Vanguard
Serving USA students and the University community since 1963
The
February 28, 2011 |VOLUME 48, NUMBER 24
Campus power outage repairs to cost more than $30k
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University of South Alabama’s student newspaper
SOUTH ALABAMA BASEBALL
‘Comeback Kids’ Win Again
Admin yet to say how much tuition will cost next year By Cameron Adkins ASSOCIATE EDITOR
It is “too early to predict tuition for next year” because state appropriations for the next fiscal year have yet to be determined, according to Director of Public Relations Keith Ayers. “USA will be watching and waiting as the legislature takes up the budget issue this spring,” Ayers said in an e-mail. “Once the legislature passes a budget, then we’ll be in a better position to plan for next
Alabama Power employees and an electrical engineer are working with USA to determine what can be done to prevent another massive power outage.
see TUITION | 8
By Cassie Fambro OPINION EDITOR
Costs to repair damages from the power outage that caused University officials to cancel evening classes Jan. 31 will be more than $30,000, according to Director of Facilities Management Chris Willis. This is primarily due to electrical and mechanical damage, he said. Alabama Power and an electrical engineer are determining what can be done to prevent future incidents of similar nature. The damage came from a fire that burned equipment within switches at the power substation near the Physical Education building. USA’s main campus power was out for six hours, and all classes were canceled for the evening with the exception of those held at the University Commons, which is on a power system different from USA’s campus. Workers managed to restore campus power around 7 p.m. The next day, a 10-minute planned outage successfully allowed electrical crews to power Stanky Field and surrounding areas. The outage enabled the University to use its Campus Alert system and notify students via intercom, email and phone of the cancellation of classes. Willis said that repairs are already underway.
IPolice Blotter p. 2
inside
Opinion | page
7
Arizona’s New Bill A new bill has been proposed to check patients’ immigration statuses before treating them.
Etc. | page 10 Colin McGee | Photo Editor
South Alabama baseball celebrates a 10-9 victory over the University of Alabama Saturday. The Jaguars trailed 6-1 early and rallied to victory in the bottom of the ninth. To read about the game, see p. 17.
SGA appropriates more than $24k, tackles co-sponsorships By Alex Whalen MANAGING EDITOR
Last week saw the second part of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) budget meeting. Up for discussion were a number of late appropriations requests, ones that were tabled from last week and co-sponsorship requests. The SGA Senate approved $24,157.78 to organizations reHappenings p. 2
questing funding. An additional $14,375.65 was allotted for cosponsorships requests to six different organizations. The SGA also decided to support the Sit On It For Charity project as a Senate project, rather than use appropriations funds. The budget meeting, which lasted about an hour-and-a-half, moved through quickly thanks to the Senate’s ability to mass appropriate funding for most organizations and the work done beforehand by the Appropriations Campus Pulse p. 6
Committee. Appropriations Chair Alan Sells spoke with The Vanguard about these budget meetings as well as what to look for in the future. One major change from past budget meetings that seems to be going well is the ability to mass appropriate funding for clubs. When this idea was first introduced, many were concerned that this money would be allocated without the Senate being
see BUDGET | 8
Distractions p. 18
Musical Charity Alpha Epsilon Delta’s “Sit on it for Charity” combines musical chairs and giving to one team’s charity of choice.
Arts & Entertainment | page 13
Mobile’s Music Scene Locals are trying to revive the local music scene, and those who know it best are optimistic.
Sports | page 16 Spring Practice Begins Jaguar football has begun spring practice, and the date for the spring game is set.
JagLife p. 19
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The
NEWS
February 28, 2011
Vanguard The
University of South Alabama’s Student Voice Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights. Submission and Editorial Policies Send letters and guest columns to: Editor-in-Chief, editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com or The Vanguard, University of South Alabama, P.O. Drawer U-1057, Mobile, Ala. 36688. Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. Unsigned letters will not be published. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, call the Editor-in-Chief at 251460-6442 or e-mail editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. The Vanguard is a member of Collegiate Presswire and U-Wire, which syndicates to a national audience. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Daniela Werner Managing Editor: Alex Whalen Associate Editor: Cameron Adkins Associate Editor: Genny Roman Senior Reporter: Carey Cox Opinion Editor: Cassie Fambro Etc. Editor: Brett Williams Arts & Entertainment Editor, Webmaster: Rodney Thompson Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Photo Editor: Colin McGee DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Johnny Davis ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Mohammad Ammar Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Jim Aucoin Accounting: Kathy Brannan Website: http://www.usavanguard.com Mailing Address The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala. 36688 Phone Number (251) 460-6442 Article XIV, Section 8 of The Lowdown: The editors of the student publications shall be free from any type of censorship and shall be responsible for the form, content and staff of the publication. SPLC Statement: The Vanguard recognizes and affirms the editorial independence and press freedom of all student-edited campus media. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently bear the responsibility for the decisions that they make.
Vanguard
POLICE BLOTTER 2/17- Rape, 1st Degree A female student reported that she had been sexually assaulted in the wooded area west of Research Technology Park Building III. 2/19- Criminal Mischief, 3rd Degree A student reported her windshield was broken in the Delta 4 parking lot between 2/17 at 8 p.m. and 2/19 at 5 p.m. The damage was estimated at $250.
A residence hall door in Delta 2 was reported damaged. 2/21- Criminal MischiefDamage to Business Property A USA community director reported interior wall damage to a residence room in Delta 3. The damages were estimated at $250.
2/23- Possession or Storage of a Weapon Representatives of The Grove entered an apart2/21- Burglary, 3rd De- ment in reference to an gree animal complaint. While Two male students report- in the apartment a loaded ed that their apartment at handgun was found in the The Grove had been burresident’s computer desk glarized between 2/15 at drawer. 12:01 a.m. and 2/21 at 4 a.m. An iPod touch, a flat 2/23- Disorderly Conscreen TV, a laptop, DVDs, duct/Disturbing the clothes and shoes were Peace/Resisting Arrest stolen. The items were A subject on Tonsmiere valued at $7,566. Drive was disorderly and resisted arrest when offi2/21- Criminal Mischief, cers attempted to restrain 3rd Degree him.
ANNOUNCEMENT
CORRECTION
In order to make e-mailing us a little bit easier, we’ve created title-specific e-mail addresses for our staff. Look for them in section headings and online at www.usavanguard.com under “Staff.” We look forward to hearing from you about how we can better serve the USA student body and community.
An article in last week’s issue called the special interest livinglearning communities slated to hit USA this fall less academic than the ones that are focused on official disciplines (i.e. Nursing and Business). They are, in fact, academically focused, according to Director of Academic Success Dr. Nicole Carr. The Vanguard apologizes for this error.
happenings USA Gender Studies Program Presents: Cool Lectures on Hot Topics What: Women and War: Materializing Blame on the Homefront. Elizabeth Richards, Assistant Professor of Art History Where: HUMB 150 When: March 30 at 3:30 p.m. How much: Free For more info: Contact Martha Jane Brazy, Director of Gender Studies at 251460-7540 or mjbrazy@ jaguar1.usouthal.edu.
South Alabama Softball What: The Lady Jaguars will host Nicholl’s State. Where: Jaguar Field When: March 2 at 5 p.m. How much: Students get in for free with valid student I.D.; Adults for $5; Seniors for $3; Youths (ages 2-12) for $2 For more info: Call 251-4611USA or visit www.usajaguars.com.
The Book As Art What: Artists Susan Wertelecki and Kaoru Oka hope to present a variety of bookbinding methods that have been employed to show that books can be visually and texturally appealing as well as functional. Where: USA Library When: March 1- June 29 (the exhibit may be viewed during library hours) How much: Free For more info: Contact Rexann Warren at 251-460-7021 or rwarren@usouthal.edu.
The
NEWS
Vanguard
February 28, 2011
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Gamma 9 Weather Research Center
Forecast for Feb. 28 - March 6
Patrick Bigbie Meteorologist
Monday will be stormy with a high of around 79° with a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms, some of which may be strong inland. Low temperatures will drop into the mid 40s Monday night. Tuesday will be mostly clear, and into the midweek we’ll see highs around the mid 70s and low in the upper 40s. We’ll start to warm back up to the upper 70s by the end of the school week before another round of thunderstorms moves in late Friday and Saturday. Weekend highs will be in the low 70s and overnight lows in the mid 40s.
For more local weather information, visit facebook.com/ stormteam4gamma9wx or follow Patrick on Twitter: @metwxpatrick.
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NEWS
February 28, 2011
USA libraries expand digital offerings
With access to thousands of e-books through USA’s library website, students no longer have to haul loads of all the books they wish to read. Instead, they can access them from a computer anywhere.
