The Vermont Cynic presents
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The Best of Burlington Awards
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Campus mourns death of student Staff Report
ALICIA ACCETTA The Vermont Cynic
Members of Alpha Epsilon Pi walk as part of Holocaust Remembrance Week April 11, 2013. The fraternity has lost University recognition due to their violation of the interim suspension placed on them.
UVM says bye to AEPI Hannah Kearns News Editor
UVM fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi has lost University recognition, according to a release from Pat Brown, director of student life. The fraternity will be removed from campus for no less than five years, according to the release.
The violation that caused the sanction occurred when the fraternity abusing terms of their previous interim suspension, the release stated. Interim suspension was the punishment for alleged “alcohol and hazing violations” that occurred in the fall. The investigation will continue, the release stated. Not being recognized will
mean that moving forward Alpha Epsilon Pi will have no campus privilege, according to the release. As a result the fraternity cannot recruit on campus, and it has lost other rights associated with a recognized university organization, according to the release. Students are free to join the
See FRATERNITY on page 2
Sophomore Derek Doran passed away unexpectedly March 23, according to a release by Annie Stevens, vice provost of student affairs. Doran passed away while traveling in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., according to his obituary. Doran was from Castleton, Vt. and was a student in the school of business administration, the release stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to Derek’s family. Our sincere thoughts of care and sympathy are also extended to Derek’s friends and to faculty and staff who were close to him,” Stevens said in the release. Sophomore Emily Queiroz spoke about how much Doran meant to her. “He changed my life and I’m honored to call him my best friend,” Queiroz said. “I’ve never felt more comfortable with someone before in my entire life.” “He always had a smile on his face and positively affected everyone he touched,” she said. “Having a best friend is the best thing to experience and I’m so lucky mine was such a beautiful person.” Doran’s services will be held at Ducharme Funeral Home in
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY QUEIROZ
Castleton, Vt. A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m., April 2, followed directly by a memorial service, according to the release. Information about a campus gathering will be announced when it becomes available. “As is the case when any member of our community passes away, we are bound to feel a profound sense of loss, and reactions are felt in a variety of ways,” Stevens said in the release. The release advised students to contact UVM counseling and psychiatry services if they are in need of support, and employees to contact LifeScope. Follow the Cynic for continued updates and coverage.
CCTA compromise attempt fails Sarah Olsen Assistant News Editor The CCTA bus strike has entered its third week of a negotiations standstill, according to bus driver spokesperson Rob Slingerland. Seventeen hours of negotiations took place between the Union and CCTA March 28, according to a CCTA release. This resulted in the CCTA delivering another complete contract compromise proposal to the Union, the release stated. Only three of the proposal’s 11 articles remain unagreed upon. The rest were “tentatively” agreed to by both sides, the release stated. An agreement was reached that the maximum unscheduled spread time could not exceed 13.5 consecutive hours, which includes involuntary and voluntary overtime, according to the release. The Union insists on 12.5 Like us on Facebook
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hours, but the CCTA stands firm at 13.5 hours, according to the release. “When I read that no agreements were made March 28, I was shocked,” Slingerland said. “But we’re not backing down.” “Everybody wants to work with respect and dignity without the fear of harassment from predatory management,” Walker said. “It’s up to them,” he said. “We are totally ready to start work again, but we need respect and compromise from them first.” Junior Claire Wiggin spoke at the March 29 rally, and said she represented UVM students standing behind the bus drivers. “When I found out about the strike later that week, I just knew it was my duty to help them,” she said. Wiggin said she encourages students to participate in the strike by standing with the drivers and supporting with them. Follow us on Instagram
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“I think both sides seem to forget the fact that people need the buses to get around and they need to consider how inconvenient this is for the general public, as they continue to take their time resolving the issue,” first-year Jake Zanoni said. Burlington High School students, who lost a main mode of school transportation due to the strike, organized a 70 student march from Ben & Jerry’s on Church Street all the way to the high school March 25, the morning after the strike began, according to Senator Philip Baruth. “We got to stick together,” bus driver James Flouts said. “We have bent over backward to meet CCTA with compromises.” “We would like nothing more than to be back on the road driving again,” Flouts said. “I love my job because I love customer service and just helping people,” Flouts said. F o l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r
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ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic
A student protests in support of the CCTA bus drivers on Church Street March 29. The drivers have been on strike since March 17.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2014
The Cynic investigates drug abuse on campus: Part three
Heroin: “Biggest threat to hit Vermont” Alexander Collingsworth Staff Writer Within the borders of UVM and the state of Vermont lives a dark secret that governor Peter Shumlin is now bringing to light. Shumlin called heroin the “biggest threat to Vermont” in his State of the State address Jan 8. “It is a crisis bubbling just beneath the surface,” he said. “Almost everyone in Vermont knows someone who has used heroin or does use heroin,” Burlington resident Aaron Prospect Ploof said. The Cynic sat down with a current senior who has battled with this problem. The female student wished to remain anonymous. “I started using opiates after coming to UVM. ‘Roxys,’ or oxycodone, were the most desired drugs, but I got along just fine with vicodin,” the senior said. “As money got tighter I turned to a cheaper option: heroin,” she said. “I sunk deeper into addiction and began to identify more with the homeless dudes on Church Street and less with the girl in my statistics class,” she
said. She said she overdosed in the fall of her junior year after having not “shot up” heroin for a full year prior to the incident. The senior said she received no support from UVM after the incident. “Months later, I received an email from UVM letting me know I was suspended for a full year,” she said. Heroin users are “victims” of the epidemic, governor Shumlin said. He said that he believes they should not be “treated as criminals.” Senior Kristen Talbot said that her friend uses heroin, and she believes that there needs to be an overhaul of how the justice system deals with drug users. “We as a society oppress addicts who suffer from extreme pain in the first place,” Talbot said. “By imprisoning them in institutions of pain and violence, only to release them back into the community who voted it would be safer without them,” she said. More than 50 percent of patients going through rehab indicate that their opiate addiction started with a “legitimate prescription,” said Bob Bick.
BECCA ADAMS The Vermont Cynic
UVM associate dean of public health Jan Carney speaks about the heroin problem in Vermont during an interview March 28. Governor Peter Shumlin recently called heroin the biggest threat to the state. Bick is the director of mental health and substance abuse services at the Howard Center. The Howard Center offers services for children and families, counseling, support for people with disabilities and mental health challenges and rehabilitation for drug addicts,
Bick said. “The Governor deserves a lot of credit for not only shining a light on this darker corner of the Vermont experience but for refocusing attention on the reality that this is a medical condition that deserves to be treated with dignity and re-
spect,” Bick said. More than $2 million worth of heroin and other opiates are smuggled into Vermont every day, Shumlin said. Since 2000 there has been a 770 percent increase in treatment for opiates in Vermont, he said.
