ganizations, many of which must approve the tween Colombia and the U.S. in Ipiales, on Colombia’s southern border with Ecuador, Wednesday March 9, 2011. The sign reads whom have been reagreement before it can be in Spanish “No to the free trade agreement with the U.S.” (AP luctant to back the Coimplemented. Republican Photo/Wilson Prado) lombia deal over conlawmakers have used the cerns about workers’ pact as a political bargainrights, to reconsider ing chip, threatening to block the contheir opposition to the deal based on the firmation of a new commerce secretary The measures include: steps Colombia has agreed to. and hold up final passage of another deal — Expanding by April 22 the Administration officials offered no with South Korea if the administration scope of existing protections to timeline for sending the Colombia did not finalize a deal with Colombia, as help union leaders protect la- agreement to Congress, though they said well as another pending agreement with bor activists, workers trying to they were confident the steps Colombia Panama. agreed to would lead to a favorable vote.

Completing the Colombia deal could join unions, and former union “We’re going to engage with Conincrease pressure on the Panamanian activists who may be threat- gress on the issuing of scheduling and government to address outstanding isened because of past activities. sequencing but that process has not yet sues that remain in those negotiations, been done,” said Mike Froman, White — Reforming Colombia’ s administration officials said. U.S. concriminal code by June 15 to House deputy national security adviser cerns with Panama are focused on the for international economic affairs. transparency of tax laws there, though criminalize and penalize acNews of the deal with Colombia won officials say Panama will likely pass a tions or threats that could limit praise from the business community. tax-information exchange agreement workers’ rights, including the Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. that could end the stalemate by the end Chamber of Commerce, applauded right to organize. of this month.

—Directing Colombia’s Na- Obama and Colombian President Juan Under the agreement with Colombia, Manuel Santos for their “courage and 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer tional Police to assign 95 full- pragmatism” in striking the accord. and industrial products to Colombia time investigators to support “This proves the United States can will become duty-free, with the remainprosecutors handling cases in- still lead on trade,” Donohue said. “The ing tariffs phased out over the next 10 volving crimes against union Chamber will work closely with the years. More than half of U.S. agriculture White House and Congress to secure members by December. exports to Colombia would also become approval of the three pending free trade duty-free, with almost all tariffs elimiagreements in the weeks ahead.” nated within 15 years. an important ally in Latin America,” McObama has made trade a central part With Colombia, the third largest Connell said Wednesday. of his economic agenda, in part because economy in Central and South America, Colombian President Juan Manu- he sees it as a way to boost U.S. exports set to implement trade pacts with Canael Santos was expected to meet with and jobs, and because it’s an area where da and the European Union, the adminObama in Washington Thursday to for- the administration believes it can get istration said finalizing the deal now was mally agree to the deal.

Republican support. Republicans have crucial to the U.S. keeping an economic The U.S. signed the agreements with generally supported trade agreements. foothold in the country.

Colombia, Panama and South Korea in The president has set a goal of douSen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the 2007 under President George W. Bush. bling U.S. exports by 2015, in part by agreement would help U.S. businesses But the then-Democratic-led Congress entering into new trade agreements.

With her hair of white and possession of the strongest bifocals on the market, the meanest domino player (in the Midwest) walks amongst us. My granny massacres crosswords by the light of day. She spends afternoons injecting ice cream into her veins and laughing in the face of diabetes. When night descends over our city, just an instant before the children drift into sleep, their lids tear open to the howl of Granny.

My granny’s howl – a visceral response to a missed basket by Oklahoma City’s Thunder – contains the power of a tornado siren, and therefore makes me feel emasculated. A saucy woman in her eighties can spout every player’s average points per game, their rebounds; heck, where each player resides in the offseason.

I try to keep up, but I lost interest in sports after the fifth grade. Instead, I watched Spongebob religiously, read the Wishbone version of several literary classics, and macked on women shamelessly – well, in all actuality I was very fat – so, I befriended them…hard.

