Vermont Cynic Fall 2013 Issue 3

The Vermont

page 12

CYNIC

The University of Vermont’s independent voice since 1883

W e d n e s d a y, S e p t e m b e r 11 , 2 0 1 3 – Vo l u m e 1 3 0 I s s u e 3 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t

Student pushes for UVM ward Grand As city redistricts, a new 8th ward proposed See feature on 8-9

opening of ‘Hub’ in Davis Ted Levin Cynic Correspondent

PHOEBE SHEEHAN The Vermont Cynic

Members of City Council meet Sept. 9 during a general meeting for the last public forum on redistricting. Population growth over the past

located in the former spaces of Underground Copy and People’s United Bank, the latter of which has been vacant since spring 2012. The new Davis Center location has been a long time coming for Career

In the Adirondacks, a festival revived Francesca Parnham Life Editor Otis Mountain Get Down was born one night in late July, when a small group of Champlain students and recent alum gathered in the mountains of Elizabethtown, N.Y., and decided to combine two things most Vermonters love: local music and the Lake Champlain valley.

Quillan George, a recent graduate from Champlain College, and Zach Allott, a Champlain senior, are behind the operation. With George’s past music event management experience and Allott’s drive to keep the spirit of Otis Mountain alive, they teamed up to try and put on the festival that had disappeared since 2009 (more on this later).

“We thought it would be about 100 people, just a small get together,” Allott said. But when the duo started posting about the festival on Facebook and Instagram, it went

“viral and completely blew up.”

Case in point: the Otis Mountain Get Down Facebook page has more than 1,000 likes.

The music festival hits Allott especially close to home: It will be located on his parent’s property in Elizabethtown, a town about an hour and a half from Burlington across Lake Champlain.

Otis Mountain was a small public ski hill that ran in the 1970’s. Now, the Allott family runs it as a private hill where families can go on weekends and ski for free.

More recently, the mountain was the host of Otis Mountain Music Festival, a world-class blue grass festival that Allott’s dad ran from 2003-2009. The festival stopped running because it was too expensive to keep open.

“This was a great help for us to have my dad’s experience,” Allott said, who is responsible for most of the

logistical aspects of the operation.

The duo decided to change the name to Otis Mountain Get Down while staying true to its original values. “We are getting down with a little bit of everything, and that’s been the mantra since day one,” George said, who booked all

Out with Underground Copy and what was once People’s United Bank and in with the Career + Experience Hub. The Hub is an expansion of Career Services in the Living/ Learning Center with a more casual atmosphere. Students are able to drop in at any time during the academic year for consultations related to “a wide variety of opportunities,” Career Center Director Pamela Gardner said.

“What we hope is that we make ourselves available where students are in a relaxed environment where they can come in and bring questions or concerns or whatever they’re thinking about,” Gardner said.

The Hub, which opened

of the bands and serves as the marketing lead.

“I quit my job to do this, and it’s been worth it,” he said.

The festival, which runs this weekend, costs $30 for both nights. This is petty

See OTIS on page 4

PHOTOS COURTESY OF QUILLAN GEORGE

Tommy Lyga and Brian Somers put in a sand box at Otis Mountain. Otis Mountain was a small public ski hill that ran in the 1970s.

titioned for a more central location in the past, she said.

“We have been advocating for a space on central campus for probably about twenty years,” Gardner said. “And when the Davis Center was being built there was a discussion that we would be in, and they decided there were other priorities. But now that the other stores are no longer in there we’re happy to have that space.” remain in Living/Learning, Gardner said she hopes the new location will be more accessible to students on the go while still providing valuable assistance.

Programs include weekly sessions at 4:15 p.m. every day, with résumé building on Mondays, internship opportunities on Tuesdays, study abroad information sessions on Wednesdays and job search workshops on Thursdays.

See CAREERS on page 3

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

F o l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r

Visit us online

Wa t c h C y n i c V i d e o

T h e Ve r m o n t C y n i c

@VERMONTCYNIC

@ Ve r m o n t C y n i c

w w w. v e r m o n t c y n i c . c o m

w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / c y n i c v i d e o

2

N EWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Professor talks Harry Potter’s impact Ayla Yersel Staff Writer What can Harry Potter tell us about the political views of the millennial generation? According to professor of Political Science Anthony Gierzynski, a lot.

In his new book Harry Potter and the Millennials, Gierzynski investigates the role of entertainment media on the political views and values of the millennial generation, focusing in particular on the popular Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling.

The Millennial generation, also known as “Generation Y” or “Echo Boomers”, refers to those people born between 1980 and 2000. “[Harry Potter] hit them at such a formative time in terms of [the millennials’] political views that theoretically, one would expect that it had a big impact on their views,” Gierzynski said.

From his Politics in the Media class, he got the idea of looking not only at news media effects, but also media effects, linking entertainment media to people’s views about politics, he said.

Gierzynski set up a research science seminar in which he and his students developed projects to test the link between entertainment media and people’s views about politics, he said, including distributing surveys to university classrooms nationwide.

Gierzynski and his team tried to identify the politically relevant lessons in Harry Potter, which appear in the book’s

WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic

“It became evident that throughout the series, there were repeated themes and lessons like acceptance of people no matter how different they are, unless they prove themselves to be bad or evil,” he said.

“It’s interesting-- it’s not overly political, because it’s not about the ‘real world’-- but accepting even goblins, houseelves, and extending to them rights, freedoms and dignities that you would to anybody-that lesson repeated over and over again.”

Gierzynski didn’t start

out thinking to research Harry Potter said.

“One semester, [we realized] how popular the Harry Potter series is, and how unlikely it is that everyone who became immersed in the series had any sort of political reason [to do so],” Gierzynski said.

Political science major and former student of Gierzynski’s Andrew Bowen said he agrees with his professor’s ideas. “[Political socialization] is the process that we all go through when we are young and it shapes our own political views to a hardened form

that we carry through the rest of our lives,” Bowen said.

“Things such as your parents’ jobs your family’s economic background, the friends you had and their own views… the books you read the movies you watched; all these things had a tremendous impact on us that we don’t realize.”

But research into the effects of media revealed that media didn’t have the overwhelming effect that people thought it did, he said, referencing “The War of the Worlds” radio program, a fake news broadcast about a supposed ‘alien invasion’, which reportedly caused

widespread panic when it aired in 1938.

“It did not actually create the mass hysteria that popular opinion believed it did,” Gaierzynski said. “It only affected certain people in certain ways.”

In any case, Gierzynski argued that the Harry Potter series hit millennials at the formative years when they didn’t have the attitudes for self-selection.

Although there are some scholarly pieces on the effects of TV shows (such as “The Day After”, a series about the day after a nuclear attack, and another mini-series from the ‘80s), they focused explicitly on the political effects, which was not Gierzynski’s focus, he said.

“So the question is, if they’re not getting information from there, where are they getting information about issues that they are asked to voice opinions about, or when they go to vote?” Gierzynski said.

Gierzynski emphasized the importance of understanding where our views and values come from.

“I tried to teach my students in my American Politics class to understand that their values aren’t necessarily superior to their fellow students’ values,” he said.

“If we get to that point of accepting where we come from and that we’re not all politically rational creatures, then maybe our discourse could change a little bit. Right now our discourse is just in really sad shape.”

Police continue to crack down on drug spike Alexander Collingsworth Cynic Correspondent In Chittenden County, 800 people wait to take the synthetic opiate Methadone to treat heroin addiction.

But until they can get to the top of the list at drug treatment centers, many are still shooting up, said the director of mental health and substance abuse services at the Howard Center Bob Bick.

The Vermont Health Department disclosed that 914 people were treated for heroin abuse in 2012, almost 300 more than the previous year. Since this February the Burlington Police have arrested about 15 people suspected for dealing narcotics including heroin and cocaine.

Heroin is an “epidemic” in Burlington, Police Chief Michael Schirling said.

“Heroin knows no boundaries. Opiates are indiscriminate in the way they destroy lives,” White, or Latino.”

First-year Paolo Cannizzaro said he thinks that heroin is damaging the Burlington community.

“Heroin causes a vicious cycle, creating addicts [and] opening up a market. People commit more crimes to support habits,”

Cannizzaro said. “ [Burlington] is a good place, somewhere you’d want to raise your kids, [but] it does have its bad places, places you don’t want to go to.”

He also said he believes that Burlington could be doing more in terms of helping people combat addictions.

“There’s probably not enough resources to combat the issue,” Cannizzaro said. “Vermont is one of the best states in terms of rehab and mental health clinics… but we can always do more.”

For the past year members of the Burlington Police Department (BPD) have been knocking on doors in Burlington and talking to the people they serve about combating drugs and crime in the area. In the last few weeks they distributed letters from the Chief of Police addressed “Dear Neighbor,” outlining renewed efforts by the BPD to attack heroin distribution and use and to help addicts get treatment.

As part of these efforts, since November 2012 the police have walked “proactive” patrols around Burlington more than 1,382 times. The police have also conducted more than 342 compliance checks on parolees convicted for violent crimes or drug-dealing, drug-testing them and making sure they are

at work when they are supposed to be. In the past compliance checks were only done if the parolee was found to be noncompliant.

