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Shane Kalminski and Phylicia Wilford 2009 HOMECOMING KING & QUEEN
Revolutionary Artist Coming to Ford Discover Charles McGee
Bored with the same ol’ Flip Cup & Beer Pong?
Try out some new games you’ve never heard of
The Dreaded LDR
Make Your Long -Distance Relationship Work
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Register for Winter classes today! Enroll in the CSIE cluster you needt The CSIE Program is open to all students. t Class size is limited to 24 students. t The CSIE Book Loan Program saves students money by lending them all of the texts, supplies and materials they need— for free. Contact Anne Seaman, CSIE Program Director, for help registering.
“This is the best program I could have joined in college.” -Asani Palamaru p.
“The smaller class sizes made it a great learning experience because you were able to get to know your professors better and have more one-on-one time with them.” -Chelsey Petersen “Every single [faculty] member from top to bottom is so friendly and always willing to help their students.” - Gonzalo Gonzalez “The inquiry aspect of the program was a new, fun, and difficult challenge.” -Jeremy Bachelor
PG. 06
NOVEMBER 2009 05 Letter from the Editors
SPOTLIGHTS 06 Students Phylicia Wilford Shane Kalminski 22 Professor Jessica Kilbourn 28 Alumni DJ Mo Beatz
COLLEGE LIFE 12 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 24 26
Long Distance Relationships CanArt Geocaching Increase in Transfer Students Black Friday Vegetarianism Ask the Trainer: H1N1 Vaccinations October in Review Around YOU!
PG. 22
PG. 28
ATHLETICS 34 Men’s Basketball Preview
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 30 36 39 40 42 45
Fall Fashion Trends Charles McGee Fall Activities for the Frugal SPUR Studios Rate It! Vixen Fitness
46 The Bottom Line 47 Horoscopes
PUBLISHER:
TIM ADKINS JASON IDALSKI jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF:
EDITORIAL: AMANDA SLATER amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com JOE STROMSKI joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com ATHLETICS: JASON IDALSKI jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com STAFF WRITERS: JEREMY ALLEN, JESSICA BRENT, MARISSA MCNEES, MARISSA STAPLES ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: COLLEGE LIFE:
ART: DESIGNER: ASHLEY CRAWFORD SALES: ads@emyouthemagazine.com
PHOTOGRAPHER:
RAJ MEHTA
Pakmode Publications 124 Pearl St. Suite 307 Ypsilanti, MI 48197.
www.pakmode.com
November Letter from the Editors: It’s November, which means it’s time to start thinking about the holidays, family gettogethers and good meals. But, let’s be real – you’re a college student, which means it’s also time for projects, papers, tests and all-night study sessions. We know – we’ve been there. But as the stress level starts to heat up this semester, don’t forget to make some time for yourself – whether it’s sneaking off to one of the upcoming concerts in the area, an Eastern Excursion or movie at the Student Center, or just allowing yourself the time to peruse through emYOU! The Magazine, it’s important to not (completely) become a school vegetable. You’ll thank us later. Happy studying.
- Amanda
WWW.EMYOUTHEMAGAZINE.COM
OK. Here’s the deal: As I write this, I’ve been awake for almost 36 hours straight, it’s 1:12 a.m., I’m sitting in the basement of Halle Library, and I’ve ingested enough coffee and sugar to kill a small horse. And to be honest, my brain is dead. With the hopes of making you laugh, I’d like to be able to think of something witty to write. But I just can’t. I’m exhausted, and I have never been more excited for a break from school than I am right now. Thankfully, that’s what the end of November is giving me; unfortunately, it can’t come soon enough. But hey, on the plus side November is a really great month for music: new Weezer, Dashboard and John Mayer. In closing, I wish you all the best in your endeavors this month, whatever they may be. Oh, and enjoy reading the College Life section: it includes advice on how to deal with an LDR and the best places to shop on Black Friday and a piece about transfer students at EMU.
Stay classy, Eastern.
-Stromski
Michelle Obama caught some flak during the presidential campaign for saying “for the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m proud of my country.” I’ve been there myself. EMU hasn’t had a lot of positive press since I graduated in 2006 (or before, for that matter). But as I talked to homecoming king and queen Shane Kalminski and Phylicia Wilford for this issue, I wondered: “Where else but EMU could these stories happen?” Not very many schools, that’s for sure. It’s not just their unique stories. It’s that these two seemingly very different people could know each other such a short time and yet develop such a noticeable, incredible chemistry. Both thanked the EMU students who voted for them. Both thanked the magazine and me for writing about them. But I’m the one who should be grateful. Thank you, Shane. Thank you, Phylicia. Thank you, EMU students. For the first time in a while, I’m not just lukewarm, but proud of my alma mater. I hope you enjoy reading about them, and the rest of this issue of emYOU!
-Jason
emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
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SPOTLIGHT:
Meet your Homecoming King & Queen BY JASON IDALSKI JASON.IDALSKI@EMYOUTHEMAGAZINE.COM
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HOMECOMING KINGS CAN’T BE GAY, HE THOUGHT. HOMECOMING QUEENS DON’T COME FROM A RUN-DOWN PORTION OF CINCINNATI, SHE THOUGHT. But Shane Kalminski and Phylicia Wilford -- and, most importantly, the students of Eastern Michigan -- proved otherwise. If a homecoming king and queen represent and reflect the face of the university, Kalminski’s and Wilford’s selection shows EMU is a diverse school where minorities are not only accepted but judged on their merits. A different process this year graded candidates on a point system based on not only votes, but attendance at homecoming week events, and the King and Queen Q&A. As a result, neither got elected with their “running mate.” Colin Dwarzski, who ran with Wilford, was selected prince. Regina Royan, who ran with Kalminski, didn’t make court. Though Kalminski and Wilford barely knew each other before the process started, they’ve become fast friends. “I think me and Shane were both running for the same reasons,” Wilford said, mentioning how each are minorities. “I believe Shane deserved it and I think me and him have a very good understanding of why each other was running and I think a great mutual respect for each other,” she continued. “I love Shane,” Wilford said. “I’m just thrilled that he made it. So happy.” Kalminski also spoke highly of his new friend. “At the King and Queen Q&A, I left thinking that Phylicia did such an amazing job and was very well-spoken and poised, as all the candidates were,” he said. And since each live in the same apartment building, their friendship is bound to flourish. “I’m already planning a movie night,” Kalminski said. Both stressed that they thank the Eastern Michigan community for its votes and support. Just as the events before the selection were different, both want the events after the selection to change. Instead of being a ceremonial title, as is the norm, Kalminski and Wilford want to represent and be the face of the university, starting by emceeing the EMU Family Welcome Tailgate on Oct. 24, the day of EMU’s football game against Ball State. (For a better look at the king and queen just turn the page, as emYOU! has made them the “Student Spotlights” for this month.)
PHOTO BY: RAJ MEHTA
NOVEMBER 2009
SPOTLIGHT:
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Phylicia Wilford
BY JASON IDALSKI Jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com
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emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
PHOTO BY: RAJ MEHTA
NOVEMBER 2009
SPOTLIGHT:
Major: Minor: Year: Favorite book: Favorite music:
BUSINESS MARKETING
NONE
TRY OUT NEW THINGS, GO TO NEW PLACES
SENIOR
“CHILD OF
GOD” BY LOLITA FILES
R&B, HIPHOP AND RAP (OPEN TO ALL GENRES)
Favorite movie:
“CROOKLYN,” WHICH IS A SPIKE LEE MOVIE, AMONG MANY OTHERS
Phylicia Wilford “never ever ever thought” she’d be homecoming queen. Not as she grew up in Cincinnati. Not when she started campaigning around Eastern Michigan‘s campus. And especially not when the court was announced at the pep rally. Two other names had already been announced, with student body president Regina Royan still unpicked. Assuming Royan would be the last name called, Wilford gave her friends in the crowd a “what’re you gonna do?” shrug and accepted their consolations. It wasn’t until she heard the phrase “marketing major” that Wilford realized she still had a chance. “I was really just shocked,” she said upon getting picked as queen during halftime of the Oct. 3 football game. “I wasn’t expecting to win or anything, but it was definitely a great feeling.” Wilford wasn’t even sure she wanted to run. She said she initially decided to run in May 2009, just after finishing her junior year, saying she wanted to leave her mark on the school, but it wasn‘t until the informational meeting when she solidified her resolve. “Something that really pushed my decision was the fact that I felt the entire court didn’t adequately represent the diversity of EMU,” Wilford said. “I was the only African-American of the 16 people on the court.” Seeing that almost everybody
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Favorite thing to do in spare time: Describe yourself in three words: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
running was a senior, Wilford, in addition to the recently standard methods of using Facebook to spread her candidacy (and having T-shirts made urging people to vote for her and Colin Dwarzski, who was selected prince), went after what she believed to be an impressionable group. “I actually talked to a lot of freshmen, because a lot of the candidates were seniors,” Wilford explained. “So a lot of the freshmen didn’t know anything about any of the candidates. So I talked to a lot of freshmen; I went to the Eateries and hung out there.” She also credits her friends for supporting her. “Surprisingly, a lot of my friends were pushing it hard,” Wilford said. “A lot of my friends were like: ‘Vote! Vote! Vote for Phylicia! Vote for Phylicia!’” Wilford’s path to homecoming queen may have been a little unusual, but so was her path to Eastern. Being from Cincinnati, she considered attending Ohio universities but decided to visit EMU. Capricious February weather was at its worst, but it didn’t deter her from deciding to come. “A lot of people asked me: ‘What made you want to go after you were up there in the winter?’” Wilford said. “I just liked it. It was a big school but a small-school feel. It wasn’t overwhelming.”
