DAILY KENT STATER Thursday, February 17, 2011 • The independent student newspaper of Kent State University • Weather: Cloudy, HI 55, LO 49 LATEST UPDATES AT KENTWIRED.COM Sign up to receive breaking news updates from Kent State student media at KENTWIRED.COM SEX WEEK Get it on all week long | Only on KentWired.com and TV2 TAKE A BITE OUT OF LIFE. Go to KentWired.com to watch a video about biting as a sexual act. VALERIE BROWN|DAILY KENT STATER LEFT: Jordan Deckert, junior dance performance major, guides a group of 4th graders through a short dance routine they performed for their classmates in the Music and Speech Center on Wednesday. Students from the School of Dance choreographed routines for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders from the new Falcon Academy of Creative Arts in Mogadore while they visited the campus. ABOVE: Sabatino Verlezza, junior dance performance major, guides a group of 4th graders through the short dance routine they performed for their classmates. TOP: Third graders from the new Falcon Academy of Creative Arts in Mogadore record a selection from “The Sound of Music” in the Ludwig Recital Hall on Wednesday. Gettin’ footloose with the Flashes Renovations aim to improve visibility and space issues Cassandra Beck [email protected]Daily Kent Stater Many offices and services in the University Library will be moving floors this fall. The changes were set to begin at the end of February, but in a meeting Friday, which included the executive committee and uni- versity architects, most changes were put on hold. “Right now, we’ve submitted a request for proposal covering certain changes,” said James Bracken, dean of University Libraries. “The president and architects will then look it over. “This isn’t a small change. There are a lot of details that we have to work out for this.” Bracken estimates the office switches on the first floor alone will cost more than $1 million. “Moving the library toward these changes is sort of like a domino effect,” said Mark Pike, assistant dean of administration for University Libraries. “When we move one thing, we have to find room to move another.” Audio Visual Services, cur- rently located on the third floor, will combine with the Circula- tion Desk on the first floor. The move will happen by the end of the semester even before any construction begins. Bracken said students will benefit from the extended hours. Division of Information Services, currently located on the first floor by the elevator, will move out of the library. In its place will be the library administration, communica- tions and software application support offices. “The idea of having the library administration offices downstairs is to be more visible to students,” said Diana Sperko, marketing and communications director of University Libraries. Moving most of the offices from the third floor will allow more space for the School of Library and Information Science, which currently occupies about a quarter of the floor. The Student Multimedia Stu- dio, now on the first floor, will move to the fourth floor and com- bine with the Writing Commons. “It just makes sense to com- bine these two services,” Brack- en said. He said both are services for students. The second floor will house the Wick Poetry Center and the Math Emporium, scheduled to open in the fall. The journals and periodicals, currently on the sec- ond floor, will be moved to floors five, six and seven. Bracken said he hopes to some day build a state of the art May 4 exhibit in a more dignified place in the library. The room is cur- rently on the back eastern side on the first floor. “The May 4 room is cur- rently facing a parking lot with windows that look over some dumpsters and tucked away behind vending machines,” Bracken said. “It needs an appropriate recognition.” Plans to put entrances on all four sides of the library are being proposed as well. “Most of these changes won’t happen until middle of 2011,” Bracken said. “We’re very con- scious about not disrupting the students in the library.” Cassandra Beck is the library reporter. Scholars share opinions about caring for elderly Lefton’s two-year plan gives awards on case-by-case basis Christine Morgan [email protected]Daily Kent Stater A call to action asks faculty and staff to replenish funds that provide immediate relief to stu- dents in dire need of financial aid. The Last Dollar Scholarship fund is a program created by President Lester Lefton two years ago to aid students who face extreme financial hard- ships. Funds are raised from donations of faculty and staff though payroll deductions or one-time payments. “We have not conducted a formalized request for additional donations in awhile,” said Dave Garcia, associate vice president of enrollment management and student affairs. “The reason we are doing this now is because the funds have been depleted to the point where it’s going to zero out.” Garcia said, as of November 2010, the fund totaled $80,000 but is now less than $10,000. He said replenishment of the fund is crucial. “If we can’t help them, they may not be able to stay here at Kent State,” Garcia said. “I think it is the purpose and the mission of Kent State to help our students graduate and to become produc- tive citizens.” Molly Wendt, freshman nutri- tion and dietetics major, said it’s nice to see professors helping students despite the hard eco- nomic times. “It’s definitely generous of those professors who donate because they don’t have to,” Wendt said. “I know it’s not easy for anyone to pay, but at least they are doing something for those in dire need.” Garcia said the funds are giv- en on a case-by-case basis. “The staff members in the Student Financial Aid office do a holistic review of all the financial aid a student is receiving before they give some of the fund,” Gar- cia said. “We look at all options before we tap into this fund because once the money is gone, it’s gone.” Mark Evans, director of Stu- dent Financial Aid said the fund has helped many students at Kent State continue their educations. “The Last Dollar Scholarship program has been very success- ful for staff and faculty who have contributed to the program,” Evans said. “It has helped a num- ber of students be able to fulfill their dreams of graduating.” Garcia said a formal call to action for faculty and staff to replenish the fund will be sent through campus mail in the next few weeks. He said he believes now is the time to help those stu- dents who cannot help themselves. “Times are getting harder and harder for students,” Garcia said. “They are working more, and they’re trying to make ends meet. I think if there’s any time to really step up to the challenge, I would say now is that time.” Christine Morgan is the student affairs reporter. Faculty and staff members help pay off student debt Speakers part of cultural education series Kelsey Misbrener [email protected]Daily Kent Stater Four international schol- ars all agreed that families should care for their elders rather than placing them in a nursing home. The four scholars from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Brazil and Morocco spoke of the different ways their respective countries care for their people at a “Cultural Dialogue” Wednesday in White Hall. The speakers are part of the International Lead- ers in Education program. The U.S. State Department sponsored their semester- long stay at Kent State, said Linda Robertson, director for the Center for International and Intercul- tural Education. The Cultural Dialogue was part of a series where 16 teachers from eight countries share their coun- try’s view on this year’s theme–caring. “I am from a caring country,” said Sukanto Roy, an English teacher from Bangladesh. “We believe in unity in diversity.” In the Philippines, elder- ly citizens have their own organization where they meet with the local and national government to dis- cuss issues concerning their age group. “We believe that by empowering our senior citi- zens, we’re caring for them,” said Hermes Vargas, a social studies teacher from the Philippines. The country also has youth councils where young people can voice their opinions. “If we hear the voices of the old people, we must also hear the voices of young people,” Vargas said. In the public school where Vargas teaches, instructors weigh the stu- dents at the beginning of the school year. If they are considered underweight, they are put on a feeding program for a year. “In Morocco, we like to cheer up children,” said Mohamed Abouabdellah, an English teacher from Morocco. Families buy their chil- dren new clothes before many feasts and celebra- tions. Moroccans don’t like their children to be sad, he said, especially after a very painful tradi- tion–circumcision. Library offices to move in fall See DIALOGUE, Page A2 Check out this week’s A.L.L. for stress-relieving and healthy eating tips. Classes catching up with you?
Transcript
DAILY KENT STATERThursday, February 17, 2011 • The independent student newspaper of Kent State University • Weather: Cloudy, HI 55, LO 49
LATEST UPDATES AT KENTWIRED.COM Sign up to receive breaking news updates from Kent State student media at KENTWIRED.COM
SEX WEEKSEX WEEKSEXGet it on all week long | Only on KentWired.com and TV2
TAKE A BITE OUT OF LIFE. Go to KentWired.com to watch a video about biting as a sexual act.
VALERIE BROWN|DAILY KENT STATERLEFT: Jordan Deckert, junior dance performance major, guides a group of 4th graders through a short dance routine they performed for their classmates in the Music and Speech Center on Wednesday. Students from the School of Dance choreographed routines for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders from the new Falcon Academy of Creative Arts in Mogadore while they visited the campus. ABOVE: Sabatino Verlezza, junior dance performance major, guides a group of 4th graders through the short dance routine they performed for their classmates. TOP: Third graders from the new Falcon Academy of Creative Arts in Mogadore record a selection from “The Sound of Music” in the Ludwig Recital Hall on Wednesday.
Gettin’ footloose with the Flashes
Renovations aim to improve visibility and space issues
Many offices and services in the University Library will be moving floors this fall.
The changes were set to begin at the end of February, but in a meeting Friday, which included the executive committee and uni-versity architects, most changes were put on hold.
“Right now, we’ve submitted a request for proposal covering certain changes,” said James Bracken, dean of University Libraries. “The president and architects will then look it over.
“This isn’t a small change. There are a lot of details that we have to work out for this.”
Bracken estimates the office switches on the first floor alone will cost more than $1 million.
“Moving the library toward these changes is sort of like a domino effect,” said Mark Pike, assistant dean of administration
for University Libraries. “When we move one thing, we have to find room to move another.”
Audio Visual Services, cur-rently located on the third floor, will combine with the Circula-tion Desk on the first floor. The move will happen by the end of the semester even before any construction begins. Bracken said students will benefit from the extended hours.
Divis ion of Information Services, currently located on the first floor by the elevator, will move out of the library. In its place will be the library administration, communica-tions and software application support offices.
“The idea of having the library administration offices downstairs is to be more visible to students,” said Diana Sperko, marketing and communications director of University Libraries.
Moving most of the offices from the third floor will allow more space for the School of Library and Information Science, which currently occupies about a quarter of the floor.
The Student Multimedia Stu-dio, now on the first floor, will move to the fourth floor and com-bine with the Writing Commons.