Maybe I have trouble connecting with my sports guru granny, but I would argue standard expectations for masculinity and femininity are for the birds.

When we tie ourselves into the seams of what gender traditionally suggests, we deny our full potential.

I have a terrible memory and often when I meet people, I ask them to tell me something quirky about themselves to bolster my recall. Sadly, the majority of both sides respond with “I’m purty average.” I ask them to pitch themselves to me, and they sale their personas as mere wallflowers. If you feel a calling to fill classic roles – the man as the provider, the woman as the keeper of the home – rock n’ roll, but never shut a door simply because its unorthodox or unknown.

Dudes that guzzle protein shakes, drive F-350s without trailer hitches, and belittle each other using homophobic vernacular will never reach me. Ladies that talk incessantly about peach sweet tea, gawk over Twilight, and lip-synch to misogynous songs will never reach me. I love the nomads among us, who have the courage to stray.

Though I am completely lost when my granny screams at Kevin Durant, I enjoy the mechanic we share. It forces me to reevaluate the familiar in a way that makes the familiar so ridiculous. So, the next time my granny’s yell rips you from your sleep, remember it is symbol of progress.

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NEWS

APR. 7, 2011

Edmond Community

AUTHOR MAKES METRO LIBRARY TOUR Maureen Johnson, a young adult author, spoke at the Edmond Public Library and other metro libraries this week.

She shared about her life and work and conducted a Q&A session with the audience.

By Chantal Robatteux / Staff Writer Author Maureen Johnson spoke at Edmond’s Public Library Wednesday morning about her career and book publishing.

This was a free event.

Teresa Matthews, librarian, said, “The young adult librarians had asked Emily Williams, our [Young Adult] Co-coordinator if we could do a young adult author. Since Maureen’s books are so popular, Emily invited her.

We are all very excited; especially since she had a book on the Sequoyah Nominee list.”

Williams, a young adult services coordinator for the Edmond Public Library, said it was a general public talk and Johnson would do a short presentation about her life and work, and the most part would be a Q&A. “The Friends of the Metropolitan Library System were generous enough to fund this author’s visit. She is a very popular author, and we’re thrilled to have her speaking at the library,” Williams said.

Johnson spoke at the various Metropolitan Library branches this week and will be flying back to New York City this afternoon.

Matthews said this was a great chance for anyone to speak with a published author, about the industry, and about her inspirations.

“I think it is really important, however, to give young adults this opportunity to meet and interact with writers and professionals who are young and have a voice that is relevant to today’s youth. The more chances […] they have to experience this can affect the goals they have and the future adults and leaders they will become. The library tries to be a place to help them find their voice, to help them search and to answer their questions,” Matthews said.

PHOTO BY KENZIE HEIDELBERG

She added Oklahoma is not always the first choice market of publishing companies when authors do tours, “so anytime we can bring this experience to our users, we really think it’s important. Plus as a young adult author whose book has been nominated for our own state award in the past, it’s a great chance for our users to meet someone whose book they have read and enjoyed,” Matthews said.

Williams said many teens and adults enjoy writing, but maybe do not have the confidence to try and write a novel or get published.

“This is a great opportunity to meet a real-life author and ask questions about the process of writing and publishing. If people haven’t read any of her books before hearing her speak, they will definitely want to after the event.”

Johnson said she started writing her first book in 2004, and has had about 11 different editors and five different publishers.

She said she writes everyday, except when she’s traveling.

Johnson added she taught herself how to write well, and anybody can write.

“But you shouldn’t do it to get rich, you should do it because you love it.”

She said she meets with other writers to discuss the writings and to give each other ideas and tips. “I’ve been doing this [meeting for] four years, and we meet at the same place and the same time.”

Her first book was published in May 2004, and she has seven novels published. She will be releasing two more this year.

Members of the audience received a free paperback copy of her book Suite Scarlett, and Johnson took the time to sign them.