SGA enters into new reign UVM to ban tobacco Sarah Olsen Assistant News Editor
Alexander Collingsworth Staff Writer
The results are in. Junior Andrew Bowen is vice president-elect and junior Aya AlNamee is president-elect. Al-Namee said she and Bowen have already begun preparing for the upcoming year. “What made me interested in running was seeing all the change that happens on campus,” Al-Namee said. Al-Namee said she has a lot of plans for the upcoming year on how to make change on the campus. “I picture a lot of new connections that were not there before [after my time at UVM]. The higher up you go [in administration] the further away you are from students,” she said. Al-Namee said she wants to open up SGA to the students by forming close relationships with clubs and organizations. “[I am excited for people to] feel like they can approach me, which I have started to experience already just this past week,” Al-Namee said. The first thing Al-Namee said she wants to take care of is internal SGA issues. “I want to appoint people to different positions and make clubs and organizations feel welcome to come and talk to us,” she said. Al-Namee said she is nervous for how much power her position holds. “I definitely have high goals
Seeing students smoke cigarettes around campus after class may not be a common sight anymore following a tobacco free initiative. First-year Sarang Murthy said that he was “taken aback” after reading the recent email, from Jan Carney and Tom Gustafson, regarding the matter. Carney and Gustafson are co-chairs of the steering committee for the tobacco free initiative at the University. The committee is working to make UVM a completely tobacco free campus. “In the email they said they wanted to have a conversation,
ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic
SGA president-elect Aya Al-Namee sits for an interview in the Davis Center March 28. Al-Namee won the three-way race for president. for myself,” she said. “I don’t want to let anyone down.” Junior vice president-elect Andrew Bowen said he was really excited upon being elected to his new position, despite having no one run against him. “There were a lot of other people in and out of the race and when I finally did get it I was relieved,” Bowen said. Bowen said he wants to rejuvenate the SGA and leave it in a better state than past officers have. “I believe I have the experience of being on SGA for two years to work with the school, clubs, organizations and such and fix problems they have with us,” he said. “Really, being vice president is about making SGA inviting and having it be a place where students actually want to take their problems to,” Bowen said.
Bowen said one of his main plans is reviving “Blirpit,” which was dropped earlier this year after the seniors who maintained it graduated. Bowen said that he also is looking to improve job fairs, the career center and academic advising. These are his main plans for the upcoming year. “I’m nervous that I’ll run out of time before I get all this done because I am graduating at the end of next year.” As a team, Bowen said he believes that he and new junior SGA president Aya Al-Namee will work well together. “I think that because of our experience we both know the roles very well,” he said.
Watch Cynic Video Visit us online to see our exclusive interview with president-elect junior Aya Al-Namee. www.youtube.com/cynicvideo
but it seems that they are set on banning tobacco at UVM,” Murthy said. “The goal is education. It’s a cultural shift,” Carney said. The ban will not be enforced with fines, but rather will become self-enforcing, she said. The proposal was issued by president Sullivan in 2013. This caused the steering committee to be formed, according to the anti-smoking initiative’s webpage. “I don’t support the ban, but I understand the anti-tobacco position,” first-year SGA senator Savannah Miller said. “Smokers need to be cautious where they smoke and whom they are smoking around,” she said.
FRATERNITY Alpha Epsilon Pi loses UVM recognition ...continued from page 1 organization, but the University no longer has authority over the chapter as a student group and will not be able to sanction their activities, the release stated. Senior SGA president Connor Daley commented on the fraternity’s removal from campus. “It is unfortunate that the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity has lost UVM recognition and it’s further unfortunate that they could not abide by the stipu-
lations in the interim suspension,” he said. “Hopefully the former members can contribute to the University in a safe and responsible manner moving forward.” UVM does not support recognized student organizations affiliating with groups that have lost their recognition, the release stated. Alpha Epsilon Pi has declined to comment on the matter. Follow the Cynic for updates. Visit our twitter @VermontCynic for more news.
Life
Rape, trafficking drugs and prison Jackie Morris Staff Writer “More than a decade had passed since I committed that crime, so you know, karma’s a bitch.” Members of the larger UVM community gathered in the Grand Maple Ballroom March 25 to hear Piper Kerman speak. Kerman served 13 months at the federal prison Danbury Correctional Institution for involvement in drug trafficking. Her experiences in the system inspired the Netflix original series “Orange is the New Black.” Kerman’s memoir of the same name, “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,” is the first-hand recount of her experiences. First-year Sophia Ambrosino said she was “impressed” with the focus of Kerman’s talk. “A lot of people went [to the talk] to find out about the show, but she wasn’t here to talk about that,” she said. Kerman spoke candidly about her experience within the prison system. She said she believes there are “serious issues” with the system when it comes to putting women behind bars. She identified several themes that she had observed while in prison, two of which being race and class. “You can’t talk about prison in the U.S. and not talk about race,” she said. Based on her experience, Kerman said that women should not take for granted access to a safe and stable home. “The criminal justice system
VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic
Author Piper Kerman speaks about her experiences in prison in the Davis Center March 25. Kerman spent 13 months in Danbury Correctional Institution. The memoir that she wrote about her experiences formed the basis of the Netflix original series “Orange is the New Black.” treats certain women differently. They are policed, prosecuted and sentenced differently,” she said. Kerman went on to give what she said were three solutions to make a difference in the prison system. Steps included “common sense” sentencing, public defense reform and the focus on
children in the system. “There are far too many children who are tried for crimes and given adult-length sentences,” Kerman said. First-year Clara Irving said that she watches the Netflix series, and she “really liked” Kerman and what she is doing and she thought that it was “interesting.”
Attention for key black grad Hannah Kearns News Editor It was 10 years ago that UVM acknowledged the graduation of it’s first black graduate; 176 years after he graduated in 1838. It was a decade ago that the campus community realized that Andrew Harris, a “key player” in the abolitionist movement had not been officially recognized by this institution. A researcher at Middlebury College “tipped-off” Geoff Marshall of UVM’s special collections that Harris even existed. Marshall verified that Harris attended the University however no further research was done, history professor Kevin Thornton said. Thornton said he was told “nobody knew much else” so he decided to do his own research. Thornton said that for the University to admit to its former discrimination by publicizing his story would be “great publicity.” Thornton said this is not the case and he believes that the administration is “dropping the ball,” and “actively stonewalling” the issue.
“She is trying to raise awareness about the prison system and about who’s going into prison and what’s happening to them when they get out,” she said. The first-year said her only complaint was that the talk wasn’t as personal as she hoped. When asked how she would
respond to those that claim her memoir is an exploitation of the prison system for her own gain Kerman had an answer. “The book wasn’t about the money. I have the right to tell my story,” she said. “My only true financial gain from this experience was the $0.23 an hour I made from my prison jobs,” she said.
Ali’s Sexy Ideas
Best places to get it in
Junior Jeremy Goldberg seemed to enjoy the more risqué spots on campus. “Raquetball courts,” he said. “Oh, and definitely on the Catamount statue. You get to ride someone while simultaneously gaining liberty and history of the legacy that UVM has to offer.” Where do UVM students “Definitely somewhere near like to get busy you might ask? the Marché so you could grab Let’s be honest, we are one late night munchies,” junior sexy school and with all of Adrien Roussan said. these hormones in our bodies Junior Shannon Scar— sometimes you simply don’t brough said the elevator in the have time to wait until you’re underground tunnel of the Daback in your own bed! vis Center was one of her “faOur campus holds roughly vorite spots.” 12,000 students and has tons Several other answers I of little nooks and crannies for received consisted of: genyou to get all up in someder neutral bathrooms, one’s nook and cranny. emergency staircases, “Best place to Mercy Hall showers, bang? Easy, laundry The Best of Jeanne Mance pool room in WDW,” jutable. However, my nior Matt Carroll Burlington favorite response was said. “There’s a huge from junior Simone window where everyBailey. body can see you. It’s “Behind the Brennan’s great.” stage curtains.” But junior Erica Raff had a different location in mind. “The ‘mother tree’ behind Allison Rogers is a junior Slade on Redstone,” she said. psychology major. She has been “Oh, freshman year…” writing for the Cynic since spring
Allison Rogers
WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic
Professor Kevin Thornton poses for a photo outside of the Davis Center April 1. His research focuses on early Vermont history. President Tom Sullivan spoke on the issue. “I’ve had recent conversations with Wanda HeadingGrant, our vice president of diversity, along with several other people on how we might go about recognizing him with some University-wide naming opportunity,” Sullivan said. Plans are in development to bring attention to Harris, said Tom Gustafson in an email to Thornton. Gustafson is vice president of University relations. Facebook page “Students For Andrew Harris” has more than 440 members, senior Pat-
rick Maguire said. Maguire is the founder of the page. “It’s designed for students to come together around this issue,” he said. The page has served as a “jumping off” point for interested members to get together and brainstorm in person.” Thornton said he wrote a resolution for a possible monument dedicated to Harris. SGA president-elect Aya Al-Namee brought a similar resolution to SGA “I think the resolution that I brought to the table was the least we could do to recognize him, “ she said.
