99 15 1774 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2c452d85006297d70557b4565a88fb72.pdf 87672e764a14fa418e772626df001df0 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 11 www.wilkesbeacon.com DECEMBER 4, 2006 First seeds of domestic abuse may be found in student couples University officals say such incidents a rarity on campus BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Though The Beacon’s policy is to always name sources, due to the adult and potentially criminal nature of domestic assault and abuse, the editorial staff has opted to refrain from naming the victim or the accused in this story to protect the victim’s privacy. In the wee hours of the morning on November 19, Dave Lepore called 9-1-1 after being awoken by screaming followed by the violent crash of shattering glass and people running up and down the back steps of his S. Franklin Street apartment. He was witnessing a domestic dispute firsthand, but says it wasn’t the first time he has encountered such an episode. “It’s happened twice before with the same girl living upstairs,” he said. According to the victim, she and her exboyfriend were at a party but refrained from talking throughout the evening. Upon returning to her apartment around 3:00 a.m., her date incessantly called her cell phone, wishing to spend the night. “He kept calling my phone, literally about 20 times,” she said. “I just didn’t answer, but finally I got to the point where I answer[ed] it so he could leave me alone and I could go to bed. He said, ‘I’m on your back porch,’” which he gained access to via a fire escape that leads up to the victim’s bedroom. When the allegedly intoxicated man entered her apartment, he quickly snatched her cell phone and questioned all of the male contacts she had registered before running away with the phone in hand. After locking the door behind him and withdrawing to bed, the man returned, this time punching his fist through the glass window pane in the door to break into the victim’s dwelling. “He came in and he was screaming at me,” she said. “He didn’t hit me but was pushing hard enough that I would fall. Even though I wasn’t, I said I was sorry. I just didn’t want to escalate anything,” said the young woman. In the midst of the quarrel, the man thrust his head through the glass door, shattering the glass and breaking the window panes. “He’s extremely low-impulse control. He has no fear. He’s already very high strung, violent [and] short tempered. The alcohol just escalates everything,” she said. r J~ ----=--= ---- r The Beacon/Nick Podolak See ABUSE page 5 This picture of a shattered window pane was the result of a man thrusting his head through it during a domestic dispute in the early morning of November 19th. Wilkes students help local Girl Scouts earn their badges BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor Since 1912, Girl Scouts has been helping young women build courage, gain confidence and prepare for success in the real world. Industrial Preservation Page 10 This year, six Wilkes University students, the majority whom are former Girl Scouts, have taken the initiative to get involved with the local chapter of the Girl Scouts of Penn’s Woods Council (GSPWC). In conjunction with the Financial Independence for Tomorrow (FIT) program, Fa la la la la... the Community Service office facilitates monthly seminars to help local Girl Scout troops earn their badges. Megan Boone, an Americorps VISTA who is employed at the university through a federal grant and is the advisor to FIT, described some of the events that are hosted for Girl Scouts. “We teach the Girl Scouts about money and financial matters, but we try to keep it as fun as possible to keep them interested and coming back.” One of the most popular events is entitled See SCOUT page 4 In This Issue... P A G E 9 Farewell, Dr. B. PAGE 12 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS DECEMBER 4, 2006 2 Flu Vaccine Girl Scouts Domestic Abuse 3 4 5 NEPA considers clearing the air with smoking ban With a possible smokeless Scranton, will statewide ban follow? BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor All around the world, countries, states and local municipalities are enacting clean air acts of some sort. Some of these ordinances forbid smoking in public places, office buildings and government establishments, and jumping on the clean air bandwagon is Pennsylvania. On Thursday night, Scranton city council moved one-step closer to enacting the Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law within the city. If this law is enacted, Scranton will follow in the footsteps of other cities throughout Pennsylvania including Philadelphia with smoke-free environments. Stephanie Gerchman, a freshman Wilkes student said, “I think that it’s a good idea.” She added, “It’s ridiculous for business owners to say that they’d lose customers because they can’t smoke in any other places. They aren’t going to stay home just because they can’t smoke there. It would still keep them all on a level playing field.” However, this theory is challenged by recent findings reported by a national research project called the Ridgewood Study. The study highlights the negative effects of smoking bans, particularly in New York, where workers have lost jobs and earnings because of the restrictions. The Pennsylvania Tavern Association also argued against the plan citing the negative impact New Jersey’s smoking ban has had on businesses there. James Mann, the legislative council for the PA Tavern Association, presented in front of the House Health and Human Services Committee in September. In his address, Mann argued, “Our reasoning behind our position is simple: Tobacco is a legal product in Pennsylvania. Taverns are adult-oriented establishments in which persons over the age of 21 go to engage in adult-oriented activities. Children are not legally permitted in taverns without parental supervision. Until such time that tobacco products are made illegal, the decision to permit smoking in a tavern is, and should continue to be, a decision made by the proprietor.” However, many restaurants support a statewide indoor smoking ban. After learning the findings of a study about the dangers of secondhand smoke, the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association announced the switch in their stance at the beginning of July. And it is no surprise with taverns and restaurants taking different stances on the issue, that a previous com- mittee vote on a statewide ban in Pennsylvania came up with a tie, and was defeated. Pennsylvania is not the first state to halt a statewide smoking ban; New Hampshire prevented a statewide ban in April of this year. The New Hampshire Senate, who defeated the bil, used the defense that they would leave the choice up to the individual bar and restaurant owners. Opponents plan to reintroduce the bill next year in New Hampshire. Another concern from the public is the potential loss of rights and privileges. On Topix.net, a message site allowing readers to voice their opinions on certain news events, a poster known as “Linda” noted, “I just wonder how happy you will be when something you really enjoy comes to the top of the hit list for bans and control. It won’t stop with smoking, trust me.” It is unknown if Scranton’s push for a citywide smoking ban is one that will spark another try at a statewide ban. What is certain is the fact that there will be plenty of people saying what is on their minds on both sides of the argument if it does come up, which there is a very good chance, because for the past ten years a statewide smoking ban has been up for vote every other year. NO S ,MOKIN,G B E ACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Scranton’s possible smoking ban could pave the way for a statewide ban in Pennsylvania. However, according to findings, a statewide ban could hurt the state’s economy. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �DECEMBER 4, 2006 NEWS Free flu vaccines available just in time for peak season 3 College students at high risk because of living arrangements BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Correspondent Don’t let the unseasonably warm weather fool you, flu season is right upon us! During the months of October, November and December is the best time to get vaccinated for the flu because most influenza activity occurs in January, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. Beat the waiting room at your doctor’s office and take a walk to Health Services in Evans Hall for a flu vaccination. T”here are about 20 vaccines left out of the 200 that were ordered,” said Diane O’Brien, Director of Health Services. The cost is fifteen dollars and cash or check is accepted. Two flu clinics were run in early November at the Student Union Center and now anyone who chooses to get a flu shot is encouraged to stop by Health Services, no appointment necessary. O’brien also points out that she has not seen any cases of the flu yet this year. “I’m not sure it’s even in the area yet. It’s documented through a nasal swab. So anyone who comes in with a high fever, we do a nasal swab in order to confirm if we have a flu case on campus. We have not had anyone present with those symptoms; we have not had a positive flu.” The people most at risk for contracting the flu are the elderly, young people and people living in a community setting. “Certainly college kids, because people living in residence halls are sharing towels, glasses and all kinds of stuff. Within community settings, you’re more at risk,” said O’Brien. Typically, there are no side-effects from the flu shot, because the vaccine is so well tolerated, O’Brien says. Symptoms of the flu include a high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Symptoms that include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea can also occur but are more common in children than adults. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu every year in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Protection. “Certainly college kids, because people living in residence halls are sharing towels, glasses and all kinds of stuff. Within community settings, you’re more at risk.” Diane O’Brien, Director of Health Services Happy Holiday Shopping! At The Waterfront Complex 670 N. River St. Plains, PA 18705 (570)270-6688 Open Wednesday-Saturday 4pm-2am PIRANHA RACES EVERY WEDNESDAY 9-11PM Courtesy of Cara Koster Parking in downtown Wilkes-Barre has been free since November 24th after Mayor Thomas Leighton waived downtown meter fees to encourage holiday shopping. The program will continue through Tuesday, January 2nd. DAILY DRINK AND FOOD SPECIALS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TRIVIA BEGINS 2.1.07 CASH PRIZES Please visit our web site at www.sensorylounge.com �4 DECEMBER 4, 2006 SCOUT from FRONT PAGE “Penny Power” where girls are taught about the difference between real and counterfeit money, play bingo with coins to encourage counting practice and set up a pretend grocery store to act as customers and cashiers. Boone explained how FIT gets their events accepted so that the Girl Scouts can earn badges through their time spent at Wilkes. “Through GSPWC, we can give them program descriptions in advance to get approved and then troop leaders throughout different counties can sign up for them.” “Each scout pays a certain fee for the program, but because it is held at Wilkes they only pay for the badges they earn. It’s a break for the leader for the Girl Scouts to come here,” said Boone. On Saturday mornings, six student volunteers meet with about 40 Girl Scouts who are either Brownies or Juniors, ranging from ages 7 to 12. Three different stations are set up so that the Girl Scouts can rotate and participate at each event, with the student volunteers running each station and interacting with the young women. D- a Photo courtesy of Megan Boone A group of young women from the Girl Scouts of Penn’s Woods Council attend a program hosted by Wilkes University’s Community Service office and FIT. “The interaction with older Girl Scouts taps into what young ladies can grow up to be,” said Boone. Kristen Potsko, a sophomore spanish/education major, said, “The Girl Scouts have a lot of energy and are so excited you are there with them. At one program, we danced to the chacha slide. It was silly and it brought me back to a time when I was a Girl Scout.” While the Girl Scouts benefit from the programs hosted by Wilkes, the students also learn from their experiences with the event. Amanda Arnold, a senior elementary education major, said, “I think that the program is very beneficial for both the Girl Scouts and those helping put it on. The girls seem to have fun with the activities we provide. It was very beneficial for me because of my major and any chance I have to work with children helps me in the end.” “The experience is one of my favorite programs. It has made getting up at 10 a.m. on Saturdays so fun. The Girl Scouts are so lively, interested and engaged. They remind me of myself at that age. It’s empowering and enriching to see them grow and flourish,” said Boone. With the program being such a success, Boone is looking to possibly host a conference at Wilkes that will gather over 140 local Girl Scouts. However, she expressed that “there is a constant need for more volunteers.” “I am hoping to reach out to former Girl Scouts to bring back memories of when they went through the program. More volunteers can evolve into more activities and stations for the Girl Scouts,” said Boone. Boone added, “I think that sometimes students have such a heavy schedule and not enough time to socialize that performing community service is more like work to them. However, the community service volunteers see it as enrichment to themselves. It serves as a time to recharge their batteries and get energy from serving others.” --a lfi. d up The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The city of Wilkes-Barre shows off its holday spirit as the annual Christmas Tree adorns Public Square. The “Squircle” sparkles at night with its jubilant array of lighted trees. �NEWS DECEMBER 4, 2006 ABUSE from FRONT PAGE appear to be very common at all.” Domestic violence is physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse that occurs between people who live in the same dwelling, and there are few statistics available that indicate how many Wilkes students actually cohabitate. But dating abuse is neither a According to a Public Safety incident/accident report, the man was bleeding moderately from his head and face before fleeing east on South Street as the WilkesBarre police reached the scene. The victim, who received a cut on her foot from the incident, refused medical attention and spent the night at a friend’s dorm. She did not press charges, but added that her ex-boyfriend has “a history of these types of tirades.” No charges were pressed, though she will receive a P.F.A. (Protection From Abuse order). As ugly as this scene appears, Officer Jerry Rebo explained that he only attends to one or two reports of domestic violence in a year. And according to Associate Dean of Student Affairs Babara King, there is no indication that suggests many off-campus Wilkes students, who are dating, actually cohabitate. “I don’t have any data on that subject, but judging from Courtesy http://timrb.00freehost.co m/ our off-campus lists it doesn’t Sundance Vacations Inc -Sports/ Event Marketing! -Flexible Schedule -Weekends & nights a must -GREAT PAY! $100 to $200/day -Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area CALL NOW! new phenomenon nor a particularly unusual one among college students. According to a 2006 report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, one in 11 adolescents report some form of violence in their relationships. In addition, in 2000 the Bureau of Justice published a special report on intimate partner violence that indicated women between the ages of 16-24 experience the highest per capita rates of intimacy violence, at 20 in every 1,000 women. But Director of Public Safety Chris Bailey explained it doesn’t necessarily need to be members of a romantic couple involved in an intimate relationship to fall in the category of domestic abuse. “Obviously, if you’re in a personal relationship there’s always the potential for this type of situation and development of domestic violence. But domestic abuse is a very broad category of crime so it doesn’t necessarily mean that there has to be any kind of relationship between the two individuals,” he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ weouy anasell l\llllS YIY .,,s . PS2 XBOX NINTENDO VDE&GADS llsod45s ~ Ii IUSICAL ENEIGI 59 north main ,., wilkes barre,., 829-2929 ~ .------------, i~ we. .have hundreds of posters !! .____-----~ 5 The victim did contact the Victim’s Resource Center, which provides a 24-hour hotline staffed with trained counselors who offer services for an array of crimes including rape, domestic violence and assault; serving both men and women. “Basically, if you need help, they can provide it or connect you with the right place,” said Director of Residence Life Gretchen Yeninas, who is on the board of Directors for the Victim’s Resource Center. “They (VRC) made me feel better because my landlord pretty much made me feel worse about the whole situation and then made me apologize to the other people who live in this place, which I would’ve done anyway, but I don’t think I should have been told to do it because it wasn’t my fault,” said the young woman. Psychology Professor Robert W. Bohlander was also unavailable for comment on this issue but provided a list of warning signs from the Counseling and Learning Associates which include physical contact, jealousy and verbal abuse. The victim, however, had the following advice to offer: “Don’t say you’re sorry. Don’t think you can handle it, because I always told everybody I could handle this by myself. Just realize that you can’t and you do need other people.” Have you been a victim of domestic violence? The Victim’s Resource Center has a 24-hour hotline, staffed with trained counselors. That number is 823-0765. Their regular office number is 823-0766. They provide services for a variety of crimes, including rape survivors, domestic violence, assault. They also serve both women and men. The organization offers support groups for adult survivors of abuse. Warning Sign of Abuse If your boyriend, husband or wife . . . . → pushes you for involement or commitment. → shows extreme jealously. → acts controlling. → demands perfection. → tries to isolate you. →blames others, including you, for all mistakes and problems. → makes you responsible for his/her feelings. → acts with hypersensitivity. → shows cruelty to animals or children. → “playfully” uses force during sex. → uses verbal abuse. → demands rigid sex roles. → shows sudden mood swings. → has a history of battering. →intimidates and threatens you with violence. (Provided by Counseling and Learning Associates) Courtesy http://www.umaine.edu �Opinion DECEMBER 4, 2006 6 7 Question everything English more distinguished 7 8 Angry Rant Community conversation is key to true democracy difficulties with financial aid and the registrar for what seems to be an indefinable time, but only eight decided to take a public stance. Eight silent people. We are wondering what sort of impact such silence, symbolic or not, can have. However, we commend those eight for their guts and for their effort to make a statement, albeit a silent one. At least they went out there, in the chilly drizzle. At least those eight took a stand they believed in. What did the rest of us do? College students of this decade (and perhaps we can include the last few) are generally apathetic. Among the small number of protests that occur, complaints are almost exclusively about self-serving issues that touch us directly, and letters to the editor are few. We hear the complaints among peers as we stand in line at the Rifkin or sit in computer labs: They said they “weren’t becomplaints about the university ing heard.” They made flyers and and about one another. We hear passed the word, and then with through second and thirdhand tape on their mouths and white tsources that The Beacon’s writing shirts, all eight of them stood on is in some cases “offensive,” “bithe greenway for fifteen minutes. ased” and not equally representaThis was their protest, and the tive of the Wilkes University comOne Stop Shop officially opens on munity, yet the Wilkes community Monday, December 4th. does little voice its opinions. Many have issues with new And there are ample opportunipolicies and changes on campus. ties to do so. After each article onNo one likes change; it’s scary line, readers can add commentary and often inconvenient. With the by clicking on a button. SubmitOne Stop Shop, faculty and stuting a letter to the editor online is dents alike could have attended as easy as two clicks or even sendopen forum discussions on the ising an e-mail. sues associated with the proposed How can a newspaper staff repchange, yet many chose not to. resent all readers if those readers Students have been experiencing don’t make their needs clear? How can “concerns” be regarded as such when You have an OPINION so few take and we want to hear it-~ the initiative to voice them? How W am to exp:ie:;:; }'OW" unique views to the Wilkes o:..mrnun:i:l:y? is Wilkes The B&2con ':; Opinion secti:in is :;o:,unng cainpu;; in search of adminsitrawriters with fre:ili tlougld::; and VEWS . tion or faculty to know many are opposed to a proposed change if students lack the motivation to peaceably assemble and express their dissent? Last year, a protest was held against tuition inIf you have any ideas, que:;ti:,n:; or a :;ainple o:,lun,n or editorial creases at carloons, p1ease contact: the crossOPINION EDITOR: KRST'VN <:>!3,TMA.N, OR walk on Ass.STANT OPINION EDITOR: AN IJEE SCARA.NTINO S o u t h t h e b eacon .op ed.