UNIVERSITY NEWS UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper Monday December 2, 2013
To study or not to
Volume 81, Issue 15
study Lindsay Nelson, Broadcast Assistant
Finals are just around the corner and once again the eternal question is staring students square in the face: How do I study for this? The possible strategies are endless. Some are proven by academic research while others are seemingly less foolproof, but ultimately everyone finds their own best method.
Advice from fellow students: Film major Jenny Ward says—
Liberal arts major Frank Oakley III says—
Don’t stress yourself out. Create practice quizzes. Ask your teacher for specific study tips. Lock your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. so to actually focus.
Theatre performance major Frank Lillig says—
Map out the necessary time to study for each course. Always have snacks at hand. A fed brain is a happy brain. Always have a study buddy.
French double-major Marianne McKenzie says—
Write notes on yellow paper. Use flashcards when you need to memorize. Study to music.
Listen to Skrillex. Do not study in groups. Wear comfy clothes. Drink coffee.
Advice from professionals: UMKC social psychology professor Kym Bennett says— Learn plenty of examples to help understand the concepts. Apply learned examples and create your own. Try explaining material to people unfamiliar with the content. Review notes within 24 hours.
U.S. news education writers Jeremy Hyman and Lynn Jacobs say— “Triage” your study time, calculate study time based on the difficulty of the final. Study with a group only if it makes sense. Cram with the professor as much as possible. Put off any unnecessary social obligations or family commitments.
Harvard Health Publications says— Spacing out study periods is particularly valuable. Make a mnemonic device whenever applicable. Break information into small chunks for easier memorization. Believe in yourself.
Infographic // Ashley Lane
Illustrations // Joey Hill
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Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
UNIVERSITYNEWS UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper
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Truman Bootstrap Award:
Exceptional summer intern experience
Marlee Newman Staff Writer
The Truman Center is offering an opportunity for rising junior or senior UMKC students just in time for summer internship preparation. The Truman Bootstrap Award, an internship program awarded to two UMKC students who have completed at least one course in American government, offers the chance to live and work in Washington D.C. performing work in the Missouri Congressional offices and others for one month. Although the internship is directed toward students who have an interest in political science and the workings of American government, it is open to all majors. The Truman Bootstrap Award offers a unique opportunity for students, particularly those who have to work while in school or need financial assistance to take part in an internship. “The term ‘bootstrap’ is a function of the fact that many UMKC students may be working or older, non-traditional students and this is why importance is placed on funding and why help is needed,” said Dale Neuman, director of The Truman Center. This idea is based heavily on the history behind the title of the award and the fact that Harry Truman, former president and UMKC alum, did not come from a privileged background and did not always have the funds to focus fully on education. “Harry Truman never had a college degree. He came to law school [at
what is now UMKC] and had to drop out, and this internship harkens back to the fact that he tried to do the things that UMKC students are doing today,” Neuman said. The funding the Truman Center offers is extensive. It includes a scholarship that covers the cost of the required book, the threecredit-hour undergraduate remission fee at current UMKC rates for the summer session, lodging (a maximum of $1,900), meals and miscellaneous incidental expenses up to $1,000. The scholarship also covers the cost of the round-trip flight and baggage fees (up to $400). The student is required to pay for transportation and incidental expenses that exceed the $1,000 already awarded. According to the Truman Center website, criteria for the Truman Bootstrap Award are:
requires submission of an “essay of interest in government service.” This essay will act as a statement that reveals how a position as an intern in this area of study will benefit the student and how it can • Full-time status as a rising be incorporated into future plans academically and professionally. A junior or senior at UMKC, • Minimum GPA of 3.25, UMKC transcript and résumé is required along with three letters of and • Completion of at least one recommendation. All components college level course in American must be submitted by 3 p.m. Dec. 17, to Scofield Hall Room 302. government. The award has been given to students each summer since 2007, and A political science major is not required, but a demonstrated it boasts a great number of students interest in “public service and civil who have had positive experiences interning in Washington D.C., a city leadership” is preferred. The application process also that one recipient described as a “city
Photo // Roze Brooks that runs on interns.” Although there has been consistent positive feedback from recipients, no two experiences were the same. A student interning in a congressional office can expect to perform tasks that range from answering phones, running errands and drafting letters to be sent to constituents to helping to prepare for community presentations. Lola Oduryu, who interned in the summer of 2012, describes her intern experience as “priceless.” “Interning in the office of Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II was exciting and rejuvenating,” Oduryu wrote on the Truman Center’s website. “Not only does he represent Missouri’s 5th district, but he also is currently the chairman of the congressional Black Caucus. There was never a dull moment. From answering phones to writing letters and running statements to the house floor, I felt valued and a part of the team.” David Jordan, a 2011 award recipient, wrote about how his time navigating the city impacted his stay in Washington D.C. “Not only did I gain great working experience and relations, I got the chance to really explore D.C. Every day was a day of awe and beauty,” Jordan wrote. “The Washington Monument and the Capitol Building are two of the finest pieces of architecture ever assembled. The Lincoln Memorial was also great to see. Just being there I pictured Lincoln giving his Gettysburg Address or Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. giving his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. The National Archives also was fun; not only did I see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, but I got the chance to research my family history and discovered it went back as far as five generations. This internship was a major turning point in my life where one day I will look back and say, because of that experience, I am where I am now.” The main goal of the Truman Bootstrap Award is to give two students who may not otherwise have the resources an opportunity to experience interning and learning within a city that lends to the workings of the American government and to give them the tools to help impact government on a congressional level. “The professor in me says that I want them [recipients] to gain a politically enriched understanding of American government, but I’d also like to believe that they find themselves in some way during the course of the summer,” Neuman said. For more information about the Truman Bootstrap Award and the application process, please contact Gayla Curtis, administrative assistant, at 816-235-2720 or e-mail at Curtisgd@umkc.edu or visit the Truman Center website at www.cas. umkc.edu/trumancenter/. mnewman@unews.com
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
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Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
UMKC Surabhi is a virtual tour of India
Prannoy Kiran Contributing Writer
India is a place of diversity and its culture is described in the Sanskrit sentence “Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara,” meaning the first and the supreme culture in the world. UMKC provided a platform to showcase students’ talents in a wide range of activities. The promotional videos of “Surabhi News 2013” shown by Narasimha Reddy, president of UMKC’s Indian Student Association, escalated the excitement prior to the event. This year’s UMKC Surabhi held on Nov. 17 was complete with electrifying performances. The Student Union theatre was completely filled with the Indian students and their guests. The Student Union Theatre was decorated with balloons and signs extending a welcome to all the guests. The decorating team was acknowledged by the event organizer, Karthik Kesanakurthi, for their splendid effort. Jagadish and group started the evening with a typical Indian filmy song, adding a fun element. Reddy took the opportunity to extend a welcome message to students and guests. He also introduced the members of the Indian Students Association. The new 2013-14 ISA executive commitee includes Tapasya Thummulati as vice president, Ananth Nukala as secretary, Anudeep Perasani as treasurer, and Bhargava Thondapu and Karthik Kesanakurthi as public relation officers. Dr. Deep Medhi, faculty advisor of ISA, extended a warm welcome to all the guests in the theater. “I have been seeing Indian students every year but I could see that the number of students this year from India has been really high,” Medhi said. Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan, UMKC junior in the six-year B.A./M.D. program, gave a classical touch to the evening with her galvanizing performance of Bharata Natyam, a traditional Indian dance form popular in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is considered to be a fire dance, the mystic manifestation of the metaphysical element of fire in the human body. Ranga Naik, UMKC graduate student in electrical engineering, continued to entertain guests with an energized performance of Prabhu Deva’s Muqqala song. His high-energy rendition of “the Indian Michael Jackson’s song was
