Torch 9-30-09

TORCH GRAPHIC/KERI DODGE

WHAT’S INSIDE News......................2-4 Features..............12-14

MOVIES Coen Brothers

Editorials...............6-9 Entertainment....19-26

The duo draws from personal experience for their latest film.

Comics....................10 Sports.................28-32

ENTERT TAINMENT page 20

TORCHONLINE.COM

Last week’s poll results Do you miss the weekend shuttle service?

40% Yes 60% No Check out our new poll every Wednesday “Think Outside. . .”

2 4

Directory Managing Board LXXXVII

CHRISTINA HEISER, Editor-in-Chief EVERTON BAILEY, Managing Editor KIRAN JOSEN

BILL SAN ANTONIO

MARK MCDONALD

News Editor

Sports Editor

General Manager

JUSTIN THRIFT

LAURA AMATO

MALLORY TOKUNAGA

Editorial Page Editor Photo Editor

Chief Copy Editor

PATRICE BENDIG

KERI DODGE

SARA RHODES

Features Editor

Art Director

Layout Editor

JESSIKAH HACKETT

JOSÉ SILVA

ELLEN CAREY

Entertainment Editor Online Editor

Advisor

Business (718) 9906576 Advertising 990-6756 Editorial Board 990-6444

Features 990-6445 Letters 990-6445 News 990-6444 Sports 990-6444

Special thanks to Richard Rex Thomas for assisting in the design of The TORCH

Film I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell Inferno reviews the latest frat house comedy, starring Matt Czuchry.

Inferno Pg. 23

Campus Spotlight Sigma Gamma Rho The sorority delivers service throughout the community.

Read our article to learn more about their good deeds.

Features Pg. 13 TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

Men’s Soccer Scoring Drought

From the left: Jatasia Vaughn, Katrina Johnsn-Greene, Kessie Petitfrere and Quyen Nguyen. Students prepare for the annual Step Ya Game Up competition to take place inside the UC Commons at 6 p.m. Oct.7. Admission will be $2.

NEWS NEWS

The men’s soccer team’s 0-0 tie at Providence marks the fourth straight game in which the Red Storm didn’t score a goal.

Sports Pg. 29 NEW YORK POLITICS OPINION PG. 9

30 30 Sept.

Sept.2009 2009

Tour de St. John’s raises money for charity

torchonline.com torchonline.com

The TheT TORCH ORCH

ANTHONY O’REILLY Contributing Writer

FOR MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 718-990-6756 The TORCH is the official student newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.

To contact The TORCH by mail: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439

The TORCH is typically published on Wednesdays, approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year. Circulation per issue is 3,500 copies distributed free on campus.

This copy of The Torch is worth $ .75.

Strong winds did not stop the participants of a 25-mile bike ride around Queens for charity Saturday.

Students, parents and faculty participated in the four hour bike ride, dubbed Tour de St. John’s, raising more than $2,500 for Bread and Life, a St. John’s organization aimed to feed the poor.

Riders collected donations for Bread and Life through the Web site firstgiving.com.

A $15 registration fee was required to ride.

E-mails were sent to every student about the details of the tour. The event was also put up

on St. John’s Web Digest.

The event was organized by Charisse Willis, associate dean of the School of Education, Karl Rutter, director of recruitment for Global Studies and Joseph Sciortino, assistant to the director of America Reads.

The bike ride circled around the local Queens area, including Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows, Alley Pond Park in Bayside and Fort Totten in Bayside.

Willis thanked the various departments responsible for organizing the event.

“There are so many people to thank for making this possible,” she said. “Public Safety, the Office of Global Studies and everyone who’s helped raise money for Bread and Life.”

3

Student Wellness Week Healthy body and spirit RAMIRO FUNEZ Staff Writer The Student Wellness Department promoted student well-being by holding various health-related events as part of St. John’s University Wellness Week 2009. Wellness Week lasted from Monday, Sept. 21 to Saturday, Sept. 26.

Marilena Minucci, assistant director of Wellness Education, said she thought the Wellness Fair was a success.

Students gather ingredients for competition Thursday, Sept. 23.

Battle of the chefs NATASHA VELEZ Contributing Writer

The TORCH

torchonline.com

The knives were out at this semester’s Battle of the Chefs competition. The event, part of Student Wellness Week 2009, was held on Thursday, Sept. 23 in Montgoris Dining Hall.

Three teams competed in the event: Team Zoo, The Crew and Team S.W.E.L.L. The teams were comprised of St. John’s students and staff.

The judges consisted of the winning team from last semester’s St. John’s Iron Chef competition.

This was the third semester that the event has been held.

Vince Picciotto, executive chef of Chartwells, said students are invited to participate on a first come, first serve basis.

Similar to the Iron Chef television show, which airs on the Food Network, students and faculty are provided with a setup table and a market basket.

Students were also provided with herbs, spices and healthy ingredients to utilize in their dishes.

“Our chefs take a lot of pride in their work and truly enjoy this opportunity to engage with the students,” said Mary Ellen Bingham, campus dietician

and sports nutritionist.

The winners of last spring’s competition were the student judges this year, and they all agreed that it was a tough decision because all three teams did such a great job.”

Picciotto provided students with a set of criteria and explained the rules to each team. The teams had ten minutes to come up with their menus. Then they had an hour to complete their meals.

Picciotto said that the event had more than one goal.

“This was an event targeted to not only learn how to cook healthy, but so that students could get to know each other and the faculty as well,” he said.

The winning dish this year was a Cajun inspired chicken dish submitted by The Crew.

As the winning team this semester, they will judge the spring 2010 competition. Each team member won a Nikon digital camera.

“The Iron Chef competition was a great experience,” said Danica Javier, a member of the winning team. “We liked that we were given the opportunity to compete and have fun while creating health conscious food.

We did not know there were any prizes, so when we won we were ecstatic.”

30 Sept. 2009

TORCH PHOTO/ ASHLEY CERCIELLO

Common hour becomes a yoga class last Tuesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

NEWS

TORCH PHOTO/ ASHLEY CERCIELLO

Free smoothies have become a recurring treat at many wellness-sponsored events.

“We had more students and attendants than ever before,” she said. “Everyone loved everything they saw and learned at the fair. Whether it was yoga, fitness, or mindfulness meditation, students were all involved. There was something for everyone.”

The events kicked off with “Monday Mile,” during which participants walked a mile around campus. Other events included a yoga class on the Great Lawn, a farmer’s market with fruits and vegetables provided by a farm on Long Island, “Cardio Challenge” in the fitness center, and University Service Day, designed to serve the community in accordance with the University’s Vincentian mission.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, there was a Wellness Week Fair on the Great Lawn, featuring free smoothies, food, backrubs and information on staying healthy.

The Student Wellness Department at St. John’s approached physical and mental health with programs targeting body, mind, and spirit. It holds events throughout the semester.

According to Minucci, Wellness Week was only the first of many events to be held during the year..

“This week was a kickoff for different wellness programs throughout the year, so that every month you’ll see different events from us,” she said.

Many St. John’s students took advantage of the programs held on campus.

Freshman Brianna Lyons, for example, said that she thought the programs were good for “people who are into their own health.”

“It’s going to help everyone on campus get healthy and stay in shape,” she said. “Maybe now I can avoid the ‘Freshman 15,’” she said.

Freshman Kristine Torres, who attended the Wellness Week Fair, said she enjoyed her experience.

“It was really fun and relaxing,” she said. “It gave me a chance to just come out and relax.”

Though Wellness week came to an end, the Student Wellness Department will sponsor more events throughout the year.

“Our plans are to make wellness events bigger and have more students involved and to expand the programs we have to offer,” Minucci said.

4

Service Day draws large crowd large groups.

Father Patrick Griffin, executive vice president for the mission and branch campuses addressed the crowd, calling on them to remember the teachings of St. Vincent dePaul and St. Louise and to embody More than 1,600 members of the St. John’s the University’s mission in their work.

While the Queens campus had the most community participated in the University’s participants, other Service Day. campuses abroad, including The event encourages Paris, Dublin and students, faculty, I want to give back so that Rome, Salamanca, participated administrators and alumni others will be inspired to as well. to volunteer at different offIn Miami, Atlanta, Ga., campus sites. Participants give back, to fulfill and Washington D.C. and Orange spent the day collecting books spread the Vincentian County, Calif., alumni groups for schools, raising money mission. were also involved with for St. John’s Bread and Life Service Day events. and organizing donations Students gave varied for the Midnight Runs and -Amanda Sasenick, asenick, reasons for getting involved. much more.

Amanda Sasenick, a Service Day was set up sophomore homore sophomore, stated that the as a way for the University teachings of St. Vincent to follow the teachings of St. dePaul and St. Louise inspired her.

Vincent dePaul and St. Louise de Marillac.

“I want to give back so that others will be inspired At the Queens campus, participants gathered in Taffner Fieldhouse to reflect and prepare for their to give back, to fulfill and spread the Vincentian mission,” she said. day of service.

Lauren Miller, a junior and Ozanam Scholar, Many of the Greek organizations participated, and all of the athletic teams were represented, emphasized compassion for others as the basis for visiting soup kitchens and schools in the area. The her participation.

“It could have been me,” she said, “What if I University Honors Program, the Ozanam Scholars Program, ROTC, Campus Ministry organizations need help? I would want someone to do the same and Schools of Pharmacy and Education all sent for me.”

NELL O’CONNOR Staff Writer

“

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

Students and alumni giving back to the community for service.

”

Event sparks discussion about democracy, journalism

NEWS

SASHA THOMAS Contributing Writer A new generation of future journalists and reporters attended the Roger V. Wetherington Memorial Colloquium on Journalism and Democracy on Sept. 23 to discuss journalism’s role in democracy.

The event was held in honor of Wetherington, former Journalism Department chair, who died over the summer.

The colloquium was

moderated by Mark J. Prendergast, associate journalism professor in the College of Professional Studies and ombudsman of the Stars and Stripes newspaper.

The featured speakers included Arthur Browne, editor of the The New York Daily News and graduate of St. John’s School of Law; Susan Edgerley, assistant managing editor of The New York Times; and Diane Heith, associate government and politics professor in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Panelists discussed the

emergence of non-print alternative sources for news, the use of journalism to ease social and political tensions, freedom of press in both western and non-western societies, and the interdependence of journalism and democracy. P r e n d e rg a s t believed Wetherington would have been honored by the event.

“I think Roger would have enjoyed this because the goal was to have three aspects of his loves, which were St. John’s, Daily News and the New York Times,” he said. “To have three distinguished representatives

of that, to me, was very gratifying.”

Students said they found the event to be worthwhile. “I thought it was very informative,” said Zachery Broughton, a student.

“The panelists were very wise in their respective crafts and it inspired me further to pursue my career as a journalist.”

Edgerley ended with a word of advice for those seeking employment in the media reporting field.

“In order to break into journalism and get that job at The Times or Daily News you have to be able to do it all,” she

said. “Be an animal about what you do.”

Prendergast said he hopes to hold a similar event each year and distribute a student award in honor of the late professor, starting next semester.

“I would have to think he would probably be uncomfortable with the colloquium and the award but I know deep down inside, he would have been proud,” he said.

Additional reporting by Everton Bailey

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

NYPD investigation caused by student conduct violations EVERTON BAILEY Managing Editor University officials say student code of conduct violations by multiple students was the cause of an NYPD investigation on the Queens campus last week.

Jack Flynn, director of Judicial Affairs, said six St. John’s students have been interviewed regarding were involvement in an incident that occurred on campus around 2 a.m. Wednesday Sept. 23.

On the same day at 7:56 a.m., Public Safety sent out the first of two emails stating “the New York City Police Department (NYPD) was called to the Queens campus early this morning to investigate an incident involving one of our students.”

A follow-up e-mail, sent at 10:33

a.m., said investigators concluded that no criminal offense had occurred.

Flynn said the students involved are both male and female, that no one has been suspended or sustained “any physical injury that required hospitalization.”

The nature of the incident and violations have not been released by the University but Flynn said, “it could potentially be multiple violations of the code of conduct, so it would be inappropriate to only focus on one.”

“The federal privacy laws really preclude us from saying anything about a student’s conduct situation,” he said. “So for me to be very open about what we’re investigating or who’s being investigated, would actually be a violation of a student’s federal privacy rights.”

Tom Lawrence, vice president of Public Safety, said the focus of the NYPD investigation centered around the roadway between St. Vincent and

O’Connor Halls and mentioned that students living in the dorms were among the people interviewed by investigators.

Lawrence said public safety officers were aware of the incident around 2:10 a.m., and notified police immediately after.