By Carey Cox
SENIOR REPORTER
The University Library has expanded its collections to include more electronic books – 37,941 to be exact. Students can access thousands of free e-books from different vendors on USA’s library Web site, www.library.southalabama. edu, ranging from medical books to Huckleberry Finn. Springer, a recently added vendor, allows users to download individual chapters, and students can highlight and take notes in ebooks from ebrary, an e-book provider. Each of the e-book vendors in the library has a different interface, but the library is adding them to its catalog, which makes general searching easier and limits results to the library. “We’ve tried to focus on things that distance learning students might be able to use (like education and business material),” said Kathy Wheeler, a senior librarian. As reported in a previous issue of The Vanguard, a survey shows that students prefer print textbooks. “It depends on what you want out of [the book]. If [I] want to read the entire book, I
prefer print. What I like electronic books for Library has devoted most of our resource is a quick [read] or if I’m just interested in budget towards electronic resource, includa book chapter, which is really easy to get to ing e-books and decreased print books,” Jie in an e-book and do a search and find just Li, the Biomedical Library’s assistant directhat chapter you need, where it’s not so easy tor of collection, said. in the print book,” Wheeler said. Li said e-books are much more cost-effiHowever, some students say they would cient for libraries, and they increase usage prefer e-books for library research. in the libraries. “[With e-books], it’s easy to find that in“We would like to add more e-book colformation that you need without having to lections along with the print books. We like read the entire book,” Wheeler said. our print, but we want to add e-books as a “I prefer print, [but] I’ve gotten into the complement to our print,” Wheeler said. e-book craze,” Alan Sells, a Secondary EduRight now, the Network of Alabama Acacation and Biological Sciences graduate stu- demic Libraries is looking at e-book collecdent, said. Sells, tions to add to all also a Student Alabama academGovernment Asic libraries at a sociation senator discounted price. do get that students want for the College An economiof Education, access to e-books; that’s why we are cal aspect of esaid he would books is that they use the library continuing to add them to our collection.” are a one-time more if it had purchase, unlike more e-books. a continuous sub-Kathy Wheeler “We get calls scription to a daSenior Librarian from students tabase. saying ‘I got into One e-book the catalog, and available at the I found this book, why can’t I get the full Biomedical Library, “Johns Hopkins: The text?’ … It’s a print book, that’s why. Harriet Lane Handbook,” was used 9,785 “We do get that students want access to times in 2010. e-books; that’s why we are continuing to add To keep up with the e-book usage, the them to our collection,” Wheeler said. print version of this book would have to be Wheeler said she thinks students are not checked out of the library roughly 26 times, aware of the e-book collection at the library every day for the whole year. because of limited outreach. “There is no way a print book can be The recent addition of various collections used that much,” Li said. could change this preconception. “The trend is e-book. The Biomedical
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Vanguard
February 28, 2011
5
Old Rec Center to be study center for student athletes By Jasmine Davis
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
USA’s new Student Recreation Center is thriving. With between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors each weekday and a grand total of 25,780 people coming through the turnstiles in January, Director of Campus Recreation Dr. Philip Theodore is excited about the success of the center. “I think it is a tremendous addition to student life,” Theodore said. The Rec Center has expanded its hours of operation to accommodate the growing demand of people working out. A large number of people have been using the Rec Center early in the morning, so now it opens at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. The state-of-the-art building offers a variety of fitness classes along with individual exercise and recreation opportunities for members. Sophomore Physical Education major Sam Wicker said he visits the Rec. Center two to three times a week, where he likes to use the weights and racquetball courts. He also plays on the co-rec soccer and men’s basketball intramural teams with the Wesley Foundation. There is a huge difference between the old and new centers, according to Theodore. There are a few similarities, such as the table tennis area, the racquetball courts and basic cardio and weight lifting equipment. But the differences are the main selling points. Three high-school-sized, multi-purpose courts; a 50-machine cardio theater; a large weight room; fitness studios; a cycling room; a rock climbing wall; a heated indoor lap pool; a heated outdoor leisure pool (complete with spa and whirlpool); saunas and even a smoothie bar make the new Rec Center an invigorating place to be. But what’s happening with the old one, with its locked doors? The old Rec Center had two middle-schoolsized basketball courts. With the exception of gymnasium-style lights overhead, there is no sign of those courts anymore. They have been totally renovated; one is designed to be an athlete academic center, and the other will be the home of what Director of Facilities Management Chris Willis calls a math emporium. In about two years, the old Rec Center will hold the offices of USA’s athletic director and staff. The Athlete Academic Center will be housed there, as well. This center will have tutors available to help athletes study, as well as about 25-30
Colin McGee | Photo Editor
While USA’s new Student Recreation Center is thriving, the old one hasn’t been forgotten. In fact, it’s slated to become a math emporium and study center for student athletes. It will also hold the offices of the athletic director and their staff in about two years.
computers and 10 smaller tutoring rooms for student use. “It was something that was really needed,” Director of Compliance and Student Services Daniel McCarthy said, adding that there had been no space available for it before. Director of Athletic Academic Services Sherry Kennemer agreed. She called 250 student athletes working in a tiny study area with eight computers less than ideal. There are more than 350 student athletes at the University, many of whom have required study hours each week to meet, she said. McCarthy and Kennemer said they are grateful to have the space. Instead of having multiple study sessions going on all around campus, they can focus on one central location with plenty of room for about 100 students. Athletic counselors will be in the space,
News in Brief
USA gearing up for SACS accreditation USA will be reviewed for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) in September 2012. Requirements for SACS accreditation have changed since USA was last accredited in 2003. Now, the reaffirmation process calls for USA to implement a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which is a project intended to improve student learning at the University over a five-year period. “The QEP provides us with an opportunity to undertake a project that could
make a major difference in student learning,” Dr.. Joan Exline, associate vice president of Institutional Research, Planning, Assessment and Regional Campuses, said in a USA press release. According to the press release, a committee of faculty, staff and students has been charged with engaging the entire campus community in identifying topics for USA’s QEP. An online survey has been created to gather ideas for the QEP at www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BVDU3AKFN/. For those who prefer to share their ideas in person, open forums will be held at the
too, so they can be easily reached by the students. Kennemer said she thinks athletes will enjoy use of the math emporium, which is a room with circular tables set up with about 120 computers. It includes a few smaller rooms including one mini-classroom, one testing room, and some rooms Willis said he thinks could be offices. The windows surrounding the old courts will be a source of natural light to those studying, as well. The emporium’s initial purpose was to facilitate students in the School of Continuing Education who are already enrolled in computer-based classes. The program is designed to let students focus more on solving math problems and less on sitting in a classroom being told how to solve them.
following times: -March 4 at the Mitchell College of Business, Room 270, 1:30-2:30 p.m. -March 9 at the Humanities Building, Room 170, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -March 9 at the USA Baldwin County, Classroom Complex, Room 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m. The committee will make recommendations to President Gordon Moulton once it has reviewed ideas submitted. “The project ultimately selected must be based on sound research methods and significant to USA students,” according to the press release.
Dr. Vaughn Millner, dean of the School of Continuing Education, said she first heard about and started looking at emporium models at different institutions back in summer 2009. “This is going to be here a while. We want to do it right,” Millner said of the long process her staff went through to develop the model. Millner said she was glad they had time to look into the program and make sure it was right for the University. Studies conducted by the National Center for Academic Transformation showed the emporium model classroom greatly increased students’ math success rates. “Why would we not do this? I couldn’t think of a reason not to do it,” Millner said. The emporium holds several smaller rooms see REC CENTER | 8
New sustainability program to be implemented at USA A new sustainability program called JagSmart has been created at USA, and it will be led by a committee consisting of faculty, students and administration. Part of the idea for JagSmart comes from an initiative by USA administrators to improve the University’s sustainability, as well as efforts from members of the Student Sustainability Council. Editor’s note: To read our editorial about JagSmart, turn to p. 6. Look for more details about JagSmart in upcoming issues of The Vanguard.
