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Sunday June 5, 2011
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Volume 88, Number 3
Bed bugs spread Samantha South News Editor
Bed bug infestation increases throughout the campus area as students move in and out of old and new apartments, houses, and dorms. As Kayla Wynn and her roommates ended the semester with finals and planned for their new living arrangements for the next year, more was going on throughout her building: a bed bug infestation had taken place in another tenants unit. “A couple of weeks ago we noticed people throwing stuff out the window, ripping up the carpet and the trim, and so we asked the maintenance guys what they were doing and they said ‘just cleaning’,” said Kayla Wynn, Graphic Design major at SCSU and a recently moved out tenant at Northern Management properties. “We heard rumors that there were other cases of bed bugs in our building so we talked to the management company because we were concerned because we knew that they would spread,” Wynn said. After being told that there shouldn’t be any worries, Wynn and her roommates started seeing bites on their bodies. “I had a lot of bug bites all over me that looked like mosquito bites. They started on my lower back in a group of three and then they went to my upper back in a group of three or four and then I noticed them on my ankles and my feet. This was in a progression of a few days and then they spread in random spots,” Wynn said. Signs of bed bug infestation became clearer to Wynn and her roommates and, within days, action needed to be the next step to getting rid of them. “That’s when I contacted the property manager and told her,” Wynn said. No signs of actual bugs were found the first few times maintenance and extermination checked throughout Wynn’s bedroom and living room. It wasn’t until Wynn and her roommates found the bed bugs themselves that the actions toward cleaning could start. “I think one of my other roommates had them but we didn’t know about them at that time so she just thought that they were spider bites,” Wynn said.
Hannah Swift / staff photographer
One of the archways in Munsinger Gardens. Munsinger Gardens is located on the east side of the Mississippi River.
Munsinger Gardensa free and fun activity Hannah Swift
associate Editor
After months of waiting, it would seem that summer has finally arrived in central Minnesota. Spending about seven months of the year with chilly temperatures and wintry weather, most Minnesotans have a deep appreciation for summer time. Spending time outside when the weather is nice is almost a must if you plan to survive another winter here in the land of ice and snow. For college students with limited funds, sometimes it can be challenging to find affordable, fun things to do. However, there are several treasures in the St. Cloud area that are cheap, even free, as well as entertaining. Munsinger Gardens is one local gem that is a popular place for weddings, photo opportunities, picnics, walks, and just general outdoor enjoyment. Munsinger Garden is only one of the eight gardens located on the east bank of the Mississippi on Kilian Boulevard, directly across from the SCSU campus. On the hill, east of Munsinger Garden, sits Clemens Gardens. Within Clemens Gardens there are several small sections including the Virginia Clemens Rose Garden, the Formal Garden, and the White Garden. All of these different gardens create a retreat for visitors. There are several paths to walk, along with benches and benchswings to use. Taking a sunny afternoon to enjoy the gardens and the view of the river is a great way to enjoy summer. The gardens are free for visitors and often have free events hosted by the Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society, including concerts and an art fair. For more information about these events and the gardens, check out the Botanical Society’s website at www.munsingerclemens.com. Another way to enjoy St. Cloud during the summer is to take a walk around the historic downtown area. Spending some time window shopping or simply checking out the old architecture is a great way to get some exercise and have fun outside. Downtown St. Cloud has a long history, dating back to the 1800s when the first European people settled in the area.
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For those who are interestied in learning about the history of the buildings as they walk through downtown, head to www.stclouddowntown.com/pages/HistoricDowntown/ to download the “Downtown Historic Walking Brochure.” The brochure is a guide to the different buildings in the downtown area. It gives a description of the original buildings and tells the date they were built as well as a brief history. St. Cloud natives, students, and visitors alike can appreciate the history of the city while also enjoying the current businesses that make up the historic downtown today. Perhaps neither of these options seems interesting. There are always the simple pleasures of going for a walk, having a picnic with some friends, visiting the library, playing Frisbee (or any other sport), or taking a dip in a swimming hole. But if your wallet is empty but you still are looking for something new to do, consider heading to Munsinger Gardens or walking through the historic downtown St. Cloud. There is always something fun and cheap to do. Think creatively and try something new, summer will be over before you can say, “negative 30 degree wind chill.”