Painting created for Surabhi featuring many aspects of Indian culture. Courtesy // Karthik Kesanakurthi met by applause from the audience. dance. Computer science graduate student The most anticipated part of Sirisha Ayyagari gave a heart felt performance of her Jhalla Wallah Surabhi, the fashion show, was a song. This was continued by a crowd pleaser. With a theme of standing dance from Kranthi and a famous Bollywood couples, the group called “Cabbage Rajas.” This models performed signature moves performance was met by laughs from of the famous actors and actresses. From Raj Kapoor to Hrithik Roshan, the audience. A group of students performaed different generations of Bollywood Dandiya, another traditional folk were covered. The most exciting part dance from India depicting the of the show was when the models scenes of holi and plays of Lord walked down the ramp depicting the actors in the film “Dostana.” Krishna and Radha. Harsha Nimmagadda and One of the songs that grabbed an international craze among people group, along with Sirisha Ayyagari last year was “Why this Kolaveri and group, exhibited a stunning Di” from the movie “3.” Santosh’s performance of recent hit “Kase performance was at his best with Pannam” from the movie “Soodhu a touch of comedy and style in his Kavvam.” Models were so involved
Student Body to vote on Service Members and LGBTQIA Councils Kynslie Otte Production Manager
The Student Government Association approved resolutions for both the Service Members Secondary Council and the LGBTQIA Affairs Secondary Council Nov. 11. The Service Member Council resolution passed with a vote of 23 in favor and zero opposed, and the LGBTQIA resolution passed with 18 in favor
and zero opposed. A three-fourths majority of students who choose to vote is required to pass the resolution to create each council. Student voting is set to begin on Dec. 2. If the proposals are approved by the student body, each organization will be given a seat on the Senate as well as the Student Activity Fee Committee. kotte@unews.com
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in their roles and costumes that they showed little difference from the actual actors. An incredible dance performance by Teja Jeedigunta covering Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” thrilled the crowd. Another splendid solo dance performance by Prudhvi stunned the audience with stylish dance moves. A solo song by Sailaja Pedaprolu, UMKC computer science graduate student, got the audience back to its seats and enjoying the music. This was followed by Vikram picking “Tum hi ho,” one of the greatest melody hits of 2013. Most of the audience was emotionally connected to the song and enjoyed humming it along with him. Audiences expect much from sequels, and the dance from Jaffa group was no exception. After such a hit last year, people started hyping the event. The team made an effort to meet the expectation and was doubly successful. The highlight of the dance was “Babaji Song” depicting a holy guru dancing. Anudrithi and group performed a garba dance for Ram Leela song. Garba dance is a form of dance originating in Gujarat, India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha (“womb”) and Deep (“a small earthenware lamp”). Aadit Modi gave a fourth consecutive performance at Surabhi. His performance, for the song “Sun raha hei na tu” resulted in an encore request from the audience, which he happily fulfilled. The dancing duos of Kanthy and Suma performed the “Fevicol” song. Indian food, one of the main attractions of the UMKC Surabhi, was served by ISA members organized by Sri Ram Pavan Thankasala. Indian cuisine includes cooking styles that vary from region to region and is well known for the liberal use of herbs and spices. The food served at Royall Hall included many dishes from the different regions of India. pkirran@unews.com
Americans celebrate rare convergence of fall holidays
Illustration // Joey Hill Kate Baxendale Managing Editor
This year’s Thanksgiving fell on the second day of Hanukkah, forming the first “Thanksgivukkah” since 1888. This unusual occurrence is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as estimates predict it will not happen again for another 79,000 years. Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation Oct. 3, 1863, declaring the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise, but the current fourth Thursday tradition was established in 1941. The eight days of Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which usually coincides with late November or early December on the secular calendar. Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for dedication, and the holiday commemorates the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. The Israelites, led by Judah Maccabee, recaptured Jerusalem and rededicated the Holy Temple. The Jewish army burned sacred oil in the temple’s menorah for eight days in order to purify it, but there was only enough oil for one day. Miraculously the oil lasted the entire eight days, and since then Jews around the world celebrate this miracle by lighting one candle each night during Hanukkah on the hanukkiyah, a special menorah used during the commemoration. The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 when the Native Americans and the pilgrims gathered to celebrate a successful fall harvest. The pilgrims and the local Wampanoag tribe held a three-day feast sometime between Sept. 21 and Nov. 11, in which they ate fowl, deer, berries and boiled pumpkin. Not all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving until Oct. 1877. Sporadic feasts were held after the end of a drought, victory in war or a successful harvest. The first national holiday was held in 1789 when George Washington declared Nov. 26 to be “a day of thanksgiving and prayer.” However, the tradition still did not catch on until Lincoln solidified the Thanksgiving celebration on the last Thursday of November. Thanksgiving is also celebrated in Canada on the second Monday in October to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and for good fortunes in the past year. Thanksgivukkah decorations include turkey menorahs called “menurkies” and dreidels decorated with birds called “turkels.” Sweet potato latkes are enjoyed as a perfect combination of a classic Thanksgiving vegetable and the traditional Jewish potato pancakes. While Thanksgiving is a secular holiday and Hanukkah is a religious celebration, the two are ideal for celebrating in tandem, since both celebrations involve food, family and gratitude. kbaxendale@unews.com
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Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
Translational Helpful hints Research Institute for automobile winterization is rejected in Jackson County
Kate Baxendale Managing Editor
Jackson County voters were presented with the option to pass a half-cent sales tax to raise money for a translational research institute in the area — and the result was a resounding “no” on Nov. 5. According to The Kansas City Star, roughly 16 percent of voters were in favor of the tax and 84 percent opposed it. Dr. Lawrence Dreyfus, UMKC’s vice chancellor of research and economic development, said the numbers at the polls surprised him. “Clearly the scale of the defeat was such that there was a lot of grassroots opposition to it for any number of reasons,” Dreyfus said. “I actually going into it thought it would be closer. I knew it was a hard sell. We live in not only a community but a state in which passing taxes is very difficult.” Many organizations clearly stated opposition to Question 1, and encouraged voters to vote “no.” The Kansas City Star ran an editorial Nov. 2 urging Jackson County residents to reject the proposal because “The extra half-cent sales tax is a large request, and it would be levied in the second poorest area county, raising the cost of food and other purchases.” The editorial also mentioned that sales taxes are generally used to generate funds for public needs like parks and roads, not medical research. “Clearly the idea, in my mind, was very unique, very revolutionary,” Dreyfus said. “I don’t know of another community in the country that would take it upon itself to fund an initiative such as this. We felt like putting the money into research was a way to create a legacy for the future. A healthy community is a prosperous community.” Dreyfus said that the half-cent sales tax would not have asked for much money from residents and the small amount of change would have been worth the positive outcome for Jackson County. “You can always argue that sales taxes are regressive,” Dreyfus said. “However, if you do the math it’s not a tremendous amount of money. We’re talking about pennies a day for