Opinion
6
February 28, 2011
The
Vanguard Cassie Fambro, Opinion Editor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com
www.usavanguard.com/opinion
OUR VIEW EDITORIAL BOARD >>editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com
STAFF EDITORIAL Daniela Werner | Editor-in-Chief Alex Whalen | Managing Editor Cameron Adkins | Associate Editor
Genny Roman | Associate Editor Cassie Fambro | Opinion Editor Carey Cox | Senior Reporter
Effort to make USA more sustainable a timely one
W
ith different prerogatives and agendas, it’s not always easy for students, faculty and administration to work together in a purely cohesive fashion. It takes something unique to bring all three together in harmony. In the case of sustainability at USA, there hasn’t been a united effort to become more sustainable until now. When it comes to going green, the University gets a black eye every year with consecutive D’s on its green report card. It’s time that we, as an institute of higher learning, improve this. What we hope is the answer to our green issues has come in the form of a new University program called JagSmart, which has been formed out of the idea that making practical modifications to our campus and promoting social awareness will boost sustainability efforts in a way USA has never seen. Several plans are on the table, from surveying our campus buildings’ energy consumption levels to fixing money-wasting issues – like reminding the USA community to turn off the lights when they’re not in use. Since the Student Sustainability Council’s 2009 inception, its members have worked to make changes that will last beyond their time at South, including recycling, awareness and energy conservation. That effort was noble but lacked the effectiveness it needed because the powers-thatbe weren’t fully involved. Now, with the help of USA’s Fac-
Spotlight: Bailey Hammond
E-Books: Worth the Difference? When I was a kid, my greatest joy was going to the library and carrying out a bag full of books that I had not read. My next few days would be spent poring over the pages and devouring the printed words like they were manna sent straight from Heaven to my soul. Part of the thrill was in actually holding the unread or finished books and being able to say, this is real, and I can read it. Flash forward to present day and you can still find me toting around paperbacks or hardback copies of my favorite new books, but one trend that I’m beginning to find almost alarming in its sudden popularity is that of e-books. E-books are books that have been published in an electronic form to be read on the computer or downloaded to reading devices. With all of the new technology these days in the form of digital readers, there really is little reason to continue paying for
ulty Senate and administrators, the future of sustainability at South looks better than ever before. President Gordon Moulton has reached out to all parties involved and has appointed a University Sustainability Committee that will include Faculty Senate members, Maintenance, Housing, and Student Government Association-appointed representatives. The group that met Friday to decide the goals and initiatives of the forthcoming committee includes Director of Facilities Management Chris Willis, Sociology Associate Professor Dr. Doug Marshall, Geology Assistant Professor Dr. Jim Connors, Public Relations Director Keith Ayers, Vice President of Student Affairs and Special Assistant to the President Dr. John Smith, and Student Sustainability Council President Cassie Fambro (who is also The Vanguard’s current Opinion editor). Ayers said this all comes down to “doing the right thing,” and that “a coalition will lead to innovation.” With this mindset, the committee has opportunity to bring forth change that USA has needed for a long time. It’s up to the administration to keep paying attention, the faculty to keep supporting the students, and the students to stay involved to make this more than a flash in the pan. The powers are there, the stars are aligned, and this is the time for change. We hope that this group follows through and keeps the train of progress moving forward at USA.
the printed copies of books when you can cluded e-books having little physical waste, just purchase or rent a digital copy and read they’re less expensive than traditional it on your device of preference. books, they’re easy to update when changes Some of the more popular choices for e- are made and include interactive activities readers are Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Ama- supporting the text. zon’s Kindle, and the extremely popular Overall, the notion of having textbooks iPad from Apple. With just the click of a that are easily available from any computbutton, thousands of books are instantly at er sounds great, and most students would your fingertips, and you can read any one agree that having to carry those books of them at the time of your choosing. around is a waste of their caffeine highs. In recent months, the e-readers have Dr. Foster sympathizes with the group come down somewho prefers what in price, hard copies and you can now and brought expect to drop up the point are easier to on average from that the web$140 to $200 update when changes are made.” based texton the device of books can be your choice. turned into -Dr. Joshua Foster Perhaps the hard copies Assistant Professor of Psychology best features of at the click of the e-readers are a mouse. the memory and What’s the storing capabilities. Depending on the e- catch? The digital book frontier is fairly new reader, a personal portable library of up to to the publishing world. Most authors have 6,000 books could be available. to go through certain channels to even have With the domain of e-books comes the a chance at having their books published. idea and implementation of textbooks that The journey begins with finding an are completely digitized. agent, who then in turn pitches the book Dr. Joshua Foster, Assistant Professor of to an editor in the hopes that they will buy the USA Psychology Department, is cur- it and then print it. With the advent of the rently working on creating a Web-based e-reader and e-books, the publishers, who textbook with his colleagues. have for so long been the only way to the Some of the benefits Dr. Foster listed insee E-BOOKS | 14
“E-books
With the recent on-campus sexual assault, how should students protect themselves?
Bernardo Oliveira Information Sci. Junior
Student should avoid dangerous locations that have been previous places of crime. Walk in groups, have friends with you. People should use the rec center facilities at night.
If at all possible, go places with a partner. Alone might be okay during the day, but you need a partner at night. Indoor tracks like the rec center would be a safer exercise bet. Waiting to run is better than running alone at night.
Rachel Hoadley Psychology Senior
Edward McCall CIS Junior
Precautions include having a phone handy, the buddy system, not being out at night in parking lots or secluded areas, not leaving your cup at a party. The majority are committed by people you know, it can happen to anyone, try rainn.org!
Don’t go anywhere by yourself, use the wingman system. In ROTC, it’s policy that if you go anywhere unfamiliar, you take someone with you. Also, always make sure someone knows where you are.
Philip Burse CJ/Political Sci. Senior
Advice from USAPD:
If You Are Sexually Assaulted, call USAPD immediately at 251-460-6312. -Do not shower or use the bathroom, as you can damage evidence. -Do not be afraid of prosecution for drug use or alcohol; you are the victim. It is not your fault, don’t think it is. Rape Crisis Hotline (Mobile): 1-800718-7273 -Counseling and Testing Center: 251-460 -7015
The
OPINION
Vanguard
February 28, 2011
7
POINT COUNTERPOINT Should U.S. hospitals treat illegal immigrants?
Editor’s Introduction: In Arizona, a senate bill has been pro- cheering because of the monetary strain placed on American
posed to check immigration status of hospital patients. If an illegal immigrant comes in to seek treatment, he or she can receive it; however, their illegal status will be reported to the authorities. Arizona’s tough stance on immigration had some
‘Human’ Invalidates Illegality Status
citizens to pay for their needs. Others are disgusted by what they believe is no better than lawful racism. How Arizona deals with illegal immigration is setting the tone for how other states will address the issue in the future.
Illegals Undeserving of Handouts
Mobile providing care to patients; In 2009, the United States In the already controversial citizenship. But those people who one at a local hospital, and another graduated 16,468 medical stuissue of the new health care come to this country expecting at a local urgent care clinic. I never dents. I can comfortably guarplan, the question of whether a better life without paying or go more than a few days without antee that all were trained to the or not illegal immigrants working for legal status do not deseeing one. best standards in the world to be should receive health care is serve it. My wallet suffers at their As I glance at the chart or the great doctors, to be healers and to ever present. benefit, and that’s not the way it computer, it’s actually very hard be comforters to the sick. Like all problems associated should be. to miss; clearly not an American Many graduated while repeatwith politics and the governI am not in a position to propose name, no insurance, no social ing the Hippocratic Oath, swearment, there is more to it than a such a bill, nor will I ever be in security number, but also always ing to “do no harm,” while many Andrew Shauna legitimately sick. Another imporsimple black and white apsuch a position. But even with my others graduated while repeating Schneider tant pattern Charlton cold-hearted nature, I do have a the Oath of Maimonides, swearproach. For instance, there’s the I see from ing to “never see in the patient case with warm heart when it comes to those that patient populaanything but a fellow creature in pain.” Arizona and their who just can’t help what their parents do. tion: always the most I can also guarantee that none of the new bill, Senate Bill According to the new health care plan, thankful, kind and 16,468 medical students that graduated 1405, which allows illegal immigrant children receive health polite people to take that year recited anything about being an for the treatment of care via the Immigrant Children’s Health care of. While most immigration control officer. The idea that illegal immigrants by Improvement Act (ICHIA), as well as don’t speak English, I patients should have their immigration hospitals, but once through Medicaid and the Children’s always have my comstatus checked when coming to one of the treatment is over, Health Insurance Program (CHIP). puter with Google our public hospitals for care is absolutely Translate ready to go these patients are reThis is all fine and dandy, but what preposterous. so I can communiIt goes against the very core of what ported by the medical about in the special case of Jeanne d’Arc cate. health care providers should stand for, staff to the immigraKayembe and her son, Don Emmanuel? I always leave the which is “caring for the sick”, not “caring tion authorities. Jeanne had traveled to the U.S. on a room humbled to for the sick that are legal U.S. residents.” Personally, I think legal tourist visa as an escape from an objectiveconservative.com serve as a caregiver Opponents of this thinking argue that Arizona is being too abusive relationship when she was six Many argue that American principles would for a fellow human illegal immigrants live here without paynice. If I were in a months pregnant with her son. not allot for denial of care to people regardless being, and also reasing taxes that fund these hospitals, and She intended to be gone before Don sured that I’m going of legal status. Others argue that America must position of governthus should be barred from using them. was born; however, due to her own mediinto the right profes- look out for itself before helping others. Should ment authority, I While I agree this is a problem, I would propose a bill cal problems, she was urged to stay. Thus, sion and even more believe more should be done to assimilate we treat illegals differently than legals? eager to start medical to turn away all illegal her son was born in the U.S., which by illegal immigrants into our society so they school. will be forced to pay for the benefits. I immigrants. law states he is an American citizen. For those of you that know how conserthink this is the much more ethical option Forget the health care they “deserve.” Don had several heart defects and revative I am; please don’t be too confused. instead of the other solution, which is That may sound cold-hearted, but I don’t quired intense medical treatment, which There’s quite a lot I’d like to see changed simply denying them care. want to foot the bills for what they think totaled roughly $1 million over the course in regards to our nation’s immigration I can attest from personal experience are “handouts.” of it all. policy, a policy I find to be backwards and that providing health care to illegal immiI’m all for giving medical care to those I’m all for the kid getting treatment, at times oxymoronic. For starters, we do grants is an extremely rewarding experiwho have visas or are working for their ence. I currently work two jobs here in see ILLEGAL | 15 see HUMAN | 14
Cassie Fambro Opinion Editor
SMOKE ON THE WATER
Racism: Painful Relevancy Webster’s Dictionary defines racism as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” On the heels of Black History Month, the term has been analyzed and spoken about at length. One concept within racism that is often hushed is so-called “reverse racism.” This is classified as discrimination against a majority race. Reverse racism is
illogical. Racism is always racism, whether it is majority against minority or vice-versa. Dr. Carl Cunningham, manager of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and USA’s African American Student Association (AASA) adviser, said he agrees. He believes that America was founded on the principal that all men are created equal. Initially, this meant white men. Minorities, nor women, were intended to be included at that time. Cunningham explained to me that there are many reasons that racism still permeates our culture, especially in the South. He said that there are homes that are as old as the Civil War which were built on the backs of slave labor. The entire environment is a constant reminder of the bitterness that still exists. For instance, Cunningham said that textbook pictures are made up of white people. He said he wonders what that psychologically does to minority youth.