CLASSY, FABULOUS, EMPATHETIC
HAPPY AND BUSY! WORKING FOR A NONPROFIT AND MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE! At Eastern, Wilford works in the Center of Multicultural Affairs. She’s also part of You Beautiful Black Woman (a sisterhood organization), Blossom (a mentoring-type organization which focuses on younger students), and is the students of color representative for Student Leader Group. Some students might just add the ceremonial title of “homecoming queen” to the list and call it a day. Not Wilford. “I knew if I was to run, I didn’t want to just wear the crown,” she said. “I wanted to do things or just use it as a tool to influence others.” For Wilford, the good she plans to do as homecoming queen is a way of giving back to EMU. “I at first never thought I would go to college and then, doing so good and having Eastern support me and giving me an opportunity to find my passion, I’m just honored to be homecoming queen,” she said. “And especially since I was the only African-American student and being able to use that as a tool to inspire others.” (emYOU! Writer Jeremy Allen contributed to this story)
emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
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SPOTLIGHT:
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Shane Kalminski BY JASON IDALSKI jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com
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emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
PHOTO BY: RAJ MEHTA
NOVEMBER 2009
SPOTLIGHT:
Major: Minor: Year: Favorite book: Favorite music: Favorite movie: Favorite thing to do in spare time: MARKETING
THEATRE
SENIOR
“MAGICAL THINKING” BY AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS POP, RAP,
COUNTRY, CLASSICAL
“MEAN GIRLS,” “WANTED,” “HOCUS POCUS,” “TITANIC” MY PERFECT DAY IS
It would have been understandable if Shane Kalminski chose not to run for homecoming king. After all, he’d been homecoming king at East Detroit High School in Eastpointe and didn’t like his chances of also earning the honor at Eastern Michigan. But it was precisely because he was the underdog, because of those obstacles that he felt he had to run, as he explained. “When I came out to my mom, the first thing that she said was: ‘Well, I understand, but I don’t think everybody else will.’ So, it kind of planted this seed within me that there were going to be opportunities I missed, that I wouldn’t be able to earn respect from people no matter how hard I tried, and I really just started to hold myself back from things that I wanted,” Kalminski said. “And then, as I progressed in college and started seeing that it really wasn’t an issue to a lot of people, I decided that I would take down these walls that I’d built for myself and I wasn’t going to let my own insecurities or fears stop me from going out and trying to achieve the things that I wanted,” he continued. “And then, as time went on, this became something that I really wanted and I decided to go after it.” Go after it, he did. He took a “very personal approach,” meeting
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ONE WHERE I CAN VISIT A CITY (NEAR OR FAR), EXPLORE, SHOP, TRY NEW FOOD, ENJOY A SHOW AND END THE DAY WITH A CUP OF COFFEE AND GOOD FRIENDS.
Describe yourself in three words: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
AMBITIOUS, OPTIMISTIC, INTROSPECTIVE
IN CHICAGO OR NEW YORK CITY LIVING WITH MY HEAD IN THE CLOUDS AND MY FEET ON THE GROUND.
a lot of people in his two weeks of campaigning. “I didn’t want to just be one of the candidates who were saying ‘vote for me’ and have a bunch of fliers hanging around that said ‘vote for me’ and not give anyone a reason to want to do that,” Kalminski said. He went to student organization meetings, telling his coming out story and explaining why he wanted to be homecoming king. And as active as Kalminski is, he’s known in a lot of groups. Off campus, he’s volunteered with Relay for Life and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. On campus he’s been a member of OTEAM for two years and is recruitment chair for Sigma Nu. More recently, Kalminski was selected to be on the CloseUp theatre troupe, fulfilling another long-held goal, one he had just after he arrived in Ypsilanti. “I remember sitting in the audience thinking: ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to do that some day,’” Kalminski said of the troupe‘s performance during freshman orientation. His CloseUp experience may prove beneficial beyond EMU, as he looks to pursue a career in the performing arts. “(Theatre)’s my minor, but it is my passion,” Kalminski said. “In life, I guess I’m majoring in theater, but in college I’m majoring in marketing.” Theatre also helped bring him to
Eastern, as he attended the universitysponsored SummerQuest theatre camp as a sophomore in high school. “Almost everyone who went to that camp is now an undergrad here,” Kalminski said. “So, I think it had the effect on all of us.” For Kalminski, it seems the effects haven’t worn off. “This university is big enough to constitute as a university, but it’s small enough to feel like a community and feel like a family. That’s what I really love about it here,” he said. “You can’t go anywhere without recognizing a face or having someone who opens the door for you and smiles. It’s hard not to be in a good mood on campus.” As homecoming king and, he hopes, a representative of the school this year, expect to see more of Kalminski’s good mood and infectious smile, trying to prove all the students who voted for him right. “To win it really solidified to me what Eastern is, and it’s a place where diversity is accepted, where you can come here and be who you want to be and people will appreciate that,” Kalminski said. “It felt like I was able to take something that had seemed negative in my life for so long and turn it into something that can be used to teach and hopefully inspire people.”
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COLLEGE LIFE:
Dealing with an
LDR
Advice on making a long-distance relationship work BY JOSEPH STROMSKI II joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com With fall graduation rapidly approaching, there’s no doubt many of you are going to be relocating to another part of the country or world to pursue your own dreams or career. Add in a significant other and you’ve got everything you need to create one of the worst things in the existence of relationship history: the long-distance relationship. As if being in a local relationship wasn’t hard enough, adding several hours of travel time and several hundred or thousands of miles between you and your sweetheart can create a whole new mess of problems that otherwise may not occur. Jealousy, trust issues, expensive phone bills and travel expenses are just a few.
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If you do find yourself in a committed relationship and believe you can make an LDR work, you are to be publicly commended for attempting to scale the Mount Everest of the dating world. Before you and your partner set off on your own paths, be sure to read into how to make it work, which you’ll find includes: Agreeing on an end: The very first thing you need to do before hitting the road is to agree on an end goal to the distance between the two of you -- whether it be six months or two years, you need to decide when the separation is going to end. Once you reach that point, you can reunite or call it quits. You have to be realistic in the schedule that the two of you
produce. Be sure to leave enough time to accomplish the goals you set out to complete. Schedule communication: It may sound silly, but scheduling time to communicate with each other every day may be the saving grace of your relationship. If you choose to do so over the phone, make you sure you investigate the best time to call to prevent excess long-distance charges on your phone bill or start a family plan for the two of you where minutes don’t matter. While chatting on the phone is all well and good, take a lesson from Johnny Drama and invest in a Webcam and a service like Skype for those special occasions where hearing each other’s voice just isn’t enough.
NOVEMBER 2009
THERE'S STILL TIME TO
VOTE!
Go to emyouthemagazine.com and vote for your favorite places and things about EMU and Ypsi! Help us crown the winner of this year's Best Of emYOU! issue. VOTING ENDS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH.
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Visit as often as possible: Even if you find yourself flying halfway across the world for an extended weekend, you two need to see each other as often as your budgets will allow to keep the spark alive. Also, be sure to share the burden of travel by alternating who visits who. Avoid jealousy and be trusting: Drama and unneeded jealously are some of the best ways to destroy what once may have been the perfect relationship. One of the best things to do when going into a relationship is assume that your partner warrants your trust until he or she proves otherwise. Don’t freak out and interrogate your partner just because he or she doesn’t return one of your messages right away or you find pictures on Facebook with your beau hanging out with people you haven’t met. You have to remember, however, that the world still goes on even when you’re not with each other, and you shouldn’t sacrifice your social life just because your other half isn’t part of it.
Personal objects and gifts: Surprise each other with gifts through the mail or a service, such as sending an Edible Arrangement or a handwritten letter or card. Furthermore, give a personal object of yours to each other to hold and create comfort in a time of need; boyfriend pillows are a great example. Do things together: Just because you aren’t in physical proximity of each other doesn’t mean you can’t share experiences and activities together. Share a blog or Google calendar so you’ll always be updated on what’s going on in each other’s life; have your own book club; take an online compatibility test; eat dinner together using a Webcam; be neighbors in FarmVille. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Remember: Things should get better with time. So have hope and don’t get too upset if things don’t work out exactly the way you too expect them to right away. Follow me on Twitter: mfstromski
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COLLEGE LIFE:
CanArt Festival
SUPPORTS THE STARVING AND ARTISTS BY JOSEPH STROMSKI II joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com
AMPlifying the Arts is an Eastern Michigan student organization that supports and promotes EMU campus art and culture programs. Nov. 18 and 19, AMP is hosting a CanArt Festival where sculptures will be constructed out of canned food. After the event, the canned goods will be donated to Food Gatherers and The Children’s Institute. “The event is a food drive for the hungry,” AMP’s Dorrie Milan said. “It coincides with National Hunger and Homelessness Week here on EMU’s campus. By participating, people will be involved in a community effort to raise awareness of the unbelievable amount of people in our area suffering during these hard times.” To collect the massive amount of cans needed for this event, AMP has placed canned food donation bins in the Student Center, the Eateries, Pray-Harrold, Quirk and Alexander and encourages everybody to donate to the cause. During the festival, there will be a campus competition featuring three teams, three artists and three structural engineers working together to create structures made entirely out of cans.. The idea of CanArt came from canstruction.org. AMP is not affiliated with the organization, according to Milan. “It (canstruction.org) is a national organization that promotes large can drives and sculpture competitions throughout the country,” she said. “Cities gather design, construction and business volunteers to come up with amazing pieces of sculpture with canned goods, which are then donated to local food banks.” For more information on the CanArt Festival, visit the event’s Facebook page or for can art examples check out canstruction.org. Follow me on Twitter: mfstromski
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emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2009
COLLEGE LIFE:
WHO’S READY FOR AN
ADVENTURE?