most households. So it’s the question of are you willing to give up pennies a day for something that has this great of an impact.” Other groups that were opposed to the sales tax included The League of Women Voters, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and more. “I did hear there was some opposition from fronts who were opposed to it based on the fact that there was potentially stem cell research that was going to be going on,” Dreyfus said. “There would have been genetic research that was not acceptable to some groups. I think those were concerns that weren’t really part of the mission. It was really about children, about elderly, about the delivery of healthcare. I think they kind of missed the point on that.” Dreyfus said one flaw in the campaign was a lack of transparency to the community as to how exactly the tax dollars were going to be used. “I think if there were any things we could have done better would have been to, in a more insightful way, explain to the community a little bit better the kinds of things we would like to do and hope to do with the money,” Dreyfus said. Springfield lawyer Brad Bradshaw spent $250,000 on the campaign against the Jackson County sales tax, but Dreyfus said the figures Bradshaw cited were incorrect. “There was one person interested in creating a statewide initiative,” Dreyfus said. “One of his objections was that it wasn’t enough money and that it would be better to do this on the state ballot. However, the data he was quoting as to why this wasn’t enough money was inaccurate. He was quoting data put out by the NIH [National Institute of Health] and the amount of dollars it would take to bring about one new discovery. That’s not what this initiative was about. It was about investing in research that would accelerate new discoveries to the bedside.” Dreyfus said the initiative was a smart way to raise money, particularly since the majority of tax revenue in Jackson County is
generated by non-residents. “The one thing about sales tax in Jackson County, though, is that 30 percent of the tax revenue is generated by folks who don’t live in the county but the total impact would be for Jackson County residents,” Dreyfus said. “So you could argue that really, whatever tax burden you might be seeing, only 70 percent of that was coming from Jackson County residents. I’m not sure that message really got out there.” The opposition argued that UMKC, St. Luke’s Hospital and Children’s Mercy Hospitals already receive funding from the federal government to aid in similar research. “I think there are other approaches and obviously one of the things that happens with research and I think the opposition sort of used this against us, but currently our three institutions do spend quite a bit of money on research from federal and state agencies, primarily agencies,” Dreyfus said. “The opposition wanted to say, ‘Well, why would we need a local initiative if you’re already getting money from the federal government?’ Those grant monies at the federal level are very competitive and they are prized awards when you get them. One of the things that we’ll do is continue to organize ourselves around the theme of translational and clinical research and work together to try to compete more favorably for those awards. Another avenue is to look for private philanthropy to help support our research mission.” Dreyfus said he and fellow supporters were disappointed that the initiative did not pass because it would have been tremendously beneficial to UMKC and to Jackson County. “I think one of the positive things about our campaign is that it brought our institutions — UMKC, Children’s Mercy and St. Luke’s Hospital — much closer together,” Dreyfus said. “Our institutions have a history of working together, but I think this initiative really strengthened those ties and gave us more thought and ideas of how we can work more closely together.” kbaxendale@unews.com
THE SUPPORT:
THE OPPOSITION:
Graphic // Ashley Lane
Photo // Roze Brooks and air pressure. In a front-wheel Lindsay Nelson drive car, the tread on the front two Broadcast Assistant tires is most important, and vice It’s that time of year again — the versa for a rear-wheel drive car. time to prep cars for the tumultuous “I usually put four sandbags in the weather of Missouri winters. The bed of my truck,” Nelson said. fact of the matter is, winter hates In a rear-wheel vehicle without cars. 4WD, weight belongs in the back. “You may think you have a car The easiest way to weigh down that’s easy to get along with, but a vehicle is with sandbags. A safe leave it out when it’s 10 degrees weight is 200-300lbs. Sandbags can and it will show you everything it be purchased at a local hardware doesn’t like about you,” metal shop store for less than $4 a bag, which supervisor Mark Nelson said. generally weigh 60 lbs each. Putting Nelson is the metal shop weight in the back of the vehicle supervisor of A2MG of Kansas City prevents sliding and spinning out and knows all the dos and how- when driving in slick, icy or snowy tos for winterizing a vehicle. He conditions. condensed his list to five steps to The third thing to test is the achieve a weather-prepped car as battery. Make sure the battery will simply as possible. survive the winter months. Replacing “One thing to know is that it’s all a battery is the most expensive of the about floating balls,” Nelson said. steps. A battery can be tested at most “The more floating balls, the better major auto repair shops such as Jiffy the antifreeze.” Lube, Valvoline and O’Reilly’s. In One basic step in proper auto addition to the battery, check the oil, winterization is to check the too. antifreeze. This is done with an “Even if you could go another antifreeze tester which can be thousand miles, go ahead and change purchased at a local hardware store the oil now,” Nelson said. “That way for less than $3. The tool is a small it will last you until March when the device made up of a suction top and winter is nearly over.” a measuring tube with a narrow hose To go above and beyond, have attached. Inside the measuring tube the transmission and brake fluids are five tiny, plastic balls. Place the checked, as well. hose in the coolant reservoir, squeeze One of the final things to do is give a bit of antifreeze into the tube, and care to the windshield. Check the count the floating balls. The chart on wipers and washer fluid. Make sure the back of the tester states: the wipers clean smoothly and the washer fluid is full. 5 balls = antifreeze is good as “Buy a scraper now, and put it in low as -40 °F your car now,” Nelson said. 4 balls = as low as -25 °F Beyond the wipers and fluid, it is 3 balls = as low as -10 °F never ideal to find a snow-covered 2 balls = as low as +5 °F car and have no way to clear it off. 1 ball = as low as +20 °F Car maintenance is always important, but it becomes more The chart insists that only one imperative in the winter. There are floating ball is unsafe and should plenty of “Oh, duh” moments to result in immediate antifreeze prepare for, as well. Keep gloves and drainage and replacement. towels in the car, carry lock de-icer “Living in Kansas City, if you and switch to all-weather floor mats. don’t have at least four floating balls, Let the car warm up for a good three you should change the antifreeze,” minutes minimum before driving, Nelson said. and cars will survive the harsh The weather drops too drastically winter conditions. too quickly to do without antifreeze that will withstand extreme freezes. lnelson@unews.com It is also important to check the tires. All tires should have good tread
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Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
Winter Break-down
School is finally out and the holiday season has arrived. A full month of winter break means plenty of time to travel, see new sights, relax at home or visit family. For those who cannot afford to travel this holiday season, try spending a ‘stay-cation’ in the city.
Here’s your guide to staying busy in Kansas City this holiday season:
Taking a ‘Stay-cation’ in Kansas City Check out holiday concerts and live music at the Midland Theatre:
Winter Break is finally here and while many people are packing their bags and leaving or spending time with their outof-town relatives around this time, there are many staying in Kansas City and trying to find some cost-efficent, fun things to do for a ‘Stay-cation’ in Kansas City.
Spend a day in the Jazz District (18th and Vine) to visit the Kansas City Jazz Museum or the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Wed, December 11, 2013 / 7:30 PM 106.5 The Wolf’s Acoustic Christmas featuring Tate Stevens, Dustin Lynch, Brothers Osborne, Dan & Shay and Rachel Farley! (Free)
PHOTO COURTESY OF: U-NEWS ARCHIVES
Thu, December 12, 2013 / 7:30 PM 95.7 The Vibe Presents Vibed Out X-Mas Adventure Adventure Clubwith DVBBS, Dallas K, Hunter Siegel and JT Quick
Visit Union Station to experience National Geographic’s Real Pirates exhibit.
Sat, December 14, 2013 / 5:00 PM 96.5 The Buzz Presents The Night the Buzz Stole Xmas featuring Arctic Monkeys, The Head And The Heart, Foals, Bastille, Nonono and Outsides
PHOTO COURTESY OF: U-NEWS ARCHIVES
Thu, December 19, 2013 / 8:00 PM 98.9 The Rock Presents Part of the Bud Light Concert Series Twisted Xmas featuring Steel Panther and Isaac James
PHOTO COURTESY OF: U-NEWS ARCHIVES
Wed, January 8, 2014 / 7:00 PM The HELLPOP II Tour In This Momentwith Devour the Day, Butcher Babies and All Hail The Yeti
View art from around the world at the Nelson Atkins Museum.