“There was an incident involving a student on campus who we came across and we weren’t sure if something happened to the student or not,” he said.

“So erring on the side of being cautious and making sure that the safety of our students and community is paramount, we wanted to make sure we brought in the necessary resources to ensure or find out if anything happened and then move on from there.”

Lawrence said police wrapped up their investigation around 9 a.m.

“We wanted to ensure that our community was safe, bring in the professionals to investigate and make

sure that nothing did happen and that was the determination,” he said. “Through the use of the NYPD and our cameras on campus, we were able to prove that nothing criminal happened.”

An internal investigation by St. John’s Judicial Affairs was began immediately, according to Flynn. Attempmts to reach school officials concerning the status of the investigation were unsuccessful before deadline.

Can’t get enough TORCH news? Visit our Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com

6

Editorial Board LXXXVII

Illustrator’s Corner:

CHRISTINA HEISER Editor-in-Chief EVERTON BAILEY Managing Editor KIRAN JOSEN News Editor JUSTIN THRIFT Editorial Page Editor

FLAMES OF THE TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

EDITORIAL

Stranded in Queens The St. John’s shuttle bus service underwent a few changes for the start of the school year. Schedules were tweaked, the new off-campus dorm added to routes, and most notably, the weekend shuttle to Manhattan was canceled.

The TORCH recently conducted an interview with Jackie Lochrie, associate dean for Student Services, who said, “It was determined that this was not a service widely used. In fact, on many of the trips to Manhattan it ran empty.”

As many students could tell you, this analysis is correct. Riding a weekend shuttle to Manhattan was often like having your own bus all to yourself.

Few students routinely counted on the service for traveling into the city for weekend plans, and for the University’s budget, the service may have seemed like a waste.

But cutting the weekend shuttle bus service was not a positive move for the Division of Student Services.

Instead of cutting the weekend service altogether because of poor usage, wouldn’t it be better to evaluate the struggling service, identify the issues, and implement changes that improve it?

There is a large community of students at this university who would quickly hop on a weekend shuttle to Manhattan if it was reliable, convenient, and cheaper than public transportation.

The St. John’s resident student population is growing larger every year, and with it the demand for transportation to Manhattan only increases. Weekends are when students have the most time to enjoy the city, and public transporta-

tion is now the only way for them to get there. Furthermore, the school’s close proximity to Manhattan is often what attracts students to come to St. John’s in the first place.

If the weekend shuttle bus service failed here before, it was not because the students did not have any use for it.

Buses ran seldom throughout the weekend and only traveled to one location, Times Square.

Only two buses left for Manhattan each night, one at 4 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., and coming back to Queens was equally inconvenient. The last bus from Manhattan left before the midnight hour. These hours are tourist hours, not the hours kept by college students during the weekend.

Considering the weak schedule and singular drop-off location, it’s no wonder that this service was hardly used.

Students want to see frequent bus times that leave the Queens campus at least once an hour. Buses that stop downtown and uptown in addition to the Times Square drop-off would bring riders closer to their destinations; after all, if a student has to take the subway from Times Square across town, they might as well have taken the subway from Queens.

St. John’s, being self-proclaimed as metropolitan and a part of New York City, should provide a decent weekend service that can bring students closer to everything the Big Apple has to offer for weekend enjoyment. Providing students access to weekend entertainment should be a priority for Student Services, and bringing back an improved weekend shuttle bus service would be a good place to start.

The TORCH

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of The TORCH. Opin-

ions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administrations of St. John’s University.

torchonline.com

TO CONTRIBUTE Mail letters to: The TORCH Letters, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, NY 11439 E-mail letters to: torcheditorials@gmail.com

Please include your full name, year, and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 350 words and may be edited for content, grammar, or space. Unverifiable or anonymous letters will not be published.

All letters are subject to the approval of the Editorial Board of The TORCH.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/KATRIN ASTARITA

Letters to the editor To the Editor: In academia, a mentor most often is an individual who guides a student, or protégé, through research. It is a technical term, one that often represents a professional duty: a student will be assigned – or chooses – a mentor based on research interests. In my undergraduate career at St. John’s University, I had [a] mentor: he was not assigned to me, though, nor did he have a contractual obligation to take on the role, but he did.

Dr. Roger Wetherington, Ph.D., the director of the journalism department at St. John’s University was my undergraduate mentor; and so unique about the relationship was that he chose to be my academic guide.

When hearing about his untimely passing this summer, I was shocked and saddened, for Dr. Wetherington was a giant: in the journalism department; in academia; and in print journalism.

Dr.Wetherington guided me through my undergraduate years at St. John’s: he always pushed me to reach my goals; he was always there to answer a question, or did what he did best: guide. I first met Dr. Wetherington during my freshman year in the journalism department, as I peppered him with questions relating to an internship. Our academic relationship grew from

there, and we would often meet to talk – about journalism, the state of the media, about politics, and our conversations would last – literally – hours. Indeed, I fondly remember standing in front of Bent Hall one night into the late evening, finally getting on my way home after hours of speaking.

That was Dr. Wetherington: always willing to help, to chat, and to guide.

He gave me recommendations; he made calls; he went the extra mile for me, and he was never asked to – he never really had to – but he did.

I was lucky enough to have had the chance to meet Dr. Wetherington, and to be one of his mentees. The St. John’s community and print journalism lost a great man.

As I am sure is the case with the countless students he encountered over his many years in academia, his words and caring touch will be vivid in my memory forever.

At his memorial service in August, it was wonderful to see and hear from so many of the people he touched, both professionally and personally, in the same room together.

He was a giant, and I am a better man for knowing Dr. Wetherington. And it is for that micro reason it is ensured that his memory will live on.

Jay Mundy ’08 B.S., ’10 M.A.

7

A breath of fresh air or just a drag?

Anti-smoking issue has New York City residents all fired up

TORCH GRAPHIC/MATT BROWN

actually put into action.

The DOHMH has also outlined its desire for city, state and federal tax increases on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Given the state of the economy, this could prove successful in deterring people from smoking without the government directly telling them that it’s something they can’t do.

Last year, the issue hit close to home for many universities across the nation when Montgomery College in Maryland banned smoking on its campus. According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, there are now more than 300 campuses with smoke-free policies.

We ran a news article in The TORCH about this, and many students at St. John’s were divided at the time.

Some thought a smoke-free campus was a great idea, while others didn’t, saying that it imposed on people’s rights. Others thought there should be designated areas on campus for smokers.

But just as the City of New York’s consideration of a smoking ban, prohibiting smoking at universities also seems unmanageable, especially if it’s a large campus.

While St. John’s isn’t smoke-free, the Univer-

sity has a policy regarding the issue, stating that it prohibits smoking within a minimum of 30 feet of all entrances, exits or open windows. This policy is much more reasonable than those at schools that don’t allow smoking at all.

Everyone knows the dangerous effects smoking can have (how could you not with all of the anti-smoking commercials and advertisements running these days?).

Even though I, like many other non-smokers, wouldn’t mind a completely smoke-free environment, it is still an individual choice and therefore needs to be tolerated. It is not up to the government (or a university) to decide.

Christina Heiser is a senior English major.

She can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com

OP-ED

Lately, it seems like everyone is jumping on the antismoking bandwagon.

Earlier this month, NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg and the city’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, proposed the possibility of a smoking ban in the city’s parks and beaches. This proposal is part of Take Care New York 2012, a comprehensive health policy used by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to, as its Web site states, “help all New Yorkers live longer and healthier lives.”

Take Care New York, which launched in 2004, targets 10 key “areas” including obesity, HIV transmission and drug and alcohol abuse. Tthe DOHMH says all of these cause preventable illnesses and death.

According to Take Care New York 2012, close to 17 percent of adults in New York City smoke. The DOHMH aims to decrease this by 29 percent by the year 2012, bringing the number of adults who smoke down to 12 percent. It also aims to decrease the number of high school students who smoke and the number of yearly deaths from smoking-related illnesses.

In order to reach these goals, the DOHMH has outlined a few policies, including the call for 2002’s Smoke-Free Air Act to include city parks and public beaches as smoke-free areas. The Smoke-Free Air Act banned smoking in many indoor venues, most notably the city’s restaurants and bars. And this July, Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council also passed a bill that bans smoking in front of hospitals and health care facilities.

When Mayor Bloomberg proposed the Smoke-Free Air Act in 2002, he was met with much opposition.

While some people argued that he was intruding on the rights of smokers, as a non-smoker, I’ve always appreciated his commitment to ridding the city’s air of tobacco since taking office.

But placing a ban on smoking at parks and beaches might just be taking things a little too far. However great the ban would be for non-smokers like myself (secondhand smoke has many of its own hazardous health effects), the government shouldn’t try to control a person’s actions this much. If smoking is banned in public outdoor spaces, what’s next? The fact that there are so many people in New York City would make this unrealistic if

STUDENTSPARKS: Smoking 30 Sept. 2009

How do you feel about St. John’s smoking policy?

The TORCH

Matt O’Brien Sophomore

I think it is good, but people smoke too close to the buildings.

People don’t follow it at all, rarely do people smoke within the policy.

Elea Dahclaca Freshmen

Chul Lee Freshmen

I think it’s good, but we need more signs around campus and better enforcement, perhaps an e-mail reminder.

Michael Enstache Junior COMPILED BY THOMAS CARNEVALE

torchonline.com

I have no problem with the policy, but I think it needs more enforcement in the resident village.

8

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/KERI DODGE

The butt stops here Is it right for the FDA to regulate tobacco companies and ban flavored cigarettes?

torchonline.com

The TORCH

Sept. 30 2009

OP-ED

MARK MCDONALD General Manager In recent years, the issue of underage teens using tobacco has grown into a full-fledged war against lobbyists, “heartless” corporations, and youthoriented advertising in order to protect the wellness of adolescents. With the growth of this well-meaning movement, many Americans have jumped on the bandwagon and continued to clamor for results.

In an effort to curb the marketing of tobacco to minors, the Obama administration enacted a law banning the production, distribution, and sale of flavored cigarettes. Backing up the decision is research showing that 17year-olds were more than three times as likely to smoke flavored cigarettes than those over the age of 25, with a great deal of those surveyed believing that the flavored cigarettes were safer. With that kind of data, it may appear that the administration made a sound decision.

However, this law is another example of the kind of second-class treatment that many citizens who smoke feel they have been receiving. Tobacco is legal and has been since this country was founded, and banning flavored cigarettes is an infringement upon the rights of those who choose to smoke any form of tobacco. It is each individual citizen’s right to choose whether or not they smoke cigarettes, and completely wrong of the government to try and eliminate any part of that option.

It’s true that flavored cigarettes are much more likely to be consumed by teens and other young people, and the way they are presented makes them seem like a safer alternative to standard cigarettes. The main issue that this law should be attacking is the way flavored cigarettes are marketed, not the sale of the item.

All cigarettes are bad for a person’s health; flavored cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and “light” cigarettes are just as bad for people as standard cigarettes. By giving them these labels, tobacco companies make it seem like that is not the case. If the government is worried about

JUSTIN THRIFT Editorial Page Editor minors buying these products because they think it is safer, then they need to put restrictions on what the packaging can say, whether the word “light” can be used, and maybe even a larger warning on the front of the box.

Simply removing flavored cigarettes from the market does not police the tobacco industry; it just denies people who do enjoy that product from being able to enjoy their product of choice. Limiting consumer choices just means that people who want to smoke will have to settle for standard cigarettes instead of what they actually want.

If the government is going to put a ban on flavored cigarettes because they target minors, then why not flavored vodka or other alcoholic drinks? Cirrhosis of the liver can be just as bad as lung disease, but similar sanctions have yet to be imposed upon the alcohol industry.

Drinks like “appletinis” are not targeting people who have been drinking for 20 years, but those who are just getting ready to start.

The reason that the tobacco industry is facing such harsh legislation and restrictions is that the current trend is to hop on the “Tobacco is Wacko” bandwagon. While there is nothing wrong with trying to protect the health and well being of minors and indeed all citizens of the United States, there is something inherently wrong in trying to limit people’s choices. Just like parents have to let kids grow up and make their own mistakes, the government needs to let people make their own decisions regarding their health and whether or not they wish to smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products.

There is no doubt that careful legislation regarding the way tobacco is marketed towards minors should be investigated, but getting rid of flavored cigarettes is just a step too far.

This country was built on the principle of freedom, and people should be free to smoke whatever type of cigarettes they wish even if they do taste like Kauai Kolada.