Author Maureen Johnson spoke at Edmond’s Public Library Wednesday, April 7. Johnson has two more books set to release this year.

NEWS WITH A FLASH

President Barack Obama takes questions from reporters as he speaks about the possible government shutdown, Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Libyan rebel fighters prepare rockets for use at a position west of Ajdabiya, Libya, Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

NATO rejected criticism from Libyan rebels over the pace of its military campaign in Libya, saying Wednesday that its airstrikes against Moammar Gadhafi’s forces are increasing every day. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Kashmiri women comfort the sister of Sajjad Ahmed, a top militant commander of Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, during his funeral in Pinglish, some 56 Kilometers (35 miles) south of Srinagar, India, Wednesday, April 6, 2011. were also killed in the fighting, according to the police. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Vista Photographer Needed Contact Teddy Burch t: (405) 974-5123 e: tburch2@uco.edu

Photo by Garett Fisbeck

NEWS

APR. 7, 2011

w

5

State History

WHEN THE DUST CAME SWEEPING DOWN THE PLAINS...BUT THE RAIN NEVER DID Oklahoma was drier in the four months following Thanksgiving than it has been in any similar period since 1921. That’s saying a lot in the state known for the 1930s Dust Bowl, when drought and high winds generated severe dust storms that stripped the land of its topsoil.

Neighboring states are in similar shape as the drought stretches from the Louisiana Gulf coast to Colorado, and conditions are getting worse, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The area in Texas covered by an extreme drought has tripled in the past month to 40 percent, and in Oklahoma it nearly doubled in one week to 16 percent, according to the monitor’s March 29 update.

While dozens of people in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas have lost homes to the hundreds of grassfires that have torn through the parched landscape in the past month, Oklahoma officials said more fires caused more damage as recently as 2009. This year, the biggest losses are likely to come from the drought’s effect on the wheat farmers planted last fall and hoped to harvest in June.

A fireman extinguishes a blaze just feet from an automobile on Western Ave as a large grass fire rages on Friday, March 11, 2011, in Goldsby, Okla. Goldsby emergency management director Greg Giltner said the fire had scorched about 1,000 acres, but firefighters had been able to save the homes. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Steve Sisney)

This NOAA satellite image taken Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 1:00 a.m. EST shows cloudy skies develop across the nation. A low pressure system moves through the Central US, triggering rain and snow showers as it moves through the Central Plains and into the Midwest and Lower Mississippi River Valley. (AP PHOTO/ WEATHER UNDERGROUND)

“Some places have already lost their wheat crop farther south and in the Panhandle. In the driest parts of the state, the rainfall they have gotten, it’s not enough to make them rest easy with their crops. It’s just a bad situation,” -Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Remembering the Dust Bowl

By Brittany Dalton / Staff Writer There were 14 severe dust storms in 1932 and in 1933 there were 38 of them reported. In 1937 there were 134 dust storms. These dust storms were called black blizzards.

By 1934, The Yearbook of Agriculture announced that 100 million acres have lost all or most of their topsoil, another 125 million acres are about to and 35 million acres cannot grow crops of any kind.

On May 9, 1934, a major dust storm started over the northern plains of Montana and the Dakotas and by night it had reached Chicago dumping an estimated 6,000 tons of dust. The next morning the dust had reached Boston and New York where the streetlights came on at midday and cars had to use headlights. The dust storm was 1,800 miles wide.

By the spring of 1935, people began to do die of what was called dust pneumonia and in 1938, Woody Guthrie wrote a song called “Dust Pneumonia Blues.”

Sunday, April 14, 1935 was the worst dust storm, being called Black Sunday. The day after this storm, an AP reporter used the term “Dust Bowl” for the first time.

The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 27, 1935. This law gave farmers money to plant native grasses, trees and certain vegetables to protect the soil from soil erosion and keep it from blowing away.

By December 1935, experts estimated 850 million tons of topsoil had blown off of the plains.

