Vermont Cynic Issue 13

C YNIC THE VERMONT

The real meaning of Christmahanukwanzaakah

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The University of Vermont’s independent voice since 1883

NEWS

Students encouraged to buy sporks

1-4

WINTER EDITION

w w w . v e r m o n t c y n i c . c o m | Tu e s d a y , N o v e m b e r 3 0 , 2 0 1 0 – Vo l u m e 1 2 7 I s s u e 1 3 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t

Top ski mountains in the area S($%&'!('67?((2'-!'!?.'9%$,."6$!#' (/' :."4(%!J' !?.".' -".' +2.%!#' (/' 4(0%!-$%6' !(' 7?((6.' /"(4' !(' 6L$' ("' 6%(31(-"*' -!8' ;-%#' 6!0*.%!6' 7(4.'!('9:;'/("'!?.'%04."(06'6L$' 4(0%!-$%6'!('7?((6.'/"(4'2(7-22#8'' Y-7?' /-22J' 6!0*.%!6' 3?(' 6L$' -%*' 6%(31(-"*' ?-,.' !(' 4-L.' !?.' *.7$6$(%' (/' 3?-!' 4(0%!-$%' !(' 10#' !?.$"' 6.-6(%' +-66' /("8' d?$2.' 4-%#' 6!0*.%!6'*(%Q!'10#'-'+-66J'$!'7-%'1.'

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for full story

Get the ski mountain scoop

SGA passes resolution 5-12 to publish all semesterARTS Bluegrass in end course evaluations Burlington

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OPINION

TRI and the future

14

SPORTS

NBA winter preview

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SPECTACLE A look through the lens

16

Boycott threatened if demands go unheard

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“The blurbs we’re currently being fed during the registration period are insufficient [and] we can’t make informed decisions about our course load.”

Asher Lober SGA Senator

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Plans for new arena emerge University seeks funding

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2

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

TRI moves forward

With steering committees charged, mixed feelings emerge

By Tyler Hastings Staff Writer

led steering committees for each of the spires,” Interim Provost Jane Knodell said.

After the administration’s As the shepherds of their yearlong selection process, it respective spires, steering has approved three “spires of committees will lay the excellence,” complex systems, foundations that will ultimately food systems, and neuroscience, shape the spires’ destinies. behavior and health.

The Transdisciplinary “We have just selected faculty­ Research Initiative (TRI) is

designed to map UVM’s existing and emerging academic strengths !"#$ %&$ '()$ %*&()$ +"#,"-($ %&$ become a recognized center for learning and discovery in selected +).#(/$ 01)(,#)"%$ 2!",).$ 3!14$ Fogel said.

Responsibilities of the steering committees include guiding research direction, overseeing

faculty hires, creating metrics and evaluating performance, according to an internal memo.

“The [goal] is to develop and foster collaboration within the spire that enhances research and education within UVM,” Rae Nishi, chair of the Neuroscience, Behavior and Health Steering Committee, said.

While many are excited about the opportunities that the initiative presents, some remain weary of the effects that the TRI may have on non­spire related departments. Others question whether the three spires chosen %1'.5$ 1)6)7%$ %*)$ 8",9)1(,%5:($ emerging academic strengths.

Current conflict

faces a growing need for faculty because of retiring professors and increasing undergraduate enrollment, Matthews said.

“We have had retirements but =)$ *!9)":%$ *!#$ ('@+7,)"%$ !(()%($ to hire new faculty that we need,” Matthews said. “The money has been restricted for the spires.”

Two chemistry professors are retiring at the end of this year, but the department has only been allowed to hire one new professor, Matthews said.

“The administration understands that the chemistry department has a need to hire more than one person. That’s not happening,” he said. “We have been granted one position to hire with the mandate that it must align with one of the spires.”

Matthews said that he is concerned because the best chemistry professor may not be a spire­aligned professor.

“We want to hire the best candidate, the most successful in teaching, building a research program and bringing funding to the University,” he said. “If they don’t align with a spire, should we not hire them?”

Chemistry is not the only department feeling the squeeze, English department Chair Tony Magistrale said.

“English lost three tenured positions two years ago,” Magistrale said. “So far, central administration has allowed us to replace one of the three vacancies.”

But for some departments,

TRI has had no negative effects at all.

“My department was allowed to hire in ancient philosophy — utterly unrelated to the TRI,” professor of philosophy 2&"$ A&)B$ (!,#C$ $ >D*!%$ (*&=($ that the administration has not forgotten the importance of non­TRI related scholarship and teaching.”

Matthews also said he was concerned about whether or not the spires will facilitate collaboration.

“People that have an interest in applied economics or outreach won’t necessarily be interested in better cheese or food safety such as pathogen containment,” Matthews said, referring to the food systems

(;,1)C$ >E&..!B&1!%,&"($ %*!%$ =&14$ the best are natural ones.”

2)(;,%)$ %*)$ 71,%,7,(<(/$ %*)1)$ is a strong belief that TRI will be successful at UVM, partly because of its strong history around the nation.

Knodell said she remains 7&"+#)"%$ %*!%$ DFG$ ,($ -&,"-$ %&$ prove itself as a tremendous asset for the University.

“TRI will further position UVM to be on the cutting edge of the production of important new 4"&=.)#-)/H$ I"&#)..$ (!,#C$ >J,%*$ greater focus, we’ll be even more competitive for the very best ;)&;.)$&"$%*)$<!14)%$,"$%*)$!1)!($ in which we’re building strength.

D*,($=,..$B)$!$%1)<)"#&'($B)")+%$ for undergraduates as well as graduate students.”

!$5)!1/$&@+7,!..5$!""&'"7,"-$DFG$ in the fall of 2009.

“In the spring of 2009 there were some decisions that =)$ "))#$ %&$ 4,"#$ &@$ @&7'($ &'1$ research energy,” professor of sociology Tom Streeter said.

The administration, in collaboration with select faculty members, had already determined eight initial categories that the spires would fall under, a decision that Tom Streeter said *)$%*,"4($=!($!$<,(%!4)C$$

Eight initial transdisiplinary topics

“You need a few years of people working together as a coherent group ... they wanted this to happen in weeks. The process wasn’t designed to be rigorous. It was more the process used to decide a theme party.”

Tom Streeter

“The University has been selling itself as the ‘environmental university’ for 15 years ... either we’re not the environmental university or the spires process was not able to identify actual strengths.”

Tom Streeter

M%1))%)1$(!,#$*)$%*,"4($%*!%$%*)$ administration chose participants @&1$=&14,"-$-1&';($B!()#$&"$%*)$ wrong criteria.

“Enthusiasm and ambition =!($ !$ B)%%)1$ #)+")1$ &@$ (&<)&")$ being on a committee than expertise,” Streeter said.

N'1%*)1<&1)/$ %*)$ =&14,"-$ groups were forced to move at an uncomfortably rapid pace, he said.

“You need a few years of ;)&;.)$ =&14,"-$ %&-)%*)1$ !($ !$ coherent group,” Streeter said.

“They wanted this to happen ,"$ =))4(C$ D*)$ ;1&7)(($ =!(":%$ designed to be rigorous, it was more the process used to decide a theme party.”

“I was on a spire committee on culture and society,” Streeter (!,#C$ $ >J)$ @).%$ .,4)$ !$ 1!"#&<$ B'"7*$ &@$ @&.4($ %*1&="$ %&-)%*)1$ %15,"-$%&$7&&4$(&<)%*,"-$';CH$$ $J&14,"-$-1&';$<)<B)1(*,;$ =!($ +"!.,O)#$ &"$ K7%C$ PQ/$ PRRS/$ with proposals due on Jan. 22, less than three months later.

Upon submission, a number of committees reviewed the proposals, including an external -1&';$ <!#)$ ';$ &@$ &@+7,!.($ @1&<$ universities throughout the nation.

The environmental spire was &")$&@$+9)$%&$-)%$1)T)7%)#C$$M%1))%)1$ cites this as a clear example of the selection process gone awry.

“The University has been selling itself as the ‘environmental university’ for 15 years,” Streeter said, “Either we’re not the environmental university or the spires process was not able to identify actual strengths.”

Since its initiation, TRI has been a topic of enthusiasm from administrators, debate among faculty and confusion throughout the student body.

Chair of the chemistry #);!1%<)"%$ 2=,-*%$ 3!%%*)=($ questioned where the spire funding would come from. >?&'$*!9)$%&$%!4)$!=!5$@1&<$ somebody to give to somebody else,” Matthews said. “That’s the bottom line, there is no way around that.”

The chemistry department

History of the idea TRI is not a novel concept, rather, it is a program that many universities have implemented over the past half century, Vice 01)(,#)"%$@&1$F)()!17*$2&<,",7&$ Grasso said.

“The whole concept of spires began in the 1950s at Stanford,” Grasso said.

TRI is part of UVM’s natural progression as an institution of higher learning, former provost John Hughes said.

“At some point, it becomes impossible or unwise to continue adding across the board without concentrating resources in a few discrete areas that will bring distinction to the University,” Hughes said.

One of the initial discussions about a transdisciplinary program at UVM started several years ago during a retreat for campus leaders, Hughes said.

“In January of 2008, a retreat was held that included perhaps 100 representatives from the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Association, the administration and the staff,” he said.

At that time, support for a TRI­esque program seemed unanimous, Hughes said.

“The conclusion came through loud and clear from that group that it would be wise to focus resource investment in selected areas of emphasis to build international prominence,” Hughes said.

The administration and faculty exchanged ideas for about

Professor of sociology

“Over the summer of 2009, the administration went from that very general mandate to ‘wham — this is how it is going.’”