Bed bug infestation has started to become a lot more common in living conditions as insecticides have become more dangerous for people. David Magelssen, owner of Northern Management, has seen this increase, as he’s been in property management in St. Cloud since 1985. “It’s getting to be more and more of a problem,” said Magelssen. “It’s a real tricky bug because you can have someone who has bed bugs in their apartment and then they go stay over at a friends house.” According to Terminix and Orkin’s website, the spread of bed bugs have a lot to do with traveling and bringing luggage and items from other places into new homes. Once bed bugs have settled into a new home, the infestation begins. “We do have some occasionally and the primary problem is when they don’t get reported,” Magelssen said. “There are some cultures that are use to living with bed bugs and they don’t get reported, and then it gets far worse than it should be.” Like other infestations, bedbugs can be spread commonly and quickly, especially around a campus area, where students take used furniture as a cheaper solution. “A lot of problems in the campus area is that people have their bedbug-infested mattress out by the dumpster and someone else sees it and thinks, “Hey what a great mattress,’ grabs it and brings it in to their apartment,” Magelssen said. Once the infestation of bedbugs takes place, getting rid of them can be the biggest task tenants and property managers have to deal with. As a property owner, Magelssen agrees it takes a lot of work. “Literally you have to pull base boards and go through electrical outlets, pull up the covers and go around there, and around the edges of carpets.” During an infestation, tenants will now not only have to get rid of the infestation, they need to make sure that all of their belongings are cleaned, including their clothes and fabrics. “It was so embarrassing, we went to a laundromat and brought all of our clothes, we had about 20 bags,” said Wynn. “Now, we’ve been steam cleaning everything.” Pest control and extermina-
tion see more and more infestations and end up having to clean up after the mess once an infestation has taken place. According to Todd Leyse, President of Adam’s Pest Control, an extermination company running throughout Minnesota, bed bug problems have been growing 30 to 80 percent per year in the last 5 years. “Bed bugs have been the latest phenomenon,” said Leyse. “We do over 1,000 bed bug jobs a year.” There are multiple treatments ranging from very effective to not at all when it comes to treating bed bugs. Adam’s pest control provides chemical treatment, heat treatment, and even canine help. “The canine thing is new,” said Leyse. “The dogs are trained to smell bed bugs and can find them easier than we can.” These treatments hit a high price to fix one infestation. According to Leyse, chemical treatment can be more difficult than others and can cost a large sum to treat specific furniture. “In the industry it’s about $300 to $400 for an apartment for chemical and about $1,200 to $1,500 for a heat treatment for a two bedroom apartment,” Leyse said. There are ways to take action before an infestation occurs. Leyse, as a professional, agrees that once one is aware of the situation, dealing with it sooner than later is the best key. “Report stuff as soon as you can so they can identify it and keep your eyes open for them,” said Magelssen, Northern Management owner. As a tenant, Wynn and her roommates hope that property managers take more action in preventing the situation from happening. “That was my biggest concern,” said Wynn. “They [Northern Management] didn’t inform anyone in our building and they still haven’t and I wouldn’t even know this unless I had asked.” Bigger hopes from property management stand on the issue. “I’m hoping that the government opens up the restrictions on some of these chemicals,” Magelssen said, “or some of these companies get more readily available for a better solution to track these down.”
Minnesota voters will define marriage in 2012 Staff Report
Hannah Swift / staff photographer
Stone steps connect Munsinger gardens and Clemens Gardens.
Frank & Nat: Their Way
Minnesota voters will decide on whether or not to ban gay marriage in 2012. After over five hours of discussion, the Minnesota legislature recently passed a plan 70-62 to approve of the option to ban gay marriage on the 2012 ballot. Gay marriage is already illegal in Minnesota. If the amendment passes, however, judges and lawmakers will not be able to overturn the definition. The amendment will define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The amendment was voted on one day after a Gallup national poll found that a majority of Americans were in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage. If the amendment were to pass, Minnesota
would join the 29 states with amendments restricting marriage recognition to a man and a woman. King Banian, the Minnesota House representative from St. Cloud, voted yes on the measure. Protestors expressed their anti-amendment sentiment on the steps of the house chamber for days. Democrats who opposed the bill questioned why there was the debate on the definition of marriage while Minnesota’s budget had not been balanced. Republicans in favor of the amendment said that the action would allow Minnesotans to give their voice to the definition of marriage. Governor Mark Dayton has expressed his dissent to the plan, but has no power to stop it.
Suyan Hu at Tang Soo Do class Page 3 A new musical chronicling the careers of Cole and Sinatra premiered at Pioneer Place last week.
Page 4 SCSU students learn self-defense at Tang Soo Do classes in the martial arts room.