Rains finally came again in the fall of 1939, but 25 percent of the population would still leave the affected states and by 1940, 2.5 million people had moved from the Plains states.

THE VISTA

Editorial Cartoonist Have a passion for illustrating and editing? The Vista is looking for you. Showcase your talent and ideas twice a week in the campus paper.

When you need the news, grab the Vista.

Where campus news is our focus and your interest.

Contact Teddy Burch (405)974-5123 tburch2@uco.edu

CLASSIFIED

6

EMPLOYMENT

Server Positions Available

Hefner Grill, Hiring all positions. Apply within. 7486113

Shogun’s Steak House Of Japan

Hiring for waitstaff, busers, dishwashers, host, bar tender.

Apply in person at Northpark Mall (NW 127nd N. May) after 5:30 pm. 749-0120

River Oaks Golf Club

EMPLOYMENT

APR. 7, 2011 CROSSWORDS

Help Wanted

Hiring Mother’s Day Out Teachers for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00 am- 3:00 pm. Some experience/education is required.

The positions will consist of changing diapers, lifting children, playing on the floor, planning activities & communicating with parents. We care for children from 6 weeks old to 5 years old. If interested please email resumes to Julie@chapelhillumcokc.org.

SERVICES

The Language Company - Edmond

Part time/Full Time Positions Available. Banquet Staff, Wait Staff, Beverage Cart, will Train. Friendly Atmosphere.

Conveniently located on the River Oaks Golf Club. 10909 Club House Road, Edmond, UCO campus, offers English as a second language classes OK. 405-771-5800. for international students/individuals. NOW FEATURING a specially designed program with: Strong emphasis in lisTeacher needed immedi- tening/ speaking, highly interately for Edmond Daycare. active classes, and a new and FT/PT experience preferred. improved TOEFL program.

Competitive wages. Apply in Enjoy small classes and the person @ 24 NW 146th or campus facilities. Contact us call Camelot CDC @ 749- at (405) 341 - 2125 or www.

2262. thelanguagecompany.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Edmond Answer Service operator, type 45 wpm, parttime evening positions available. First evening shift: Mon4-9p, Tues- off, Wed- 3-6:30p, Thurs- 4-7p, Fri- 4-11p, Sat- off, Sun- 10am-6p. Next available evening shift: ThursMon, Tues & Wed- off. $11 per hour. Call for information 285-4316.

Nanny Needed

Part-time nanny needed for toddler. 2-5 days a week. Call Cheryl at 863-7937.

Help Wanted

Edmond ranch seeks part time help for basic grounds upkeep. 8-16 hours per week, flexible hours. If interested, email mbtownsend@swbell. net.

FOR SALE

For Sale

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2 with only 75k miles.

Sporty gray with leather power bucket seats, sun roof, wheels, dual exhausts and good gas mileage. Very clean and in excellent mechanical condition. Not a cleaner 2004 anywhere. Located near campus. $8,950 with possible bank loan. 844-8787 or carterml@sbcglobal.net

LOST ITEMS

Lost Necklace

Lost diamond necklace.

Very sentimental and important to the owner. Lost near the library. Return to The Vista’s Newsroom, Kylee in the Ad Department. CASH REWARD!!

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1. Assume 6. European freshwater fish related to the carp 10. A large but nonspecific amount 14. Small hand drum of northern India 15. Biblical birthright seller 16. “Don’t bet ___ ___!”