USING GEOCACHING.COM, ONE COULD BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK BY: JOSEPH STROMSKI II joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com
THERE’S A NOT-SO-NEW WORLDWIDE ACTIVITY THAT SEEMS TO BE MAKING ITS MARK ON EASTERN MICHIGAN’S CAMPUS: GEOCACHING. Geocaching is an outdoor activity loved by its thousands of participants, who share an affinity for the outdoors, in which hidden caches are sought out using GPS devices. In layman’s terms: It’s a treasure hunt, with “chests” hidden all across the world - most of them are even filled with booty! Caches can range in size from micro - such as a magnetic key holder or something smaller - to large containers - such as ammo boxes or food storage containers. The larger caches usually contain small trinkets (like bottle caps or key chains) that are free for the taking, given you leave something behind in return. Trackable items such as Geocoins or Travel Bugs, which are rare, can also be found, tracked online at the Geocaching Web site and then deposited in another cache so they can continue their adventure. The one thing all caches must include, however, is a logbook, which cachers sign proving they were there. To get started, sign up for a free account at www.geocaching.com, set your home coordinates and start seeking caches. That’s it. “I just started caching a few weeks ago using my iPhone (as a GPS device) with some friends and I’ve found dozens of places around Ypsi I never knew existed,” EMU student Matt Jones said. “And I’ve lived here almost five years!” With more than 900,000 caches worldwide set up over the past decade, Geocaching is a great way to explore parts of the world you may not have visited otherwise. In Jones’ case - it’s taken him to nature preserves, parks and cemeteries he’d never heard of, but has lived within 10 minutes driving distance of for nearly half a decade. Where will it take you? Follow me on Twitter: mfstromski
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emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
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COLLEGE LIFE:
MORE STUDENTS OPTING TO GO GREEN BY JOSEPH STROMSKI II Joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com
For the 2009-2010 academic year, Eastern Michigan saw an increase in transfer student enrollment. To be precise, according to Bernice Lindke, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, EMU’s transfer student enrollment increased by 343 students when compared to the year prior. Some have said the increase is a result of EMU having the lowest tuition increase in the state at 3.8 percent; others claimed to have transferred from their community colleges because EMU offers a challenging curriculum and is less like a high school. After graduating with a degree in liberal arts from Schoolcraft College, junior Mollie Dobersek, 21, transferred to EMU and became a journalism major to pursue her passion for writing. When asked about the curriculum, she said, “I have been impressed with the journalism program so far; in two semesters I feel like I have really learned a lot. It seems as though the more writing classes I take, the more confident I become.” Dobersek isn’t just a transfer student, either. Like many other members of the student body, she is also a commuter, and for her, EMU was all about location. EMU allows her to commute from Canton and earn a degree from a university, all while maintaining a job and a family back home. “My dad lives and works in Hong Kong, so I feel like it’s my responsibility to be around my mom. I couldn’t have imagined
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emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
transferring to a school that would keep me at a distance, too.” At Schoolcraft, Dobersek was involved with the school newspaper The Schoolcraft Connection as a writer and photographer, but is looking to find what extracurricular activity best fits her at EMU. Unlike Dobersek, a former Jackson Community College student turned Eagle, Doug Brinker, 46, jumped right into campus involvement in his first semester at EMU and is the ideal definition of a nontraditional transfer student. After receiving a deadly staphylococcus infection while deployed with the Army in Iraq during 2004, Brinker was medically discharged from service. “While the discharge lowered my spirits,” Brinker said, “I was able to attend college because the Veterans Administrations felt that with my injuries I was no longer able to do my previous work.” Brinker is in his first semester at EMU and is involved with Student Government, the marketing club and the Student Veterans of America, but said he misses the opportunities to reach out to the student body at a smaller level school. Brinker admitted, however, that he is beginning to meet a lot more students at EMU, but connecting with them has been more difficult than at JCC due to time constraints.
Dobersek and Brinker represent two of EMU’s very diverse population of transfer students. emYOU! knows there are many more out there and encourages each of you to share your transfer student experience at emyouthemagazine. com. And, if your story is good enough, you may land yourself on the cover of a future issue and the coveted title of “Student Spotlight.”
Follow me on Twitter: mfstromski
NOVEMBER 2009
BY JOSEPH STROMSKI II joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com
$$ $ $ $ $ $
The fourth and final full week in November should be a busy one for most everybody; it’s home to the biggest bar night of the year (the day before Thanksgiving), Thanksgiving and the one of the biggest retail shopping days of the year: Black Friday. Dating back to Philadelphia in the mid-1960s, Black Friday has become the official opening of the Christmas shopping season. The term came about as a result of the traffic congestion, crowded sidewalks and mobs of shoppers filling stores from opening to closing. But today, an alternate, more positive definition defines Black Friday as the day retail stores start to turn a profit, or, as they say in the business, get in the black. Whatever the definition may be, one thing can be certain: Whether you’re buying it as a gift for someone else or for yourself, Black Friday is the best day of the year to get the best deals on everything from underpants to high-definition LCD television sets. As long as you’re willing to drag yourself out of bed to stand in line before the WWW.EMYOUTHEMAGAZINE.COM
sun rises, that is. In recent years, several retailers have started posting their Black Friday deals on Web sites such as www.black-friday. net and www.blackfriday.info. Sites such as these, however, will list the advertisements for dozens of stores, which can make it time-consuming to pick out what stores have the items you want at the best prices and formulate your plan of attack. So, to help alleviate a little of the stress every Black Friday shopper is guaranteed to go through, check out the list below, which includes some of the most popular gifts for 2009, where to find them and how much they’re going to cost*.
• Apple iPod Touch
• Best Buy: $230 for an 8GB (free $25 gift card), $300 for a 16GB (free $30 gift card).
• Nintendo Wii
• Sam’s Club: $425 Nintendo Wii Console with three games, three additional Wii controllers and three additional nunchuk controllers.
• LCD TV
• Best Buy: $200 to $1700, 19” and up.
• Flip Ultra USB Camcorder • Brookstone: $129 for a 120minute internal memory digital video camera.
• A Puppy
• Humane Society of Huron Valley: $225 for small breeds and puppies less than 7 months old, $130 for dogs more than 7 months old and more than 20 pounds in weight.
• Hand and Power Tools
• Sears: $5 and up, anything Craftsman.
• Kitchen, Housewares, Bed and Bath
• Linens-N-Things: 40-70 percent off almost entire stock.
• External Hard Drive
• Best Buy: $150 for Western Digital 1TB My Book.
• Booze
• Any liquor store: Prices vary, any gift set.
*prices are subject to change
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COLLEGE LIFE:
S
tarting a new school year always comes with some nerves and anxiety, and this year was no different. For me, however, along with those usual butterflies, was a whole new headache – finding vegetarian-friendly places to eat around campus. Out of all the things I got from my summer trip to Greece, I never thought a vegetarian lifestyle would be one of them. Sure enough, three months have gone by and I haven’t eaten a single piece of meat since. Vegetarianism definitely isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who have made the choice to live green, it’s important to have options around campus. On the first day of class, one of my teachers asked us to say something about ourselves that is unique, and I mentioned that I was a vegetarian. In a class of more than twenty students, I was the only one living meatfree. Needless to say, I was worried that I would struggle to find places to eat when I moved back to EMU, but it’s been the exact opposite. The Commons, Eastern Eateries and Crossroads Marketplace are a few examples of places that have new and improved menus with enough options to satisfy any veggie lover. Wrap It Up, located in the Eastern Eateries, offers many more meatless items such as veggie subs and wraps, and The Commons has a new create-your-own stir fry option complete with tofu. Many times, my friends will want to go somewhere on campus that I normally don’t go because I am a vegetarian, and even then, the staff is more than happy to accommodate me and substitute in, for example, beans instead of meat. A lot of people have questioned my decision to live a meat-free life and have said things like “Why would you
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want to do that?” or “I could never imagine myself not eating meat.” The main thing I try to let people know is that it is a completely personal choice. If your heart is not in it, then it will be too difficult to stay true to your new ways and you’ll find yourself cheating now and then. I have always been a little on the fence about being a vegetarian, and that is why I haven’t changed until now. I knew I
would not be able to fully commit unless I was 100 percent positive it was something I wanted to do. Whatever reasons there are for becoming a vegetarian, whether it is animal cruelty, wanting to be healthier or a sheer dislike of meat, the important thing is to make sure it is something you truly want to adapt to, otherwise it will not be as fulfilling as it should be.
NOVEMBER 2009
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COLOR
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734-961-8152 Tues-Fr 10-8 Sat 10-6 36 N. Huron Ypsilanti, MI 48197 www.thomasblondisalon.com
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STYLE
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FEBRUARY 2009
COLLEGE LIFE:
Visits E.M.U. Rec/IM! One of the most popular reality based television shows, NBC’s The Biggest Loser came to the Rec/IM building on October 16th. Cameras were on hand to film a previous contestant of the weight loss show, Pete Thomas in a “Where are they now” segment that will air on November 25th. Pete who is a personal friend and occasional client of B Young – B Fit, sat down with Brian to share some of the methods of weight loss that he has learned from years of personal experience. Just in case you doubt his expertise; Pete has lost over 190 lbs. most of which was done in the span of one year! Here are some of the techniques that Brian and Pete use in their workout sessions: x
Interval training: This is one of / if not the most effective way to burn calories. There are different forms of interval training but for maximum efficiency we do strength training with cardio intervals. Depending on what you are training for (i.e. sports specific, toning, muscle mass) you can either lift heavy resistance = low repetitions and focus on power OR you can lift moderate to low resistance = high repetitions and focus on getting as many reps as possible in a certain time period.