Sun, January 12, 2014 / 7:30 PM Music: A Gala Night with David Garrett
Brush up on world history at the World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: WWW.CROWNCENTER.COM
Ice Skating at Crown Center, a Kansas City tradition.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: U-NEWS ARCHIVES
Spend an evening on the Plaza. The Plaza lights attract people from all around the Kansas City metro area. See a movie at the Cinemark Palace. Here are some movies they will be showing this holiday season: RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Release Date: 12/05/2013 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Release Date: 12/08/2013 Noël Coward’s Private Lives PG-13140 Mins Release
Date: 12/11/2013 The Hobbit Double Feature Date: 12/12/2013 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Release Date: 12/13/2013
ROYAL BALLET: The Nutcracker (2013) Release Date: 12/17/2013 purchase ticke It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Release Date: 12/19/2013
Met Opera: Falstaff (2013) Release Date: 12/14/2013
Off the grid Stay-cation ideas: POWELL GARDENS: Visit Powell Gardens to see beautiful foliage, the Jurassic Sculpture Garden and the Powell Observatory. The Observatory is open on Saturday nights beginning at 8 p.m.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: WWW.BOULEVARD.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF: WWW.TRIPADVISOR.COM
BOULEVARD BREWING: Boulevard Brewing Co. offers free tours along with complimentary beer. Make sure to schedule visits in advance.
THE ROASTERIE: Warm up with THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: The some local-brewed coffee from the Chiefs have several home games Roasterie. left this season. Visit Arrowhead Stadium to catch a game.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: WWW.KANSASCITYKC.COM
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HEADING OUT OF TOWN THIS HOLIDAY?
Here are some tips and tricks for safe and efficient travel this season.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Choosing the best method of transportation
Train
Bus
Airplane
Car
Pros: Easy to book, difficult to get lost Cons: Slow, delays, potentially inconvenient schedules
Pros: Quick, convenient Cons: Expensive, potentially difficult to book last minute, delays
Pros: Cost effective, easy to sightsee Cons: Slow, loud, frequent stops
Pros: Packing is less of a hassle, easy to sightsee, ability to stop at any time Cons: Paying for gas, easy to get lost, vehicle maintenance
Worry-free flying • Book flights early. Waiting to book until the last minute near holidays can be pricey, and ideal flights fill up fast. To avoid red-eye flights and long layovers, map out travel plans well in advance. • Book before prime traveling dates. Booking flights during high traffic dates leads to bigger crowds, longer wait times and significantly more expensive plane tickets. • Travel light. Checking bags at the airport is generally a hassle, and can quickly become costly, depending on the airline. Lost luggage is always a tragedy, and waiting at baggage claims can be hectic. • Avoid large airports. If a small airport is available, travelers are less likely to encounter large crowds and long lines. • Check the weather. Booking a flight on a day the weather is predicted to be unpleasant can lead to delays, cancelled flights and massive headaches.
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
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Disclaimer: The views of individual writers expressed below in this section do not represent the official stance of U-News. U-News welcomes participation from all UMKC students. Letters to the editor may be submitted to Editor-in-Chief Roze Brooks, editor@unews.com.
Campus police drop the call Kynslie Otte Production Manager
Those who vow to serve and protect the nation’s citizens deserve a great deal of recognition and respect, but only if they show respect to citizens in return. UMKC’s campus police department doesn’t have the best reputation among many students, primarily because it often proves to be unhelpful. Until this semester I had always given them the benefit of the doubt, but an unpleasant encounter the U-News staff had with University Police two weeks ago has officially changed my mind. On Sunday, Nov. 17, there was a power outage on campus that stretched all the way to the U-News house at 5327 Holmes St., bringing production to a screeching halt. Because Sunday is production day, the staff was in a panic. Without access to the news house’s account number for Kansas City Power and Light, we were unable to ask the company to send technicians to fix the problem. Because the majority of University staff members are not required to work on Sundays, there was no one to contact for the information we needed. It was starting to look like Issue 14 wouldn’t make it to the printer. Though U-News is an independent, student-run publication, it is nearly impossible to put together a newspaper outside of the space the University has provided. Several Adobe Suite programs are necessary to print the paper on a weekly basis, and the only place on campus other than the news house equipped with these programs is a lab in the Fine Arts building. UMKC’s remote lab is a useful tool, but it almost never runs Adobe programs properly. As a last resort the production staff trekked to the Fine Arts building in hopes of utilizing the computer lab, only to find it locked. A staff member contacted campus police, stated their credentials, explained the situation and asked the officer if it
was possible for someone to unlock the lab. The staffer was denied access to the lab because none of the staff members present were Fine Arts students, despite U-News’ status as a campus organization and the unique nature of the situation. The officer the staffer spoke to was quite rude and short with them, insisting the only way to gain access to the lab was to contact the head of the department to ask for their approval, whether the situation was an emergency or not. When the staffer asked the officer for the department head’s contact information, the officer refused to provide it, and would not offer any further suggestions to solve the problem. The staff was unsuccessful in contacting the head of the Fine Arts department, but luckily the power came back on roughly two hours later. Though we managed to finish the paper on time, everyone was appalled at how incredibly unhelpful campus police had been. This was my second unpleasant encounter with campus police this semester. The first occurred in October when my car wouldn’t start at the news house late on a Sunday night. After realizing I couldn’t fix the problem by myself, I called campus police. Two squad cars arrived about 10 minutes later. The first officer on the scene told me he’d seen me trying to fix the car 20 minutes before, but didn’t feel it was necessary to stop. Perhaps I should’ve considered it a sign that this encounter was not going to end pleasantly at that point, but instead I gave him the benefit of the doubt. After an unsuccessful attempt to jump start the car, the officers made their predictions about the problem, but told me there was nothing more they could do. When I asked what they would suggest I do, the first officer replied, “Do you have a lot of friends?” He then told me to gather some people to help push the car into the Education lot, which is about half a block away from the news house and is predominantly an uphill climb.