D*)$ !#<,",(%1!%,&"$ &@+7,!..5$ "&%,+)#$;1&@)((&1($&@$DFG$&"$K7%C$ 2, 2009, when Interim Provost Jane Knodell issued a letter to all faculty members.

“We write today to announce the University’s Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, and to invite your participation in shaping the research and scholarly future of the University of Vermont,” the letter stated.

Professor of sociology

“They had a bunch of administrators decide what the initial eight would be,” Streeter said. “You would have gotten #,@@)1)"%$ 1)('.%($ ,@$ 5&'$ %!.4)#$ %&$ the entire community.”

The purpose of the letter was to issue a call for nominations to =&14,"-$-1&';(/$%*)$.)%%)1$(!,#C$ >D*)$ %!(4$ &@$ )!7*$ -1&';$ ,($ to identify a particular ‘spire of excellence,’ within its broad transdisciplinary topic area,” Knodell said in the letter.

L,-*%$=&14,"-$-1&';($=)1)$%&$ be formed, one for each spire.

!"!"#$%$&#'(%! )'#*+'*)!,!

-#$*+&#+**.#+&! #"!/$01%*2! )3)4*0)! $"!/5%45.*!,! )$'#*43! %"!6+7#.$+0*+4! &"!8$$9!)3)4*0)! '"(:*5.$)'#*+'*);!!

-()#'<!-*=(7#$.(%<! '%#+#'(%<!

9*7*%$10*+4(%!

)"!>$%#'3!)459#*)! *"!>5-%#'!=*(%4=? )5)4(#+(-%*! =*(%4=?=*(%4=!

1$%#'3!

Information from e-mail written by Jane Knodell on Ocotber 2, 2009

N EWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

TRI timeline 2009-2010 Appointment of members to the eight working groups (week of October 19)

<:(./,)',%%2=%.!"!%&'2:' TRI to faculty.

(October 2, 2009)

Completed proposals submitted (by January 15)

Working groups develop proposals (October­January)

Review of proposals by internal and external advisory groups (February­March)

Food systems

The neuroscience, behavior and health (NBH) spire ties research and education in neuroscience with psychology, Steering Committee Chair and professor of neuroscience Rae Nishi said.

“We want to bring those two worlds together,” Nishi said.

Collaborations are already happening within the NBH spire, and they are looking at developing new projects, she said.

“There is a big strength here in addiction research,” Nishi said. “We have neuroscientists working with psychologists to see what nicotine does to an adolescent brain rather

The food systems spire hopes to positively affect the future of food in Vermont and around the globe, Steering Committee Chair Jane Kolodinsky said.

“A concerted focus on food systems courses and research will enable deeper opportunities for learning at local, national and international levels,” community development and applied economics (CDAE) graduate student Jackie Leblanc said in a CDAE newsletter.

Because it is such a broad topic, a collaborative approach is ideal, Leblanc said.

“Food intersects with so many other topics — such as transportation, food labeling and obesity issues, land use, and culture — it is truly a transdisciplinary topic,” she said.

opportunities for collaboration across spires,” she said. “A part of food systems deals with health as well, take the problem of obesity for example. Any kind of dietary or metabolism problems stem from physiology.”

In addition to boosting collaboration within and between spires, Nishi said that she believes that TRI will radiate spire energy into non­ related disciplines, encouraging a universitywide pursuit of academic excellence.

“There are avenues of interaction where even humanities, arts and foreign language can be enriched by a spire,” she said.

Complex systems

BY THE NUMBERS

Complex systems is like putting together the puzzle of the universe, Peter Dodds, professor of mathematics and statistics and chair of the complex systems steering committee said.

Dodds said he sees TRI as an asset to the university community, a spark for better undergraduate education and research alike.

“I think it should make things better because we are attracting people who are doing great modern research,” Dodds said. “Complex systems deals with understanding how from microscopic mechanisms we get macroscopic things.”

Complex systems is an !"!#$!%&' (!)*' &+,&' -./!%&/-&-' (%,))0' +,1!' &+!' &22)-' &2' &,.3)!4' Dodds said.

“We had to take things to

pieces but now the game is to go up through the levels to see how various pieces interact to see how you get macro behavior,” Dodds said, “A great example is the genome. People were saying that once you sequence it, everything is solved. It was insane. Because there are gene to gene interactions, it is a network. Then it spirals into more layers after that.”

By combining disciplines, the complex systems spire hopes to answer some of life’s bigger questions.

“Explanation is the next big 5/!.!46' +!' -,/*7' 895!./(.,))04' thinking about why there is an increase in complexity.”

Because its work is expansive by nature, complex -0-&!"-'/-','(&&/%$'.+2/.!':2#',' spire, Dodds said.

“A systems way of thinking

is a much more inclusive compass,” he said.

Even though the complicated details of complex systems research may be restricted to the laboratory, the energy will reach into the classroom, Dodds said.

“There is a version that you can present to people at all levels,” Dodds said.

Furthermore, brilliant and ambitious undergraduates are encouraged to engage in research, he said.

“I have a couple of great undergrads who are working with me on research ... I want more undergraduates,” Dodds said. “We want to create and develop something that will be a template for people around the world. We are building in that direction.”

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

Information from www.uvm.edu/~tri

Selection of Spires of Excellence (April­May)

Neuroscience, behavior and health than adult brain. Maybe if you understand better how it happens, you can design better interventions.”

Nishi said she is enthusiastic about the increased opportunities that these collaborations will present.

“I have two undergrads in my lab right now,” Nishi said.

“That wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t have funding for research. They learn more than they would sitting in a classroom.”

Nishi said she also sees the potential for spires to combine and create super spire­like structures.

“There are interesting

3

By combining disciplines, Kolodinsky said she hopes to push the boundaries of ;+,&' &+!' :22*' -0-&!"-' (!)*' /-' capable of.

“The key now is to get more coordination and synergy between the groups involved with food systems,” she said. “The idea is to really make an impact on the food community.”

One of the goals of the spire is to solidify UVM’s position as an international leader of food systems.

“The University of Vermont is a food systems leader right now, but the rest of the country is running fast to catch up,” Kolodinsky said.

“We are going to show our increased productivity in food systems teaching, research and outreach in the next year so that we can maintain our relative advantage.”

4

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

Compostable utensils Crime fail to be biodegradable log

Students are encouraged to buy sporks

By Lindsey Waters Staff Writer After discovering that the compostable utensils used in dining halls were not biodegradable, UVM has stopped buying compostable cutlery and is promoting the use of reusable plastic sporks.

P e t r o l e u m ­ b a s e d compounds were found to be mixed with the vegetable starch in the supposedly compostable utensils, according to an article3 in the Burlington Free Press.

These additional compounds resulted in the utensils being nonbiodegradable and ending 78'$%'5"%/(5509',-*'"),$:5*'0,",*/2 Hundreds of thousands of nonbiodegradable utensils had to be removed from the compost "%/'!;<*/',;'5"%/(5509'4%,*)<"5*' Compost Manager Dan Goosen said.

This year students are encouraged to buy one of the 3,000 sporks purchased by the UVM Student Life Department in the summer of 2010.

The sporks are being sold for

$1.

“I use my spork every /"69=' ()0,' 6*")' >5*?' @:A")$0-' said. “It makes me feel like I’m consistently making a positive environmental impact by not throwing away any utensils.”

Nine cases were referred to ACT 1 detox center over the weekend of Nov. 12-14, according to the UVM Police log said.

“I always carry my spork in my backpack with me.”

Taylor Jones

A student was released from the hospital, screened at ACT 1 and taken to the Correctional Center for alcohol impairment on Nov. 14.

UVM first year

To provide incentive for students and faculty to buy and reuse their sporks, the Davis Center Marketplace offers customers a 5­cent discount off purchased food if they show their spork at the cash register, the article stated.

“I always carry my spork in my backpack with me,” freshman Taylor Jones said.

“Five cents isn’t a lot of money, but showing my spork at the cash register every day for each meal can really add up over time.”

SARAH ALEXANDER The Vermont Cynic

UVM stopped buying compostable utensils after learning that they are not biodegradable, and began encouraging the use of reusable plastic sporks instead.

Students brought their own

By Devon Winter Cynic Correspondent As you walked past the Bailey/Howe Library on Nov. 15, you may have noticed students !"#$%&'()*'+$,-',-*$)'.")*'-"%/0' or bartering for clothes.

It was all a part of “buy nothing day” also known as “bring your own” (BYO), organized

by Co­President of Vermont Student Environmental Program (VSTEP) Marlee Baron.

“We are against mindless consumerism,” Baron said.

“There are times when you can buy and times when you can share within your community.”

By Katy Petiford Staff Writer

VSTEP is a student­run campaign — to put a ban on organization meant to address bottled water and Coke products “It’s a cool day, on campus, Baron said.

“We realized not everyone into that sort of thing,” she something as college is said. “We didn’t want to make it students we should seem as if we were trying to take something away or allow it to be take advantage of.” seen as alienating. Instead we created BYO to put a positive spin Alex Beattie on creating awareness.”

While picking through free UVM sophomore clothes some students stopped to look at the billboard about Coca­ environmental issues through Cola products impact around education and research, the world, titled “Think how you according to the VSTEP website. drink.”

The day was meant to create UVM has a contract with awareness for the club’s largest Coca­Cola Co. stating that

alternate products may not be sold, dispensed, served or sampled anywhere on campus.

Eighty percent of beverage products must be Coca­Cola or their subsidiary companies, the billboard stated.