Whatever you choose to do for strength training you should do 2 different sets of 8-15 reps followed up by an intense cardio exercise for a certain time period (1 min. to 2 min. is best). Then repeat the process 2-3 times before changing strength exercises. Here is an example of a 50 minute workout session that Brian does with Pete:
Circuit 1 Push ups 8-15
Circuit 2 DB chest press 8-15
Circuit 3 Dead lifts 8-15
Circuit 4 DB Bicep curls 8-15
Circuit 5 DB Triceps ext. 8-15
Wall squats w/ ball 8-15
DB Alt. Lunges 8-15
Lat pull-down 8-15
Mason twists 8-15
Jackknife abs crunch 8-15
Treadmill sprints 1 min.
Jumping jacks 1 min.
Jump rope 1 min.
Rowing machine 1 min
Elliptical sprint 1 min.
*repeat each circuit 3X before moving to next circuit
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NOVEMBER 2009
COLLEGE LIFE:
EMU & the FLU BY JESSICA BRENT jbrent@emich.edu
AGES 18-24: THE TYPICAL COLLEGE AGES. MORE RECENTLY, HOWEVER, THESE COLLEGE-BOUND AND AVERAGE GRADUATING AGES HAVE BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH A NEW STATISTIC AFFECTING THE GLOBAL WORLD; THE AGES AT WHICH THE H1N1 INFLUENZA (A.K.A. “SWINE FLU”) IS AFFECTING AND INFECTING AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE. This new strand of the flu first made headlines last March, when it seemed to cross the border from Mexico so quickly that it made many believe they were watching something out of a “Resident Evil” movie instead of their morning news. It surprised many health care officials because of the timing: typically the seasonal flu begins its rounds of infection when the leaves begin to change
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colors. Not when they are just starting to reappear on the trees. The seasonal flu also usually targets the very young and the very old; not the middle-of-the-road folks like those dominating the walkways and hallways around college grounds. Documented cases began to appear around the world, in nearly every country. By June, the World Health Organization had officially declared the H1N1 flu a “pandemic,” or, according to the latest bulletin through University Services, “a flu that causes a global outbreak of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person.” Questions quickly emerged across our campus and across the world. “Is this the same as the seasonal flu?” “Can we get it from eating pork?” “What can I do to protect myself and my loved ones?” They were quickly answered in the form of emails with links to flu.gov, the unnecessary slaughter of hundreds of pigs in Egypt before any cases of “swine flu” were reported in the country, and elevator-adjacent hand sanitizer dispensers popping up in every Easternassociated building. We also saw the scary white surgical mask appear on media figures, as well as the estimated numbers of possible infections climb to 2 billion worldwide. Putting the scary terminology, visuals and numbers aside, many may be glad to hear that, although the response may have seemed slow, a vaccination is now available for those who feel they may be at risk. The trick is to get the vaccination before the standard flu symptoms of high fever, cough, and runny nose even begin to occur. Currently, the Center for Disease Control is recommending the following individuals be first in line for vaccination: pregnant women, caregivers to children 6 months old or younger, health care workers, those of us ages 6 months to 24 years, and people 25-64 with pre-existing medical conditions. For everyone else (with the exception of those who are allergic to eggs; where the vaccine is grown), the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is still available and can be given along with the regular seasonal flu vaccine. Because both are highly contagious, vaccination is highly recommended and available at a low cost in many facilities.The Washtenaw Intermediate School District has H1N1 flu vaccination clinics scheduled at 1819 S. Wagner Rd. in Ann Arbor. Seasonal flu vaccination is also available at the Snow Health Center on campus by calling University Health Services at (734) 487-1122. In the meantime, stay healthy! Get out into the open air, stay home if you are feeling symptomatic, and wash your hands.
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SPOTLIGHT:
PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT
Jessica Kilbourn
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BY JASON IDALSKI jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com
emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2009
SPOTLIGHT:
Department: Courses taught at EMU:
WOMEN’S AND
GENDER STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S STUDIES AND INTRODUCTION TO GENDER AND SEXUALITY (ALSO TAUGHT WOMEN AND SPIRITUALITY IN 2000)
Schools attended:
CMU (BS), EMU (MLS) AND ANN ARBOR INSTITUTE OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Favorite book:
AT THE MOMENT, FICTION: CHARLAINE HARRIS’ SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVELS; NON-FICTION: ANYTHING THAT GIVES ME A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE (“EAT, PRAY, LOVE”). LOVE PAULO COELHO, DEAN KOONTZ, BARBARA KINGSOLVER AND
It’s a safe bet that very few college professors double as massage therapists. But Eastern Michigan women’s studies professor Jessica Kilbourn has been doing both for more than a decade. Kilbourn, originally from North Branch (in Michigan’s “Thumb”), did her undergraduate work at Central Michigan University. After that, she had a choice to make: Get her masters in social work at the University of Michigan or in women’s studies at EMU? “Took a tour, loved Ypsi, loved the campus, loved the staff who I met,” Kilbourn said. “And I got a GA-ship, so it was pretty much all paid for.” After getting her masters at Eastern, Kilbourn was at another crossroads. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her degree; she had been part of the domestic violence prevention movement for a while, but didn’t see herself working at a shelter. The indecision “opened up room,” as she put it, to attend massage school in Ann Arbor. Around the time Kilbourn
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,MARGARET ATWOOD.
Favorite music:
ALL KINDS OF MUSIC BUT DIGGIN’ SIRIUS RADIO CHANNELS 26 (INDIE/ COLLEGE) AND 22 (FIRST WAVE/ DARKWAVE MUSIC); ALSO DEAD CAN DANCE, THE CURE, THE SMITHS, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES, ANI DIFRANCO, REGINA SPEKTOR, EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS, BETH ORTON, REALLY TOO MANY TO NAME.
Favorite movie:
CAN’T NAME JUST ONE!! LOVE DOCUMENTARIES, JOHN HUGHES AND JOHN WATERS MOVIES, “PAN’S LABRYINTH”, “I-ROBOT”, “DOUBT”, “MEET THE FOCKERS”, “IDIOCRACY”, HARRY POTTER SERIES, “THE HOURS”, “UNTIL THE
completed training and became a certified massage therapist in 1998, she got a call asking if she could teach at Eastern for the upcoming winter semester. Originally she said no, but slept on it and the next day decided she would do it. “My first time in the classroom was like: ‘Am I really doing this? Am I capable of doing this? Do I have anything to offer?’” Kilbourn said. She soon learned she did. Kilbourn said some have likened her class to a therapy session. Students will often sit in a circle and she often takes notes on what students are saying. Guest speakers are common, too. “It’s a safe space for people to share,” she said of her classes. Though Kilbourn is a professor, she said she doesn’t consider herself a “teacher.” “I consider myself a mentor, a facilitator or an instructor,” she said. “I feel like within the last 5-7 years I’ve sort of grown into that role as instructor.” It may have taken her a while to grow into the role, but she’s been around role models and educators
VIOLENCE STOPS” (EVE ENSLER/ VAGINA MONOLOGUES)
Favorite thing to do in spare time:
BE IN NATURE, LISTENING TO LIVE MUSIC, BEING AROUND FAMILY AND FRIENDS, READING AND RELAXING, HULA HOOPING AND DISC GOLFING.
Describe yourself in three words: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MOTIVATED, OPEN-MINDED, PASSIONATE
POSSIBLY BECOMING AN ACUPUNCTURIST, ADDING MORE STAMPS TO MY PASSPORT, CONTINUING TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE, CONTINUING TO BE A MENTOR AND INSTRUCTOR.
for longer. “Never did I realize I was going to be teaching at the college level,” she said. “I didn’t even think of myself as a teacher, although both of my parents and my brother are teachers, educators.” On campus, Kilbourn’s also involved with the Women’s Resource Center (including areas such as domestic violence) and works with the LGBT Resource Center as an ally. As far as her massage therapy work goes, Kilbourn’s had her own business since 2000. She currently has space at the Ypsi Studio, located at 208 W. Michigan Ave. And when she’s not doing that, she’s bringing her passion for women’s issues to Eastern through her courses in Introduction to Women’s Studies and Introduction to Gender and Sexuality.
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WHERE WERE YOU IN OCTOBER?
emYOU! The Magazine was busy again as we helped welcome back alumni and friends for Homecoming and partied at the Convo for Jay-Z! Things really caught fire in October at Club Divine and we helped raise over $3,000 for SOS Community Services at the First Annual Discilanti Open! Don't forget to join us in November every Thursday for College Night at Club Divine!