In meeting with the officers of AASA, I asked them if they felt that black people were placing limits on themselves because of stereotypes. “Yes,” was the overwhelming answer. An officer stated that it’s a mind frame that many minorities get into in grade school. He believes that the less you know, the less you can get in life. They said that with education, black people could triumph over any preconceived notion of limited potential. I asked them what made them want to break out of the mold and succeed, many of them being student leaders on campus. One officer looked me in the eye and said he does it for his family. He has younger relatives to set an example for, and he strives to set a positive example and overcome any obstacles in his way, he said. People, regardless of race, are only limited to the bars that they set for themselves. If a white person discriminates against a
black person and does not hire them because of a stereotype, the white person is perpetuating ignorance. If a black person is automatically rude and disrespectful to a white person in a retail environment after being nice and carrying on a conversation with another black person, he or she is perpetuating a stereotype and also promoting ignorance. Minorities have a right to be defensive, but we should all give each other a chance. Regardless of the progress that America has made, race division is still very real, tangible and evident, even here on campus. Look around the cafeteria tables or the dorm courtyards. Members of all races form groups, isolating themselves from other races. Our age is an especially opportune time to become educated on both sides. As a member of any race, we must first remember that we are all members of the see RACISM | 18
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year.” According to Ayers, state funding is highly dependent on sales and income taxes, and those taxes are highly sensitive to changes in the economy. Since it is uncertain where the economy is heading, the appropriations cannot be predicted. “At this time, higher education state ap-
Budget from page 1
fully aware of where it was going. As Sells explained, as long as the packets get reviewed (and they were in this case), then there’s no reason to not approve funds for clubs. “Mass appropriations is a really good thing. You’ve got the Appropriations Committee, Executive Committee, Senate Pro-Tem and all the senators reviewing each packet. On the other side of the coin, however, is some concern over getting information to the clubs that are requesting funds. This semester’s budget meeting saw some frustration from organization leaders who were unaware of recent rules changes regarding uniforms. “We need rules that are more clear - both for students and for senators,” Sells said. “We had several [student leaders] tell us ‘We thought this phrase meant such-and-such’ but were mistaken. But these rules aren’t there to deceive students.” Sells mentioned the possibility of communicating with student leaders before these budget meetings to lay out, in clear and concise language, the requirements for proof of expenses and what items can be funded by the SGA. If a request is denied, it is often because of one of these two reasons. Sells also talked about the possibility of
propriations for 2011-12 have not been determined by the legislature, and it is uncertain how much funding will be available next year,” Ayers told The Vanguard. For each of the last two years the University has received $10.8 million in stimulus funding, but it is expected to end after this fiscal year on Sept. 30, according to Ayers. The University “should know a lot more in late spring or early summer” about funding, Ayers said. digitizing the appropriations process - either through a PDF file that could be filled in by the requestor or a simple text document file. This, according to Sells, could help streamline the request process and the actual allocation process during the meeting. Sells quickly added that mandating a requirement like this would not be wise in the near future. An entirely new process like this would need to be fully examined, assessed, and then slowly introduced to avoid undue confusion. After these two budget meetings, which all the senators with whom The Vanguard spoke thought went very smoothly, one thing is very clear: The SGA Senate has to work the rest of this semester to make sure the processes that are working now will continue to benefit future SGA leaders. As many of the current leaders and committee chairs are closing in on their final terms in office, it will be up to this year’s SGA to solidify the mass appropriations and review processes that have been so successful. At the core of this goal are resolutions that are currently being revised that will explicitly lay out the requirements needed and procedures the current SGA has been employing. Unless this process is concretized, the threehour long budget meetings of the past could become the norm yet again.
Rec Center from page 5
so instructors can focus on a concepts with students who need extra tutoring. As soon as the computers arrive, students will begin the transition into the emporium, beginning with one class and then adding more. Both the math emporium and the Athletic Academic Center are works in progress and will be adjusted to fit students needs as the programs get going. While student athletes will begin using the Athletic Academic Center after spring break, the emporium could open as early as March.
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Vanguard Brett Williams, Etc. Editor etc.editor@usavanguard.com
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MUSICAL CHARITY
A Personal Commentary on the State of Alpha Epsilon Delta to hold musical chairs Honor Society fundraiser that will benefit multiple charities
ETC Editor Brett Williams shares his thoughts on why honor societies may not be relevant to success forever.
By Brett Williams ETC EDITOR
As a member of Abenee Foo Kou Honor Society, I’ve helped induct my third group of members into the ABK fold. Because of the collective image of honor societies, I’m not so sure it’s going to be worth it. Maybe things are the truest when they come from first-hand experience. For the most part, every honor society I’ve been a part of was only ever a name I’d eventually list on my resume. With the exception of ABK, most honor societies don’t do much to warrant as much prestige as they receive just based on their titles. If the negative connotation that accompanies honor societies doesn’t change soon, it’s bound to affect the workplace. When you join an honor society now, you’re praised as the “cream of the crop” by teachers, grantors, employers and the like, but you know the truth. You’ll never hear another utterance about that honor society until you receive your cords at graduation. That’s the perception of honor societies that you’ll take with you, too. So, isn’t it likely that when you gain the position of employer, educator and grantor that you’ll only write it off ? Honor societies today can’t expect to continue perpetrating this image. Currently, esteem and prestige come from the high regard former members held, but societies like ABK are actually only a stone’s throw from other student organizations. It’s high time that changed. There’s one big difference between Abenee Foo Kou Honor Society and the other African American student organizations in existence on campus, you must be invited to join. Joining isn’t easy, either. Members must achieve and maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. In order to be a member, you must stay active within and outside the organization. ABK even has a participation clause that mandates that each member attend at least two ABK events per semester to retain membership. That participation clause has been the difference. Tuesday, ABK president Latoya Jackson and members of the society asked new insee SEVEN |19
greenascot.com
The picture above touches on the idea of the type of colorful, fun programming Alpha Epsilon Delta hopes will attract a crowd of USA students that’s ready to have fun and support charity. This event is the second of its kind for AED, although last year the event was dedicated solely to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. The cost of admission into the event is only $5 and the winners will decide which charity will receive the funds raised that night.
By Jonathan Cashon STAFF WRITER
Music and chairs. Both of these play a pretty big role in most of our lives. But how often are you able to combine the two for charity? The University of South Alabama’s chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a national health preprofessional honor society, is giving you that opportunity at the USA Student Center Amphitheater Tuesday, March 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. “Sit on It for Charity” is the official name of AED’s big game of musical chairs. “The rules are the same as good old fashioned musical chairs from your childhood,” states one of the event’s organizers, Arjun Jadhav. In case your childhood was spent under a rock, musical chairs goes as such: music plays as participants walk around a circle of chairs, the amount of which is one less than the number of participants. Once the music stops, which is done
at random, all participants have to try to “We wanted to make the event bigger sit in one of the chairs. Whoever is left and give people more incentive to play,” standing is eliminated. Jadhav said. This continues until only the winner is Five dollars is the cost of admission sitting. and will not only gain the player the opOne hundred percent of the proceeds portunity to participate, but will also give will be donated to the chosen charity of them access to popcorn, cotton candy the team and a T-shirt. with the win“We were ning memlooking for a a win-win situation; the money way to get inber. This is the goes to charity, [and] you get a T-shirt, volved in phisecond year lanthropy, and this event popcorn, cotton candy and have a great this was the has been best way to o r g a n i z e d , time.” unite the stualthough dents of South -Arjun Jadhav last year it Alabama. It’s a was called win-win situaEvent organizer “Helping tion; the money Haiti: One goes to charity, Chair at a Time.” [and] you get a T-shirt, popcorn, cotton All proceeds were donated to the Clin- candy and have a great time,” Jadhav ton Bush Haiti Fund. This year, the event’s said. organizers have decided to let each team choose its own charity.
“It’s
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February 28, 2011
Management students give back with Ronald McDonald House project
Funding Cuts May Mean No Public Radio
NPR.org
NPR Headquarters located in Washington.
NPR CEO and President Vivian Schiller says she expects potential budget cuts to hurt rural areas most.