Opinions Sunday, June 5, 2011
Page 2 - University Chronicle
Not so Minnesota nice after all Randy Goering
Adam Bennett
Contributing Writer
Contributing writer
Minnesota Nice. It is a term that most St. Cloud residents joke about, and most people outside of our community see when they pass through. We try to teach our younger generations about love, respect, and to have a sense of community, but things have been changing rapidly. We have fast become a large city that has held on to its small town mentality, so we still feel the need to help each other. Unfortunately, we still see violence despite our best efforts. A few weeks ago, only days after our state legislature voted to include on the 2012 ballot an amendment that would make gay marriage forever impossible in our state, a young man was assaulted in the middle of downtown St. Cloud. The three attackers felt as though this young man young, well liked, and out with his own friends - had been attempting to hit on them at a bar. The three followed this man outside and, before anything could be said or anyone
could intervene, these three men attacked. What started as a group of friends out celebrating a friend’s birthday became a terrifying ordeal. Perhaps more shocking than the attack itself has been some of the responses in the community. On one end of the spectrum, a few women started a Facebook page to rally for peace and tolerance and by that afternoon, over 150 people were marching downtown to speak out against violence and homophobia. These people, from all walks of life and of all sexual orientations, took a stand to say that our community should practice tolerance of everything but hate. On the other side, however, there have been horrifying homophobic remarks. Some people believed the young man deserved his attack, as some sort of spiritual retribution for his sins. Others felt that he must have been hitting on these men, and needed to be taught a lesson to keep his orientation to himself. Some of these remarks have been about the gay community in general, but several were very personal. But perhaps the most unfortunate response of all has been the silence of a great deal of our community. A man is attacked, a hate crime is committed, so why can’t we be
Worth 100 Words
How many guys have you heard complain that “nice guys finish last” when it comes to
dating? My male friends lament that girls always like them as friends, but only date guys who treat them poorly. My question is this: why would you want to date someone with taste like this, who clearly doesn’t value herself or the right qualities in a partner? Meanwhile, there are kind, funny, smart, single girls out there looking for a nice guy. Maybe if these “nice guys” weren’t so busy pursuing girls who don’t appreciate them, they’d be able to see these nice girls.
Molly Willims Managing Editor
What’s in a last name? Hannah Swift
Associate Editor
Before the release of her hit single “Tim McGraw” in 2006, my cousin Taylor Swift was another member of the Swift family. Okay, maybe Taylor Swift isn’t my cousin, or related to me in anyway, but I don’t know how many times I have been asked if I am related to her because we share the same last name. We look so alike, me being short with brown hair and eyes and her with her 5’11 model frame, blonde hair and legs that go on forever. It’s easy to assume we are related. In all seriousness, last names are pretty interesting, especially when it comes to how they change when people get married. Shakespeare’s famous quote, “What’s in a name?” was the exact question I have been considering in the past week. I’m not about to get married, not even close, but for some reason my friends and I were discussing how we
felt about changing our last names. Every person had a different view on the tradition of a woman taking a man’s last name in a traditional marriage. There are a few things to consider when having this type of conversation, especially with the advent of civil unions and the reconsideration of the meaning of marriage going on in society. It seems many people are considering new, non-traditional ways of dealing with their last names when they get married. One of my friends said that he knows a couple that are going to combine their last name, a good way to meet in the middle while also avoiding the long hyphenated last name. For example, Anderson and Radcliffe could combine to become Andercliffe, or Raderson, both cool, fun alternatives to Anderson-Radcliffe. Another option is to simply have each person keep their own last name. The only question is, if they have children, what last name do they get? Also, does not sharing a name create
less of a bond between two married people? I think that I would like to share the last name, in some way, of the person I marry, if I marry. It is just a very clear way of saying you are connected to another person or to a family. However, I like my name as it is. It will be hard for me to give up the last name Swift, because I have loved it, even before it was made famous by my “cousin” Taylor. In my chosen profession, journalism, my name will likely be published often (I hope). If I don’t get married till later in life, it may be confusing for readers if my name suddenly changes. Authors’ and journalists’ names can become well known in the business, which is true for other professions. Writers are generally known only by their names, not their face. There are many things that will influence my decision on weather or not to change my name if I get married someday. I think there is no right or wrong way to go concerning last names.