“It just makes sense to com-
bine these two services,” Brack-en said. He said both are services for students.
The second floor will house the Wick Poetry Center and the Math Emporium, scheduled to open in the fall. The journals and periodicals, currently on the sec-ond floor, will be moved to floors five, six and seven.
Bracken said he hopes to some day build a state of the art May 4 exhibit in a more dignified place in the library. The room is cur-rently on the back eastern side on the first floor.
“The May 4 room is cur-rently facing a parking lot with windows that look over some dumpsters and tucked away behind vending machines,” Bracken said. “It needs an appropriate recognition.”
Plans to put entrances on all four sides of the library are being proposed as well.
“Most of these changes won’t happen until middle of 2011,” Bracken said. “We’re very con-scious about not disrupting the students in the library.”
Cassandra Beck is the library reporter.
Scholars share opinions about caring for elderly
Lefton’s two-year plan gives awards on case-by-case basis
A call to action asks faculty and staff to replenish funds that provide immediate relief to stu-dents in dire need of financial aid.
The Last Dollar Scholarship fund is a program created by President Lester Lefton two years ago to aid students who face extreme financial hard-ships. Funds are raised from donations of faculty and staff though payroll deductions or one-time payments.
“We have not conducted a formalized request for additional donations in awhile,” said Dave Garcia, associate vice president of enrollment management and student affairs. “The reason we are doing this now is because the
funds have been depleted to the point where it’s going to zero out.”
Garcia said, as of November 2010, the fund totaled $80,000 but is now less than $10,000. He said replenishment of the fund is crucial.
“If we can’t help them, they may not be able to stay here at Kent State,” Garcia said. “I think it is the purpose and the mission of Kent State to help our students graduate and to become produc-tive citizens.”
Molly Wendt, freshman nutri-tion and dietetics major, said it’s nice to see professors helping students despite the hard eco-nomic times.
“It’s definitely generous of those professors who donate because they don’t have to,” Wendt said. “I know it’s not easy for anyone to pay, but at least they are doing something for those in dire need.”
Garcia said the funds are giv-en on a case-by-case basis.
“The staff members in the Student Financial Aid office do a holistic review of all the financial aid a student is receiving before they give some of the fund,” Gar-
cia said. “We look at all options before we tap into this fund because once the money is gone, it’s gone.”
Mark Evans, director of Stu-dent Financial Aid said the fund has helped many students at Kent State continue their educations.
“The Last Dollar Scholarship program has been very success-ful for staff and faculty who have contributed to the program,” Evans said. “It has helped a num-ber of students be able to fulfill their dreams of graduating.”
Garcia said a formal call to action for faculty and staff to replenish the fund will be sent through campus mail in the next few weeks. He said he believes now is the time to help those stu-dents who cannot help themselves.
“Times are getting harder and harder for students,” Garcia said. “They are working more, and they’re trying to make ends meet. I think if there’s any time to really step up to the challenge, I would say now is that time.”
Christine Morgan is the student affairs reporter.
Faculty and staff members help pay off student debt
Four international schol-ars all agreed that families should care for their elders rather than placing them in a nursing home.
The four scholars from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Brazil and Morocco spoke of the different ways their respective countries care for their people at a “Cultural Dialogue” Wednesday in White Hall.
The speakers are part of the International Lead-ers in Education program. The U.S. State Department sponsored their semester-long stay at Kent State, sa id Linda Robertson, director for the Center for International and Intercul-tural Education.
The Cultural Dialogue was part of a series where 16 teachers from eight countries share their coun-try’s view on this year ’s theme–caring.
“I am from a caring country,” said Sukanto Roy, an English teacher from
Bangladesh. “We believe in unity in diversity.”
In the Philippines, elder-ly citizens have their own organization where they meet with the local and national government to dis-cuss issues concerning their age group.
“We believe that by empowering our senior citi-zens, we’re caring for them,” said Hermes Vargas, a social studies teacher from the Philippines.
The country also has youth counc i l s where young people can voice their opinions.
“If we hear the voices of the old people, we must also hear the voices of young people,” Vargas said.
In the public school where Vargas teaches , instructors weigh the stu-dents at the beginning of the school year. If they are considered underweight, they are put on a feeding program for a year.
“In Morocco, we like to cheer up children,” said Mohamed Abouabdellah, an English teacher from Morocco.
Families buy their chil-dren new clothes before many feasts and celebra-tions. Moroccans don’t like their children to be sad, he said, especially after a very painful tradi-tion–circumcision.
Library offices to move in fall
See DIALOGUE, Page A2
Check out this week’s A.L.L. for stress-relieving and healthy eating tips.
Classes catching up with you?
11
Page A2 | Thursday, February 17, 2011 Daily Kent Stater
Account executiveNicole Lade330-672-2585Broadcast and magazine representative Paul Gimmel330-672-2585Online representative Kevin Collins330-672-3251
tODaY’s eVeNts
Have an event you want to see here? Send it to [email protected] by Thursday the week before.
Go to KentWired.com to see the interactive entertainment calendar. the calendar covers entertainment events on campus and in the city of Kent.KeNt wireD.COm
n poster saleWhen: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Where: Second floor Student Center
n american red cross BloodmobileWhen: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Where: Student Center Room 204
n college of Business career nightWhen: 2 to 8 p.m.Where: Student Center Ballroom
n KaraokeWhen: 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.Where: Eastway Lower Lounge
n college democrats meetingWhen: 7 to 8:30 p.m.Where: Student Center Room 314
n pride! Kent meetingWhen: 8 to 10 p.m.Where: Student Center Gov. Chamber n comedy nightWhen: 8 to 11 p.m.Where: Rathskeller
n Kent state freethinkers meetingWhen: 6 to 8 p.m.Where: Student Center room 310C
mANONtheStreetWhat is your favorite meal and why?
“My favorite meal is my mom’s spaghetti because it’s always been a family (recipe), and since I’ve been spoiled by her sauce, I don’t like anything else.”
Dee-Jai Grecek junior pre-speech path audiology major
Betsy Karras junior teaching English as a second language major
Nathan rodriguez junior nursing major
andrew landoll freshman zoology major
Jenny Mitchkash freshman middle childhood education major
“I like spanakopita because I’ve had it since I was little. It’s really delicious.”
“I like rice, beans and pastelillos because I am Puerto Rican, and it’s a very Puerto Rican dish. It also reminds me of my grandmother.”
“I like barbeque ribs because I like barbeque, and I’m from the South.”
“I like sweet and sour chicken with fried rice from Jump because it’s delicious. It’s something different on campus.”
Jon Heintel sophomore applied math-ematics major“Food is delicious, and I can’t just pick one meal.”
Business majors can get a leg up on the competition Thursday by attending the 2nd annual Business Career Night in the Student Center Ballroom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Career Services Center and the Col-lege of Business Administration are spon-soring the networking event designed to bring together employers and students in the fields of accounting, business manage-ment, computer information systems, eco-nomics, entrepreneurship, finance, market-ing and operations management.
Kristin Williams, business experiences manager, said about 20 employers through-out Northeast Ohio will be in attendance, including FirstEnergy, Sherwin-Williams, KeyBank, FedEx and J.M. Smucker.
“It’s less of a job search type fair and more of a get-to-know you, showcase myself and my talents and skills as a stu-dent kind of event,” Williams said.
Williams said Business Career Night will prepare students for the Spring Job and Internship Fair on April 1 by “helping them to have a familiar face, to know a company and to feel comfortable going up to talk.”
“We had really good feedback from last year’s event,” Williams said. “Many of our students either landed interviews for internships or made strong connec-tions for full-time employment.”
— Mike Crissman, alumni affairs reporter
Business career night returns
The Daily Kent Stater recognizes the responsibility to correct errors that occur in the newspaper. When errors occur in the newspaper, corrections will appear in this space as promptly as possible.
Freedom Leadership Academy goes beyond high school lessons
Five Kent State students are helping develop a new mentoring program that aims to teach students how to apply knowledge to real-world situations.
Freedom Leadership Academy began at Cuyahoga Community Col-lege in December. The program is for Cleveland students, grades eight to 12, to learn academic and leadership skills that apply to the real world, according to Freeleadacademy.wordpress.com.
The students, or “scholars,” in the program learn better language and mathematics through lesson plans designed by program assistants. They meet one Saturday a month for five hours and keep in touch through e-mail, Facebook and Twitter.
Devin Butler, senior applied commu-nications major, is a program assistant and head of the marketing department at FLA. He said the program helps scholars prepare for college and become more professional.
“Our overall goal is to connect the dots between high school and real life,”
Butler said. Scholars also use blogs as a means
of communication with program assis-tants and to share what they learn. Butler said he edits blog posts before approving them to go online. He said the blogs are one area in which he has seen improvement.
“In the recent weeks, there has been a lot less editing I have to do grammati-cally,” Butler said.
He said it is not only the students who learn.
“It’s an intergenerational learn-ing process,” he said. “It’s helped me become a better educator, and it has helped my communication skills.”
Funded by The Cleveland Founda-tion, FLA is an extension of the Chil-dren’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools, a national summer program, Rachel Wilson, director of FLA said.
FLA lasts longer than the summer program, and it added mathematics and more technology, which scholars need to be good leaders, Wilson said.
“We’ve added a new and inno-vative approach to teaching urban youth,” Wilson said.
She said they also teach the scholars to be more politically involved and urge them to educate others.
“We give them tools that they can use to encourage their own communi-ties to become engaged and active lead-ers,” Wilson said.
Lauren Bottoms, junior psychology major, is Wilson’s personal assistant and
an FLA program assistant. She said she hopes scholars utilize the leadership skills they learn through the program.