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around YOU! NOVEMBER BY: AMANDA SLATER
2009
Amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com
11/1:
11/5:
11/11:
11/16:
Papa Roach, 7 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit
Laugh Lounge, 9 p.m., Student Center Rm 300
Keb’ Mo’, 7:30 p.m., Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor The Fiery Furnaces, 8 p.m., Magic Bag, Ferndale
“Away We Go” screening, 4 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Around campus:
On campus:
11/2:
11/6:
”Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” screening, 4 p.m., Student Center Auditorium Native American Fall Fest, 6 p.m., Student Center Room 310
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” screening, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
On campus:
Around campus:
Atticus Tour with Finch, 6 p.m., Headliners, Toledo Rob Thomas with Onerepublic, 7 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Breslin Center, East Lansing
11/3:
On campus:
No-limit Texas Hold ’em, noon, Rec-IM “In Whose Honor” documentary screening, 6 p.m., Student Center Room 300 Ditching Mr. Wrong, lecture by Nicholas Aretakis, 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Around campus:
Cartel, 6:30 p.m., Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit O.A.R., 7 p.m., Savage Arena, Toledo
11/4:
Around campus:
Hawthorne Heights, 5 p.m., Pike Room, Pontiac Forever the Sickest Kids and the Rocket Summer, 5:30 p.m., Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac
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On campus:
Around campus:
Bob Dylan, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit Montgomery Gentry, 7:30 p.m., Palace of Auburn Hills The Cult, 8 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit
11/7:
Around campus:
Hatebreed, 4 p.m., Harpos, Detroit Allstars of Comedy, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit Greg Brown, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor Manna and Quail with the Great Fiction, 8 p.m., The Crofoot, Pontiac
11/9:
On campus:
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” 4 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
11/10:
On campus:
No-Limit Texas Hold ’em, noon, Rec-IM Native Storyteller/ Lecturer: Larry Plamondon, 7 p.m., Student Center, Kiva Room
emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
Around campus:
11/12:
On campus:
Lyric Lounge, 7-9 p.m., Student Center Rm 300
Around campus:
Wolfmother, 7 p.m., Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac
11/13:
On campus:
“Away We Go” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium EMU athletics: Volleyball vs. Northern Illinois, 7 p.m., Convocation Center
Around campus:
Trivium, 6:30 p.m., Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac R. Kelly, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit
11/14:
On campus:
Eastern Excursion: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Disco Days Volleyball vs. Western Michigan, 7 p.m., Convocation Center EMU athletics: Football vs. Western Michigan, noon, Rynearson Stadium
Around campus:
Boys Like Girls, 5 p.m., Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac Saving Abel, 7 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit
On campus:
11/17:
On campus:
No-limit Texas Hold ’em, noon, Rec-IM “Unmet Needs in Indian Country,” 6 p.m., Student Center Rm 330
11/18:
On campus:
Eastern Excursion: Detroit Opera House Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m.–noon, Eastern Eateries EcoArts, 5-7 p.m., Phelps/Sellers Lounge
Around campus:
Phish, 7:30 p.m., Cobo Arena, Detroit
11/19:
On campus:
Thanksgiving Dinner, 4-8 p.m., The Commons SkyLounge, 9 p.m., Student Center Rm 300
Around campus:
311 with Kottonmouth Kings, 7 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit
11/20:
On campus:
“GI Joe” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Around campus:
Carrie Rodriguez, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor
NOVEMBER 2009
11/21:
11/23:
11/27:
“Coraline” screening, noon, Student Center Auditorium
“GI Joe” screening, 4 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Rob Zombie, 7:30 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit Camera Obscura, 8 p.m., The Crofoot, Pontiac
Fillmore, Detroit Jeff Daniels, 8 p.m., Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor The Ataris, 8 p.m., Frankies, Toledo
11/28:
11/29:
Star Wars in Concert, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Palace of Auburn Hills Fall Metal Fest, 7 p.m., Emerald Theatre, Mt. Clemens Sam Roberts Band with Sloan, 7:30 p.m., The
All Time Low, 7 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit
On campus:
Around campus:
Saosin, 7 p.m., Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit Willy Porter, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor
11/22:
On campus:
“On Golden Pond” screening, noon, Student Center Auditorium
On campus:
Around campus:
Less Than Jake, 6 p.m., Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit
11/24:
Around campus:
The Cranberries, 7:30 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit Brett Dennen, 8 p.m., Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit
Around campus:
Around campus:
Around campus:
HIGHLIGHTS: 11/11: Vegan specials available all day at the
commons in celebration of Vegan Awareness Month
11/12: Lyric Lounge, “Poetry Open Mic,” 7-9 p.m., Student Center Room 300
11/14: Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Disco Days
and Boogie Nights – counts for learning beyond the classroom credit. Tickets can be purchased at the EMU ticket office: $25 for students, $50 for others.
11/15: Hunger and Homelessness Week: A
week of activities including toiletry and food drives, volunteering at local shelters and a panel discussion related to hunger and homelessness issues at various campus locations.
11/18: Eastern Excursion: Detroit Opera House,
“A Little Night Music” – counts for learning beyond the classroom credit. Tickets can be purchased at the EMU ticket office: $20 for students, $50 for others.
11/19: Thanksgiving Dinner, 4-8pm, The Commons
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SPOTLIGHT:
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
MO BEATZ BY MARISSA STAPLES marissa.staples@emyouthemagazine.com
CHRIS “DJ MO BEATZ” ELLIOTT IS MORE THAN A HOUSEHOLD NAME ONE HEARS AROUND CAMPUS. HE IS SLOWLY BECOMING A LEGEND OF THE BEST DJ TO SPIN FROM EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY TO DETROIT, ATLANTA, NEW YORK CITY AND MORE! HOLDING A MIXING SPOT ON WJLB 97.9 FROM 2 A.M. TO 3 A.M., MO BEATZ IS ALSO THE OFFICIAL DJ FOR RAPPER BIG SEAN. COMING INTO THIS LINE OF WORK WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED FOR ELLIOTT OVERNIGHT. THIS DETROIT NATIVE WAS ABLE TO LET EMYOU! SEE HOW HE MOLDED HIS PASSION INTO THIS MASTERPIECE OF A SKILL.
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MS: When was the moment you realized being a DJ is what you love to do? DJMB: The first time was around 8th grade! My teacher was a DJ and he would DJ all of the school dances and I’d just sit back and watch/listen. I already had a passion for music and playing different instruments just wasn’t doing it for me. I wanted something more so I basically begged my mom for DJ equipment for two years straight!!! MS: So music has always been a part of your life? DJMB: Music has always been a part of my life. I’ve played the drums, saxophone, clarinet and the piano by ear. MS: Everyone knows that practice makes perfect, so how did you practice? DJMB: I wouldn’t say practice makes perfect but it definitely makes you
better. Basically after I got my DJ equipment I practiced in my room for a year straight before I did any type of party just so I could leave a good impression when I did my first party. I would practice mixing different songs and scratching. MS: What was the first party you ever played at? DJMB: My first party was a backyard party when I was in high school. Three girls threw a party and asked me to DJ. MS: How did you come up with the name DJ Mo Beatz? DJMB: I got that name back in high school, before I started DJ-ing. I would make beats on the table during lunch and one day this dude said: “Yea, that’s my boy Mo Beatz, he can do any song (meaning make the beat on the table).”
NOVEMBER 2009
SPOTLIGHT: A year later I started DJ-ing and ran with it!! MS: What made you come to Eastern Michigan University? DJMB: Honestly, I only came to EMU because my aunt went there and I use to visit her a lot and I liked it. Good reason, right? MS: What classes helped you become a better DJ and why? DJMB: I can’t really say any classes helped me to become a better DJ because most of the stuff that I’ve learned DJrelated has been from realworld experience! I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to learn from some of the best DJ’s and I catch on easily. MS: How many EMU parties have you done? DJMB: I can’t even remember, that would be crazy if I could. MS: Are DJ jobs easy to come by? Or has the economy taken a hit there too? DJMB: When it comes to DJing it all depends on who you know and who knows you. The circle of people that I DJ for are pretty consistent and have events on the regular so there’s always something to DJ. A lot of times I get double booked. MS: How did you build such a good reputation that everyone wants you at their parties on and around campus as well as Detroit? How did you build your empire? DJMB: Pretty much I just practiced a lot, started networking and it just fell into place. I started DJ-ing because I love music and I think my passion shows. If I started DJ-ing just for money I don’t think I would have been as successful! MS: How many radio interviews, appearances, mix tapes, and workshops have you done? DJMB: That is another one of those questions where I don’t have a definite answer because there are so many! I guess I can answer by simply
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saying “a lot.” MS: How many parties have you been a DJ at all together from start to now? DJMB: Just to be funny I calculated 1,152 gigs/parties, if I only DJ-ed three nights per week for the full eight years that I’ve been DJ-ing. That number isn’t accurate because lately I’ve been DJing Wednesday through Sunday night every week. MS: How did you make your connections in New York? DJMB: I know a guy that has a good position at G Unit records so we always talk on the phone about different records, and he asked if i wanted to come out there to do satellite radio (Shade 45). So I went out there a few times and everybody liked me and were all very welcoming. They said I could come out whenever I wanted, so I took advantage of the offer and said “All right, I’ll come every last weekend
of the month” and they were cool with it! So I’ve been doing that for a few months now. I also shoot down to ATL on random occasions just to stay in the loop with different things. I know a few popular DJ’s down there and I usually just go down there to check out the clubs. MS: How did you land your WJLB Detroit job? DJMB: Back when I was in high school there was a DJ battle at my school (Detroit King High School) and three judges were from the radio station (DJ Fingers, Blast, and Kim James) as I was DJ-ing they liked what I was doing and DJ Blast gave me his card and we kept in touch. They would give me free records and I’d have practice sessions with them. Eventually they brought me on as a guest mixer then I began a internship. I did that for a few years then FINALLY a position opened up at WJLB and I was next in line without a doubt! MS: Any comments, people you would like to thank, words of encouragement to other DJs coming up? DJMB: My 8th grade teacher Eric Redwine, who I actually came across on Facebook; my mom, she bought me my first equipment; and the Kappas at EMU, they gave me my first weekly party every Thursday at the Kappa house. My advice to aspiring DJ’s would be: Think of yourself as a product. You have to brand yourself and market yourself to particular audiences. Think about what you can do that different than another DJ. What separates you from them? For more information about DJ Mo Beatz or to have him listen to a record of yours, visit djmobeatz.com.