Three months ago, President Obama signed a piece of legislation into law that permitted the Food and Drug Administration to monitor and regulate tobacco products more heavily. One of the President’s biggest moves thus far, it instantly instilled fear into the offices of tobacco companies doing business in American markets.

Last week, the legislation made its first impression when Federal health officials announced a nationwide ban on all flavored cigarette products. In more ways than one, this move is a great step forward in the war against these tobacco companies and the manipulative techniques they employ in order to gather lifelong customers.

The ban, intended to reduce the marketing of cigarettes to teenagers, will dramatically reduce the amount of youth smoking. Research suggests that every day thousands of teenagers light up a cigarette for the first time, many of whom will become life-long dependents on the deadly products. Tobacco companies do everything in their power to advertise a harmless and stylish image for their product, but in the end there can be no denying their true identity as cancer sticks.

By selling flavored cigarettes in popular varieties like strawberry and vanilla, young people are naturally more susceptible to the lure that cigarette smoking can have. Flavored cigarettes paint a fresher, more delectable image in firsttime smokers’ minds and only intensify the curiosity factor involved.

To find validity in this argument, one needs only to walk around the St. John’s campus where cigarette smoke is present outside every building and down every path, throughout the day. Clove cigarettes, also known as Kretek, are a popular choice for many young smokers. These cigarettes consist of normal tobacco, clove plant, and a flavored sauce that gives the cigarette a unique taste and delivers stronger sensation.

What many smokers aren’t aware of is that clove cigarettes contain more tar

and nicotine than a standard cigarette.

Along with flavored cigarettes, the government’s recent regulation of tobacco also pertains to products that advertise themselves as “light” or “mild.”

These labels often give the cigarettes in the box a less harmful connotation.

Unfortunately, all cigarettes are harmful regardless of their nicotine level.

Brands like “Marlboro Lights” seek to manipulate consumers into buying a cigarette that won’t cause their lungs as much distress. The very word “light” itself provokes a subconscious justification for smoking this cigarette over, say, Marlboro Reds. Tar, toxic chemicals, nicotine, and smoke were not intended to be ingested by the human body, regardless of the amounts involved.

While it may be relevant to argue the importance of consumer freedom, signing up for a harmful addiction that will lead to a life of significant health loss, and even death, is never a smart decision. Giving young people the temptation to become involved in such a harmful addiction would not only be irresponsible for the government, but negligent in protecting its people. If tobacco companies had their way, every American would be life-long smokers.

Let’s face reality, cigarette smoking is a deadly addiction afflicting millions of Americans today. Most of these Americans, if they could, would quit instantly. It is a poisonous habit that leads to a number of lethal diseases, killing immense amounts of people around the globe every single day. These people die because they were addicted to smoking, and it all started with that initial temptation that they couldn’t resist.

The newest FDA ban helps to decrease that temptation. We’re witnessing an extremely positive measure against the tobacco industry, one that will prove to be effective in lowering the percentage of Americans addicted to smoking cigarettes. By continuing to restrict the tobacco industry and make cigarettes less attractive to teens, we move towards a healthier, better future.

9

New York State of mind A political journey marked by cut-throat political dynamics JOSEPH AZIZ Contributing Writer Not long after my plane landed at the end of the summer, I received a text from Thomas Olik, the president of the St. John’s College Democrats, welcoming me to New York City. Standing among the bustling crowd at JFK Airport, my mind racing with doubts on the life I would begin here in this new city, a welcoming message was exactly what I needed. It offered comforting reassurance that maybe living in New York would not be too dif-

ferent from San Francisco after all.

Having worked for President Obama’s campaign at the Northern California head quaters in Berkeley as well as dabbling in Gavin Newsom’s run for mayor in San Francisco, I jumped on the first opportunity I saw to join the College Democrats.

Tom and the rest of the crew had been more than welcoming and inspiring in their political enthusiasm.

But, I’d be lying if I said that my first impression of the greater political attitude of New York wasn’t a bit discouraging.

I sat silently through the first meeting on campus trying to get a feel of what exactly we would be trying to accomplish

as an organization. I listened to some big names in Queens’ politics give us, essentially, a battle cry. They told us we needed to brace ourselves for the dirty political game, that the other guys don’t like us, that they are going to do whatever they could do to make our lives miserable, and vice versa; that it’s going to be us versus them, and that we wouldn’t stop until we had taken all the elected seats for ourselves.

I was surprised to see that this same aggressive and divisive mentality was present everywhere I turned, especially in the political forums hosted on campus, and was only exacerbated in the heat of

RAMIRO FUNEZ Staff Writer

Though these concerns are legitimate, it will only be a matter of time until more immunity is available for the recently discovered strand of flu that comes with the swine flue virus.

So although the swine flu remains a legitimate health concern because of its relatively new flu strains, the media’s portrayal of disease has been irresponsible. It’s time we come to the realization that swine flu is just another seasonal sickness and that its publicity will pass just as it has with other viruses.

torchonline.com

Can’t get enough TORCH editorials?

Visit our Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com

The TORCH

Every year, it seems like our mass media publicizes a new disease to the point that seasonal health scares have become predictable. Mad-cow disease, SARS, the West-Nile Virus, bird flu and the recent swine flu are just a handful of viruses that have petrified the ears of Americans as they’ve been instilled with fears of these diseases.

After last spring’s coverage of the H1N1 swine flu the mass media has succeeded in spooking us yet again.

News agency have flooded their Web sites with swine flu updates and TV networks have consistently reported unorganized reactions from the medical industry.

Throughout last year’s flu season, news reports on swine flu flooded the media as the death toll from the disease rose, affecting major metropolitan areas such as

New York and Mexico City.

However, many doctors have reported that H1N1 is simply another form of influenza. The difference between the flu and swine flu is that our bodies have yet to become immune to the newer strains of Swine flu.

Chronic disease epidemiologist Dr. David Ozonoff also reported on a New York Times blog that the common flu accounts for an estimated 40,000 U.S. deaths each year.

Even though the symptoms of the ordinary flu and Swine flu are almost identical, the hysteria that has been created over the virus continues to scare people.

It’s interesting that heart disease remains at the top of the list of the most deadly ailments in the U.S. and yet swine Flu, which hasn’t had a nearly comparable death toll to heart disease, has had far more news coverage than any other sickness over the past year.

One major characteristic of H1Na that has the public concerned is the low available amounts of vaccine.

30 Sept. 2009

Media hyping swine flu out of proportion

OP-ED

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/KATHLEEN HANNA

election season.

It would be naïve of me to say that there isn’t a sense of competition in politics – that’s the nature of the game. You have to win to get what you want. But in our desire to win office and to beat the other guy, it’s important we don’t forget what the whole point of the game is in the first place: to make a direct and positive impact on peoples’ lives and to help those struggling to sleep just a little easier at night, even though the help may only be minimal.

Yes, we’re talking about city politics here. The big changes are made in Washington, where all the true power lies. But what’s the point of even running for office if our elected officials are to simply dismiss their position as not having the political power to make a difference? Is the only point of running to rack up more points on our side of the political spectrum, to flaunt that we have more seats than the other guys, and to simply boast that we’ve won?

That is child’s play. It’s this mentality that makes bringing real change difficult as well as aggravating the distrust between the people and their politicians.

President Obama didn’t talk about changing our political mentality just to make a pretty speech. He realized that, in order to turn agenda into action, the attitude of our politics has to change from the bottom up. We cannot leave our idealism behind the moment victory seems probable – we have to take that idealism and, somehow, turn it into concrete change.

Along with the cold shoulders I received from folks after saying, “Hello” on the subway and the grunts I got when asking people which train went to Central Park, I’ve come to the harsh realization that New York just may be the complete opposite of San Francisco. Still, I see potential in the get-things-done attitude that makes New York City unlike any other city in the world, especially in the world of politics.

If we can refine this attitude and direct it toward better intentions, then real, positive change won’t just be a reality, but a standard to maintain.

TORCHCOMICS I Can’t Draw Alex Reyes

Controlled Chaos Catharine Corrigan

Cloister

Matt Brown

1-800-ARMSTACO Jonathan Roman

30 September 2009

12

Think Outside...

Features

3

Section

Keeping the vote alive With the success of Participate in ’08, SJU encourages students to stay active in the 2009 election season est voter turnouts, in modern New York City history, with 11 percent of registered Democrats voting.

William Thompson, the current city comptroller, won the democratic nomination for mayor. He is runWith New York City elections for mayor, comp- ning against the current mayor Michael Bloomberg, troller, public advocate and other local positions a who was first elected to office at the end of 2001 and month away, Participate in ’09 is in full swing at St. was re-elected in 2005. In Oct. 2008, the New York City Council voted to extend term limits for many poJohn’s.

Brian Browne, vice president of Government Rela- sitions including mayor from two to three four-year tions at St. John’s, mentioned that student leaders from terms, allowing Bloomberg to run for his third term.

Yesterday, runoff elections were held for the demCollege Democrats and College Republicans are actively organizing events to get students involved with ocratic candidates for comptroller (John Liu, a city the upcoming elections, and that many of these leaders councilmember from Queens and David Yassky of Brooklyn) and for public advocate (Bill de Blasio, a are also running campaigns for candidates.

After launching Participate in ’08, an initiative city councilman and Mark Green, who held the position of public advocate in the 1990s). geared toward raising Thus far, the Participolitical awareness and pate in ’09 initiative has interest among students held the New York City about last year’s presiWe really try to engage students Comptroller Forum and dential election, the in the political process, to try to a Public Advocate forum University launched on Sept. 3 and Sept. 10, Participate in ’09 to become more civic-minded, and to respectively. Both events raise awareness about become more aware of the elections. were held in Belson Moot the New York City elecStadium in the Universitions. ty’s Law School, where Browne explained -Brian Browne, one of the students heard from New that while this year’s coordinators of Participate te in ’09 09 York City representaelections are of a smaller tives pleaded their cases scope, “it is still an imwith the voters. mensely important time College Democrats in our politics where we and College Republicans should build upon the success of last year where so many young voters were also hosted Constitution Day on Sept.. 17 in the Little Theatre, during which students debated Supreme engaged in the political process.”

James Pickel, president of College Republicans Court cases that dealt with students’ rights.

“We really try to engage students in the political said that he feels the local elections are as important process, to try to become more civic-minded, and to as last year’s presidential election.

“In 2008, the politics obviously focused on a become more aware of the elections, the issues that afgrand national scale—the presidential election,” he fect their lives and those around them,” said Browne.

According to Browne, Participate in ’09 will be said. “This year’s focus is to show that people aren’t bringing other elected officials and speakers to camjust affected by who wins the presidency. We want to show that even though you might not know now what pus as the general election nears.

College Republicans, College Democrats and SGI these politicians technically do, they have an effect on are also sponsoring voter registration drives on camyour life.”

According to the New York City Board of Elec- pus until Oct. 9, the deadline for registering in New tions, the mid-September democratic primaries for York State.

“The old cliché ‘all politics are local’ is very much public advocate and comptroller received more voters than the democratic primary for mayor. 366,917 regis- applicable and that’s why it’s important to know tered democrats voted in the public advocate primary, what’s going in on in the neighborhoods right around 371,018 registered democrats voted in the comptroller you,” said Browne. primary and 330,659 registered democrats voted in the mayoral primary.

According to a Sept. 16 New York Times article, Additional reporting by Christina Heiser the democratic primary for mayor had one of the low-

ANURADHA BYAGARI Contributing Writer

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

FEATURES

“

”

Mayoral Candidates

PHOTO COURTESY OF DONKEYDISH.COM

Michael Bloomberg [I] The current Mayor of New York City -Running for his third term in office -Conservative on economic, foreign and domestic issues -Supports stem cell research -Opposes the death penalty -A big supporter in the initiative to stop global warming

PHOTO COURTESY OF NYDAILYNEWS.COM

Bill Thompson [D] The current comptroller of New York City -Supports small businesses and reform of the Department of Small Businesses Service -Supports marriage equality for same sex marriages

Other positions in the running Borough President

Public Advocate

Comptroller

-Focuses on land use decisions including zoning and planning

-Next in line to the Mayor

-Chief financial officer of the City of New York and is currently held by Bill Thompson

-Reviews all public and private land subjects

-Answers complaints from the public about city government and ineffective agencies in New York City

-Direct control over a portion of city’s capital and expense budget

-Position currently held by Betsy Gothbaum since 2002

-Advises the Mayor, City Council and public about city’s financial condition -Manages pension funds

13

PHOTO COURTESY OF DESHANDRA BRATCHER

STAND members creates awareness about the genocide occuring throughout the world by sponsoring events starting in October.