“I really want them to gain confi-dence and become comfortable with themselves,” Bottoms said.
She said she has seen scholars doing just that.
“The atmosphere of the program really makes them feel at home like they can act like themselves,” she said.
Bottoms said she has become more comfortable with herself and her tal-ents as well.
“This has taught me more ways of how I can bring my leadership skills to others.”
Through FLA, Bottoms said she hopes scholars go to college but that they keep the real-world skills they learned through FLA in mind.
“We say a lot that education is expensive, but ignorance is more expen-sive,” Bottoms said.
The FLA staff is still working out the kinks, Bottoms said, but she sees good things in the future.
Wilson has gotten responses from other states wanting to try something like FLA. She said she has high hopes for the program as well.
“We are developing something that I believe could literally transform educa-tion,” Wilson said. “We really have an opportunity to make a national program that can be replicated all over the country.”
Maranda Shrewsberry is a news correspondent.
Program helps ‘scholars’ use education
“Just to help them forget about their pain, we give them lots of money,” Abouabdellah said.
The speakers also discussed their country’s ways of caring for women, the poor, disabled and the minorities.
Graduate student Judy Rittman said she thinks the four scholars have much to offer Kent State students.
“Kent is lucky to have these students here,” Rittman said. “I think we should learn a lesson – especially in how they treat the elderly.”
Kelsey Misbrener is the Education, Health and Human Services reporter.
Adolescence is a key transition time between childhood and adulthood, and researchers from the Kent State Psychol-ogy Department hope to find answers to better define what happens psychologi-cally to this age group.
The researchers are seeking families from all different backgrounds with mid-dle school-aged children to participate in their research project to determine how adolescents cope with stress.
“We’re hoping to better understand what’s related to negative outcomes in adolescents,” said Brittany Mathews, a graduate student and studying clinical psychology. “We will look to see why some adolescents develop anxiety and depression and why others don’t.”
Mathews said the parents and adoles-cents participating in this research study will attend two 90-minute in-lab visits to complete questionnaires about their wor-ries and emotions about the parent-child relationship. Mathews said heart rates and breathing will also be measured dur-ing the in-lab.
Outside of the lab, the parents and chil-dren will fill out daily questionnaires for a week on a PalmPilot loaned to them by the Kent State Psychology Department.
“Hopefully the participants won’t sub-merge the PalmPilots in water,” said Jeff Ciesla, assistant professor of psychology, “Both the parent and child will report dai-ly levels of what is going on between the two of them on the PalmPilots. The child will write how they’ve been feeling that day and if they feel they’ve misbehaved. Mom will do a similar thing.”
Ciesla said there are several benefits
for families who sign up for the proj-ect. The study will help aid in scientific advancement, and families who show any signs of anxiety or depression can be directed to getting help.
Ciesla also said that families participating in the study will be compensated and will have the chance to enter a raffle to win a lap-top computer when the study is complete.
Ciesla, psychology professor Kathryn Kerns and Nancy Darling, Oberlin Col-lege psychology professor, developed the project. The three collaborated to focus on how adolescents deal with stress and relate to their parents.
Mathews said the department began planning this study in Fall 2009 and began research in Spring 2010. So far, 62 families have already signed up for the project. She said the researchers hope to get 38 more families to commit to the study. Families can schedule the in-lab visits based on their own availability.
Kerns said the researchers are receiv-ing some help from Kent State undergrad-uates to complete the project.
“Undergraduates are really important to this project,” Kerns said. “It’s a good opportunity for them to get to do some-thing outside of class.”
Mathews said undergraduates are helping to distribute questionnaires and enter data for the project.
“I love studying teens and adolescents,” said Kelsey Dickson, graduate student and studying clinical psychology. “This is the age group where people develop most and start to think differently.”
Mathews said she hopes to have the project completed by the end of this school year or the end of the summer.
Megan Wilkinson is the general assignment reporter.
Researchers seek families for psychological study
From Page A1
DiALOGUeScholars share opinions about caring for elderly
LINDSAY FRUMKER | DAILY KENT STATER
Ran Yan, a graduate student studying cultural foundations,
relaxes in the hot tub after a hard workout in the lap pool at the
Student Recreation and Wellness Center on Tuesday. She recently
learned how to swim and likes to swim laps twice a week.
BY THE POOL
22
Daily Kent Stater Thursday, February 17, 2011 | Page A3
33
I’ve dedicated myself to America’s politi-cal process, and people know it. That’s why people often come to me with a question or two about the eccentricities of our govern-ment. Most of these questions are generally good-natured. Often they are about things like the health care reform bill, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or even simply whom to vote for. However, there are the other questions: the conspiracy questions. I would now like to finally lay to rest some of the more ridiculous questions being asked today by debunking three particular con-spiracy theories.
1. Was 9/11 an inside job? The best way to answer: scream “NO” at the top of my lungs. There is not one shred of evidence to suggest any government involvement in 9/11. In fact, the belief that it was some sort of inside job is a complete insult to those who lost their lives on that day, as well as the soldiers who gave their lives in the war that followed the attacks. Popular Mechan-ics published an excellent article that put every 9/11 conspiracy to the test and dis-proved them all.
2. Is President Obama an American citizen? YES! This is one of the more ridicu-lous ideas that has taken hold of some and
became what is known as the “birther” movement. The main idea of this theory is that the President covered up his birth in a foreign country to get elected. This is nutty because the president’s certificate of birth is available online along with the announce-ment of his birth in a Honolulu newspaper all the way back in 1961. One would think if something like this were indeed true, the McCain Campaign, or the Clinton Cam-paign for that matter, would have looked into it. This insanity is particularly insulting because of its obvious racial undertones. The real logic behind the “birthers” is Barack Obama has a funny name and his skin is a different color, so he must not be one of us. Our president is a citizen of this country, and saying otherwise is an insult to him and degrades his historical achievement.
3. Who shot JFK? This is probably one of the more popular conspiracy theories. The truth is that Lee Harvey Oswald, and only Lee Harvey Oswald, shot President Kenne-dy. Oswald had the motive, as he despised Kennedy’s anti-communist actions. Oswald also had the capability, as he was a trained marksman in the Marine Corps. The events that day were the result of several actions, such as the presidential limousine’s top being left down and Secret Service agents being ordered to stand down.
Conspiracy theories are born out of our confusion. When something tragic like 9/11 or the assassination of JFK happens, people have trouble believing something simple caused it. It’s hard to accept that a small group of terrorists hijacked planes or that one man was able to kill a beloved leader like Kennedy. Instead, they try to rationalize the unthinkable by inventing vast conspira-cies because that is easier then accepting that sometimes horrible things happen.
Bryan Staul is a sophomore political science major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater.
Last week, Chris Lee possibly set the record for the quickest resignation in congressional history. It only took the sap three hours to give up his seat after the website Gawker exposed Lee’s topless pic-ture and dialogue in response to a Craig-slist personal ad.
Gawker reported the Republican con-gressman from New York replied to a post-ing in the “Women Seeking Men” section on Craigslist, describing himself as a “very fit, fun classy guy,” before whipping out his pecs and posing like a bro getting pumped before an Asher Roth concert. The only thing missing from the picture is a can of Natty Light. Lee also claimed he was a 39-year-old divorced lobbyist, even though he is actually 46 years old and married.
I’m disappointed in Lee for a couple reasons, none of which have anything to do with the fact that he flirted with someone other than his wife.
To start, this is probably the least scandal-ous political sex-scandal I’ve ever heard. Every year, a few juicy stories about pro-miscuous politicians grace the headlines. In most cases, the accused deny the allegations before coming clean with the public.
In this case, a congressman and a 34-year-old woman exchange very tame messages. The text with the shirtless pic-ture said, “I’m relaxing at home.” The conversation ended after he said he was divorced and she searched Lee online. Remember the John Edwards scandal? Now that was a true scandal. Lee’s scandal is PG compared to Edwards’s.
If Lee hadn’t been a complete idiot about covering his tracks, we might have had a much wilder story surface years from now. He obviously didn’t put much thought into the traceability of his messages. After all, Lee used his real name and the e–mail account linked to his Facebook page in his replies. The only fab-rications in his messages were his age, marital status and job title — all easily searchable.
Why Lee pretended to be a lobbyist above all other careers is another example of how elaborate the lies were. For crying out loud, say you’re a dentist or something—anything other than a job in politics.
I’m also disappointed that he resigned within three hours of the news breaking. While most politicians’ careers end when an affair surfaces, some manage to pull through and continue unharmed. Bill Clinton man-aged to get through one allegation before his presidency and a few more during. More recently, Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), who pushed for Clinton’s impeachment, admit-ted having an affair with the wife of a close friend. While Ensign lost a committee seat, he is still serving as a senator. I’m pretty sure Lee could have survived through this one.
I hope this story ends up coming full cir-cle. Lee will never be 39 again, but if he can’t patch things up with his wife, he may very well end up being a divorced lobbyist.
Kyle McDonald is a magazine journalism major and a columnist for the Daily Kent Stater.
ABOUT THE OPINION PAGEThe Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily en dorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submis-sions become pro perty of the Stater and may be edited for mechanics, Associated Press style and length without notice. Letters should not exceed 350 words, and guest columns should not exceed 550 words.
Submit letters to:■ Letters to the EditorDaily Kent Stater240 Franklin Hall/KSUKent, Ohio 44242■ [email protected]
Subject: Letters to the Editor■ Fax: 330-672-5064■ Be sure to include your phone number.