By Brett Williams ETC EDITOR
Courtesy USA Public Relations
From left to right: Timothey R. Sells, president Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors; Paul Giardina, RMH executive director; Dr. Marjorie Icenogle, management professor at the USA Mitchell College of Business, management student Josh Logan of Birmingham, and human resource management students Jodi Long of Mobile, Rosalyn McBride of Huntsville and Nick Taylor of Mobile.
By Genny Roman ASSOCIATE EDITOR
We’ve all heard some variation of the phrase “the gift that gives back” when it comes to volunteering our time and effort to a good cause. For a group of management students in Management Professor Dr. Marjorie Icenogle’s Employment Training and Development class, the phrase really hits close to home. Students Josh Logan, Rosalyn McBride, Jodi Long, and Nick Taylor recently created an introduction video for the guests of Ronald McDonald House of Mobile as a part of a project for Dr. Icenogle’s class. The Ronald McDonald House serves as a “temporary home-away-from-home for families from outside the area who have a child being treated at a local hospital,” according to its website. The idea for this project was to “find an organization and develop a training program for the organization,” said Icenogle, The group contacted Ronald McDon-
ald House, and the Board of Directors told them that the guests were in need of easy, accessible info about Ronald McDonald House. The idea for the video developed and the semester-long endeavor began. According to Icenogle, this type of project is typical for entry-level management employees. Throughout the video-making process, there were a lot of skills that came into play, especially skills that are important for any employee to possess. Logan, a service management major, says “communication, teamwork, and the willingness to learn” were all necessary to complete such a big project. The group initially went in with their own ideas about the video, but working to fulfill the needs of an organization takes a lot of flexibility and one has to be willing to follow instructions, said Icenogle. Icenogle also mentioned the importance of working on projects ahead of time. “You can’t wait to do a project because executives are busy people.” Working diligently on projects like this will not only please em-
ployers but it will also show that you take your work seriously. After successfully completing the video according to Ronald McDonald House’s standards, Logan had two pieces of advice. The first is to “just listen. When it came down to it, the more we communicated with each other and listened to the needs of Ronald McDonald House, the more our initial ideas changed and it was a good thing.” The second piece of advice Logan gave was to “volunteer.” The advantages of volunteering expand past just feeling good about yourself. It not only helps the community and the organization, but it can also lead to networking with businesses and employers. Besides networking, volunteering with an organization can put your skills to use in a professional capacity, which will ultimately be beneficial. Take it from these management students: helping a good cause now while you’re in college can help develop your professional skills for the future.
Afraid to ask your doctor? Ask Dr. Cannon!
E-mail your health questions and concerns to Dr. Cannon at editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. Heather Cannon, M.D. is a USA Student Health Center physician. Anonymous e-mails are welcomed.
The latest news from the House of Representatives gives all indications that NPR will lose its percentage of government funding. According to reports on CBS and its affiliates, the House Appropriation Committee intends to cut out $531 million dollars from the programming budget of public broadcasting companies like NPR and PBS. Even though that figure only represents about 5.8 percent of the funding for these public broadcasting companies according to NPR Finances listed on their website, NPR CEO and President Vivian Schiller warns that less affluent communities are at the highest risk of losing NPR news stations that give them access to this programming. “The elimination of federal funding would be a significant blow to nearly 900 public radio stations that serve the needs of more than 38 million Americans with free over-the-air programming they can’t find anywhere else.” The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which effectively runs both NPR and PBS, distributes federal funds to some 1,300 public broadcasting stations and has been opposing the budget cuts avidly via its own website and on Facebook by recruiting members to e-sign a petition they hope will save the funding they usually receive for public broadcasting. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is seeking help from its audience members it thinks will be the most affected. “The public values and increasingly relies on the trustworthy news and information that public radio provides,” Schiller said. “The growing number of public radio listeners speaks to the hunger for independent local media sources that help make sense of what’s going on in their own community and around the world.” The bulk of NPR’s finances derive from contributions from individuals, businesses and universities like USA. That being said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, small television and radio stations serving rural, politically red areas would likely feel the biggest impact because 70 percent of public broadcasting funds are channeled to local stations. “There is something to be said about preserving public broadcasting that doesn’t toe a political line and provides independent coverage,” said Ginny Berson, a vice president of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. see NPR | 19
Arts & Entertainment
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Rodney Thompson, A&E Editor ae.editor@usavanguard.com
February 28, 2011
Le Boeuf: Angry Birds
By Rodney Thompson
The
Vanguard
www.usavanguard.com/a-e
Eckhart, Rodriguez discuss latest film, ‘Battle: Los Angeles’
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
It is funny what the world will accept and embrace as culturally ‘cool.’ A blanket with arms, shoes made of paperthin foam, and even robotic hamsters, as crazy as they sound, have all dominated the consumer market. With the introduction of the iPhone, consumers were given a brand new type of market to consume in, the App Store. Games, productivity tools and weather applications began to drain bank accounts one dollar at a time. It was in this digital market that a small European development company began to splash around. The company known now as Rovio Mobile was slowly building a laundry list of successful titles. However successful they were did not matter until December of 2009. It was during this month that Rovio Mobile’s golden egg found itself in the App Store. Angry Birds is a game that needs little introduction and far less ingame instruction.
http://firmware.nokiaonsite.com
Angry Birds has become a global phenomenon with worldwide sales peaking well into the millions.
It is a simple concept. Green pigs steal eggs from the nice birds. Those birds become pissed, angry birds. From this, a scheme to attack the pigs erupts involving a giant slingshot. It sounds ridiculous. Maybe it is ridiculous. In this case, ridiculous makes money for Rovio Mobile, and lots of it. Angry Birds has been downloaded well over 12 million times, and, at a dollar a piece on the iPhone, that adds up to some serious change. Rovio Mobile is not the type of company to sit around while their cash cow dries up. Tshirts, plush dolls, phone cases, potential cartoons and feature films all start rolling out of Rovio Mobile like a drunk college kid’s breakfast. From there, Angry Birds has found its way onto several other devices including computers and phones. Angry Birds is a global phenomsee BIRDS | 19
www.allmoviephoto.com
Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez star in the latest epic sci-fi thriller, "Battle: Los Angeles." A film that they both promise will deliver with the likes of "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down."
By Nick Griffith STAFF WRITER
Hard-working actor Aaron Eckhart from “The Dark Knight” and well-known tough girl actress Michelle Rodriguez from “Avatar” co-star in the new epic thriller directed by Jonathan Liebesman, “Battle: Los Angeles.” What looks like another cop-out, alien invasion film could actually become the next defining war feature similar to “Saving Private Ryan” or “Black Hawk Down.” To find out more about this movie, The Vanguard via Columbia Pictures got an opportunity to ask Eckhart and Rodriguez what they think about their upcoming movie. We spoke with Aaron first, who was incredibly enthusiastic about the film, and enjoyed detailing the vast amount of effort required to film “Battle: Los Angeles.” We also asked if he believed in extra-terrestrial life, to which Aaron said, “Something’s going on,” but he hasn’t seen anything specifically. Vanguard: How is this movie different from other alien movies? Eckhart: It’s a war movie, except the foe is from outer space. The movie focuses on a small marine group, like a documentary film such as “Black Hawk Down.” It’s very gritty and has elements of truth. It’s a kick-ass, entertaining film with a lot of heart. V: How are the aliens different than aliens in other films? E: They have very human characteristics in mentality and thinking. It makes them equal
to humans – a real struggle; it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen in the movies before. V: Did you perform any of your own stunts, and if so, did any stunt pose difficulty? E: Good question. I performed most of my own stunts, except for the big explosions. On one stunt, I jumped onto a rock and broke my arm. I had to do the next three weeks of shooting with a broken arm. Other than that, we were always accidentally hitting ourselves in the face with the weapons and jamming our fingers from the action.
Michelle Rodriguez, who was also a part of “The Fast and the Furious” series, talked about her infatuation with sci-fi films, letting loose her geek side and also discussed her tendency to play “badass” characters in her recent films. V: What character do you play in the movie? Rodriguez: I play a staff sergeant in the Air Force, and her job is to detect atmospheric
interference and monitor the basic surveillance systems. She’s a tech sergeant, who registers algorithms for the global surveillance; but then the aliens come and the guns come out. V: In both “Avatar” and “The Fast and the Furious,” you play a tough-girl character. Do you bring your own attitude to each of these roles, or are the characters predefined? R: I don’t find any other role attractive just these military roles, which makes me look like I make these roles hardcore, when it’s the role itself. I stick to what I find fun, not just whining roles. V: What is your appeal with sci-fi films? R: ‘Cause I’m a geek at heart. It’s mythology, it’s H.G. Wells, it’s using your imagination, it’s pushing borders, or it’s this unique little planet in the middle of nowhere. I’ll make love to it [sci-fi films]. It’s awesome. V: If you had to convince someone to watch your movie, what would you www.greenascot.com say? R: You need to watch it, it’s the best movie on the planet, if you don’t you’re stupid. The biggest thing that appeals to me about the whole thing is the first person shooter aspect; never watched an alien film with so much action. The shots make you feel like you’re in it. The experience is something to go check out. Both Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodrisee BATTLE | 19
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Locals work to resuscitate Mobile’s music scene
February 28, 2011
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Rod’s Weekly Planner
Arts & Entertainment activities on and off campus that are guaranteed to keep you busy without sending you to the skating rink.
http://picasaweb.google.com
Few people know the actual condition of local music and the struggle that those involved are enduring to keep the culture alive within Mobile and the surrounding areas.