Students STAND up for a good cause Organization raises awareness about genocide across the globe TAIFHA BAKER

Contributing Writer The STAND organization is a prime example of carrying out the Vincentian mission of St. John’s. It all started thanks to one person and has now snowballed into an organization committed to change.

Mark Hanis, a Swarthmore College graduate and the president and founder of the Genocide Intervention Network was the started STAND in 2005.

In 2007, Ramya Sekaran, a St. John’s University student, saw Hanis in Central Park speaking about the injustices taking place not only in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burma and decided to start a branch.

STAND’s mission is to inform people about geno-

cide throughout the world. Dhrutika Vansia, the current president of STAND, originally from Africa, continues to work toward improving the situation there by discovering innovative ways to gain new members.

“We are trying to offer more incentives and try to change the aspect of the events,” she said. “We are still helping, but we are making sure that people come by entertaining them.”

“And if it touches their hearts then they will come again.”

This year, STAND will host numerous fundraisers such as Perform for Peace and a mini lecture series informing students about genocide.

Perform for Peace will take place Oct. 9 in the Little Theatre. Students and faculty alike will sing, dance and act in the hope of raising funds to provide relief in Dar-

fur and Burma.

“Earnings from the event will be used to provide women with escorts to receive firewood, so the likelihood of being raped decreases and for villagers in Burma to receive radios in order to alert the adjacent village of trouble,” said Christine Chalifox, the organization’s former president.

A mini lecture series Nov. 3 and Nov. 5 will serve to alert students about the situation in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burma.

Chalifax said the group hopes their efforts will help lead to increasing global equality.

“Why is one African life less than that of an American? It should have the same respect,” said Chalifox.

STAND’s next meeting will be Thursday Oct. 1 in St. John’s Hall room 215 during common hour.

FEATURES

Campus Spotlight Greek Life Sorority demonstrates Vincentian mission Contributing Writer

The program Putting Your Best Paw Forward encourages students to do their best academically.

On Oct. 22 they will host Make Me Over, an activity for female students to come and receive a simple makeover.

Community service does more than simply improve the lives of those being helped. “Being a member of Sigma Gamma Rho is a lifelong commitment,” said Mitchell.

Can’t get enough Torch Features?

Visit out Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com

torchonline.com

places like England, the West Indies and Korea.

“As a sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho does great things, but no matter how many people they help, they always feel the need to do more,” said Mitchell.

“A sense of fulfillment constitutes as one of the countless benefits of joining this lifelong sisterhood,” said Mitchell.

But more than that, this sorority provides opportunities to network, which is critical in the job market.

The requirements to join Sigma Gamma Rho include having at least a 2.5 GPA, letters of recommendation, a letter of interest.

Serving the local community, this sorority holds activities on campus to benefit students. Thursday, Sept. 24, they held an event in which students shared their poetry. Ice cream socials and mixers are also a regular part of their schedules.

The TORCH

For members of Sigma Gamma Rho, being in a sorority means more than just socializing. Community service is a major part of their lives, and they do their best to give back to people in need.

On Sept. 26, this sorority joined other students and volunteered in the eighth annual University Service Day. During this event, students volunteer at soup kitchens, nursing homes and schools in accordance with the University’s Vincentian mission.

The one thing that Charline Mitchell, vice president of the sorority, believes unites all of the women in the sorority is that they are very outgoing and inviting.

They strive to make all women feel welcome, and bond with them before they are officially in the sorority to make sure they feel at home.

Charline explained that women of all backgrounds are welcome in Sigma Gamma Rho. “Whatever you are good at, you can contribute,” said Mitchell.

In September, the sorority began its involvement in Operation Big Book Bag, where the sorority will donated school supplies like notebooks, pens, textbooks and computers for children in shelters, schools and hospitals.

The organization also plans to have a food drive in October.

With 85,000 members globally, Sigma Gamma Rho has many opportunities to make a difference internationally.

Their partnership with the United Nations allows them to have chapters in

30 Sept. 2009

HANNAH GUTIERREZ

14

Alum shares wisdom THOMAS CARNEVALE Staff Writer

Jack Carew, a 1959 St. John’s graduate and motivational speaker, spoke to the TORCH after his lecture in Marillac Terrace Sept. 29. Carew is a New York Times bestselling author and has appeared on CNN, CNBC and numerous other media outlets discussing leadership and other tips to succeeding in the business world.

TORCH: You have been to many colleges around the nation. How does St. John’s compare to them?

Carew: St. John’s holds a special place in my heart because when I graduated from St. John’s they got me a job and they always got me tickets to a sports games, when I didn’t have $2.50 for sports tickets. So I think of St. John’s as a “boot strap school.” We’re not as fancy as other schools, but I think, pound-for-pound, the people at St. John’s are the best of the best. I’m connected to the school in every respect. No school could have done for me, what St. John’s did. I got to be the substitute speaker for graduation [in 2000] and I got an honorary degree.

I have seen St. John’s do some extraordinary things.

They reassured a lot of people by welcoming them back with respect.”

TORCH: You mentioned before that in order to be a good leader in business you have to have encouragement, is their anything else that a good leader requires?

Carew: I think that it is important to walk the walk and talk the talk, don’t ask people to do things that you wouldn’t do. Leaders like my [relative] went to a business conference in Hawaii and her boss said you stay here until you get this deal done.

She worked late into the night to get the job done, while her manager sat by the swimming pool and had drinks with other managers. That is so bad for a manager. You have got to get into it. You know Tony was the captain of the Central Michigan, I think he can add something about leadership.

TORCH: Part of being a good manager is maintaining a good work enviorment. How do you as a manager maintain a good work environment as a manager?

Carew: Number one is listen to your colleagues, that is showing them that you care. Managers are not encouraging people enough, it’s important for them to say ‘you

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Jack Carew, a St. John’s alum, spoke students about his experience in creating and managing his own busniess. can do it, you have it!’ Let me do whatever I need to do to help me make you successful. I believe in encouragement and reassurance. When people make a big mistake you can criticize them and chastise them or you can encourage them to come back and give them hope. Hope is everything.

TORCH: Why do you think these factors are missing in today’s businesses?

Carew: I think a lot of today’s leaders never learned how to lead, they just learned how to operate the business, but interpersonally they didn’t. I believe in mentoring, if you want your people to me successful they need to be mentored. Give them the benefit of your wisdom and your mistakes.

TORCH: In management you have to organize all of your assets, be it human assets or assets of the business.

How do you organize as a manager?

Carew: You need to plan. When I was in the Ma-

rines we always had to plan, it is the plan and the strategic objective that helps you reach the objective, such as I need more sales people, I need my employees better trained.

TORCH: How do you balance short term planning with long term planning as a business manager?

Carew: You have to be able to plan, organize, direct and control if you are a manager. Organizing is asset distribution and control and being able to lead the charge.

If you are not able to lead the charge, you don’t want to lead a horse charge if you can’t run with the horses.

You have to be flexible, if it’s not working you have to change it. Always try to engage your colleagues, I think of them not as subordinates, I think of them as colleagues.

I learned from an army lieutenant one time that said that leadership is [defined as] ‘officers eat last.’

In business that means that you have to look after your people, look at their best interest and treat them with respect.

19

ENTERTAINMENT

PG 22

torchonline.com

Inferno reviews the fourth season premiere of Showtime’s Dexter

The TORCH

scientist, family man, serial killer

30 Sept. 2009

dexter morgan:

20

The Brothers Are Back Again INFERNO SITS DOWN WITH THE COEN BROTHERS TO DISCUSS THEIR FILM A SERIOUS MAN EMILIA WARREN Staff Writer A SERIOUS MAN-

1/2 OUT OF 4 STARS

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

ENTERTAINMENT

R

ight after the Best Picture Oscar winner No Country For Old Men, Joel and Ethan Coen, known in most circles simply under the moniker “the Coen Brothers,” have another potential hit on their hands. This time, it is a black comedy that sticks closer to their personal roots than anything they have done previously.

A Serious Man, due out this Friday, Oct. 2, follows the quick deterioration of character Larry Gopnik’s life. Set in a Midwestern suburb in 1967, Gopnik (played by Michael Sthulbarg) is a physics professor at a quiet university who lives a life concerned mostly with his daily routine and keeping the status quo.

For the most part, Larry is an extremely personable character. Even Sthulberg claims that “there is a little bit of Larry in everyone.”

The other players include Larry’s wife, who is having an extra-marital affair, his daughter, who is stealing money from his wallet to save for a nose job, his son, whose interests include smoking pot and shirking Hebrew lessons to listen to Jefferson Airplane, and his unemployable brother who sleeps on his couch while healing a recurring abscess on the back of his neck. After living, as many people do, in the stupor of the everyday for several years, Larry is taken aback by the sudden announcement that his wife is cheating on him with a pompous mutual friend of theirs, Sy Abelman (Fred Melamed), and wants a divorce.

This, as well as several other factors, including his pending tenure at the university and a student attempting to simultaneously bribe him for a grade and sue him for defamation, causes Larry to fall into an intense crisis of faith. Eventually, he is led to seek the advice of three different rabbis. As Larry’s story continues and his life careens more and more off of the comfortable path he is accustomed to, viewers wonder whether he will ever find

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACESHOWBIX.COM

Michael Sthulbarg plays Larry Gopnik, a Jewish family man who lives through routine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACESHOWBIX.COM

A Serious Man is a dark comedy which focuses on a man whose life and faith begin to fall apart after he discovers that his wife is having an affair with a mutual friend. answers to the questions plaguing him. ing of, Joel and Ethan Coen aim not to culture in the film is not the focus of the In this, one of the darkest of black com- help people understand the Jewish expe- story, but allows the story to take place, edies, the laughs are quick, but viewers rience, but to present a specific way of giving it a different air and forcing the aumay find themselves thinking about some living in a specific time period. They in- dience to follow the advice of one of the of the film’s issues long afterwards. tended to use those settings to help tell a rabbis in the film and look at things from Writers and directors Joel and Ethan particular story. The emphasis on Jewish a new perspective.

Coen drew heavily from their own experiences growing up in a Jewish suburb in the Midwest to write the script and create the atmosphere seen onscreen. Although some Jewish historians and translators were needed on set, the Coen’s themselves took care of the majority of the Judaica seen onscreen.

The Bar Mitzvah scene that Larry’s son Danny goes through is based on the experiences of the brothers themselves.

The neighborhood and neighbors are based, in part, on ones the brothers grew up with. Similarly, the representation of rabbis as wise, sage-like characters is taken directly from the experiences of the brothers.

The Coen’s claimed that the rabbis in their community were mysterious figures, capable of solving even the most complex problems. Drawing from their personal experience, Joel and Ethan Coen are able to create a look into a universe unknown for those who, like most people, have no experience with the Midwestern Jewish community.

The attention to detail taken by the actors and the creative team is stunning and almost overwhelming. While being watched, the movie transports viewers back to 1967, by immersing them in the music of the decade. The iconic Jefferson Airplane song, “Somebody to Love,” is particularly effective. Ethan Coen claims was used because it encapsulated the atmosphere of those years of the 1960, especially “swingin’ ’67.” By also using clothing, furnishing, and cars that would all have appeared in 60s small-town America, the Coen brothers were able to create a complete picture. The clothing and hairstyles used are flawless and were inspired by yearbook and newspaper photos of the time. They provide the finishing touch on the re-creation of the world that the Coen brothers grew up in.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACESHOWBIX.COM Although the majority of the film has Joel Coen (left) and his brother Ethan Coen (right) based many of the strongly Jewish overtones, including a sprinkling of Hebrew words that some scenes in A Serious Man on their own childhood, growing up in a Jewcharacters do not even know the mean- ish community in the Midwest.

21

A Sinfully Dramatic Season THE DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES PREMIERE ANSWERS OLD QUESTIONS AND RAISES NEW ONES AMY SCHUESSLER Contributing Writer

T

SNL WRITERS CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE TALENTED CAST KRISTIN CALVANO Contributing Writer

S

point: the musical guest. U2 delivered Saturday night, singing three songs during the show. The band’s enthusiasm and energy provided a much-needed boost.

It might be wishful thinking, but given the potential of some rising comedians like Andy Samberg, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, it is difficult not to yearn for those old SNL days where the writers consistently delivered hilarious material. Maybe it will come back, maybe it will not, but audiences will just have to keep watching and see.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWSOK.COM

The cast of SNL is filled with talented rising comedians.

torchonline.com

aturday Night Live is not quite what it used to be.

When compared to the show’s heydays of the 70s and 90s, SNL has proven for the last few seasons that it cannot capture that certain draw that the show had years ago.