Laura LofgrenFeatures/A.L.L. editorLydia CoutréAssigning editorHannah PotesAssistant photo editor
VIEWour
Beginning in Fall 2012, Kent State undergraduates will have to fulfill an extra
requirement before graduating.Faculty Senate passed the
Experiential Learning Require-ment with an 18-15 vote after denying it last October. The goal is to have each student gain real-world, hands-on experience in his or her field before graduation.
We applaud Faculty Senate for this decision. It is a valuable addition to the academic side of what we gain at Kent State.
The ELR can be fulfilled in a plethora of ways — intern-ships, recitals, clinical research, original writing projects, student teaching, study abroad/away programs and many others. For more information, go to http://bit.ly/dMg7VI.
A large portion of learning happens outside the four walls of a classroom, and it is about time this is recognized.
Some programs already require students to have an internship before earning a degree. Many majors in the College of Communication and Information require them, as well as several majors in the
School of Fashion Design and Merchandising.
Expanding this to all majors will produce more marketable and well-rounded students. It is a way to understand the field a student is working toward.
For some majors, this will be a significantly more difficult requirement to meet but equally as important. Fortunately, students are bound to find an option that works for their inter-est on the extensive list of things that fulfill the ELR.
Gaining more knowledge through a hands-on experience in a field will give a Kent State alumnus a competitive edge in the job market upon graduating.
It is a win-win situation. The university will gain a stronger reputation for training its stu-dents, employers will be able to hire more knowledgeable gradu-ates and students will be a step ahead in their career.
The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater
editorial board whose members are listed above.
NATE BEELER’S VIEW
New ELR requirement gives students upper hand
SUMMARY: Experiential Learning Requirements were passed by Faculty Senate,
and students are now expected to gain experience outside of the classroom. This will give students an edge in the competitive working world after
graduation.
Stop with the conspiracies
The dullest sex scandal in history
Kyle McDonald
Bryan Staul
Page A4 | Thursday, February 17, 2011 Daily Kent Stater
The Kent State men’s basketball team surrendered its first place posi-tion in the Mid-American Confer-ence East to Miami on Wednesday.
The RedHawks defeated the Flashes 84-80 in overtime in Oxford, Ohio.
After a 33-26 halftime lead, the Flashes (17-8, 8-3 MAC) allowed too many free throws, forcing them to play catch-up for most of the second half. Miami’s Nick Winbush, who led both teams with 26 points, did not make this an easy task.
But senior guard Rod Sherman,
who led the Flashes with 25 points, brought a second life to the team.
Down 66-63 with eight sec-onds on the clock, Sherman sank a 3-pointer that moved the game into overtime.
Three minutes into the five-minute overtime period, junior guard Michael Porrini sank two free throws. He then committed his fifth foul, forcing him out of the game.
Sherman closed the deficit to 77-81, but successful free throws kept the RedHawks (13-12, 8-3 MAC) alive.
Junior guard Carlton Guyton sank a 3-pointer with six seconds on the clock for an 80-84 game and a total of 24 points in the game.
But it was too late. Two more foul shots sealed the
Miami victory and ended the six-game Kent State winning streak.
But the Flashes were not doomed from the beginning.
Junior forward Justin Greene made his presence early with a basket 16 seconds into the game. The junior forward scored nine
points total.Sherman carried the momen-
tum, single-handedly lifting Kent State from a four-point lead to a 13-point lead in four minutes dur-ing the first half.
Junior center Justin Manns led the Flashes defensively with 10 rebounds and two blocks. The Miami defense proved to be just as strong, boxing the Flashes out of the paint for almost the entire second half.
Not only did Kent State perform better from inside the perimeter, but the amount of jump shots the play-ers took meant only 14 fouls on the Flashes. The RedHawks went 29-for-35 from the foul line.
Kent State’s next stop on the four-game road series is the ESPNU BracketBuster at Drexel on Friday at 9 p.m.
But the Flashes can regain their first place spot in the MAC East with a victory at Western Michigan on Monday.
Rachel Jones is a sports reporter.
Flashes knocked off the top of MAC East
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Lak-ers hit the All-Star break broken.
Looking nothing like two-time defending NBA champions, they dropped their third straight game, a stunning 104-99 loss Wednesday night to the Cleve-land Cavaliers — the league’s worst team, which avenged a 55-point embarrassment against Los Angeles last month.
Ramon Sessions came off the bench and scored a season-high 32 points for the Cavs, who were beaten 112-57 by the Lakers on Jan. 11. That loss was No. 11 in a league-record streak that eventu-ally reached 26 before Cleveland ended it last week with an over-time win against L.A.’s less-her-alded squad, the Clippers.
Pau Gasol had 30 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers.
Playing the finale of a seven-game road trip, the Lakers spent much of the night looking as if they were already on vacation. They threw errant passes, forced outside shots and couldn’t catch the Cavs down the stretch despite
a frantic comeback.“It’s back to the drawing
board,” said Lamar Odom, who was asked what’s at the top of the team’s to-do list. “Defense. Cohesiveness. Our chemistry on offense. I’m not that worried. I think it’s things we can fix.”
Kobe Bryant finished with 17 points on 8-of-25 shooting. Derek Fisher had 19 for the Lak-ers, who committed 19 turnovers and enraged Phil Jackson, their normally tranquil coach, who screamed at them during timeouts after inexcusable defensive lapses.
Losing in Orlando on Sunday was hardly reason for much con-cern. But a 20-point setback in Charlotte on Monday left both Jackson and Bryant speechless. They expect more from the Lakers, and they’re not seeing it.
But as poorly as they played, the Lakers did cut a 10-point lead to two in the final minute. But Anthony Parker and Sessions made two free throws apiece in the last 17.9 seconds.
After the final horn, the Lak-
ers walked slowly toward their locker room and a trip home not knowing what might happen next. With the trading deadline just a week away, the rumors involving Denver star Carmelo Anthony will likely heat up.
This much is clear: Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak needs to do something to awaken his team.
The Cavs, on the other hand, reached the season’s unofficial midpoint on a high.
This was their best effort of the season. They played with the energy coach Byron Scott wants every night, and they gave their dedicated fans a taste of what could be ahead.
Bryant’s 3-pointer helped the Lakers trim a 12-point deficit to three late in the third, but Cavs rookie forward Christian Eyen-ga followed with a dunk that had Cleveland fans instantly texting “OMG” to friends and one that is among the league’s best this season.
Cavaliers avenge 55-point defeat
Classified ads can be placed by FAX at (330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at [email protected]. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.
For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
By Nancy Black
Today’s Birthday (02/17/11) This is the time you’ve been waiting for. Assisting those less fortunate empow-ers you. Perhaps you join a non-profit organization or you start your own. You discover how much this actually contributes to your happiness.
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8. The sun shines for you, even when skies cloud over. Others look to you for ideas and creative in-spiration. Go ahead and share. There’s more where that came from.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 6. You may have an urge to gossip today. Control it, as it won’t serve you well. Silence is golden. Take care of your nest. Enjoy it, and read a good book.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 7. If you wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, write it down, then go back to sleep. After resting, go out and exercise to revive nocturnal brilliance.
Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 7. You start thinking about a weekend adventure. There’s still work to be done. Focus on new income-gen-erating opportunities and cost-savings measures.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7. You may disagree with someone significant to you. Watch your power here. This offers an opportunity for personal growth. Wisdom emerges from your subconscious.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6. You find inspiration in solitude and are inspired to create something beautiful or do something that you really enjoy doing. Share it with others later.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8. Romance can surprise you when you least expected. Allow only the necessary distractions. Be produc-tive while you can.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8. Balance home and work. If you bring your work home, don’t let it interfere with your family life. You feel inspired. Use that energy for both home and office.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7. Explore new possibilities for education, whether it’s a class at the community college, a degree in philoso-phy or guitar lessons. There’s always room to grow.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7. Practice taking a few minutes away from responsibilities and deadlines. Get outside and breathe deep, even if only briefly. This clears your focus.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8. You have so much to give today. Provide insights and inspiration, even if borrowed ... there are very few original thoughts. Share something for mutual benefit.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8. You’re full of ideas. Take some time to organize them all and get grounded. Put them to work to benefit yourself and others. This will be satisfying.
horoscopeCOMEDY CLUB IN THE RATTCOME AND LAUGH...Thursdays 8pmFree to KSU studentsSponsored by USG Programming
Franklin Square Deli Dispatch Just $8.00 Minimum—Evening Delivery 4:00-8:30 330-673-2942
WOW, IT’S THURSDAYLouisiana BBQ Pork at Franklin Square DeliUntil It is sold out...See Why!
Michael Jordan born in 1963Ray’s is like Mike!
Great Food, Drink, FunRAY’S
Transformation Through Words. The Great Debate. Jurnee Smollett in the Ballroom, February 23rd at 6:30PM
An awesome summer job in Maine! If you’re looking to spend this summer outdoors, have fun while you work, and make lifelong friends, then look no further. Camp Mataponi, a children’s summer camp, has positions available in Land Sports (lacrosse, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, field hockey), Waterfront (sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, life guarding, WSI, boat drivers), Ropes Course, Tennis, H.B. Riding, Arts & Crafts, Theater, Dance, Gymnastics, Video, Photography, Nurses, Maintenance, Cooking and more. Top salaries plus room/board & travel provided. Call us today, 561-748-3684 or apply online at www.campmataponi.com
PLAY SPORTS! HAVE FUN! SAVE MONEY!Maine camp needs fun-loving counselors to teach All land, adventure & water sports. Great Summer! Call 888-844-8080, apply: campcedar.com
Akron Zoo Seasonal Job Fair on February 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hiring positions for April-September. Go to www.akronzoo.org for information on all available job positions and requirements. Applicants must be 18+ years old. The Zoo is a Drug-Free Workplace and an EOE.