17. Architectural projection 18. Payment by tenant 19. Fa, for example 20. Study of substances extracted from ores 22. ___ cheese with red wax covering 23. Craving 24. Small handbills 26. Small cold rice cakes topped with fish 29. Erasable programmable read-only memory (acronym) 31. A music notation indicating repeat 32. Breeches, as in clothing (2 wrds) 36. Pallid 37. Embankment to prevent flooding 38. A New Zealander 39. Historical name for Anatolia (2 wds) 41. Toxic snake bite substance 42. Young cat 43. Green ___, military 44. Diamond-patterned socks 47. Used to row a boat 48. “Star Trek” speed 49. Purplish cole slaw ingredient (2 wds) 56. “___ From Muskogee” 57. ___ vera 58. Dog-___, turned down corner 59. Set aside 60. Fish named Charlie 61. River nymph or spirit 62. “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto) 63. Distinctive, stylish elegance 64. Resembling wings

1. The smallest unit of an element 2. Challenge someone to do something 3. Final notice 4. “Guilty,” e.g.

5. A cry that begins a fox hunt chase 6. Any “Seinfeld,” now 7. ___-friendly 8. “Drat!”

9. Shops that do not apply taxes (2 wds) 10. Something profitable 11. Region in a vacuum tube 12. “Norwegian Wood” instrument 13. Tobacco pipe tube (pl.)

21. “Fantasy Island” prop 25. Chop (off) 26. Caribbean and others 27. Thick, wrinkled skin fruit 28. Nickname of Am. soccer player Marino 29. Representative 30. Equal 31. Marienbad, for one 32. Clark of the Daily Planet 33. Opening time, maybe 34. Blockhead 35. Transgression 37. Able to read and write 40. “Cool” dollar amount 41. Garden plant genus with showy spikes of colored flowers 43. Bleat 44. Came to 45. Tool for gathering leaves (pl.)

46. Stagehands 47. Arctic ___ 50. Twelfth month in the Jewish calendar 51. Lady of Lisbon 52. Canaanite deity 53. “Mi chiamano Mimi,” e.g.

54. A toothed machine part 55. Christian Science founder

SUDOKU

Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.73)

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APR 5 ANSWERS CROSSWORD

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SPORTS

APR. 7, 2011

7

Sports Feature

UNDERSTANDING THE DII ATHLETE PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

By Michael Collins / Sports Writer With spring football underway for many of the state colleges and universities, I thought it might be time to enlighten some people about the differences between Division I and Division II athletics, namely football.

Whether you’re playing ball at Edmond North, UCO, or OU, football is the same everywhere. You have spring football, summer workouts, fall camp, and then finally the season. Where things start to get different is when you start talking about money.

Obviously high school students don’t get paid, well not legally, but the main difference is the 85 scholarships that NCAA division I programs get as compared to the 35 scholarships that NCAA division II schools are allotted. The constant is the workload, there is very little difference between time put in at say OU and UCO, I would even argue that at smaller schools the work the athletes put in are sometimes greater than the big schools because they are not watched as closely as the national powerhouses.

Awhile back, the student body at UCO had an opportunity to pass Proposition 1 that would have increased the student activity fee. A good chunk of that new money would have gone to athletics and seeing as how the “average” student doesn’t play or even attend our athletic events here at UCO, the Proposition failed. I had the opportunity to talk Josh Birmingham a Broncho football player about Proposition 1.

“I can see why the student body did not want this to pass, they want their school to be as cheap as possible, and since most of the student body isn’t involved in sports or students organizations it didn’t pass. We have one of the lowest student activity fee’s in the nation and if we could have passed Prop 1, it still would have been one of the lowest, defi-

nitely lower than OU and OSU. I think we missed out on a huge opportunity to change our university and to make it a better environment.”

The overall feeling from the athletes that I talked to was that the “average” student feels like the athletes are being treated the same way as the players at OU and OSU, meaning they get free school and extra money to spend on frivolous things.

I asked Birmingham if he was given the chance to address the student body, namely those who think that playing football means a free ride, what he would talk to them about in terms of enlightening them on what it really means to play DII ball.

“Being a D II player is tough, nobody is on full-ride and we all have balances to pay at the end of the year just like everyone else. D1 football programs hand out 85 full-rides compared to D2 36 scholarships, we are going to have a roster of 100 players so I’ll let you all do the math. I would say we are just about the same as the average student.”