But it’s not just Burlington.

Heroin distribution and addiction has been on the rise in Vermont and in the whole of New England, Schirling said.

About 18 months ago, the manufacturers of Oxytocin, a prescription drug that was widely sold to recreational users and drug addicts, changed the composition of the drug so that it was released slowly over time after it was ingested. This caused the price of the drug to skyrocket.

People who sought a powerful high yet could not afford the new form of Oxycontin turned to heroin, Schirling stated.

Heroin comes into Burlington from the big cities, relatively near Detroit, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. A bag of heroin that sells for $8 or $10 in New York can go for $20 in Burlington. One bag can last some users a few days or even a week but some addicts shoot up a bag’s worth of heroin everyday, Schirling said.

The police statewide are focused primarily on catching people moving and selling heroin and crack cocaine instead of other drugs like marijuana, he

said. lice’s initiative is getting heroin addicts help when they need it. urges people addicted to narcotics or involved in drug dealing to “not hesitate to call for help.”

According to Schirling it is relatively easy to target repeat offenders and known narcotics dealers.

“Treatment is a key component just as much as taking the key offenders out of commission,” he said.

But one of the most impor-

tant parts of the initiative revolves around community engagement, Schirling said.

“The number one thing that makes communities and neighborhoods safe is active and engaged participation of the neighbors, people in the community even without increased police enforcement,” he said. “People must be engaged and interested in making sure that there’s no street level drug dealing going on. Get to know your neighbors so that you create a fabric that’s

Number of Patients for in Heroin Abuse Number of HeroinTreated Treatments Vermont

2011

2012

In Vermont, the Health Department reported that 914 people were treated for heroin abuse last year, up from 654 the year before, an increase

of almost 40 percent.

N EWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Campus cameras Top world stories are watching you

same time. Resentment of the Brazilian government continues to grow, and other governments have expressed worry that it will come to a head similar to the Arab Spring.

Taylor Delehanty Cynic Correspondent

Lauren Giery Assistant News Editor The University upped its oncampus surveillance cameras academic and administration buildings this semester.

In last week’s opinion section of the Cynic, columnist Josh Gachette brought attention to a surveillance camera mounted on the north side of the Harris Millis complex.

In his article “UVM keeps a close watch,” he raised questions over the validity of the use of cameras on-campus.

UVM employs nearly 200 surveillance cameras on campus, said Associate Vice President of Administrative and Facilities Services Bill Ballard.

Ballard said UVM makes no effort to hide these cameras.

Signs mark many of the camera locations in residence halls, parking garages, academic and administrative buildings, and other public locations on campus, he said.

“You will often see a sign nearby or at the entrance of the building indicating the area is video surveillance,” he said.

These cameras are only located in “public areas” where there is no expectation of privacy, Ballard said.

Though UVM has the capac-

ity to monitor the surveillance, they are not monitored on a continuous basis but instead recorded for future use should a crime be reported, he said.

“Cameras are reassuring,” Ballard said. “If something does happen, in most every situation, it’s recorded.”

After students voiced concerns for the safety of the Redstone path, the University added a camera to that area.

According to the Community Oriented Policing Services Video Surveillance Guide, using surveillance technology in public and semi-public areas shows a reduction in crime, reduces fear of crime and provides aid to police investigation.

“I think it does deter criminal activity,” Ballard said.

Sophomore Jenna Nash said she appreciates the on-campus surveillance.

“It doesn’t necessarily make me feel safer, because it doesn’t prevent anything from happening,” she said. “But the cameras do comfort me. If something does happen, at least it’s on surveillance.”

Junior Ari Kaminer said she agrees.

“I think monitoring kids smoking weed in the amphitheater is the least of UVM’s problems,” she said. “But for something like a stolen backpack, cameras make sense.”

Russia makes Syria an offer $500 million cleanup fund

In an eleventh hour decision, President Barack Obama announced Monday that he would welcome Russia’s proposal that Syria surrender its chemical weapons to international control, a move the president’s administration is calling a possible “breakthrough” in the standoff against the Bashar al-Assad regime. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin discussed the proposal with Obama at last week’s G-20 summit meeting, a spokesperson for Putin told NBC, a recent development that may explain Secretary of State John Kerry’s mention of the plan at Monday’s news conference in London.

In most of the radioactive sites that resulted after the meltdown at the Fukushima radiation plant in 2011, there is concern that the government did not use enough precaution in attempting to clean up the site. The Fukushima incident is considered the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986 and the cleanup is dangerous and expensive. On Tuesday the Japanese government made a statement that it will provide $500 million in funding to stabilize the plant.

Protests in 2020 Olympic Rio di Janeiro games: Tokyo On Sept. 7, thousands of government protestors took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro in what was the largest protest in recent years of the city’s government.

Police forcefully dispersed the people and more than 25 were arrested. In Maceio, a city north of Rio de Janeiro, protestors stopped a military parade at this

The International Olympic Committee voted to have the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Tokyo was able to overcome the other contenders, Istanbul and Madrid, by making it clear that it could guarantee a safe and successful Olympics. The Olympics will be back in Tokyo

3

CAREERS New Hub offers daily help sessions ...continued from page 1 At Monday’s opening, students could be seen milling in and out of the new space, remarking on the bright colors and minimal décor. Many were signing up for 10 minute appointment slots to meet with counselors, a feature of the Hub that most students interviewed for this article said they found appealing.

Gardner is not alone in her enthusiasm for the new branch of Career Services. In a survey performed by the Student Government Association (SGA) last November, results found that a central location was very important to students as well.

“Representatives from SGA and the GSS (Graduate Student Senate) have been key players in the development of the Hub because this is something students have been looking forward to for a while,” said Abu Rizvi, Dean of the Honors College.

Rizvi said he hopes the Hub will help revitalize the Davis Center and turn it into a destination for students, not just a passageway through campus.

“It’s going to be a vibrant and active place — after all, going through the tunnel, and to Brennan’s and the CatCard Center, which are the Hub’s neighbors,” he said.

CRIME LOG Lauren Drasler Staff Writer

Sept. 1 2:49 p.m.

A call came in about a cell phone that had been stolen out of Angell Hall. Apparently a student had forgotten his/ her cell phone and went back to get it once he/she realized it was missing, only to discover that it had been taken. No one incident.

10:19 p.m spotted a crowd of people gathering around a light pole outside the Southwick building on Redstone Campus. the people, he realized that there was a student climbing the light pole. The student got down upon request and no further incident was reported.

11:21 p.m.

A Resident Assistant in Buckham Hall called police services after he/she smelled the odor of marijuana coming from a dorm room in the hall. Police were able to locate the room cated 16 grams of marijuana along with a pipe from students in the room.

Sept. 2 12:40 a.m.

A knife and 1.7 grams of marijuana were taken from a student on the Redstone quad.

The student had the knife because it was something he/she always had on him/her. The weapon was taken from the student because of the University’s weapons policy and will be returned to him/her once the student leaves to go home for break.

CALL FOR IDEAS The Clean Energy Fund seeks participation from students, faculty and staff for its annual Call for Ideas. The CEF generates $225,000 each year from a student fee to implement renewable energy projects on campus.

We want your ideas for:

-new classes, workshops, and seminars -research projects -innovative educational tools

4:47 a.m.

A UVM physical plant staff called police services about a suspicious car that was parked at the BioResearch Facility on Spear Street. The worker had seen two people in and around rived, he/she found the two people inside the car. When

What renewable energy projects do you want to see on campus?

How can we learn more about renewable energy at UVM?

Get involved! Submit your project ideas by 10/15/2013:

http://www.uvm.edu/sustain/cef/ideas

what they were doing, they a private place.”

For more information: cef@uvm.edu

Go online to see the

cynic Crime Map

The Call for Ideas closes on 10/15/2013.

www.vermontcynic.com

Vote & Comment 10/16–11/15/2013.

CYNIC ad 6"Wx7.5"H - COLOR.indd 1

9/10/13 11:10 AM

OTIS MOUNTAIN

Life

Champlain College student and grad team up to revive Adirondack music festival “We have no interest in being the next electronic music festival. We steered as far away from that as possible”

...continued from page 1 cash compared to the $200$400 price tags of other top U.S. festivals, such as Bonaroo and Coachella, its organizers said.

George, whose past event management experience includes co-founding his own entertainment company in high school and working with professional acts like Edward Sharpe and ZZ Ward, the Otis Mountain Get Down is poised to go in a different direction than most established festivals.

“We have no interest in being the next electronic music festival,” said George. “We steered as far away from that as possible.”

But at the same time, they are still trying to appeal to an eclectic audience so bands from all different genres are playing at the event including the Bumping Jones, Formula 5, Potbelly and Grundlefunk.

There are 32 acts on three stages during the festival, including bands from New York, Vermont and a few WRUV DJs who will be playing later in the night. “There may be a few surprises, but out,” said George.

George and Allott justify the low price because they are sticking true to the festival’s original values. “We are trying to expose people to music that is up and coming,

Quillan George Champlain College ‘13

WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic

Champlain graduate Quillan George and Champlain senior Zach Allot sit for an interview in the Davis Center Sept. 6. The two teamed up to organize Otis Mountain Getdown that costs $30 for both nights. and showcase hardworking bands who deserve the publicity,” George said. “Our goal They also feel that the low price will incentivize people in Burlington to be motivated to attend. Breaking even?