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Looking for ways to update your fall wardrobe? Here are a few trends hot off the runway that are making their way into your favorite stores:
HOT
fall trends BY AMANDA SLATER Amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com
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NOVEMBER 2009
Biker-inspired & black
Biker inspired leathers, zippers and boots are being showcased by designers like Alexander Wang and are accompanied by the comeback of black. Whether you are artistic or just mysterious, if black is your color you will be in the height of fashion this fall. Check out: H & M, Forever 21, Express
Girls: focus on the bust
Many designers, including Louis Vuitton and Fendi, are offering a variety of chestaccentuating tops this season. From bustieres to corsets and bra-bearing shirts, this fall the focus is the bustline. Check out: Urban Outfitters
Boyfriend jeans
Girls, you don’t have to go to the store to get the latest look. Just go through your boyfriend’s closet. Guy-fit jeans on girls are the latest trend in denim and are being worn by stars like Katie Holmes, Rachel Bilson and Reese Witherspoon and pushed by designers like DKNY. Maybe it’s revenge for the girl-pants-wearing emoboy phenomenon, but we’re guessing it’s a lot more comfortable. Check out: American Eagle, Levis
Cardigans- not just for girls
Cardigans are essential for members of both genders this season, and they fit right in with the draped and layered styles Donna Karen and Oscar de la Renta are showing this fall. For men, V-neck button-up cardigans are a must with styles ranging from Ivy-league prep knits to Mr. Rogers sweaters. For the girls, flyaway and oversized V-neck cardigans are where it’s at. Check out: Express, Urban Outfitters
80’s sleek & chic
From Marc Jacobs to Gucci to Donatella Versace, every designer seems to have some version of 80’s style that has slipped into this fall’s line. Don’t be afraid of metallic leather, acid-wash jeans, studded mini-dresses and sharkskin suits this season. When worn right, they can be the epitome of sleek and chic that keeps the 80’s at the forefront of our fashion memories. Check out: H & M, Forever 21
All-around classic
Don’t forget those classic staples this fall. There have been several runway sightings of timeless accents such as pinstripes and tweed along with other classic pieces this season in the collections of designers like Ralph Lauren and Hermes. Whether it’s a Burberryinspired trench coat, a Chanel-esque basic black suit or a double-breasted jacket, pull back out all of your timeless pieces this season. Check out: Von Maur, Macy’s, Urban Outfitters
Top designer fashion for less
Be on the lookout for designer lines made specifically for more affordable stores. Jimmy Choo recently announced a line of shoes that will be sold at select H & Ms, Kohl’s sells a line of Vera Wang clothes, and Target often sells lines from designers such as Ashley Paige for a limited time. Check out: H & M, Kohl’s, Target
Don't have a lot to spend? We hear ya!
Luckily, many of these trends can also be found at local thrift stores.
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ATHLETICS SCHEDULE HOME GAMES
EMU Students receive FREE admission to all home athletic contests with a valid ID DATE:
SPORT:
EVENT:
LOCATION:
TIME:
11/07 11/07 11/07 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/14 11/14 11/14 11/14 11/16 11/22 11/28 11/29 11/30 12/03 12/04 12/04
Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball Wrestling W. Swin & Dive M. Swin & Dive Volleyball Football Volleyball M. Swin & Dive W. Swin & Dive Women’s Basketball Wrestling Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball Wrestling W. Swim & Dive M. Swim & Dive
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merchandise store w/coupon and valid EMU student ID *Expires following the last home football game on November 14th, 2009. “The Locker Room” is open inside
Rynearson Stadium during all home football games and inside the Convocation Center during all home volleyball contests.
ATHLETICS: Coach Charles Ramsey will be leaning on Carlos Medlock this year.
When asked if his team could win the MAC Championship and with it a spot in the NCAA Tournament, Eastern Michigan men’s basketball coach Charles Ramsey’s answer was simple and direct. “Absolutely,” he said. While that may sound strange considering EMU was 8-24 last year, Ramsey has reason to be optimistic, starting with the fact that Eastern won its last four regular-season games last year. More importantly, like a shorthanded hockey team, this year Ramsey expects to be at full strength with the return of star point guard and fifth-year senior Carlos Medlock, sidelined for much of last year with a foot injury. “We’re going to have a good year this year,” Medlock predicted. “I’m excited. It’s probably the most exciting season I’ve had since I’ve been here.” Medlock’s coach shares his excitement, especially when asked to assess his team’s strengths and weaknesses.
1 2 3 5 10 12 13 15 21 25 32 33 45 51
Jay Higgins J.R. Sims Carlos Medlock Jake Fosdick Branden Harrison L.J. Frazier Antonio Green Will Cooper Quintin Dailey Justin Dobbins Jamell Harris Brandon Bowdry Matt Balkema Kamil Janton
F G G G F G G W G F F F C C
Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So.
Fayetteville, N.C. Fort Wayne, Ind. Detroit Saline Houston, Texas Ypsilanti Inkster Detroit Las Vegas, Nev. Cleveland, Ohio Euclid, Ohio Taylor Warren Tarnow, Poland
MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM LOOKS TO GET “BACK ON TRACK” 34
BY JASON IDALSKI jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com PHOTOS BY RAJ MEHTA
emYOU! THE MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2009
ATHLETICS: “Weaknesses, I can’t answer that right now. That’s a good thing,” Ramsey said. “Strengths are numerous. Character of the guys on the team, ability, depth, athleticism.” Medlock and Ramsey agree this group has the best chemistry since the two of them have been at Eastern. “You got a group of guys that love each other, it’s going to carry over on the court,” Medlock said of his team’s bond. “We have a group of guys that we think have great chemistry, great talent, good character guys,” Ramsey said. “We feel very good about this group going out to compete this year.” Another area the team has improved on is depth. “For the first time ... we can start any 10 different players,” Ramsey said. “We’re going to have great competition every day in practice, which is going to carry over.” As for one of those players, Medlock doesn’t anticipate having last year’s injury affect him in any way. He does plan on playing slightly differently from past years, though. “This year we got a lot of shooters, so I will be passing the ball more than I usually have,” Medlock said. Medlock also said he doesn’t have many goals for the team. “I just want my group and the team to come out, let’s play hard. That’s the only goal I have for us is to play hard,” he said. “I just want to go out strong, give it my all like I always have on the court.” His coach is excited to see him go out strong, in more ways than one. “I’m excited for him to go out and display his talents this year and lead our squad,” Ramsey said. “I’m even more so excited to see him walk across the stage next May.” Ramsey says fans should be excited as well. “I think it’s going to be exciting, fun type of basketball to follow and really cheer for,” Ramsey said. Before last year, Ramsey and EMU had increased their win total in every season, despite having not hit .500 in any of Ramsey’s four years as head coach. “I was pleased up until last year. Every year we had progressed. We’d gotten better,” he said. “We had a little setback. Now we’re going to turn that setback back around and get back on track. I think there’s a possibility we can get back on track in a big way.” Eastern’s season begins with an exhibition against Concordia on Nov. 7. The regular season begins at Oakland on Nov. 14. The home schedule begins with a game against Davenport on Nov. 28, one of a higher-than-average 14 home games. Eastern plays one major-conference opponent this season, traveling to Ohio State on Dec. 5. (For men’s basketball and football game recaps, visit www.emyouthemagazine.com.)
WWW.EMYOUTHEMAGAZINE.COM
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
Charles McGee:
ENERGY AND ART AT AGE 85 BY AMANDA SLATER Amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com
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NOVEMBER 2009
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
This month one of the most important artists from the state of Michigan will be staging a retrospective at Eastern Michigan’s Ford Gallery and University Gallery. The exhibition, entitled “Energy: Charles McGee at Eighty-Five,” is a 60-year retrospective of the work of Detroit artist Charles McGee. For McGee, it’s a showcase that is very close to home in more ways than one. McGee taught painting at EMU for 18 years, although if you ask McGee he’ll say that he learned as much from the students as they learned from him. McGee’s open-mindedness and curiosity about the world might be what keeps him creating, discovering and enjoying life to the fullest at age 85. His art is a reflection of his philosophy. McGee says he sees the world as “a wholly interconnected global thicket in which all species are equal and interdependent,” and his art addresses issues having to do with our environmental crisis as well as the need for mutual understanding and respect among members of all people groups, from racial to religious. Recognized as one of Michigan’s most important artists of the past century, McGee’s story is one of true inspiration. At the age of 10 he was unable to read or write. Once he began school in Detroit, his teachers recognized his artistic talent in simple class assignments. However, his education was put on hold in exchange for work, then service in the U.S. Marines. Once his time in the service was complete, he was able to receive formal training in the arts at Detroit’s Society of Arts and Crafts (now the College for Creative Studies) on the G.I. Bill. By the time he had reached age 43, he was able to travel to Europe where he trained in Barcelona, Spain, for a year. Upon his return to Detroit, he organized a showcase called “Seven Black Artists.” Since then, McGee has received many honors and awards, including the 1978 Governor’s Michigan Artist Award and the 1989 Michigan Artist of the Year Award, and his work is in hundreds of museums, galleries, art centers and private collections in Michigan and throughout the U.S. McGee teaches part-time at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center in metro Detroit. The exhibition will open with a free reception open to the public at the University Gallery on Nov. 9 from 4-7 p.m., featuring a gallery talk by McGee at 5 p.m. His work will be viewable in EMU’s Ford Gallery and University Gallery from Nov. 9 - Dec. 19. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit emich.edu/fordgallery.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
NOT SURE WHAT CIDER MILL: Nothing says fall like a cup TO DO IN BETWEEN of warm (or cold) cider and a doughnut … or a hayride or picking apples fresh off the tree. STUDYING AND Wiard’s Orchards in Ypsilanti has all of this GOING TO CLASSES and more. Wiard’s Cider Mill is located at 5565 Road in Ypsilanti and is open Tuesday AND DON’T HAVE A Merritt through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. LOT OF MONEY TO CORN MAZE: Corn mazes have come to WORK WITH? HERE be another fall tradition. Whether you prefer ARE A FEW IDEAS TO trying to navigate through the tall stalks in the ADD SOME SPICE TO daylight or if you would rather experience the adventure and added challenge of braving YOUR FALL WITHOUT them at night, corn mazes are fun for people COMPROMISING of all ages. YOUR BUDGET: NATURE WALK: It may sound cheesy, but try it. Fall is the best time to get reacquainted with nature – not too hot, not too cold and full of amazing color and beautiful scenery.