“It’s a cool day, something as college students we should take advantage of,” sophomore Alex 1*",,$*' 0"$/2' 34,' /*(%$,*56' !"/*' me think of how ridiculously much we consume and it sends a message, especially as fast­ moving college students, to slow down, use less and the world won’t fall apart.”

An arrest warrant was issued for a student on Nov. 12 after a student failed to appear in court after being charged with disorderly conduct earlier this fall. The student was arrested at 284 East Ave. An investigation revealed that a person was using a fake ID on Nov. 12 in Harris Millis.

Police will issue a ticket.

Marijuana odor was reported coming from a dorm room in Simpson Hall. Though the odor was confirmed, no drugs were found.

Marijuana and alcohol was confiscated from a dorm room in Harris Millis on Nov. 13.

Fires thrown at new soundproofing business

Rianhard takes heat about safety regulations, fire and building codes considered

By HIllary Walton Asst. News Editor After The Cynic published the article, “Noise violations may be history thanks to Full Conversions” in October, 17)5$%&,;%' ;B(:$"50' 0,"),*/' ,;' look into junior Andy Rianhard’s business.

Full Conversions is a new student­run business started

by Rianhard, a marketing and entrepreneurship major.

However, some said they fear that this growing business is a serious hazard.

“What the student entrepreneur is offering is in fact a violation of the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code (VFBSC),” Fire Marshal, B.C. Terence Francis said. “There are

very strict rules on the types of materials that may be placed on the walls, windows, doors and ceilings of buildings.”

Rianhard’s objective is to soundproof living spaces so that owners can have parties without bothering neighbors or attracting police attention.

“I knew that some authorities would have issues with my idea,” Rianhard said.

Many aspects of the business were unclear in the article, he said.

3C-*'()0,'"),$:5*'/$/'%;,'!"#*' it clear how we soundproof a house,” he said. “Unless you want to soundproof your door for your loud roommates, all of ,-*' 0;7%/8);;(%&' &;*0' $%,;' ,-*' windows because the glass is basically like a hole in the wall.”

The installations used to soundproof a houses are temporary, he said.

not install these with screws and make them permanent, especially since people take them out of their windows after a party.”

In residential properties, “I am not rushing to doors and windows are critical as a means of escape and cannot be finish these houses covered by any type of material may obstruct or disguise because I want a great that ,-*!9' 8);8"&",*' D"!*' ;)' system that wil abide generate smoke, Francis said.

Despite Burlington’s growing by building codes..” interest in the team’s trade, they are not allowing customers Andy Rianhard to use the materials until they -"<*' !"/*' "' ()*0"B*' $%0,"55",$;%' UVM junior method.

“The use of unapproved 0;7%/8);;(%&' +"0' /$)*:,56' “If you break the window from )*08;%0$.5*' B;)' ,-*' -;))$(:' ,-*';7,0$/*9'0"69'$B',-*)*'+"0'"'()*9' B","5' ()*' ",' ,-*' E,",$;%' F57.9' $%' ,-*'0;7%/8);;(%&'+$55':;!*';7,' Warwick, R.I. on Feb. 20, 2003,” easily,” Rianhard said. “We do G)"%:$0' 0"$/2' ' 3C-",' ()*' #$55*/'

100 club patrons and injured 100 more.”

Rianhard said he and his ,*"!' 85"%' ,;' :;%,":,' ,-*' ()*' department and have them look at one of their installations once their system is perfected.

34' "!' %;,' )70-$%&' ,;' (%$0-' these houses because I want a great system that will abide by building codes,” Rianhard said.

Rianhard and his partner have completed one large project so far.

“They said it worked very well and the interest sparked from this job has led to other people looking B;)' 0;7%/8);;(%&9=' H$"%-")/' said. “I am guessing that about (<*' 8*;85*' ")*' :7))*%,56' +"$,$%&' ;%' 0;7%/8);;(%&9' "%/' ,-$0' number will increase as the word of mouth spreads.”

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

5

Winter Edition

C YNIC THE VERMONT

Tu e s d a y , N o v e m b e r 3 0 , 2 0 1 0 – Vo l u m e 1 2 7 I s s u e 1 3

‘Snow Dragon’ melts UVM lots University looks into ways alleviate parking problems

By David Loehr Cynic Correspondent Faced with more parking issues in the winter months, UVM is considering purchasing a “snow dragon.” !"#$% &% '()$(*+&$,% &-./$,% of snow falls, the primary issue is that snow has to be stored in a lot until it can be hauled away leaving fewer spaces for student cars, Manager of Parking Operations Transportation and Parking Services John Casey said.

“To try and avoid this, we are looking into a snow melter called ‘Snow Dragon’ which is a large, heated container on the body of a trailer,” Casey said. “[It] can be towed to any site to melt the snow fairly rapidly avoiding the loss of the space to snow storage.”

The snow can cause a temporary loss of as many as 25­30 spaces in any given area, Casey said.

Some students said they don’t have a problem parking when it’s snowing.

“Whenever it was snowing out Although students complain I never had a problem parking,” about parking, Parking Services senior Cam Aiello, a former sold 58 less permits this October University Heights resident, said. than in October 2007, Casey said.

The biggest challenges for parking services are when there “If you move your are big events on campus, he said.

With all of the recent on­ car during the week, campus construction, senior you are guaranteed William Elwell said he is even to loose that spot, more concerned about the winter forcing you to drive parking.

“It’s nearly impossible around endlessly because there is not enough for students with on­ looking for another capacity campus passes,” Elwell said.

5&'#6%'&(0%,"#%.$26%'()$(*+&$,% place to park.” impact was at the Jeffords lot, Evan Salzberg where the new Jeffords Hall was UVM senior built.

“We anticipated the loss of However, some students said 130 spaces well before the project that even when there is not snow, got underway,” Casey said. (,%('%0(1*+/2,%,.%*$0%&%'3&+#4% Students interested in “If you move your car during obtaining a parking pass can stop the week, you are guaranteed by parking services at 38 Fletcher to lose that spot, forcing you to Place. drive around endlessly looking for another place to park,” senior Evan Salzberg said.

Check out pages 5-12 for more wintery content!

ALEX EDLEMAN The Vermont Cynic

UVM is considering purchasing a “Snow Dragon” in order to prevent snow piles from taking up parking spaces for students.

6

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

Bypassed by buses

Lighting up the trails

By Chase Thomas Staff Writer Thanks to 1,000 volunteer hours from fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR), a mountain will be able to offer night skiing this season.

Starting this August, AGR has put up 30 telephone polls )0$ 1"=*7)'A(6$ )$ '"'/7"#0$ ski mountain that provides affordable skiing for families, AGR senior Christian Ruf said.

The Cochran family has had a long history in the ski industry.

They have had four children participate on the U.S. Olympic ski team.

“I think night skiing will be huge for Cochran’s,” AGR senior Chris Nowacoski said. “In years past when high schools would come to train after school, their sessions would be cut short due to lack of daylight, but now with the lighting system, training sessions will be able to occur longer.”

“Cochran’s has huge improvements coming its way.”

Christian Ruf UVM senior Cochran’s hopes that night skiing will promote an active after school program where kids pay $50 for once a week lessons, which includes rentals and skiing instruction, Ruf said.

Since August, AGR have put in more than 1,000 volunteer hours into making Cochran a night skiing destination.

“The last thing we have to do is wire all the boxes and wire the lights to the polls, Ruf said.

“This is one of the hardest parts because it’s 40 feet in the air” Other AGR members, such as current manager Jesse Paul, learned to ski on Cochran’s.

“Cochran has huge improvements coming its way,” Ruf said, “hopefully making skiing more accessible for everyone.”

Future plans call for installation of a state­of­the­ art snowmaking system and increased programming to serve the year­round needs of our community, according to the Cochran’s website.

“This summer, I started helping in the excavation and installment process of the lights,” AGR senior Alex English said. “I have been doing everything from running an excavator and loader tractor to skidding logs and shoveling trenches to help get the lights installed in time for this season.

Any work that they need done, I’ll happily do for them.”

ALEX EDLEMAN The Vermont Cynic

Crowded CATS buses drive by students because there is not enough room on the buses. Students wonder what this might mean for the colder weather to come.

Overcrowding on the on-campus buses

By Katy Petiford Staff Writer Several students start walking toward Central Campus as a full on­campus bus passes by their Harris Millis bus stop.

As it gets colder, the overcrowding of the Campus Area Transportation System (CATS) buses is an issue on the minds of students, SGA President !"#$%&'()*$()+,-$$ “I’ve been on the bus multiple times when it just drives past people,” sophomore Kelsey Christiansen said. “I’ve had it drive past me too and it’s really annoying.”

Students said they are concerned about the winter months and the lack of available

space on the CATS buses as they try to get to class.

said.

“To get all the buses out at the same time, I don’t think that would be doable maintenance “At peak hours it’s wise,” Barr said.

Though students have not very crowded, and I’m been complaining about the uncomfortable with number of buses that circle the campus daily, students people’s backpacks in have voiced opinions about the my personal space.” amount of space available on the buses, Mensah said.

Sophomore Marissa Menard Marissa Menard said that buses are too crowded UVM sophomore for comfort.

“At peak hours, it’s very crowded and I’m uncomfortable There are 11 buses that make with people’s backpacks in my ./$ 0*&$ 1234$ 5&&06$ )',$ 0*7&&$ 0"$ personal space,” Menard said. four of them are usually parked The overcrowding is an at any given time, Director of issue that students have made Transportation Services Jim Barr Transportation Services aware of.

In response to the problem, additional stops have been added to the bus route and Redstone Express shuttle has been implemented during construction, Barr said.