Recently, the writing has gotten boring and repetitive and the skits have become tiresome. Although the cast of SNL is still made up of immensely talented comedians, their skills are put to waste on the material that they are given to work with.

The season premiere of SNL was hosted by Megan Fox and featured musical guest U2. The outcome of the show was extremely predictable, and among all of the sketches only a few stood out as truly entertaining.

Highlights included Fred Armisen’s impression of a Russian woman, done in a dress and wig, and Keenan Thompson’s advice-filled skit concerning special “positions”. Another memorable moment came when one cast member accidentally blurted out a profanity, proving how entertaining live television can be.

Aside from a few moments, the show’s premiere was dismal.

It is hard to imagine the last time “Weekend Update” was funny after Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon left the show. The current “Weekend Update” skits are generally lazy and overly political.

As for the host, Megan Fox did a mediocre job considering the script she was given. It was evident she was trying her best to be funny.

Despite her best efforts, she just couldn’t provide the show with any sort of real comedy.

One very disappointing aspect of the show was the SNL “Digital Shorts.” Both “Digital Short” skits featured in the premiere were, at best, average, and at worst, confusing.

Even though the show was not spectacular, one part did not disap-

The TORCH

The powerful cast makes this show.

Losing the Laughs

30 Sept. 2009

PHOTO COURTESY OF POPCRUNCH.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACCIDENTALSEXINESS.COM

Teri Hatcher (left) and Dana Delany (right) each play a possible bride for character Mike Delfino to marry in the recent premiere of Desperate Housewives’ sixth season.

ENTERTAINMENT

he sixth season of Desperate Housewives marks the return of the ladies of Wisteria Lane. The premiere promises audiences all the drama and mystery that has kept them hooked for the past five seasons.

Sunday’s fast-paced first episode revolved around the theme of sin in the suburbs, and showcased the talents of each cast member. This season of Desperate Housewives is sure to have viewers thinking twice about what goes on behind closed doors in suburban neighborhoods.

The episode opened in traditional Desperate Housewives fashion, giving audiences a quick look into each of the housewives’ lives. These glimpses lead to resolving a question that has been looming since last season’s cliffhanger, namely who will Mike Delfino (James Denton) marry—his ex-wife Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher) or his new fiancée, Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany)?

The episode featured both women, one as the bride and the other as the surprise center of attention at the wedding. The episode also includes flashbacks from eight weeks before the wedding, allowing viewers to watch the hilarious drama unfold between the two women (who also happen to be neighbors).

Housewife Lynette Scavo (Felicity Hoffman) is set in what is sure to be an emotional roller coaster this season. After discovering she is pregnant with twins, the 40-year-old mother of four falls into depression, imagining what is to come of her future.

In a dramatic scene, she admits to her husband that she does not love these babies like she loved her other children. Although the plot was mostly gloomy for Lynette, writers included enough comic relief to keep viewers interested.

In previous seasons Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross) was the clean-cut, old-fashioned housewife who lived by the rules. This season adds an interesting twist. Bree steps out of her old ways, beginning a scandalous affair with a divorce lawyer she secretly hired. The episode followed her inner struggle concerning the affair. While she creates many excuses not to go through with the relationship, the opportunity eventually proves to be too tempting for her to resist.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria Parker), the former model, is tested by the battles of teenage angst after agreeing to take in her husband’s devious niece, Anna (Maiara Walsh). After fighting it out with out any help from her husband, Gabrielle uses her memories of her own rebellious youth to prevent Anna from running wild.

Of course, what would be a season of Desperate Housewives without a new and mysterious neighbor? This season, the Bolen family takes up residence on Wisteria Lane, bringing with them fresh secrets and plenty of mystery. Danny Bolen, (Beau Mirchoff) the Bolen’s teenage son, already has somewhat disturbing affections for Susan’s daughter, Julie (Andrea Bowen). He is not the only one who seems to have taken notice—Danny’s father also expressed interest in Julie.

The last few minutes of the show shocked audiences when one character was attacked and left lying on the floor. This cliffhanger ending is clearly just laying the groundwork for what promises to be an intense and mystifying season.

22

A Suburban Serial Killer THE FOURTH SEASON OF DEXTER INTRODUCES AN INFANT AS THE NEWEST CAST MEMBER MELODY HOWARD Contributing Writer

T

he fourth season of the acclaimed show Dexter introduces a new twist to the dramatic thriller. With a new baby in tow, being a serial

killer becomes more complicated than ever for the charismatic protagonist, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall). The show started out as an adaptation of the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay.

The show returns with Dexter continuing his vigilante actions which, as always, are policed by his embedded moral code. During the day Dexter seems

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTOBUCKET.COM

Michael C. Hall plays Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who recently became a father and now has to juggle his roles as parent and a murderer.

like a normal guy who works as a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, but at night he moonlights as a serial killer, killing criminals who have escaped the punishment of the legal system.

Triggered by trauma from his childhood and training from his adoptive guardian, Dexter believes he is bringing justice to the world by killing those who have harmed or severely hurt others.

Consequently, Dexter becomes an undetected serial killer, who is able to clean up after each murder by using what he knows about crime scene investigation from his job.

This season, Dexter juggles his impulsive urge to kill and his new cliché, suburban family. The premiere episode, entitled “Living the Life”, aired Sept.

27 at 9 p.m. on Showtime. The episode focused on Dexter’s new victims as well as his new baby.

Several scenes in the episode highlight the contrast between Dexter’s roles as a new father and a serial killer.

In one particularly disturbing moment, Dexter sings his baby to sleep over the phone while looking at gruesome pictures of the crimes that his latest victim has committed.

Dexter’s target, a man who beats his victims to death, is an especially important and personal kill for Dexter. The man was allowed to walk on his murder charge because a sleep-deprived Dexter brought the wrong files to court, preventing him from effectively testifying against the criminal.

This season shows more of Dexter’s

humane qualities while keeping his well-established persona alive. The first episode has already managed to have viewers hooked, especially with the addition of the “Trinity Killer” (John Lithgow) a psychopathic killer who has been killing people in sets of three for over fifteen years.

The opening scene showed the Trinity Killer murdering a young woman in a bathtub. As the Miami Metro Police Department becomes more involved in investigating the case, Dexter becomes more interested in making the Trinity Killer one of his targets.

Dexter also features several intricate and dramatic subplots, including one which focuses on Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), Dexter’s younger sister. The season premiere shows Debra hunting for more information about her deceased father, who seems to have had his fair share of secrets that he took to the grave.

Other supporting characters have their own subplots, making each episode a complex and incredibly dramatic look into several people’s lives. Dexter has such a strong supporting cast to work with that it is able to create multiple interesting stories at once. The strong narration and creative writing pull the show along smoothly, ultimately resulting in an action-packed hour that leaves audiences dying for more.

The premiere definitely ended with a bang and opened up dozens of questions that will inevitably create plot twists and increase the series drama as the season continues.

Classes Are Back In Session DAVID DUCHOVNY CONTINUES TO IMPRESS AS THE WOMANIZING PROFESSOR HANK MOODY JACOB SULEYMANOV

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

ENTERTAINMENT

Contributing Writer

A

fter a nine-month hiatus, Californication has finally returned to Showtime’s lineup.

The closely followed series eases audiences back into the plot by focusing on the development of character Hank Moody (David Duchovny).

For those unfamiliar with the show, Californication follows writer Hank Moody, whose escapades with sex and drugs threaten to interfere with his role as a father, as well as with his attempts to reunite with his true love Karen. Hank is an opinionated man who speaks his mind and does not always have control over his moral compass.

That being said, he is constantly struggling to do the right thing especially when it comes to matters surrounding his daughter, Becca.

Last season saw the arrival and departure of Lew Ashby, an eccentric rock musician who made Hank Moody’s sexual adventures seem minimal. It may have been seeing this extreme vision of himself in Lew, and the fate that may await him, which ultimately nudged Hank in the right direction.

Most significantly, Hank’s focus shifted to doing what is best for his daughter. When Hank found out that Karen had received a job offer from New York, he was first thrilled to get back to the Empire State. Unfortunately, Hank knew that he could not move his daughter

away so easily. He decided to stay and take care of Becca in California while Karen headed off to New York to further her career.

So far this season, David Duchovny is as impressive as ever in his role as Hank Moody.

His sharp delivery and overall presence brings the character to life.

Duchovny also has the rare ability to make his character sympathetic without losing the edge that makes the character interesting to begin with. Madeleine Martin’s portrayal as Becca is certainly improving and it is nice to see growth in her character. Evan Handler is hilarious as the impetuous Charlie Runkle.

This show is built around its characters and the bizarre situations they find themselves in, and this season opener does not disappoint on that note.

The season three premiere brings matters full circle. Hank is back to his old habits, except this time he is forced to juggle being his usual self with being a full-time parent. His problems only increase when his agent tells him that no one is interested in publishing his work anymore. The news comes at an inconvenient time as Hank desperately needs extra money to take care of Becca and pay for her new school.

Meanwhile, Runkle is in the middle of a nasty divorce, which began when he cheated on his wife with a would-be porn star. When the separated couple goes through trouble selling their house, Runkle is forced to move back in. This, of course, creates incredible dramatic

tension. Runkle also has a new boss, who seems to have taken an interest in him.

Several new characters are introduced through the subplot concerning Becca’s new school.

Embeth Davidtz plays school teacher Felecia Koons, and Peter Gallager stars as her husband and Dean of the institution. When Hank is invited to a dinner party with the Dean, he inadvertently gets hired as an English teacher at the school.

This twist will undoubtedly lead to some hilarious plotlines.

Overall, the episode set many interesting angles in place for the new season. The addition of more supporting characters will definitely add dynamic to the show and allow for David Duchovny to play off of them.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIDEAWAKE.ME

In season three, Hank Moody’s focus is on raising his teenage daughter.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FANPOP.COM

Californication focuses on Professor Hank Moody (David Duchovny) and his struggles with sex and drug addiction.

The

Frat Boys BLAZE Done Right

23

INFERNO LISTS A FEW OF THE FINDS AND UPCOMING EVENTS THAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER Compiled by Jessikah Hackett

THIS COMEDY THREATENS TO OFFEND SOME AUDIENCES JACOB SULEYMANOV Contributing Writer

RELIVE YOUR AWKWARD YEARS The Chappell Players, St. John’s theatre troupe, are currently preparing for their performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This hilarious musical chronicals the journey of several young spelling bee contestants as they battle puberty, allergies, abrasive fathers and, most importantly, difficult words. Improvisation and audience participation are key parts of the show, so every performance promises to be dramatically different from the last. Opening night is Oct. 16, and the show will run through Oct. 24.

The Little Theatre St. John’s University, Queens Campus

PICK UP SOME CLASSIC PIECES For bargain shoppers, store anniversaries are usually very good news. Sept. 15 through Oct. 13, From Around The World Vintage Archive is celebrating its 10th year. Shoppers can celebrate with savings from 50 to 75 percent. The location is being opened to the public for the first time, so this event is definitely a sale that cannot be missed.

From Around the World Vintage Archive 209 W. 38th St. Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St. Station

All fans of the popular TV sitcom 30 Rock should be pleased to hear that Jane Krakowski, who plays the hilarious actress Jenna Maroney, will be performing live this October.

Krakowski’s cabaret act will include many Broadway musical pieces and is sure to highlight her talents as both a comedian and a singer. The show will run from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, so be sure to look for your tickets as soon as possible.

OUT OF 4 STARS

I

Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is latest addition to the frat-boy comedy genre. It is based on a book of the same name written by Tucker Max. The book consists of allegedly true stories chronicling Tucker’s drunken escapades. The film mainly revolves around one of the major stories, and at the same time incorporates some of the best jokes from the other ones. Although it suffers from some minor problems, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is ultimately a funny and entertaining film. However, because of its crude and profane level of comedy, it may not appeal to a wide audience.

The main character of the film is Tucker Max (Matt Czuchry), a guy who speaks his mind no matter what. He lacks the social filter that allows people to communicate well. He is also portrayed as a selfish, haughty and obnoxious individual who seems to have no regard for the consequences of his actions. I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell opens with Max planning a special bachelor party for his best friend, Dan (Geoff Stults) at a unique strip club 200 miles away. They bring along their friend Drew (Jesse Bradford), a young man who was recently cheated on by a long-time girlfriend and has sworn off women.

The night gets exponentially worse for the boys until finally the groom-to-be ends up in jail.

This causes a rift between Tucker and his friends, and thereby thrusts the antihero into unfamiliar territory. Tucker has to choose to take responsibility for his actions for the first time in his life, or lose his friends once and for all.