It gets better Kate Baxendale Managing Editor
Kynslie Otte I had assumed the officers would offer to help if I was unable to contact anyone, but I was quite wrong. They must have mistaken me for an Olympic weightlifter, because they didn’t even stay at the scene long enough for me to make a phone call. At that point I was sufficiently annoyed and concerned that two gentlemen who are paid to protect the University and its students simply left me standing alone in the dark. Recruiting friends to push a car uphill at midnight on a Sunday isn’t exactly easy, but I ended up with three female friends (one who had a leg injury) and a male who were willing to help. I thought the situation couldn’t get much worse, until the first officer came back around the block in his squad car as we were pushing my car up the hill. We were clearly struggling, but rather than offering to help, the officer parked his car in a spot where he could enjoy the whole spectacle from a short distance away. Because I have never had a positive encounter with campus police, I am inclined to question the selection process of these officers. If the University police department is intended to protect and assist students in emergency situations, why does it seem so obstinately unhelpful? Perhaps it is time to reevaluate the relevance of campus police, or at least call them out on their lousy service. kotte@unews.com
This time of year is difficult for many people, especially for college students juggling final exams, projects and the inevitable stress of preparing for the holiday season. While it should be about relaxation and jubilation, often it is also a trigger for depression. While it is unfortunate that so many people have feelings of depression, hopelessness and anxiety, I do find comfort on some level that I am not alone. For years I thought I was the only one who felt this way — that life was not worth living anymore and my anxiety was eating me alive, but clearly many young people feel this way, as I have realized through friendships and on the UMKC Confessions page on Facebook. UMKC Confessions is a page in which the UMKC community can anonymously submit confessions for followers to read and reply. While the majority of posts are shoutouts from secret admirers, some confessions delve much deeper. “i am at the end of my rope, and have basically given up, worst part is the people i call my friends rub salt in the wounds ,” reads one post on Nov. 24. “How do I explain to teachers that my personal life is so horrendous right now that I can’t physically get myself up for class?” reads another post on Nov. 14. As someone who has battled with depression and anxiety since I was a child, I could not let these posts go unanswered. I began replying to them about the UMKC Counseling Center at 4825 Troost, which offers counseling services from certified psychologists. Students may receive eight free sessions per academic year. Sometimes just one response to someone’s cry for help can make all the difference. This isn’t something to be taken lightly — when someone, especially one of our peers, has indicated that they are struggling, we owe it to him or her to help in any way we can. One positive message to someone suffering from depression can save a life. My fellow Roos: please know that if you are feeling hopeless and alone, there is a whole array of resources on campus to help. I can assure you that many other students (including me) have been in your shoes, and I
Kate Baxendale promise that it does get better. I have been too depressed to get out of bed for class, but taking the right steps to better your mental health can turn everything around. Mental illness is not like a light switch and improvements take time and commitment just like anything else, but I believe everyone has the ability to conquer depression just like I did. Other UMKC Confessions posts attest to the positive results that asking for help has for students going through a difficult time. “It’s been a tough semester for me (for of a number of reasons) but because of the people and faculty on campus, I got myself help and I didn’t go through with a bad decision. I just wanted to say thank you UMKC,” reads a post from Nov. 21. “Anyone who is feeling down on life and could use some motivation...GROUP THERAPY. I’ve been attending sessions at the counseling center all semester, my group has 5 people in it total and its [sic] kept me from going crazy. “Best class I’ve signed up for at UMKC and it’s free. Contact Allison Roodman (816-235-5798) the coordinator; do it,” reads another post from Nov. 21. So, please, if you or someone you know is feeling down, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness — in fact, it is a sign of incredible strength. I wish everyone the best during all the trials of university life and all the wonderful experiences that come with it. To schedule an appointment with a UMKC counselor, call 816-2351635.
Check out the U-News broadcast channel for exclusive video content at:
kbaxendale@unews.com
www.youtube.com/user/UMKCUnewsBroadcast
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
Section B
UMKC Athletics officially under new direction
athletic administrators. Roze Brooks In “Women in Intercollegiate Editor-in-Chief Sport: A Longitudinal Study — Carla Wilson, former interim Thirteen-Year Update 1977-1990” director of athletics, was announced by R. Vivian Acosta and Linda Jean as the next UMKC athletics director Carpenter, the immediate effects of on Monday, Dec. 2, at the Sprint Title IX were presented. According Center. to the article, “local leadership The official announcement took positions such as coach, athletic place at 10:30 a.m. and included director and official, which were a welcoming slew of Kansas City previously held by women, became sports and civic leaders, coaches and more frequently occupied by men.” student-athletes speaking on behalf When Title IX passed, more than of Wilson. 90 percent of female college athletes Wilson is the university’s fourth were coached by females, according athletic director since it began to Acosta and Carpenter. By the time Division I competition in 1987. the first longitudinal study report She is the first female leader of was released in 1977 that percentage intercollegiate athletics at UMKC, had already decreased to 58 percent. and she is also the only female As of 2012, the percentage of head athletics director in the Western female coaches coaching female Athletic Conference. teams at the collegiate level has Even in her interim position over dropped to less than 43 percent. the last five months, Wilson was Similar low representation of the highest ranking female involved women in positions of power can with the management of UMKC’s be seen in the number of athletic intercollegiate athletics program. She directors in the NCAA. As of 2012, had been serving as interim director only five of the 120 Division 1-A since July 1 after former athletics athletic directors were female. director Tim Hall left for the same According to UMKC athletics, position at Maryland-Baltimore today less than 9 percent of Division County in June. I athletics directors are women, and Wilson was named one of eight less than 4 percent are minority National Association of Collegiate women. Women Athletics Association’s In an article titled “Does having Administrators of the Year in ‘the right stuff’ matter? Gender 2012. The award is presented to differences in the determinants of administrators who have made career success among intercollegiate significant contributions to their athletic administrators,” Michael athletics department. Sagas and George B. Cunningham Wilson is an alumna of UMKC, researched the reasons behind male receiving her bachelor’s degree in dominance in collegiate sports accounting in 1988. After graduating, administration. Wilson served in the accounting According to the article, “one of department as a senior accountant. the primary reasons for the decline of female administrators was the Women administrators in proliferation of programs that intercollegiate sports combined the management of their male and female sports teams after The Title IX Education the enactment of Title IX.” Amendment to the Constitution Men were more often awarded was enacted in 1972, which head athletic director positions, a prohibited sex discrimination in trend that seems to be evident to schools and programs that received this day, according to the Sagas and federal funding. This resulted in an Cunningham. increase in funding for women’s “About 5,718 coaching jobs exist sports teams. However, there was in 1990 for head coaches of women’s also a substantial decrease in female
NCAA teams,” reported Acosta and Carpenter. “Women hold about 2,706 of these jobs. Women held 2,780 of the 5,757 jobs in 1988. So, in 1990 there are 74 fewer women coaching women’s NCAA teams than in 1988.” Today, the divide between male and female coaches for women’s sports teams is still disproportionate. According to updated reports from Acosta and Carpenter, approximately 200-300 women are head coaches of men’s teams, whereas 5,300 males coach women’s teams. The longitudinal study was summarized by deducing that although opportunities for women to participate in sports increased, opportunities for women in leadership positions have decreased. Acosta and Carpenter’s research is updated each year by information submitted from NCAA schools through annual surveys. The report has been updated for 35 years.
‘Movement toward equity is not full equity’ In a 2010 reflection article titled “Are We There Yet?” Acosta and Carpenter acknowledge some of the improvements that have occurred since the enactment of Title IX. With those changes came some tips and realities about the status of female administrators in intercollegiate sports. Acosta and Carpenter referred to the 37-year journey since the implementation of Title IX as a “remarkable expansion” that included the creation of new women’s teams to meet the demand for participation opportunities. They noted that as of 2009, times have changed since their early experiences with student-athletes. “When we were young professionals, our students often found that wearing athletic attire outside the gym was met with labels of ‘tomboy’ or worse,” Acosta and Carpenter said. “At mile marker 2009, opportunities for both men and women continue to increase and
Carla Wilson is officially the new UMKC athletices director. Courtesy // UMKC Athletics women’s participation in athletics less often involves negative labels.” bills.” Since Acosta and Carpenter’s own According to Acosta and days as student-athletes, progress Carpenter, in order to answer their has been made during the defining posed question of “Are We There and redefining of Title IX. Yet?” figuring out exactly where “Our own collegiate athletic “there” is should be the first step. experiences included varsity team “’There’ includes items that memberships coached by female are not part of Title IX but are vital physical education teachers who to accomplishing its spirit,” Acosta carried full-time teaching loads and and Carpenter said. “In short, equity even fuller community service loads,” rather than excuses will be the Acosta and Carpenter said. “We norm once we have completed our provided our own uniforms, traveled journey.” on converted yellow school buses rbrooks@unews.com and paid our own lodging and food
Photos // Roze Brooks
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
2B
Photos // UMKC Athletics
HARRISON
TOTAL
62
25-65
43
17
Graphic and Statistics // Caleb-Michael Files
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
3B
Women’s Dealing with crunch time stress Basketball secures first win Health Journal:
Senior Kim Nezianya has recorded two double-doubles this season.