Transportation Services will be asking for an increase in budget so that they can purchase 8"7&$9.(&($:"7$0*&+7$&;+(0+'<$5&&06$ he said.

“I’m looking at it every chance I get and when I get a chance to +'=7&)(&$ 0*&$ 5&&0$ >$ ?+@@$ )@("$ 9&$ asking to increase staff so that we can meet those needs,” Barr said.

To be a voice to help get funding for more buses, contact a Student Government Association (SGA) or Inter­Residence Association (IRA) representative.

Never underestimate the power of the written word. www.vermontcynic.com

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

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8

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

Subterranean unearths creativity Burton snowboards and paintings are paired in exhibit

By Naciim Benkreira Staff Writer

While staring at Burton’s Ralph Steadman board “Easy Livin” at JDK Design’s “Subterranean Screwheads” exhibit, one cannot help but -.'#)#!:./ The hallucinogenic imagery of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” reptilia gamblers and my past fond experiences of ripping pow­pow in the backcountry of Q.-',)8$:('.$8,$'#)5/$$ From hosting the Subterranean Screwheads graphic show to boozing and skating the basement of JDK Designs during the Queen City Rail Jam after party, the exhibit celebrates Burton’s 2011 snowboard line by reuniting the boards with the pieces of art that !H(A).5$#8!$:-.(8#,)/$ The art visually displays the process of creating snowboard graphics from their conception, (&&$86.$A(+$8,$86.#-$%)(&$$!H,8$,)$ !(&.!$I,,-/$ “It allows you to view the stories behind the board to a level where you are connected to the board,” JDK’s Design Director S(-#)$E,-#"(A($!(#5/ The showcase is a celebratory

appreciation of the efforts taken by designers, managers, riders and sale representatives through a simple arrangement of wall mounted boards and framed A,-"!$,?$(-8/$ Setting up an artistic emphasis on the deep human interactive connection between riders of the board and the creative diverse minds behind the *&,;(&$H-,59:8#,)/$ According to Horikawa, there are many trials of convergence pertaining to art and design, due 8,$5#??.-.)8$:9&89-(&$8(!8.!/ “The funny thing is what Japan might say they love it, Europe might say no,” Horikawa !(#5/$TU)$86.$,86.-$6()5B$86.$V/2/$ '#*68$!(+$,"(+/W “The audiences are totally different, which is the hardest part but yet also sparks the .X:#8.'.)8$?-,'$86#!$H-,:.!!/W The exhibit had a variety ,?$ '9&8#7*.)-.$ #)I9.):.!$ ?-,'$ photographs, pinup girls and 5-(A#)*!/ The “Bullet,” inspired by Kevin Cyr’s work of oil and silkscreen on panel, perfectly captures the opaque rusty, battered ionic symbol of the car in contemporary culture that

BOBBY SUDEKUM The Vermont Cynic

The process of making Burton snowboards from concepts to being sold gathers the attention of many students and Burlington residents.

Cyr captures through the beauty 6.$%)5!$#)$5.-.&#:8$()5$9)".'H8$ 0.6#:&.!/$$ “The exhibit shines light on the artistic integrity and thought behind making the board … emphasizing the emotional connection and identity one

would usually want with their board,” senior Leslie Merinoff !(#5/ Next to Ralph Steadman’s original piece “Dr Gonzo Mono” is 86.$TP,+$28#:"/W$D8$,??.-!$($9)#N9.$ take on Dave Kinsey multi­ layered work, capturing some of

the aesthetic colors and values ?-,'$86.$(-8#!8G!$,-#*#)(&$H(#)8#)*/$ F6.$;,(-5$,??.-!$-(A$.',8#,)!/ Overall, the 2011 Burton Snowboard line is an awesome experiment in converging the '.5#9'$,?$(-8$()5$5.!#*)/$

Top 3 ski movies of 2010 Ski films full of skilled and scenic shots

By Will Curchin Guest Columnist

To begin with, I am only going to review Freeride and Freeski movies because, let’s be honest here, racing is for goobs and Warren Miller Entertainment can hardly be considered legitimate !"#$%&''("#)*$()+',-./$ With the explosion of high­ &.0.&$ 1234$ %&'#)*$ ()5$ 6#*67 quality point­of­view cameras, this year’s cinematography was 8-9&+$#):-.5#;&./$ I was lucky enough to see nearly every professional and amateur movie this year thanks to the International Freeskiing Film Festival (IF3) and Lorelle Sherman, the Ski and Snowboard <&9;$ =22<>$ ,?%:.-$ #)$ :6(-*.$ ,?$ ;-#)*#)*$ ',0#.!$ 8,$ @9-&#)*8,)/$ Well, here we go: GOLD: Match Stick Productions’ “The Way I See It” The only real way to describe 86#!$',0#.$#!$;()*.-/$ In typical MSP fashion, the %&'$ A(!$ !6,8$ #)$ ($ '9&8#895.$ of locations across the globe including Japan, Alaska, <,&,-(5,B$2A#8C.-&()5$()5$D5(6,/$ E#*6&#*68!$,?$86.$%&'$#):&95.$ teen phenom Sean Petit’s backcountry domination, perhaps the most epic booter session

ever from Bobby Brown, Gus Kenworthy and Russ Henshaw — all set to the stunning backdrop of Alaskan mountains — as well as an unbelievably touching segment dedicated to the late Arne Backstrom’s conquest of 3(".$F(6,.G!$;(:":,9)8-+/ If deep pow, backcountry booters, massive lines and godzilla park shoots are yo thang, 86.)$ H#:"$ 9H$ 86#!$ I#:"$ ()5$ 6(0.$ +,9-$!,:"!$-,:".5/ SILVER: Level 1 Productions’ “Eye Trip” In the way that MSP dominates the freeride aspect of the sport, L1P has come to be skiing’s park, urban and ;(:":,9)8-+$J#;$;#;&./$ The crisp, clean cinematography we have come to expect from Level 1 paired with a long list of freeskiing’s rising talent, yields one of their best ',0#.!$8,$5(8./$ Highlights include one of the most ginormous step­downs ever built in Sun Vally, Idaho, a jaw­ dropping urban montage from the streets of Helsinki and the L1P crew’s creativity on the peaks ,?$K&(!"(/$$ Standout performances include Mount Snow native, Praker White’s breakout year and

Ahmet Dadali’s display of cat­ like skills that earned him male H.-?,-'():.$,?$86.$+.(-$(8$DLM/$D?$ park, backcountry creativity and urban are the blood in your veins, 86.)$*-(;$86#!$,).$N9#:"/$ BRONZE: Meathead Productions’ “Work It Out!” Burlington’s own Meathead Productions will always have a A(-'$H&(:.$#)$'+$6.(-8/$ Shot completely on the East Coast, the crew capitalizes on the painfully variable weather :,)5#8#,)!$A.$(&&$&#0.$#)/$ With record­breaking snowfall down south, the Meatheads traveled down to O(!6#)*8,)B$ 1/</$ 8,$ *.8$ !,'.$ breathtaking urban footage set to the backdrop of the nation’s :(H#8(&/$ They also kick out some of the best park shoots of the year in such unsuspecting southern locations as Pennsylvania, New P.-!.+$()5$!,986.-)$Q.-',)8/$ Other highlights included Shea Flynn’s urban destruction of his hometown in rural Maine and Burlington local LJ Strenio’s rail ninjary exposed on the UVM :('H9!/$D?$+,9$&,0.B$6(8.$,-$&,0.$ to hate the weather conditions of the East Coast, then support this &,:(&$:-.A$()5$:6.:"$R.-$,98/$

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

9

The king of the mountain(s) More than 1,000 ski passes sold this season

By Jordanna Goodman Staff Writer

­Stowe: “Stowe is my favorite mountain because its close and easy to get to and the conditions are usually pretty good. Most of my friends have passes for Stowe, so it’s fun to go with them.”

­Isaac Geltzer

Going to school at the University of Vermont, there are plenty of mountains to choose from to ski or snowboard. Many students come to UVM for the numerous ski mountains to choose from locally.

Each fall, students who ski and snowboard have to make the decision of what mountain to buy their season pass for. While many students don’t buy a pass, it can be a tough ­ decision for the ones that do.

Mad River Glen: Through the Ski and Snowboard Club (SSC), students are able to !"#$%&'%()$*'%%&%$+(,$-.&/,$+'0(,/-&$1(")-'/)$'+-&,$1'2/)3$-.&$4/+56"7-$ 89'4$ :/0&,$ ;7&)$ /%$ 4&5)/-&7#$ 1#$ +'0(,/-&$ decision of where to go. Of course, the skiers and snowboarders do not mountain. It’s only for good skiers because they have to buy a season pass and can buy a day pass each time they choose 4()<-$ 3,((1=$ %($ #("$ 5)4$ ("-$ -.&$ 6()4/-/()%$ >.&)$ to go to the mountain. you get there. It’s not the easiest if you’re not an For the coming 2010­2011 season, SSC has already sold a total of experienced skier, but it’s the most fun.”

— Stephanie Feinberg, Junior around 1,717 passes. The passes that they have sold are for: Jay Peak, ­ Bolton Valley Mad River Glen, Bolton Valley, Stowe, Sugarbush and Killington, “Although Bolton isn’t as big as SSC member Jeremy Hulsey said. the other mountains, it still gets According to Hulsey, the most passes sold for the coming the job done.” ski season were for Stowe Mountain, amounting to a total

— Evan Perry, Junior of 898 passes.