2013.
ARTS
Modern vision for a historical stage Michael Swain Staff Writer The Flynn Center first opened in Burlington in 1930 as an early movie theater. While it has since moved on from moving pictures, it continues to provide residents with an array of artistic media. “The Flynn has such a beautiful stage and welcoming vibe,” senior Connor Daley said. “I’ve had my best dates there.” John Killacky, executive director of the center, has been working there for four years. However, Killacky said he is already “well acquainted” with its history and its presence in the community. Based on what he has heard from attendees of the Flynn, it “really means something” to the locals. “People had their first date here, saw their first movie here, made out upstairs on the balcony, smoked dope in the basement,” Killacky said. He said he has a long history in both performing and directing arts himself. Killacky was a former dancer and even managed his own dance company.
It was in 1972 that resident Merrill Jarvis realized there was a full stage behind the movie screen and decided to turn it into a theatreready venue. Jarvis has worked with the company that owns the Roxy and other cinemas. The Flynn changed yet again in 2000 with the acquisition of the buildings next door for the creation of the Flynn Space and multipurpose studios. This expanded the capabilities of an already integral piece of the Burlington arts scene. “It’s hard to evaluate a venue but they always have great performances,” junior Jack Birmingham said. “This speaks to the place as a whole.” Killacky said he was drawn to Burlington for the Flynn’s “international reputation” and for the “lifestyle Vermont offers.” “I have a Shetland pony that I brought from California with me,” he said. “Just this morning at 7 a.m. I was at the barn having a great time with my pony before work.” Another characteristic of the Flynn that Killacky said brought him to Burlington is the breadth of arts offered in the city.
WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic
Singer Lila Downs performs at the Flynn Center April 26. The Flynn first opened in 1930 as a movie theater. In 1972 it transitioned into a performing arts theater and now hosts a wide range of acts. “What I love about the Flynn is that we don’t do any particular genre, we do the whole range,” he said. The Flynn Center is also home to the Lyric Theater Company and the Vermont Stage Company, as well as
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the Vermont Symphony and youth orchestras. In addition to housing many such Vermont organizations, the Flynn brings acts from all over the world. “It’s essential to bring world cultures so people
here can experience them,” he said. Be sure to check out these opportunities and others ranging from rock music to art music, plays, operas, dance and even Mongolian throat singers.
Cynical Listener
Best of local bands Sarah Stickle Rough Francis
Africa, has joined to become a powerhouse of a band. From fun and simple lyrics, to deeper messages about the importance of home, A2VT has everything a great hip-hop group needs.
Brett Hughes
Brett Hughes is our local Soul. Rock. Love. Rough country king. Best known Francis brings all of these for his Honky Tonk Tuesday and more to the table. band’s performances at They are a band so Radio Bean, Brett is a energetic and spirvirtuosic songwriter ited in their perforon top of his singmances that no auing and perforThe Best of dience can stand mance abilities. Burlington still. On any night, This group is the he might switch heart of Burlington’s between his guitars, punk music scene. bass, drums and custom electric sitar.
Waylon Speed
Best described as a cross between western and metal, Waylon Speed creates a genre all its own. From classic country riffs and twangy vocals, to a touch of hardcore style and soaring guitar leads, this band is headed good places.
Caroline Rose
A2VT
With strong, “bluesy” vocals, Rose is a pro through and through. She employs a dynamite band of banjo, mandolin, guitar and drums, which come together in a contemporary bluegrass medley that even I like. And as a rule, I hate banjo. A lot.
Hip-hop in Burlington is thriving, and A2VT is coming up in the scene fast. This trio of refugees, from all over
Sarah Stickle is a junior public communications major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2011.
Burlington The Best of
Awards
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B EST O F B U R LI N GTO N
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
On-Campus When nature calls, students know where they want to go “to go.” The Cynic prides itself on its secret, single bathroom spot located on the first floor of the Davis Center between the WRUV and Cynic offices. When searching for a bathroom spot “to unload,” students have standards that need to be met. “Mostly it has to be clean with toilet paper otherwise I’m not using it,” firstyear Masha Nazarko said. Frequent bathroom visitors such as senior SGA president Connor Daley commented on the perks of a private bathroom. “It’s amazing what can happen in a personal bathroom when you lock the door,” he said.
Student Media Bathroom
Best Bathroom
By Katie Hickey
Richard Sugarman and Stevenson Flemer
PHOEBE SHEEHAN The Vermont Cynic
Chef Joseph White prepares stir fry in the Marketplace April 1. The Marketplace is on the second floor of the Davis Center near Ben and Jerry’s and New World Tortilla.
The Marketplace The Davis Center Marketplace reigns as the favorite for students on the points meal plan. Located on the second floor of the Davis Center, the Marketplace sits in the hub of student activity and attracts many students on campus. However, it’s the featured menu item on Thursdays that especially satisfy the students’ tastes.
Religion professor Richard Sugarman and chemistry professor Stevenson Flemer have tied as the top picks for best professors. Their popularity among students stems from their passion to teach and their desire to see the students succeed. “I’ve been in their seats before,” Flemer said. “I want to allow the students to see that I want to see them in class.” Professor Sugarman said that he likes the company of his students in class.
University Heights South
University Heights South on Athletic Campus has been voted as the favorite on-campus
housing. “The rooms are nice, the bathrooms are pretty big and the community is pretty great,” first-year Carolyne Ricardo said. Luxuries include private or semiprivate bathrooms, air conditioning, classroom facilities, game rooms and kitchens that serve approximately 400 students, she said. The complex also houses the GreenHouse community. “We enjoy each other’s company and our green roof is fun to play in the snow,” Ricardo said. By Katie Hickey
Best Dorm “It doesn’t hurt if the teacher doesn’t know everything, you try to put yourself in the position of the students and you work together,” he said. Both professors try to “motivate” and “instill excitement” in students to go to class. “[Flemer] is so cool, he honestly is in the top five professors I have ever had,” sophomore Cameron Dauterive said.
Best Professors
By Katie Hickey
“Sukis and falafel Thursday I think are the reasons why students go there,” junior Dylan Letendre said. Other options include wraps, sandwiches, prepackaged meals, soups, sushi, salads, grilled foods and Indian cuisine “Wonderful curries and I just love the falafel,” sophomore Finnian Coleman Galloway-Kane said.