By James Guess
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
There is a great many opinion that Mobile’s music scene isn’t in good shape, or at least not what it should be. Despite this opinion, there is an air of optimism toward the local music scene amongst those who know it best. “I think in regards to the sweeping generalization that ‘scene’ encompasses, Mobile is doing fairly well, much better than we were five years ago.” said Dave Matthews, owner of the Alabama Music Box. “With regards to the local band scene specifically, it is probably at its weakest in five years. Not based on quality of the acts, but on sheer lack of quantity.” Given the music-rich tradition of the region, many are puzzled as to why there is not a bigger interest in local music. One local musician in particular has pointed words directed at the attitude he perceives
in the local scene. "Unfortunately, in Mobile, when people go to shows it seems to be more about the 'good time' than supporting music," remarked Ben Wiles, singer, songwriter and guitar player for his eponymous local group. "Cover bands have wide market in this city because they play songs people already know. There is no support for original music." “Because of the economy, people in Mobile see music as just entertainment" said Brad Young, owner of Soul Kitchen. There are those however, who are looking to change this attitude toward Mobileoriginal music. The increased effort to revive Mobile’s music scene can be attributed, at least in part, to local organizations working out of the spotlight to highlight awareness about local Mobile music artists and their shows, as well as to encourage increased support from the people and to improve the state of Mobile's music as a whole.
The work of local venues and certain local radio programs have led the way in resuscitating the enthusiasm for local music. Also, the website Mod Mobilian has played a prominent role as well. The website not only highlights Mobile artist’s and their upcoming shows, but the site is also dedicated to Mobile art and culture in general. “Mod Mobilian is doing a great job of pushing a lot of the cultural happenings around town,” Matthews remarked, “but if we are going to get to that next cultural level then it has got to keep happening and growing.” Local venues are also taking a greater initiative toward Mobile music, and for some who work in a local music hall, the enthusiasm carries outside the venue. "I want to have shows here in Mobile," says Dan Merker, manager of Soul Kitchen music hall, "I don't want people to have to drive to see a great show." Merker adsee STRUGGLE | 19
Up & Coming: Heat Lightning
Featuring local artists on the rise in Mobile and surrounding areas. The best place to check for the latest and greatest in Gulf Coast area musical entertainment.
By Madison Murphy STAFF WRITER
Crystal and Travis Hightower are not your usual musicians. She works at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and he works on the railroad. Yet the two come together, creating a uniquely beautiful and intriguing sound that they call Heat Lightning. The duo behind Heat Lightning met in 2001 when they were playing in separate bands during a show together at the Bell Witch Festival in Adams, Tennessee. When the two were married in 2006, it was only natural that they marry their musical talents as well. That’s when Heat Lightning was born. Since then, Crystal and Travis have taken their garage-country sound across the Southeast and even abroad, with a brief tour in Ireland in 2009. Their musical influences include everything from George Jones to the Shangri-La’s. They cite honky-tonk legends like Brenda Lee and Buck Owens as country inspirations and look to 60’s garage bands like the Music Machine and the Sonics for their grunge rock sound. When it comes to labeling Heat
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What: The Rockey Horror Picture Show, it's an iconic movie! Where: The Crescent Theater in Downtown Mobile When: Feb. 25 to March 10 with one daily showing at 9 p.m. What: Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama, with art designed for those with impairments. Where: USA Library's 1st Floor Gallery When: March 1st to Apr. 30 What: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a rock show worth seeing. Where: Soul Kitchen in Downtown Mobile When: March 2 at 9:00 p.m. What: Caricatures by Steve Gipson. Where: Student Center Lobby When: March 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. What: Stevie Starr, the Regurgitator! Where: Student Center Ballroom When: March 3 at 7:30 p.m. What: Mystic Striper Parade Where: Streets of Downtown Mobile When: March 3 at 6:30 p.m. What: Crewe of Columbus Parade Where: Streets of Downtown Mobile When: March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Courtesy of Crystal Hightower
Heat Lightning brings a unique garage country music vibe to local stages.
had to describe what I wanted the band to sound like in five words, it would be snotty, feral, stripped-down, garage country. If I had to describe how we usually end up sounding it would be drunk, sloppy, noisy, trebly racket.” Crystal, on the other hand, explains their sound as “… haunted, garage
You can decide for yourself at Heat Lightning’s next show. You can catch them with the Pine Hill Haints on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Alabama Music Box. Their record “Deep Heat” (released on Stitchy Press) will be available on 7’’ vinyl at the show.
What: Open Our Eyes Suicide Awareness Concert, a music event to promote suicide awareness. Where: Jada Studios on Dauphin Street When: March 5 at 8:00 p.m. Have an event you want featured in the A&E section? E-mail A&E Editor Rodney Thompson at ae.editor@usavanguard. com!
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printing press, are now becoming obsolete. Digital rights and sales are becoming more of a concern for authors and their respective agents. A whole new publishing system is developing, and most professionals don’t really know what is going to happen to the old system. In addition, one problem with e-books is the multitude of formats available. Wendy Donnell of PCMAG.COM illustrated that if, for instance, you have a Kindle and you want to download and read a free book from Google’s ePub, you will find that your device won’t support the format. Publishers have not set a universal format for e-books. E-books are great, but there is
Human from page 7
nothing (besides Arizona that is) to attempt to enforce our immigration laws in regards to illegal immigrants from the south that come here to live lives revolving around crime and drugs. This is clearly evident in our border states where crime rates have skyrocketed. The majority of other immigrants that chose to come here to make an honest living face unfair and harsh judgment from Americans as we seem to want to kick them out more than the druggies. We complain that they’re “taking our jobs,” when in actuality we ourselves are too lazy and “above” the work most immigrants are grateful to do. Also, some of the smartest minds of our generation do come here legally from other
The
Vanguard just something special about holding the printed copy of a book in my hands. It just doesn’t feel right to reduce my physical library of books to a digital one that can fit in my hands. After researching, many of the books that are available in electronic formats are cheaper than their printed counterparts, and I’m not against saving money. College is expensive, and textbooks in particular can make you cringe when you go to the checkout counter. Even minor trips to my hometown bookstore are dangerous to my budget. On that basis, I would consider making the investment in an e-reader one day. Will loyal hard-copy owners eventually succumb like me? Only time will tell. Until then, I’ll be watching and reading.
countries to study at our tax payer subsidized schools, but once they’ve finished we kick them out instead of using their talent which was our initial investment in the first place. In addition, we ourselves do nothing to protect our culture or way of life when immigrants come to the US, opting to teach our own kids a second language instead of expecting those that come here to act “as Romans when in Rome.” With all the gripes I have about our immigration policy, the truth of the matter is that deep down, I really don’t care to fix it. If I did I’d go into politics, but instead I’m pursuing medicine. And as long as I’m alive and practicing, no one will ever force me to check the legal status of my patient. The only status I personally know of is “human being.”
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February 28, 2011
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but the government subsidized half of that million, and the hospital Don was at absorbed the rest of the costs. Why, you might ask, would this be a big deal? It raises the costs of everyone else’s medical treatments, which is billed to the insurance company, which is then compensated by raising the rates of your insurance plan. Children of any immigration status should receive treatment, but the costs can be a little extreme. And this free medical treatment should not be abused. I say “abused” because some parents bring their children directly from the airport to get the care at hospitals that treat children no matter their immigration status. As long as the child is not brought to the U.S. simply for “free” medical treatment, by all means, give it to the kid, regardless if it’s a $20 flu shot or a $3 million leukemia treatment. In the case of children, as long as the system is not abused, give them the treatment. They should not suffer because of their parents’ bright idea to illegally immigrate. But in the case of illegal immigrant adults, no legal U.S. citizen’s wallet should suffer at the expense of their handouts, whether it is for a common cold or for cancer.