Coming in second was the Triple Major, with Jay Peak: around 700 passes. The pass for Jay Peak, Mad “Everyone who works there is super laid back and River Glen and Bolton Valley are combined nice and just wants to chill and ski and have a good time. I’m in one pass called the Triple Major, which *,(!'!7#$!/'%&4$%/)6&$?$3,&>$"*$%2//)3$-.&,&=$!"-$@'#$4&5)/-&7#$ can be used at all three of the mountains. gets the most snow in the east, has the best glades, and is Most people that buy the Triple Major are affordable. From UVM the drive is a little bit longer than the skiers, as Mad River Glen does not allow drive to Stowe or Smugg’s, but it’s worth it.”

Sugarbush: snowboarders, according to Hulsey.

— Lianne Early, Junior “I like Sugarbush because I like having The third­most passes sold goes to the option of going to the two mountains.

Sugarbush, with 118 students buying a pass The conditions are usually excellent.” for this mountain, according to Hulsey.

— Jeff Ulsh, Junior Killington came in last for the amount of passes sold, with only one student purchasing a pass through SSC this season, according to Hulsey.

Illustration by Devin Connor

A sweet winter respite Hot cocoa keeps Burlington toasty warm

By Dacota Pratt­Pariseau Food Columnist

It’s cold. It’s close to winter. What better thing to keep you warm than some delicious and creamy hot chocolate? I’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to keep you warm and feeling rejuvenated in downtown Burlington.

1. Uncommon Grounds Coffee and Tea One word: delectable. One cup of hot chocolate from Uncommon Grounds, located on Church Street, will leave you coming back to this hot spot again and again. The price of $1.95 is a nice little bonus.

2. Muddy Waters Whether you’re in the mood for some Dutch hot chocolate or for some spicy Mexican hot chocolate, you can’t go wrong at Muddy Waters,

located on Main Street. And of course the woodsy ambience 4&5)/-&7#$ '44%$ -($ -.&$ &)-/,&$ hot chocolate experience.

3. Seattle’s Best at Borders Surprisingly tasty! The hot chocolate at Borders, located on Church Street, is particularly delicious and creamy, a near­perfect concoction. Better yet the price range is just about right at $2.65.

4.

Lake Champlain Chocolates

A chocolate lover’s dream come true: the Traditional Hot Chocolate. It’s rich with every sip and reasonably priced at $2.85. Be forewarned, if you aren’t a true fan of chocolate then after a few sips you’ll be ready to move on.

5. Burlington Bay Market Café Has relatively decent hot chocolate, but not the best out of all choices. The view from the café is great, giving a view of the waterfront. The price is right on at $1.75.

Illustration by Devin Connor

10

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

The ‘must-see’ events of the winter

By Will Andreycak Sports Editor

Most aren’t looking forward to the bitter Vermont winter that looms in the near future.

But sporting events that will take place between now and spring are enticing enough to provide a warming distraction for fans of all sports. Let’s take a look at the best of the upcoming winter.

NFL New York Jets @ New England Patriots — Monday, Dec. 6, 8:30 p.m., ESPN As of week 10, both the Jets and the Patriots are 7­2 sitting atop the AFC. The Pats have impressive victories over the Ravens and Steelers, losing to the Browns and the Jets.

The Jets have only one impressive win and that is against these very Patriots, and the Jets’ two losses have been at the hands of the Ravens and the Packers.

The Jets have made a name for close, stressful, last­second victories. Their resiliency is remarkable, despite the fact they exhibit such toughness against less­than­elite teams. The bottom line is that the Jets — and quarterback Mark Sanchez — know how to win.

I think this game is the most intriguing of the rest of the season because it will give us an idea of just how good the Jets are. If they can go into New England and beat Brady and the Pats — for the second time this season — the questions about the legitimacy of the Jets will fade. But if the Pats win, their claim as best team in the AFC will certainly appear a valid one.

Either way, this game — which is a Monday­nighter I remind you — will be as hyped up as any game this season and will probably play out as one of the best.

Week 15 — Sunday, Dec. 16 Year­in and year­out, week 15 in the NFL is always exciting because playoff spots are savagely being fought for. This year it just so happens that week 15 has a jaw­dropping slate of games all day.

It is hard to determine the best game of the day, and I really don’t think you can. We have the Eagles traveling to New York to take on the Giants in an always­ entertaining rivalry matchup.

There is the Saints taking on the Ravens in Baltimore, where we will see one of the best defensive teams — the Ravens — trying to contain one of the best offensive teams.

In a somewhat less exciting, but all the while intriguing, game there is the matchup between Atlanta and Seattle, who both

lead their respective divisions in the NFC. Perhaps the best game of the day will be the matchup between the Jets and the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

These are two of the toughest teams in every facet of the game.

The battle of ruthless defenses is obviously the main storyline but if Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan can go into to Heinz Field and take out the Steelers, it will be a signature win for both men in young careers.

If all that wasn’t enough, the Sunday night game is a matchup between Green Bay and New England at Foxboro. It is a possible Super Bowl matchup that will showcase two of the best quarterbacks in the league: Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers — Sunday, Dec. 26, 4:15 p.m. on FOX In my opinion these are the two best teams in the NFC. Sure the Giants lost to the miserable Cowboys, but every team gets a mulligan — see New England losing to Cleveland.

The Packers have an !"#$!%!&'( )*+,-.&#( /-0!).&!( +1$( the rest of the season starting with week 12.

23( #0!*$( ,34&( /*"( 54%!/( #0!'( play teams with a combined record of 31­23. That doesn’t seem too overwhelming, but consider that two of the teams that bring down that record are San Francisco and Detroit.

The Packers have to play at Atlanta week 12, have two weeks of should­be­wins against the aforementioned mediocrity of #0!( 678( 43)( #0!3( ,3*/0( 1++( #0!( ,34&( #0$!!( 9!!:/( 9*#0( 54%!/( 4#( New England, home against the Giants and home against Chicago.

One school of thought is that Green Bay will be the most ready team for the playoffs in the NFL. T h e o t h e r is that

Green Bay will be so beat up that the playoffs will be short­lived.

I believe the former is the case and that Green Bay will weather #0!(/#1$%(*3(#0!(,34&(9!!:/(43)( be able to establish themselves as favorite in the NFC. The Giants have a much easier /-0!).&!( *3( #0!( ,34&( 9!!:/( 1+( the season — although they play three games against the Redskins and Eagles combined.

That being said, this will be their last chance to beat a top team in the NFC and will be eager to prove they are legit. Either way, this will be one of the best games in the NFC all year.

NFL playoffs

What is there to say? The NFL playoffs provide us with some of the most entertaining moments of the sporting calendar.

The opening round games are often as exciting as the conference championship games and the fact that there is a week beforehand to analyze each game adds to the anticipation.

Whether we are blessed with the Tom Brady­Peyton Manning matchup, the hard­hitting matchup of Steelers vs. Ravens, or the upstarts surprising everyone — like the Cardinals did two years ago — the playoffs are unpredictable, brutal and make up the best games of the winter and the year.

Super Bowl Sunday — Sunday, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. on CBS Super Bowl Sunday speaks for itself. It is a holiday that everyone celebrates.

It is the single most important, entertaining and exciting day in all of sports. Period.

Other Notable Games

— Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. on FOX — Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens — Sunday, Dec. 5, 8:20 p.m. on NBC — Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans — Thursday, Dec. 9, 8:20 p.m. on NFL — New York Jets @ Chicago Bears — Sunday, Dec. 26, 1 p.m. on CBS — New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons — Monday, Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN — Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints — Sunday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m. on CBS

WI NT ER EDI T ION

NCAA football

The last heavyweight contest before the conference championship games and bowl season was the game between Auburn and Alabama, which took place over Thanksgiving break. Arizona against Oregon is a notable game for sure, as is the Oklahoma­Oklahoma State matchup, but the real “must­see” games will take place in the form of conference championship games and the bowl season.

Conference championship games — Saturday, Dec. 4 The ACC, the Big 12 and the SEC all have games that determine who is the champion of that conference. The ACC has had a down year and we will see a matchup that looks something like Virginia Tech vs. Florida State/NC State/Maryland. If it turns out to be Virginia Tech vs.

Florida State — the best possible scenario for fans — at least we will have some name recognition, but the ACC is downright boring.

The Big 12 title game will be immensely more intriguing than that of the ACC. At this moment it appears that Nebraska will earn a bid to the conference title game coming out of the Big 12 North, and in the South it is a three­ team race between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. The most likely scenario would matchup Nebraska vs. the winner of the Oklahoma­Oklahoma State game.

In the past two years, the SEC championship game has given us two of the best teams in the country battling for a trip to the national championship, with classic matchups between Florida and Alabama. The winner of each of the last two league championship games — Florida in 2008 and Alabama in 2009 — went on to win the national championship a few weeks later.

This year the game sees a less conventional SEC title game, as Auburn will play South Carolina. If Auburn enters the game undefeated and is able to defeat South Carolina, they will most certainly earn a trip to the national title game.

South Carolina is playing for a berth to the Sugar Bowl and will give Auburn all they have. South Carolina upset Alabama earlier this season and has the capability to crush Auburn’s national title hopes.

Even though this matchup doesn’t hold the weight of the Florida vs. Alabama title game, the SEC championship will be the best of the conference title games.

Bowl season — Dec. 18 through Jan. 9

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

BCS bowls — Jan. 1 through Jan. 4

As much as I wish there was a playoff system in college football, it isn’t like the BCS bowls suffer from a lack of excitement and intrigue. Some of the best teams in the country square off over the course of only a few days, satisfying our thirst for competitive and meaningful competition.