“Absolutely,” said George.

The team had an initial budget of $2,000, from 10 individuals who personally invested $200 each. They also

tried various fundraising tactics, some of which included for Otis.

“It was a little scary because we were putting out money to bands when we didn’t have any,” said George.

“Luckily, it’s worked out and we’ve learned that you have you’re doing in this industry.”

So far, 350-400 tickets

NATIONAL HOUSEKEEPING WEEK September 8th - 14th, 2013

Join us in celebrating our staff. They service UVM with the “I CARE” spirit.

IntegrIty Commitment Accountability Respect Excellent

Show them that you care too by saying thanks!

have been sold between the organizers efforts and the bands marketing for themselves — each band was given tickets to sell and keep the “We had no budget, so this was our backwards way of booking,” said George.

Allott said that perhaps operation has been dealing with insurance, though they

were able to secure a $3 million coverage policy.

Coupled with this, there will be a security team and EMT services on site. “We can only do so much and people are responsible for themselves,” said Allott, when speaking about potential drug use at the festival considering what happened recently on Randall’s Island, N.Y. Tragedy struck this past weekend at popular rave festival Electric Zoo when two attendees died due to suspected drug overdoses while 19 others collapsed.

“The whole basis of the festival is not one where this should be an issue,” said George. “It’s self-supported and we think everyone understands that.”

The festival has a no-glass policy and is strictly BYOB. There will be locally sourced food available to purchase.

For more information, visit www.otismountain.com.

Life is Good

Slope-sides of ‘Paradise’

JOHNNY SUDEKUM

Let’s all take a moment away from talk about the now smokeless Bailey/Howe steps to get hyped about something that actually matters: ski and snowboard season.

Vermont greeted UVM students with lava-like ever since it has been “colder than a witches tit,” as my man What I’ve heard from folks and professors is this winter is supposed to be rugged, predicting a lot of snow.

While I take what an English professor has to say about weather as awkward small talk, my hopes are soaring.

Although we’re all super stoked to get real pitted this winter, let us not forget what we learned from those Snickers commercials, “you’re not you when you’re hungry.”

It never hurts to know a couple of road stops on the way back from a day of spread eagles. While Martha Stewart probably wouldn’t be super stoked over these places, it doesn’t matter. Paula Deen is better anyway.

As you roll into Sugar-

bush’s Mount Lincoln, a small mini-market is planted to your left. To the untrained eye, it’s a little pit stop where you can get a snack. But to those of us who know better, this place is “Paradise.”

Paradise lives up to its name. One bite of their Philly cheesesteak sandwich and ever searched for. As a plus, Paradise allows customers to make their sandwich dreams a reality.

If you’re the kind of skier who likes long lift lines, expensive meals and condominiums then you’ll probably be looking for food stops after skiing Stowe.

It really isn’t a full day of skiing Stowe without a stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for cider donuts and jams.

While these donuts look plain and simple, they are warm and delicious. Be forewarned though — they’ll land you straight from the car seat to the toilet seat.

If you’re shredding Bolton Valley, On the Rise Bakery is worth kicking your boots off.

From bagels with veggie cream cheese to pizza that anyone can get hot and bothered for, this place is worth it. If there’s time, stay for the live music at night.

There it is folks. Have a great ski season. You can’t go wrong with any of these places, because let’s face it, they’re all better than the Grundle.

ARTS

John Mulaney brings ‘hilarious’ show Holly Trantham Staff Writer John Mulaney’s Labor Day comedy set in the Davis Center proved to be another successful installment of the annual comedy show run by UVM Program Board. Both viewers could easily laugh at his unassuming and often self-deprecating humor.

After the mysterious announcement a few weeks ago that Amy Schumer would not be performing in the show as originally planned, a development that the UVM Program Board did not comment on, many were wondering who would be her replacement, if there was to be one at all.

The show started with a word of welcome from UPB, who announced Josh Rabi-

WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic

Comedian John Mulaney performs in the Grand Maple Ballroom Sept. 2. UVM Program Board provides a comedy show annually.

These days, early exposure for comedians most often comes via Twitter, so it was both refreshing and disconcerting to hear a name without immediately being able to picture its companionate avatar.

A quick Google search ent on Twitter, but doesn’t have a real “Twitter presence,” as his tweets aren’t themselves jokes and rather

mainly serve the purpose of communication.

Rabinowitz’s set was impressive, featuring mostly observational jokes on topics such as navigating the harrows of today’s dating scene.

Some of his most popular one-liners were: “I’m more of a fetish than I am a man” and sters very off-putting.”

After about 25 minutes, it was time for the headliner.

Those familiar with John Mulaney’s work knew what to expect: mainly long-form jokes, often about his childhood and previous incidents with alcohol, musings on how his appearance doesn’t lead most to believe he would have a harried past with substance abuse, callbacks to jokes within the set and many ridiculous voices.

The set started off with the expected comments on Burlington—“A lot of people hate Phish, I don’t know if you know that, outside of Vermont,”—and college in general.

He devoted a lot of time talking to nearby audience members, commenting on their chosen career paths and where they grew up.

“He was hilarious,” senior Shannon Switzer said. “I love that he just started tearing

apart Rutland without even knowing its reputation.”

His sets always have an easy, slightly spontaneous feel, but there’s a noticeable difference in this fairly tailored performance than his Comedy Central special and live albums. Neither is necessarily better or worse, but “New in Town” is his most recognizable piece of work, and it’s relatively polished.

Mulaney segued easily from unplanned ramblings into his jokes, with only one recognizable bit from “New in Town,” where he originated this gem: “Now that I have a girlfriend, I always have someone next to me who can point out obvious things to me.”

His other highlights included talking about not getting along with children, except one of his friends’ daughters who one day unfortunately pointed out, “He has a penis,” and contemplating the origin of the phrase “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”

Mulaney performed for well over an hour, a treat for those of expecting a somewhat abbreviated set. Despite the continuing confusion behind Amy Schumer’s cancelation, John Mulaney did not disappoint.

Boston Calling: two days, two different vibes Jess Schwartz Senior Staff Writer Boston’s City Hall Plaza was the destination for a variety of festivalgoers this past weekend for the second Boston Calling music festival.

Warm sunny weather and indie rock bands welcomed attendees on Saturday while electronic and hip-hop artists closed the show in a daylong dance party Sunday.

“I volunteered with the Work Exchange Team for both days,” Boston resident Michael Gower said.

“The artists, the way people dressed and the overall vibes made it feel like I went to two separate festivals.”

Openers earlier in the day such as You Won’t, Luscious and The Airborne Toxic gave Saturday attendees a taste of what to expect for the rest of the night.

Mayor Thomas Menino was a surprise opener for Local Natives, who thanked everyone for making the festival possible.

Local Natives performed a mix of songs from their newest album “Humming Bird,” which was released earlier

this year, as well as hit songs such as “Airplanes” and “Wide Eyes” from their earlier album “Gorilla Manor.”

The band also made time to cover “Warning Sign” by Talking Heads.

The Gaslight Anthem, a Punk Alternative rock band from NJ, played a handful of songs from their newest album, “Handwritten,” released in 2012.

They also used their hour and a half set time to play some of their older songs including “Here’s Looking At You Kid” and “The ‘59 Sound.”

While plenty of fans enjoyed The Gaslight Anthem’s set at their stage, many attendees took this hour and a half to sit on the steps within the Plaza to save their energy for the closing headliner, Vampire Weekend.

Vampire Weekend closed Saturday night performing various songs from all of their albums including their newest, “Modern Vampires of the background.

“Vampire Weekend was day,” Work Exchange Team

(WET) volunteer Mikey Gower said. “They made you want to dance and that was good preparation for the acts that would follow them the next day.”

Vampire Weekend encored with “Walcott,” which was appropriate at a Boston show due to the lyrics mentioning Cape Cod a total of 15 times.

On Sunday, a change of genres brought a change of clothing attire.

“The day before people were wearing sweaters and jeans and today people are wearing glitter, neon and too much skin,” said a volunteer escorting a young boy out of the festival.

The day started with Flume, an electronic producer from Australia, Flosstradamus’ trap set and Solange’s R&B serenade.

The opener’s mix of electronic and hip-hop paved the way for headliners Wolfgang Gartner, Kendrick Lamar and Major Lazer.

Major Lazer, an electronic dancehall DJ project created

by American DJ and producer Diplo, asked the crowd to “take an item of clothing off

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX JOHN BECKThe Vermont Cynic

Vampire Weekend performed Sept.7 among other artists at the second annual Boston Calling. Boston Calling took place at Boston’s City Hall Plaza. Openers included Luscious and The Airborne Toxic. and wave it in the air” and eventually to throw it into the crowd as confetti.

Clothing was not the only thing thrown into the crowd during Major Lazer’s set.

At one point, Diplo crowd surfed the audience in a plastic bubble.

Following Major Lazer’s dance party, Kendrick Lamar fans came together to enjoy with songs such as “Swimming Pools” and “P&P.”