Photos // UMKC Athletics
to learn and get better every game,” Swinney Recreation Center. Roze Brooks O’Connor said. “I’m pumped to see The Roos will take on the Maryville Editor-in-Chief how much more this team can grow Saints on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at Swinney. In the final game of the Plaza and how much havoc we can cause in Lights Tournament on Nov. 30, the conference play.” Roos walked away with their first UMKC walked away with a score rbrooks@unews.com win of the season against the Eastern of 69-62 after playing on home turf at Illinois Panthers. “We’re excited to get the first win under our belts,” Head Coach Marsha Frese said. The ‘Roos trailed 32-29 at the end of the first half, but quickly gained momentum early in the second with a 12-point run. “The adjustments we made at half gave us momentum to start the second half and Eastern Illinois struggled a little to adjust to them,” Frese said. “Our seniors brought a lot of energy, leading the way for our younger players.” Senior Eilise O’Connor contributed 22 points and five assists. O’Connor has been keeping her own momentum, leading the team with seven of 11 field goals. Senior Kim Nezianya also performed well, recording her second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds and 14 points. Both O’Connor and Nezianya have already gained spots on the All-Tournament team this year. Frese said November has been a rough month for the team. With the momentum of a win to get the team into December, Frese believes the Roos have “started off on a good foot.” Despite the excitement of the team’s first win, there is still progress to be made. “We still aren’t playing the type of Kansas City basketball we know Senior Eilise O’Connor has already secured a spot on the All-Tournament we are capable of, but we continue team this season.
much more motivated than others Lindsay Adams working in an office without any Senior Beat Writer plants. One study monitored stress The Five Senses of Stress levels in London workers, observing differences in stress levels before With final exams starting and after they went to an art gallery. next week, many students are After enjoying the art, the workers experiencing extreme anxiety said they felt much less stressed at because of the heavy load of final work, which was confirmed by a projects and papers due in addition monitored drop in cortisol levels. to all the upcoming studying to do. There are many ways to relieve What is that Smell? anxiety, but the most successful way to attempt this is to cater to all of the While aromatherapy is often senses. dismissed as not being proven to work, Japanese researchers did a The Sound of Music study finding that inhaling the smell of lemon can instantly improve one’s According to research, playing mood. Many people don’t think music can reduce anxiety. Experts about their sense of smell, but the at the Department of Plastic and olfactory sense is the only sense Reconstructive Surgery at John which is connected directly to the Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford found brain without any synapses. Stress that easy listening music and and Health published a study that classical music can lessen patients’ concluded people who regularly fear during surgery while under a breathe in peppermint essential oils local anesthetic. The study looked are less stressed than those who use at 96 patients who were separated lavender. Lighting scented candles in two groups. One group had music can add ambience to one’s study area, played during surgery and the other while also using aromatherapy to group did not. The study, which was lower stress. Peppermint, citrus and published in the Annals of the Royal lavender are some of the best stressCollege of Surgeons, found that the relieving scents. group that was played music when tested was 29 percent less anxious Keep in Touch than the other groups and had an average of 11 breaths per minute as For people who are very tactile, opposed to the other group that had touch can actually calm one down. 13 breaths per minute. Researchers Look at the perennial favorite stress at the University of Montreal balls. While often disregarded, they had people do math in front of an actually can help with stress. When audience, and then sent some of the the body is stressed, it has excess stressed people to a silent room and energy which can cause muscles to others to a room where easy listening tense up. Squeezing the stress ball artist Enya was playing. The music can relieve some of this tension. listeners didn’t experience a spike in cortisol levels, which indicates high In Good Taste stress, while the people in the silent room did. The best thing to remember is not to eat to relieve stress — instead Seeing is Believing eat to lower stress in a healthy way. There are many different drinks and While seemingly unimportant, foods that help with cortisol levels. the sights and views around one can Tea is a great beverage to help calm change stress levels. Just looking down. For some food ideas to keep at a potted plant can lower stress. stress in check, try the health recipe Researchers at Washington State for this week, filled with ingredients University added plants into a to lower one’s cortisol levels. windowless workplace, and found that people were more industrious, ladams@unews.com had lower blood pressure and were
Health Recipe:
Soy Salmon with Asparagus and Almonds Lindsay Adams Preparation Senior Beat Writer Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, then place asparagus and water in Keep stress low with this week’s a covered, microwave-safe, vented health recipe, which features bowl. Steam the asparagus in the asparagus, salmon and almonds: microwave for about five minutes. three ingredients which have been Place salmon fillets in aluminum linked to lowering stress. Depression foil and cover with marinade. Add and anxiety are linked to low levels asparagus and almonds, making sure of folic acid. Asparagus contains to place them on top of the salmon. lots of folic acid, with just one cup Seal the foil carefully, making sure it providing 2/3 of the recommended is closed, and place in a baking dish. daily value. Almonds are well known Bake the ingredients in the oven as stress relievers, because they until the salmon fillet flakes easily are filled with riboflavin, Vitamin with a fork, about 20-25 minutes. E, magnesium and zinc. Salmon is Carefully cut foil open with a knife rich in omega-3 fatty acids which to release the steam and enjoy. aid the body in keeping cortisol and adrenaline from getting too high when stress hits. The recipe makes ladams@unews.com four servings, which are only 390 calories each.