Matt Czuchry is frighteningly effective as the arrogant Tucker Max. His performance seems effortless and he successfully walks the tightrope of being unrelenting while simultaneously sympathetic. Geoff Stults does an adequate job with his role as Tucker’s best friend, and Keri Lynn Pratt does her best with the small role she was given as the bride-to-be. However, it is Jesse Bradford who steals every scene he’s in.

His deadpan portrayal and quick delivery garner some of the biggest laughs of the film.

Unfortunately, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell suffers from an overflow of clichés. The plot is

PHOTO COURTESY OF FILMOFILIA.COM

Matt Czuchry (left) plays Tucker Max, the selfish, obnoxious main character of I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell. very similar to other movies of the same genre and therefore predictable all the way through.

Still, these problems are overshadowed by the onslaught of hilarious one-liners, as well as the efficient line reading from the cast. Although the acting is more than formidable here, the real stars are the writers, whose hilarious jokes keep viewers entertained.

Nevertheless, these jokes can be considered overly offensive. There are people who will be disgusted and shocked by this film and its ludicrous antics. Of course, those viewers are not the intended audience for this movie. I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell also ran into issues with its hypocritical message and rushed last act, which has been a common problem with recent frat-boy comedies. Audiences should not expect to be given a moral or lesson from this movie.

Ultimately, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is an above-average comedy with a hilarious plot and a cast of talented actors. The moments that do work in the movie greatly outweigh those that go too far with the crude humor.

30 Sept. 2009

Loews Regency Hotel 540 Park Ave. Subway: F to Lexington Ave.-59th St. For tickets, go to: www.ticketweb.com

ENTERTAINMENT

THE SILVER SCREEN GOES LIVE

I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL-

ENJOY A DESSERT ON THE GO The TORCH

The CupcakeStop Truck www.cupcakestop.com PHOTO COURTESY OF FILMGAZING.COM

Matt Czuchry (right), Jesse Bradford (center) and Geoff Stults (left) are part of the talented cast of actors that manage to make crude humor work.

torchonline.com

For those who are still looking for the perfect cupcake place, do not expect it to be immobile. The CupcakeStop Truck, a moving dessert stand, has become a sensation in New York City. Their delicious cupcake flavors include red velvet, key lime, mint chocolate chip and lemon meringue.

Tracking down the CupcakeStop Truck is definitely worth the effort, but to make it easier, the locations are posted on their Web site.

24

The Road to Almost-Stardom KATHY GRIFFIN’S BIOGRAPHY, OFFICIAL BOOK CLUB SELECTION, IS HILARIOUS AND UPLIFTING PATRICE BENDIG Features Editor

T

here are very few books that make a reader laugh out loud while reading them. Kathy Griffin’s memoir Official Book Club Selection is one of them. Official Book Club Selection chronicles Griffin’s entire life up to this point, from her experiences growing up in an Irish-Catholic neighborhood in Illinois to the decades of struggling to get recognition in the world of show business.

The actress is currently in the prime of her career, capitalizing on the unexpected fame from her reality series, My Life on the D-List, which chronicles her life as a low-profile celebrity. Since the show began in 2005, it has slowly showed how Griffin is gradually, but steadily becoming more recognized as a celebrity, but still not totally accepted because of her antics.

The one thing that really sticks out in the book is that Griffin is not like every other celebrity out there; fame did not come easy to her. A large portion of the book explains how long she worked as a performer in the famous comedy troupe The Groundlings, and how even from that level she struggled to get recognition from producers and managers. During her early years she worked with many well known stars such as Lisa Kudrow and Phil Hartman, but as their careers began to rise, it became evident that her own would take a different path.

Her description of the events makes it seem like the reader is having a cup of coffee with Griffin and being told about her life. She does not try to sugar coat anything, especially her frustration with never being able to get to the same level as her peers. The book also talks about her about her life on the road, which includes an especially funny tale about a stand up show she did with Andy Dick. Although it does not show Dick in the most flattering light, it provides great entertainment.

Griffin shows no mercy to any celebrity she has ever met, or made of fun of. Included in the book is her obsession with Orpah Winfery, and throughout the book she

mentions things about her and her friend Gail King.

Although most of the book is lighthearted, it also tackles serious issues. Griffin does not hold back any details about her oldest brother Kenny, who had a drug problem and is a known pedophile, and the effects his lifestyle had on her entire family, and on her own life.

The book also goes into detail about her failed marriage, in which her ex-husband stole thousands of dollars from her account, and turned out to be a pathological liar. During these parts, the reader forgets that the book is describing the life of a celebrity, because they are events that could happen to anyone.

Even though most of the book deals with her struggles and hardships in making it in Hollywood, as well as coming to terms with her private life, Griffin explains it all with a good sense of humor. It is not Griffin’s goal to make anyone feel sorry for her. Instead, her goal is to make people realize that all of her success did not occur overnight. By the end of the book, readers are filled with some sense of justice, because Kathy Griffin is a classic underdog.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YIMG.COM

Kathy Griffin’s comedy is notorious for its candid commentary on celebrity gossip.

Official Book Club Selection is a perfect book for anyone who needs a good laugh, as well as a little inspiration.

Fall on Farms Seven Tips IN QUEENS, A TRIP INTO A COUNTRY LIFESTYLE IS ONLY A SHORT BUS RIDE AWAY ERIN O’DONNELL Contributing Writer

S

Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway Floral Park, NY 11004-1129 (718) 347-3276

INFERNO LISTS THE SEVEN RULES THAT CAN MAKE EVERY SHOPPING TRIP MUCH EASIER TIFFANY ALEXANDER Contributing Writer

F

or many people, shopping is a nightmare. With crowded stores, rising prices and constantly changing trends to keep up with, it can certainly be difficult to stomach another trip to the mall. However, preventing a shopping disaster is easier than you may think. In fact, it is so easy that it only takes seven steps.

Step One: Examine Your Closet The first thing anyone should do before hitting the shops is examine his or her closet. See what items you already have so that you don’t make the mistake of buying something you really do not need. Make sure that you are already equipped with the basic essentials, like a classic pair of black shoes or a great pair of jeans. Having these necessary items is a key to making any outfit complete and stylish. Once you have the basics, you can focus your attention on finding the unique accessories and pieces that can add variety to your wardrobe.

PHOTO COURTESY OF 10BEST.COM

The TORCH

torchonline.com

Shopping with a friend can help Step Two: Be Prepared Before getting into the car and driv- turn a stressful experience into a ing to the mall, have a game plan. Go more enjoyable one. to a store with the intention of buying something that you really want or pieces for cheaper prices. Do not be need. It is important to make sure that afraid to spend some extra time lookyou always have an idea of what you ing around because it will save you a lot are looking for. If you are trying to find of money in the end. The last thing you one article of clothing that will match want is to spend your money on an item another, bring what you already have and see something similar a few days with you. This will prevent you from later for a fraction of the price. Not only having to go through the hassle of re- will your wallet thank you but you will turning something that doesn’t match as feel a lot happier about your purchase. well as you had hoped. Having a plan or Remember, good quality items do not at least an idea of what you’re looking have to cost a fortune. for will make your shopping trip more Step Six: Be Completely Sure efficient.

The last thing anyone wants after going shopping is regretting his or her Step Three: Have a Budget They say beauty is pain, but it does purchase. When you are in a store, be not have to be painful for your wallet. completely sure that whatever you are Looking good does not mean that you purchasing is something you really need have to go broke in the process. Be- or want. Be careful of buying something fore you go shopping, take a look at just because it is on sale. You need to your finances and set aside a reasonable be 100 percent sure that whatever item amount of money that you can afford you are purchasing is worth buying. Alto spend. Having a shopping allowance though a piece may be really cute and will help you keep up with seasonal seem inexpensive, if you are not going trends without putting a strain on your to wear it or use it than it is just a waste bank account. By having a set budget, of your money. you can avoid falling into financial debt Step Seven: Bring a Friend while still being able to enjoy the exGoing shopping should not be a citement of shopping. hassle. It should be fun and enjoyable.

Taking a few of your closest friends Step Four: Get There Early Getting to the shops early is one of or one best friend whose opinion you the most crucial parts of any good shop- trust will not only make your shopping ping experience. Many stores have spe- experience fun but can help in saving cial sales that start early in the morning. you from major shopping disasters. A If you are the type of person that sleeps shopping partner can supply you with a late and gets to the stores later, chances second opinion about an item that you are that all the great items may be gone are not sure about buying. By just goby the time you get there. It may seem ing shopping on your own, you limit the difficult at first but the sacrifice of get- possibility of trying on new clothes and shoes that you would not have thought ting up early is worth the outcome. twice about trying on.

Step Five: Bargain Shop So do not get stressed out the next Just because you think you have found the perfect item, does not mean time you are looking to go shopping. you have found the perfect price. Look These simple steps can be your guide around some more. Chances are, large to an easy, enjoyable and efficient shopdepartment stores may have the same ping experience.

30 Sept. 2009

PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEENSFARM.ORG

The challenging corn “maize” at Queens County Farm Museum only costs eight dollars for admission.

for Shoppers

ENTERTAINMENT

ept. 22 may have marked the official end of summer, but just because fall has begun does not mean that everyone should start moving inside.

Queens Country Farm Museum is only a short ride down Union Turnpike and a block walk up Little Neck Parkway.

At this museum, the arrival of fall means that all the fun can finally start.

The Queens County Farm Museum is a historical landmark, dating back to the year 1697. This farm and museum span more than 47 acres of land and is the only historical farm in New York City. The farm’s mission statement is: “To preserve, restore, and interpret the site. Through educational programs events, museum services, we educate the public as to the significance of Queens County’s agricultural and horticultural past and heighten awareness of present-day agricultural and horticultural practices.”

The farm has been working and providing fresh produce to the Queens area for more than 300 years, but it has only been open to the public since 1975. While the surrounding area and neighborhoods have been built up to accommodate the city’s fast paced lifestyle, this farm is a small picture of what Queens was like 300 years ago. The farm remains dedicated to growing quality, healthy produce without using harsh chemicals.

Instead, they practice habits like crop rotation. The historic farm buildings, greenhouse, vegetable fields, herb garden, orchard and livestock make this a Queens attraction.

Sept. 19 of this year kicked off their 27th Annual Fall Festival. Every Saturday and Sunday until Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this farm is open to the public. Visitors can enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, animal feedings, and the farm’s main attraction, a three acre corn “maize”.

Before visitors begin the walk through this “amazing maize maze” they are given a talk about how the maze works. The farm workers then

give participants a piece of paper with numbered boxes and explain that throughout the maze they will find small pieces of paper and tape dispensers. These pieces of paper are the pieces to the puzzle of the map. Some people take their chances and do not bother with the map pieces; they just wander around the maze, trying to find a way out.

The farm also hosts an event called “Maize by the Moonlight,” where the maze is open until 9 p.m., allowing visitors to experience the puzzle at night. “Maize by the Moonlight” happens this year on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17.

Before participants begin, workers clock their cards to measure how long it takes them to finish the maze. Since some people are stuck in the maze longer than they would have hoped, they have people in towers throughout the maze to help. However, these helpers will only give hints if participants play along and say the given farm-friendly phrases that are provided with during the instructions.

If there is one specific day to go, it is Sunday, Oct. 4, the annual Apple Festival. At this festival there are different varieties of fresh apples from upstate New York sold, fresh pressed apple cider is available, and the nation’s biggest apple cobbler is baked right there on the farm. Once people step foot onto the farm, the smell of the apple cobbler is enough to make them stay there all day. The maze, hayrides and pumpkin picking are still open during the festival making it a great day to get outside, enjoy the weather and take advantage of everything that the farm has to offer.

Going to the Queens County Farm Museum is a perfect way to escape for a little while without traveling far or spending a lot of money. Admission into the farm is free, and admission into the corn maze is only $8. All people, old and young, are bound to have a fun time at this local farm museum.

25

26

Clever, Caustic Wordplay BO BURNHAM’S QUICK WIT AND INTELLIGENT LYRICS GET LAUGHS ONLINE AND ONSTAGE Tour) which recently stopped off at The Egg in Albany, New York.