®gm.a i l . com Street, yet barely 50 BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD The Pen is Mightier ... individuals showed up. Few students are euphoric about tuition increases. Who desires to assume more debt? And yet, it was just a handful of people out there with signs in front of the Henry Student Center. Compliance was far easier for most, even if it cost them a few hundred dollars. It wasn’t always this way. Our first amendment rights allow us freedom to speak freely. We can publish what we will, unless the published material infringes upon someone else’s rights. Hundreds of lower and Supreme Court cases chronicle those in our nation who have stood up for those rights. Without publications and the media, from where would we draw our collective opinions and knowledge? Community ideals are formulated through active community discussion--even if that discussion is rife with dispute. Your opinion should be part of that community discussion. Ultimately, this boils down to what we face when we go to the polls and cast our votes--or don’t, as is the case for too many. If we don’t vote, our perspectives aren’t considered and we fall into a self-defeating pattern of inaction. At the local level, where is the engagement? Where are the letters, Wilkes University? Where are your voices? We have the right to assemble. Civil rights protests helped gain equality for all of color. Women stood proudly to earn their right to vote and be viewed in society as equal to men. Students have died--recall the four shot dead at Kent State in Ohio while protesting the Vietnam War. The blood that drained into the Ohio soil should serve as a permanent reminder of the passion that drove so many young people to object to their government’s choices. Yes, there are prices to be paid, but such activism raises awareness and yes, makes change, particularly after sustained community conversation. Where would you be without those who challenged what they felt to be wrong and demoralizing? Where would you be without those who stood proud to say they believed in something and protested, fought, sued, or even died for it? They have made the situation clear for us all- the fight against injustice is a long, hard one, but unless we speak, people will die on the front lines, politicians will misrepresent us, we will be discriminated against, we will read articles that offend us,we will pay too much for parking, and we’ll use the One Stop Shop to register for classes. To separate any of these scenarios by severity is frivolous, because they are all things that can be, in time, corrected by eliminating our apathy. Now, we ask you, Wilkes University: What do you believe in, and what are you going to do about it? Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 93 responses. The Beacon asked: Who will be the president in 2008? • • • • • • • • • • Rudy Guiliani - 40% Hilary Clinton - 15% Barack Obama - 12% John McCain - 9% Al Gore - 8% Other - 8% John Edwards - 4% Joseph Biden - 2% Ralph Nader - 1% Jeb Bush - 1% �DECEMBER 4, 2006 OPINION 7 Ladies, where’s your self respect? BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief I recently spent a night at the bar and came away from my experience slightly nauseated. And, while it may have been due in part to the amount of liquor I consumed, or perhaps due to the nicotine-saturated air I breathed in for hours, I think it was actually what I witnessed in the bar that left me with a sour taste in my mouth. As a newcomer to the bar scene (I turned 21 only 6 months ago), perhaps I am naive or still learning the ropes or something, but what I can’t seem to understand is why women and girls relinquish any form of self respect or decency the minute they enter the bar or take a shot. Now, granted, alcohol makes everyone feel just a little bit more groovy and self-assured, but does it really create a license to become completely uninhibited in terms of dress? No, I don’t think it does, but apparently I am in the slimmest of minorities on this one. Short skirts, low tops, high boots, that is the wardrobe expected of a twenty-something if she’s headed out for the night. The bar I spent the night at did not have a single male bartender, and some of the women were actually wearing bikini tops as they served drinks. Now, come on ladies. Show some respect for yourself. Do you really enjoy having some old man leering at you as he waits for his beer? Or even a young man, for that matter. And yeah, I know, they’ll tip better, right? Excuse me if I feel slightly repulsed by the idea of you trading self decency for a few more bucks during your shift. Men wouldn’t do these types of things. They wouldn’t cater to their female patrons by bartending shirtless. They certainly don’t dance on the bar as females cheer and try to see up their skirts. And there certainly is not a market for Boys Gone Wild or sexy underwear ad campaigns where companies try to sell their briefs with half naked gyrating men. It still infuriates me that men subscribe to Victoria’s Secret--<i>our<i> catalog for underwear--because it is sexy enough to count as soft-core porn. What’s wrong with this society? Everything can be marketed by appealing to sex drives, the sex drives of men. And we women buy right into the idea, dance on the bar, wear the short skirts, and generally act without class or self respect. And the world continues to serve the motivations and desires of one half of the population. Somewhere the cycle needs to end. Women need to dress in a way of their own choosing, not in a way that would be described as sexy by men. I mean, really, if you wouldn’t sit down to dinner in it with your mom and dad, why are you willing to parade it up and down the bar for complete strangers? We should simply refuse to fit the stereotypes outlined by society, by the media, by ads and movies and TV. And while some women may not agree with me The English are more distinguished. BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor On the day this issue appears on campus in print, I will have exactly one month in the United States before I leave for London, England. A fellow staff member asked me where I would be staying while abroad, in which my response was “South Kensington.” This triggered a series of comparisons in relation to American,which I think, as my civic duty, I should share with you. In London, I will be staying in South Kensington. How lovely. The neighboring areas will be Kensington, Earls Court, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea. Here, I live in OLD Forge, and the neighboring towns are Avoca, Dun-MORE, and “Scran-un”. The English say “mind your step,” while American’s yell “Watch Out!” English will politely say “Pardon me,” while Americans scream “MOVE!” The English will say a situation may be a “worry,” while Americans will say “we eff’d up.” The English purchase spirits at the “Odd Bins,” while we go to the “State Store.” They go to “Oxford” while we attend “Da U.” and find their antics harmless or shameless, I ask those women to imagine acting the same way in a different setting or to imagine On their medicines, they’ll list “trapped wind” as a symptom the drug relieves. We say “gas,” or simply “farts.” The English also are a bit more candid about things. Instead of signs that say “restrooms,” they say “toilets.” Instead of a pesky Surgeon General giving a longwinded explanation on cigarette packs as to how they may cause damage to one’s health, they simply list in bold lettering “Smoking Kills.” The English would never be rude enough to stand and block the way for those in a hurry. On escalators, those who chose to stand do so to the right hand side, leaving the left clear for those a bit more hurried. In America, ONE person ALWAYS blocks the path for others. Dare I say, Americans, that we are being robbed of a distinguished society? Goodbye, Noxen, Pittston, Edwardsville, (Who the heck is Edward?) Shickshinny, Scotrun, (We all know what that looks like as we pass it quickly on I80) and Throop. Hello Canary Wharf, Westminster, and Covent Garden. I will end, however, with saying that their food is quite inadequate. Or, in American, “it sucks.” I guess I’ll never be fully distinguished. watching their behavior sober the next day. Cause trust me, it wasn’t pretty. Believe nothing and question everything BY ANDREA SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor According to the Society of Professional Journalism, there are four major sections to their code of ethics: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable. Any journalist worth their salt follows simple ethics. Even if they are not the four above, a person can follow the simplest rule in human history. This rule is found in almost all religions, including Christianity, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism and Zoroastrianism. I find it expressed the best in Buddhism, “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Most of you will know it as the “Golden Rule.” All journalists can follow this rule when writing their stories but unfortunately, many do not. My favorite example of this is Nancy Grace on CNN. Nancy is probably the worst “journalist” on television. The woman has been accused of plagiarism, misrepresenting information, claiming a person is guilty before they have had the chance to a fair trial and even of causing one of her interviewees to commit suicide. I recall one interview Nancy had with Elizabeth Smart. Ms. Smart was promoting a bill and Nancy kept bringing up questions about her abduction. The expression on Ms. Smart’s face made it apparent that she was uncomfortable with the questions and told Nancy that, but Nancy pressed on with another question about the abduction. In her past, Nancy was a prosecutor and she has had some tragic times, but I believe that when she presents herself as a journalist, she should conduct herself according to the ethics of journalism or, at least, as a person. My view on journalism is to report the news, leave behind your baggage and give people what they want, the information. The odds are good that the reader will put their own spin on the information when they retell it anyway. This rule is a hard one to follow, not to put a bias on a story, because everyone has an opinion (unless you are psychotic and devoid of feelings), but it can be done. A person simply needs to remove him or herself from the situation and focus on their subjects, and once this is done a reporter can, with a clear conscience, put out an unbiased story. The one problem that would stand in the way of this is the fact that a reporter may not have enough information or perhaps they simply did not pursue the story as well as they should have. I give myself as an example of this. A few weeks ago before the elections, <i>The Beacon<i> ran a question and answer section with Governor Rendell. I am positive some of you must have questioned where the section with Lynn Swann was, because I know I would have. The story behind it is quite simple; I called Mr. Swann’s representatives in his Pittsburgh and Harrisburg offices countless times. I even spoke with Mr. Swann’s campaign manager, but nothing was done by his campaign offices to secure an interview with him. As a last attempt, I tried e-mailing the questions to one of my contacts at his office and received no reply. This is when I wished readers would have sent me e-mails or wrote letters to the editor about the lack of a Q & A, but none came. This brings me to the basis for my writing; which is the fact that journalism is without a doubt one of the most important professions on Earth, and unfortunately, this position of power is abused quite a bit. It is up to the readers, viewers and listeners to determine whether the reporter is living up to the ethics of journalism, or at least acting like a human being. That is why I am telling you to question everything and believe nothing; if you do not think you are getting just the facts, call the person on it. After all, anyone who has taken Public Speaking knows communication only works when it goes both ways. �OPINION DECEMBER 4, 2006 Preservation of industrial The Angry Rant: Holiday Special settings a necessary challenge to overcome BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor BY NICK ZMIJEWSKI Beacon Photo Editor The Huber Breaker in Ashley seems to be threatened with scrapping after being “saved.” A historical group, the Huber Breaker Preservation Society, had been informed that the historic coal breaker would be deeded over to them, yet the current owner has declared that he may be selling it to a scrapper unless Luzerne County sweetens the proverbial pot. This one had been, in the minds of many, preserved. Grants had been secured and volunteer labor organized. The threat against this breaker begs the larger question about historic preservation, particularly large industrial sites. One of the greatest challenges facing historic preservation is saving industrial settings. It is very expensive. The buildings in question are very large and some have been vacant for years. Sometimes private monies are used, as will hopefully be the case with a large portion of the Bethlehem Steel Mill in Bethlehem. This challenge seems to be met in Northeastern PA. One just has to walk down the street from campus and we see the historic portion of the Hotel Sterling being saved. The former Stegmaier Brewery has been adaptively reused and made into offices. Yet what about the economic engine that drove the region for over 100 years, coal? There is only one coal breaker remaining in the Northern Field and it is the Huber. While I am not from the area, I have been coming up here for years looking for remains of the mining industry. There used be numerous breakers standing. These have been knocked down and you could hardly tell that something like a breaker was once there. Sure, there are little blue signs put there by the state by some of them and towns often have little memorials to those who gave their lives in the mines, but there is no large scale above ground reminder that has been allowed to survive. From a tourist perspective, the Huber makes a lot of sense. It is located right off of Route 81 and clearly visible from the highway. Coal breakers make for interesting tours as special ones have been run in the past at another breaker in the Middle Field and the turnout is always very high. The railroad that used to run there can be relayed and the county’s Vulcan engine that is currently under restoration. Or a joint excursion from Steamtown to Ashley would be a neat way to increase tourism to both. Either way something needs to be done because this is the last one and if it falls all is for naught. We might as well break out the acetylene today. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski A Sight for Sore Eyes It’s the holiday season again, and these days, that means that we are in the home stretch of a holiday rush that started sometime in mid-July. Seriously, what happened to Thanksgiving? Has it been cancelled or something? Is there some sort of elaborate conspiracy involving poultry? Did the turkeys unionize and blackmail the retailers? Regardless, I’m pretty sure that WalMart had decorations out right after the 4th of July, including those gigantic blow-up things you put in your yard; the ones that look like Santa Claus or the Grinch. Last week, I saw a yard that was adorned with a blow-up Homer Simpson. That’s right, nothing says the birth of Christ like a gigantic, fat white guy. I can’t wait until next year when they release their John Goodman and Marlon Brando models. One of the more popular toys this year are those shoes with the roller skates in the heels. Odds are you’ve seen some kids gliding around a store or restaurant at some point in the last year. Kudos for giving our children the opportunity to exercise less. Now instead of walking to a fast food joint, they can glide. Anyway, the last time I checked, 11-year-olds were clumsy enough on their own, and now you want to put wheels on their feet? I’ve seen more control from Colin Farrell at a party with free whiskey and strippers. As if the toys couldn’t get much worse, this holiday season we are subjected to “Myscene Barbie,” a new line of dolls that provide children the opportunity to dress them up to go to the club, or adorn them 8 in “bling.” I think you’ll all agree with me in congratulating Mattel for proving us all wrong when we said there weren’t any other ways left to teach our daughters to dress like whores. However, I think I may have seen the epitome of the holiday rush a few weeks ago. I was driving by Circuit City, and low and behold, there were a mass of tents and sleeping bags lined outside the door in anticipation for the Playstation 3. Now, I love videogames as much as the next person, but there is a limit. That’s a bad idea, it really is. In fact, I’ve created a system whereby people can judge their actions on whether or not they are good or bad ideas. I call it the “Blind Date” test. It works like this: if you wouldn’t tell it to a girl on a blind date, then it probably isn’t a good idea. I can imagine that conversation going something like this: Girl: So, what do you do for fun? Guy: Oh, I play a lot of videogames, I love my Playstation 3. Girl: Aren’t they hard to get? Did you win a contest or something? Guy: Oh, no, I just spent a week in a tent outside of a store with a bunch of other guys; we all took turns using a washcloth to bathe ourselves…it was awesome. Girl: Oh, right. Have I told you about my fiancée yet? See what I mean? Not a good idea. Speaking of bad ideas, Paris Hilton was recently in Las Vegas to perform songs from her album. Reportedly, Hilton was so drunk that she vomited on stage during her performance, thus