Large entertainment company looking to hire interactive dj’s, video dj’s, videographers, photographers, party motivators/dancers and sales people. Contact Dwayne at Audio Extremes Entertainment 330-289-5853.
Full Time Service/Lot Porter Apply in Person Classic Kia 835 Classic Dr., Streetsboro.
Drivers: Full Benefits Pkg! CDL-A, 1yr exp. Clean MVR, Steady Work
history. OTR-Home Most Weekends. 2100-2300mi/wk. Shuttle Weekend
12hr shift. Moving trailers in the yard. 734-812-6646, apply
at:www.whiteline-express.com
Buyer Beware!We make every effort to screen
for fraudulent advertising, however, we cannot guarantee
the veracity of the advertisers and their messages in this section.
It is important for consumers to respond to any advertisement
with the utmost caution.
LUXURY 4-BEDROOM large, clean, all appliances
+ FREE washer/dryer. 330-714-0819
NO WATER BILL! NO GAS BILL!4&5 bedroom duplex available for Fall 2011Near campus and bus routeStarting at $350/month per bedroomCall Sweeney: 330-267-9336
All real estate advertised herin is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information.
Efficiency and 1 bdrm apartments available now. Heat included! Call 330-678-0746
Hurry!!! Efficiency apartments still left. Call 330-678-0123
NOW LEASING FOR FALL5,4,2,1 bedroom Houses.Efficiency. Good Location Near KSU.Call 330-734-8350
For 2011-12: One Month Free Close to Campus 2 huge apartments, licensed, private parking, large yard, large front porch. 4 bedroom $1400/$350 each. 4/5 bedroom $1500, $300-$375 each. (330) 626-3957
KENT RENTALS 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses. Call Rich 330-221-0030.
Spacious 4&5 bedrooms houses with 2 full baths. Great condition, great location, A/C, W/D, dishwasher, deck, garage.
Several units available:-Deluxe 4/5 bedroom units. $360 per room. -All inclusive, $350 per room.
330-808-4045
KENT/BRIMFIELD. Newer 3, 4, & 5 Bdrm duplexes. 1 car garage. $900-$1200 per month. 330-338-5841 or 330-329-1118 kentarearentals.com
$495.00 FIRST 3 MONTHS. 2BD 1BTH TOWNHOME. LAUNDRY, CARPORT. jlcasto.com 330-688-7040 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage, condo-styled duplex, on two acres, $1100/mo. 330-221-4533Hurry In 2BR Apts available for FallFree Heat and Water, Pets Welcome, Outdoor Pool330-673-5364
Kent near downtown and campus 2 bedroom apartment, all utilities paid except electric, $350/bedroom + security deposit. (330) 676-9440
AVAILABLE FALL: UNIVERSITY TOWNHOUSE. 5 BDS, 2.5 BATHS, STOVE REFRIG, DISHWASHER, WASHER/DRYER, A/C. $250.00 PER PERSON ; WWW.JLCASTO.COM CALL 330-688-7040.
1,2,&3 Bedroom Apartments Close to Campus Joe (330)310-1494.
1 & 2 bed apartments. Newly remodeled, all utilities paid except electric. Call for Valentine’s Day Specials! (330)678-0972
Leasing for Fall: South Lincoln St. Condo. 2 bedroom 1.5 bath. No pets, heat included. $725/mo. 216-524-0745
Beat the Price Increase!Reserve Apartment by End of February to get Last Year’s Price. 2-3 bdrm spacious apts. in Kent. Call 330-678-0823
3 Bedroom, 2 full bath house available for Fall. Great condition, full appliances, $350 bedroom 1, $325 per bedroom 2 and 3. Close to Campus 330-673-1225 www.kentstudentrentals.com
Kent:Premium Victorian Apts, downtown, energy efficient, stylish! www.kentsuites.com/ (330) 678-0925
AVAILABLE FOR FALL: 1,2,3 & 4 bedroom apartments. Call 330-678-7901 for details Great campus condo. 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath. Available August. Call Dr. Miller at (330) 618-7764
Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath duplex. Living Room and Family Room, Washer/Dryer, A/C, $960/mo. Available July/August (330)630-9285.
Now Leasing for June & Fall, a beautiful newer condo, 2 large bedroom, 2.5 bath, double car garage, central air, backyard deck. $375/student. 330-687-6122
8 bedroom house, Aug. 2011. Off street parking, 1 block from campus, Must have a group of 8 students. One year lease, $325/mo., owner pays partial util. Call 330-626-5350 for details and appt.
Near WKSU. 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo, 2 car garage, W/D, A/C. $1250 + electric (only) & water. No pets. 330-673-3318.
Now Leasing for Fall, Beautiful newly redecorated 2 bedroom twinplexes, 1 Block from KSU, 330-687-6122.
Now Leasing a House for June, a beautiful newly redecorated 2 bedroom $350/student, 330-687-6122.
4 bedroom student duplex, $1300/month. Website: h t t p : / / w e b . m e . c o m /allen291/ Cell: 216-536-3958. E-mail: [email protected]
Buckeye Parks Mgmt.Serving Kent for over 30 years2011-2012 Leases1,2,3,4 bdrm apts3&4 bdrm townhomesSome include utilitiesPrices starting at $375 per room330-678-3047BuckeyeParksMgmt.com
Available Now Single Rooms Starting at $275 includes some utilities, 330-678-3047.
UNIVERSITY TOWNHOMES, 4/5 bedroom, 2.5 bath, A/C, Washer/Dryer, available Fall 2011. $340 per month per bedroom ALL inclusive except cable/internet. 440-552-5840. [email protected]
1 or 2 Bed Duplex available August. Very clean, energy efficient, covered porch, private deck, W/D, free water. Less than 1 mile to KSU, quiet location, $600/month. Brian 330-802-4000 [email protected]
University Townhomes: 4-5 bedrooms. Available August. $290/month, AirConditioning, Washer/Dryer, clean. On bus route. Remodeled. 330-760-0451 www.vargorealty1.com
Fall semester only. Are you looking for a great, one bedroom appt.? Five month lease, one block from campus. $425/month, utilities and off street parking included. Call 330-626-5350
FALL: NEAR KSU6 bedroom house, 1 block from campus. Large bedrooms, 2 full baths, full basement. Washer/dryer hookup. Large off street parking lot. Call Drew 440-821-3524
WOW: furnished, large 4 bedroom house for 4-5. 2 bath, Jacuzzi, A/C, D/W, W/D. $335/$280 includes utilities. Close to KSU. Available May 15. 330-388-2201
Duplexes available for Fall semester beginning June, July or August. East Summit, across from campus. 3 bedrooms, Washer/Dryer. $345/person plus utilities. 216-407-6703
1 bedroom in a 3 bedroom house available immediately. $400/month utilities included. All appliances, nice condition. Call 330-673-1225
HIDDEN PINES Town homes 4 bedrooms 2 bath. W/D.
ALL utilities included. $365/mo/bdrm
www.hidden-pines.com 440-708-2372
UNIVERSITY TOWN HOMES 4-5 bedrooms 2.5 baths W/D
Newly remodeled. ALL utilities included. As low as $285/mo/bdrm. www.university-townhomes.com
440-708-2372
KENT: 3 bedroom upstairs with one full bath, first floor is L-shaped living space with full kitchen and 1/2-bath. Useable basement. 1-car garage. No smoking. New carpet and paint. Close to amenities. $875/month. First month’s rent and security deposit. 216-570-9635
Fall: Free Heat in newly remodeled, 2 bedroom 1.5 bath. Oak Haven Condo. No Pets. $725. 330-697-1831.
University Townhomes 4/5 bedroom townhomes
available for Fall 2011. All utilities included, starting at
$340. 440-336-6761www.kenttownhomes.com
Roommate Needed. $397.50/month!Single female seeking responsible roommate to share a large, bi-level duplex. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bath w/ fireplace. Must be able to pay half of utilities. No Pets. Call Kristie at 330-714-4198
Daily Kent Stater Thursday, February 17, 2011 | Page A5
CLASSIFIEDSwww.KentWired.com
The Dusty Armadillo is looking to fill a security/bouncer position. 18 and over. Must be available Wednesdays and weekends. Come in for an application or email [email protected] Dusty Armadillo is looking for a fun, energetic person interested in cocktail waitressing. 19 and over. Encouraged to email [email protected]. Include name, number, and why YOU would be a good fit!
Whitehall East Town HomesAKA “The New Town Homes”Whitehall Blvd. off SummitNow taking apps for Fall 2011*5b/3ba*All Appliances Included*Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer*Lighted Parking*Many units with all newer flooringRent plans starting at $290/person/monthAsk about the all-inclusive plansCall or text 330-990-4019www.whitehall-east.com
FREE HEAT
Affordable Housing!1BR $4512BR $5843BR $656
-On Busline-Laundry Facility-Secured Buildings -Appliances included-Free Gas, Heat & Water
25 YEARS EXPERIENCE HOUSING KSU STUDENTS OFF CAMPUSNOW LEASING FOR FALL ‘11-12
1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, duplexes, efficiencies, located near and around campus on Depeyster, Lake, Lincoln, Linden, Lock, Mantua, Morris, and Water Streets
Check out our website www.jkohlre.com for more information.You can also stop by our office at 200 E. Summit, call us at 330-677-4722 or text us at 330-780-1274
JACK KOHL REALTY Property Management & Rental Office200 East Summit Street Kent, OH 44240Phone: 330-677-4722Text: 330-780-1274
Page A6 | Thursday, February 17, 2011 Daily Kent Stater
Kelsey Misbrener, sophomore magazine journalism major, said she had just finished a long day of classes when she found out about a $700 unauthorized transaction on her Fifth Third Bank debit card.