Stop banning controversial music videos Kyra Loch Staff Writer
Musical artists have a great amount of power and influence, which can have positive and negative effects on their audience. This influence can be crucial when the musical artist chooses to cover a touchy subject matter. Recently, musical artist Rihanna has caused controversy with her music video for her new single, “Man Down.” In the video, Rihanna is seen shooting and killing a man in the opening scene; later we see he has sexually abused her and this is her revenge. People are calling for the video to be banned because they feel the artist is glamorizing violence and sending the wrong message. It is absolutely ridiculous for people to believe this music video should be banned; the video actually sends out a powerful message and opens the door for conversations that may not easily be started. Rihanna herself is a victim of domestic abuse. Her story of being attacked and beaten by then boyfriend Chris Brown was widely broadcasted and published for the whole world to know. The song and video may be a part of her own healing process. It is common for people to release emotions through creative outlets, such as songwriting. These emotions may be violent themselves, as seen in the opening scene of Rihanna’s video. As an artist, Rihanna is also using her talent and creativity to send out a message. The video should not be banned because the artist is “glamorizing” violence. In fact, Rihanna is using her video to bring up a discussion of something that happens on a
daily basis. This may make some people uncomfortable, but it is something that needs to be recognized and not banned. Abuse and domestic violence can happen to anyone, and this topic should not just be brushed under the rug because people do not want to acknowledge or think about that. It is interesting to see the consideration of banning this video when there have been so many worse videos out there with many of the same aspects that have not been banned. It does not seem like Rihanna’s intent was to “glamorize” violence in her video, as the scene is not that long and not overly dramatic. There have been much more violent music videos, and also worse music videos on the subject of domestic abuse. Critics have commented on the fact that violence tends to be a theme in more than one Lady Gaga music video; her male love interest dies by her hand in the end of a few of her music videos. Countless videos, and most often rap videos, will show abuse towards women. Eminem is also not innocent of the violent fantasies Rihanna is displaying with her video. He angrily raps about what he would do to his ex-wife in his song “Kim.” One of the more famous videos showcasing domestic abuse is Eminem’s “Stan,” where a crazy Eminem fan puts his pregnant girlfriend in the trunk of his car and drives it into a river. Rihanna is not glamorizing violence with her music video for “Man Down;” she is providing her audience with an opportunity to confront a painful subject in a creative way, and she should be commended for that.
bothered to care? This wasn’t just a barroom brawl, the kind that happen weekly. This was not drunken college students “just being kids.” This is something much deeper. This is something that should change, that must change, for our community to be whole. Many people seem to think that this is a non-issue, or that it will fade away. But the truth is that St. Cloud has a large, vibrant gay community. Chances are that you know a few people and might not realize it. Despite what TV may have you believe our lesbians don’t all ride motorcycles and wear flannel and our gay men are not all interior decorators. The truth is, the gender of the person any of us want to come home to at night does not wholly define who we are as people. We are all so much more than our sexual orientation. We have families. We have careers. We are all members of this community. As a community, we should stand up and say “no more” to hate. Because, in the end, we’re just hurting ourselves.
Maintaining the balance between youth and maturity Mike Runyon News Editor
of the small problems will weigh you and your friends down. Responsibility can be a more difficult road to traverse than maturity. Responsibility is the way of hard work and acceptance. A person cannot avoid doing what they’re meant to do when they’re meant to do it. Accepting responsibility for your work will mean doing what you need to do, even if you don’t want to. This means putting off fun and laziness to do your work. Whether it’s doing your dishes, working at your job or doing errands, taking time to complete your duties before your fun is important. It’s important to stay youthful in everything you do while maintaining responsibility and maturity. If you can goof off while maintaining an air of maturity and responsibility, you have truly found a balance in your life. It is a tragedy to be a child in an adult’s body. Now is the time to learn to live on your own, accept the consequences of your actions and learn to care about others. It is also a tragedy to become a stern, old, wornout person. Try to feel the wonder for life that you felt when you were young and apply it to the experience of age. The key to walking down the road of life is maintaining a balance in everything you do.