Passion Pit, an indie pop band from nearby Cambridge, Mass., closed the festival with high-pitched vocals from lead singer Michael Angelakos, and upbeat pop instrumentals and synth from the band.

The band played a set of old and new but closed with “Take a Walk” from their latest album “Gossamer” released in 2012.

Come Make friends Now recruiting writers, photographers, graphic designers, ad reps, columnists, videographers, audiographers, fact checkers, copy editors, illustrators, aquatic life specialists and more!

Wednesdays, 7:00 Waterman 338 (Memorial Lounge)

You know you want to...

6

A RTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 , 2013

McCombs’ raw soul Graham Wright Cynic Correspondent Hidden behind a dark silhouette stood a man in a

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL GOMEZ The Vermont Cynic

Chali 2na poses for a photo. Griz, 3Lau and Chali 2na are set to perform for this year’s annual Fallfest.

Fallfest line-up disclosed Dillon Baker Arts Editor GRiZ, 3LAU and Chali 2na are set to take over Patrick Gym for this year’s annual Fallfest, hosted by UVM Program Board’s Concert Bureau.

Grant Kwiecinski, better known by his stage name GRiZ, is a 23 year-old producer from Detroit, Mich.

So far GRiZ has released one record, “Mad Liberation” in September 2012, and is currently set to release his sophomore record “Rebel Era” sometime this month.

Despite the brief amount

of time he’s spent on the electronic music scene, GRiZ has seen his status quickly rise as one of the most funky and creative producers around.

His music features dub(commonly known “wubs”) and bass drops, while also maintaining a lighter funk oriented sound with acoustic instrumentation such as jazzy piano lines and saxophone riffs.

3LAU, the stage name of Justin Blau, is another newcomer to the electronic scene.

As a 21-year-old full-time college student at Washington University in St. Louis, he

is sure to have little trouble connecting with the mostly student crowd at Fallfest.

Pronounced like the German word for blue “blau,” 3LAU’s sound is classic house. Check out his popular remixes on soundcloud. com/3lau to see what all the fuss is about.

Chali 2na, pronounced like the mascot of tuna company StarKist “Charlie Tuna,” is a well-respected MC famous for his work with legendary groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli.

Fallfest will take place Sep. 28. Tickets are $10 for students, $25 for the public.

disheveled hair could be seen against a wall of soothing yellow dots that gently pulsed alongside the crooning of singer-songwriter Cass McCombs.

Sept. 7 at Signal Kitchen was the scene for the soft, groovy ballads of three musicians cloaked in darkness.

The face of Cass McCombs and his two accompanying guitarists were barely discernable, yet their musical precision and emotion shed great light on the small, engrossed crowd, and on the styles of McCombs himself.

Without worrying about his physical appearance (almost even hiding it) onstage, McCombs delivered personal experiences and emotions straight from his soulful past.

During a brief break between songs, McCombs checked in on the audience, saying in his signature raspy voice, “We good? We all good? Can I get you anything?”

The trio played together as one soothing groove while through his lyrics, layering into the ends of his phrases.

He sang his most popular song, “County Line,” with a reserved, yet deeply passion-

ate yearning for a desire just out of reach, just over the county line.

McCombs’s songs rehowever, he is not a man living the trials and tribulations of his past, as he made clear in his upbeat song about the girl that made his dreams come true, “Dreams Come True Girl:” “All the troubles in my past, that’s just what they are.”

At some point in every song, McCombs would pause his singing for an electric guitar solo by the talented silhouette to his right.

Each riff gave a euphoric upbeat relief to McCombs ist channeled as much grace and emotion into his notes as a classical pianist, and seemof folk inspired melodies.

The mood at Signal Kitchen wasn’t one for dancing wildly, minus one very passionate and seemingly intoxicated fan, but you could see each audience member waltzing with the intricate melodies inside of their heads.

“I loved the atmosphere,” “The music was very calm and soothing.”

Apart from his new album slated for release this October, McCombs may not know what his future holds. But after this latest performance, one can be sure he isn’t too worried about it.

Local company ArtsRiot opens gallery Rebecca Friedlander Cynic Correspondent Energetic jazz songs drew people in from the streets on Friday night’s Art Hop as the ArtsRiot gallery celebrated its opening Sep. 6. Staff members stood at the front, welcoming guests who seemed eager to discover Pine Street’s latest attraction.

The gallery was made up of two rooms: one serving food, one featuring artwork and the opening band of the night, Red Hot Juba. People sat at tables and stood in conversation, creating an atmosphere ideal for ArtsRiot’s declared mission: to “destroy apathy.”

In the art room, children ran around, dancing and laughing. Young adults, students and older couples moved subtly to the beat.

Some even danced full out to the folk songs that set an upbeat tone to the nig--ht.

Though Red Hot Juba’s music was lively, the art around the room was focused on much more serious topics.

One of the featured artists of the night, Jan Reynolds, displayed a photography series focused on the Nangpa La trade pass in Tibet. The intensity of the people featured in the series encouraged many to learn more by reading a description of the pass, hanging just off to the left of the series.

Jan Reynolds is a UVM alum, having graduated in 1978 before traveling the

LORENA LINERO The Vermont Cynic

ArtsRiot gallery celebrated its opening Sept. 6. The gallery was made up of two rooms for food, artwork and the opening band. world to study and photograph different cultures. Her latest work, “High Altitude Women,” came to ArtsRiot Aug. 30 through a multimedia presentation as well as the gallery show that opened at Arts Hop. “I thought it was actually Dooman said. “I liked the fact that they had live music and I think that the art was well done and original. There was stuff that I hadn’t seen before which made me really interested. I thought it was well set up.”

In the adjoining room, with people trying the unique food offered at the bar and grill. The food menu seemingly had an Asian theme, featuring items such as Gustie dumplings and a dish called Hong Shao Beijing.

Co-owner of the gallery PJ McHenry was working at the bar himself, pouring beers for those with the proper hand-stamp.

“ArtsRiot is an arts gallery and music venue,” McHenry said. “[We] create space to give people access to resources, feel empowered and feel connected to the community.”

Though the ArtsRiot gallery is new, ArtsRiot itself is no stranger to Burlington.

According to their website, artsriot.com, you can also such as the South End Truck Stop, Church Street Connect the Drops concerts and the South End farmer’s market.

With such a strong presence in the city, ArtsRiot seems poised to continue to make a name for itself in the Burlington arts community.

D I ST R ACT I O N S

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 , 2013

This week in

7

DESSSERTS

Ages Distractions: Middle 1066 to 1485 Sweet Treats

by Jillian Bushor

Dessert Facts

by Jenna Bushor In 2007, the owner of Serendipity 3 in New York City paired with the jeweler Euphoria New York to produce the most expensive chocolate sundae named “Frrozen Haute Chocolate”. This dessert in a goblet with an 18 karat gold bracelet laced with 1 karat of white diamonds. This golden delicacy rings in at $25,000.

In 2010, Armenia set the record for the world’s largest chocolate bar weighing in at nine thousand pounds.

In 1983, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream was used to build a 27,102-pound sundae in St. Albans, Vermont.

Sources: reuters.com, kraftrecipes.com, benjerry.com/ company/timeline

Across 2. Vanilla or _________ 4. Light air like topping 9. Served at a birthday party 10. Warm, cinnamon, sliced 13. Ingredient needed in almost all good desserts 14. Also known as burnt cream, will usually contain a torched caramel layer on top

16. Classic American dessert company 20. Tart zest on the bottom, powdered sugar on top 22. Like pudding, but contains egg yolk 23. The sweeter version of 24. Creamy dessert that goes on crust, made with eggs, cheese and sugar

Down 1. This dessert contains the name of a state 3. There was a doll named after this dessert 5. Gelatin consistency made with milk 6. Classic Italian dessert 7. _____ Monster 8. Frozen dairy product with lots of sugar 11. Sugary layer that goes on cake

15. Milk’s favorite cookie 16. Vermont’s favorite ice cream 17. A thin pancake 18. Cake soaked in coffee with a cream top 19. Warm top of a sundae 21. Chocolate baked good

Answers to last week’s crossword: Fairy Tale Across 4. Rapunzel 7. Herald 9. Damsel 10. Tower 12. Cinderella 14. Adventure

15. The Princess Bride 17. Knight 18. Chivalry 19. Princess 20. Kate 21. Guinevere

The Neighbors by Alison Bell

22. Tiara Down 1. Maiden 2. Dragon 3. Jester 5. Jousting

6. Castle 8. Monarch 9. Duchess 11. Royal Court 13. Danger 16. Snow White 20. Kiss

Illustrations by Laurel Saldinger

8

FEAT U R E

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

FEAT U R E

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 , 2013

The eighth ward: an on-campus student voting district?

"We have this town with all these intellectual people at UVM but they’re not really put to the task of doing anything.”

By Devin Karambelas and Katy Cardin

An example of a map with 8 wards 5,500 - Number of residents

living on UVM’s campus.

2,534 - Number of

UVM undergrads living off campus in Burlington.

- Charlie Kelley ‘14

46%- Current student

concentration in Ward 2.

Senior Charlie Kelley poses in the Davis Center Sept.