officially making it the most intelligent thing to ever come out of her mouth. Happy Holidays. Aleksander Lapinski .., ~ Evolution of a college student �FEATURES Mental Health Services Gifts on a Budget DECEMBER 4, 2006 10 10 9 Dr. Joel Berlatsky retires after 37 years of teaching history Professor has been an inspiration in the classroom and a fixture at sporting events BY RYAN BROGHAMER Beacon Staff Writer Step into his office in Capin Hall, and a change is evident: the book cases are barren, the once messy desk is almost organized and all that remains on the shelves is a phone book and a Bill Clinton nesting doll. Dr. Joel Berlatsky is retiring. Berlatsky has been a fixture in the history department at Wilkes for over 30 years and is mutually adored by students and faculty alike. So why is he planning on riding off into the sunset? “Well, you know, it’s something that I’ve thought about for a while, so I’m going to do it. This is my 37th year [at Wilkes] and that’s enough for me,” he said, and states that he’s spent almost half of a decade in education. “I taught high school for a while, so actually I’ve been teaching for 42 years - with some time off for good behavior.” To hear Berlatsky explain, there really isn’t much of a story to his career. “When I was teaching high school, it was basically seven-thirty in the morning until seven-thirty in the evening for three-quarters of the year, so that was a pain in the butt and a lot of work. Especially when you first start teaching, people don’t realize, you don’t have anything in the can so you have to prepare to be one day ahead of the kids, so that was tough. Somewhere in there, I got married and we both decided to go back to graduate school, so we starved for a couple of years and then I got my degree and came here.” But dig a little deeper and you’ll find there is much more to his path in becoming an educator. “Like many students, I kind of misspent my high school era; I didn’t do as well as maybe I should’ve done,” Berlatsky ex- plained. “So, I looked around for places that were smaller, but were good, that I might be able to get in. I wound up at a small school in Minnesota, which is now one of the four or five best schools in the country, Carleton College in Minnesota. Then, I thought, I want to teach high school and be a coach. So, I went and got a degree at Brown called a master of arts in teaching, which is half history and half education, and then I went to teach for a couple years in Lake Forest, Illinois - which has nothing in common with Wilkes-Barre, because Lake Forest is one of the wealthiest areas in the country.” While he enjoyed his time in Lake Forest, Berlatsky says that the coaching aspect wasn’t entirely his cup of tea. “I coached basketball, which I knew what I was doing, but I also coached track, where I didn’t have a clue. So, the head coach would say, ‘This is what you’re going to do,’ and I would say ‘Yes, sir,’” Berlatsky recalled. Searching for more out of teaching, the New York City native then found his way to Northwestern for graduate school. After graduation, he says the demand for history professors dwindled. “I came here in the fall of 1970 for no particular reason, except that there was a job and I got offered a job. I was offered other jobs, too, but they - for one reason or another - didn’t appeal,” he stated. “I came here and thought that I’d be here for two or three years and then move on, but in the early 70’s, the bottom dropped out of the market and it’s never recovered.” “At a certain stage there was no place to move, unless you were some kind of superstar, which I’m not,” he said. See BERLATSKY page 11 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski �FEATURES 10 DECEMBER 4, 2006 Q&A: Meaghan Broderick, Holiday gift giving on a budget Mental Health Services Counselor BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief As the holidays draw closer and the semester ends, everyone begins to feel the crunch associated with getting all of their work done on time and their holiday preparations completed. For some, this pressure can prove too daunting. This is where the Mental Health Counselors, located in Health Services on the first floor of Evans Hall, can be helpful. The Beacon recently spoke with one of the counselors, Meaghan Broderick. The Beacon: How many students, on average, use the [mental health] services? Broderick: I do not have a definite number on that but depending on the time of the semester around 15 students per day. The Beacon: Are the students using these services as a therapist, someone to talk to, or do some of the students need psychological medicine prescribed? Do you have that capability in your office? Meaghan Broderick: There is a variety in the treatment plans for the students. Some students seek counseling to resolve issues just utilizing traditional talk therapy, whereas other students come to the counseling center already having been prescribed medication by a family physician or a psychiatrist. If students would benefit from medication, counselors have the option to recommend medication, refer to campus physician or to psychiatrist in the The Beacon: Do you see an increase in the use of your services around this time of year? Broderick:Yes, there tends to be an increase in the use of services due to the intensity of finals and completing all of the coursework on time. Also, with the holidays approaching, students will be heading home and for some that creates some anxiety. The Beacon: What are some of the most common mental health issues that students come to your office needing assistance with? Broderick: The counseling center has experience dealing with the whole spectrum of mental health issues. We see students who are having difficulty adjusting to college, roommates, test anxiety, depression, relationship issues, eating and body image concerns. We also have students revealing suicidal ideation and require more intense treatment than is available on campus. The Beacon: You’ve been really busy as of late. Do you have a lot of one-time appointments or more repeat patients? Broderick: I have both students who are coming in for an acute issues while others have more chronic concerns. Mental health counselors are available to speak with students by appointment Monday through Friday. d I D YO U KNOW?: One night of heavy drinking can impair your ability to think abstractly for up to 30 days, hampering your ability to understand complex concepts or think through a basic math problem. Baked Goods Mix CD theme songs that get stuck in everyone’s head. Be sure to include such classics as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Golden Girls, Charles in Charge,and for an instrumental break, throw the Jeopardy! theme song in there too. • The weather outside may be frightful, but a summer tunes CD will be delightful. The Beach Boys are a staple for this mix, along with Jack Johnson, and any other songs that make you want to trade your jacket for a pair of sunglasses and a beverage topped with a colorful umbrella. • Use the alphabet as a playlist guide by making a mix with songs starting with the letter A all the way to Z. Since you’ll have • To your significant other: A video mon- • A sculpture of them tage of your celebrity made of jelly beans crush labeled, “My • The entire box set Christmas Wish collection of Richard List” Simmons’ “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” • Anything they gave you last holiday season • Two words: Macaroni art http://www.christophesandco.com to fit 26 songs on the disc, some may have to be shorter tunes. This holiday season, many students may be feeling festive and generous, but may not have the financial abilities to provide An old classic... Everyone can apprecigifts to friends and family members. Here ate a freshly baked cake or a plate of warm are a few inexpensive, thoughtful gifts to chocolate chip cookies. Grab a cookbook show you care without going bankrupt. or check out some recipes online, find a pretty plate to put the treats on, and get some colored plastic wrap and a bow to Although often considered a token of af- top off this delicious gift. fection given as a way to profess love to that cute guy or girl who sits behind you in A few fun ways to mix it up: class, the mix CD can also serve as a fun way to convey your personality and provide • Sprinkles make everything more fesentertainment to the recipient. tive! • Get some cookie cutters at any groA few fun ways to mix it up: cery store or dollar store, and turn ordi• Create a CD with all those catchy TV nary cookies into fun shapes. What NOT to give... - Sponsored by Health Services http://www.bsu.edu/publicsafety/article/0,2008,13363310179-22951,00.html BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor Framed Story Think of that story that cracks you and your friends up every time it gets told. Now write it down. Typing up the story and putting in a pretty frame is a great way to preserve those memories, whether they are touching or hilarious. A few fun ways to mix it up: • Get a few caligraphy pens at a local craft store and write the story in fancy script. • Buy a wooden frame and add your own artistic touches with paint or glitter. • A mix CD of your favorite David Hasselhoff songs www.david-hasselhoff.com/photos.html community or in the student’s hometown. �DECEMBER 4, 2006 BERLATSKY from PAGE 9 “Most people from my generation went one place and got stuck there because the market for historians just vanished. For example, when I came here, there were 10 people in the history department. Now there are four, and we were down to three for a while, so that tells you that the market has shrunk.” The historian recalls the Agnes flood as playing a major role in his thoughts of going elsewhere. “It’s not that I didn’t think about moving, I did early on, especially after the flood. I bought a house one Friday, and the next Friday it was flooded. That was nice. After that, there was a contraction here - a big one - so I looked for jobs then in particular, but nothing happened. It was to the schools’ benefit that Berlatsky stayed in Pennsylvania, according to Dr. John Hepp, associate professor of history. “He’s been here for 37 years and during that time not only has he done what you’d expect from most professors that have been here that long - had lots of students that liked him, had lots of faculty colleagues that liked him - but because of his involvement with intercollegiate athletics... During my seven years here, he has gone to most of the football games we’ve played, he’s gone to most of the basketball games we’ve played, FEATURES 11 he’s gone to a lot of all of the other games we play. I know of no one on this campus that has seen more Wilkes athletics events. To me that shows a real dedication because he really does care,” said Hepp. Current students agree. Junior history major Mark Leicht cites Berlatsky as a factor in his decision to come to Wilkes and says that the university will be hard pressed to find a capable replacement. “When I was first deciding to go to college, I had taken a preemptive class [with Berlatsky], and that was actually one of the deciding factors about why I came to Wilkes,” Leicht said. “Whoever replaces him is going to have some big shoes to fill, and hopefully they are up to the task.” While he is stepping down from his position at Wilkes, Berlatsky says that he’s not finished with history quite yet. “Everybody asks what you do after you retire, and the biggest thing is that I am not going to get up at six in the morning every day and drive to Wilkes-Barre,” he said. “I might work on [his study of Nicholas Heath, Lord Chancellor of England under Queen Mary] and I might poke around and do a little bit of adjuncting [in the Philadelphia area],” he said. “I believe that being a professor is probably perfect preparation for retirement, because it’s not a nine to five job; I’ve always had a lot of free time. But my wife and I do want to travel more, so we’ll do that.” AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR Courtesy Beacon Archives Berlatsky, who is no stranger to traveling(commuting from Lansdale for the past ten years), offered some parting advice for Wilkes students. “I always recommend, if possible, that you marry somebody who’s wealthy. That’s a good plan. Neither one of my kids paid attention to that, so that shows what value my advice is, but that’s what I recommend. It’s a good plan.” 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E DECEMBER 4, 2006 12 Book Review Crossword This Week in History The Year’s Best... 13 14 14 15 The Nutcracker dances into the Darte BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Pirouette, pas de deux, arabesque. For many, the “language” of ballet, with all its fluid movement and underlying plots, is indeed a foreign one, and not just because the aforementioned words are French. Regardless of whether an individual danced in the corps with the American Ballet Theatre or simply studied the movie Center Stage with great enthusiasm, there are two words in ballet that are universally understood: The Nutcracker. Signaling the start of the holiday season (in spite of the fact that stores began stocking holiday decorations November 1), Ballet Northeast will present The Nutcracker at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. This production will offer an opportunity for students and the public to view an art that is not often presented on campus, or at least not to this degree. The Nutcracker will feature performances by students Kristin Wempa, Karen Wesolowski, Sara Kasper and Kara Lawson. But that’s not all, because Wempa will be dancing one of the coveted lead roles: the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Wesolowski will be playing multiple parts, including Mirliton and lead mouse. In addition to juggling classes and other activities (Wempa is a pharmacy major and Wesolowski is an elementary education major, while both are dance minors), the students have also rehearsed tirelessly to ensure that this story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a battle against a Mouse King is told to the best of their abilities. “We put a lot of time and effort into [rehearsals], for nearly two months already,” Wesolowski said. Both Wempa and We- solowski did admit, however, that in addition to putting a lot of effort into the rehearsals, the time they spend preparing for the performance is also time they enjoy a great deal. Ballet Northeast is a regional ballet company that has been producing The Nutcracker at the Darte for 23 years. Degnan said that she particularly enjoys the fact that there is a sense of community about The Nutcracker now, since many have participated in the traditional holiday show for over two decades. Founded in 1983 by Kristin Degnan and her late husband Peter Degnan, Ballet Northeast is a non-profit corporation that allows area artists to participate in something about which they are truly passionate. “Ballet Northeast is comprised of dancers from all over the region regardless of studio affiliation to participate in an authenti- cally, professionally staged original work, [such as] The Nutcracker,” Degnan said. Degnan and her late husband also founded the dance program at Wilkes in 1991, and because of the relationship that was created between Ballet Northeast and Wilkes thereafter, Degnan tried to incorporate students from the university who have been classically trained in ballet. Performing in something like The Nutcracker is above and beyond what most students are required to do in the dance program, but it is also an extraordinary opportunity for the young artists. Degnan added, “I think it’s a wonderful ballet because it incorporates artists of all ages.” To experience it firsthand, check out The Nutcracker December 15 at 7:30 p.m., December 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and December 17 at 2:00 p.m. Movie Review: Deck the Halls BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer It seems that every year, around the holiday season, some production company feels the impulse to take a handful of bigname Hollywood stars, slap on some blinking lights, a bad, recycled holiday gimmick and a pinch of Christmas spirit, mix them all together, to create the annual Yuletide box-office flop. This year, unfortunately, is no different. Thanks to the folks at 20th Century Fox, this holiday season the entire family can get together for a night of cringing and sighing as they endure the cliched-jokes, tired sight gags and failed punchlines of Deck The Halls. Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) is an average, everyday semi-dweebie, anal-retentive suburban dad, just trying to give his wife (Kristen Davis) and kids the dependable Christmas traditions he never had as a child. Though his good-hearted attempt at holiday cheer is done with the best of intentions, his family quickly tires of his regimented, matching sweaters for the family photo and the Christmas calendar schedule of events, which plans out each and every day of their holiday season. However, Finch’s position as the neighborhood “Christmas Guy” is suddenly threatened by his new neighbor Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito), a master salesmen sick of the everyday grind, and looking by for something to give his life meaning. Much to the chagrin of Finch, Buddy soon begins a quest to not only usurp his position as the local Christmas expert, but also to make his house so ridiculously bright that it will be seen from outer-space. The shenanigans that ensue will surely be appreciated by all viewers under the age of ten; however as the two begin to compete for role of head-honcho of the holiday, anyone who has passed the third grade will find the humor cornier than, well, corn would be the best way to put it. Some of the better scenes this film has to offer include a botched firework attack on DeVito’s blinding holiday set-up and two horses with antlers duct-taped to their heads towing a screaming Broderick through the town square in a runaway carriage. Though the sheer gawdiness of the Hall household will most likely be the image you will remember most of this film, if you chose to see it, in one funny, yet disturbing scene, a semi-nude Danny Devito attempts to use body heat to warm up a near hypothermic Broderick by zipping them into a sleeping bag. The image of a bare-chested DeVito using soothing tones and the art of massage to calm Matthew Broderick as he screeches in revulsion is one that will stick with you for a long, long time--whether you want it to or not. Now, to be fair, the film makes a decent effort to be cute, heartwarming and funny; however, in the world of holiday movies, there are two categories of films. There are classics such as A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation, which will be watched and enjoyed until the end of time, and there are the movies that will be forgotten as soon as they leave the theater. Unfortunately for Broderick and DeVito, or anyone involved with the film for that matter, Deck The Halls fits into the latter category. Although children will enjoy the film’s attempt at holiday humor, not to mention the elfish Danny DeVito, adults may need to look elsewhere for a film to get them in the Christmas spirit. Grade: A very generous C (‘tis the season) Photos courtesy spettacoli.tiscali.it �DECEMBER 4, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Book Review: Richard Paul Evans’s The Christmas Box BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Staff Writer The only plan in Richard Paul Evans’ mind when he sat down to write The Christmas Box in 1993 was to express in words and on paper the love he felt for his two young daughters so that when they grew up and moved out, they would be reminded of how much he loved them and know how much they truly meant to him. This simple task did not go unappreciated or unnoticed. Later that year, Evans’ The Christmas Box made history when it became the first book ever to simultaneously hold the number one slots of The New York Times Best Sellers paperback and hardcover lists. He had not planned for his first short, simple story to top any lists at all. Nor had he planned for the book to become the driving force and inspiration in founding The Christmas Box International - an organization dedicated to building homes and providing food, warmth and guidance to abused, neglected and lost children everywhere. The story of The Christmas Box warmed hearts all around the world when released almost fourteen years ago and continues to do so today. The story, fictional yet unbelievably realistic, takes place during a cold and snowy Salt Lake City winter. Short on money, Richard, his wife Keri and their four year old daughter Jenna answer the newspaper ad of an elderly widow, MaryAnn, who seeks not only caretakers of her large Victorian mansion, but company as well. During their move into the spacious home just before the Christmas season, Richard stumbles across a marvelously crafted wooden box in the attic and immediately takes a liking and interest in it. He begins to dream of angels and mysterious, calming music and follows the call of the angels back up to attic one night. Old letters to a lost loved one in the Christmas Box, too many hours at !CADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH MENTORING� work, a heart wrenching story from a neighbor and an urgency from MaryAnn for Richard to find the true meaning and first gift of Christmas allows Richard an answer to the secrets that MaryAnn has been hiding from them and an understanding of the human soul and a parent’s love for their children. In my opinion, The Christmas Box is a must read (and a must have!). It is short, simple and magical. Everyone should be getting into the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of giving and this is just the book to help you do so. Whether you are older or younger, a parent or a child, The Christmas Box will touch your heart and provide you with a message or moral that I am sure you will always cherish. Grade: A+ Photo courtesy www.fantasticfiction.co.uk $EAN�!LLEN�WAS�THE�lRST�PERSON�)�MET�AT�7ILKES� h)�M�INTERESTED�IN�3TUDENT�'OVERNMENT��!S�IT�TURNED�OUT��HE�WAS�OUR�ADVISOR��(E� HELPED�ME�ADJUST�TO�SCHOOL��)�THINK�OF�MYSELF�AS�A�LEADER�AND�)�WANT�TO�MODEL�MY� LEADERSHIP�SKILLS�AFTER�HIM��(E�S�A�PERSON�YOU�CAN�CONlDE�IN�AND�LOOK�UP�TO�AND�THAT� MAKES�THE�7ILKES�EXPERIENCE�EVEN�BETTER� " w WILKES UNIVERSITY 6Y^T�i_eb�]U^d_b� %XPERIENCE�7ILKES�5NIVERSITY�S�INTIMATE�LEARNING�ENVIRONMENT� SUPPORTED�BY�FACULTY�MENTORS��AND�LEARN�MORE�ABOUT�OUR����MAJORS�INCLUDING�� "IOLOGY��"USINESS��)NTEGRATIVE�-EDIA��.URSING��4EACHER�%DUCATION��AND�0HARMACY� �*UNIOR��#ANDICE�AND�$EAN�OF�3TUDENT�!FFAIRS��-ARK�!LLEN� ggg�gY\[Uc�UTe�l�!