Best Points Dining
By Katie Hickey
Alpha Delta Pi and Delta Delta Delta Alpha Delta Pi and Tri Delta have tied for best sorority organization, according to the Best of Burlington survey. “That’s so exciting,” junior Tri Delta president Jessisca Shubrook said. “We’re always working to maintain our relationship with the student body.” Both sororities assist in helping the community, according to their websites. Alpha Delta Pi members partner with the Ronald McDonald House assisting the educational and leadership opportunities. Tri Delta commits to the St. Jude’s Foundation and children’s health, according to their websites. Both sororities take pride in
a strong presence on campus and with other students. “All the girls are very welcoming and passionate in everything that they do,” first-year Nicole Falques said. Falques is a member of Alpha Delta Pi. “We hope this article will increase awareness of Greek Life on UVM’s campus,” senior Gen Bradley said. By Katie Hickey
Best Sororites
JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic
The Kappa Sigma fraternity sits on Main Street March 27. Kappa Sigma was selected as the best fraternity at UVM. Their fundraising efforts often seek to support soldiers. Students picked Kappa Sigma as their favorite fraternity on campus, according to the Best of Burlington survey. The fraternity dedicates its service to both the Fisher House Foundation, for the families of wounded soldiers, and Relay for Life. In 2009, the fraternity was named “Most Improved Chapter” and continues to serve the Burlington com-
Kappa Sigma
munity, according to the UVM Greek life website. “It’s nice to know that our efforts to reaffirm our ties with the school and the community are working,” junior Kappa Sigma president Federico Garau said. By Katie Hickey
Best Fraternity
B EST O F B U R LI N GTO N
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
B3
Off-Campus Food Sweetwaters
W h a t could be “sweeter” than a date at Sweetwaters? Cynic readers have voted and Sweetwaters is Burlington’s best dining option for a date. Inside, the two-story restaurant is spacious and features a variety of menu items from burgers and steaks to pasta and fish. Sweetwaters also has a covered patio with seating that puts guests right into the action on Church Street. “I like being able to sit outside,” firstyear Abigail Howlett said. “Their burgers and fries are delicious.” Open for both lunch and dinner, Sweetwaters is housed in a building that originally served as the Burlington Trust Company, according to their website. A fun fact about this eatery is its transformation from the trust company to the restaurant. Some of the original bank vaults are now used as walkin coolers in the lower level of the restaurant, according to the website.
Best Date Spot
WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic
By Charlotte Fisher
Students eat ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s on Church Street March 28. Ben and Jerry’s, an iconic local brand, was voted the best ice cream by students. The original duo opened their first shop in Burlington in 1978 and have since become a brand known globally. Ben and Jerry’s is creamy, savory and everything in between. Voted UVM’s favorite ice cream by readers, Ben and Jerry’s is known to make “the best possible ice cream in the best possible way,” according to their website. The ice cream stop opened their first scoop shop in a renovated gas station in 1978 right here in Burlington. Since then, the company has gone global while still holding the same humble values the company started with, ac-
Ben and Jerry’s
cording to their website. “I absolutely love it,” junior Nate Bulich said. “There’s at least one flavor out there for everyone and they just keep getting better and better.” The genius flavors are the works of the highly qualified “flavor gurus” team, each member holding a degree in food science. “It’s rich, creamy and every time you try one of the new unique flavors you know it’s go-
Best Ice Cream
ing to be a delicious experience because they know how to do ice cream right,” first-year Paul Lavallee. The franchise advocates for a number of growing political conflicts including fair trade for farmers, marriage equality, peace building and more, according to their website. With free cone day coming up April 8, Ben and Jerry’s might just be “one of the best reasons to come to Vermont,” Bulich said. By Danielle Goglia
“I love Revolution Kitchen because the food abounds with love and passion,” junior Ann Cromley said. Readers named Revolution Kitchen the best local spot for vegan and vegetarian options in the survey The hot-spot is the only restaurant in Burlington with an entirely vegetarian menu, according to their website. T h e m e n u changes daily and also reflects the seasons, according to the website.
Revolution Kitchen
its glowing red Henry’s With sign and homey-vibe, Henry’s Diner has enDiner ticed Cynic readers.
“It’s a very friendly atmosphere and is home cooking,” firstyear David Harper said. Voted as Burlington’s best breakfast, this hot-spot has been serving up classic
Best Mexican
By Charlotte Fisher
Best Vegan/ Vegetarian
By Charlotte Fisher
When Cynic readers are looking for some authentic Mexican food in Burlington, the place to go seems to be El Gato Cantina. El Gato, voted as Burlington’s best Mexican food is located on Church Street. The eatery follows the philosophy of “delicious food with traditional Mexican recipes,” according to their website. “I got the best break-up nachos I’ve ever had there,” sophomore Caitlin Wieland said. El Gato has a large cocktail menu that features various types of tequila. “The Swinging Cowboy,” “Dirty Old Man” and “Hey You Old Stud” are few from the long list of drink titles.
El Gato
Cynic readers have voted Rí Rá as Burlington’s best for burgers and bar food. The white-marbled Irish pub was designed as a way to celebrate some of the different aspects of the pub experience, according to their website. Rí Rá has half-priced burger days every Wednesday, which is a pull for students. “I love the half-priced burgers,” first-year Hannah Schaefer said. “As a college student, it’s nice to have such a great deal, it’s like they know we’re poor,” she said.
Rí Rá
ALEX GOLDENBERG The Vermont Cynic
An employee serves spring rolls at Revolution Kitchen on Center Street Sept. 2. The shop was named the best spot for vegan and vegetarian options by UVM students. breakfast foods since 1925, according to their website. Henry’s has many options to start your day. You can choose from a variety of plates including Belgian waffles, a piping-hot stack of pancakes or one of their skillet creations.