10. Kelley has advocated for an 8 ward plan that would include a UVM voting district. Burlington has tried to redistrict city lines since the Census was taken in 2010.

Photo by Walker Sultzbach

The Eighth Ward For the past three years, Burlington has been attempting to redraw its city lines in what has been characterized by committee members, residents and local media as a long and arduous process of redistricting.

As population growth over the past decade mandated a shakeup of the city’s current voting districts, the idea of creating an eighth ward comprised of the University’s Now, one of UVM’s own students is attempting to bring this issue to the forefront again. Charlie Kelley, a senior, is advocating the idea that an eighth ward be added to the city’s existing seven to provide for an on-campus student voting district.

“When you think about students who would be interested in working with the city council you’re getting people who are studying government or economics and know how to deal with issues, and their focus is particularly probably government,” he said. “We have this town with all these intellectual people at UVM but they’re not really put to the task of doing anything. I think students will have a fresh perspective and make sure the laws that are being passed are fair.” tics during his freshman year, pointed to the recent success of other colleges on this issue.

“Over at UC Berkeley they just started their own student voting district within the city of Berkeley, so that got me interested in seeing if we could use that model here,” he said.

Although Kelley works with the city council members in helping to come up with a new redistricting plan, not all representatives agree with his stance, including the person who he would likely need support from the most for a redistricting initiative like this one: SGA President Connor Daley.

“Students come to Burlington for college for four years and then they leave and go elsewhere,” Daley said. “I am

Kelley said he admits to there being other challenges he will have to face besides trying to increase student involvement. “[One of the] main challenges I’ve heard from people is how do you draw the lines?” he said. “That’s one issue the committee is hung up on. When you redistrict anywhere, lines have to be moved and lines have to be redrawn. The committee has to come to a consensus on where they draw the lines. Action has to happen very soon, so the sooner we that plan the better.”

Why Redistrict?

The redistricting process began shortly after the 2010 Census was taken, when Burlington’s population growth showed that an electoral map needed to be redrawn to provide for equal representation across the city’s seven wards.

Today’s city redistricting process addresses two changes that took place between 2000 and 2010: the growing enrollment of UVM students (the overall student population

be invested when they’re so transient. That might sound derogatory toward students, but it’s a fact.”

To get the movement going, Kelley said there needs to be a lot of backing from city council representatives, and more importantly support from UVM students and orgacome.

“Getting students motivated behind a cause can be dif-

Institutional Research), and the relatively slow growth of Burlington’s New North End that includes Wards 4 and 7.

The result: Wards 4 and 7 were found to be overrepresented, while Ward 1 (which includes the area of UVM’s campus and streets neighboring Fletcher Allen) was not representative enough. The redistricting committee, which is comprised of a city council representative, a Neighborhood Planning Association (NPA) representative and/or an alternate from each ward, was charged with the task of ensuring that no single ward could deviate more than 10 percent from the ideal population per ward of 6,060.

After much deliberation, the process culminated last June in three different proposals: a 4-ward, 12-councilor plan; a 6-ward, 13-councilor plan and an 8-ward, 16-councilor plan, though several other variations have been discussed in the past year as well.

Ward 4 political activist Lea Terhune, who serves on posed the plan that Kelley is now advocating for.

“At almost every city council meeting issues are discussed that involve students,” Terhune said in July. “To me, the ideal thing given their large population was to make the on-campus students their own voting district.

42,000 [Burlington’s approximate total population] divided by 8 is 5,000, and there are 5,300 students on campus.

I thought it was perfect.”

with some people familiar with city politics to advocate for this such as Ward 4 redistricting committee member Jim Holway. “Students, on the other hand, are going to see more of me raising my voice and getting them to care about anything. The more people I can get behind this cause the better.”

But many people didn’t agree including, seemingly, students themselves. Terhune said no members of the UVM community bothered to show up at open forums last spring, SGA wouldn’t get behind the initiative and many city councilors and committee members were “dead set” against it.

“People said it would be ‘a mess’ if students served on the city council,” Terhune said this summer. “It was shocking.”

Criticism of a university-voting district was apparent earlier this summer, when several residents weighed in at a May 29 redistricting committee meeting. Former Ward 4 councilor Kurt Wright said, “we love colleges. They bring a lot to the city, but they are not an active, engaged voting people whose homes are here. We also know the University of Vermont population is going to decrease. President Sullivan has made that clear.”

Ward 6 NPA representative Michael Rooney went even further, calling a student-voting district “a disaster” and claimed that students would not have a “vested interest” in candidates they would elect.

To Mannie Lionni, an alternate NPA representative for Ward 7, the public perception of college students was an example of what he calls “old time prejudice.”

“They see students as second-class citizens and I think it’s a dreadful mistake for a city that prides itself on diversity,” Lionni said. In response to the argument that students are a transient population that only remains in Burlington for four years he added, “I’m 80. I’m just as ‘transient’ as they are. They go away in the summer; I go away in the winter like many people here who can afford it. And no one criticizes them.”

Despite the fact that student interest in this issue student-dominated Ward 8 could work.

“In a population of well-educated, bright young people

24%- Current student

concentration in Ward 1.

2%- Current student con-

centration in Ward 4.

11%- Current student

concentration in Ward 3.

3%- Current student con-

centration in Ward 5.

said, explaining that students would, in theory, have as much knowledge of city politics and issues as any councilor. “If they want to be a voting district they are going side.”

What’s Next?

In the meantime, Kelley said he will be making the case for a university dominated Ward 8 by getting the word out to Burlington’s student population through his blog, social media platforms, working with student clubs and knocking on doors.

Technically, he has months until this ward proposal could be put on the ballot during the annual Town Meeting Day that takes place March 5. If this plan passes—which, Kelley notes, is a long way off from happening— it would not be implemented before March 2015 because the state legislature would need to ratify it.

In the short term, the city council is expected to vote on redistricting at its Sept. 23 meeting. having representation in the city, I think people would be a little more interested in helping out any way they could,” Kelley said.

42,000 -Current

Burlington population.

Including UVM students.

13%- Current student

5,300 - Number of students

who would make up the proposed 8th ward.

9

concentration in Ward 6.

Map created by Robert Bristow Johnson. Courtesy of Mark Barlow.

Editor’s Note: Map’s 8th Ward not a UVM-exclusive ward.

UC Berkeley: A case study Like Burlington, Berkeley, Calif., is also home to a university with a student body that makes up roughly a third of the city’s population. And as of this September, the students of UC Berkeley will beprise their own voting district.

The origins of Berkeley’s redistricting process also began after the 2010 census, though the city has been redrawing districts since 1986 to factor in the growing population of UC Berkeley students, according to a Daily Californian article.

“The biggest argument is that students absolutely are a community of interest,” junior Safeena Mecklai said, who serves as the external affairs vice president for UC Berkeley’s equivalent of UVM’s SGA. “The problem with most college towns is that they see students as a transient population and their contribution is temporary. But no matter what students are there, they’re still students that have particular interests in issues that get brought up all the time on the city council.”

In November 2012, UC Berkeley’s student government proposed a piece of legislation called Measure cess of redistricting. It passed with a 66 percent vote, Mecklai said.

Knowing that it would take widespread support to get their Student District Campaign Map approved, Mecklai and her peers held open forums, launched social media campaigns to get the word out, met with students and Berkeley residents and familiarized themselves with city politics to move the plan along.

And their work paid off— on July 2, the Berkeley city council voted to adopt the plan.

As of this Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Berkeley Student District Campaign Map was signed into law, though there is still some deliberation on how to make that map as inclusive as possible, with the likely possibility of some fraternities and sororities being added to the district.

“The only way this could have passed was if students got behind it,” Mecklai said. “As a student-run initiative, it took us to say ‘we won’t be apathetic in our own city,’ to ensure that this measure would pass.”

But SGA President Connor Daley said he doesn’t believe there’s an easy comparison between UC Berkeley’s situation and UVM’s.

“It’s a different city and a different situation,” he said. “Berkeley has around 36,000 students. That’s not exactly relatable to UVM’s below 10,000. “ “In essence it is a great idea and a great principle, but there are too many logistical problems, legal problems and maturity problems on the side of students, and anybody who would argue with that is crazy.”

STAFF EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Mike Eaton

cynic@uvm.edu

802-656-0337

Managing Editor Devin Karambelas

cynicnewsroom@gmail.com

News Katy Cardin

cynicnews@gmail.com

Opinion Jacob Lumbra

cynicopinion@gmail.com

Sports Taylor Feuss

cynicsportseditor@gmail.com

Arts Dillon Baker

cynicartseditor@gmail.com

Life Francesca Parnham Johnny Sudekum

cyniclifeeditor@gmail.com

Layout Aviva Loeb

layout.cynic@gmail.com

Multimedia Natalie Williams

cynicmultimedia@gmail.com

Photo Phoebe Sheehan

cynicphoto@gmail.com

Copy Chief Elizabeth Bengel

cyniccopychief@gmail.com

Illustration Jenna Bushor

cynicsketches@gmail.com

Web Emma Murphy

vermontcynicweb@gmail.com

Social Media Natalie Slack

socialcyniceditor@gmail.com

STAFF Assistant Editors Lauren Giery, Alex Goldenberg, Walker Sultzbach, Colin Hekimian, Josh Gachette, Laurel Saldinger, Aidan Dolbashian, Julia Dwyer

Page Designers Tyler Molleur, Vivian Nicastro, Emily Tenander, Madeleine Trtan, Chelsea Wiggins

Copy Editors Emily Bergen, Felicia Chu, Hunter Colvin, Sarah Evans, Chris Leone, Mariah North, Morgan Safford, Caitlin Trimmer, Kelly Westhelle

OPERATIONS Operations Manager Spencer Reynolds

cynicoperations@gmail.com

Advertising Manager Katie Zimmerman cynicalads@gmail.com

Public Relations Manager Katie Zimmerman cynicpr@gmail.com

ADVISER Faculty Adviser

Opinion

Students are not so ‘transient’ after all University of Vermont students could have City Council representation, unless Burlington wards them off.