Staff Writer During his live show, when Burnham begins to sing and play instruments, audiences may wonder why this talented performer is not on Broadway. His multi-talentnternet sensation and self-proclaimed “Aryan li- ed one-man show is so impressive that it is surprising brarian at the word Smithsonian,” Bo Burnham that he is only 18. He can be quite offensive through his has a way with words that makes audiences laugh lyrics, but it is difficult to take him seriously because and, occasionally, cringe. Burnham began his co- of his tall, lanky frame. His highly intelligent, wellmedic career filming himself singing and playing performed songs and raps include sophisticated lanthe guitar for millions of YouTube viewers and now guage and thought, but are not serious or mature enough has an upcoming project with Judd Apatow, the creator for audiences to perceive Burnham as condescending. of Anchorman, Superbad, and Knocked Up. Currently Songs like “The Perfect Woman,” which is about having Burnham is currently on his first national tour (Fake I.D. a relationship with Helen Keller, and “My Whole Family Thinks I’m Gay” are both cruel and funny but also have an air of selfdeprecation that the audience can appreciate and relate to.

Caustic and sarcastic, when Burnham was not belting the lyrics or reciting his verse, he was entertaining the audience with anecdotal witticisms and uproarious improvised audience interactions that had the spectators in stitches from the start. Like with many of his songs, to fully comprehend the extent of Burnham’s puns and quips, one would most likely need to have the lyrics in hand. Burnham speaks so quickly and his wordplay is so complicated that it is nearly impossible to fully grasp the number of people whom Bo Burnham is insulting or offending through his words. Minorities, stereotypes, the physically handicapped—there is no group that Burnham is not willing to ridicule, and he does so in the most harmless, tasteful way, if that is possible.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HENDRIX.EDU Unlike his comedic predecessors The lyrics to Burnham’s songs are clever and highly witty, often and peers, Burnham isn’t afraid to embrace the fact that he is the product of a poking fun of stereotypes.

LIZ WALSH

I

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOSTON.COM

Bo Burnham began his comedic career by posting videos of his songs on Youtube. white, upper class household or that he went to private school. He now basically renounces the Christian beliefs and ethnic tolerance he learned as a child, at least for comedy’s sake. Burnham is a blend of crass and satirical that allows for the audience’s perfect enjoyment of his antics. “If you want offensive, I’ll give you offensive,” Burnham said during the show, and offensive is exactly what the audience got. His satirical one-liners, his perfectly formulated puns, and his biting lyrics were all present in this original and quirky one-man show. Talented in singing, piano, guitar and most of all wit, Burnham is guaranteed to make audiences laugh.

Burnham also feels deeply connected to his fan base.

He stays after the show at every leg of his tour to meet the fans that allow him to do what he loves. He’s sincere and eccentric, intelligent and vulgar. Burnham is a plethora of adjectives but only one of them truly matters: he is hysterically funny. Bo Burnham is worth watching, whether it is via the Internet, at live comedy show or in one of his upcoming films.

Three of the Virtual Highlights

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

ENTERTAINMENT

FROM FOOD TO FASHION, THE INTERNET CAN PROVIDE BOTH INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT McARTHUR JOSEPH Staff Writer

M

any college students have found that the best way to procrastinate is to browse the Internet. With millions of Web sites to choose from, it can be difficult to sort out the gems. However, these three sites have proven to be an entertaining and effective way to put off those last few papers for a few more hours.

DerrickComedy.com For those looking for a good laugh who are already fans of CollegeHumor. com, DerrickComedy.com is a perfect Web site to go check out. “DERRICK” is an improv comedy troupe hailing from New York City. The group consists of a few NYU alumni who are both talented and credited actors, writers, and producers. Even though being an improv group, they also write and star in their own sketches which they post on their Web site, DerrickComedy.com.

On the site people can find a number of funny skits to watch. DERRICK videos effectively joke about “bros”, failed relationships, and even have a skit about a boy who puts a hit man out on his parents in order to get a new bike. In addition to the sketches DERRICK has recently filmed a full-length movie called Mystery Team, the trailer for which can also be found on the site. This film is about three incapable teenage detectives looking to prove themselves as serious crime fighters, all while falling into hilarious hijinks

and shenanigans. The comedy feature is set to hit the silver screen in October.

StyleCaster.com Anyone who loves fashion and entertainment should check out the Web site StyleCaster.com. The site is designed for anyone who considers him or herself a walking style guru. It innovatively combines all things fashion, entertainment, and social networking. Convenience is a major factor because it is one of the few places to update on not only fashion news and clothing inspirations, but also the local weather.

One of the really cool features is that users are shown different daily looks and fashion inspirations and then are given the choice to like and dislike the options of clothing and accessories. After these choices are made the Web site adapts and shows items that fit the user’s aesthetic each day. StyleCaster features different fashion blogs and news stories that are both very informative and up-todate. People can get advice from real life stylists and fashion experts on the latest trends and style tips.

The site also allows users to look for new hip items that they can find in local stores such as Forever 21 and H&M. The Web site was recently the host to one of the first ever live streamed fashion shows from New York Fashion Week.

They made history by streaming Vivienne Tam’s spring 2010 collection to all of its users worldwide. StyleCaster.com is a one stop shop kind of Web site with a variety of interesting fashion features.

food (which most likely is everyone) should visit this Web site. The website is focused on the many dining services at St. Johns University. One can view all the menus and even see the featured weekly specials. The site also gives information on upcoming events that correlate to dining services.

The Web site is not just focused on the food everyone eats, but it also gives information on how the school helps preserve the sustainability of the environment through a number of different pro-

grams including renewable packaging, waste reduction programs, and use of humane meat and seafood products. People can also find helpful nutritional tools such as a chart, food calculator, and journal. A page on how to maintain a healthy weight can also be seen. Those with culinary interests can find and submit recipes.

Now no one ever has to make the long trek to Montgoris only to find out that he or she does not like the menu. All this information can now be found online.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DERRICKCOMEDY.COM

Dineoncampus.com/StJohns Every St John’s student who enjoys

The cast of “DERRICK”, an improv comedy troupe in New York City, film their skits and post them online at DerrickComedy.com

28

Facelift almost finished New renovations to Carnesecca Arena nearing completion BILL SAN ANTONIO Sports Editor

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

New renovations to Carnesecca Arena should be finished this week.

“Continuing the renovation of Carnesecca Arena is vital, not only to our basketball programs, but to the entire athletics department since it houses most of our student-athletes, administrators and coaches,” Athletic

Director Chris Monasch said earlier this year. “Carnesecca Arena is the heart of our athletics program.”

Even before the new seating debuted, the University worked toward making the arena a more student-

torchonline.com

Can’t get enough TORCH sports?

Visit our blog at torchsports.wordpress.com

Doubles tandem takes three weekend matches PATRICK PLASSIO Contributing Writer Freshman Mike Lampa led the St. John’s men’s tennis team last weekend at the USTA Invitational in Flushing by winning his pool in singles and

teaming up with senior Derek Wallensteen to win his doubles pool as well.

In their last tournament, the Farnsworth Invitational, Lampa and Wallensteen had relative success, winning two doubles matches. This week-

end, the tandem improved upon its previous performance, winning all three of the matches to take the bracket.The tournament gave Lampa, another opportunity to learnfrom a more seasoned player in Wallensteen.

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

SPORTS

St. John’s construction officials say the third wave of renovations to Carnesecca Arena “are 98 percent finished.”

Craig Diana, project manager for the Carnesecca renovations, said the changes to the video scoreboard, sound system, ceiling and lighting will be completed in time to host an NBA preseason game between the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets Oct. 23.

“For the most part, by the end of this week we’ll be finished,” Diana said.

He added that, though the construction is close to being completed, workers still need to be trained on using the new equipment, which he said would also begin this week.

Renovations began June 15, just after commencement services for the Class of 2009. It is the second major renovation in as many years to the arena, which changed its name from Alumni Hall in 2004.

Prior to the start of the 2008-09 basketball season, the arena adopted a new playing surface and added roughly 800 chair-back seats as well as upgraded ticket and lobby areas.

friendly building, constructing the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence Oct. 2007.

The 4,500 square foot facility, located on the arena’s main floor, was built to serve as a home for the Student Development for Athletes program.

Highlighting the space is a 54-seat study center, set to meet the educational needs of the University’s student-athletes and their demanding schedules. Study rooms were also built in addition to four private tutoring rooms so that the athletes could have one-on-one interaction with the University’s academic support staff.

“The Carnesecca Arena renovations will be something that our current student-athletes will certainly enjoy, and its impact on recruiting will be tremendous,” men’s basketball head coach Norm Roberts said earlier in the year. “The new Carnesecca Arena will also provide an enhanced game-day atmosphere for our student body and fans as well.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Derek Wallensteen teamed with Mike Lampa for three doubles wins over the weekend.

“It’s great playing with Derek,” Lampa said, “He’s very experienced. He knows what to do at critical points, and he usually calls all the plays we do before every point.”

In singles, Lampa also took a big step forward from his last tournament, where he won a match and lost a match. In this tournament, however, he was nothing short of dominant, winning all four of his matches.

Taking only eight sets to win his bracket, Lampa didn’t drop a single set to any of his opponents. None of his opponents ever got closer than a 6-4 loss in any of the sets.

“I just focused on all of the matches that I played,” Lampa said. “It was a solid weekend for me, things were just going my way.”

The team’s next tournament is the Columbia Invitational in New York Oct. 9-11. Though it is still two weeks away, Lampa, who expects to play singles and doubles at Columbia as well, is ready to “carry the success from this tournament onto the

next tournament.”

Despite his success, Lampa still thinks there is work to be done before Columbia.

“There’s still a couple of things that coach wants me to work on, such as my serve,” Lampa said, “It’s back to the drawing board to fix some things that I’m not really good at.”

Lampa also commented on the amount of downtime he has before his next tournament, saying he needs to “stay focused throughout the two weeks and make sure I’m ready for the next tournament.”

In other tournament action, Sophomore Milo Hauk won three matches before falling in the semi-finals.

Junior Pavel Cerny battled an injury in the early part of the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals of his pool.

In doubles, these two reached the third round. The doubles team of sophomore Keith Whittingham and senior Martin Kosut also reached the third round.

29

Stuck in a rut

Men’s soccer doesn’t score for the third straight game MIKE CUNNIFF Contributing Writer The New England weather was cool and rainy, and several players had trouble maintaining their balance on Glay Field’s slippery grass.

As a result, the St. John’s men’s soccer team had trouble, literally and figuratively, finding its footing at Providence on Sunday afternoon, settling for a 0-0 tie with the Friars.

PROVIDENCE

0

ST. JOHN’S

0

Don’t tell that to head coach Dave Masur.

The coach placed the underwhelming result squarely on the teams on the field, not the field itself.

“The weather made for a nice game; the ball moved well.

It was an excellently played match,” said Masur.

While the weather may not be to blame for the result, it clearly made an impact on both teams.

Hard cuts were made tougher by the conditions of the field, and the area around both goals suffered severe degradation.

Sometimes, like with Sverre Wegge Gundhus in the 27th minute, the slippery field led to opportunities. Gundhus made

a move on his defender on the right side of the field that caused him to slip. Gundhus was then able to make a cross for a scoring chance.

Other times, the conditions caused players to slip while on offense, ending any threats that might have been.

Masur, however, said his biggest concern is the Red Storm’s offense, whiich was shutout for the third game in a row and for the fourth time in the last five games.

“We gotta have more energy in the attacking third,” he said.

Junior Tadeu Terra shared in his coach’s frustration “It’s a definite problem that we can’t score goals,” said the midfielder. But Terra also tried to put a positive spin on the team’s recent play. “We’re defending well,” he said. “We’ve only been scored on three times in eight games.”

His coach did not share in his optimism. Asked if he was satisfied with his team’s play defensively, Masur replied, “Not so much… They got a couple chances on service that we have to be better with.”

After an uneventful first half, Providence controlled the pace in the second half, outshooting the Johnnies 9-4 and spending much of the half on St. John’s side of the field. While senior goalie Derby Carillo only needed to make two saves in recording his fifth shutout of the

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Tadeu Terra was optimistic that the men’s soccer team’s offensive woes will improve. season, that stat did not reflect how often the ball was in penalty area.

Masur was especially impressed with the play of Friar senior forward Timothy Ritter, the Friars’ leading scorer. “(Ritter) had a little bit of the game. I think he got balls across the box,” he said.

Ritter’s header in the second

overtime left Carillo frozen. He could only watch and urge the ball wide. It was so close that the Providence bench started celebrating in anticipation of a golden goal.

Ritter did not think as highly of his play as Masur did, booting a ball high in the air in frustration after the final horn sounded.

St. John’s own frustration

was evident late in the second half, when an after-the-whistle scuffle led to yellow cards being issued to senior defender Joel Gustafsson and senior midfielder Nelson Becerra.