Misbrener said she got a call from her mother, who said her bank called reporting suspi-cious activity on her account. Misbrener proceeded to call her bank’s theft hotline.
“It was like someone from the U.K. tried to buy shoes online – $700 worth of shoes,” Misbrener said. “I rarely use my card, and I rarely ever use it online.”
Michquel Penn, a Kent State police officer, said only four similar incidences have been reported to the police since 2005. She said she suspects more inci-dences occur but are unreported.
Misbrener admits she didn’t feel the need to contact the police when her credit card information was stolen.
“They told me I could file a police report, but all they do is like keep a huge file of that,” Misbren-er said. “I imagine it’s very hard to catch these people because they’ve got to be pretty smart to be getting these numbers.”
Misbrener said she was fortu-nate because the $700 was never actually charged to her account.
“One of the places they tried to buy stuff from had been scammed a lot lately, so I think that they actually cut the cord on it,” Misbrener said. “Either that or the person who stole it canceled it because I never got
charged that amount of money.”Although she didn’t get
charged for the $700 purchase, she was charged for another unauthorized payment of $8.
“ T h e y c h a rg e d a s m a l l amount f irst because that’s kind of like what they do to see if they can get away with it,” Misbrener said. “I really lucked out, but it was a lot of stress and waiting around.”
Penn said the majority of reported credit card thefts occur when people physically lose their credit cards or wallets.
“A lot of the times, it’s when people are a little careless as far as leaving something behind in the ATM or somebody leav-ing something unsecure, such as leaving their purse or wal-let out,” Penn said. “That’s the majority of what you’re going to see here.”
Penn warned against students sharing their credit card informa-tion with online vendors.
“I see more people purchas-ing things online now than ever before,” Penn said. “If you’re
going to be making purchases like that, make sure that some-body can’t view your informa-tion. If possible, if you’re able to get it otherwise—like in store —do that.”
Jordan Glutting, sophomore exploratory major, said she was a frequent online shopper before her credit card information was stolen.
“(My bank) said, ‘Well we have a 3-cent charge,’ and I didn’t really think any thing of that because it was just 3 cents,” Glutting said. “Then they were like, ‘We also want to verify a thousand-dollar purchase,’ and I just started freaking out.”
G l u t t i n g s a i d s h e f i r s t thought her card was stolen when she went out the night before, but she found that it was still in her wallet.
“I was like, ‘Well I have my card right here,’ and she was like, ‘Well, somebody must have stolen it offline,” Glutting said.
Glutting said the unauthor-ized transaction was from South Carolina for a laptop purchase.
“They didn’t actually get my money because my bank—they thought it was a little fishy—and they stopped it,” Glutting said.
Both Misbrener and Glut-ting, who also uses Fifth Third Bank, said they received new card numbers and filed disputes for the money they had been charged.
Penn said she encourages students who suspect unauthor-ized transactions on their credit cards to inform police.
“Stop all the credit cards, call and cancel everything, call the bank and then contact the police,” Penn said.
Leighann McGivern is the student finance and College
of Business reporter.
KSU students left to deal with credit card theft
SECURITY mEaSURESn Monitor your credit card and account statements online on a weekly basis.
n Report lost or stolen cards immediately and cancel all inactive accounts.
n If you’ve applied for a new card and don’t receive it in a timely man-ner, or if a replacement card is not received prior to your card’s expiration date, contact your finan-cial institution immediately.
n Shred sensitive docu-ments before disposing of them, and change your passwords regularly.
Source: usa.visa.com
The eminent domain case over the Car Parts Warehouse building is closed.
PARTA and owners Tony and Carolina Difiore of TD & CD Kent LLC settled out of court Wednesday, cancel-ing a 9 a.m. jury trial. The civil trial for the possession of the building began at the end of December.
“We have agreed on $715,000 for the property and business,” said Bryan Smith, director of planning for PARTA.
As much as $60,000 for the relocation of the busi-ness was also agreed upon, but Smith said the exact amount will be unknown until the process begins.
The arrangement is still pending approval by the Federal Transit Admin-istration, along with one other purchase.
Smith said PARTA is still in the process of settling a price on two other properties, but possession orders had been given and the negotia-tions could continue during construction.
The warehouse, located at 115 S. Depeyster St., was the last possession order needed before PARTA could set a date to start construction on the $26 million transit center.
“We now have a known possession date,” Smith said. “That was the last question hanging out there.”
PARTA approached the Difiores in February 2010. They rejected the original offer of about $450,000.
The transit center is set to open in 2012 and will include bus bays, public parking and retail and commercial space.
— Dawn Einsel, public affairs reporter
PARTA finalizes purchase of properties
GETTInG oUT foR Good wEaThER
THOMAS SONG DAILY KENT STATERFreshman Sarah Shetler goes for a run enjoying the warm weather Wednesday. After several weeks of harsh cold many students ventured outdoors to enjoy the warmer temperatures and the sun.
NIKOLAS KOLENICH | DAILY KENT STATERA person walks across the West Summit Street Bridge in Kent on Sunday. Many people were out and about as the temperature hit the mid-40s.
Utensils are probably some of the most underrated and overlooked items in our day-to-day lives. Unless you find yourself trying to eat soup with a fork, it’s unlikely that you give much thought to the silver-ware aiding you in digging into that pasta or prime rib. But where did that entire cutlery come from?
Rick Feinberg, professor of anthropology, said that diet plays a key role in determining why different cultures develop or adopt the utensils they use.
“People in different parts of the world use different things to eat with,” Feinberg said. “In some places, people use forks and knives and spoons, in some places people use chopsticks, some places people use fingers. In some of the places where I’ve worked (the Pacific Islands), they started using things like spoons for soups and rice, which is a new food for people in the area. In some places people eat off leaves on mats on the floor, (and in) some places people eat on tables like they do here.”
No matter what people use to set their tables, there’s a good chance those utensils are the result of centuries of refinement.
KNIVESKnives have been around since the first caveman realized he had to
eat. Early knives were used for hunting, food preparation and defense, in addition to eating. The knife’s role has changed little since then. Back in the day, when knives were the only utensils available, food was cut, then speared on the knife tip and brought to the mouth.
This method worked perfectly well until 1669 when King Louis XIV of France banned knives in an effort to reduce the crime rate. People had no other utensils, so they began filing down their knives to give them blunt ends. This led diners to scoop food, rather than pierce it, making room for the spoon to gain popularity. The blunt dinner knife lost its prominence with the introduction of the Italian fork and became what we now know as a “butter knife.”
FORKSForks were first used by the Greeks to steady meat for carving and
serving. The first forks were large and two-tined, like today’s serving forks. They gained popularity in the Byzantine royal courts and were finally brought to Italy in the 11th Century.
Forks were introduced to the rest of Europe in 1533 following the marriage of Henry II to Catherine de Medici, who brought forks with her to England from France. At first, only the wealthiest members of English society used forks, and the model was ridiculed for being too feminine a utensil.
The smaller, modern multi-tined fork was developed in France near the end of the 17th Century but was considered a luxury item until the early 19th Century when Americans adopted the fork.
SPOONSSpoons have been around almost as long as knives. The pre-modern
man used shells or chips of wood to scoop food into the mouth. The Romans developed a “ligula” spoon with an oval bowl to eat soups and a “cochlear” spoon with a round bowl for shellfish and eggs. These two spoons were improved over time into the modern spoon and soupspoon.
By the Middle Ages, spoons were used in all of Europe and were usually made of wood, iron, silver, gold or, most commonly, pewter.
CHOPSTICKSChopsticks have been in use for almost 5,000 years. Invented in Chi-
na, chopsticks were developed out of necessity during a widespread fuel shortage. All food had to be cut into tiny pieces to make it cook faster, wasting less fuel. The first chopsticks were constructed like tweezers in order to pluck small bits of food from cooking pots. Today, wooden chopsticks are still popular in China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan.
Amy Cooknick is a features reporter.
SPORKSThe name, “spork,” was first trademarked in 1969 by the Van Brode
Milling Co., Inc., of Massachusetts to describe “a piece of cutlery com-bining the features of a spoon, a fork and sometimes a knife.” However, there are many other trademarks and patents for various spork designs, and its origins are a mystery.
Poet Edward Lear describes a “runcible spoon” in his poem, “The Owl and the Pussycat,” published in 1871, which shares many of the spork’s qualities. Perhaps Lear invented the spork.
Jennifer Maxwell, associate professor of political sci-ence with the Center for Applied Conflict Management, relays the importance of releasing stress.
“It’s important to talk to people in a way that releases stress, but it is also important to release stress,” she said. “That is why it is important to do anything from exercise or to use psychological methods.”
Exercise — Every Kent State student has an unlimited membership to the Student Recreation and Wellness Cen-ter. It is important to try to make going to the gym a part of a regular routine schedule. Students have the option of joining classes, such as spinning, or they can skip the gym all together and run stairs in their buildings. By exercis-ing, the body releases endorphins that stimulate the brain to fight stress in a positive way.