In an effort that began last year, University students and some Burlington political activists have proposed drawing the University’s on-campus population into the city’s district map.

The plan would ideally give UVM its own ward, allowing for two students to serve on the Burlington City Council and giving students a direct voice on city issues.

Critics of the proposal cite the transient nature of students’ residence, a concern with the level of student interest and a lack of student knowledge in representing a city as issues with the effort.

We ask that these issues be re-examined—by students, City Council members, Burlington residents and SGA President Connor Daley.

It is true that UVM students are transient. Yet it is also true that Burlington residents are transient—let’s be honest, it gets cold here in the winter and while UVM students are trekking through the snow on the way to class, many Burlington residents are comfortably napping in their Florida homes.

Still yet, many UVM students—including, we would submit, those who would be serving on City Council—stay in Burlington throughout the summer.

We don’t think it would be “a disaster,” as one man said at a redistricting committee meeting last year. Students have already fought for recycling initiatives, code enforcement and social issues downtown. So why are people from within the UVM community so quick to dismiss the credibility of a student representative?

Lastly, as a plea to those opponents on the City Council, UVM students carry an important resource in both current scholarly knowledge as well as the research that UVM is becoming increasingly well known for.

This would provide Burlington with a unique perspective es at the top of the hill.

We know the process is messy, complex and the current layout of many neighborhoods weigh in the balance. At the very least this issue gives the UVM community a chance to engage in city politics and prove that they will not be apathetic in their own city.

Civic engagement demands enfranchisement. Give students a chance.

COLUMNIST

The flatlander’s ode to VT SETH WADE

I can’t remember the exact moment I felt I was truly in Vermont.

It could have been when Green Mountains, or it could over Lake Champlain. Instead, it was more like a growing realwest anymore.

On the surface, it shouldn’t this. I left a land of rolling hills and entered a place with cascading mountaintops.

Before Vermont, I thought Illinois was a pretty bumpy state.

It has its fair share of plains, but there were some pretty steep hills. Now, traveling through what feels like a roller coaster ride, I cannot help but label the The stuff of Vermont moves past pure physicality, however.

Back in the Land of Lincoln, almost all businesses and vendors were national chains, and the closest thing to organic health food was the nearest Subway.

Sure, if you looked hard stand or an organic food section at a Walmart, but you could count on the price being tripled and the quality usually low.

This wasn’t necessarily the seller’s fault. The market demand was low, and people held on to the belief that organic meant grungy (both of which no one aimed to correct).

Environmentalism was frequently linked to grunginess too, and often when groups tried to rally the community in favor of public recycling, most would automatically discount the idea because it meant they had to separate recyclables before it would be picked up.

Most city governments didn’t believe recycling was important enough to allocate the funding or manpower to allow There were other small, idiosyncratic cultural differences as well.

Dogs and pets in general looked down upon in Illinoisan public. There was a norm of making conversations abrupt and impersonal when speaking in public, whether it was a loved one, a friend or a stranger. the common replacement for weather in small talk, which is starkly opposite in Burlington.

Diversity plays an integral role in establishing the sense of place here in Vermont, too.

Though I’ve heard many locals proclaim that their state lacks diversity, I’d argue that the city of Burlington has more diversity than the entire state of Illinois.

This becomes especially apparent in issues like race, culture, language and belief systems. I’ve seen more religions represented in Burlington than I

saw in the entire state of Illinois, even in Chicago. are cities in Vermont that are not like Burlington, just as much as I know that there are regions in the Midwest that are not like the heartland of Illinois. But no one can argue that the atmosphere of tolerance is largely the same.

I’ll never forget the day that a peer of mine used the N-word in an extremely racist rant during class. In the heartland of Illinois, there exists a stigma attached to correcting intolerance.

In my experience, if a teacher or student were to correct him, to point out the utter racism, offensiveness, and delusion in the argument, he would promptly receive administrative punishment for doing so. This unjust acceptance of intolerance reached to all spectrums, including race, gender, sexuality and heritage.

So, I can’t say I remember the exact moment I knew I was in Vermont. Maybe it was when syrup, or when I saw the leaves of trees just start to color.

But I think, in the end, it was the change of tolerance that did it. It was the fact that racism, sexism and other such items were not tolerated.

People here are free to be themselves and be proud of their home country and their belief systems. With this, I knew I wasn’t in the heartland of Illinois anymore. I was in Burlington.

Chris Evans

crevans@uvm.edu

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 cynicopinion@gmail.com

THE VERMONT CYNIC www.vermontcynic.com 116 Dudley H. Davis Center, First issue free, second issue 50 cents.

590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405 ADVERTISING cynicalads@gmail.com — 802.656.4412

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

11

COLUMNISTS

Middle East, America and all the hypocrisy JOEY BROWN

It’s been a while since I’ve heard the usual Western invective against Israel—and I bet I know why. Israel’s enemies are other than Israel could ever inThe silence is largely unwarranted, at least from a humanitarian perspective. The victimized Arabs who Western apologists usually claim to represent are being victimized inasmuch as Israel is doing the “victimizing.” But when Arabs— ment or militant groups—are committing crimes against other

Arabs, well, that’s a whole different ball game.

But the affront to the worldview of the already fact-challenged anti-Zionists doesn’t stop there: Israel has been taking wounded Syrian refugees into its hospitals for pro bono treatment and rehabilitation.

According to Dr. Oscar Embon, the director of Sieff Hospital in Safed, Israel, the Syrian refugees have already cost the hospital approximately $3 million with the price expected to rise, and no one to pay the bill.

Call me crazy, but this bebill of a “colonialist,” “imperialist,” or even an “apartheid” nation. But if you were surprised

by Israel’s actions during the the same nation whose medics heal wounded Palestinian terrorists and whose planes drop impending bombardment.

Yes, a nation whose borders

are surrounded by seething, religiously motivated hatred wants to minimize—to an extreme— civilian casualties. Moreover, Israel treats wounded Palestinian terrorists, many of whom received their wounds in an attempt to slaughter Israeli civilians. Imagine, for a second, one of Israel’s many enemies reciprocating this kindness. You’ll need a very vivid imagination, indeed.

One might forgive the antiZionists for not voicing an opinion in this Arab against Arab East, the general ideology we’ve come to embrace goes like this: The enemy of my enemy is also my enemy.

Either they side with the homicidal Shiite-backed Assad regime, which, to make matters worse, is an obvious Russian and Iranian protectorate (talk about imperialism) or the radical Sunni Islamists, who are likely associated with Al-Qaeda.

Thicke thinks you want it

STEFANIE DOUCETTE

With the beginning of every new semester comes the need to revive the standby party playlists by throwing some of the summer’s best hits into the mix of pump up classics.

One song that I know for sure will not be making it into my music selection is Robin Thicke’s contentious new single “Blurred Lines,” which sadly I’ve heard blasted from iPods and radios across campus.

Despite the title arguing otherwise, Thicke is actually makexpectations and gender roles, which are retroactive to the progress of the counter movement toward rape culture.

This song is a perfect example of what rape culture seeks to endorse. That is, a culture that still sees sexual violence as something that hides in the bushes and attacks you on your walk home at night, rather than its manifest in something that is perpetuated daily in our language and in our attitudes toward it.

The muse behind Thicke’s masterpiece is his frustration with those “blurred lines” he hates so much; lyrics that can be expounded upon to mean what he sees as the blurred lines of consent.

Apparently ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are easy to confuse when your sex appeal says, “you wanna get nasty.” the feminine ideal as the proverbial good girl in need of both liberation and domestication at the hands of irresistible male charm. I don’t know if Thicke is the right person to take advice from when it comes to formulat-

ing one’s moral standards and deciding whether to be a good girl or a bad one.

But then, I’m not too sure now that society as a whole is sensible when it comes to these kinds of moral judgment calls either.

This is based generally on the reaction of the general public to the song. It has been on the top 40 lists for several months running, and it remains extremely popular despite its demeaning message.

With its catchy tune, “Blurred Lines” is an undeniably fun to sing along and dance to — activities I admit I have done.

It’s a culture that still sees sexual violence as something that hides in the bushes and attacks you on your walk home at night, rather than its manifest in our daily lanugage and attitude. song in the music industry to promote sexist and violent ideas, but it hasn’t seen the same level of backlash and critical acknowledgement that other controversial songs and artists have.

A lot of hip-hop and rap music has been demonized for its explicit content, while the public has largely supported Thicke.