Possible teams that could !""# $%&'&# ()*"'# +,-"./&# 01&2),3# TCU, Auburn, Boise State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Stanford and others that make up the elite echelon of Division I college football.

BCS national championship game — Monday, Jan. 10, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

It is the Super Bowl of college football. Well, not really. It won’t %)"/# $%4$# '45&# '+2,+!-4,-&# unless a playoff system is implemented.

But nonetheless, the BCS national championship game still %)"/'# 21&4$# '+2,+!-4,-&# 4,/# +'# one of the best football games — both collegiate and professional — of the year.

NCAA men’s basketball

The NCAA basketball season has just begun, and there are hundreds of intriguing games that any fan would be more than willing to sit and watch.

Trying to pick even 10 games to write about would be +55&,'&"6# /+7!-."$3# 4,/# "&48&# equally as deserving games out in the cold. For that reason, we made a list of the best games of the year — see calendar.

Conference championship tournaments Being a Syracuse fan and an avid follower of the Big East, one of my favorite times of the year is the week during which the conference tournaments are played out. There is as much intensity and ferocity in these games as there is in the championship tournament that follows.

Some of the best moments in the history of the sport have been seen during this week of conference tournaments — see the Syracuse victory over UConn in six overtimes. If nothing else ,it whets the appetite for the most hyped, loved and followed athletic tournament in the world.

March Madness

It may run into spring, but the NCAA Tournament starts in the

!,4"#/46'#)7#*+,$&1#4,/# 7)1#$%4$# Bowl season is a special time reason we had to include it. Like of year for sports fans, especially the Super Bowl, almost everyone for college students home on celebrates March Madness. winter break. There are more Even the most apathetic than 30 games that are played person toward sports will print with the grit and determination out a bracket and get caught up of a championship game. in the excitement.

Whether it is a matchup of The Super Bowl may be the small, less popular unknowns most exciting single game of each such as in the Godaddy.com year, but as a tournament, March Bowl or the powerhouse schools Madness elicits the most emotion that participate in the BCS in the sporting world. There is no bowls, each bowl has a chance better way to celebrate the arrival to produce an iconic image of of spring than with the thrill that college football. is March Madness.

The Best NCAA Basketball Games No. 1 Duke @ No. 2 Michigan State — Wednesday, Dec. 1 No. 16 Butler @ No. 1 Duke — Saturday, Dec. 4 No. 12 Kentucky @ No. 8 North Carolina — Saturday, Dec. 4 No. 2 Michigan State @ No. 10 Syracuse — Tuesday, Dec. 7 No. 19 Memphis @ No.7 Kansas — Tuesday, Dec. 7 No. 24 Tennessee @ No. 5 Pittsburgh — Saturday, Dec. 11 No. 3 Kansas State @ No. 9 Florida — Saturday, Dec. 18 No. 13 Illinois @ No. 15 Missouri — Wednesday, Dec. 22 No. 3 Kansas State @ No. 15 Missouri — Monday, Jan. 17 No. 10 Syracuse @ No. 5 Pittsburgh —Monday, Jan. 17 No. 2 Michigan State @ No. 14 Purdue — Saturday, Jan. 22 No. 6 Villanova @ No. 10 Syracuse — Saturday, Jan. 22 No. 14 Purdue @ No. 4 Ohio State — Tuesday, Jan. 25 No. 3 Kansas State @ No. 7 Kansas — Saturday, Jan. 29 No. 19 Memphis @ No. 11 Gonzaga — Saturday, Feb. 5 No. 15 Missouri @ No. 7 Kansas — Monday, Feb. 7 No. 9 North Carolina @ No. 1 Duke — Wednesday, Feb. 9 No. 20 Georgetown @ No. 10 Syracuse — Wednesday, Feb. 9 No. 5 Pittsburgh @ No. 6 Villanova — Saturday, Feb. 12 No. 2 Michigan State @ No. 4 Ohio State — Tuesday, Feb. 15 No. 10 Syracuse @ No. 6 Villanova — Monday, Feb. 21 No. 10 Syracuse @ No. 20 Georgetown — Saturday, Feb. 26 No. 15 Missouri @ No. 3 Kansas State — Saturday, Feb. 26 No. 14 Purdue @ No. 2 Michigan State — Saturday, Feb. 26 No. 1 Duke @ No. 22 Virginia Tech — Saturday, Feb. 26 No. 1 Duke @ No. 8 North Carolina — Saturday, March 5 No. 7 Kansas @ No. 15 Missouri — Saturday, March 5 No. 6 Villanova @ No. 5 Pittsburgh — Saturday, March 5 —Rankings of teams are based off of the first AP poll conducted for the 2010-2011 season—

11

12

WI NT ER EDI T ION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

COLUMNISTS

The real meaning of

Christmahanukwanzaakah The holidays are coming round again, and with much merriment, gift giving and gluttony not far off on the soon­ to­be­snowy horizon, I’d like to dedicate my column this week to the real meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yulefest, Pancha Ganapati, Hogmanay, HumanLight, Festivus and the like — celebrating the joyous ironies inherent in the holiday season in hopes that it will instill a bit of festive cheer upon ye blessed readers as we fast approach our winter break. !"#$%&'($(")*+$(",($-./#'$ to mind when I look forward to the approaching gaieties surrounding the solstice is religion. In my case — being brought up Catholic — this means church.

After a hearty yearlong absence from the faith, nothing says Christmastime is here like the annual Christmas Eve dash to the cathedral.

Something about seeing my 12­year­old brother in a blazer and tie, GameBoy in tow as he sits in the pew takes me back to my youth, when the thought of idle presents and cookies at home made my “Goosebumps” book that much harder to read through the service.

“Suffer the little children,” Christ said unto Matthew, “and forbid them not to come unto me.”

Kept an extra hour from Santa and sugarplums, suffer I did Lord; suffer I did. Heaven forbid you and Santa cut a deal to make the lives of wee

Christians just a little less stressful.

Knelt in the hot, stuffy air of an overcrowded tabernacle, the thought of a little dreidel action never did sound unappealing at age 10.

Call me a heathen but I was just looking for a good time — give me a little tree, a little latke, a little Tambiko and I’d 0#$',()'%#12$3",(#4#&$&#5)+).6'$ ,7%5),().*$8.6$9,*($(.$(,-:$.*(.$ it, I was — and still am — always just looking to enjoy the break with food and family.

Heaven forbid you and Santa cut a deal to make the lives of wee Christians just a little less stressful

Similar stories are heard over and over again. Year after year, so many adults and children alike march off to a temple, church, relative’s living room, or dining room table to celebrate the holiday — whatever it is.

3)("$'.$/,*8$1)77#&#*($ religious analyses of that time of the year, disputes arise and traditional interpretations are defended and sustained.

3"#("#&$8.6$-#5#0&,(#$9)("$ God or your grandmother, the fundamental goal of the thing seems to be the same: to be

JOSH MACGREGOR

together with those that matter.

So what is the real meaning .7$("#'#$-#5#0&,().*';$3)("$ such an enormous variety of -#5#0&,().*'<$)($)'$.7(#*$1)7%-65($ to tell. Are we really so altruistic as to treat ourselves to food and drink and levity in the name of a god or the coming year?

Or are we simply dragging out tradition — donning the old religious wig every now and again as a means whereby we may indulge ourselves and celebrate something as a group, together.

I offer no answer, nor do I look down upon those who feel differently. I only offer that 9")-"$=$-,*>$-5)-"?'2$3",(#4#&$ you celebrate this coming season, enjoy it with those humans, homes and animals that matter to you — regardless of the pretenses. @,8$8.6&$"#,&('$0#$%55#1$9)("$ warm and fuzzy feelings as we prepare ourselves for a much­ needed break.

A,BB8$%*,5'$(.$,55$,*1$(.$,55$,$ good … winter. !"#$%&'()*+,"*%-#%'%.*#/01+'*% 23,4-#$%'35%6$-4"#"6$1%7'8"*9%% He has been writing for The Cynic since fall 2010

The death of skiing, murdered by big resorts Along with many of you, I love skiing. I love to wake up early, pile myself and ski gear into the car and race to the mountain, throwing my boots on in the parking lot, tossing my skis over my shoulder and jumping on the chair lift.

Once at the top, taking in the beautiful vistas is almost as sweet ,'$9",($-./#'$*#C(<$("#$%&'($ run. There’s nothing better than carving through powder and laying down fresh tracks until going for your second run and slicing through them once again.

Unfortunately, this type of ski experience has become almost extinct.

After jumping in the car, you /,8$+#($'(6-:$)*$(&,7%-$7.&$,*$ hour to park in lot 56, and then wait 10 minutes for a shuttle to bring you near the base lodge.

After weaving tirelessly through hundreds of shoppers lingering among countless

overpriced apparel shops, you get into the lodge and hunker down in line for 20 more minutes to pay $80 for that glorifying ticket with a bar code. !",($0,&-.1#<$9"#*$%*,558$ in line for the chairlift, will erroneously be rejected by the $100 scanning gun operated by a scraggly­bearded teenager who sends you back to the ticket line to start all over again.

This has, unfortunately, become the typical experience at large ski resorts in southern Vermont.

Victims of geography, ski mountains in southern Vermont get inundated by wealthy upper­ class urbanites from Boston and New York City looking for that authentic Vermont getaway.

Owners of mountains like Stratton, Okemo and Mount Snow have expertly tapped into this market by going from small­ scale ski mountains to large­scale

resorts.

In order to accommodate their new market, they have made the ski experience as luxurious as possible.

Unfortunately, this type of ski experience has become almost extinct.