College is as much a growing experience as it is a learning experience. There is more to school than the memorization of data and facts. The key indicators that show growth are maturity and responsibility. You will never be a true adult without having both. Many students grow up physically, but fail in growing wise and maturing completely. Many men and women who at first glance look like an adult but are children on the inside roam the campus and town. Although they wear the skin of an adult, one conversation reveals their infantile nature. The indicators of someone who has not fully grown are lack of listening, angry outbursts, gossip and a pride in ignorance. Immaturity is a phase everyone lives through, and there are many ways to break the cycle and truly grow up. The first step on the road to mental maturity is losing your ego. Once you truly understand that there are people outside of yourself with equally important lives, goals and thoughts, you’ve made a huge leap in maturity. Another great way to grow in maturity is being fine with the fact that the world doesn’t agree with you. There are too many debates where people yell their opinion and never come to a conclusion or understanding. Learning to flow like water over your small prob- The opinions expressed on the Opinions page lems is another important are not necessarily stop on the road to matuthose of the college, rity. There will always be university system or small problems in your life. student body. It’s how you deal with your problems that count. If you let every foible in life become a catastrophe, not only will your life be difficult to live, but the stress
Marquee
REVIEWS
University Chronicle - Page 3
Sunday, June 5th, 2011
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Cole, Sinatra tribute tells of times gone by Chris Bremseth Marquee Editor
The Pioneer Place on Fifth presented “Frank and Nat: Their Way”, a chronicle of the illustrious careers of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole on Friday. The story was told through the narrator Bob Cushman, who
wrote the musical, as well as songs performed by two extremely talented performers, Roy Colbert as Nat King Cole and Andrew Walesch as Frank Sinatra. The story began with Sinatra’s career in the late 1930’s as a solo vocalist with big bands like the Tommy Dorsey Band and his subse-
hannah swift / staff photographer
Walesch belts a tune as Frank Sinatra.
quent signing with Columbia Records in the summer of 1943. Before his signing, there was an incident that caused him to no longer be affiliated with Dorsey, and also perpetuated the idea that he had Mafia connections; an incident that was recreated in the movie “The Godfather.” Meanwhile in the 30’s, Cole was getting his start as a member of the King Cole Swingers, playing piano and singing. They signed with Capitol Records and began their ascent to success with Cole as the front man. After Sinatra’s signing with Columbia, Cushman told of how he remembered first hearing of Sinatra when he was a boy in middle school and told tales of how the girls around him swooned over the singer. Sinatra’s popularity even caused a riot during the opening show at the Paramount Theater in New York, where 35,000 fans were unable to attend the show due it being sold out. Due to his popularity, Sinatra began to host a weekly radio show, on which Cole was featured and the two sang a duet of “Exactly Like You”. As the first act closed, both performers were having difficulties in their careers, Cole was facing hardships as a black performer in a mostly white entertainment business and Sinatra had divorced from his wife and lost his record contract with Columbia. The second act picked up with Sinatra’s new deal
hannah swift / staff photograper
Walesch and Colbert as Sinatra and Cole sing the duet, “Exactly Like You” with Capitol Records, and chronicled the rise and fall of both artists in their intertwined careers. Songs performed by Colbert as Cole were “Sweet Lorraine”, “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, “Orange Colored Sky”, “Mona Lisa” and “Route 66” among others. Walesch sang songs like “I’ll Never Smile Again”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “One For My Baby”, “Come Fly With Me” The performers, Colbert and Walesch as Cole and Sinatra, respectively, played their parts spectacularly, with
ovations from the audience after each piece that they performed. Colbert regularly sings jazz and blues around the Midwest, as well as playing piano in the Veranda Lounge. He last played in the Pioneer Place’s production of “Laughing All the Way” during their last holiday season. Walesch has had a very decorated solo career for a young man, having sang at the Chicago Theater and the Dakota Jazz Club. He also has released multiple albums, “In Other Words” in 2008 on which he covered classic pieces, and “My Most
Memorable Christmas” which features Walesch along with a 12-piece orchestra. Cushman, the narrator and writer, made his stage debut during the show, but he has had experience behind the microphone during his time as a disc jockey in North Dakota. He worked as a teacher and counselor for 34 years and since his retiring has written three books and currently holds a position as a newspaper columnist. “Frank and Nat: Their Way” played June 2-5, with shows at 7:30 PM.