Aside from a small scholarship and possibly some workout T-shirts and shorts, most players across any sport here at UCO rely on other means outside athletics to help pay for college. There is a saying that “you play for the love of the game.” Here at UCO, every athlete can be held to that statement.

Yes sometimes athletes are given special treatment, but if you consider the long hours they put in outside of class, the fact that they still must maintain good grades to play, these players should be celebrated not ridiculed.

I have heard so many students ask why this school hasn’t tried to jump to Division 1; well not passing Prop 1 didn’t help.

And while I am mainly talking about football since its spring time and football fever is starting to hit the state like a wild fire,

Photos by Garett Fisbeck

PHOTOS FROM THE BRICK

UCO running back Josh Birmingham poses for a photo shoot during last season.

these same principles can be applied across the board in almost any sport. For instance UCO’s baseball team has almost 30 players, the NCAA allows them nine full scholarships.

Softball gets 7.2 scholarships to cover 15 girls, and the list goes on and on.

The last thing I would like to offer to the “average student” reading this is how many of you guys/girls have jobs? The non-athlete type of student should be able to hold down at least a part time job while still maintain a good GPA throughout college. Trying going

to 6 a.m. weights, class, film study, practice, more film, meetings, and then on top of all that try your best to find time to study for class/test. While some athletes try to hold down maybe a campus job or something to that affect, there is just not enough time in the day for these players to work and make decent money. So before you hate, and think these guys/girls are being given the world, take a few steps in their shoes and you will probably find out it is not as easy as you thought.

From page 8

NIGHT AT THE BRICK For an avid fan like Mullin, watching his son play at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark more often would be exciting and he knows it’d be more fun to watch night games with the glow of the stadium lights.

“As I was walking in here I was thinking that we don’t have lights at UCO,” Mullin said. “It’d be really cool if we could play here instead of UCO. Play some night games here, because they don’t have lights (at UCO) and bring some games (to Bricktown).”

“I think it’s pretty good for the players, playing in a minor league ballpark like this.

It’s pretty cool.”

The Bronchos have partnered up with the Oklahoma City RedHawks for a “UCO Family Night Out” promotion on Friday

April 15, at 7:05 p.m. The RedHawks will be hosting the Albuquerque Isotopes. The tickets to the game can be purchased for $15 and include field seats, a limited edition RedHawks hat, a free PlayBall program and a post-game fireworks presentation.

A portion of the money from each ticket sold will go to the UCO baseball program.

Hopefully the promotion will be a success and the RedHawks and Bronchos can continue their relationship for years to come. If Tuesday was any indication of how well the partnership could work out, then things are looking bright for the clubs moving forward.

The Bronchos are now 13-20 on the season and will travel to Angelo State for a Friday and Saturday series this weekend.

Four-year-old Keaton Kemper (left) and two-year-old Beckett Freel (right) play behind the dugout at Red Hawk stadium.

Casey Bruns, a graduate and former UCO baseball player, leads a group of UCO students in a drinking game called “Peanut Race” between innings.

UCO pitcher (above) Jordan Stern pitched a complete game with 10 strike outs Tuesday against USAO.

UCO first baseman Tyler Hancock bats for the Bronchos in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over the USAO Drovers at Bricktown Ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City.

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SPORTS

APR. 7, 2011

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

BRONCHOS AT THE BRICK The Bronchos took down the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma on Tuesday, 6-1 at the Bricktown Ballpark

By Trey Hunter / Sports Writer The Central Oklahoma baseball team defeated the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma 6-1 at the Bricktown Ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City Tuesday.

The game was the first part of a fundraiser held by the Oklahoma City Redhawks, the triple-a affiliate of the Houston Astros, and the UCO program. The Redhawks will host the Albuquerque Isotopes on April 15 and will donate part of the proceeds to the Bronchos as part of “UCO Family Night Out.” Left fielder Ryan Schoonover blasted a three run home run into the left field bleachers to give Central the early lead in the bottom of

the first inning. It was Schoonover’s sixth homer of the season.