Breakfast is served all day, but lunch and dinner options are available as well. By Charlotte Fisher
Best Breakfast
By Charlotte Fisher
Best Burger
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B EST O F B U R LI N GTO N
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Winners Best Points Dining
Best Dorm
THE MARKETPLACE
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS SOUTH Best Professors
DELTA DELTA DELTA and ALPHA DELTA PI Best Place to go if your Parents are Paying
THE FARMHOUSE
EL GATO CANTINA MIRABELLES Best Breakfast Place
HENRY’S DINER Best Local Beer
Best Chinese Food
A SINGLE PEBBLE
Best Bar
Best Ski Shop
Best Shoe Store
CITY MARKET
DEAR LUCY Best Local Bookstore
CROW BOOKSHOP
Best Up-and-Coming Artist
ARGONAUT AND WASP Best Beach
NORTH BEACH
BEN AND JERRY’S
MR. MIKE’S PIZZA
Best Place to Buy a Pipe
FULL TANK
Best Piercing/Tattoo Shop
Best Clothing Store
YANKEE TATTOO
URBAN OUTFITTERS
ZINNIA JEWELRY STORE
NON PROFIT
Best Tea Shop
Best Concert Venue
HIGHER GROUND SAMOSAMAN
Off-Campus Stores
$
DOBRA Best Thrift Shop
GOODWILL
Best Salon
O’BRIAN’S SALON
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Best Farmers Market Vendor
Off-Campus Drinks
SWEETWATERS
Best Non-Profit
Best Jewelry Store
MICHAEL “DIDGERIDOO MAN” SAMPSON Off-Campus Food
Best Date Spot
UNCOMMON GROUNDS
Best Street Performer
On-Campus
RED ONION
Best Coffee Shop
OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE
BURLINGTON CITY ARTS
Best Sandwich Shop
ASIANA HOUSE
Best Outdoor Gear Shop
Best Art Gallery
BURLINGTON BAGEL
Best Pizza
$1 PABST BLUE RIBBON at WHAT ALES YOU THREE NEEDS
Best Grocery Store
Best Ice Cream
Best Bagel Shop
Best Sushi
RÍ RÁ
Best Drink Special
HEADY TOPPER ALPINE SHOP
AL’S FRENCH FRYS Best Burger
SIMPSON
REVOLUTION KITCHEN
Best Cheap Eats
WINGS OVER BURLINGTON
Best Unlimited Dining
Best Vegan/Vegetarian Meal
DAVIS CENTER FOURTH FLOOR
Best Late Night Eats
KAPPA SIGMA
WILLIAMS
Best Study Spot
HONG’S CHINESE DUMPLINGS
FOOD
Best Fraternity
Most Attractive Building
LUCKY CHINESE
Best Church Street Food Cart
Best Mexican Food
Best Bakery
STUDENT MEDIA BATHROOM Best Food Truck on University Place
RICHARD SUGARMAN and STEVENSON FLEMER Best Sororities
Best On-Campus Bathoom
Best Hiking Spot
CAMEL’S HUMP Best Ski/Snowboard Mountain
SUGARBUSH
Off-Campus Attractions
*Visit us online at www.youtube.com/cynicvideo to see the awards video
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Off-Campus Attractions Before she mastered the art of the “hardrock howl,” local artist Grace Potter had a childhood full of musical and theatrical performances. Her destiny unfolded while at St. Lawrence University where she met the musicians that make up her band, The Nocturnals. Since, the band has soared through four successful albums, earning a Jammy award for best new groove and being nominated for two Boston music awards. Senior Emily Secor said she thinks the band’s “alternative and hip” revival of 1970’s rock is refreshing and hard not to love. The past few summers, Potter and her band hosted the Grand North Point Music and Food Festival with Higher Ground at Burlington’s Waterfront Park. This year’s festival, Sept. 13 and 14, is expected to bring other artists in addition to Potter’s band.
Grace Potters
Best Local Artist
PHOEBE SHEEHAN The Vermont Cynic
By Marissa Villegas
Local artist Grace Potter performs at Grand Point North Music and Food Festival on the Waterfront Park Sept. 15. The artist’s band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, mixes different rock genres. They formed in 2002 and have since released four albums.
When UVM students voted for their favorite spot to hike, they picked the mountain that, according to earthlink.net, has more than 4,000 feet of vertical drop. “The hike is definitely a must,” firstyear Arthur Krogman said. Krogman recommended that stu-
dents bike to the mountain before a hike. “It’s a pretty big trek but it is really nice,” he said. “The hike is also really nice.” Junior Brianna Spano also recommended the trail. “[Camel’s Hump] has a really nice view and is pretty tall and challenging,” she said. “Camel’s Hump was especially nice
Camel’s Hump
when I went because there was fall foliage and then the upper half was wintery and at the top there was snow everywhere,” Spano said. “It was really cool to see all of that on one hike.” Spano and Krogman both mentioned the “incredible” summit of the mountain. “The summit is great. There are 360
degree views. You can see Lake Champlain and a lot of the Green Mountain Valley, which is cool,” Krogman said. By Carter Williams
Best Hiking Mountain
When students seeks treatment at a hospital that could picked their be many miles from home,” according to favorite non- the website. profit, they “I think it is a great organization,” chose one that first-year Cliff Bauman said. “It enriches they’re likely the lives of patients with a potentially to see terminal illness and makes walking down Pearl Street at them happier, which they the end of South Winooski Avdeserve.” enue. “I think the Ronald McThe organization started Donald house deserved be 40 years ago in 1974. voted ‘best non-profit’ and Since then, it has hosted deserves any recognition the families of “seriously ill” from the Burlington commuchildren who receive medical nity that it can get,” he said. NON attention at Fletcher Allen, acPROFIT cording to its website. By Carter It exists to ease “the stress Williams that is caused when a loved one
Ronald McDonald House
Best Non-Profit
WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic
Art by TR Ericsson sits on display in Burlington City Arts on Church Street March 28. The mission of Burlington City Arts is to sustain and enhance the artistic life of the greater Burlington area, according to their website. The art center is housed in the bottom of a former firehouse and since 1995 has grown to feature both local and nationally recognized artists. “It’s nice that there’s a public place downtown where independent artists can showcase their work,” junior Joseph Nowlan said. Burlington City Arts is currently holding several exhibitions including TR Ericsson’s “Crackle and Drag” and Kate
Burlington City Arts
Donnelly’s “A Period of Confinement.” The first two floors of the arts center are galleries and the upper floors hold an artist-in-residence studio as well as places to hold events, according to its website. Classes offered include clay, pottery and photography, which are available year-round. Interactive arts education experiences for kids are also offered. The Burlington City Arts center can be rented for private events but admission to the gallery itself is free. The art center is located at 135 Church Street and is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Best Art Gallery
By Becca Friedlander
It
seems
Michael that the sounds of “Didgeridoo aboriginal Australian culture are Man” what UVM tudents Sampson swant, as Mi-
chael “Tree” Sampson, the street didgeridoo performer, has been voted as the on best Church Street. Sampson has been highlighted in other media features such as National Public Radio, Seven Days and the Burlington Free Press. Students said they find him appealing because of how “left-field” and “eccentric” they think he is. First-year Ryan Thorton said he is “enig-
matic.” “I think I’ve only heard him once or twice, but I think it’s really cool,” he said. “I’ve always really liked those weird and unusual instruments.” The didgeridoo dates back to 1835 Australia. It was first accounted as being similar to a trumpet, according to the Australian Didjeridu Cultural Hub website. Wearing a self-made wooden mask. Sampson also performs with a “cajón,” a Peruvian box drum. He also utilizes puppets and a tambourine, which he operates with his feet. By Jacob Holzman
Best Street Performer
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Off-Campus Stores
JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic
A resident walks through Crow Bookshop March 27. This shop, located on Church Street, is independently owned and has been open since 1995. They sell new and used books.
Crow Bookshop This crow loves worms, bookworms that is. The bookworms at UVM have voted Crow Bookshop as the No. 1 shop in Burlington to flock to for a good read. The local, independent shop opened in 1995 and has become a Church Street
staple over the past few years, according to students. Housing books both new and old, the shop has novels covering a wide range of subjects including gardening, psychology, cooking and more. “I spent hours reading in there with my roommates one time. I highly recommend it,” junior Sarah Richardson said. Richardson said this “cool little
About 20 percent of Vermonters claim to be skiers or riders, according to Vermont.com. As the winter weather continues you might be encouraged to hop on the bandwagon and join in on the fun. The Alpine Shop, voted No. 1 ski and snowboard store by students, has “everything you need” to join the fun, junior and employee Taylor Cook said. “Whether it is families or students, everyone [at Alpine] shares the same passion for sliding on snow,” Cook said. The shop has been around for 50 years and has seen “all sorts” of changes
in the economy, industry and environment, she said. Despite changes, for better or worse, Cook said she thinks it’s awesome to see so much support from such varying demographics. “Being able to facilitate and share that excitement each season is so rewarding,” she said.