�( �G9<;5C�E �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Crossword Puzzle BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent 1 6 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 29 32 34 35 36 38 39 42 43 44 45 47 48 49 51 ACROSS Tree remnant after logging Government detectives Aids in a crime Pertaining to the moon Aural organ Glycerin prefix Bring together Boxer Muhammad ____ Shades of storm clouds Common subway mammal Involved with excessively Has nine lives Stereotyped expression Screw up Vital force in Taoism Periods of time Twin brother of Jacob Abrade by rubbing Venomous snake of antiquity Common December words Shred of cloth Bread baking ingredient Person regarded with admiration December 24th and 31st for example “____ we there yet” Make amends, as for a crime Addams family uncle Words spoken at the altar 52 55 58 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 22 23 26 27 Leader who excites people to action Electronics maker Larceny Genetic stuff Style of speaking peculiar to a people Wedding day walkway All Hallow’s Eve mo. Small new world lizard Aquatic mammal, can be found in PA Not he Make delayed DOWN Inebriated speech mistake Popular food and game fish Group that is part of a whole Material at the entrance of a house Concern with before Large dinner A bundle of hay Colored portion of the eye Heaven occupant One under par About when you get somewhere Attempt Distress signal “____ humbug!” X-files genre Childs drawing implement To bother or annoy This Week in History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by the History Club. December 4 1991: Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity. December 5 1945: At 2:10 p.m., five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 take off from the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-hour training mission. Flight 19 was scheduled to take them due east for 120 miles, north for 73 miles, and then back over a final 120-mile leg that would return them to the naval base. They never returned. Although naval officials maintained that the remains of the six aircraft and 27 men were not found because stormy weather destroyed the evidence, the story of the “Lost Squadron” helped cement the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the Atlantic Ocean where ships and aircraft are said to disappear without a trace. December 6 1884: On this day in 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers placed a nine-inch aluminum pyramid atop a tower of white marble, completing the construction of an impressive monument to the city’s namesake and the nation’s first president, George Washington. December 7 1941: At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appeared out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II. December 8 1980: John Lennon, a former member of the Beatles, the rock group that transformed popular music in the 1960s, was shot and killed by an obsessed fan in New York City. 28 29 30 31 32 33 36 37 40 41 42 46 48 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 63 Clairvoyance Act properly Native Americans originally from Missouri Hit lightly Selected Stop To burn Article presenting the opinion of the publisher 2000,2001,2002, etc… Busy activity Sports official, for short To prevent or put down Gator____ sports drink To come in Enraged Cons opposite 1/36th of a yard Violent public disorder Nat King ____ Said at the end of a prayer Ultimate principle of the universe Strike New York time zone CSI find DECEMBER 4, 2006 Answers 11.20.06 The 40-year-old artist was entering his luxury Manhattan apartment building when Mark David Chapman shot him four times at close range with a .38-caliber revolver. Lennon, bleeding profusely, was rushed to the hospital but died en route. Chapman had received an autograph from Lennon earlier in the day and voluntarily remained at the scene of the shooting until he was arrested by police. December 9 1987: In the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip, the first riots of the Palestinian intifada, or “shaking off” in Arabic, began one day after an Israeli truck crashed into a station wagon carrying Palestinian workers in the Jabalya refugee district of Gaza, killing four and wounding 10. Gaza Palestinians saw the incident as a deliberate act of retaliation against the killing of a Jew in Gaza several days before, and on December 9 they took to the streets in protest, burning tires and throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli police and troops. At Jabalya, an Israeli army patrol car fired on Palestinian attackers, killing a 17-year-old and wounding 16 others. The next day, crack Israeli paratroopers were sent into Gaza to quell the violence, and riots spread to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This marked the formal beginning of the intifada, December 10 1901: The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The ceremony came on the fifth anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and other high explosives. In his will, Nobel directed that the bulk of his vast fortune be placed in a fund in which the interest would be “annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” Although Nobel offered no public reason for his creation of the prizes, it is widely believed that he did so out of moral regret over the increasingly lethal uses of his inventions in war. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http:// www.history.com/tdih.do. Courtesy of photo.peoples.ru �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Year’s Best Sights and Sounds BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO & MARISSA PHILLIPS A&E Editor & A&E Asst. Editor CDs are always a popular gift for the holiday season, but it’s sometimes hard to keep up with all of the new music releases. Along with that, it’s hard to determine whether a new artist’s release will end up being a hit or something quite horrifying until you actually purchase the CD. While it’s impossible to encompass all genres, here’s a simple gift guide for some of the best CDs of the season. Hellogoodbye - Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! This is perhaps one of the most fun albums of the year. This band offers quirky electronic vocals, poppy synth beats and lyrics that’ll make you fall in love with, well, love. It’s a fun, energetic, feel-good album that you can’t really help but smile while listening to. Justin Timberlake - Futuresex / Love sounds Everybody’s favorite former N’Sync member is back with his second release. A great gift for any pop fan, but bear in mind that it’s a rather sexually charged album, and contains explicit lyrics. The album is a definite improvement from his first, and he seems to have matured in terms of sound. The album contains a good balance between dance tracks and smooth ballads. Fifth Hour Hero - Not Revenge, Just A Vicious Crush This new release from an often overlooked but highly talented band would make a good gift for most punk fans. The music switches between a male and a female vocalist, which makes for an interesting variety often missing in new punk albums. The group offers a similar sound to Discount and The Lawrence Arms. Jay Z - Kingdom Come One of the top gift picks for hip hop or rap fans. This album comes with an added bonus CD, which includes live performances. Listeners seem to be split on their opinion of the album, but it’s a necessity for fans of Jay Z’s past work. Careful who you buy this for, as it contains explicit lyrics. Oasis - Stop the Clocks Despite the fierce sibling rivalry and lineup changes, Oasis has managed to stay together for more than ten years, and they’ve recently released a greatest hits album to show off their progress. Featuring 20 perfectly-placed tracks, this album encompasses the best of their work from “Definitely Maybe” until “Don’t Believe the Truth.” Not only is this a must-have for any Oasis fan, but it would be a good starting point for anyone looking to try out a new alternative rock band. John Mayer -Continuum This CD makes for quality easy-listening. One of the more anticipated releases of the season, John Mayer returns with smooth sounds and thoughtful lyrics. The songs are simple, yet heartfelt. The Killers - Sam’s Town A must-have for fans of alternative rock. The Killers return with their second album, which features the popular song “When You Were Young.” Overall their sound is similar to that of their first release, but the album features some added diversity in terms of style. The Rat Pack - Christmas With the Rat Pack It just wouldn’t be right to go without throwing at least one Christmas CD in the mix. What better way to bring in the holiday than with Frank, Dean and Sammy? This CD offers a classy twist to the classic songs we hear time and again each year. Outkast - Idle wild Another good choice for hip hop fans would be Outkast’s most recent album, Idlewild. In this album the duo teams up with a number of other well-known artists such as Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Macy Gray, among others. Marie Antoinette Soundtrack For any fans of 80s pop, this is a perfect CD to pick up. This soundtrack features Bow Wow Wow, Adam & the Ants, New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees, among a number of other big 80s names, and throws a few current bands, such as the Strokes, in as well. As an added bonus, you DECEMBER 4, 2006 get all of the classical instrumental tracks from the movie as well. It’s all put together in a double disk set which is sold at around the same price you’d pay for one. Nelly Furtado - Loose In her third release, Nelly Furtado’s sound has evolved a great deal since her debut album. Her songs seem to have taken a bit more of a mainstream turn, and have an added urban edge not found in her past albums. Loose is full of sexy dance tracks with a few easy listening songs, as well as two Latin tracks thrown in the mix. Love Is All - 9 Times That Same Song They’re Swedish, full of energy, and just a little off-beat. The vocals are somewhat reminiscent of old Cyndi Lauper. A gift that would be sure to pleasantly surprise someone who enjoys music that’s a bit far off from the mainstream. With all the great movies released on DVD this year, it can be a bit perplexing trying to figure out which ones are appropriate holiday gifts and which ones are better left for friends and family to buy on their own (such as Another Gay Movie, perhaps). Rest assured, though, that the following cinematic masterpieces will be sure to satisfy just about anyone on the shopping list this season. Walk the Line With a star-studded cast, this retrospective look at the lives of Johnny and June (Carter) Cash is sure to please music afficionados everywhere. Released early this year, Walk the Line features phenomenal performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. The soundtrack is nothing to scoff at, either. March of the Penguins Admittedly, this may seem like a dull movie of epic proportions, but it is actually an interesting and endearing tale suitable for just about anyone who has a heart. Unlike The Silence of the Lambs, this movie is actually about penguins, and includes a well-documented look at the innerworkings of penguin society. Now who would want to exchange that for socks? Just Friends What does Ryan Reynolds plus Amy Smart minus a pizza place equal? Why, the perfect holiday gift, of course! It may not have received critical acclaim, but Just Friends is a feel-good movie that doesn’t require much strenuous thinking. Seeing Ryan Reynolds singing All For One’s “I Swear” is enough of a reason to snatch this one up. Add to that his adorable character’s hilarious mishaps, and there’s no doubt that the recipient of this movie will not be wishing for an electric nose hair trimmer instead. The Devil Wears Prada On Dior and Gucci and Prada and Vuitton! On Chanel and Givenchy and Missoni and Fendi! Just in time for the holidays, The Devil arrives in stores December 12. Anyone who has an interest in fashion will enjoy this flick--and its enviable wardrobe. The story line is pretty interesting, too. If you can’t afford to buy her a pair of Manolos, then you should at least shell out the cash for this DVD. In Her Shoes This film may be the requisite “chick flick” of the bunch, but it is definitely not lacking in substance. Sibling rivalry and tension take the spotlight here, and since there is a happy ending, it’s likely to be a good pick-me-up during the stressful holiday season. Besides, any movie that uses shoes as a metaphor for happiness is a sure thing. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest This movie has it all when it comes to excitement and cinematic panache: pirates, Johnny Depp, action, Johnny Depp, an ending open for interpretation and, oh yeah, Johnny Depp. Enough said. You, Me and Dupree See the movie that started the tabloid rumors. Or, if celebrity gossip isn’t on the top of the priorities list, then buy this for anyone who has ever expressed any hint of a sense of humor. Owen Wilson plays a bachelor who moves in with his newlywed friends and hilarity ensues. If nothing else, finding out what Wilson’s character is able to do with butter will be enough to cause uproarious laughter. Courtesy of sewingnetwork.net �SPORTS 16 Wrestling win at RIT Tournament team effort BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Staff Writer The Wilkes wrestling team finished first at the Rochester Institute of Technology Wrestling Tournament on December 2 with 138.5 points. The Colonel wrestlers featured place finishers in nearly every weight class. Wilkes remained strong in the 125 pound weight class, finishing the tournament with two place winners. Sophomores Felipe Querioz and Shaun Farnham took third and fourth respectively after meeting in the consolation finals. Querioz defeated Farnham by a 2-1 decision. Queroiz explained the tournament win was a team effort. “We all wrestled strong today and were still able to come out on top despite only one champion,” Queroiz said. Sophomore Josh Pauling was the lone Colonel wrestler in the 133 pound weight class. He finished third after winning a 4-0 decision in the consolation finals over Brian Bucher of Baldwin-Wallace College. Junior Adam Penberthy finished fifth in the 141 pound weight class after defeating Damian Rose of Thiel College. Sophomore Erik Smith finished third in the 149 pound MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I weight class after winning a 5-1 decision over the Coast Guard Academy’s Bryan Radik in the consolation finals. Freshman Frank Heffernan put on an impressive showing in the 157 pound weight class. Heffernan finished second in the tournament after losing a close 4-2 decision to the fourth seeded Corey Barber of SUNY Cortland in the championship bout. Heffernan, who defeated the third seed and sixth seed en route to his second place finish, explained, “I knew going into the tournament if I wanted to place, I was going to have to wrestle really good.” In the 165 pound weight class, sophomore Justin Barowski finished third after defeating Steve Bagnowski of John Carroll University 4-2. Senior DJ Giancola finished fourth in the 174 pound weight class after losing in the consolation finals to Bryan Gomez of SUNY Morrisville. Freshman Josh Ballan remained strong in the 184 pound weight class. Ballan finished fourth in the tournament after being defeated by Will Esposito of Johnson and Wales University in the consolation finals. In the 197 pound weight class, senior Brandon Kelly entered the tournament ROWNIE Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 lrvl DECEMBER 4, 2006 The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Wilkes grapplers game in first during their annual trip to the R.I.T Tournament. The Colonels are currently ranked 17th nationwide in Division III wrestling. seeded first. Kelly was undefeated on the the 285 pound weight class. The Wilkes University wrestling team will day and finished first after defeating Phil Archer of SUNY Cortland in the champion- take on rival King’s College on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00 PM. The match will be ship bout. The Colonels did not enter a wrestler into at King’s College. Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am ~\ ~ ... ~ �DECEMBER 4, 2006 SPORTS 17 SENIOR TRIBUTE: COLONELS FOOTBALL 2006 Above: Tom Andreopoulos Stephon Burgette Keith Cavallotti John Darrah Frank Giammarino Right: Mike Ferriero Ryan Yurewicz Rex Harris Tyler Henninger Above: Kevin Keller Dan Luskin Matt Pizarro Anthony Serafin Josh Hurlbutt Left: Bryan Vivaldo Brock Snyder Jim Jordan �SPORTS 18 DECEMBER 4, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Denver Broncos v. San Diego Chargers LaDainian and Company charge into Double Take Denver in a battle for the AFC West Andee examines BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor LaDainian Tomlinson apparently likes to try new things. The San Diego Chargers running back, obviously not content with just running for touchdowns, has decided to start passing for them, too. At this point, it’s only a matter of time before the leading MVP candidate has the entire market cornered on the offensive side of the football, so don’t be surprised if he starts recording sacks, too. But for right now, To m linson will most likely stick to running the ball, at least when he goes up against the Denver Broncos defense, which has been rather adept at stopping an opposing team’s passing game. Tomlinson, who leads the NFL with 24 touchdowns, is a key component in San Diego’s offense, which currently leads the AFC with 1,636 rushing yards. The Chargers can only hope that Tomlinson can keep up his rampant pace, as the game against Denver can very well decide the fate of the AFC West. Another factor in the success of San Diego this season is the man behind the center, quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers, in his third season in the NFL, is perhaps best known for being the player that the New York Giants traded to get first round draft pick Eli Manning after the 2003 draft. That all is likely to change, however, as Rivers is shaping up to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season, ranking in the top ten in yards (2,440), touchdowns (15), and rating (94.5). This season, Rivers’ favorite targets have stop the other team from scoring, as they been wide receivers Antonio Gates and Eric lead the AFC in only allowing 14 touchParker. Gates leads the Chargers with 604 downs this season. Despite giving up over 200 yards a game receiving yards, and Parker is just behind to opposing offenses, which ranks near last him with 518. On the other side of the football, San Di- in the AFC, Denver’s strength comes in the ego has been about average, allowing less redzone, where their ability to limit their than 100 yards on the ground per game, opponents to just a field goal has allowed and just over 200 yards in the air. Their them to win games even when their offense biggest defensive liability this isn’t putting up big numbers. Ultimately, the game is going to come season has been the amount of touchdowns they have down to whether or not Jay Cutler can lead allowed this season the team in the absence of Jake Plummer. If (11), which is the successful, Cutler could transform himself 5th highest in the into a Kurt Warner-esque cult hero of Denver, otherwise he might find himself back AFC. Despite their on the bench before he knows it. The biggest challenge for their defense is perceived defensive shortcom- finding out a way to stop the force that is Laings, the Chargers’ main focus will be put- Dainian Tomlinson. Even if they manage to stop the running game, ting pressure on Denver’s Tomlinson can turn quarterback, Jay Cutler. a defense on Cutler, who will be startits head by ing just his second career using game against San Diego, was slated to be the starting quarterback in lieu of Jake Plummer, who has struggled this season and has one of the lowest quarterback ratings in the AFC, and was benched by head coach Mike Shanahan after a week 12 loss to Kansas City. Cutler, who D E V was Denver’s first round draft pick, definitely more than his feet. For San Diego, the key to the game lies has some big shoes to fill, as this game could make or break the in giving the ball to Tomlinson and just letting him excel at what he does best: scoring Broncos’ season. Cutler definitely has his work touchdowns. In the end, there are only four weeks of cut out for him, but luckily has a good set of wide receivers to help football left in the season, so this one game could literally mean everything to the Bronhim out. Newly acquired wide receiver cos. Javon Walker leads the Broncos with 854 yards and 6 touchdowns, The pick: while veteran Rod Smith always provides San Diego 28 a set of great hands that could be worth six Denver 10 points. If there is one part of their game that Denver can feel confident in, it’s their ability to BRONCOS the stats that truly matter... BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor “He’s making a list” reads the San Diego Chargers’ website. Along with which it has a cute little picture of Santa Claus. Now, I know that Santa and football are not mutually exclusive, or heck, even related, but you’d think with this time of year the Denver Broncos could do something to have a little spirit for the holiday season. This will be my last Double Take of the academic year, and I’ve noticed most of you don’t understand that it’s completely tongue-in-cheek. However, I will tell you that, as usual, this predication will have nothing to do with the Game of the Week, but rather with what bogus statistic I can come up with. This week, I’m mad because Santa is on hiatus on Denver’s website. You’d think with an NFL team, Christmas or any holiday spirit would be evidently apparent, but such is not so. Denver is clearly selfish. Kind of like my ex, as a matter of fact. My ex liked the Broncos. Thus, I sort of relate the two in terms of selfishness. I’d say out of all my ex did to make me angry, nothing was as bad as putting cute St. Nicholas in the closet and pretending Christmas is not among us. The Chargers, along with Santa, display pictures of fans holding signs. What a wonderful community-based football team. It must be the nice weather out there in San Diego. The Broncos clearly don’t care about their fans, because they are selfish. What can I say? I hate selfish people. I’m totally all about the kids and the Christmas spirit. Bah humbug, Broncos. You are making my holiday season dismal and grey. Put some animated flash lights on your website, because you need some Christmas cheer. Go Chargers! �SPORTS DECEMBER 4, 2006 19 BASKETBALL from PAGE 20 season in 2002-03. Reed moved on to become the Crusaders coach last year, and guided the team to a 14-12 record. The Crusaders are playing solid basketball, winning four of their first five games, holding their opponents to only 44.4 points per game, while averaging 62.2 points per contest. With the Colonels putting up exactly 64 points a game, this might prove to be an intense game with a close finish. Team captain Lacey Andresen, who is posing a three point threat this season with a total of 10 from behind the arch, will look to assist her team to a big win over the Crusaders. Andresen believes that “in order for us to be able to beat Susquehanna, we need to play our game and work on all of the little details that we work on each day in practice. We have been stressing defense the most, and I believe that if we can step up our defensive game and shut down some of their key returning players that they have, we should definitely be able to win this game. Defense is all about heart and our team has a lot of it. It’s just a matter of us stepping on the court and working hard for a full 40 minutes.” Let’s get ready to rumble as the Lady Colonels go on the road looking for a big win against Susquehanna University on December 9th. “For us to beat Coach Reed, it would mean a lot. Its like playing a big rival for us juniors and even the sophomores. Especially since they beat us last year we really want our revenge,” stated Andresen. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Randi Corbo shoots a short jumper just outside of the paint in last week’s win over Lycoming. WEEKEND RECAPS Men’s Basketball Delaware Valley College raced out to a 16-point halftime lead and then held off several surges by Wilkes University in the second half to earn a 77-66 Freedom Conference men’s basketball win over the Colonels on Saturday. The Aggies, who snapped a four-game losing streak, improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Wilkes saw their records fall to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Kable had 19 points and a pair of assists for Wilkes. Tom Kresge contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Kline finished the day with a double-double after popping in 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He was also credited with five assists and three blocked shots. Women’s Basketball The Beacon/Todd Weibel Sophomore forward Steve Kline goes for the dunk in the Colonels’ win over Lycoming College. The men fell to Delaware over the weekend to drop their record to 2-1 overall. 19 The number of points Jeremy Kable had in Saturday’s loss at Delaware Valley. The Colonels saw their record drop to 2-1. Delaware Valley College used a run early in each half to pull away for an 86-66 Freedom Conference women’s basketball win over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon. The Aggies improved to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while the Lady Colonels fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Andresen finished with 12 points and four steals for the Lady Colonels, who held a 57-47 rebounding edge in the game. Perestam ended the night with nine points and nine boards, while Kelly Patchell chipped in with eight points and 10 rebounds. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 1 The place that the Wilkes grapplers took at the R.I.T. tournament over the weekend out of 15 other teams involved in the match. 12 Number of points for Lacey Andresen in Saturday’s Freedom Conference game against Delaware Valley College. 17 The ranking of the Wilkes wrestling team in nationwide D3 polls. �Sports DECEMBER 4, 2006 20 Preview of the Week: Women’s Basketball vs. Susquehanna BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor When it comes to basketball, there is no sweeter joy than to beat a team or coach that you once played for. The passion to win, the hustle for every loose ball, the screaming of rowdy fans who understand the nature of the game is pure excitement throughout the entire gym. Neither side would like to succumb to a loss, and will be leaving their soul on the court until there is no time left on the clock. The Lady Colonels will be no stranger to that type of intense game as they take on former head coach Jim Reed and the Susquehanna Crusaders this Saturday. “This is not just any other game, because the girls want to show that they are a good program, and I think the first type of people they want to show that to is people that know them. Coach Reed recruited some of them, so he knows the type of players they are, and it’s good to show him how well they’re playing,” said Lady Colonels head coach Rachel Emmerthal. The Lady Colonels enter the contest with an overall 3-2 record and 1-1 in the MAC Freedom Conference, losing to Delaware Valley this past Saturday and posting a huge home win against Lycoming. In the Lady Colonels’ first conference game against the Lycoming Warriors they played hard and came away with a 75-67 victory. The Lady Colonels led by only two at the half, but thanks to a balanced scoring attack, which included a bench contribution of 20 points, the team managed to outscore the Warriors 43-37 in the second half. In the Lady Colonels’ second conference game, they came up short by twenty against the Delaware Valley Aggies. The Lady Colonels trailed by twelve at the half and never recovered, suffering a heartbreaking 86-66 defeat. Their balanced attack of stiff defense and dispersed scoring has been the reason for the team’s success thus far. The Lady Colonels have three of their five starters averaging nearly ten points per game to go along with leading scorer Randi Corbo’s 13.8 points per game. The team has also been causing problems on the defensive end, piling up just over eight steals and clearing the boards for 43.9 rebounds per game. “Our success can be attributed to the fact that the girls have a lot of desire to become better, and to do a lot of the little things that help win, and it shows on the court,” said Emmerthal. The Lady Colonels will be looking to bring that hard work to the table and snatch a win from Susquehanna University. Leading the Crusaders is former Wilkes head coach Jim Reed. During Reed’s four years as head coach, he has compiled a total record of 27-71, which includes a 12-13 See BASKETBALL page 19 The Beacon/Todd Weibel Junior guard, Randi Corbo heads for a layup in the Colonel’s 75-67 win over visiting Lycoming College last week. . . . .· Campus Calendar, Monday 12/4 *Zebra Communications “Make Change for the Holiday” Salvation Army Kettle Drive Campaign, HSC Lobby - 11:00 a.m. Thursday 12/7 *Women’s basketball @ Misericordia - 7:00 p.m. *Jazz Orchestra Concert, DDD - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday 12/5 *Zebra Communications “Make Change for the Holiday” Salvation Army Kettle Drive Campaign, HSC Lobby - 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. (in the Marts Center) *Women’s basketball @ Elmira - 7:00 p.m. *Men’s basketball @ Susquehanna - 8:00 p.m. Friday 12/8 *Men’s basketball vs. Clarkson - 7:00 p.m. *Civic Band Concert, DDD 8:00 p.m. Wednesday 12/6 *Zebra Communications “Make Change for the Holiday” Salvation Army Kettle Drive Campaign, HSC Lobby - 11:00 a.m. *Wrestling @ King’s - 7:00 p.m. Sunday 12/10 *Chorus/Chamber Singers Concert, First Presbyterian Church - 3:00 p.m. Saturday 12/9 *Women’s basketball @ Susquehanna - 1:00 p.m. *Civic Band Concert, DDD 8:00 p.m. Monday 12/11 Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH *Last day of fall semester classes *Final begin this evening Tuesday 12/12 *Finals Wednesday 12/13 *Finals Thursday 12/14 *Finals Friday 12/15 *Finals Saturday 12/16 *Finals *Women’s basketball @ PSUHarrisburg - 1:00 p.m. *Men’s basketball @ PSU-Harrisburg - 3:00 p.m. Sunday 12/17 *Finals This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. There was no winner last week. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2006 December 4th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 December 4 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/b3e5d3ef04a957d04fc0945a7fc549c1.pdf 186f2eeb5a28d1e5b2f02bc19a3a176d PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 12 www.wilkesbeacon.com JANUARY 29, 2007 Two candidates for Provost decline to continue in search Search committee to return to pool of finalists for interviews BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor “We are sorry to announce that two of the three finalists for the Provost position have informed us this week that they will not be continuing in our search.” In a statement released to the Wilkes community on January 23, Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs and the Chair of the Provost Search Committee, explained the loss of two final candidates to the Provost search on the same day that another had the chance to make a first impression. The search, which began last year after former Provost Dr. Maravene Loeschke announced she had accepted the presidency at Mansfield University, was nearing its final stages. After an applicant pool of 46 potential candidates, a committee consisting of administration, faculty, and students, had narrowed the list to eight that they interviewed off campus. From that pool, three final candidates were extended invitations for full campus interviews. Dr. Carol Zajac of the Northeast Center of Empire State College of the State University of New York, and Dr. York Bradshaw of the University of South Carolina Upstate were chosen as two final candidates in the Provost search. However, according to Adams, Zajac decided to accept a similar position at another institution and Bradshaw “has decided to withdraw from all of his searches so he can remain in his current position to pursue an extraordinary opportunity that recently presented itself.” Even with the loss of two finalists, Adams remained optimistic. “The search committee believes it has a rich pool of candidates. When we traveled to Philadelphia in December to conduct our neutral-site interviews we met eight outstanding educators. While two candidates we invited to campus have now declined our invitation because of other opportunities, we are delighted with the candidates that remain in our pool,” he said. See PROVOST page 5 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, who is a current Dean at Salisbury University in Maryland, spends time answering questions in an open forum held January 23. The two other finalists scheduled for interviews this month withdrew from the process. Centrally located Student Services office up and running Students recognize time-saving benefits and some resistance to change BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Correspondent Time is of the utmost importance in today’s society. With the institution of the newly opened One-Stop-Shop, the university has introduced a new and innovative way to combine the administrative offices here on Wilkes campus. The concept is based on the idea that students can have all of their needs met with a visit to just one building, saving students a lot of time. Although the informal name, One-Stop Shop, may make students think that there is a mini market somewhere on campus, it has caught on as an identifier for the services offered all under one roof. “Actually, we are trying to get away from the ‘One-Stop Shop’ [name] and would like to be referred to as Wilkes Student Services. To me, Student Services is the one place where a student can get help with any registrar, financial aid, or student accounts related question or problem instead of having to go from office to office,” said Margaret Zellner, Operations Manager for Student Services. The idea of the locating all primary student services operations under one umbrella was first introduced last fall when Zellner and Pam Fendrock, both Operation Managers for Student Services were tasked with implementing a plan to centralize the daily services most needed among students. Then referred to as the One-Stop Shop, the central location was housed in the UCOM building on Main Street and has been open for business since the first week of spring semester. “I was very pleased with the way we handled our first big test, opening week of spring semester. We have worked very hard from December 4 to make sure we would be able to accommodate the traffic and make sure the students were serviced to the best of our ability,” said Zellner. See SERVICES page 4 In This Issue... Pan ama * , he Page 9 re w Page e co me! * Darfur 12 u VS. PAGE 18 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS JANUARY 29, 2007 2 Open Air Outreach Riverfront Wilkes Portal Break-Ins 2 3 3 4 Street corner evangelists target Wilkes community Open Air Outreach calls on students to repent in public forum BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Stop sinning! Repent and believe in Jesus! Those were Jesse Morrell’s and Jeffrey Olver’s messages last week as they exercised their freedom of speech rights across the street from the Henry Student Center building. Members of a sect of the Protestant-based Open Air Outreach (OOA) program, Olver worked a digital camera as Morrell preached, often screaming to a crowd of about 40 Wilkes students who braved the cold weather to hear what the duo had to say on pre-marital sex, homosexuality and the use of alcohol. “You have to laugh at it,” said junior Stephanie McMahon. “You have to take it as a joke just because of how blinded they are.” According to the website www. openairoutreach.com, OOA’s mission is “to work through biblical methods of evangelism to bring the message of eternal life to a dying world.” Traveling full-time, the duo goes from campus to campus nationwide calling on students to repent of their sins and restore their faith in Christ. The duo has proclaimed the “good word” in ten states, three countries and 25 campuses in the past semester alone, including George Mason University, the University of Toronto and the University of Arkansas. They have also been featured on a local ABC affiliate in Texas and made appearances on various radio