UCO continued to keep the bats warm with another run in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Arrow Cunningham scored after second baseman Tucker Brown reached on an error made by USAO third baseman Cody Bridgman.

Starter Jordan Stern needed less than two run from the Central lineup to earn his third win in nine starts. He pitched a complete game and didn’t give up USAO’s lone run until the top of the ninth inning. He had ten strikeouts with two walks and six hits.

“Arrow did a great job behind the plate,” Stern said after the game. “We tried getting

ahead early with the fastball and the slider was really working. Dax and I have been working really hard in between starts and it’s finally coming to fruition.”

Cunningham got the offense going once again in the bottom of the sixth with a two out double down the left field line. Right fielder Jordan Mullin followed him with a walk before second baseman Tucker Brown singled to center field to extend the lead to 5-0.

Shortstop Kevin Blue continued the momentum in the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo home run that cleared the left field bleachers. The blast was Blue’s first of the season.

With the win, the Bronchos moved to 13-

20 on the season and it was their second in a row coming off of a six game losing streak.

“We really enjoyed the experience that the Bricktown Ballpark gave us,” Leone said. “I was impressed by our fans and it seemed like a big league atmosphere. It shouldn’t take a game like this to make our guys excited, but sometimes that’s just what a team needs.”

UCO continues conference play this weekend as they travel to San Angelo, Texas, to play in a three game series that begins with a single game at 7 p.m. on Friday and ends with a double header at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The next home game is scheduled for next Friday at 2 p.m. against Tarleton State University.

UCO Baseball

UCO’S NIGHT AT THE BRICK A SUCCESS PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

In-fielder Kevin Blue hands an autographed baseball to Grant Vanpool, 12, of Purcell.

By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor There is just something about a live baseball game that just seems “right.” It could be the smell of the freshly mowed grass min-

gling with the promise of a sweet, sugary fried dough or an ice-cold drink. Or maybe it’s the crack of the bat, the warm glow of the lights and the constant buzz of an energetic crowd.

I will be the first to admit that my passion

for baseball reaches just about as far as an infant could throw it. But that doesn’t stop me from enjoying “America’s pastime” just like the rest of us.

That was the feel of Tuesday night at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City. The University of Central Oklahoma baseball team hosted the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in what would eventually be a lopsided 6-1 victory for the bronze and blue.

Admission was free, and the new Oklahoma City RedHawks ownership was doing its best to make sure everyone felt welcome at their ballpark.

The night could not have been scheduled for better weather unless mother nature herself designed the promotion. Temperatures hovered in the mild 70’s and everything settled in for what was sure to be a great night of baseball.

UCO Athletic Driver Chip Miller sat in the front row to the left of the Broncho dugout cheering on the home team. Miller was enjoying the event.

“I think this is a neat deal,” Miller said. “The crowd is actually bigger than I thought too.”

The game brought in an announced attendance of 560 to be exact. There were fans of all ages there to cheer on both teams as they played under the iconic stadium lights of a minor league venue.

“I just see girlfriends, family, grandparents here and a lot of them probably don’t get to see (the team) play away from UCO very often because they just have to play so far away,” Miller added. “I think it’s a neat venue. They can come down here and eat and stuff.”

For one fan in attendance the venue was surreal.

“The whole deal of walking into the park and your son’s playing, so you start thinking, ‘Can they move on? What would this be like if they played in a major league?” Michael Mullin, father of UCO sophomore outfielder Jordan Mullin, said. “This is really a nice park.

It’s not UCO that’s for sure.”

“It’s relaxing you know, when your son’s playing you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Raising him and all the things you did when they’re little.

“Coming to my son’s baseball games are better than anything else I could do.”

Contact Teddy Burch t: (405) 974-5123 e: tburch2@uco.edu

Continued on page 7