Why is this?

For starters, the singer is a clean-cut white guy in an expensive suit, and so is regarded as an upstanding, non-threatening individual with valid things to say, despite having done little to deserve this image.

Further hidden behind his façade of respectability is the sly nature with which he addresses X-rated themes, subtly slipping in allusions that he can get away

with using no censorship. Without stopping to actually think about the lyrics, one could quite easily and happily keep on singing and dancing without ever registering what’s really being said.

Meanwhile, the parody video produced by a group of Lines” was immediately taken down under the rationalization that it was far too explicit for public airing (although, thankfully it has now been returned to YouTube due to public outcry).

Yes, there were a couple swear words said in anger, but there were also words that very much need to become a part of regular vocabulary such as ‘chauvinistic’, ‘misogyny’, ‘bigot’ and ‘harassment’.

Thicke was required to reshoot the accompanying music video and have his models wear clothing the second time around. But the models’ lack of clothing isn’t the only problem: there is also a blatant lack of humanity on their part.

With expressionless faces and controlled movements, they might as well have been mannequins or dolls. Their deadpan stares are far creepier than Miley Cyrus twerking with a bunch of giant teddy bears.

Varied opinions of Cyrus aside, it was obvious on stage that as a woman she is also an actual human capable of her own brain functioning and sexual decisions, something that Thicke and his video producers seem to have forgotten.

It is upsetting to see what is considered inappropriate in our society versus what is not, particularly when it means that slut-shaming, rape culture and sexual dehumanization end up on the accepted side of things as long as there are no words in need of bleeping.

The bottom line is “Blurred Lines” needs to be taken more seriously as an indication of rampant discrimination and societal issues. The only lines that need to be blurred right now are those of gender roles.

The choice isn’t pretty.

Still, one might assert that the killing power of the Assad regime is a lot for a critic of Israel to ignore. But if their strategy is to wait for Israel to do the killing, they’re out of luck. When a major news outlet reports the death-toll of Israelis and Palesbers, at face value, seem to suggest that Israel is the aggressor, as Israelis suffer fewer deaths than Palestinians.

But recall that the Palestinian territories have no standing army as Israel does, and so terrorist commanders, bomb makers, bomb throwers and suicide bombers are included in Palestinian “casualties.” In other words, Israel excels at killing people who intend to slaughter innocent civilians.

And while Israel has no desire to commit murder, its neighbors do. A senior Assad Iranian news agency that “If Da-

mascus is attacked, Tel Aviv will become a target and a full-scale war against Syria will essentially justify an attack against Israel.”

He also warned that if Syria were to be weakened further, Islamist groups would also target Israel.

All of this could have been avoided if Obama didn’t draw his ineffectual “red line,” warning Syria against launching chemical attacks. But the president made a false threat that he did not intend to reinforce.

And to make sure America doesn’t appear weak, the commander-in-chief is going to apply just enough force to execute a defeatist strategy in order to aid whichever murderous, Islamist group suits his fancy.

As Napoleon said, “When you set out to take Vienna, take eign policy to speak of, we can expect greater instability in the Middle East at the expense of our allies.

Quick Opinion “After having read the front cover of the last issue of the Cynic, I believe that the larger question surrounding the issue — aside from “gender equality” and basic morality — is how the plural of MILF is expressed: MILFs or MILVES?” Joey Brown “A ten dollar off coupon from the campus specials book is sadly a really tempting reason to get a tattoo.”

Stefanie Doucette Illustration by Andrew Becker

CONTROVERSIAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I mean, there was a season where ethnIc models were beIng represented and then It went back to the same routIne of just usIng one or none at all. It seems lIke non-whIte models are only cast when It’s hot for one season and everyone jumps on board. It’s a look.””

Model Jourdan Dunn suggests that the fashion industry isn’t always representative. Who knew that a business primarily focused on

Editors note: In last week’s article “Seniors post ad, looking for MILF,” it was incorrectly suggested that the post originated with UVM student(s). There is no evidence that anyone from the University was responsible.

12

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Spectacle a look through the lens South End Arts + Buisiness Association (SEABA) coordinated the 21st annual South End Art Hop Sept. 6-8.

The Art Hop is a three day event that draws over 30,000 visitors to Burlington. More than 500 artists participate.

PHOTOS BY Lorena Linero

S p ectac le

Sports

Lake Monsters’ field sees new improvement Taylor Feuss Sports Editor Whether you’re from Vermont or an out-of-stater, most likely you’ve heard of the Vermont Lake Monsters, Vermont’s minor league baseball team. The Lake Monster’s home is located right here in Burlington, at Centennial Field.

Since 1906, Centennial Field has been a staple within the Burlington community, creating a fun atmosphere for families from all over the state.

Within the past two years, the complex has seen some major renovations thanks to the signing of their new lease with UVM in 2012.

The contract with UVM consists of a 20-year agreement in which the Lake Monsters would have to pay one dollar per year in order to play and practice there.

“It certainly helps our cause, it’s a rent that we don’t have to pay each year, like we used to,” general manager Nate Cloutier said. “With that comes the responsibility of taking care of the facility and taking care of the improvements that we need to do.”

The lowered rent has given long-term stability to the Lake Monsters’ cause and has helped them invest money into the facility to cover certain issues.

Renovations done to the to the installation of a new lighting system as well as a new video board, which according to Cloutier will “help with the entertainment at the ballpark.”

JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic A view of newly renovated Centennial Field, home to the Vermont Lake Monsters minor league baseball team. The

This year, to bring fans a bit the Lake Monsters brought their fence lines in by as close as 27 feet in some places.

The biggest improvement to crete slabs for seating into new comfortable seats for fans to enjoy, 1,600 of them to be exact.

After taking a closer look, Boston Redsox fans can appreciate that these new seats are the same ones that have been newly installed into Fenway Park.

“We dream big, that’s what minor league baseball is all about,” Cloutier said.

In coordination with that project there was also an expansion of the dugouts, which are

concession stand and comeback and their seats still there.”

Having played here for the past 20 years, the Lake Monsters, formerly known as the Vermont Expos until 2007, call

than they used to be, something home and visiting teams can enjoy.

“People are much happier and more comfortable,” Cloutier said. “I think people are very happy to sit in an actual seat, they know they can go to the

“This is a great place to be, it just needed some TLC, some tender loving care to bring the place back up to standards, Cloutier said. “We just want to make sure that it’s safe for other players. We want to make sure its safe for our fans.”

NFL Picks Week 2 Broncos at Giants The Manning brothers will face off for the third and possibly last time. Peyton’s Colts trumped Eli’s Giants both times, and as much as it pains me to say this as a Giants fan, I think Peyton will come out on top a third time.

Both of these teams boast championship caliber quarterbacks and a stable of highly skilled wide receivers, so this should be a high scoring affair. The Giant’s secondary players and linebackers are their weakness this year.

Peyton should pick apart the Giants defense easily unless they can get pressure from their once unstoppable pass rush including Jason Pierre Paul and Justin Tuck.

The Giants offense should be a strong suit with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and David Wilson. I

think that Hakeem Nicks is the X factor. If he is healthy, the Giants are a completely different team. This will free up Cruz even more in the slot and will avoid double teams. The Giants offense will be strong, but their defense will be their downfall against the Broncos.

The Pick Denver: Colin, Stu, Rory and Julia New York: Taylor, Owen

49ers at Seahawks This matchup features possibly the two best teams in the NFC. Two of the most talented teams on offense and defense, they both feature young talented quarterbacks with tremendous passing and running abilities.

The 49ers just may be the best team in football. The Seahawks have an incredible

Scoreboard: Taylor 2-2 Jake 2-2 Colin 2-2

Stu 1-3 Julia 1-3 Rory 3-1

matter how loud that stadium is though, I think the 49ers will win.

Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin combine for an explosive offense to go along with one of the best defenses in the NFL. Kaepernick has sensational talent, as does Russell Wilson.

Kaepernick nearly won the full season as a starter.

The defense and running game of these teams is about evenly matched so I think the 49ers win an extremely tough and entertaining game with their passing game.

The Picks SanFransisco:Colin,Taylor, Owen, Jake, Stu, Rory and Julia Seattle: Jake

Steelers at Bengals This matchup features a Steelers team with championship experience, but that has fallen in the rankings from one of the top teams to a middle of the road team.

Ben Roethlisberger has to cope with a weak and inexperienced offensive line against a stout Bengals defense.

As HBO’s featured team on “Hard Knocks,” the Bengals are

Thus far, the renovation project has poured $1.8 million into the much-needed improvements. The Lake Monsters organization had help from other partners such as LakeWind Construction as well as all of the many other venders that helped put the stadium together.

When asked about whether or not fans should expect more improvements in the upcoming months, Cloutier said, “We’re looking at some other projects, but you have to make sure that you have your I’s dotted and your T’s crossed before you even think about them or budget for them or stuff like that. We have other things that we want to do, but it’s not something right now that we’re ready to discuss, just can’t get everyone’s hopes up for something that might not even happen.”

If fans haven’t seen the new and improved stadium yet, it’s recommended they check it out.