“Are you a member?” This phrase greets customers on the checkout line at City Market, Burlington’s best grocery store, according to UVM students. The store is dedicated to providing “the highest quality of products” for “every palate,” according to its website. Students seem to agree. “I’m a huge fan because they pride themselves on locally-sourced and organic food,” junior Ellery Garland said. “It’s important to support the local economy and also eat healthy,” firstyear Alex Sherbrook said.
Does the shoe fit? Dear Lucy has been voted the No. 1 local shoe store by students, according to the Best of Burlington survey. The shoe and bag boutique carries more than 45 brand names, including UGG, Teva and Birkenstock. Don’t worry boys, Dear Lucy is not just for women. They have men’s boots, loafers and more, making it a perfect pit stop before you lace up for an interview. “I actually need dress shoes,” first-year Bernard Yeboah said.
Alpine Shop
City Market
By Danielle Goglia
Best Grocery Store
store’s” variety is unbeatable. The store’s shelves have now also turned digital. The bookstore has created an online shop with discount coupons that are regularly featured on its Facebook page. The shop is open seven days a week and and offers gift certificates, accord-
ing to the website. Store credit is also offered as an exchange for book donations. By Danielle Goglia
Best Local Bookstore
Best Ski Shop
By Danielle Goglia
Dear Lucy
Best Shoe Store
By Danielle Goglia
PHOEBE SHEEHAN The Vermont Cynic
Yankee Tattoo employee Jim Duval gives a tattoo to grad student Mark Alexander at Yankee Tattoo on Pearl Street March 27. The shop was voted best local tattoo shop. Looking to get inked? Whether you have thought about it for a long time or if it’s an impulsive desire, students voted Yankee Tattoo as Burlington’s best spot to get “tatted-up.” The parlor was designed in 1996 by “Bald” Bill Henshaw, and has provided Vermont with some of the “best tattoo art” around, according to their website. With the slogan “art for life” the studio prides itself on its talented artists, their love of diverse clients and most importantly, their cleanliness. Yankee Tattoo as a business holds “extremely high” standards for itself, according
Yankee Tattoo
to the website. Each staff member is required to keep up with the latest safety procedures in both tattoo and piercing practices. “The guy who pierced me was really friendly and they generally have really good customer service,” junior Irene Sue said. “It didn’t hurt at all and it was very quick,” she said. Employees also attend semi-annual seminars to learn the latest in the industry’s safety standards, according to the website. “I got a piercing there two months ago in my ear,” sophomore Sydney Ward said. “It was very chill.”
Best Piercing/ Tattoo Shop
By Danielle Goglia
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B EST O F B U R LI N GTO N
Off-Campus Drinks Dollar PBR’s at Ales
What’s the best type of drink? A free drink. But if you can’t get that, bars around Burlington offer plenty of drink specials so you can have a brew while only spending a few. For students the best in Burlington is Thursday $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon’s at What Ale’s You, according to the Best of Burlington survey. On the corner of Main and St. Paul Streets, What Ales You (commonly shortened to Ales) is set below street level. With a couple TVs, a few booths and one big jukebox, Ales on a Thursday night usually only has standing room-only.
“All my friends usually go, and you really can’t beat cheap beer and good friends,” senior Mackenzie Hart said. “Plus, it’s a little off the beaten path of Church Street bars.” Manhattan’s Pizza on Tuesday and Ake’s Place on Wednesdays have the same deal, however, there must be something special about Ales on Thursdays that won it “Burlington’s Best.” “It’s a combination of the great atmosphere and UVM’s hippest crowd that make the beer night a fantastic special,” junior Ty Williams said. What students may not know? Ales has the same deal on Tuesdays for the dedicated few.
Best Drink Special
Three Needs
PHOEBE SHEEHAN The Vermont Cynic
Resident Adaline Herbert pours tea at Dobra Tea March 28. The shop began in Prague when a group of tea drinkers wanted to sample teas from around the world. for two? Or Dobra Tea Tea two for tea?
For students, it doesn’t really matter how many are in your party. With its Church Street tearoom and new teashop next door, Dobra Tea wins out for the best tea place in Burlington, according to the Best of Burlington survey. Dobra Tea is the first U.S. tearoom in a family of Czech-based shops, according their website. Featuring teas from all over the world, the tearoom staff often help customers navigate the lengthy menu. For students, all ranges of tea
drinkers can find something to like. “I’m not really a tea drinker, but I appreciated the variety of offerings and the helpful staff at Dobra,” senior Josh Barry said. “It’s a great place to just sit and talk.” Although technically on Church Street, the restaurant entrance is on Bank Street. Just to the left of the door, another entrance leads to a new shop extension with even more teas. Whether escaping the cold or catching up with a friend, UVM students don’t look much further than Dobra for a good tea fix.
Best Tea Shop
Uncommon Coffee. Even if you’re an addict, Grounds not chances are you’ve explored the Burlington coffee scene at least a little. For UVM students, the best java in town can be found at the cozy Uncommon Grounds on Church Street. Locally owned and operated since 1994, Uncommon Grounds roasts a number of world-class coffees, according to its website. A full menu of coffee and espresso drinks is hand-drawn and displayed above their store-length counter. “It’s really nice to sit by the window, get some natural light, and have a bomb vanilla chai,” junior Ali White said. Students also seem to love the café’s location and atmosphere.
By Danielle Goglia
Beer, pizza and pool. Together they make the winning combination for Burlington’s best bar, Three Needs, according to UVM students. Located on Pearl Street, away from the bustle of Main Street and the noise of Church Street, Three Needs Brewery & Taproom brings the pace down a bit for the college scene. “It’s got good pizza and $1 drafts weekdays at 4 p.m. It’s a lot chiller than most of the other bars in town,” junior Elliott Asher said. Featuring arcade games and a pizza counter at the entrance, Three Needs opens into an expansive room of low seating, sunken booths and pool tables. “Duff Hour” begins at 4 p.m. every weekday and lasts until the keg runs out. Capitalizing on the traditional Burlington vibe and a reliable local clientele, the only beers on tap are local craft beers. The coolest part? Free samples are often available if customers are wary about trying a new brew. With some TVs and the occasional pool tournament in the back, Three Needs offers just enough distractions and (a good amount of microbrews) for the UVM crowd to push it to No. 1 on the Best of Burlington list of bars. By Danielle Goglia
Best Bar
By Danielle Goglia
Heady Topper
UVM students love their hops. Agreeing with beer aficionado websites such as BeerAdvocate.com, students have voted Heady Topper best beer in the land, according to the Cynic’s Best of Burlington survey. It bubbled to the top of the list of the numerous craft and local brews. Brewed by The Alchemist in Waterbury, Vt., the double India Pale Ale (IPA) is notorious for selling out of stores almost as instantly as the shelves are stocked. At eight percent alcohol by volume, the imperial IPA is no casual drink. “I heard that it can sometimes sell at triple the price on Craigslist outside of Vermont,” senior Greg Wachtel said. “I love the hoppiness — it’s just something that other beers don’t emphasize.” The beer was designed to showcase the varying flavors of hops, according to The Alchemist’s website. Equally distinctive is the fact that the beer is only served in special tall, silver cans featuring the brewery’s logo and artisan font. As difficult as it can be to find in retail, Burlington boasts 35 locations downtown alone where you can grab a can. For of age students, that appears to be good news.