‘X-Men: First Class’ full of action, values Jason Tham Opinions Editor
High-tech, bold, and breathtaking. The newly released “XMen: First Class” has put one of Marvel’s best comic book stories onto large screen, after the successful release of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” in 2009. The team of mutants was introduced one by one, some with their backgrounds as children. In the beginning one learns about the little Polish boy, Erik Lehnsherr (later known as Magneto), who was separated from his mother and hence revealed his power that is controlled by anger and hatred. Charles Xavier, who was just appointed professor of genetics at Oxford, hits on girls a lot with his theories of mutations. He is a mutant himself, who is referred to as telepathic meaning that he can read minds and control behaviors. Yet, his kind heart perseveres in the search for an army of similar mutants around the world, building an army to fight Sebastian Shaw, who intends to evade the Reich allies. Shaw is another mutant whose ability allows him to absorb kinetic energy to boost his own strength. Professor Xavier is approached by non-mutant CIA agent Dr. Moira MacTaggert, played by Rose Byrne (she stands out a lot among the mutants for being the normal one), to track down Shaw. As the story rolls out we find out more about the rest of the mutants: Raven, the shapeshifting mutant; “Big Foot”
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Hank or Beast, the smarty pants who later transforms into a frightening-looking mutant; Angel with insectoid physiology; Banshee, the screaming hypersonic; Darwin, who “adapts to survive;” Havok, with cosmic blasting energy; Riptide, who has the ability to create whirlwinds from his hands; Emma Frost, the crystal girl; and Azazel, who has the ability to teleport. The climax of the movie reaches as the Russians plan to declare war with the Americans. Shaw is behind the Russians to engineer missiles for Cuba. It is breathtaking as the Russian ships move towards the Kennedy-instituted blockade across the ocean. The mutant army works together trying to stop Shaw from his evil plan, which may “trigger a World War III.” Little do they know that Shaw’s ultimate goal is to dominate the world. As the Shaw-controlled Russian ship approaches the blockade line, Professor Xavier makes a last-minute decision, using another Russian ship to destroy the missile freighter. Banshee then locates Shaw and the fight of mutants begins. Shaw leads Lehnsherr into a psychic black spot but is eventually killed by Lehnsherr using the same coil he gave him in the concentration camp, where Lehnsherr’s mother was killed. Nevertheless, Lehnsherr
loses control and speaks of mutant pride. The two fleets – Americans and Russians – fire their missiles at the mutants, but fail to hit them due to Magneto’s intervention. Professor Xavier is almost killed by the bullets deflected by Lehnsherr, shot by Agent MacTaggert. He is left wheelchairbound for the rest of his life. In the end, Lehnsherr, Raven (Mystique), Azazel, Riptide and Emma form their own squad. Professor Xavier (Professor X) then opens a school at his mansion and wipes clean the memories of Agent MacTaggert. The openended conclusion of the movie calls for a sequel to the series. The whole movie gives viewers a roller-coaster ride, given its exciting storyline and high-tech effects. Yet somewhere along the way the story became hero-focused. Also, the appearance of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine during the mutant army recruitment also leaves us to wonder the correctness of the sequence of appearance; since Wolverine is supposedly brought up by Professor X himself. Still, “X-Men: First Class” teaches a bold value: do not be afraid to be different. Viewers are taught to embrace their differences as Raven/Mystique closes the story saying “mutant, and proud.”
‘The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings’ slays all expectations Jun-Kai Teoh movie review
“The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings” is everything “Dragon Age 2” should have been. It is leaps and bounds an improvement of the original “The Witcher,” the morality system is truly ambiguous, its combat system is brutally engaging and the carefully sculpted world is unbelievably immersive. You take on the role of, once again, Geralt of Rivia – a Witcher that hunts and slays monsters and creatures of all sorts. However, instead of partaking in his usual vocation, the game finds him in the service of a king that’s laying siege to a fortress. It’s obvious, it’s apparent, it’s undeniable, that CD Projekt spent a great deal of time and effort into crafting the beautiful world that “The Witcher 2” resides in. Migrating into their own in-house engine for “The Witcher 2,” they’ve masterfully painted Andrzej Sapkowski’s original books into a detailed and gorgeous world that’s an absolute beauty to behold. Environments are diverse and detailed, monsters are varied and engaging, characters are fleshed out and convincing – it’s simply spectacular. Even though “The Witcher 2” changed its combat system a fair bit from its predecessor’s timed combat style – which was a very innovative, engaging and challenging system – they’ve actually done even better this time. When originally announced that they’ve done away with the old combat system and replaced it with something faster and more fluid, there was a fear that it would be simplified or “dumbed down” like many other RPGs are these days. Instead, the game’s just turned much harder. Even in “Easy” it poses quite a challenge. The game doesn’t tell you that an attack from the back deals 200 percent damage, nor
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does it warn you that blocking takes “vigor,” or that Geralt’s not supposed to dash headlong into a battle like Rambo. The combat system is very much like fencing: a careful dance of parries, ripostes and dodges. It’s challenging, but unfathomably rewarding. It hearkens back to the original days of western RPGs where winning is something to be achieved and strived for, not something that’s to be expected or given. And for those of you running out to grab a copy now, here’s a very useful advice: the game’s hints pop out and fade away very quickly. Keep an eye out for them! They’re as fleeting as a whisper during a live metal concert. Unlike other big “AAA” titles that boast a moral system, CD Projekt, a Polish developer, actually came closest to a moral system that is truly ambiguous. While other games ask the player if they should be “sarcastic” or “neutral evil” or “aggressive,” “The Witcher 2” simply lists dialogue options that are all unnervingly similar. Every option is convincingly written to sound believable, to sound as if a somewhat bitter and cynical hunter of monsters would actually say. As such, it’s never fully clear what you’re choosing. And surprisingly (or unsurprisingly if you’ve played the original “Witcher”) the consequence of every action is fairly delayed at times, some spanning multiple chapters. Other western RPG developers might want to pick a leaf or two from CD Projekt, especially Bioware/EA – what with their disappointing “Dragon Age 2.” “The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings” is a mind-blowingly spectacular game from a developer of relative obscurity. Throw into that fray that “The Witcher 2” is only their sophomore game, it’s really just unbelievably spectacular. “The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings,” like the original “The Witcher,” is a must-have.