shows. The Beacon/ Nick Zmijewski Jesse Morrell from Open Air Outreach preaches to students at Wilkes University, in attempts “. . . to bring the message of eternal life to a dying world.” While some students made a mockery out of the group’s efforts, others were downright offended. English professor Phyllis Weliver was making her way across the cross-walk when Morrell shouted to a student, “Only Jesus Christ can save the drunken Wilkes student,” before screaming, “Only Jesus Christ can save the promiscuous sorority girl.” “I felt that it was wrong that he characterized our university in these terms and that he was offensive to students,” she said. “Stating a creed or a personal belief in a respectful way is one thing, I believe, but it’s another thing to infringe on others’ liberties through insulting comments and harassment. Moreover, the preacher’s assumptions were in both cases completely erroneous: the student was not drunk and I am a faculty member.” Public Safety officials and a representative of the Wilkes-Barre police department requested that the duo leave; however, they also acknowledged that as long as the evangelists stayed off school property they were within their First Amendment rights. The OOA representatives obeyed. Upon leaving for Virginia State University, Olver said, “It’s our prayer that Wilkes University students would hear the message of the gospel and that they would be tolerant enough to hear the word of God and really examine their hearts and their world views to see if it really logically works and that they repent from their sins and trust in Jesus for salvation.” “Especially all of the lesbians on campus,” Morrell added. Open Air Outreach’s campus visit is featured at www.openairoutreach.com. Olver’s video footage will also be placed on YouTube this week, tag line Open Air Outreach campus preaching. ve a s an t.” c t s i en r d h u C es st s u es Wilk J l y l n n e rrel treach o k O “ un se M ir Ou s r e d J en A the p O B E ACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �JANUARY 29, 2007 NEWS 3 Riverfront plans advance as trees along dike are destroyed Plans for new varieties of trees meet with mixed reactions BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor The land along the once green dike on River Street directly across from Wilkes and King’s campuses used to boast vibrant colonies of maple, oak and Japanese cherry trees. But because of advances in the riverfront development initiative, that space has recently been transformed into a desolate wasteland of broken roots and yellow Komatsu excavators. Nearly 100 trees were flagged and evaluated by Luzerne County urban forester Vincent Cotrone to make way for the new Riverfront project. According to his evaluation of 154 trees roughly 50 years of age, 74 suffered from internal decay and cavities, 16 were in hazardous condition and nine were written off as completely dead. According to Cotrone, if left alone, the trees posed a serious threat to passersby through the park as well as vehicles on River Street. “Vinnie is a very confident and competent forester,” said Wilkes University biology professor Dr. Michael Steele. “He has indicated that many of the trees were diseased, and if he says they are, then I believe him.” But cutting down the trees has drawn some concern for various reasons. One worry is the effect on wildlife, particularly squirrels that make their homes in nest cavities and hollow trunks of the decaying maples. Steele, whose research in Kirby Park on the grey squirrel was featured on Animal Planet’s Most Extreme, addressed the issue. “The impact on the animals was minimal,” he said. “They cut [the trees] at the beginning of the breeding season, so their young were not affected. Any females that were pregnant would most likely move on and find another nest,” he said. Though not overly concerned with the loss of squirrel habitat, Steele questioned the proposed mix of native species with several non-natives, which is apparent on the new planting list. “Some of the trees they listed absolutely should not be planted. Most of the species they listed were native species, and that’s the only thing they should be planting. It’s absolutely misguided to plant non-native species with all the problems we have with invasives. It’s a bad reflection on the community,” he said. One of the trees on the list that Steele questions is the gingko, a tree from pre-historic times whose seeds produce a fetid odor when they rot. Community members are perhaps most familiar with the gingko’s presence if they’ve walked by Evans Hall or Riverside Drive in the spring. However, Wilkes botanist Dr. Kenneth Klemow indicated that only the female species of gingkos produce such an odor, and when he reviewed the species list, concluded that only males will be planted along the River The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski This Komatsu excavator unearths dead and decaying roots left over from the 100 plus trees that were removed along South River Street to make way for the new Riverfront Development project. “The number of specimens that I had access Common. Overall, he found nothing that he to is a lot less than what I had 15 years ago. believed to be overly invasive. “Ginko [trees] have been around for many, What I’m seeing here is a species that will many decades. And even though they are not really add to my ability to teach botany and a native species, they’re fairly well estab- in fact I can foresee now being able to easily have a session in which we walk around and lished around here,” he said. Klemow noted that the species diversity in look at these trees and have a really meanthis planting will be a lot higher than what ingful session in walking distance,” he said with a smile. was previously available, which will be all the better for his botany classes. New technology portal aims to centralize computer uses BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Correspondent A typical day for a Wilkes student requires a technologically savvy attitude. To check an e-mail account one must log in. To check on transcripts one must log in again. To search the library database for an article, one must log in yet again. However, with the institution of a new Wilkes University portal system, a universal login and personalized home page will allow students easy access to all of those services and potentially more. The concept of a portal system in higher education has been in discussion for almost ten years, and for Wilkes University the last two years. In order to successfully institute the portal Wilkes has members of specific teams working on different areas of the portal which includes a content team, policy team, administration team, and the greater project committee as well as a group of students. The design in mind for the Wilkes University portal is similar to the Colorado State Univeristy portal and looks like a typical web page. Names for the portal were proposed by Student Government (SG) in the fall 2006 semester and include, “Wilkes Your Way,” “World Wide Wilkes,” and the most popular “My Wilkes;” however, no definite name has been determined. With the portal in place, all of Wilkes University’s services for faculty and students will be accessible with one single login. Christopher Bailey, director of campus support services, said, “The portal will act as the main entrance for all university services.” Each page of the portal will be unique to that specific user whether he or she is a faculty member or a student. Dr. Donald Mencer, associate professor of chemistry and faculty member of the portal team said, “The portal will be customized as a student or faculty page with channels built in for each person. It will recognize you when you log in and your information will appear.” These channels can include clubs a student belongs to as well as announcements for specific majors and minors students can create, while other channels exist for student services. “Some channels will be locked, like student services,” added Mencer. Bailey added, “As new channels come on we can make them available to everyone. Students can also have unique personalized announcements.” One of the main purposes of the new portal is to increase efficiency in communication across campus. “The portal is designed for our own community to communicate,” said Bailey. “It is a major shift in technology most major institutions have to separate internal and external communication.” See PORTAL page 5 Bartikows!9' Jewelers WILKES UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FACULTY STAFF Receive a 15% discount ...on a new purchase at Bartikowsky Jewelers when you present your: MOVIES 14 Ticket Stub AND This Ad * Not Valid On Sale Merchandise, Special Orders, or Combined With Other Discounts * �NEWS JANUARY 29, 2007 SERVICES from FRONT PAGE Naturally, the challenges of centralizing all major student services have been significant. Employees have simultaneously worked to learn new duties while also serving students and faculty at the beginning of the semester. Some students openly acknowledge the advantages to being able to add or drop a class, pay a bill and check on financial aid while also picking up a bagel and coffee for breakfast all within the same 20 feet. But there are some who also miss the intimacy of the old and familiar offices. Raquel Wheby, junior communication studies and psychology double major, noted, “I think that the one-stopshop has much potential. However, many times I noticed that there aren’t enough workers there to help the students, and it seems like there is much more of a hierarchy because sometimes the ladies at the front desk either don’t know everything because it is still new, or they need to speak with someone in a higher position to help you.” Dana Lehman, junior, communication studies major, says, “The One-Stop Shop has an office feel, where you check-in with the secretaries and wait to be dealt with or talked to by department individuals.” She added, “At first, I had a negative attitude about the One-Stop Shop because I like the personal relationships and one-on-one attention in the different departments, [but] I have to admit the convenience of dealing with multiple issues at once is a plus.”While efficiency is a plus for most, some question whether a personal touch could be lost in the new design. “As a student here at Wilkes for the past four years I have witnessed various changes in both personnel and in- frastructure. I assume Wilkes is making these changes with best intentions, but truth be told I am not convinced all these changes are making things easier. As I see it--and I am no expert-one stop shop is more like a one stop flop. In the hopes of making things more efficient I think Wilkes, or certain members who represent the best interests of Wilkes, have chosen economics over the personal touch a small university should have,” says Aaron Pascoe, senior psychology and philosophy double major. “Overall, I think that there is a mix of support and dislike among the student body, but also I noticed that some, including myself at times, have a little hard time adjusting to this and other changes at the university, even if all the changes have good intentions. Sometimes it seems like too much is changing too fast and we [the student body] don’t always have enough time to soak it all in and re-group our thoughts,” added Wheby. But the reality of the day-to-day operations have generally been smooth and without major 4 incident. “Students that we interact with seemed to be very happy with the new setup, and like the idea that they only had to go to one place to get answers to their questions or get problems resolved. We’ve tried to get the Student Services name out there. OneStop was the ‘working’ title when this project first started, but Student Services better reflects the concept we’re trying to create. Hopefully students will read this article and realize where we are and that we are trying to make their lives easier not only by handling their needs in one area, but also by instructing them to help themselves by using the self-service area of the website. We welcome feedback from students, faculty or staff so we can address any concerns, or entertain any suggestions for improvement,” concluded Zellner. When students are away, thieves will play ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Luckily, at Wilkes University students do not have to worry about crimes like the ones the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia has to put up with over winter break, which included “one murder and four major robberies” according to The Daily Pennsylvanian. However, Wilkes community members did have to put up with two cases of breaking and entering on two separate occasions over winter break. Major breaks in school schedules often signal opportunity for would-be criminals. The first break-in occurred on Tuesday, December 26, 2006, at the Max Roth Center. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski President Gilmour speaks inside Einstein Bros. Bagels located in the UCOM building. Free coffee, bagels, and merchandise were given out at the bagel cafe’s Grand opening Wednesday morning. According to reports provided by Public Safety, an employee came to work on December 28 to check for a fax and when the employee went to her office the door was “opened and damaged” and the employee’s laptop was missing. After making a close inspection of the building there appeared to be six office doors forced open with a fire extinguisher, and two missing laptops. The point of entry appeared to be a rear basement door that was forced opened. A second break-in occurred at the Miner-Moat House, which houses the human resources offices, on January 1, 2007. In that incident a person tore off a screen and broke a window. After a search that day, it did not appear that anything was missing. Reports indicated, however, that there may be a connection to a robbery that occurred at approximately the same time at Creative Printing. Chief of Police Gerlad Dessoye of WilkesBarre said that, “This occurrence is still being explored.” In addition, The Beacon has learned of several break-ins in off-campus housing and some in cars around campus over the break; however, these reports could not be confirmed by official reports. According to Dessoye, the Wilkes property is patrolled by Wilkes security and the WilkesBarre police department patrols the streets. He added that the police patrol on campus during break as much as they do when school is in session. A call to King’s College security indicated there were no break-ins reported there over the winter break. For students who are concerned for their property, Dessoye suggested some tips for how to keep belongings safe, “In the case of vehicles, you should not keep anything valuable visible from the outside. Students should also be care- ful who they allow inside their apartments, as strangers, or ‘friends of a friend,’ could potentially scan your belongings for valuables.” The Beacon/ Todd Weibel Laptops were stolen from the Max Roth Center on December 26, 2006. The robbers entered through the rear basement door that they forced open. �JANUARY 29, 2007 PROVOST from FRONT PAGE The first of those candidates, Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, spent the early part of last week visiting Wilkes and getting to know the campus. In addition to attending small group meetings with various groups of faculty, students, and administrators, O’Rourke, who is the current Dean of the Fulton School of Liberal Arts at Salisbury University in Maryland, had the opportunity to lead a question and answer open forum that was attended by over 50 people. O’Rourke opened the forum with a humorous baseball story that played on the terms “amphibeous” and “ambidextrous” noting, “I’ve had an amphibeous academic career. I’ve held a series of positions that typically involve on-campus work as a faculty member and a considerable amount of outreach work... I’m comfortable with the combination of the campus community roles that the Provost assumes. I anticipate that I would be comfortable with the amphibeous role of Provost because the Provost PORTAL from PAGE 3 and external communication.” Students will also be able to create groups such as those available on sites like Facebook.com. With the new portal students will also be able to upload photos, files and message each other. Christine Seitzinger, associate director of marketing communications said, “For example, if students participated in a biology conference and took pictures they would traditionally upload them to sites like myspace.com or the facebook.com. Now they can upload them on here [portal].” With the efficiency of the new portal many wonder what will happen to the existing Wilkes website. Seitzinger said, “The portal will bring the website back to a marketing tool for prospective students. The information on the website won’t go away; it [the portal] will just make it all in one place with one log in. It will make it much easier.” The success of the portal will be measured in how users use the NEWS 5 represents the administration to proposed and voted against at his would gain three hours of time to stitution to know all about Wilkes, the faculty and, in turn, represents home institution, but is still being be spent in innovation and more but I do expect them to take the relevant time towards research. time to learn what is unique about the faculty to the administration... researched. “A great appeal of coming to this university,” said Elmes-Cra“Courses are elevated from three I’m ready to be amphibeous.” When asked if he would come in credits to four credits with the un- Wilkes is that Wilkes can chart hall. Adams said that the search comand want to immediately change derstanding that the fourth credit its own future... I prefer indepenthe university, O’Rourke said, “I would be accomplished not by ex- dence. My style is to be a demo- mittee is going back to its pool of think I want to come out against tra time in the classroom, but usu- cratic person and to involve peo- candidates and that the commitchange for the sake of change. ally by an intensified curriculm so ple in the operations, to tell people tee is working on new interview Does the campus need to schedules. He said the search change? I would say yes. Is committee will continue to folthere some urgency about that? low its established practice of anI would say yes. If you want to nouncing a candidate’s visit five to A great appeal of coming to Wilkes is that get better students you have to seven days beforehand and make Wilkes can chart its own future... I prefer find a way to enlarge the aptheir curriculum vitae available to plication base and to anticipate independence. the campus electronically. that you are facing an everAdams acknowledged how the more competitive climate from loss of two of the top three canDr. Timothy O’Rourke other institutions.” didates will effect the search. “InWilkes University Provost Candidate “...I think if I have a strength stead of having a decision by the it is stepping into unique situmiddle of February, I think we ations, making an assessment may be delayed by about 10 days. of possibilities where the orgaWe believe our schedule is still nization needs to go and then ahead of the other Provost searchmoving ahead. Clearly I have alot that students would read more dif- what I know and to get their best es being held around the country,” to learn and I would do that,” con- ficult material. They might have advice,” said O’Rourke. he said. While a number of faculty in to do a more difficult, demanding tinued O’Rourke. “Candidates who apply for posiAfter tackling such issues as di- research assignment, more online attendance declined to comment tions such as this are typically in versity, library rennovations, and work, or a community engage- how they personally felt about multiple searches and it is not unO’Rourke’s ideas and his capabili- expected or unusual that we would adult learning, O’Rourke elabo- ment project,” said O’Rourke. O’Rourke explained, “I see this ties as a Provost, Dr. Jane Elmes- have finalists leave our search rated on a possible outlook for faculty course loads that is based being primarily an intensification Crahall, professor of communi- when they are presented with othupon a plan that was recently of the academic curriculum to cation studies and an expert in er opportunities that better fit their elevate the expectations of stu- rhetoric, gave her opinion on his situations,” said Adams. portal. “The will be an aggres- dents and, ultimately, to elevate speech and how he presented himHowever, Adams reassured, sive outreach to students and to the preparation of our students for self to the Wilkes community. “The Search Committee and our train the faculty to use the portal their careers or graduate schools. “I thought he conveyed his per- consultant remain enthusiastic the right way,” said Seitzinger. However, it does have the benefit sonal experience as a teacher, re- about our process and the caliber “We’re open in communicating of streamlining the faculty work- searcher, and especially as a Dean of our candidates.” about the portal’s progress and loads.” well. I really didn’t get a sense for will have progress reports availHe described that the typical what he thought about Wilkes or able. Some groups will get to use faculty member would be teaching our specific concerns. I don’t exthe pilot portal by mid February as three courses rather than four and pect a candidate from another inthe teams continue to work on the ~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~~~ portal throughout the spring and summer with a full deployment ~ --~ for the Fall 2007 semester.” Dr. Sid Halsor, professor of en~ ~ vironmental engineering and earth l\lfll5 . PS2 science said, “I’m looking forward ~ JJIJJ XBOX ~ to testing the pilot portal later this spring semester. I think it will be NINTENDO a very useful tool that will enable all of us, students, staff and faculty, to retrieve information more efficiently.” For students who wish to see an example of a portal log onto Colo~ ~ rado State University’s at http:// rampoint.colostate.edu. Sundance Vacations Inc -Sports/ Event Marketing! -Flexible Schedule -Weekends & nights a must -GREAT PAY! $100 to $200/day -Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area I I I I I \Nebu~ anase11 ,,s VDEi GAUS lls od 4Ss I I I I I II 1gs1UL ENEIGI I 59 north main ,. wilkes barre ,. 