SEASONAL COOKING: One of the smells of autumn is the food. Everything apple tastes better at this time of year. ’Tis the season to pick a basket of apples, then make them into everything you can think of – from apple pies and cakes to applesauce and tarts. Maybe, if you’re feeling really ambitious, you’ll even make something to bring to this year’s Thanksgiving gathering – or maybe not. We wouldn’t want to get too carried away… CAPTURE THE FLAG/BONFIRE: One
inexpensive way to enjoy the season is to get a group of friends together on a brisk fall night to play a game of capture the flag. When you’re done, top it off by roasting some marshmallows over a bonfire – and maybe even singing a song or two if the mood feels right.
FALL FESTIVITIES ON A BUDGET
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: It may seem too early to get started on Holiday shopping. However, the truth is that the holidays are a little more than a month away – and saving all of your shopping until the end is usually a sure way to deplete your checking account in record speed. Try something new this year and buy all of your holiday gifts over a two-month period. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it will be to budget. Kick off the gift-buying festivities with a fun outing like spending a day shopping in Frankenmuth and at the Birch Run outlets. However, don’t forget to stop by Bronner’s and get yourself into the holiday spirit while you’re there.
BY AMANDA SLATER amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com WWW.EMYOUTHEMAGAZINE.COM
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
Helping to Revitalize Ypsi BY AMANDA SLATER Amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPURSTUDIOS.COM
It’s being called the Ypsi Renaissance. After being named a “cool city” and being chosen by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to take part in the Blueprints for Michigan’s Downtowns program, Ypsilanti has been undergoing a reconstruction that is changing the face of the city. As part of this reconstruction, Ypsilanti’s eclectic community of arts and entertainment has started to come alive more than ever. From filming movies in the area to the opening of new venues and nightlife locations, Ypsilanti is making it onto the entertainment-scene radar. One organization that has come out of this recent phenomenon is Spur Studios. Described on the organization’s site as “a collection of work spaces in Ypsilanti, Michigan for artists, musicians and other creative people who need a place to get things
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done,” Spur Studios is the brainchild of James Marks, owner of VGKids. VGKids is an Ypsilanti-based screen printing business that started as a vegan grocery store. However, the business grew from a small basement operation to a “full-service merchandising company,” according to the VGKids Web site. The philosophy that drives the business is one of “doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do.” Thus, it’s no surprise that something like Spur Studios would spring out of this same philosophy. Marks got the idea to open Spur Studios as he was searching for office space for VGKids in Ypsilanti. Upon touring the building at 800 Lowell Street, he thought it would make great artist studio space. Thus, Marks teamed up with Steve Emschwiller and Chris Sandon in creating Spur Studios with the mission of providing
studio space for local visual artists and musicians. “It’s just one way we thought we could contribute,” Sandon said. According to Sandon, Spur Studios was a way for the three to do their part to support local music and art as well as help rebuild the community. “We wanted to create a space where artists can work because currently there really aren’t many resources for them in the area,” Sandon said. Spur Studios has leased out 23 of its 30 spaces. However, there are openings starting at $150 for visual artist studio space and $250 for musical artist studio space. All leases are for one year. Units include 24-hour access, off-street parking and a locking interior door. For more information, visit www.spurstudios.org.
NOVEMBER 2009
w w w.u su rv i ve.co m
uEat. uLive. uPlay.
uSurvive.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
Director: Spike Jonze Starring: Catherine Keener, Max Records
“ANYWHERE BUT HERE” 3.5/5 Towers
BY MARISSA MCNEES
“WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” 4/5 Water Towers
BY TIM ADKINS If you’re looking for a break from reality, this 1-hour 34-minute, PG-rated action/adventure rendition of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s story is sure to take you to a land far, far away. Max (played by Max Records) is portrayed as a neglected kid who finds escape in an island “Where the Wild Things Are.” Max is met by a star-studded cast of Wild Things including James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Forest Whittaker that crown him king of their land. However, the story has more to it than meets the eye. Each “Wild Thing” represents someone or something in Max’s life, and each monster’s personality is
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as unique as their large, yellow eyed, furry faced, giant selves! Audience members easily get sucked into Max’s world and pull for him that he somehow returns home safe and sound. Truthfully, when I was young, this short story always gave me a little bit of the creeps, but seeing it unfold on the big screen was nothing short of amazing. The cinematography was incredible and the soundtrack is probably the best of the year, featuring Karen O and the Kids (Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s along with Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, Jack Lawrence and Dean Fertita of The Raconteurs and others.) See this movie, buy the soundtrack and be wild!
It’s always hard recovering from a breakup. Some of us recover more gracefully than others, but it’s never easy moving on without the person who’s been by your side for so long. Mayday Parade uses this premise to fuel great songwriting with their sophomore album “Anywhere but Here.” In the album, the band produces their usual brand of sing-along-worthy poppunk without the help of former lead vocalist and primary song writer Jason Lancaster. Despite
Lancaster’s departure from the band, Mayday Parade perseveres to deliver fun, upbeat tracks such as “Kids in Love” and “Get Up,” while still keeping their signature rock sound with “The Silence” and “The End.” Even though they struggle to keep from sounding more generic than they have in the past, Mayday Parade still manages to please, and fans can appreciate the effort put forth by new front man Derek Sanders. Favorite Tracks: “The Silence,” “I Swear This Time I Mean It,” and “The End.”
Artist: Mayday Parade NOVEMBER 2009
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Director: Tony Scott Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta
Artist: Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
“THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123”
2.5/5 Towers
BY AMANDA SLATER
“BREAK UP”
4/5 Towers
BY AMANDA SLATER Scarlett Johansson has long been a hit in Hollywood, but few knew her talents extended to include music as well. And her debut in the music world alongside Pete Yorn is a match – and breakup – made in heaven. Break Up is the perfect marriage of upbeat yet introspective Indie rock. The album’s nine tracks depict a breakup from the perspectives of
both parties along with all of its confusion and difficulty. Johansen’s sultry voice is the perfect compliment to Yorn and is surprisingly akin to that of Mazzy Star with even a twinge of Amy Winehouse at moments. The first track, “Relator,” is catchy and memorable, and “Clean” may very well be the best track on the album. However, the album is best when taken as a whole both lyrically and musically as its story unfolds.
In this “remake” of the 1974 hit, John Travolta plays the role of Ryder, a volatile man who, along with a team of accomplices, hijacks a New York subway train holding its passengers hostage and threatening to execute them if the city of New York doesn’t comply with his demands. Denzel Washington
plays Zachary Garber, the dispatcher on the other line of Ryder’s cell phone and radio calls in a role that seems eerily familiar (“Inside Man,” anyone?). However, Washington acts with flair and his usual dose of effortless charm and Travolta perfectly pulls off the part of the complex, almost likeable bad guy in this predictable yet entertaining film.
Director: Robert Kenner Release Date: 10/3 Director: Michael Moore
“CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY”
4.5/5 Water Towers
“FOOD INC.”
4/5 Towers
BY AMANDA SLATER You may think that you eat healthy, but do you know what you’re really eating? Director Robert Kenner exposes the dark and even dangerous world of America’s food industry in this eyeopening documentary that will cause you to think twice when you go to the grocery store. WWW.EMYOUTHEMAGAZINE.COM
BY AMANDA SLATER The free-market system is a hot topic in the media as of late, but can too much capitalism be a bad thing? Michael Moore takes viewers into a world of corporate greed and promises of
wealth contrasted with widespread poverty as he examines the corruption that has seeped into the veins of democracy. From the banks to the government, no one is safe from Michael Moore’s cameras in this must-see documentary.
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emYOU! The Magazine & the Eastern Echo
Vixen FitnessSM offers women only fitness & alternative dance classes in a safe, supportive & comfortable environment. At Vixen FitnessSM you can be as sassy or subtle as you like while you release your inner Vixen!
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BY JASON IDALSKI Jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com
“WE’RE NOT YOUR TYPICAL FITNESS CLASS.”