Best Local Beer
By Danielle Goglia
“Any place that has great coffee and even better people-watching windows is Grade-A quality to me,” senior Connor Daley said. Located across from Outdoor Gear Exchange and the Burlington Town Center, Uncommon Grounds is situated near some of the busiest spots around. Open for at least 12 hours each day, the café is also a go-to for studying. Students dot the glass-top tables on the weekends, laptops out and large mugs of their caffeine close-by. Whether you prefer dark roast or light roast, Uncommon Grounds now can boast the “best roast.” By Danielle Goglia
Best Coffee Shop
PHOEBE SHEEHAN The Vermont Cynic
An employee serves coffee at Uncommon Grounds on Church Street March 28. UVM students voted Uncommon Grounds as the best spot to go for coffee in Burlington.
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You know you live in Burlington when...
The Best of Burlington
The Cynic picked out some of the most distinctive characteristics about life around UVM. By Laurel Saldinger
1.
You take pride in Ben and Jerry’s.
Started in a renovated Burlington gas station in 1978, Ben and Jerry’s is a huge part of Burlington culture. Not only do they make excellent ice cream, Ben and Jerry’s also interacts with the community in ways that align with general Burlington values. For instance, the ice cream makers support the use of fair trade ingredients. Additionally, in 2002, Ben and Jerry’s created the flavor,
2.
Photo by Erin Lucey
The love of the environment is a critical part of local culture. Students come here loving the outdoors and if not they leave can’t help but leave loving it, according to the Princeton Review. Between our recycling, composting and plastic water bottle ban, going barefoot is another “step” in getting closer to the environment. Photo by Phoebe Sheehan
You can’t imagine life without Lake Champlain.
From sunny summer days at North Beach to a frozen playground in the winter, Lake Champlain plays a huge role in the Burlington lifestyle. Residents love to spend time by the lake, and UVM research has helped to study and ensure the care of Lake Champlain. Included is the work of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant, which is dedicated to understanding Lake Champlain for
5.
snow clearing had begun. Some students were even seen skiing to class. Professors and commuters alike braved the roads, and campus life continued through the 18.6 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Besides, the only reason students wanted UVM to close was for a nice day of powder skiing.
Shoes are optional.
UVM is famous for its “hippie culture.” In fact, the most common UVM stereotype is “the guitar-loving, earth-saving, relaxed hippie,” according to the Princeton Review. Seeing people barefoot is no surprise to residents in the Burlington area. Going barefoot is said to enable people to become “one with the terrain” and give peace of mind, according to runbare.com.
4.
Photo by Walker Sultzbach
16 inches of snow doesn’t faze you.
No one can argue that this has been one of the coldest Vermont winters in recent years. With the winter stretching out, UVM has seen more snow than usual. President Tom Sullivan even started classes late due to the snow for the first time since 2007, according to a March 18 Cynic article. The delay this year was only until noon, but many students were out and about during the brunt of the storm or before
3.
One Sweet Whirled, for their campaign with Dave Matthews Band and saveourenvironment. org in an attempt to combat global warming. The delicious taste and impressive social presence of Ben and Jerry’s has not only earned them national recognition but it has als helped to push them to be being voted Burlington’s favorite ice cream.
long-term health, according to the UVM website. Additionally, a new summer research program will be offered by UVM for students to study Lake Champlain, according to a Feb. 25 Cynic article. With gorgeous views of Lake Champlain from all over Burlington, it’s definitely a defining factor of this lake town. File Photo
You go to at least one concert a semester.
From Higher Ground to Radio Bean and Dresden’s Basement, live music can be found all around Burlington. The local music scene encompasses all types of genres. There are a number of concerts for locals to check out. There are more than 20 different artists coming in any given week, according to songkick. com. If that doesn’t sound ap-
pealing enough, many of these shows are actually free. Places around town such as Radio Bean often don’t charge for entrance. Such a diverse and easy-toaccess music scene is one of the many draws of UVM, and students seem to love to take advantage of their close proximity to this awesome music. Photo by Krista Cantrell
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side our regular issue. Check out pages B1-B8 to see the best places this town Today marks the Vermont has to offer. Cynic’s third annual Best of The Cynic is very excited Burlington issue. that one of our organization’s This special issue was startfavorite places won an award. ed in 2011 and highlighted only It is the “Student Media 10 locations as winners. It also bathroom,” located on the first featured a striking green and floor of the Davis Center beorange color scheme. twen the Cynic office and the We’re at it again and we’ve WRUV studio. expanded both our winners President Sullivan also had and our color scheme. his favorites, although they In this 2014 Best of Burlingweren’t featured as winners. ton issue, we are showcasing He said Church and Main more than 50 locations both as well as Leunigs are spots he on-campus and downtown. and his wife frequent the most. This year the Cynic sur“We really enjoy Church veyed more than 200 students Street. The fun thing for us is and community members to to be able to walk down and see decide where the best places in faculty, staff and students on our town are. the way down, on the way back We divided the winners into and on Church Street,” Sullivan five categories: on-campus, offsaid. “It’s a really great commucampus food, off-campus nity in that respect.” drinks, off-campus stores The Cynic has put and off-campus attracin countless hours tions. to produce this isThe Best of Since the issue has sue and we hope it grown over the years, helps you find your Burlington it has gone from a way around UVM two-page spread, to a and Burlington. full eight-page issue in-
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It was dusk. In the twilight, the ice mirrored the maroon shades from the setting sun. Among the gloomy winter terrain, the skeletons of spring trees shiver in rooted shackles; birds caw stubbornly to their avion gods. When Lake Champlain first froze, a thin and wrinkled man told me about what slithers beneath the frozen lake: “Champ,”
a mythical sea-creature. Of all the fish families swirling beneath the ice, to believe that there is a 30-foot plesiosaur lapping about is a disappointment waiting to happen. The “Champ” story is not the legend of European settlers, but of the local Abenaki and Iroquis natives. To them, “Champ” was “Tatoskok” or “Great Horned Serpent,” Haden Blackman notes in “The Field Guide to North American Monsters.” The tribes spoke of widewinged thunderbirds that fought off the man-hungry reptiles, Tatoskok included. But these tribes have long been squandered and their oral
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stories rusted with time. marred by human It was the colohands, while the other nists of Samuel de is in constant renoThe Best of Champlain that carvation. ried on these tradiThe ice cracks Burlington tions until this day, loud with every step, 400 years later. loud enough to perYou may ask, “why meate the earmuffs uncarry on such fairytales, der my wool hat. when pollution and real invaMy time on the lake is up. sive species are of prime conFor the native tribes of what cern in lake conservation?” we call Lake Champlain, the Comic artist Lynda Barry water was sacred, and the legwrites: “[Old stories do] what end of the Great Horned Sersinging does to words… they pent lurked beneath. can’t transform your actual sitThe victor of the thunderuation, but they can transform bird battle extended the wayour experience of it.” ter’s reverence. Lynda Barry In the stories the wonders was correct: these stories do alare unveiled. I look to where ter how we experience reality. stories run abound, where evIn a world where water is ery tree has a myth to it, where considered just another reeroded rocks are revered, source, maybe these stories rewhere the sunset is a wildfire mind us that water is more. blazing to rest under starWater is the life-force which capped snuffer. sustains the biome of earth, I look where the world stabs which skeletons plant to reach me with its splendor, and I ask for the sun, which embraces myself, “why is this so movyou on hot summer days and ing?” carries you on its backbone in Back on the frozen lake, the winter. shopping malls and banking Champ is in the pores of the towers graze the horizon. ice, in the lapping of slurping But, these vistas are not finwaves and in the vapor rising ished pieces, for between the to rain clouds. skyline of a city and the tree line of the Adirondacks, there Braden Keiser is a junior English is a difference. major. He has been writing for One is revered and unthe Cynic since fall 2012.