829-2929 I ~~------~~ i I CALL NOW! we have hundreds of posters !! ~-------~~ 1-800-233-1613 ..._-------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ �Opinion JANUARY 29, 2007 It takes a village to save the planet BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD It takes a village to raise a child. But what about the care and consideration of our planet? There is little doubt that the speed with which the planet is warming is the result of greenhouse gas build-up in the atmosphere and not a result of the “natural” warming trend that has occurred throughout history. This warming is causing the polar ice caps to melt, ice shelves and glaciers are thinning and natural habitat for wildlife like polar bears is diminishing. Victims of the world’s recent natural disasters like tsunamis and hurricanes can attest that while such dramatic weather has always been part of the earth’s history, the strength and speed with which such weather patterns evolve today is changing. And while 154 nations in the world signed onto the Kyoto Protocol, the earth’s most comprehensive plan for dramatically reducing fossil fuel emissions, the United States arrogantly turned a deaf ear, noting that to require such reductions so quickly would thus perpetuating a cycle? Granted this is all hypothetical and may be farther off than most people consider. Generally, people barely plan a week in advance, so how can we be expected to prepare the earth for 10, 15 or 20 years from now? It seems that an honest plan for an overhaul of our environmental policy is far off. While President Bush acknowledged “global climate change” in his State of the Union address, this tacit nod to the dire warnings scientists have issued during all of his six years in office is too little too late. In addition, Americans cannot be the only nation to commit to a progressive plan. Electing environmentally friendly world leaders and strengthening global standards to which all countries must conform are steps in the right direction. But perhaps the best first step we can make is to get rid of the “What can I do? I’m just one person” argument. One definitive impact we can certainly all have is to act on our ability to vote for leaders who are strongly committed to these issues and demand they follow up. We also noticed that over the break new recycling bins appeared around campus. We applaud this effort. Recycling is a small effort, but an important one. :JFFICE Environmental PAPER issues have become a hot political issue with many promises and little commitment. In the end, a big part of the problem is an harm business interests. Yes, it takes a village. And every village has its idiot. Technically, since we all own an equal share, we can abuse or cherish the planet as much as we want. Yet no matter how many people steer clear of excessive emissions buying hybrid cars or promoting wholesome and organic lifestyles, there are those of us out there who say, “Life is short and I love my SUV!” Community commitment is difficult for anything, even the important issues. Generating commitment from an entire community is difficult for many reasons. One of the key reasons is because there is little agreement as to the extent of commitment required of all of us in order to positively impact the situation. We have differing views about just exactly how environmentally responsible we need to be and how to balance that sense of responsibility against our desires for some of the comforts that come along with carelessness. What sort of world do we have to look forward to? Will our new world be habitable? Will we need to develop new (perhaps unclean) technology in order to survive, The Beacon/Todd Weibel 6 State of the Union Your Voices Angry Rant 7 8 8 The Beacon/Todd Weibel overall trend of our daily lives becoming increasingly neglectful of our planet’s problems. The documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, brought the changes in the earth’s climate and well-being to the forefront. The movie touched on the impact global warming has on disease, weather, plants and animals. It is our community responsibility to sit up and pay attention to environmental issues right now. Watch the documentary. Use the recycling bins on campus. Pay attention and hold those who aspire to public office in 2008 and beyond accountable for concrete plans on the environment. And remember that you’re part of the village. We all are. And we don’t want to be known as the village idiot. Beacon Poll Question What game show would you like to see come to campus? • • • • • • • • • • Jeopardy The Price is Right Deal or No Deal $25,000 Pyramid 1 vs. 100 Double Dare Singled Out Family Feud Identity Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon �OPINION JANUARY 29, 2007 7 Reflections on the State of the Union BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor “Madame Speaker.” Those two words were spoken for the first time in history on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, as President Bush began his State of the Union speech. Of course, it should also be noted that those two words were spoken by a president with the lowest approval rating since President Nixon. As a woman, it was inspiring, and I’ll admit somewhat reassuring, to see a female sit in a position that is held in such high regard, Speaker of the House of Representatives. But in spite of evidence of such important progress in our country, it was also clear that this remains a government divided. It seems as though American politics has morphed into an unrecognizable machine in the past few decades. We have lost the foundation, the Constitutional basis, upon which our democracy was established and have become exclusively focused on partisan divisions and political affiliations. Until the speech, media outlets, both print and broadcast, were more concerned with an individual’s political affiliation than they were with the United States as a whole. I found it ironic that as President Bush was escorted into the House chamber, with his entourage close behind, both parties seemed to briefly forget their differences. Instead, they greeted the president with handshakes and smiles of recognition, putting aside the topic on everyone’s mind: Operation Iraqi Freedom. In one of his better rhetorical strategies the President opted to leave the matter of Iraq for the last twenty-two minutes of his speech. He first began with the economy, promising to balance the federal budget without raising taxes. The Democrats Courtesy of www.emergentchaos.com responded with a standing ovation. Next on the agenda were the issues of education, a brand new healthcare initiative, comprehensive immigration reform, energy and the goal to reduce gasoline usage by 20% in the next 10 years. With a smart tactical maneuver, Bush reeled the Democrats in on domestic issues that mattered most to them, as evidenced by their first 100-hour promise to the American people. Bush began this way as a means of softening them in order to segue into the issue of Iraq--the primary dividing issue between Congress and the White House. His introduction to the Iraq issue started off as nothing new. He tied it into the attacks of September 11, 2001, reassured that 20,000 plus troops were vital to the mission of securing Baghdad and capturing terrorists. As well, he encouraged Democrats to give his new plan “a chance to work.” He argued that pulling out now would be “breaking a promise” we made to the Iraqi people and the troops that are already abroad. Another interesting proposal was the increase of 92,000 troops within the next five years. Do I hear draft? I challenge my colleagues and peers to become mindful and familiar with the politics that shape their lives. With 2008 presidential candidates stepping up to plate, I hope more individuals will become aware of the issues these presidential hopefuls are swinging their direction. Are you kidding me? United States plans to sell spare F-14 parts at public auction BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor I have two magazines that I read religiously, Reader’s Digest and Gentlemen’s Quarterly, because they both have fascinating articles. One article I read in Reader’s Digest not long ago was about two families, the Eickhoffs and the Ozunas, who lived in the same community. The Ozunas hated the Eickhoffs and tried relentlessly to drive the latter from their home. In one instance the Ozunas even tried to poison the Eickhoffs by mailing a bottle of soda and a box of doughnuts, both laden with anti-freeze. The package was disguised as a congratulatory offering, since Mrs. Eickhoff had recently been elected mayor. Luckily, the Eickhoffs inspected the food and saw the seal had been broken on the soda and did not drink or eat any of the food in the package. Where am I going with this? Well, consider this: what if the Eickhoffs gave the Ozunas the anti-freeze to put in the food intended to kill them? That would be pretty stupid, right? In reality, the Eickhoffs did not do that, but the United States is in a strikingly similar situation with one of its neighbors in the world community. However, unlike the Eickhoffs, who appeared to have some common sense, United States government officials seem perfectly willing to supply their enemy with the “anti-freeze” intended to kill Americans. The enemy/”neighbor” is the country of Iran, and the “anti-freeze” in this case are parts for the F-14 “Tomcat” fighter jet. In the 1970s, Iran was not an enemy of the U.S. Indeed, while American relations with all Middle East countries are complex, the Iranians were largely considered, if not allies, at least “friendly,” in the 1970s. Like all friends at the time, the United States let Iran buy some of its F-14 fighter jets as the U.S. upgraded. A lot has transpired in three decades, and the tolerance that existed between the two countries then has disintegrated by 2007 into distrust and outward hostility. There has even been much speculation on both sides that the U.S. might eventually launch attacks on Iran (all in the name of preventing the spread of terrorism, of course). The irony of the situation is that were hostilities to escalate between the two countries, the United States would be fighting Iran’s F-14s, the very same ones we sold to them. Luckily, our Air Force has advanced and we have bigger and better fighter jets that could take down the F-14s. In fact the F-14s are so aged, Iran is the only country that uses them. Like anything with age, Iran’s F-14s need repairs every so often. However, since Iran is the only country that uses F-14s, spare parts are hard to come by. Iran is in luck though, because the United States has just found a surplus of spare F-14 parts and will be holding a public auction to get rid of the surplus. Of course Iranian military officials can’t just show up and buy the parts, but intermediaries for them can. You are probably saying to yourself that the U.S. must have safeguards for this, and you are right. It’s called Customs, and they do a great job. I will point out one example of how Customs responded to such a scenario. A person who has been known to do deals with Iran purchased a surplus of supplies, coincidently F-14 parts, and when this shipment was about to leave the United States, Customs officials moved in and returned the parts to the Pentagon. Pentagon officials said “thank you” and “good work” to the Customs officials and sold the parts to another person. Interestingly enough, the new buyer was again someone who deals with Iran, and according to Fox News the evidence tags from Customs were still attached to the items when they were sold. The bottom line is that the United States has a surplus of parts that will probably land in the hands of Iran, who it is said the U.S. may attack. The U.S. is supplying its enemies with the weapons that have the potential to kill American soldiers in the future. This is no joke; it is really happening. I would suggest that instead of selling the spare parts at a public auction, the government should reuse the parts for other purposes, such as melting down the metal for new equipment for the armed forces, our armed forces. My words, however, will have little impact on anyone in the government. Folks in Washington are pretty busy these days, and I’m doubting whether they have the inclination to read The Beacon. That is why I urge everyone to write a letter to your Congressman or Senator about this situation and tell them that you do not want these parts falling into the hands of Iran. �JANUARY 29, 2007 OPINION Angry Rant: ‘07 Celeb Predictions BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It’s a new year, and with any new year come new adventures and experiences. The same can be said for our favorite stars of the large and small screen. But why should we, the fans, have to wait until the stories actually happen before we can start to discuss them? And so, without further adieu, here are your 2007 Celebrity Predictions: Rosie O’Donnell: Fresh from the controversial “ching chang” comments she made live on the air, O’Donnell will offend the residents of Ireland when she is spotted wearing the color green. Months later she will offend the entire human race when it comes out that she is not an orca. Justin Timberlake: His hit song “Sexy Back” which contains the lyrics “I’m bringin’ sexy back,” causes much controversy and becomes the subject of a grand jury investigation when it becomes apparent that sexy never left. Lindsay Lohan: Her acting career will take off when she takes on the role of a teenager who enters Alcoholics Anonymous after several drunken nights when she is seen stumbling out of nightclubs. Oh wait, that wasn’t a movie. Christopher Walken: He will enter the record books when the public learns he is the most imitated actor of all time. Walken doesn’t mind, though, because he’s cool like that. Kelly Ripa: Her feud with Rosie O’Donnell (the Clay Aiken incident) will reach fever pitch when Rosie calls Kelly a “doody head” live on the air. Two weeks later, Ripa will retaliate by calling Roise “poopy pants” and telling the teacher. Barry Bonds: His repeated refusal to admit to performance enhancing drug use will come under even more scrutiny when his arms literally explode. He will attribute this to the time his heart tripled in size when he was trying to save Christmas for the people of Whoville. Suri Cruise: The most publicized newborn baby of the last decade will become the source of controversy when it is revealed that the young Suri Cruise is actually the kid who played Webster in a wig. Dora the Explorer: The animated child star will find herself in the middle of “DoraGate,” after it is learned that she has been working as a coke mule for the Columbians. Britney Spears: She will explain that her behavior over the last two years, including the partying, rampant drinking, child endangerment, her 55-hour marriage, her two year marriage, and her reality show, was all just research she was doing for a movie…in which she plays herself. 8 A Sight for Sore Eyes . - .· . ~~·~h. -- - . . Aleksander Lapinski .· .. , . -- r ......r-.. . - .