T
he first look at Vixen Fitness tells you this isn’t your ordinary gym. The “Fitness, Fun, Fantasy” motto outside. Inside, no stationary bikes, no treadmills. In fact, there are only seven pieces of equipment. Stripper poles. “We’re not your typical fitness class,” owner Danielle Green said. “I think a lot of women in general aren’t motivated by the free weights and the treadmill, the elliptical. So we provide an alternative to that typical class.” The idea for a pole-dancing class started in 2005. Green’s friends, as a surprise and a dare for her birthday, brought in a pole-dancing instructor to teach her. Though she was admittedly terrible and woke up sore the next day, she thought she had a good workout and was hooked. Green’s son was about a year old and she was looking for a way to get back in shape. As Green got better, she not only showed off to her husband, but signed
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with a company doing home parties. Some of her clients wanted her to come back and teach privately, so she opened the business in Detroit. “A lot of people have the idea that they’re going to come in here and it’s going to be a half-dressed instructor who used to be a stripper,” Green said. “It’s totally not like that. I’ve never been a stripper before. I totally do this for fitness and for fun purposes only.” In fact, Green went to EMU and graduated from ITT Tech with a degree in computer networking. “I never would’ve thought that this is what I would’ve ended up doing,” she said. Vixen Fitness, located at 1795 Washtenaw Avenue, has a varying range of clients. Green said their reasons for joining vary. Some are recently divorced women at a low point, looking to get their “sexy back.” Some are recent mothers, some are bored with traditional fitness classes. Some want
to share the skill with a significant other. “I’ve had a woman, she was in her 70s, and she asked me: ‘Where were you 30 years ago?’” Green said. Vixen Fitness is having an open house from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 14, where interested women can meet the instructors, try out the poles, get special discounts for signing up that night and win prizes. For those who can’t wait, some classes have already begun. The smaller space ensures classes won’t be overcrowded. The maximum number in a pole-dancing class is six, so the instructor and students can each have their own pole. No experience is necessary to sign up for a pole-dancing class, although there are more traditional offerings for women who might be skittish about using the pole, such as yoga, pilates and Zumba. For more information, call (866) 9009797 or visit vixenfitness.com.
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THE BOTTOM LINE: THE BEST DRINKING GAMES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
urself at a loss If you ever find yo e to play or for a drinking gam of beer pong, are just plain tired r, give one of quarters or thumpe . They range these games a try can be played from mild to wild, more and are in groups of two or lt in a great time. guaranteed to resu e Magazine (We at emYOU! Th erindulgence do not condone ov tances and of inebriating subs ody to drink in a encourages everyb ble manner.) safe and responsi
HORSE RACES: CARD GAME Items needed: One deck of cards (no jokers): Players: 2-4
THE SETUP: Using the kings and queens from the deck, create a racetrack eight cards in length. Each player picks an ace to serve as their horse and places it at the beginning of the track. HOW TO PLAY: Using the remaining cards, start drawing from the top of the deck. The horse that matches the suit of the drawn card gets to move forward one place, and all others must drink. The first horse to pass the finish line wins and gets to pass out eight drinks. THE BOTTOM LINE: Horse Races is suitable for a small group to pass the time. If you’re looking to get hammered, play something else.
DRINKING JENGA:
SKILL GAME
Items needed: One set of Jenga blocks: Players: 2+
THE SETUP: Using a black permanent
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marker, write one rule, give/take amount of drinks, or mini-game to play on each of the blocks. Set up the tower, with the directions facing down. HOW TO PLAY: Going clockwise around the circle, each player draws one block and follows its directions (for minigames, follow each game’s respective rules). If somebody messes up, they drink. The person that knocks the tower down has to shotgun/chug a full beer and setup the tower for the next round. THE BOTTOM LINE: Drinking Jenga is a fast-paced game that may lead to inebriation in a matter of minutes. Given the high level of consumption, Drinking Jenga is not for the faint-hearted.
BEER HUNTER: PARTY GAME Items needed: One sack: Players: 2+ (the more the merrier)
THE SETUP: Take one can of frosty brew, shake it like there is no tomorrow and place it in the sack. Add one more can for each player to the sack and mix them around, thus ensuring the shaken beer is well-hidden. HOW TO PLAY: After the players arrange in a circle, pass the bag of beers around and have each player retrieve one from the sack. After grabbing a beer, set yourself in the ready position by holding the can about 15 inches away from and pointed directly at your face. On the count of three, everybody opens their beer at the same time. The player that gets sprayed in the face is out, and the remaining players need to slam their beer. Shake up another beer, refill the sack and repeat the process. The last remaining survivor wins. THE BOTTOM LINE: Wet and wild,
drunktastic outdoor fun. Keep the ambulance on standby.
ONE BIG CHICKEN:
WORD GAME
Items needed: A player that knows all the phrases: Players: 8+
THE SETUP: Explain how to play. HOW TO PLAY: The player that knows all the phrases begins, one phrase at a time. The game follows the same routine as “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” with each player saying a new phrase and then repeating all phrases in descending order. If you mess up, you drink and then start over with the first phrase. The game is over when all 10 phrases are said without anybody screwing up. The phrases: • One big chicken • Two cute ducks • Three brown bears • Four hairy running hairs • Five fat females sitting, sipping scotch and smoking cigarettes • Six sheets slit by Sam the sheet slitter • Seven sexy Siamese sailors sailing the seven seas • Eight echoing egotists echoing egotistical ecstasies • Nine naughty knocked up nuns navigating the Nigerian desert toward the nunnery • Ten fig pluckers plucking figs. I’m not a fig plucker or a fig plucker’s son but I’ll pluck figs until the fig plucking’s done. THE BOTTOM LINE: Really confusing, riotous fun for large crowds. Great game to play in bars. Follow me on Twitter: mfstromski
NOVEMBER 2009
OCT. 23-NOV. 21 For some reason money is becoming scarce around you. Why is that? Take a look at your bank account. Eating out everyday, driving places you don’t need to be going and buying the last round at the bar add up! Take this week to focus on expenses. Budgeting and working a couple extra hours at the job will put you right back where you need to be. Lucky Numbers: 5, 14, 42
BY MARISSA STAPLES marissa.staples@emyouthemagazine.com
NOV. 22-DEC. 21 Trust your intuition; dogs always chase the cat. You may not have proof that your significant other is cheating, but there are subtle changes that you can see. Do not become the dog that chases its tail. You know what is going on. End the relationship or deal with it without any complaints. The choice is yours. Lucky Numbers: 7, 18, 34
DEC. 22-JAN. 19 Last month you were supposed to soul-search and build your own philosophy. Instead you stayed loyal to others, causing you to be disloyal to yourself. If you don’t find yourself soon, some scary things will begin to happen - and the risks will be too great. The decisions you make will not be judged by your values but the values of others. Please, take some “me time.” Lucky Numbers: 8, 16, 21
JAN. 20-FEB. 18 For once you can say everything is going well in your life. The job is working out, grades are up, social life is like “Cheers” (“Everybody knows your name”), and that play toy you’ve kept around may actually turn into a loving relationship. Keep up the good work! Next month, things won’t be exactly the same … hopefully better! Lucky Numbers: 10, 29, 69
FEB. 19-MAR. 20 You are a loving person even when you don’t need to be. In the bedroom, don’t necessarily throw love out the window, but get rough and get dirty! Become the shark in the bedroom. Your lover will be more than pleased with this new you. More presents will be coming your way. Lucky Numbers: 28, 35, 36
MAR. 21-APR. 19 Don’t let your bark be bigger than your bite. You talk a good game to the ladies or fellas, but can you truly back it up? One lucky person is about to put you to the test. If you fail, your date will be gone quicker than Chris Brown’s endorsements. But if you conquer, your love is going to go above and beyond -- and you’ll feel better than ever before. Lucky Numbers: 3, 19, 24
APR. 20-MAY 20 You like feeling grounded, but right now it’s hard to get a grasp on things. First order of business is to focus on your career goal. School and work need to be top priority this month. Once both schedules are under control and don’t conflict with each other, everything will fall into place in your personal life. Lucky Numbers: 4, 12, 22
MAY 21-JUNE 20 Looking for more satisfaction in your life? Think that some discipline may be the missing piece to the puzzle? Maybe it’s time to join a volunteer group. Or maybe it’s time to help the people around you. Help your friend that is struggling with school study. Cook dinner for your busy mom. These nice gestures will come full circle when you need them most. Pay it forward. Lucky Numbers: 1, 17, 25
JUNE 21-JULY 23 A close friend is about to turn on you. Starting today, watch what you say around him. Not only is he telling the person you speak of what is being said, he is also adding words of his own. A big blow-up between the three of you is on the horizon; unfortunately a friendship will be lost … but which one depends on you. Lucky Numbers: 6, 13. 23
JULY 24-AUG. 22 Asking for advice in the bedroom isn’t really sexy. So, if you think you know how to fix whatever it is, fix it with confidence. As long as you look and sound like you know what you’re doing, your lover will enjoy what you’re doing and ask for more. You are once again the leader of this voyage. Lucky Numbers: 15, 26, 30
AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 Time for a night out on the town with the pals! Forget that yellow shirt that you’ve been wanting to wear and go for the sexy brown outfit with the boots instead. Make sure your lips look kissable because right before your night at the club ends, the cutie starring at you all night will make a last-minute move. He’s a shy one, but worth hanging on to. Lucky Numbers: 11, 20, 31
SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 A business relationship is developing into a little more than what you’re asking for. This is not OK. Taking this relationship to the next level will not only confuse you, but make things noticeably uncomfortable around the work place ultimately giving everyone a bad vibe. Keep it professional for the sake of your name. Lucky Numbers: 2, 9, 27
OUTGAME
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