Terra had a simple solution to the frustrations. “We’ve got to keep our heads up and keep working – change a few things to make things go our way.”

Bill San Antonio is a sophomore journalism major. He can be reached at torchsports@gmail.com.

torchonline.com

the heels of three straight regular-season Big East titles, the volleyball team must learn how to win and live up to the Red Storm nickname on its jerseys.

The Big East’s volleyball coaches have long since circled St. John’s on their calendars. The Red Storm won’t sneak up on anyone the rest of the way. They haven’t thus far, either.

Sunday, against a thoroughly more experienced Notre Dame team –the Irish boast nine upperclassmen players – the Red Storm learned that. They learned that any future hangover from big wins must be wiped clear from their minds.

Those hangovers better not become too frequent, either. The team is now 8-10 and 1-1 in conference play, and the road only gets tougher from here. Now’s the time the meek get pinched. Now’s the time the bold survive.

Then again, they’re young. They’ve got plenty of time to figure all this out.

The TORCH

And though Ramdin led the team in kills, and even though the reoccurring names – Asing, Petkova, Song – once again made their marks in the box score, the Red Storm missed out on a chance to set a tone for the rest of conference play that the preseason ups and downs were a fluke, and that the Red Storm would once again be a force in the Big East.

As I heard the news Sunday night, the words of my high school baseball coach rang loudly in my head.

“Boys,” he told us early in the 2008 season, his finger pointed, his mustache twitching, “You’re young, and you’re not used to winning yet.”

He was right. With only three seniors in the starting lineup, we were young and inexperienced and we believed it.

As a result, we struggled early and lost the first two league series of the year.

Following a wake-up call so loud it was heard three towns over, we climbed the standings, finishing third in our conference. What helped us two years ago was an undeniable swagger we carried that said we were the better team every day we stepped onto the field.

It’s in the same breath that the volleyball team needs to shake off this loss and play like the teams of old – experience or no experience.

Seniority or no seniority.

I think somewhere along the line, the Red Storm volleyball players heard they’re not used to winning yet, too. But if there’s anything these young players should have learned this weekend, it’s that yes, the Big East conference knows you are young and inexperienced. And no, it doesn’t care.

It is so rare to win right away, especially when there are expectations involved. Aaron Rodgers couldn’t do it succeeding Brett Favre in Green Bay in 2008. The Chicago Bulls couldn’t win for years after Michael Jordan retired. And on

30 Sept. 2009

It looks as if the volleyball team has hit a bump in the road.

We’ve heard about this team’s youth and inexperience. We know about the freshmen and sophomores thrown onto the court, hoping to replace former stars. We know that sophomore Darlene Ramdin had to be flown in from the World Championships in Mexico to play savior to a depleted Red Storm team that stumbled through its first few matches.

After suffering two three-game losing streaks, and going just 3-2 in their last five games, the Red Storm had an opportunity to show just how good it could be with a comeback victory over DePaul on Friday.

The win showed that not only could the Johnnies stay on their feet, but they could land a few jabs of their own.

Sunday, the Storm was once again tested. This time, the Big East threw a haymaker.

Two days after that comeback win, the Red Storm fell to Notre Dame – a team St. John’s was 14-2 against lifetime entering the day.

Not only did the team lose, it lost in consecutive sets.

SPORTS

Youth no excuse for volleyball’s weekend hangover

30

Live and let down Red Storm tie Providence on the road after topping longtime foe MIKE CUNNIFF Contributing Writer

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 Sept. 2009

SPORTS

Every game is important.

The St. John’s women’s soccer team found that out the hard way Sunday at Glay Field, tying a Providence team that was previously pointless in Big East play.

After a dramatic overtime victory PROVIDENCE

1

ST. JOHN’S

1

against conference-rival Connecticut on Friday night, the Red Storm struggled to get up for the match against the Friars.

“It was a little bit (of a letdown),” said goalkeeper Kristin Russell. “We came in here thinking we were going to win.”

Coach Ian Stone spun it a different way. “I don’t know if it was a letdown or if we got punished for some bad habits.”

While it seemed like an easy match for the Red Storm on paper, the Friars came out and dictated the play in the first half.

The Red Storm (8-1-1, 2-0-1 Big East) got off to a slow start, and fell behind in the 15th minute when Providence midfielder Courtney Collins set up forward Jill Camburn on a breakaway. Camburn put the ball past Russell for her fifth goal of the season.

The Friars (5-4-1, 0-2-1 Big East) outshot the Johnnies in the first half, had more shots on goal and more importantly, had the lead on the scoreboard.

“I think we learned that we need to start better,” Stone said.

Russell saw much more action than she would have liked, stopping five shots in the first half and a career high eleven in the game. She has stopped eighteen of nineteen shots in the last two games, improving her save percentage to .870, good for second in the Big East.

“She’s very solid,” Stone said about Russell. “She’s playing well right now.”

In the other net, Providence goalie Jill Schott turned in a good performance as well, stopping eight shots.

Both goalies turned in solid performances despite the conditions, which reduced the area around the goal to mud.

“It was a difficult situation for both keepers,” Stone said.

It was an especially stark contrast, he said, compared to the turf at Belson.

“Playing at home…is a lot smoother and faster,” Russell noted. “(On grass), there’s a lot of divots.”

Added Stone,“It could have been a lot worse. We handled the conditions pretty well.”

The wet weather failed to douse

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Goalkeeper Kristin Russell improved her save percentage to .870 after Sunday’s 1-1 tie at Providence. the offensive fireworks. The two teams combined for 46 shots, including 18 shots on goal.

Despite putting up 17 shots in regulation, St. John’s didn’t put home the equalizer until the 78th minute, when senior defender Courtney Lane fired a shot off the right goal post. The rebound bounced right to freshman Runa Sif Stefansdottir, who put it home for the second goal of her career.

“To me it was just a matter of time before we scored,” Stone asserted. “Runa was just in the right place at the right time to put it in.”

The overtime periods saw several scoring chances for St. John’s, including a stretch in the first overtime when the team fired five shots in a span of 2:16.

Schott was up to the task, saving the two that reached her.

The second overtime saw less action, with only three shots and no shots on goal.

The draw snapped a five game winning streak for the Red Storm.

“We have to give every team in the Big East respect,” Stone said.

“What happened in the games before doesn’t matter.”

Tracking the Storm: Louisville The Louisville women’s soccer team heads to Belson Stadium Friday night on a two-game losing streak, after falling to No. 14 Notre Dame in a hard-fought 1-0 match on Sunday.

Thus far, the Cardinals are led by senior midfielder Lindsey Boling, who leads the team with two goals and is tied for the team lead in points, with four.

The inexperience of the group, which has only four seniors and nine freshmen playing major roles, has proven to be detrimental so far.

With only a 3-6 record, they have struggled, scoring only 12 goals.

Freshman goalkeeper Taylor Vancil made five saves against the Irish but allowed game’s only goal in the 50th minute to Lauren Folkes, who connected on a snap header

from the middle of the box following a pass from Molly Campbell.

Prior to the Cardinals loss to Notre Dame, the team lost to DePaul, 2-1, to open conference play.

Louisville’s last win came on the road against Butler September 20.

Courtney Holtz and Lindsay Boling had goals for the Cardinals and the team defense only allowed three shots on net the entire game.

The Cardinals round out their road trip with Syracuse on Sunday (10/4) and then Georgetown next Friday.

The Cardinals and the Red Storm have not met since 2006, when St. John’s head coach Ian Stone lost his first meeting against Louisville on the road, 2-1.

Kelly McConnell, then a freshman, scored an early goal in the loss.

31

TORCH SPORTS

VOLLEYBALL

STORM

CAST

Leavin’ their Mark

Russell, Pasciolla awarded

TORCH PHOTO /KRISTEN FARMER

Freshman Ashley Asing led the Red Storm with eight digs in the team’s loss to Notre Dame over the weekend.

MIKE GURNIS Staff Writer

“

We’re definitely on pace to open before the NBA game.

-Craig Diana, project manager for the Carnesecca Arena renovations

”

Headin’ this Way Red Storm home games

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 2 Oct. 4

Louisville Cincinnati

7:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

torchonline.com

Follow TORCH sports Twitter feed at twitter.com/torchsports

Blowin’ in the Wind

The TORCH

ond set may have been the difference in the match.

“The second set would’ve been very important for us,” she said. “If we win that set, it would’ve really given us some momentum on our home floor.”

Added Petkova, “If we win the second game, we would’ve been more confident in our serving and attacking.”

In the third set, Notre Dame lead early, jumping out to a 14-9 lead before a Red Storm timeout. From that point, Notre Dame would be in control, leading by as many as six before finally putting the match away, 25-19.

Notre Dame out-blocked St. John’s, tallying nine blocks in the match, while St. John’s managed to only get one block in the entire match.

The Red Storm will go on the road to face Georgetown and South Florida to continue their Big East schedule next weekend.

With the loss, St. John’s drops to 8-10 overall, and 1-1 in the Big East. Historically, St. John’s fell to 14-3 all-time against Notre Dame, who ended the Red Storm’s season in the second round of last year’s Big East tournament.

Paying tribute to the early days of St. John’s athletics, “Johnny the Thunderbird” was introduced as the nickname for the new Red Storm athletics mascot.

“Johnny” pays homage to a former St. John’s nickname, the Johnnies.

The nickname was announced after an online vote last week after the mascot was introduced Sept.

19.

30 Sept. 2009

After defeating DePaul on Friday, the St. John’s volleyball team could not have gotten off to a better start in conference play.

But Sunday afternoon, things seemingly could not have gone any worse for the Red Storm, who lost in consecutive sets to Notre Dame, (25-11, 27-25, 25-19).

“It’s a disappointing loss, because we know they’re a quality opponent with a lot of seniors,” said St. John’s head coach Joanne Persico-Smith. “We had our opportunities. Notre Dame did a great job of serving us out of our system.

Their serving created a lot of miscues in communication, and we didn’t attack the ball hard enough.”

Notre Dame’s serving was a major part of the victory, as the Irish tallied a total of seven service aces to the Red Storm’s two.

“We had our ups and downs today,” said Sophomore Darlene Ramdin, who led the team with 13 kills. “We should have fought more. We showed about 70-80 percent of what we’re capable of.”

The Red Storm hope to learn from the loss to a strong Notre Dame team that improved to 8-4 on the season with the win, and had pulled off a victory over the Stanford earlier in the season, and had lost to opponents such as Michigan and Florida State.

“We’ll have to watch the tape,” said Persico-Smith. “But this was a good experience for us, we have to keep the ball up. We hope to use this game to get better.”

Added freshman libero Ashley Asing, “It’s great that we fought the way we did.

These are teams that we play that will only make us stronger.” Asing led the team with eight digs, along with Kayla Motoyama who also tallied eight digs.

Freshman Gabriela Petkova led the team with 25 assists.

Notre Dame jumped out to an early 13-5 lead in the first set and would extend it to as many as 13, taking the first set with little resistance, 25-11.

The second set was much more competitive early, but Notre Dame would lead 18-14. An ace by Kun Song would later tie it at 22, but Notre Dame finally put away the Red Storm at 27-25.

Persico-Smith said the Red Storm’s inability to come through and win the sec-

What’s in a name?

SPORTS

SJU Volleyball fall to Fighting Irish

Two St. John’s women soccer players made headlines in the Big East this week, as sophomore Kristin Russell was named Goalkeeper of the Week and senior Midfielder Amanda Pasciolla was named to the conference Honor Roll.

Both players were key parts of the Red Storm’s success, leading the team to a shutout victory over then-No. 16 Connecticut and 1-1 tie with Providence.

Russell was perfect Friday against UConn, saving all seven shots on goal. The shutout was the 15th of Russell’s career, good for 4th all-time in program history.

Russell continued her dominance on Sunday, recovering after allowing an early goal and shutting out the Friars for the remainder of the game to secure the tie.

Pasciolla also played a major role in the victory over UConn, scoring the lone goal of the game.

Her defense was on display throughout both games, helping shut down both opponents’ offensive attacks.

The Red Storm will look to improve upon their 8-1-1 record Friday when they face Louisville at Belson Stadium.

Friday has also been designated as Alumnae Night. The 1994 Big East Championship team will be honored at halftime.

SPORTS 30 SEPTEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 87, ISSUE 07 | TORCHONLINE.COM

TORCHSPORTS.WORDPRESS.COM

TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

After a comeback win against DePaul, the volleyball team fell to Notre Dame on Sunday.

Days after defeating conference-rival UConn,the women’s soccer team couldn’t tied Providence in wet weather.

page 31

page 30