Ingredients
Illustration // Joey Hill
1 pound asparagus spears 1/4 cup water 1 pound salmon fillet with skin removed 1/4 cup sliced almonds Marinade: 3 tablespoons soy sauce 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon ginger
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
4B
The Book Thief ‘Catching steals audiences’ Fire’ hits the hearts
big screen
Roze Brooks Editor-in-Chief Based on the namesake novel by Australian author Markus Zusak, “The Book Thief” is a stunning and heart-wrenching period piece. Taking place in Nazi Germany, the story is narrated by Death. This atypical narrator opens the film with a melancholy but matter-of-fact tone, admitting that this particular time in history was a busy time for Death. It’s not entirely clear who is to be the main character of the movie, especially with Death capturing the audiences’ attention right away. Eventually the camera’s attention is turned to Liesel (Sophie Nelisse)—a charming young girl with incredibly piercing blue eyes. Death’s narration leads the audience to Liesel and her mother, quickly claiming Liesel’s younger brother. During the funeral, Liesel sneaks away with a book, establishing her as the book thief. Liesel is dropped into the custody of Hans and Rosa Hubermann. The vapid persona of Rosa (Emily Watson) is akin to the strict, dislikable characteristics of Agatha Trunchbull from Matilda. However, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) is an immediately warm and likable character, offering Liesel a sugar cube upon her arrival. The impending but predictable doom of the Nazi regime was staved off for as long as possible in the film, allowing for ample character growth. The most notable relationship is between Liesel and the boy next store, Rudy (Nico Liersch). Never before has an audience rooted so intensely for two young children to be confirmed as love interests. Rudy is Liesel’s first true friend, offering to escort her to the first day of school. Things go awry when Liesel is asked to write her name on the chalkboard during class. Both her classmates and the audience find out that Liesel cannot spell or read. When Hans discovers this, he offers to help Liesel learn by teaching her to read the Gravedigger’s Manual, the book Liesel took from her brother’s burial site. Hans also creates a life-size dictionary for Liesel, writing all the letters of the alphabet on the walls in the basement. To help Liesel retain the words she’s reading, she writes new words on the wall. Once she finishes the Gravedigger’s Manual, Liesel doesn’t have any other books to read. At a Nazi rally, a big spectacle is made by burning books written by authors perceived to be Jewish or Communist. Later in the night, Liesel sneaks to the remains of the still smoldering fire and steals a book from the pile. Though Hans is worried for his daughter when he finds out, he allows her to keep and read the book. As the threat of the Nazis becomes more prevalent, the audience is introduced to Max and his mother, a Jewish family. In the heat of a home invasion, Max and his mother are given the opportunity to escape— but there’s only room for one of them. Max’s mother insists that he be the one saved, so he takes off with the officer. This subplot is nearly forgotten until much later, when Max shows up on Hans and Rosa’s doorstep, exhausted and severely ill. Apparently Hans was a soldier and Max’s father saved his life during combat. As a means of repaying the debt, Hans takes Max in and gives him food and shelter. Liesel is told to promise that she will not tell a soul about the new tenant in her home. The book Liesel retrieved from the
Lindsay Nelson Broadcast Assistant
Photo //IMDB fire was read through quite quickly. The rudimentary idea of reading a paper book was incredibly appealing. Yet again, Liesel was without a new book to read. That was, until the Burgermeister’s wife, whom Liesel’s mother did laundry for, offered to let Liesel read the books in her library. The Burgermeister eventually finds out and prohibits Liesel from coming back to the house. So eventually, she does what the title implies—she begins to steal them, or borrow them as she would proclaim. Liesel’s and Max’s relationship is based on common ground that they both lost their mothers. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact nature of their relationship, though. Given the substantial age gap, it would seem inappropriate to imply a romantic connection. However, Liesel doesn’t leave Max’s side throughout his several severe episodes of sickness. Max implores Liesel to tell him stories of her day, since it would be too dangerous for him to step outside the house. He gives her a blank journal, created by painting the pages of a copy of “Mein Kampf.” Rosa’s soft side is revealed a little too late in the film. She arrives at Liesel’s school to tell her that Max has made a recovery from what should have been fatal illness. By the time this compassion is revealed, it’s hard to understand why Rosa had suddenly softened. The pacing of the film sneaks up on the audience at the end. With the Nazi seizures placed in the back of the mind, the quick sweeps of military presence, Jewish business foreclosures and airdrops was an appropriate wake-up call. In a matter of minutes, everything that the entire film worked to establish— Liesel’s new home, her new parents, her cute relationship with Rudy, her sincere camaraderie with Max— were gone in moments. If this film’s intent was to remind the audience that society often forgets the tragedy that was the Holocaust and the war that surrounded it, it was spot on. The wholesome, tender characters in the film, which were perfectly cast, became staples of the ideal neighborhood, people that anyone would want to know. And in a few short, devastating moments, they were no more. Death, who fell quiet after his opening monologue, reemerged from his silence and dictated every thought of the characters as he guided them into their demise. The most morbid, cynic result of the film, though, was that the audience didn’t hate Death, who was just doing its job . rbrooks@unews.com
The second installment “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” successfully rekindled the flame in fans of the book-turned-film trilogy. The film opens in the woods just outside the boundary of District 12. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and her lifelong friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) hunt, joke and then sneak back into the district together. Katniss escorts Gale to work, where he surprises her with a kiss before he departs. Back at her home, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) awaits her arrival. His omnipresent surveillance possesses evidence of the kiss between her and Gale. He tells Katniss that he does not buy the reasoning behind the stunt she pulled at the end of the previous Games. Nor does he believe that she is in love with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), but that she instead wants to ignite a rebellion against the Capitol , the ruling city where President Snow lives. He assures her that if she does not prove otherwise, everyone she holds dear will be killed. Shortly after this encounter, Katniss and Peeta are required to embark on their Victory Tour, an event that takes the victors of the previous year’s Hunger Games through each of the 12 districts to give and receive thanks to and from the families of the other tributes in the Games. The two are escorted by Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) and their mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson). After the chaos that ensues during their visit to District 11, Katniss is worried that she has failed to appease President Snow. She fears that even the announcement of her engagement to Peeta will not entirely convince him. Her doubts are proven when the stipulation of the Quarter Quell , the games that occur every 25 years, is decreed. As a victor, one is no longer eligible as tribute for any future Games — until the 75th Hunger Games. The third Quarter Quell stipulates that the pool of tributes will be selected from previous male and female victors in each district. The only victors to ever come out of District 12 are Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta. Since Katniss is the only female, she is inescapably destined for a second round in the Games. Once again Lawrence gives an effortlessly exquisite performance as
Photo //IMDB Katniss Everdeen. She embodies the character better than author Suzanne Collins probably thought possible. The way Lawrence expresses the unbridled fear of a nightmare or the simplest joy behind a smile is not easily matched by other actresses in her generation. She has nowhere to go but up, and “The Hunger Games” is giving her more than enough opportunity to do just that. Hutcherson is not given enough credit for his performance as Peeta Mellark. It is easy for his character to be overshadowed, but Hutcherson carries Peeta with poise that cannot be ignored. With screen competition like Hemsworth and Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair, audiences should really take note of the command Hutcherson has. He makes it difficult for even the most avid Gale fans to not waver. Claflin was the most anticipated addition to the cast and he did not disappoint. His acting was above par, as was his physique. Whether
one had read the book or not, it is no stretch to say that when the movie was over fans craved more Finnick Odair. Harrelson and Banks could easily have taken best actor and actress had they been given just a few more scenes. Harrelson was brilliant and Banks brought audiences close to tears. The primary criticism due to the sequel is that the trilogy is not intense enough. The interpretation on screen gets very close. The malevolence, however, remains stronger in the books. Either Collins’ words are simply the most definitive way to illustrate the story or director Francis Lawrence needs to let go of any apprehension about embracing even the most barbarous details. lnelson@unews.com
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
5B
Kill Your Darlings Red 2: Explosions with a side of comedy is a success Marlee Newman Staff Writer
Chloe’ Robbins-Anderson Copy Editor