Sports & Fitness Page 4 - University Chronicle
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Tang Soo Do instructor teaches self-defense Christian Bursch Sports & Fitness editor
Thought, action, harmony. This is the goal Dan Knoll, the Tang Soo Do instructor at SCSU, wants his students to achieve. “The Tang Soo Do club is the longest continuous recreation sport at SCSU,” Knoll said. The organization was started in 1970 by Master Nelson. Knoll took over in 1987. Knoll does not get paid to teach at SCSU but says, “when teaching an art it should not be for profit.” Tang Soo Do literally means the way of the China, although it is a Korean martial art. Tang Soo Do differs from other martial arts with an emphasis on kicking. Tang Soo Do is known for its hard kicks, said Knoll. Knoll is well versed in many different facets of martial arts and incorporates some into his instruction. SCSU’s Tang Soo Do incorporates weapons into their training. Students are taught ways to disarm people with sticks, knives and other weapons. As many as 60 students have been involved with the organization. This summer there are five active students, two of which are studying Kung Fu in China. Half the room is covered in mats. Mirrors cover one wall, and the exposed floor is hardwood. A punching bag hangs from the ceiling and tires are held together to simulate a person. One wall has three boards about neck to chest high for punching. Each white with a blackish gray symbol on it. When a student enters this room, before they spar with one another and when the talk to Knoll, they bow. Knoll described the bow as a symbol of mutual respect for one
another. Even when sparring with full contact you respect that you will not intentionally injure the other person. “Most start learning for selfdefense,” Knoll said as to reasons why people start training in martial arts. He adds flexibility, strength, social reasons and competition as well. Knoll said he was the light heavy weight champion in 1994. Students start as a white belt and are “unconsciously incompetent,” Knoll said, meaning that they don’t know that they are incompetent and unable to effectively defend themselves. After training starts students move to a point where they become “consciously incompetent,” Knoll said, eventually the goal is to become “consciously competent.” Consciously competent is like walking Knoll explained. One can chew gum, talk and walk without thinking about it. To maintain their competence one must continue to train and work out. “Learning to fight is a perishable skill,” Knoll said. If you do not use it, you lose it, he added. The most important aspect of training is awareness Knoll explains. One cannot defend themself if they are not aware of their surroundings. “Thought, action harmony is the goal,” Knoll said. One doesn’t think about what they are doing, they just do it. The mind tells the body instinctively what to do, creating harmony. Knoll also teaches breathing techniques to his students. “Learning to control breathing is essential for defending yourself,” Knoll said. He went on to explain that not only is controlling your breathing important but the adrenaline dump that increases
chemicals in the body and causes shaking is important. Discipline, awareness and the ability to defend yourself are benefits Knoll states comes from training in Tang Soo Do. As a white belt, vice-president of the Tang Soo Do club Ashley Mecum has three stripes on her belt. Each one represents a test she has taken as a white belt. The next test Mecum will take is for her green belt. During this test she will fight a black belt with full contact. Knoll describes the reason for full contact is to truly teach someone the art of defending themselves, they must know how to and be able to take a hit. Knoll said that since he has been teaching there have only been two serious injuries, one was a broken arm and the other broken ribs. He added even with full contact there are rarely serious injuries. On Wednesday, in preparation for her test in two weeks, Mecum was sparring two to one. Once Mecum achieves her green belt there will be two levels to pass before she will get her red belt. Red belts have three levels with completion of the red belt levels she will earn her black belt. The training does not stop there; there are nine black belt levels to accomplish. Knoll says they are open to anyone wishing to check out the classes. He added there is no need to buy a uniform right away. Uniforms cost 25 dollars. The cost of the attending the classes is 40 dollars a semester or 10 dollars a month and are free for the summer. Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and Wednesday and Thursday in the summer.