Whether you’re rooting on the Lake Monsters next season on a summer night or cheering on Vermont’s Club Baseball team this fall, the experience is guaranteed to be one to remember.

“We’re really trying to make the fan experience different and more comfortable,” Cloutier said. “We want people to come once and then come again. We want this to be a fun place for families to come and smile and create memories. That’s really what it’s all about.”

Colin Hekimian Assistant Sports Editor

Each we

ek, the C ynic Spo rts staff w ill predict matchup the s. The pa rt ic Hekimian ipants are , Julia Dw T a y lo r Feuss, C yer, Jake olin Bie Owen Pa rr and Ro lecki, Stu Laperle , ry Leland

an up-andcoming team with potential to do some serious damage in a currently weak AFC. Defense will be the key for the Steelers this season as Troy Polamalu and Lamarr Woodley enter the 2013 season healthy.

Two-time champion Roethlisberger will have to adjust to his new offense after the departure of Mike Wallace.

Mike Tomlin will maximize the talent of the Steelers this year, but it wont be enough against this emerging powerhouse in Cincinnati.

The Picks Pittsburgh: Julia Cincinnati: Colin, Taylor, Owen, Jake, Stu, Rory

Vikings Bears

at

Adrian Peterson essentially coaxed the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs last year by himself.

Greg Jennings and Cordarelle Patterson are nice additions, but Christian Ponder is still too poor

a passer to consider the Vikings a Super Bowl caliber team.

Their defense is strong as well. But the Bears’ defense both yards and points per game.

The Bears are a more balanced team on offense and defense.

New head coach Marc Trestman, a better offensive mind than Lovie Smith, will hopefully help Jay Cutler improve this year.

Cutler’s potential is high, but he has failed to live up to it. He has one of the best arms in the league, and now with a receiving option in Brandon Marshall and an elite running back in Matt Forte, Cutler has the weapons to have a successful year.

The offensive line has to hold up and Cutler has to limit his interceptions. In this contest, should net them the win.

The Pick Minnesota: Julia Chicago: Colin, Taylor, Owen, Jake, Stu, Rory

14

S PO RTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

View From The Moon Man

Boston rebuilds for a fresh start

Another reason teams get stuck in the middle is the NBA ally carry players with all-star

JAKE BIELECKI

The 2013 off-season marked the end of a great era in Boston Celtics history. Six years after cashing in on their last rebuilding effort, Danny Ainge called for the start of the next one. Celtics fans hope these efforts yield the same championship results.

In 2007 the Celtics parlayed accumulated picks and young players to bring in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to compliment Paul Pierce. They became instant contenders. The trio led Boston to a 66-16 record, 42 more wins than the previous season, and won the NBA championship.

The Celtics again made the games to the Lakers, surrendering a 10 point lead in the fourth then they have been in decline, albeit a slow one.

During the 2012 season, Rondo emerged as the Celtics go-to player. He and an aged “big three” pushed the Heat’s back against the wall in the Eastern Conference Finals as Lebron put the team on his back and brought them back from a 3-2 series defecit.

In 2013 the Celtics were never truly at full strength. Right as Avery Bradley worked his way back from shoulder surgery, Rondo went down with a torn ACL. Without Rondo, Pierce and Kevin Garnett were too far on the wrong side of 30 to lift the team any higher than a prideful were traded to the Nets.

In an interview with Masslive.com, Danny Ainge explained why he traded celtics legend Paul Pierce along with Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets. “I think it just came to the point where those guys as the best two players on a team aren’t going to go very far.”

The NBA is a very top-heavy league and it’s easy to get stuck as a respectable team without any real chance of contending for the title. As teams hope to remain on the right side of .500, they often sign good-not-great free agents who limit options

once you get into the late lottery you’re picking Jared Sullingers – relied on to be good, but rarely elite, or Gerald Greens – potentially awesome, potentially known best for dunk contest performances.

As a result a popular way to rebuild is to bottom out, hoping to stumble into a gamechanger in the draft. Another reason this is successful is you can ship off your long term, expensive contracts to teams who want to win in the short term, opening up options in free agency. It’s much easier to focus on your future when you bypass the present.

The other path to rebuilding is to stockpile assets, limit your bad contracts, and wait until you can package those assets in a trade and/or create an alluring enough foundation to entice a superstar free agent. The Celtics did this in ‘07, and the Rockets did it recently.

Despite a few bad contracts – Gerald Wallace three years, $30 million, Brandon Bass with two years $14 million – the Celtics future has some promise.

When Rondo returns he will have young sidekicks in Jeff Green, Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger. The addition of former Providence College standout Marshon Brooks could be the gem of the Nets trade.

The Celtics are a team in limbo. They have the talent to be a playoff team, but is maximizing results in 2013 in the Celtics best interest? We have Danny Ainge to rely on for those decisions.

If nothing else, Celtics fans can count on him making those decisions with no emotional consideration.

Ainge told Masslive.com, “I’m not sure that [keeping Paul Pierce for his entire career was] what’s in the best interest of the Celtics, and I’ve stated that before.” It will be interesting to see which path Ainge takes with the rebuilding process, and if he can duplicate the results of the last one.

Illustration by Austin Grant

The Shelburne Fire Department takes UVM students.

Contact Jim at 656-4079 (campus number) or, Dan (student on the dept.) at (978) 201-1281 for more information.

Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. Waterman 338 (Memorial Lounge) Writers, copy editors, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, colunists, reporters, IT specialists, olympic athletes and more.

You know you want to ...

S PO RTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

15

Fencers seek next championship UVM club uses strong team bonds and positive outlook to win Stu Laperle Staff Writer

After winning competitions at the Club Sports National Tournament last year, the UVM Fencing Club hopes to continue their success against opponents this season.

The unique and aggressive sport of fencing is an Olympic event that sets two sword-wielding participants against each other as they attempt to score points by landing touches on the other competitor.

Competitive fencing at UVM began as early as 1926, when the anticipates a strong season after acquiring new fencers with previous experience in the sport.

Junior Jennifer Dunn is the UVM Fencing Club president, and year’s club due to increased recruiting. This year over 111 students signed up for the club.

While there are many participants who have little experience in fencing, Dunn ensures that much of practice time is dedicated to teaching the basic rules and etiquette of the sport. Every year, the club for a year, and had been fencing for several years before he came to ris said. “Someone who comes in not knowing anything, can progress quite a bit even within a year’s span, and make a really valuable contribution to the team.”

While practicing, the club fences in the gym, on the courts or on the indoor track. The squad usually meets three times a week for two hours. Throughout the year, UVM travels to tournaments around New England, as well as hosting their own. This year the club will visit Tennessee to compete in the Club National Championship.

Senior Sylvia Sword had fenced before she entered UVM, and has placed at the Club National Tournament twice. Sword enjoys having a wide range of skills on the team because players are ranked both on skill and participation, which determines whether they will compete on the A, B or C strip. The rank of A is the highest level at which a fencer can comete.

There are three different weapons that the competitors use in foil and epee, the competitor must use the tip of the weapon to score points against his or her opponent, however when using the sabre, any strike to an opponent’s body will earn points.

The target area while fencing with a foil is the vest, which the competitor wears over their chest. When using the sabre, the participant competing with the epee, a short lightweight blade, any strike landed on the opponent will receive points.

“Weapons are plugged into an electrical system, and when you button press. With a foil and sabre, it completes a circuit with a metal jacket that results in either one or two lights turning on.”

Dodging the weapons of the opponent, known as “parrying,” is normally scores points by simply diverting or parrying from his opponent.

Sophomore Fencing Club treasurer Zach Lavigne has been fencinvolves unique weapons, special clothing is also required. Running or fencing shoes must be worn at all times to ensure good traction on the strip.

Socks and knickers are also needed to cover up the legs of the fencers. A thick jacket covers the chest and stomach area, while a screen mask covers the face and head. A glove is worn on the defending hand that holds the weapon. Although the participants are clothed from are often the result of strikes, which are often suffered during a match. spite her victories during the Club Nationals, she enjoys the team atmosphere, and believes the team spirit is just as important as winning.

In the upcoming weeks, UVM will host the Fall Foliage Tournament. The Tournament is part of the USFA and Green Mountain division, which brings in competitors from all over Vermont to compete against the club.

CYNIC VIDEO www.vermontcynic.com/video www.youtube.come/CynicVideo

Members of the UVM Fencing Club practice for the upcoming Catamount hosted Fall Foliage Tournament which will bring teams from all over Vermont to compete in Burlington.

Photos by Jon Polson

16

S PO RTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Vermont dominates the competition at home Emma Oyomba Cynic Correspondent UVM’s men’s soccer com-

ALICIA ACCETTA The Vermont Cynic Junior Luke Salmon clears the ball in a game against the UMass Minutemen on Sept 8. The game was part of the Vermont hosted Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Windjammer Classic. Vermont went 2-0 in the tournament.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Weeknights until 8PM, Open Sundays

SUPERCUTS IS ALL ABOUT CUTS THAT ROCK! ®

Like us on Facebook to learn about specials! www.facebook.com/Supercuts.of.South.Burlington

570 Shelburne Road Shaws Plaza | South Burlington 802-651-1000

NEW LOCATION: Route 2A | Hannaford Shopping Center Williston | 802-872-2800