“Kill Your Darlings,” a moody coming-of-age story based on the true story of a little known murder, places Daniel Radcliffe, best known for his role as Harry Potter, in edgier territory. Radcliffe plays a young Allen Ginsberg, not yet as one of the central forces of the Beat generation, but a young man who has just been accepted into Columbia University in New York City in 1943. Ginsberg, wide-eyed and oblivious, steps into a world that is much more chaotic than he ever could have imagined. His life is taken by storm by the young men he meets at the university just as his writing later helps ignite a literary revolution. The first electrifying encounter between Ginsberg and Lucien Carr (Daniel Dehaan) sets the dynamic between the two main characters. Ginsberg stands in awed fascination as Carr recites sexually-charged lines from a poem banned at the time during a campus tour. Dehann plays Carr with haunting precision, capturing the confident rebellion that encapsulates his character as well as the underlying hints of dysfunction that prove to destroy Carr in the end. Spearheading Ginsberg’s break from innocence as well as the classical constraints on his poetry is another student and future Beat legend, William Burroughs (Ben Foster). Burroughs, most known for his raspy drawl and quiet but unpredictable demeanor is a difficult character to bring to life. Foster does this with grace, portraying Burroughs as the boy who stands in the background with a sense of complicated knowledge, acting as the main catalyst that sparks inspiration in his peers, challenging the profound rejection of bans that were placed on literature at the time. At the point in which Burroughs appears in the film, the perspective of the boys and the relevancy behind their passion for change becomes a bit hazy and weak. Their excitement and talent for writing outside of what they are taught is portrayed as a result of heavy drug-use rather than a wild, but necessary need to break away from a society that restricts the boys in more ways than one, as all three are also homosexuals in a society
Photo // IMDB that still views homosexuality as a disease. The film takes a short-lived, but light-hearted turn once Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston), enters the picture. Kerouac is another Beat writer known for his novel “On the Road.” The vignettes that capture the growing friendship between the boys through their mutual love of rebellion, self-exploration and literature are accompanied by a unique soundtrack featuring modern music by TV on the Radio and Bloc Party. The score works well for the film, hinting at the manifestation of a group of people that was far ahead of its time. All good things must come to an end, and so the plot of the film
goes. During the majority of the film, Carr actively tries to fight off an obsessive former lover who is also one of his professors, David Kammerer, (Michael C. Hall). A rising sense of resentment toward Kammerer ends in his murder,which affects all the young men in different ways. The murder creates an array of emotions that the audience will be left pondering long after the credits have rolled. Although the murder is based on real events, it is difficult to watch the movie without seeing it predominantly as a character study of the young men who later introduce the world to a shocking, new literary movement. mnewman@unews.com
Last week was the release of “Red 2,” sequel to the 2010 film, this time with director Dean Parisot at the helm. Retired C.I.A operative Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) and his girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) are captured and questioned about Frank’s participation in something called Operation Nightshade. Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) gets them out of the facility and together they discover that Nightshade was an operation to smuggle a nuclear weapon into Russia. Jack Horton (Neal McDonough) tells the world that Frank and Marvin are terrorists and have this weapon in their possession, so the crew must follow a path of clues to find where the weapon really is. To make matters worse, MI-6 agent Victoria (Helen Mirren) and Korean contract killer Han (Lee Byung-hun) are given separate contracts to kill Frank. While Victoria chooses to warn Frank and help him out, Han shows up in every country the group visits and makes their mission that much more difficult. They are aided by Katya (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and “The Frog” (David Thewlis) in finding the man behind Nightshade, Bailey (Anthony Hopkins). Malkovich easily gives the best performance, with his ultrafrightened reactions and poking fun at Frank’s relationship. Despite being completely hilarious throughout, he is also, surprisingly, a sweetheart. He tries so hard to help Sarah in the situation, lending her guns from the beginning, shopping with her in Paris and proposing multiple solutions involving her help. It would be so much easier to love Parker in this movie had she not played the same character in everything else she has done. She plays the fish out of water who is super excited to be helpful in dangerous situations. Props need to go to costume
Photo // IMDB designer Beatrix Aruna Pasztor, who puts these international spies and assassins in many stylish outfits, even before the Paris shopping spree. Malkovich’s outfits are random but lavish and comfortable. Mirren, of course, wears lovely suits and furs from beginning to end. Parisot brought some interesting visuals to the film, inspired by the original comic material. Every time the crew heads to a new country, the character on screen freezes and turns into a comic book graphic. It was interesting the first time, but it became annoying and a bit disconcerting since everyone’s face went red for the effect. He also used bullet time once or twice, but did not overuse it. Even though the film is stylistically a bit different, Parisot kept the same feeling as the first “Red.” There are some great explosions, some of which seem to have no plausible reason to happen, and prolonged gunfights. This version even includes some beautiful martial arts fights. The comedy is still intact from the original, keeping the film lighthearted even through the high body count. “Red 2” is certainly one of the best movies to come to DVD in many weeks. For those who loved the first “Red,” this is a must-see. crobbins@unews.com
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Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
6B
‘The Wiz’ hits all the right notes barebones, requiring a lot of creative Lindsay Adams vision and additions during the Senior Beat Writer rehearsal process. The Coterie “The Wiz” is an absolute production made the decision to success at the Coterie Theatre, set the show in a gas station and with outstanding music and fun mechanic’s shop, and the way they choreography. The show is a joyful translated those set pieces into celebration of soul music and the the Oz design was ingenious. The production is chock full of talent creative use of a car set piece was and energy. There is little to dislike particularly commendable. about a show with such a sweet The actors are all incredibly message and story. There is nothing skilled professionals, able to interact potentially offensive about the show, with the audience and play off the and while this could be an indication audience’s energy without missing a of shallowness, the play still has beat. a theme — it just doesn’t get too Emily Shackleford as Dorothy caught up in the message to remain was quite good. She played young lighthearted. and sweet very well, without ever The Coterie really distinguishes becoming cloying and she had a itself as a theatre by providing wonderfully smooth voice that was a entertainment for everyone. delight in every song. However, don’t confuse this for The supporting cast is equally children’s theatre: “everyone” talented. Christopher Barksdale includes adults. The adults in the displays fearsome triple-threat audience were just as enthused as skills as the Cowardly Lion. Tosin the children. Morohunfola uses some serious “The Wiz” is a retelling of the story flexibility and a soft singing tone of “The Wizard of Oz”, and is meant as the Scarecrow. Damron Russel to be an expression of the African- Armstrong is an absolute hoot as American experience in the early the Wiz. Brad Shaw brings in some ’’70s. It is well known for being one old school spirit as the Tin ”Soul of the first “all-black cast” musicals, Man.” Enjoli Gavin and Nedra Dixon paving the way for musicals like display their impressive singing and “Dreamgirls.” This production keeps versatility in multiple roles. The the history of the show and its music, ensemble is particularly strong, but it still feels contemporary and holding together the chorus numbers fresh. and keeping the pace rolling. Many For those who need to brush up of the ensemble members played on their L. Frank Baum, Dorothy multiple parts and transitioned from lives with her Aunt Em in Kansas, one set to another by carrying set but dreams of seeing other places pieces on and off stage. more interesting than home. A “The Wiz,” like its predecessor tornado hits and catches Dorothy, “The Wizard of Oz,” is at its core who lands in Oz. She experiences a spectacle and the Coterie brings many misadventures, meeting up those elements in successfully with witches and wizards both despite the smaller playing space. wicked and good as well as a ragtag Embracing the theatricality of the team of traveling companions, only show really worked in its favor. to realize in the end that there really They created a tornado onstage is ”no place like home.” using metaphor and dance, with The script for “The Wiz” is the ensemble manipulating fabric
Photos // J Robert Schraeder, Coterie Theatre
(Left to right): Robert Moore, Bradley Alan Turner and Francisco Janier Villegas (as The Yellow Brick Road), Brad Shaw (as Tinman), and Tosin Morohunfola (as Scarecrow), and Emily Shackelford (as Dorothy). and their own bodies to create the tornado. The costuming by Brad Shaw brings all the glitz and razzle dazzle necessary for the show. One of the most entertaining pieces of the show was the song “Ease on Down the Road” and its many reprises. The characters followed the Yellow Brick Road, which was the walkway through the audience seating indicated by lit light bulbs above the walkway. The actors danced their way through the audience singing their hearts out. This and the other catchy tunes will result in audience members leaving the show happy and humming.
(Clockwise from far left): Tosin Morohunfola (as Scarecrow), Emily Shackelford (as Dorothy), Brad Shaw (as Tinman), and Christopher Barksdale (as Lion).
(Left to right): Shawna Downing (Ensemble), Damron Russel Armstrong (as The Wiz), and Teal Holliday (Ensemble).
(Left to right): Emily Shackelford (as Dorothy), Tosin Morohunfola (as Scarecrow), and Brad Shaw (as Tinman). Emily Shackelford (as Dorothy).
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
7B
Monday December 2, 2013 | Issue 15
8B
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