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Matt Weaver Sports Editor
CHARGING THE MOUND
Jags Baseball Should Contend Seven games in and South Alabama base-
ball has gone from unexpected championship hopefuls to full-blown party crashers. The Jaguars have shown an incredible tendency to battle back from any size deficit, including four victories coming in their last atbat. Heart can defeat pure talent on any given day, and Steve Kittrell’s Jaguars appear to have both. Preseason All-Sun Belt third baseman Jake Overstreet has been as advertised, batting .320 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. But he’s had help too. Freshman second baseman Logan Kirkland (.400/0/2) swings at everything and to his credit makes contact with about as much. Strikeouts are starting to catch up with him and may have to make an adjustment to stay effective. If Kirkland and the lower half of the lineup stays hot, so will the Jags. Pitching has been the chief concern for South Alabama over the past three seasons, and 2011 appears to be par for the course. However, unlike previous seasons, the South Alabama bullpen gets the key outs when the lineup needs them most. The complete staff has been clutch more often than not, and that’s a healthy sign. If the offense can remain stout and rely on their pitching to hold down opponents, the 2011 South Alabama baseball team can be really special. Conference play doesn’t begin until Mar. 18, giving head coach Steve Kittrell and assistant Mark Calvi plenty of time to work out the brief-appearing kinks. The Jags were picked to finish seventh in the Sun Belt championship standings, but there is no way a team led by Steve Kittrell in his final season will allow that to happen. Historically, the chances are that South Alabama will overachieve before underachieving. Sleep on South Alabama baseball at your own risk. The cats are on the prowl, and if Kittrell’s infield stays hot and healthy, a College World Series may just become a reality. Ryan Franklin’s Take: While it’s been mostly good times at the corner of Stadium and Old Shell, the bullpen woes may come back to haunt South Alabama. Starters are sometimes struggling to make it through the fifth innings, but that could easily be a result of low pitch counts for the start of the season. The end result has been an overreliance on a questionable bullpen, and it could cost the Jaguars down the line. On the bright side, this team never gives up. They have a ton of heart, and you have to feel like they are never out of the game. They have to work on the mechanics and fundamentals of baseball, and once they do, the stars could be the limit. Look for the Jags to make a serious summerrun to the Sun Belt Championship later this summer.
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Football Kicks Off Spring Practice Annual Spring Game Set For March 26 at Ladd-Peebles By Jayson Curry SPORTS REPORTER
South Alabama football returned to the gridiron for spring practice, and with it comes several questions that must be answered. Such questions are the reason teams engage in spring practice. For South Alabama, two-straight unbeaten seasons still provide several questions for head coach Joey Jones to address. “We’re not worried about getting ready for a game so all we have to do is keep concentrating on ourselves. We’re going to spend a lot more time on fundamentals this spring,” Jones said. “We’re not working on schemes, which is why offensively there’s going to be some bad days out here. “The most important thing we’ve done is pulled back from worrying about schemes so much and really worked on the fundamentals. Is that going to hurt you a little bit when you bring the team together? Sure, but that’s okay.” The first question facing South Alabama is how the Jaguar offense will respond to spring camp. The answer must lie at the quarterback position. The first two seasons featured a threeplayer rotation, with C.J. Bennett, Myles Gibbon and Brennan Sim. The rotation continued into last season before Bennett separated himself as the clear-cut starter. This spring will likely show if Bennett can actually carry the offense by himself. Running back became a question early last season after Brandon Ross went down
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South Alabama Tight End Paul Bennett rushes for a gain against Henderson State on Nov. 10.
with an ACL injury. Fortunately for South Alabama, Kendall Houston stepped up and rushed for over 900 yards. The running back competition will definitely be one to watch as Ross will try to take back his starting position from Houston and Georgia transfer Demetre Baker. Following the excitement of Courtney Smith’s Senior Bowl selection, the Jags must
now adjust to life after Smith. The NFL-hopeful brought unusual size and physicality for a receiver and that will be the most difficult attribute to simulate for his successor. Replacing Smith’s production is vital for South Alabama. Most of the receivers in camp lack Smith’s size but have top-end speed and can challenge any defender. One receiver that may take the job is Greg Hollinger. Hollinger entered camp as a big physical player, and only time will tell his merits at USA. There are fewer questions on defense, but the secondary could benefit from some tweaking While the secondary is a huge question mark for USA, the question may have been answered in B.J. Scott. The latest recruiting class added some great talent on defense, and Scott is the class’ biggest name. Scott comes to Mobile via the University of Alabama and is already the most versatile Jaguar in camp. Spanish Fort graduate Ameriol Finley is just behind him, as the freshman was a huge factor in sending SFHS to the 5A state championships. The last questions lie at the linebacker and defensive line positions. In 2010, South Alabama had an excellent linebacker corps. With Jake Johnson and Enrique Williams returning in 2011, the nucleus is there for South Alabama to make a lot of noise. “We’ll look at what we’ve done this week and examine it to see what our weaknesses are.” Jones said. “We really only have two more weeks of spring practice before our [scrimmage].”
Lady Jags Set for Sun Belt Tournament By Jake Wasdin SPORTS REPORTER
As the regular season winds down for South Alabama women’s basketball, the action is just starting for the Lady Jags and head coach Rick Pietri. South Alabama is coming off a season of mixed results and is looking to shine in the Sun Belt Conference Championships. A tournament victory in Hot Springs, Ken. would guarantee the Jags a Women’s NCAA Tournament position. “We had a good non-conference season, not great, but good,” Pietri said. “I was impressed by our efforts against Ole Miss at home and we were very competitive against Auburn at their place. “We were in most of our games but were just too inconsistent in the Sun Belt portion of our schedule.” South Alabama beat Ole Miss at the Mitchell Center, 67-60 on Dec. 5 and lost to Auburn, 75-70 at “The Plains” on Dec. 2. With the Sun Belt Conference Tournament set to begin on Mar. 5, the Jaguars will take Monday off prior to tournament-play.
Colin McGee | Photo Editor
Jaguars women's basketball finished the season at 16-12 and 8-8 in the Sun Belt Conference. The league tournament begins on March 5.
The Lady Jags are preparing for a very gifted team in Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns have a very talented player in Mercedes Johnson, who, according to Pietri, is a “great conference player.” The opening matchup between South Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette will be the first of hopefully three postseason league matches. South Alabama captured an 82-66 victory against the Cajuns in Mobile on Jan. 30. In the words of Pietri, the Sun Belt Conference Tournament has created a “Do or Die Mindset.” “The Sun Belt Conference is a highly competitive conference for both the men and women,” Pietri said. “It’s my eleventh year as head coach at South Alabama, and the Sun Belt has ranked 11 out of 30 leagues during that span. It’s a fantastic conference to play in.” South Alabama played to a 10-3 record at the Mitchell Center but posted only a 5-8 record away from home during the regular season. Christian Shelter led the Lady Jags with 5.7 rebounds a game and added 12.3 points per game. Sarda Peterson finished second on the team with 11.0 points per game.
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February 28, 2011
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Sports Briefs Baseball Drops Two-of-Three During Jaguar Classic
Men’s Basketball
Starting Five Key for Arrow’s Jaguars By Matt Weaver SPORTS EDITOR
March 5 marks the beginning of a brand new season for South Alabama men’s basketball. The season restarts to 0-0 and a one lossand-done format from here on in. The Jaguars finished the regular season at 12-14 and 6-10 in the Sun Belt Conference after a tough 74-64 loss to Florida Atlantic on Sunday afternoon at the Mitchell Center. Things have been inconsistent at best for South Alabama and head coach Ronnie Arrow, but the same could be said for the rest of the Sun Belt. The league is only expected to compete for a #16 seed in March’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships. “It’s a wide-open tournament,” Arrow said. “We should have won three of our last four but feel we have a chance to compete with anyone in the tournament.” The tournament will be contested live from Hot Springs, Ken., and seeding has yet to be determined. The Jags last appeared in the Sun Belt Finals in 2009, losing to eventual Sweet 16 participant Western Kentucky University. The Jags were eliminated in the second round of last year’s tournament by #1 seeded Troy. South Alabama is hoping for a deeper run this March. South Alabama has been pleasantly surprised by freshman Augustine Rubit and sophomore Martino Brock but will need a little more from senior Tim Williams. Williams was a preseason all-Sun Belt firstteam player but has struggled at times, finishing the regular season with just 12.7 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. Williams
Softball Improves to 12-3 Following Red and Blue Classic
Colin McGee | Photo Editor
South Alabama men's basketball guard Gary Redus celebrating after a win early in the season. Redus has been one of several bright spots late in the 2010-11 season.
was arguably one of the best players coming back to the Sun Belt in 2011. Williams missed Sunday’s contest against FAU citing “personal problems,” and his return for the Sun Belt Tournament is under question. Williams is not believed to be under disciplinary review by the program, and Arrow hopes to have him back for the Tournament. Williams was bothered by a concussion to start the season and never really got it started.
Fortunately, Arrow made several adjustments, including moving senior Gary Redus around the court. Redus proved to be a plusperimeter shooter and led the Jags to several key victories in 2011. “We’re going to take a day off on Monday and regroup for the Tournament before getting back to work. We’ll be prepared for them when the tournament starts,” Arrow said.
Men’s Tennis
South Alabama Tennis Tops Rival Trojans By Lauren Logan SPORTS REPORTER
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South Alabama junior men's tennis player Romain Bocaert led the Jaguars over Troy, 5-2 on Feb. 22 at the Lunsford Tennis Complex.
Southeastern Louisiana rallied to score four runs in the final three innings to knock off University of South Alabama baseball 6-4 Sunday afternoon at Stanky Field in the final game of the 26th Annual South Alabama Classic. The Lions tied the game in the top of the eighth inning on Britt Gautreaux’s grounder to shortstop that scored Cody Gougler from third base. Southeastern Louisiana (6-1) took a 5-4 lead one batter later when Brock Hebert singled to left field to score Justin Cryer, who doubled earlier in the frame. SLU added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning to close the scoring in the game. Cass Hargis went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and one run scored to pace the Lions at the plate. Jonathan Pace and Hebert added two hits and an RBI each, and Jeff Harkensee also recorded two hits in the game.