Pay an initial fee of $80,000 and, at Stratton Mountain Resort, you become a member of a private lodge with ski­on ski­off access, two restaurants, three bars, private lockers, a private spa/massage center and butlers that help you onto and off of your skis.

3)("$("#$#C-#B().*$.7$D(.9#<$ mountains in northern Vermont have been able to remain small­

scale resorts that allow for more emphasis on the sport of skiing and not massages.

Although I fear that soon the others will also turn into upscale resorts, for now the geographic divide between the north and the south is keeping our hills free of snotty tourists.

Don’t get me wrong; there are './#$4,56,05#$0#*#%('$(.$5,&+#$ resorts, such as the provision of many new jobs for local people.

However, there also exists an extreme animosity between the local Vermonter and the visiting urbanite.

In addition to the local­ tourist tension, the environment takes a toll. One ski mountain hotel that provides local people jobs also levels thousands of trees and bulldozes the land, not to mention the materials used in construction.

3#$/6'($1#/,*1$("#$'6&4)4,5$ of small resort, big mountains

MAX KRIEG

in northern Vermont not only for the pure and unadulterated skiing experience, but also for the environmental and cultural problems that are brought about by large resorts.

The next time you go to Jay Peak or Smuggler’s Notch and get to the frigid summit wishing there was a big fancy lodge with boot warmers and ski valet, just be happy you’re not still waiting to get there.

Max Krieg is a senior global studies major. He has been writing for The Cynic since fall 2010.

ARTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

13

‘Lady Killer’ a knockout

By Paul Marban Cynic Correspondent “The Lady Killer” by Cee Lo Green — the vocalist from Gnarls Barkley — is sure to be considered one of the great R&B/soul albums of 2010.

The album is centered around the musical theme of the ‘50s, with doo­wop, slow dance songs and tight harmonies. On listening to the first couple tracks, listeners are sure to think otherwise, but as the album blossoms, the musical ideas of the ‘50s are put front and center.

The intro, “Lady Killer Theme,” sets up the story behind the album. Green tells the listener that he has a license to kill ladies over a backdrop of James Bond­style instrumentation.

The intro then blends right into “Bright Lights Bigger City.”

A techno backdrop to introduce the piece strongly contrasts the violin heard at the end of the intro piece. The highlight of the song comes during each of the choruses in which the techno intro is repeated while being backed

by Green, violins, drums and bass.

The most famous song of the album, “Fuck You,” follows “Bright Lights.”

This song has gained huge popularity over the Internet due to its use of ‘50s rock styling and the modern day story of an unrequited love that lasts the entirety of the narrator’s young life.

Green’s ability to mix ‘50s sounds with modern storytelling suceeds in such an engrossing fashion.

The highlight of the album by far, Green uses catchy beats and lyrics full of popular culture references to produce one of the biggest hits of the year, and one of my favorites.

“Bodies” is my least favorite piece on the album.

The lyrics seem out of place

with the previous songs and the premise of the song is very bland.

“Satisfied” is a song that follows in much the same vein as “Fuck You.” A cheery introduction of lively horns sets up Green’s verse in which he autotunes his voice for the first time, with great effect. An all­girl group of backup singers sing all the choruses. All the reasons to love “Fuck You” apply to “Satisfied,” another highlight of the album.

In “Cry Baby” — my personal favorite song on the album — Green incorporates a vibrant horn section, violins

and backup singers that can be heard in all of the following songs.

“Old Fashioned” is just as the title says, but in a good way. The listener is swept into a slow bass line and somewhat jumpy piano part that sounds exactly like a ‘50s slow dance as Green calls his love old fashioned — much like his reference to the Atari gaming system in “Fuck You.” The outro, also named “The Lady Killer Theme,” continues much like the intro did but with a rock guitar part starting the piece off. The album ends with a chorus singing “lady

killer.”

This album was one of the few R&B albums this year that I have been able to listen from start to finish without skipping over any of the songs.

Green’s ability to mix ‘50s sounds with modern storytelling succeeds in such an engrossing fashion. The backup singers definitely helped strengthen the album, particularly on “Satisfied.”

Pretty much every song except “Bodies” is great and should definitely be a new part of your collection.

Bluegrass with a Burlington flair

Something With Strings taps into the city’s unique music scene

By Will O’Donoghue Staff Writer Local bluegrass­rock band Something With Strings had newcomers and fans alike stomping their feet and singing along to their performance at Nectar’s on Friday, Nov. 12.

The ensemble consists of three UVM alumni — Patrick Giblin on banjo, Adam Howard on guitar and Charlie Whistler on the bass, as well as one current student, junior Matt Francis on the mandolin.

The recent addition of drummer Matt Vaughan is one example of the band breaking the boundaries of traditional bluegrass, with surprising and pleasant results. This new element proves to make their fast paced songs more danceable than ever. “[We are] just trying

to write high energy songs that resonate with people,” Vaughan said.

They certainly had the crowd at Nectar’s intrigued with a versatile blend of country, rock and bluegrass, even adopting a slow dub style at times. By the end of their second song they had a swelling crowd dancing and cheering exuberantly.

“They’re not like anything else I’ve heard,” Champlain College junior Lauren Swanson said, “There’s no other choice but to dance.”

The five musicians continued to keep the crowd on their toes throughout their hour­and­a­half set, with each band member performing lead vocals for at least one song.

The distinctive warbling twangs of both Giblin’s banjo and Francis’s mandolin bring

a lot to this band’s unique, vibrant feel. Both members are originally guitar players, having picked up these country instruments solely for the band.

“They’re not like anything else I’ve heard.”

Lauren Swanson

Champlain College Junior

“For me, personally, [I] got the short end of the stick,” Giblin said, “[I] had to pick up the banjo and just practice … day in and day out.”

Francis’s newfound

Eoto delivers experimental electronic beats, at least 50 percent of the time Known for “live improvised dubstep, house and electro,” Eoto played to an eager crowd at Higher Ground on Nov. 12, improving as the night went on. By Madeleine Gibson Senior Staff Writer

proficiency is equally impressive, as he picked up the mandolin less than two years ago, less than a year before joining the band in March.

On stage, he appears as if in a trance, staring off vacantly while picking away at his instrument furiously.

Though bluegrass doesn’t exactly fit the popular conception of the genre that younger demographics are listening to, for Something With Strings, it seems to be working.

“Burlington has a unique musical taste in what they respond to,” Vaughan said.

So far they’ve just been playing shows around Burlington, but the members of Something with Strings said they hope to expand and are heading to the studio to record next week.

“We’re at a crossroads, [with] how we want to keep going and get more professional,” Whistler said.

“Now, if we cover our bar tab, we’re happy,” Giblin said.

“It’s been great, sharing what we do with everyone.”

Their devotion to the music is apparent, barely leaving time to swill a beer after one song before leaping into another.

They ended off their show with a high­speed cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” that was full of country flair, eliciting enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.

No one can say what’s in store for these five musicians, but you can be sure they’ll be getting Burlington crowds moving for the foreseeable future. After all, as their motto states, “deep down everybody loves bluegrass.”

See the full story at www.vermontcynic.com

14

Opinion

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

STAFF EDITORIAL

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The SGA just passed a resolution to make end­of­semester course evaluations available to all students. If !'(#15).&./!$1!."&#5"(/#&"!#!1=(#1<!."&7# the SGA is planning to boycott course evaluations this semester.

The Cynic believes that providing students with this information will be !$%23#@(&(0<.12*#E/#.!#<%$$(&!23#/!1&5/7# students are forced to rely on a 200­ word blurb written about a course and RateMyProfessors.com.

Having course evaluations made available to the student body would encourage students to take these questionnaires even more seriously.

E!#!'(#(&5#"8#!'(#/()(/!($7#/")(# /!%5(&!/#022#"%!#!'(#$1!.&4#@%@@2(/#1&5# maybe write one word answers to the free response sections. +'(#81/!($#3"%#022#"%!#3"%$# (?12%1!."&7#!'(#(1$2.($#3"%#<1&#4(!#"%!# of class.

If peers were going to be reading !'"/(#"&(#6"$5#1&/6($/7#!'($(#6"%25# be more pressure to put thought into the evaluation and provide valuable feedback for the incoming class.

It would incentivize the process COLUMNISTS — peer pressure should not be %&5($(/!.)1!(57#&"$#/'"%25#1#/!%5(&!F/# desire to help their classmates.

A much larger pool of students 6"%25#:$"?.5(#.&8"$)1!."&7#!'%/# offering a more well­rounded collection of opinions.

-&/!(15#"8#"&23#0&5.&4#"%!2.($/# — in the form of extremely polarized opinions found on RateMyProfessors. com — the moderate opinions could be found too.

Making evaluations completely public would also put pressure on teachers to make their classes as JEFF AYERS interesting as possible.

Professors shouldn’t be coerced into making their classes easy. But The Transdisciplinary professors should value whether or not Research Initiative — their classes are enjoyable and take affectionately called TRI by student criticisms seriously. friends and family — is rearing E#5.80<%2!#<21//#!'1!#./#6(22A!1%4'!7# its controversial head again. interesting and relevant to one’s The three “spires” have been (5%<1!."&#6.227#.&#!'("$37#4(!#1#4""5# decided upon and faculty lead evaluation. committees have been organized Even without making these !"#$%&#!'()*##+,-#./#0&1223#/(!#!"# 5"<%)(&!/#:%@2.<7#!'($(#6.22#12613/#@(# become a reality. a student who gives a terrible review to Say hello to UVM’s new :$"8(//"$/7#@%!#!'1!#./#1&#(9<(:!."&7#&"!# areas of expertise — or at least the rule.