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Sports
Vermont keeps the community active Andrew Schwartz Staff Writer No matter what you like to do, UVM offers students the opportunity to take advantage of the indoor and outdoor activities and local sporting events that each season has to offer. “I appreciate that Lake Champlain was frozen over this winter, I got a lot of playing time because of that fact,” sophomore Belle Procaccini said. Utilizing the lake even in the colder conditions opens another avenue for students to skate and play hockey. UVM does a great job promoting healthy living and competition, outside the barriers of campus for non-varsity and club athletes. “UVM sponsored some outdoor rinks over in Shelburne,” GREG ASNISS The Vermont Cynic Procaccini said. Students skate at Gutterson Fieldhouse during an intramural ice hockey game March 25. UVM offers The central location of Burmany different types of intramural sports for students including men’s, women’s and co-ed activities. lington makes it easier for students to find new and exciting house, that’s my favorite thing and Tim Thomas. port the school,” Hanson said. activities to do. to do actually,” sophomore and There is also a high demand The 1963 established fieldTo make up for the long pep band member Tom Hanfor tickets for hockey and bashouse is one of Vermont’s go to winter months, students find son said. ketball games. spots for UVM students and loalternatives indoors to When students run Students frequently pack cal Vermont residents to cheer maintain a synchroalong here they get “the Gut” in anticipation of on the Catamounts. nized workout plan. observe the banners Catamount games. In addition, Gutterson “Whenever I The Best of of various UVM “It’s fun to see it from the brings students and locals tohave a stressful day, decorated athletes, perspective where you get to gether to engage in extracurricBurlington I like to run a couple including Martin St. really see the whole student ular activities such as hockey, of laps on the stairs Louis, Viktor Stalberg section coming together to supbroomball and running. at Gutterson Field-
“I appreciate that Lake Champlain was frozen over this winter, I got a lot of playing time because of that fact.” Belle Procaccini Sophomore Other students enjoy the opportunities to remain active outside of the competitive sports. “Running and hiking for me and I’m going to try slack lining more in the spring,” sophomore Maddie Woods said. “You really can’t beat being outside.” “During the warmer weather, I like to go down to North Beach and throw the frisbee around with some friends, and in the winter, obviously skiing,” sophomore Henry Curell said. Although springtime weather hasn’t quite hit Burlington yet, the season is approaching when students will pack the waterfront. Having North Beach at students’ disposal promotes students to engage in frisbee, bocce and soccer. The large amount of sporting events available in the small community of Burlington give students multiple opportunities to stay active.
View From the Moon Man
“Tanking” becomes a frequent trend for NBA teams Jake Bielecki “Tanking,” or purposely losing games or throwing an entire season away in an attempt to get better draft spots, has always been a part of the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics “tanked” for Tim Duncan in 1997, and the Cavaliers were very cavalier during the LeBron sweepstakes. It’s a copycat league and teams are realizing that building around draft picks with cheap salaries has been very successful. Once you build a solid base and create cap room, you can fill out your roster with veteran free agents. Some veteran players may even take a pay cut to play on your team because they have a shot at winning a championship. But things are getting out of control. The 76ers have lost 26 games in a row and still don’t have the worst record in the NBA. As Bill Simmons said, when over a third of your league is trying to lose in the stretch
“The 76ers have lost 26 games in a row and still don’t have the worst record in the NBA” run of the season, you’re doing something wrong. In the past year the 76ers traded their 23-year-old cornerstone Jrue Holiday for draft picks. Then the 76ers spent a draft pick on Nerlens Noel, who they knew wouldn’t play in his rookie season. They also traded Spencer Hawes, who is posting borderline all-star numbers, and Evan Turner for second round draft picks. They released former franchise player Danny Granger, and have signed several nobodies to 10-day contracts to preserve their mediocrity. Long-term, the 76ers have really set themselves up for success. They don’t have long-term cap commitments to overpaid players. They don’t have draft picks at their disposal or a top pick in the upcoming draft. So, “tanking” may just work. Whether it is in the best interest of the NBA is questionable, I would argue that it’s not.
If you’re 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, how can you take your job seriously when you know everyone in your organization is making moves in an effort to lose? It’s counterintuitive. Smart teams like the Pacers have gone against the gain, taking advantage of teams going all-in on the “tankathon” and added legitimate NBA starters
like Evan Turner for pennies on the dollar. Whether this mentality will remain as prevalent as it has in recent years is anybody’s guess. If it does, as commissioner of the NBA, I would implement a new lottery system. Each non playoff should get an equal shot at the No. 1 pick. The result: You can try to make the NBA playoffs, and if
you fail, you aren’t punished by getting a worse pick than the team who “tanked” and didn’t try all year. Hey, you may even make the playoffs, especially if you’re in the East. Jake Bielecki is a junior business major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2011.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
Sails set for Rio Olympics
athletetweets
Aviva Loeb Design Editor Studying in a van ride home is not usually part of a normal college experience, but for senior club sailing team president Jordan Factor it is. “When you’re on the dock you gotta do homework,” Factor said.“You go out sailing, you come in, you sleep, you get out early and you do it again.” While stressful, Factor said he does this because he is pushing toward competing in the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. After graduation, Factor said he will be sailing for the U.S. sailing team Sperry TopSider. The teams were chosen at the 2013 class world championships and at the International Sailing Federation Sailing World Cup Feb. 2014 according to the team’s website. Factor will be competing with partner Matthew Wefer of Glen Head, N.Y., according to the website. “It’s a long path he’s got a lot of work to do before it happens, but he does have the correct attitude,” head coach of the UVM sailing team David Thompson said. “We’ll see if he can pull it together in time for Rio,” Thompson said. He said the completion is going to be “tough”, and Fac-
“The car wash is lowkey therapeutic.” Diana Panish — junior midfielder for Vermont women’s soccer @umakemewannaDI
JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic
Members of the club sailing team attend a meeting in Kalkin March 24. The teams were chosen at 2013 class world championships. tor and his partner will have to “work hard” if they want tobeat the competition at the Olympic Games. “He might have to look a little bit more long term, maybe the next one,” Thompson said. “I just don’t know if when he graduates a year and a half of sailing will be enough time for them.” Although Thompson said the people Factor will compete against are “very strong,” he believes they “have a chance” if they “continue to improve” like they have in the past two years. First-year Travis Bobley, member of the UVM Club Sailing team, said he has known Factor since he was around
seven years old. “He’s a great leader and an unbelievable sailor.” The training for the Olympic games consists of 200 days on the water, with breaks on the weekends according to Factor. “I know all about his Olympic campaign,” Bobley said. “I’m really proud of him for it and I really hope he makes it.” The team will compete all around the world, in places including Miami, Greece and Spain, Factor said. “It’s [like] every other five day job, but instead we’re on the water training,” Factor said.
“City Market gummy bears, the best gummy bears in existence.” Amanda Moschella — junior defender for Vermont women’s soccer @SloanMoschella
“Gotta love when you call for delivery and they already have your info #fastandefficient.” Jessica Roach — junior attackman for Vermont women’s lacrosse @Ms_Sasssy
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