South Alabama junior Dauw Kruger clinched a 5-2 victory over Sun Belt Conference rival Troy in a four-hour marathon match on Feb. 22 at the Lunsford Tennis Complex. “We had to dig deep today,” South Alabama head coach Nick Brochu said. “We played for four hours. We were very aggressive on doubles again today, and, looking back, the doubles point was extremely important.” South Alabama juniors Kruger and Hanno Bartsch picked up the first win of the day with their 8-1 victory over Mansingh Athare and Niklas Jonsson at No. 3 doubles. Junior Christian Kuehne and sophomore Alexandre Bernard clinched the doubles point, beating Mario Rolemberg and Branko Weber 8-5 in the No. 1 spot. The Jaguar tandem of senior Jairo Seur and junior Romain Bocaert followed, downing Anas Rouchdi and Sami Ghorbel 8-7 (8-5) on the No. 2 court. The Trojans took the lead after securing the first two singles points with Jonsson’s 6-1, 6-4 win over Seur at the No. 6 position and Rolem-
berg’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kuehne. Bartsch defeated Jamie Eccleton at No. 5 singles 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 tying the match at 2-2. Bocaert followed in the No. 1 position beating Weber 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. “We played a little defensively in singles, but we were the loudest team in the third set,” Brochu said. “That’s why we won four out of five of them. We showed a lot of character today. I’m proud of my guys.” After dropping his first set on the No. 3 court 7-6 (7-4) to Ghorbel, Kruger battled back to take both the second and third sets by a score of 6-0 and win the match for South Alabama. At No. 2 singles Bernard added the fifth and final point to the scoreboard topping Roudchdi 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). “Some guys stepped up big time today,” Brochu said. “Because of the many injuries we have, some guys have to play two to three spots ahead of where they normally play, but they were able to step up to the challenge.” The Jags do not resume play until March 8, when they will host Radford at 1p.m. “We will really enjoy our break coming up,” said Brochu. “We need it.”
Senior shortstop Jenny Stevens hit a three RBI-home run in the top of the fourth to lift the Jags over Austin Peay 4-1, in the final day of the Red and Blue Classic at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. “Everyone did their part this weekend,” USA head coach Becky Clark said. “We are playing very good team softball.” We had good pitching, great defense and our hitting was where it needed to be.” After the weekend, Fowler has recorded a hit in the last nine games and leads the team in multi-hit games (9) and multi-RBI games (7). Stevens has also recorded a hit in the last nine games. The Jags (12-3) scored one run in the bottom of the first when Christin Crocker walked to drive in Stevens, who singled and then stole second to begin the inning. Stevens reclaimed the lead as the program’s all time career home run leader on a three run shot to the deepest part of the park in the bottom of the fourth. Women’s Tennis Team Falls to Lamar at Home The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team (0-3) was topped by Lamar (5-0) 7-0 at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts Saturday. “It was nice to get out there again and play against some good competition,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “Lamar is a good team. They’re a real feisty, competitive and consistent team.” The doubles decision came down to the back-and-forth battle on the No. 1 court. Senior Katie Welch (Mobile, Ala.) and junior Alina Volman (Lugansk, Ukraine) came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the match 3-3 before eventually falling to Mariaryeni Gutierrez and Kaltrina Harbuzi 8-5. In singles action, Lamar picked up straight-sets wins on all six courts. -Wire Reports
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Winner: “Do you smell that?” -Dylan Eubanks
Racism from page 7
same humanity, and being human comes first. Even if we do not consider ourselves racist, we need to constantly remind ourselves to look at a person and see past skin color. As members of our own races, we should seek to break out of molded stereotypes. AASA advocates breaking stereotype roles and seeking social and academic betterment. They listed the high rate of teen pregnancy and dropping out of school as problems in the black community that can be helped with education. One of the things that I like most about the black culture is that regardless of blood ties, black people treat each other as family. If a lady two houses down is sick, people will cook, clean, take care of the kids. There is a source of unity inherent to black culture to be envied, derived from their past. Other cultures can learn from that. This also gives them a strong communication channel to voice positive change. If the black community discourages teen pregnancy, crime, poor academics and drug use, it makes effective waves. I applaud community efforts because of this fact. All in all, I feel that the most important thing that they said to me was that it’s up to all of us to change our environment, and make hopeful ideals more than just words. Integrate instead of segregate. You’re right, AASA.
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ductees if they could live up to this standard as they swore them in. Established in 1977, ABK is still only a shadow of its former self, but I’m proud of its progress and hope that the organization will be in good hands in the future. After falling into the void, so to speak, two years ago a few of the society’s “re-charter” members came together two years ago in an effort to rebuild and rejuvenate ABK’s reputation. Since that first year, the honor society membership has nearly doubled per year, but because of inactivity or a lack of academic prowess the society has still been shedding
February 28, 2011
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A Comic by Ben Lewis
“a few pounds” each semester. That’s why the newest inductees were asked about their commitment to the organization. ABK’s former president, Charna Gross, set a precedent that ABK would not be the type of honor society that “just inducts you and you get a cord when you graduate.” She told members frequently that she wanted them to “feel as though they left with something when they left ABK”. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I had the opportunity to rebuild this organization myself, I don’t think I’d have joined. Like I said earlier, honor societies names don’t carry much weight in our social circles, and, unless others become more active, it’ll only get worse for the next generation.
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Struggle
Battle
mits however that "you can't see a great band every night in Mobile." This doesn’t mean you can’t see a great band in Mobile, as Soul Kitchen talent manager Ryan Chavez is quick to point out. Chavez cites the Ugli Stick, the Sunshine Factory, Shropshire, and country act Wes Loper as just a few examples of quality artists who have found success in Mobile. Chavez and Merker are also working outside of Soul Kitchen to increase the number of bands who have carved out a loyal audience. Merker and Chavez manage and run Fishbowl Records a company that aims to serve as a "middle-man" between artists and labels. Merker says they want to help local artists "put Mobile on the map." One example he cited was the upcoming Feb. 25 show at Soul Kitchen featuring genre-defying Mobile act the Ugli Stick, who are signed to fishbowl records. The efforts of these groups appear to be paying off. "In the past few years, we've seen good things happening, such as more bands playing different genres as well as an increase in actual support for concerts in Mobile," Chavez said. Even so, Wiles feels there is a largely untapped resource for local music, one that could help the scene grow immensely. "Radio really influences taste here, genres popular on the radio are the genres people want to hear. That's why Bayfest has the same genre artists on the same stage every year. In a place like Mobile, radio support for local bands is crucial, the few local bands who get some radio airplay on (radio) shows like "Area 251," actually gain popularity." "Area 251" is a radio program for local radio station 92 ZEW. Evan Jackson, drummer for Wiles, formerly of Muskrat Hannah, another Mobile band, says getting Mobile artists national recognition would be "helpful just from the local copycats that would spawn from a nationally popular Mobile band." Before Mobile can get to that level, Jackson thinks something deeper has to change. "People nowadays are more interested in furthuring their careers than supporting the arts."
guez were eager to distinguish “Battle: Los Angeles” from other alien invasion films like “District 9” and “Skyline.” Rodriguez points out that there may be similarities between “District 9” and “Battle: Los Angeles,” “But that wasn’t as in your face like this film.” Both actors had incredible compliments for director, Jonathan Liebesman, especially his ability to work with actors and his self-determination. Also, keep an eye out for two future films starring Aaron Eckhart, including “The Rum Diaries” co-starring Johnny Depp, and a CIA thriller, “The Ex-Patriot.” “Battle: Los Angeles” hits theaters March 11 featuring the final stand of mankind by a platoon of marines in Los Angeles against an enemy unlike anything they have ever encountered before.
from page 13
NPR
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In Mobile, where many local radio stations have given way to syndicated programming and gotten away from locally driven content, losing something like NPR would mean there may be no radio outlet for the local issues.
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Birds
from page 12
enon. The real question in all of this, and it is really the same question I ponder every single time a stupid product becomes popular, is "Why?" I, myself, have been addicted to Angry Birds for well over a year. One second, I am standing in line at the DMV and the next I am zoned out on my phone popping pigs with little red birds. As a semi-serious gamer, I find appeal in the simplicity of the game. I can pick it up and hit off a few rounds while waiting on my Taco Bell order, or during my night class break. It is not a huge ordeal to start or stop playing, and the slightly varied range of difficulty keeps my attention when I am playing. It is in this simplicity that I feel Angry Birds has found its success. For the sake of argument, I asked around. “It’s a fun game that just sucks you in. You get to slingshot birds into some sort of building or platform and make pigs explode. It is an extremely satisfying experience,” stated Kelly Blankenship, a student of the Mitchell College of Business. Blankenship refused to elaborate further as she strolled off staring at her phone. Rovio Mobile found a hole in our lives, those five minutes of free time before something else, and filled it with a fun and addictive game. How far Angry Birds will grow depends mostly on Rovio Mobile’s ability to keep a simple concept fresh and engaging.
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