President Fogel is crossing G.&12237#!'./#<"%25#2(15#!"#2(//# 0&4($/#1&5#6./'.&4#$(12237#$(1223# transferring between classes at the hard that they become areas beginning of each semester since "8#(9:($!./(;#<"):2(9#/3/!()/7# students would know exactly what they 8""5#/3/!()/7#1&5#&(%$"/<.(&<(7# were signing up for. behavior and health.

This resolution can provide students And you know what? I’m with important information that is making the same wish. currently missing from students’ course TRI has raised some selection process. The administration eyebrows and drawn criticisms /'"%25#022#.&#!'1!#).//.&4#.&8"$)1!."&*# 8$")#"&2""=($/*##>%!#!'(#)"?(7#.8#

TRI builds for future (9(<%!(5#6.!'#<1$(7#<1&#1&5#6.22# :$"5%<(#@(&(0<.12#$(/%2!/*## Right now TRI has short­ term drawbacks that are easily lampooned. Money is being taken from undergraduate tuition and given to graduate $(/(1$<'7#1&5#)1&3#@(2.(?(#!'1!# other departments are being neglected in favor of the “spires.” +'(#2"&4A!($)#@(&(0!/7# '"6(?($7#1$(#@(.&4#.4&"$(5*# B(/7#8"$#1#6'.2(# undergraduates will be funding graduate students’ research and maybe for a while the chemistry department will have to handle having one less professor.

But those side effects do not have to be permanent. If UVM is able to become a national 2(15($#.&#8""5#/3/!()/7#<"):2(9# systems and neuroscience — all highly respected areas of study — the prestige drawn from that will attract students from all over. That means more tuition dollars.

The increase in money for the University can be used to hire faculty for every department. It is unfairly pessimistic to believe that UVM will not use money gained through TRI to improve areas

outside of the three “spires.”

-&#!'(#6"$25#"8#%&.?($/.!.(/7# prestige sells. Prestige drives high school students to sell their /"%2/7#/"<.12#2.?(/#1&5#6'1!(?($# (2/(#!'(3#<1&#!"#4(!#.&!"#C1$?1$57# Yale or Princeton.

And do you know what they 4(!#8"$#!'1!#/1<$.0<(D#+'(3#4(!# an excellent education and a diploma that is a golden ticket in the job market.

They get that excellent education because those schools '1?(#!'(#)"&(3#!"#:$"?.5(#.!7# and because they have proven themselves again and again to be on the cutting edge of knowledge and education.

UVM should strive for &"!'.&4#2(//#!'1&#(9<(22(&<(7# otherwise it is selling itself and its students short.

TRI is a step toward that excellence. The administration is trying to make UVM the best at what it does: educating young people.

C1&52(5#<"$$(<!237#+,-#<"%25# allow UVM to hand out golden tickets to young Charlies from all over the world.

Jeff Ayers is a sophomore undergraduate student. He has been writing for The Cynic since fall 2009.

DISTURBING QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“WHENEVER I SEE HER PICTURE I CRY, I WANT MY MOTHER BACK. THAT’S WHAT I’M PRAYING FOR.” — Isham Masih talking to CNN about her mother, a Pakistani Christian, who may be sentenced to hang for insulting the Prophet Muhammad

Unsigned editorials officially reflect the views of The Cynic and its staff. All signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. Send letters to vcoped@uvm.edu.

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Sports

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

15

Can’t-miss NBA events of 2010-2011 winter season

By Will Andreycak Sports Editor

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Every time Vince Carter returns to Toronto to play against his former team, he is booed and ridiculed by fans whenever he touches the ball. I think you know where I am going with this.

Lebron James is the most hated man in Cleveland and when he returns to his former city — and hometown — it is going to be brutal. The matchup is a terrible one if you’re looking at pure talent of each team, but the “Lebron returning home” factor makes this game highlighted on everyone’s calendar. If Lebron is as hated in Cleveland as we have all been led to believe, this is going to be a wild event.

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There is not a better day for the !"#$%"& '(#)& *(+,-'.#-/& 0("+"& #+"& 12"& games, all of which have a substantial amount of hype. The day kicks off with the Knicks hosting the Bulls at Madison Square Garden, where so many classics were played in the ‘90s between the '34& '"#.-/& 5)6& '("& 6#7& 1),-("-& 3,'(& games between Denver and Oklahoma City, and Portland and Golden State. If Carmelo is still around the Denver vs.

OKC game could be a great one, and both Portland and Golden State are young up­and­coming teams that are fun to watch.

But the two heavyweight bouts of the day are the matchups between Boston and Orlando, and Miami and Los Angeles. Boston and Orlando are two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference and it is a must see whenever they play. The main event of the day will be the Lakers vs. the Heat ,)& 84-& 5)$"!"-/& 9"& 3,!!& 1)#!!7& $"'& '4& see Lebron, D­Wade and Chris Bosh matched up against Kobe Bryant and the size, depth and experience of the Lakers.

The NBA is gaining in popularity at an extremely accelerated rate. With that increasing popularity the hype for Christmas Day basketball is — dare I say it — beginning to rival the NFL on Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving the Pats are playing the Lions, the Saints are playing the Cowboys, and the Bengals are playing the Jets. Hardly the marquee matchups the NBA rolls out every year. If the NFL continues to stick to tradition and not put the best teams :4--,;!"&4)&'("&1"!6&<4+&'(",+&-,$)#'%+"& day, the NBA will continue to gain ground.

the NBA this season. I know that everyone is in love with the Heat, but the Heat’s lack of size and depth worries me. The Celtics and Lakers have plenty of what the Heat lack and also can match their star power. The Celtics mix of Rondo, Pierce, Allen, Garnett and a stellar bench is way more potent than the Lebron, Wade, Bosh trio, mixed with Joel Anthony, James Jones and Carlos Arroyo.

The Lakers roster made up of Kobe, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Bynum — when healthy — and Matt ?#+)"-&'#A"-&'("&B"#'&-'#+',)$&12"&#)7& day. The two best teams in the league — again when healthy — are the Celtics and Lakers. They have the tools to be there in the end, and this game will ;"& #& $+"#'& :+"2,"3& #'& #& :4--,;!"& 1)#!-& matchup.

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Other than Christmas Day, this is the single best day in terms of quality games. It is the same four teams as Christmas — Miami, Boston, Orlando and Los Angeles — but just different matchups.

The early game will showcase Boston hosting Miami — a matchup that Boston has dominated early this year. And the second game will pair '("&8#A"+-&#)6&'("&C#$,=&D&'("&1)#!-& matchup from two years ago. Both games will be hyped up as some of the best of the season.

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The Bulls currently sit fourth in the conference, and 1+-'& ,)& '(",+& 43)& 6,2,-,4)/& E"++,=A& Rose continues to be one of the best point guards in the league, and contributions from the likely — Joakim Noah’s 16.5 ppg and 13.3 rpg — and the unlikely — Taj Gibson’s 14.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg — have lifted this team to Eastern Conference elite.

All of this has been done without their biggest acquisition of the offseason, Carlos Boozer, playing a single minute due to injury. By March, Boozer will be back to 100 percent and the Bulls will have had a chance to gel as a team. A determining sign of how good the ?%!!-&#='%#!!7&#+"&3,!!&;"&#&12"F$#."& road trip in late February and early March. The games in February pale in importance to the games that follow in March when looking at the matchups.

The trip starts with winnable games against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards.

However, on March 2, the Bulls travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks.

On March 4, they travel to Orlando to take on the Magic and the road trip concludes with a game in Miami against the Heat.

The Heat, the Hawks and the Magic are three of the best four teams in the conference and, if Chicago can rally for a 4­1 — or even 3­2 — road trip, the rest of the conference will be put on notice.

Sure, this game technically falls after winter, and it doesn’t hold the weight and name recognition that the rest of the games on this list do, but the intrigue is undeniable. Two of the best point guards in the league, Chris Paul and Deron Williams, will go head to head against each other. The Hornets have been the biggest surprise in the league this season getting off to #)& GFH& -'#+'/& 0(+4%$(& '("& 1+-'& ",$('& $#."-I& >"3& J+!"#)-K& -'#+',)$& 12"& (#2"& all averaged more than 10 points per game. If the balanced attack, led by Paul, can continue, it would be tough for the organization and Paul to part ways — a rumor that circulated before this season.

The Jazz have also been one of the best and most resilient teams in the NBA this year. Earlier this year, the Jazz rallied to beat both the Heat and the Magic away from home. They were down by 22 against Miami and by 18 against Orlando. Resiliency — especially in visiting arenas — is just about the most impressive feat a team can have, and Utah certainly has exhibited it thus far.

As of Nov. 15, the Hornets were in 1+-'&:!#="&,)&'("&=4)<"+")="&#)6&'("&L#MM& were in fourth, only two games behind.

If this trend continues — which I believe it will — this game in March will be a major matchup to determine Western Conference supremacy.

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0(,-& 3,!!& ;"& '("& 1+-'& +".#'=(& since the Lakers beat the Celtics in '("&>?5&1)#!-&!#-'&-"#-4)/&@)&.7& opinion, this is the best matchup in

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16 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

!"#$%&$'# a look through the lens Top left: Make Art, Repeat exhibits various works of art downtown.

Top right: Students ski on ice shavings behind the gym Bottom left: Eytan and the Embassy performs at Nectar’s.

Bottom right: Snowboards from Burton’s “Subterranean Screwheads” exhibit Photos by Katie Cassidy, Jamie Lent, Bobby Sudekum, and Kruti Kansara

SP ECTACLE