Dance — Take a night to relax and go out dancing with some friends. By dancing, the body is forced to relax and inevitably get caught up in the music. This releases tension and stress in a fun way. Kent Students can take Zumba at the SRWC or venture to JB’s Night Club for unstructured
fun in downtown Kent.Counseling — Talking to someone who can help to
ease stress can be vital. Sometimes counseling comes with a bad stigma, but it can be a helpful way to vocalize the issues causing stress in a your life. “Talk in a way that releases stress, not just reinforces it because then you are just spinning in your tracks,” Maxwell said. Free counsel-ing is available to students in White Hall through Coun-seling and Human Development Services.
Yoga — This form of relaxation can be a key way to diminish stress. Yoga utilizes stretching techniques to relax and refresh the body. By focusing on stretching and breathing, this relaxation method helps to relieve the ten-sion in the body. Yoga is offered at the SRWC, through the Women’s Center or as a one credit hour class. Heat yoga is another effective form of yoga. It allows the muscles to relax for a deeper stretch.
Julia Floreak is a features correspondent.
College students face high levels of concentrated stress because of the stressors around them. From balancing demanding academic schedules and social lives to trying to get enough sleep, college students deal with stress-related issues every day. Whether or not students melt under pressure comes from how each student handles the contro-versy in their lives.
A look at portion sizesWith the modern weight loss
obsession, many people stress about “portion distortion.” Din-ers now have to worry less about their eyes being bigger than their stomachs, than about their meals being bigger. The national aver-age for restaurant portion size has doubled, and in some cases even tripled or quadrupled in just the past 20 years. Here are a few com-parisons between then and now, courtesy of the USDA.
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS1990 – one cup of pasta with sauce and three small meatballs, 500 calories2010 – two cups of pasta with sauce and three large meatballs, 1,025 calories
Page B2 | Thursday, February 17, 2011 Daily Kent Stater
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thismonth FEBRUARYSpEciAlSCajun Dave’sMonday: $6.50 1-topping, 8-slice pizzaWednesday: $8 Buttermilk fried chicken dinner with two sidesThursday: $2 tacosFriday: $9 BBQ platter
Franklin square DeliMonday: Meatball ItaliaTuesday: Deluxe Fried BolognaWednesday: Kent’s Best Reuben Thursday: Louisiana BBQ PorkFriday: Caprese Grilled CheeseSaturday/Sunday: The Wild Turkey
euro GyroEvery day specials: $5 Small one-
topping Pizza$5 Philly Steak Sub $5 Chicken Hoagie Sub $5 Any Pizza Pita 4-5-6-7 deal: $4 JoJo’s and any Pizza Pita $5 JoJo’s and Regular Gyro $6 JoJo’s and Burger $7 JoJo’s and any Sub Wacky Wednesday: $5.50 Large one-item Pizza (Pick-up only)
riversiDe WineHappy Hour 4-7 p.m. every dayMonday and Tuesday: No corking fee
Water street tavern$7 Miller Lite pitchers
$3 (you keep the shot glass) Jack Daniels shots $3.50 Orange Tootsie Pop bombs $3 Apple Pie and Cherry Pie shots Tuesday: Ladies Night – DJ Donkis and $1 drink specialsThursday: $1 Budweiser select bottles
the loFt$7 Pitchers of Bud Lite $6 Pitchers of Natural Lite $8 Pitchers of Labatt $1.50 Bud Lite mugs $1.25 Natural Lite mugs $3 Rocket Pops, Jack Daniels, Jose Cuervo, Long Beach, Girl Scout Cookies$2.50 Pineapple bombs and Cherry bombs
The Mustard Seed Market, located in Montrose, opened in April 1981 and is the largest local-ly owned retailer of natural and organic foods in Ohio.
Gabe Nabors, owner of Mus-tard Seed, said his mother started the business by herself with one employee. She wanted to live a healthy lifestyle and create a store that didn’t have preservatives or food coloring in the products.
“My mom believed that people should have a choice in the foods they ate,” Nabors said.
The main goal of Mustard Seed is to serve the customers. The mar-ket has standards that all products must abide by, Nabors said. All of the products sold do not contain any artificial flavoring, food color-ing, preservatives or aspartame. The beauty department features products that are cruelty-free.
The store also has different teams that sample the products before selling them in the store, Nabors said. Different depart-ments have different buyers who specialize in each line of products.
Nabors said the fruits and veg-etables come from various loca-tions, but they put an emphasis on local and organic products.
“That’s what truly sets us apart and why we are so proud of our produce,” Nabors said.
The market sells a variety of items, including beer and wine, gluten-free pizza and fresh tofu steaks. Samples of the different items can be found through-out the store each day. Some of the sample foods are sold on the shelves, while others can be found in the deli.
The market kitchen serves many different pre-made dishes that include healthy raw foods to a customer’s favorite dishes at home, Nabors said. Kale is consid-ered one of the healthiest vegeta-bles, and the kitchen makes a lot of food with it. There are always a variety of pre-made dishes because the market kitchen items change daily.
Nabors said his favorite items in the deli are the Backyard Mac-aroni and the butternut squash. His brother, also part-owner of Mustard Seed, loves the healthy raw salads.
“I’m not a fan of squash, but it’s just incredible what they do with it,” Nabors said.
On the second floor of Mus-tard Seed is the café. The café is very popular and features items that differ from what is in the market. Nabors said some of the popular items on the menu are salmon salads, chicken quesa-
Healthy, organic alternatives offered at Montrose market
dillas, bison meatloaf and veg-etable stir fry.
He said the most popular and unique item on the menu is the all-you-can-eat Sunday Brunch Buffet for $13.99. It is the biggest attraction to the café because it has a full line of breakfast and lunch platters.
“The Sunday Brunch is very popular for holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day, and we work hard to make it extra special,” Nabors said.
The best part about Mustard Seed is the employees who make the customer experience enjoy-
able, Nabors said. They “feed the energy” into the store and make a difference each day.
Nabors said the store is suc-cessful because he believes in what he does and knows he’s making a difference in the health of customers.
The Mustard Seed Market and Café in Montrose is located in the West Market Plaza at 3885 W. Market St.
Rachel Hagenbaugh is a features reporter.
NIKOLAS KOLENICH | DAILY KENT STATERA customer at The Mustard Seed Market, located in Montrose, looks at the fresh nuts and produce for sale. The Mustard Seed Market prides itself on the organic products and healthy foods it offers to customers.
Daily Kent Stater Thursday, February 17, 2011 | Page B3
Popular junk food that appeals to your taste buds can be substituted for equally delicious healthy food. Try these 10 snacks as an alternative healthy option.
ChoColate BarsThis high-sugar and high-cal-
orie snack is perfect for people on the run who need a quick-grab treat. However, there is a large chance that U.S. chocolate com-panies are cutting the cocoa from these chocolate bars and adding less costly alternatives, according to askmen.com. Substitute: Organic or milk-free, dark chocolate. It guarantees high cocoa content.
FrenCh FriesA fast-food favorite, french fries are one of the unhealthiest foods out there, according to menshealth.com. The calorie-rich, salty and deep-fried dish is an alternative to solely potato-made fries. This high trans fat food is at the heart of the American fast food industry but can help add the pounds to your body quickly. Substitute: Sweet potato fries. These are a healthier alternative to white potatoes that are made into french fries.
Potato ChiPsThere are thousands of dif-
ferent flavors of potato chips that everyone loves. Many companies produce this guilty-pleasure snack, and each com-pany has its own assortment of flavors. However, there are certain companies in particular to watch out for. Substitute: Baked potato chips. The best alternative to eating chips is reduced-fat or baked chips. Baked chips generally have 30 less calories than regular chips.
PoPCornA popular snack at the movie
theater, popcorn can contain as much fat as three to five Big Macs, according to keepkid-shealthy.com. Popcorn with but-ter or caramel flavoring are the unhealthiest types. A whole bag of buttered popcorn may contain 400 to 500 calories.Substitute: Air-popped regular popcorn or organic stovetop pop-corn. Although this alternative is better without butter, a non-fat butter spray can be used in a lim-ited amount: one to two sprays.
ButterThis artery-clogging addition
to meals can be transformed into a healthier option. By adding butter to every meal, the large amount of trans fat hurts the
body. There are healthier versions of butter, however. Substitute: Peanut butter or light or whipped butter. Peanut butter can be added to healthy snacks, like celery, to add flavor-ing. However, take caution when dealing with butter because although these options are healthier, most kinds of butter are high in fat.
CookiesCookies, which are caked
in butter and trans fat, are very unhealthy snack choices. According to askmen.com, two peanut butter cookies can contain 200 calories. Watch out for the peanut butter, nuts and chocolate chip options. Substitute: Oatmeal cookies or Fig Newtons. While Fig New-tons are the healthier option, oatmeal cookies contain almost 40 less calories than the peanut butter ones.
iCe CreamThis creamy delicious snack
can cause disaster for counting calories, especially a container with extra toppings. Just a single scoop of ice cream can contain anywhere from 140 to 350 calories, along with enough saturated fat to cover the allowance for half of a day. Substitute: Plain ice cream or Organic Probiotic Yogurt. Plain ice cream can contain
more than 200 calories less than a premium brand of ice cream chalked full with extra toppings. The best option is to substitute in yogurt. This healthy snack is full of calcium.
PizzaThis dangerous snack or meal
can cost almost 1,000 calories out of a diet. In addition, frozen pizzas can be worse than pizzas from restaurants. Carbs, fat and calories are buried in deep-dish, deluxe pizzas.Substitute: Thin-crusted pizza, pizza loaded with veggies or homemade crisp-bread pizza. Thin-crusted and vegetable-loaded pizzas can be as much as 650 calo-ries less than a deep-dish deluxe frozen pizza. The healthiest alter-native is a homemade crisp-bread pizza. Use crackers as a crust and pile veggies on top along with a low-fat cheese and sauce.