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Suyan Hu closes his eyes as part of a warm-up before his Tang Soo Do training.
CrossFit offers a different style of workout Christian Bursch Sports & fitness editor
Imagine a gym where there are no mirrors, no treadmills, ellipticals or TVs. This is CrossFit St.Cloud. When one walks into the gym, or the “Box,” as it has been refered to, a saying on the wall reads, “We do not exercise, we train.” The training the saying is refering to is the high intensity interval training the workouts at CrossFit consist of. “We chose exercises that use multiple muscle groups and joints at one time,” Tim Fleck said. Fleck is the owner of CrossFit St. Cloud and is a Crossfit coach. Fleck spent 14 years in the Marine Corps and was a strength and conditioning instructor for 10 years. He found CrossFit in 2008 as he was looking for a different workout. He opened his own CrossFit in St. Cloud July
“We do not exercise we train.” A saying on the wall at CrossFit 1, 2010. Fleck has always enjoyed working with people, figuring out what motivates them, encouraging them and instructing them. “I get a sense of satisfaction when a person succeeds and does something that they didn’t think they could,” Fleck said. CrossFit uses little equipment exercises that replicate movements of everyday life. The movements replicated are lifting, pushing, jumping, running, sprinting and climbing. “I’m not here to take your money and show you a machine,” Fleck said. All the workouts are done in small groups that Fleck instructs. It is personal training for every workout session
attended. “I move around during the workout, making sure the athletes [as CrossFit calls its clients] are doing the exercise right and in proper form,” Fleck said. Fleck assists and critiques the athletes on their form as well as providing different ways to perform an exercise depending on skill level and strength. Every workout is tailored to the ability and fitness of the members of the group. CrossFit has the 10 elements of fitness: strength, flexibility, agility, balance, stamina, speed, accuracy, power, coordination and cardiovascular endurance, all of which are covered in a week’s worth of workouts. Beginners start with the
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Tim Fleck assists Guy Evans with range of motion training at CrossFit St.Cloud on Friday. CrossFit is located near St.Cloud Collision Center and Coborns on Cooper Avenue.
On Ramp portion of the training. This is a 12-session program that teaches the athletes the foundational movements of the CrossFit program. Each athlete is introduced to proper lift mechanics, mobility/flexibility, workout recovery and healthier nutrition habits. Workouts are designed to be done with competence and consistency with the intensity gradually increasing to prepare the athlete to join the group fitness classes. Exercise is only part of the program. The coach offers nutritional and workout recovery counseling. Work out recovery is a program that assists the athlete in gaining knowledge about nutrition, achieving quality sleep, fluid intake, proper posture and replenishing your body of nutrients expended during the workout as well as limiting the time that muscles are sore. An important part of the CrossFit program is range of motion and stretching. Each workout begins with a warm-up and range of motion exercises continuing into the workout of the day. The work out of the day, called the WOD, is high-intensity interval training with limited rest periods between sets. Athletes of CrossFit St.Cloud include a National Guard member and his wife who attend weekly sessions, college students, parents and people looking to change their health. “We have a guy here that
Christian bursch / staff photographer
Gymnastics rings are used in CrossFit training including range of motion and various training exercises. has Type II Diabetes. Since he started training he has cut his insulin levels in half,” Fleck said. He was dependent on two medications to control his blood sugar. As of today he is no longer on one of the medications and is working on getting off of the second. Guy Evans has been an athlete at CrossFit for five months. “I didn’t want to go to a normal gym and be a lab rat,” said Evans about his reason for using CrossFit. “There are days that I don’t want to be here but it is all worth it,” Evans said. CrossFit has no contract. They offer two payment methods a month: 12 sessions for 125 dollars or unlimited sessions per month for 165
dollars. Active CrossFit members are allowed drop in visits that cost 15 dollars a session. CossFit is open Monday through Friday. The first class is from 6 to 7 a.m. and evening classes are from 5 to 6 p.m., 6 to 7 p.m. (this is the On Ramp program Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and Tuesday is an intro class by appointment only) and 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday classes start at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. The 10 a.m. class is for athletes to make-up an On Ramp session while the 11 a.m. class is the intro class and is free. Fleck said that if people cannot afford it they can attend the free session and if this is what they are looking for can follow the WOD online.