BaConThis breakfast food is almost
pure fat. One piece can contain about 40 calories. Bacon is also packed with nitrates, which can contribute to the cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This disease can make it hard to breathe over a long peri-od of time. However, by includ-ing bacon in everyday meals, this disease may come about sooner rather than later.
Substitute: Turkey bacon. Turkey is much higher in protein, and it offers a lower fat alternative to regular bacon. It can contain about half the calories in one serving as regular bacon.
PretzelsRegular salted pretzels can
contain about 400 mg of sodium, according to askmen.com. The
salt on pretzels can destroy a diet.Substitute: Unsalted pretzels or low-sodium pretzels. There are many different flavored pretzels; however, plain unsalted or low-sodium pretzels contain less than half of the amount of sodium in regular salted pretzels.
Alex Pfeifer is a features correspondent.
Photo courtesy of Mct
Free phone apps help users live healthier, fitter lives
IPHONE: Lose It! With an average weight loss of more than 12 pounds, the Lose
It! app is an easy-to-use food log. Lose It! users create an account to post a daily calorie budget and keep track of meals. Lose It! was cre-ated by FitNow to encourage losing weight. Cost: Free!
Nike Training ClubWith a personalized trainer right on the iPhone, losing weight
can be easier than ever. Created by Nike, Inc., which was devel-oped by master trainers, the app allows the user to set goals through full-body workouts. Background music can be set from an iTunes music library. Nike, Inc. produced other free apps including Nike+ GPS, Nike BOOM, Nike Football and NIKEID. Cost: Free!
DailyBurn-Calorie, Workout and Fitness CompanionIn addition to the nutrition and calorie-tracking features and the
workout and training plan features, this iPhone app, created by Dai-lyBurn, includes the Food Scanner. This allows DailyBurn users to scan the UPC barcodes of the food they eat, which supplies a quick logging feature. Cost: Free!
BLACKBERRY: Calorie CounterThe Calorie Counter, created by FatSecret, offers five different
tools to assist in weight loss: a food quick pick, food diary, active diary, weight chart and journal. The quick pick includes a full direc-tory of foods with calorie and nutrition information. The food diary is designed to count the amount of calories taken in every day. The active diary keeps track of burned calories. Cost: Free!
Diet and Calorie TrackerSparkPeople, Inc., the creators of the Diet and Calorie Tracker,
is the world’s most popular diet and fitness site, according to com-Score, Inc. The company created this app to be used exclusively with its online site. The app includes a calorie counter, daily meal plan customizer, a weigh-in page and a water tracker. Free registration with the site is required before the app can be used. Cost: Free!
Calorie Count Nutrition SearchThe Nutrition Search allows anyone at anytime to find informa-
tion on almost every type of food. The concept is to help people lose weight by promoting calorie consciousness, according to Calorie Count, the creators of the app. Food and nutrition information from the grocery store, popular restaurants or fast food chains is delivered to a phone in order to help compare items easily. Cost: Free!
DROID: MyFitnessPalComplete with food tracking and exercise plans, this app, cre-
ated by MyFitnessPal, LLC, includes reports to track weight loss and measurements. It summarizes daily nutritional values and helps cus-tomize goals for each individual user. More than 350 exercises and 600,000 foods in the database allow app users a personal assistant to help them lose weight effectively and efficiently. Cost: Free!
Diet2GoDiet2Go, created by SimpLabs, is designed to be a personal trainer
and dietitian. With every diet plan, the app creates a grocery list and sends meal reminders to keep a healthy focus on losing weight. The app comes with a Body Mass Index calculator, too. Cost: Free!
Personal DietitianCreated by Alberto Portela, this app was designed for people who
want to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Its features include nutrition facts, a weight tracker, a BMI calculator, diet plans, grocery list and dieting tips. It helps find healthy food choices to create a meal plan for a diet. Cost: Free!
Alex Pfeifer is a features correspondent.
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The beaTles Let It Be | “Across The Universe”The Fab Four have the power to fix any bad day. I’m convinced that they have a song for every occasion, and they haven’t let me down yet. They have several incredibly chill songs, but this one gets top honor for having a meditative chant right in the chorus.
Chris akinyemi Autumn EP | “Radio”This song is soothing in a way that makes you feel ready to take on the world, if you can figure that one out. It’s about as chill as music gets, but it’s also catchy enough to make it impossible not to nod your head and sing along.
nOrah JOnes Come Away With Me | “Don’t Know Why”
Norah Jones has such a soulful, mellow voice, it seems like she almost can’t help writing the most soothing songs ever. I can’t listen to this without wanting to curl up somewhere warm and cozy and take a nap.
she & him Volume One | “You Really Got A Hold On Me”
This song was originally written and recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, so naturally it’s one of the loveliest songs ever crooned. And since it’s so smooth, about a dozen other artists have redone it in the past 50 years. This is one of the most recent covers and one of the most relaxing.
JOhann sebasTiOn baCh | “Prelude in C Major”
“Soothing” and “classical” are practically synonymous if the number of relaxing, clas-sical music albums out there is any indication. While just about any slow, classical song will relax you enough for the whole day, I’ve always been partial to this one.
Getting enough exercise and eating enough vegetables are wonderful ways to keep your body healthy, but everyone needs a little down time for the mind as
well. For those moments when all you need is a chance to relax and let a soothing melody take you away, here’s my list of the chillest songs on the airwaves.
enya A Day Without Rain | “Only Time”
It’s Enya. There can’t be a list of most soothing songs without Enya.
The buzz surrounding Radiohead’s new album release is loud and incessant online and in the coffee shops. Fans are impatiently waiting for some hacker to leak just one little, poorly compressed song online. But over-zealous fans of the awe-inspiring band will have to wait until Saturday to hear a clear, decompressed note.
According to ecorazzi.com, in an attempt to stay green, “The King of Limbs” will be available first as a digital download only.
Keeping with the green theme, the title of the album is a reference to a 1,000-year-old tree in England, nicknamed “Big Belly Oak.”
The English experimental rock band first formed in the early 80s. Lead singer Thom Yorke has crooned songs for years, most notably “Creep,” off of their 1993 album “Pablo Honey.” Since then, the band has gained esteem with fans and other musicians worldwide.
All you Radiohead fans and soon-to-be fanatics can pre-order “The King of Limbs” from thekingoflimbs.com. The MP3 version is $9, while the WAV format, which is full CD quality, is $14. The deluxe “newspaper album” with extra artwork is available for pre-ordering along with a digital version for $48 (MP3) or $53 (WAV). The hard copy of “The King of Limbs” releases May 9.
— Laura Lofgren, features/A.L.L. editor.
“The King of Limbs” to be released Saturday
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT
Laura Lofgren
Every day, I wonder what the hell is in my food. This fun, new tick of mine stems from my recent viewing of “Food, Inc.” Directed by Robert Kenner, the film lifts the veil of America’s food industry to reveal the dirty, unethical under-belly of the mechanized system.
Delving into several factions of the industry, my stomach turned with each scene. Our govern-ment’s regulatory agencies, the United States Department of Agri-culture and the Food and Drug Administration, aren’t doing a very good job of keeping our food hormone-free or genetically unmodified.
I learned that chicken provided by distributors like Tyson Foods, Inc. has been modified over the years to create animals with big-ger breasts. Bigger breasts mean more meat in a shorter amount of time. These chickens grow so fast that the rest of their bodies don’t have time to develop, thus causing leg injuries in almost all of them. And it doesn’t help that they’re crammed into poorly ventilated and poorly lit facilities and abused by workers.
Plants are having their genetic codes changed, too. Currently, about 40 percent of the United States’s corn is genetically engi-neered. Pesticides used to deter insect infestation have been docu-mented to cause cancer, autism and neurological disorders in farm workers and their communities.
Besides the unhealthy side effects of this engineered crap, the legitimate farmers of America are being hit hard in the pocket. Large corporations essentially back farmers into a corner with contracts that demand constant upgrades to their facilities, leav-ing farmers in infinite debt with the company. During “Food, Inc.,” reports surfaced of farmers being sued because of contract breaches. Most farmers settle out of court due to high court costs.
What happened, America? There used to be a multitude of food competitors in this country, and now, only a handful has an iron-grip on the food industry. These corporations could give two shits about the healthy benefits of the food they produce. Bigger and cheaper seems to be their motto.
A change in eating habits
We have new strains of E. coli — the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. Our country is riddled with widespread obe-sity, especially among children. We’re at an epidemic level of dia-betes among adults.
Though the price is cheap for this fast food, it’s at what cost to the human body?
Yes, I realize organic food is more expensive, but when I can, I buy it. The thought of buying some food composed in a lab makes me want to throw up a little in my mouth.
Towards the end of “Food, Inc.,” an eccentric farmer who raises his own chickens, cattle and pigs shows the filmmakers how food should be slaughtered and de-feathered. The farmer said he was criticized and almost thrown in jail for the “unsanitary” way in which he cleaned the animals. He called a local microbiology lab to take samples of the animals and surrounding cleaning tables. They found the standard amount (about 20) of microbial strains in the farmer ’s samples. Samples taken from manufacturing facili-ties have microbial ranges past the 100 mark. I can’t emphasize enough how disgusting that is.
Fresh produce is the way to go, people, but we won’t get it unless we demand it. I know we’re all poor college students and mid-night drives to Taco Bell are of the utmost appeal, but if we don’t say something now, we never will. There are plenty of options on and off campus to eat healthy. We just have to make the conscious deci-sion to seek out those choices.
Laura Lofgren is the features/A.L.L. editor. Contact her