·. . ·'·... ~ ·- I!!' I . _ · . -· · , ·. ~ - --• . • Your Voices How to determine if an advisor is outstanding Student-nominated award recognizes advisors who go above and beyond Dear Editor: At the risk of sounding like an elderly gentleman sitting on a Main Street stoop, pipe clenched between yellowed teeth, I’m still going to say it--students at Wilkes have it better than I did, especially when it comes to their academic advisors. When I was an undergraduate, from 19871990 (*gasp*), I saw my advisor one time, for ten minutes. The professors at University of Central Oklahoma did not advise. Instead, in a loud, crowded room with cubicles, this young woman in her 20s and I kept having to repeat what we were saying. I think someone was vacuuming, too. Anyway, she was a very nice person who had just completed her bachelor’s in Psychology. She said that being an advisor was basically all I could do with that degree unless I went on to graduate school. (My undergraduate degree’s in psychology.) I felt disheartened. I also felt odd talking to this person who had no idea who I was, who had hundreds of students to see that day, and who covered five different majors. It felt like a cattle chute. I was one of 22,000 other undergraduates in a giant machine that honestly did not care about me, further evidenced by the three-hour wait at the financial aid office. Really. People would arrive in the early hours of the morning like for a rock concert or a Wii at Best Buy. The equivalent of front-row tickets was getting the single counselor who treated us like human beings. The rest just went through our paperwork and did not speak. Obviously, this is not the case at Wilkes. Your advisor actually cares whether you stay in school or not, whichever is better for you at this time in your life. I’ve called and woken up an advisee on a Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (I forgot that’s prime sleeping time for those under 30-I’d been up for five hours.) Wilkes faculty members are always advisors, and we are trained on campus to care about you. We are supposed to ask you questions beyond “What do you need to take next semester?” We’re supposed to be a lynchpin of your Wilkes experience. That’s required of us as faculty here. What’s optional, and the reason I’m writing this article (Forget that thesis at the beginning crap about essay writing), is advisors who go beyond this. I’m thinking of Jim Harrington knocking on dorm room doors so students arrive at class on time. No one else can be Jim Harrington, of course, but there are many advisors at Wilkes that have shown outstanding interest and caring in their student interactions. Do you know any? How’s yours? Take a minute and go to the Student Center mail room or fill out that Outstanding Advisor form at your lunch table. Drop it in that (literally) sparkling red box at the mail room counter. It will be five minutes of your time, but it will be a significant part of that advisor’s year. Believe me. I have a colleague who does not forget student names. Literally. We’ll be in the cafeteria together, and he says hello to people, and I’ll ask, “Who was that?” And he’ll say, “Oh, a student I had two years ago in 101.” That’s how I’d like to be. Remembering your names is important, and it’s a talent we all need. Name recall is not a requirement for an outstanding advisor, but remembering your name indicates an interest in you as an individual instead of a number. You’re more than a hard-to-hear young person in a loud room with industrial carpet. You’re important to this world and your major, and, if you learned that from your advisor, let him or her know it by nominating them for an outstanding advisor award. The deadline’s March 1. It’s a great way to make a difference. Mischelle Anthony Assistant Professor of English �FEATURES JANUARY 29, 2007 Westsider New apartments 10 11 9 Spring Break Des1tina1tion: Panama Wilkes students and faculty given opportunity to travel abroad BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor Courtesy south-america.com.au Courtesy www.ducharmes.com Spending spring break ziplining through the rainforest past exotic animals normally reserved for science books, checking out the night life in Panama City and lounging on white sandy beaches in Contadora --all for college credit? Seems unlikely, but Dr. Jim Merryman is making it a reality. Merryman, professor of sociology and anthropology, is offering thirty students the chance to tour Panama from March 3 to March 10 over spring break this semester. The trip costs $1,950, and includes hotel stay for the trip, airfare to Panama and the majority of meals. The fee also covers all activities, including a white water rafting excursion and tours through the rainforest. The spring break trip may be taken as a leisurely vacation, or for an additional $500, it can also count as an elective for any area of study. The STE300, Study Trip Experience, course requires students to keep a daily journal, then write a paper on a specific topic that relates to Panama and something they encountered there, or would like to learn more about once they return to the United States. “It’s a wonderful vacation; plus you get three credits,” Merryman said. The trip begins in Panama City, with a two-night stay at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel. Students will go on the Panama Ca- nal Land Tour and visit the Panama Canal Museum. During this day of touring, a lunch and snacks will be provided. Travelers will also see an indigenous community in the national park Chagres and get a chance to do some sightseeing around the city. During the evenings, students have free time to dance, listen to some Latin music or find a new favorite meal. Panama City’s fast paced night scene features many clubs, bars and cultural restaurants to discover. “The normal precautions of visiting a city should be taken, but it’s a very safe place,” Merryman said. The next stop on the trip is the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, which looks more like a tree house than a hotel. The outer appearance of the hotel may suggest an interior of hammocks and minimal technology, but to the contrary, all of the modern accommodations can be found at the resort. During this leg of the trip, there will be tours of the rainforest and a rafting trip which will allow visitors to check out some lush jungles and exotic animals in their natural habitat. The last stop on the trip is Contadora Island, where travelers will be treated to a traditional spring break experience. There will be opportunities to tan on white beaches, or participate in more physical activities such as horseback riding, golfing, snor- keling and riding on jet skis. Some of the activities, such as golfing, may cost extra, but all meals and drinks are included in the initial cost of the trip. Merryman has offered students and faculty members the chance to travel to many foreign countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Tunisia. “I want to take people to places they wouldn’t ordinarily go,” he said. “Many people are curious about it but don’t know how to do it.” Senior political science and history major, Catherine Dzubaty went on a trip with Merryman last year to Tunisia and southern Italy. She said the trip allowed her to experience different cultures firsthand. “I think everyone should travel out of the country when they are still young,” Dzubaty said. “Traveling gives you a real sense of perspective on life. You also get to witness and try things that you can’t do in the U.S.” So far, no faculty members are signed up for the trip to Panama, but professor of environmental engineering and earth science, Dr. Brian Redmond, traveled with Merryman to Africa and China, and said that students can gain a lot from such travel experiences. “The experience of a different culture and country can be exhilarating, educational, and a break from studies here in the Wilkes-Barre winter,” he said. “There would also be some important group interaction between the trip participants.” Merryman said that he does research on any area to which he plans to travel, and considers himself a “seasoned tour leader,” who can show travelers parts of the country and culture they may not have experienced on their own. Although he does not speak Spanish, he noted that the culture of Panama is such that speaking English will not be a hindrance. Dr. Patricia Heaman, who teaches English, traveled with Merryman to Africa, and enjoyed his vast knowledge of the areas they visited. “We had always wanted to see Africa and were delighted to have a guide who had Dr. Merryman’s years of experience living in Kenya. He was able to identify trees, flowers, and other elements of the landscape for us, as well as speak with non-English speaking Africans we met.” Merryman started with thirty spots, and about half have been filled, so he encourages students and faculty members who are interested in the trip to contact him as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. A $250 deposit must be made by February 7 to reserve a seat. Merryman can be reached at 570-408-4043, or via e-mail at james.merryman@wilkes.edu. His office is located on the third floor of Breiseth Hall in the sociology and anthropology department. �10 FEATURES JANUARY 29, 2007 Wilkes alumnus launches Westsider magazine Q & A with John Plucenik not just limited for college students. One of my favorite writers is a housewife. She had an interest in writing but didn’t have the confidence. She writes our small town features. She’s wonderful and I love her style. So, there’s a lot of hidden talent out there and it’s neat to provide that opportunity to have them use it. BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor A recent alumnus of Wilkes is pursuing his dream just across the river. John Plucenik, 42, of Kingston graduated from the Master’s program in creative writing at Wilkes two years ago. Since that time, he’s been busy putting his creativity to work for the community. Plucenik is currently the publisher and creator of the area’s newest magazine, The Westsider. Plucenik grew up in Scranton but has lived in Kingston most of his adult life. He is married with five children, but somehow still found the time to create the impressive glossy magazine that features content relevant to those who live, work and play on the west side of the Susquehanna river. Recently The Beacon had the opportunity to speak with Plucenik about what it’s like to own the area’s only “magazine of creativity, culture and change.” The Beacon: Are you interested in creating other publications? Plucenik: Well, our last issue became sort of an arts issue by accident. I realized we had eight great stories on mostly local artists. So I bounced the idea of starting a local arts magazine kind of like Provincetown Arts. I really think culturally this area is going through a little revival, so I want this art magazine to be a byproduct of that. Another one of my goals is to start a publication written entirely by high school and college students. They’re usually limited to writing about things like the school dance, but I want to hear about what it’s like to be a high school student and the pressures. The Beacon: While you were studying creative writing at Wilkes, was it always a goal of yours to start a magazine? Plucenik: I always felt it was a dream to have my own magazine even back when I started with journalism. I was writing for the Times Leader back in the 80’s and had dreams to start my own newspaper so I could assign my own stories and be my own publisher. And really, the Wilkes program made it happen. Everyone was working on finishing their final projects on publishing a book, but I wanted to do a magazine. The Beacon: What is your advice for aspiring journalists from this area? Plucenik: Chase your dreams and don’t hold back. You have to have a certain degree of risk-taking. You have to be willing to fail and know problems are opportunities in disguise. And sometimes you have to break the rules and stick to your guard of what you want to The Westsider is published quarterly, and their offices are do. And if it’s your passion, then nothing is hard, it’s located in Kingston. Current copies can be obtained on enjoyable. campus at 245 River Street in the Wilkes Creative Writing M.A. building. The Westsider is available online at www.Westsider.org. the time to devote to that. We’ve come to the point where The Beacon: In what ways did the program at Wilkes we’re sustainable financially and we made a commitment help you create your own publication? to keep 61% editorial and 39% advertising. Plucenik: They encouraged me with my writing. I’ve always written off and on. I’ve always had the desire to The magazine is distributed primarily through the 90 do more human interest stories and op-ed features, and businesses, schools and organizations that support the they provided me with the expertise to do so. My mentor, magazine through “investment” space. We use the word John Bowers, really guided me through my writing and investment, rather than advertising, because it is a nonExpress Yourself With Your Own helped to develop my writing skills. profit co-op that offers many small independent busiPersonalized T-shirt nesses an affordable alternative to traditional expensive Designed How YOU Want It! I also met Chris Busa, who is the publisher of Provinc- advertising. By promoting the businesses and our local etown Art magazine. Chris sat me down and showed me culture, they are actually investing in our areas as well as his business plan and media kit because a magazine is helping grow their businesses. We are editorially driven, Add Any Choose From more than just writing. Besides John and Chris, Bonnie not profit driven. 4 Different Styles Personalization Culver was always there. Being local, I could call her up On The Front On the Back and ask advice. She was very accessible. All the advisors The Beacon: Describe the meaning behind the title The would come together every semester who are all experi- Westsider? enced in the publishing field and were available for oneFebruary 5th - February 16th Plucenik: I was looking for something that idention-one in class and even after class. You have all these fied our geographic region with the minimum amount of Monday thru Friday from experts at your disposal and they really encourage you to words. I wanted it to be something that people would 11am-1pm write every day and become disciplined in your craft. know, just kind of keep it simple. YOU NAME IT TEES The Beacon: What are your goals for The Westsider? Plucenik: I’m really happy with the size because of my time. We went from 56 pages to 64 in our second issue. We could be increasing every issue, but I just don’t have The Beacon: Are there freelancing opportunities available in The Westsider? Plucenik: Oh my God, yeah. The Westsider is a platform for that opportunity for young writing talent. But it’s Lobby of the Henry Student Center $11.99!! *Orders will take 2 weeks until pick-up *Money is due in full at time of ordering �JANUARY 29, 2007 FEATURES 11 New apartments expected to improve downtown and local colleges BY MARK CONGDON Beacon Staff Writer Prime real estate for Wilkes students isn’t necssarily townhouses with hot tubs and two-car garages. Wilkes students are primarily interested in location, location, location. How close is a prospective apartment to downtown? In the months ahead, new and renovated apartments will be opening up in and around downtown Wilkes-Barre, according to JJ Murphy, Wilkes-Barre City Administrator. “There are about 60 apartments on 17 West River Street that should be opened in March or April specifically for Wilkes students for next year,” he said. Murphy also mentioned that the apartments near the movie theater should be open by the fall, and the condominiums in the Hotel Sterling should be open in about two years. He added that there are rentals around the Wilkes-Barre area like the one on Franklin Street that are currently undergoing renovation. Not only will these apartments make the city more attractive, but it would be an added benefit to the local college students, believes Associate Dean of Students Barbara King. “Anything that can add to the number of people in town is worth the investment. Obviously, if more people choose to live in the city, they will require more convenient services and entertainment. Students definitely benefit from those as well,” she said. Joseph Boylan, research analyst for the Joint Urban Studies Center, feels that downtown apartments would be good for the young professionals and the college students, faculty and staff. “With rising enrollment levels, both Wilkes and King’s can benefit from additional housing opportunities made available for not only their students, but staff and faculty as well.” “Both Wilkes and King’s are currently adopting Employer Assisted Housing Programs. These programs offer assistance to their employees, who are [trying to purchase] a home in the Wilkes-Barre area. Young professionals as well would benefit from the apartments. Companies such as PepperJam, who employ many young professionals right here in downtown, show that there are indeed several young profes- sionals working here,” Boylan said. Since many of the apartments in question are either in the process of being built or renovated, the rental prices haven’t yet fully been determined. However, Bryce Russo, senior nursing major at Wilkes, believes that new apartments may well prove cost prohibitive for students. “Since the apartments are new, they could be more expensive, which could be a problem for some students. But if the [owners] allow multiple students to live together, more students would probably be willing to move downtown,” Russo said. King noted that college students may not be the main target audience for the apartments near the theater and at the Sterling, but that the apartments on West Ross most likely would be. “I doubt that the main target will be college students. The developers are probably thinking more about long-term owners and tenants. Also, we have no idea what the rental or purchase costs will be, but I would expect that it will be higher than most college students will be willing to pay,” King said when referring to the apartments near AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR Movies 14 and the Hotel Sterling. Although this may seem like the case for some of the apartments, many seem to agree that the new and renovated apartments will help improve the downtown and ultimately have a positive impact on both Wilkes University and King’s College. “I believe that these apartments will be great for the downtown, and help make it more presentable and will be able to appeal to current and perspective faculty, staff and students at Wilkes and King’s,” Russo said. Additionally, Boylan emphasized that the “apartments located downtown would only enhance the image of revitalization. The difference in pedestrian traffic since the opening of Movies 14 has been substantial - the idea of developing downtown loft apartments would only heighten the pedestrian and sidewalk traffic, giving the downtown of Wilkes-Barre a more vibrant look. The increased traffic would also act as a businesses attraction mechanism for potential clients. 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E JANUARY 29, 2007 12 Book Review Schedule Dinner & A Movie Crossword This Week in History 13 13 14 15 15 Sordoni exhibition sheds light on crisis in Sudan BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor It is Tuesday morning. Starbucks, Wal-Mart and every other multimillion dollar corporation in the country is open for business. The typical American gets into his or her unnecessarily large vehicle, worries about whether or not the trip home at the end of the day will interfere with their addictive viewing of American Idol and silently curses the moron in the overpriced luxury car in front of them driving 15 miles per hour. There are bills to pay, schedules to keep, phone calls to make. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, men, women and children are burying loved ones, worrying about whether they’ll find enough food or clean water to survive to the end of that week and battling terminal, ravaging diseases. Their greatest concern does not involve television or traffic, but mere survival. It may be hard to picture these dramatically different realities co-existing on the same planet, but they do. Sometimes it is easier to turn a blind eye to the unthinkable violence occurring in Darfur, Sudan but many individuals, including activists and well-known celebrities, are rightfully making it more difficult to do so. One such individual is Ryan Spencer Reed, a photojournalist whose deeply moving exhibition, “Sudan: The Cost of Silence,” is on display at the Sordoni Art Gallery until March 18. Reed’s work is a collection of 36 black and white photographs depicting Sudanese refugees in peril in Darfur as a result of genocide. In order to understand the photographs, it is helpful to understand what is occurring in Darfur and why. According to Amnesty International (AI), a worldwide campaign for human rights, the fighting in Sudan began in February 2003 when armed opposition groups in Darfur surfaced “in response to perceived economic marginalization and the government’s failure to protect villagers from attacks.” In response, the Sudanese government “chose to suppress the armed opposition with force.” In addition to the Sudanese armed forces, the people of Darfur are being attacked by the Janjawid militias, “bands of Arab fighters backed by the Sudanese government.” These militias are responsible for torture, rape, mass killings and arbitrary arrests. Millions of people have been killed and displaced since February 2003 as a result of this conflict. This region of Africa has been suffering the effects of civil war for over 20 years. The events that are occurring in Darfur have been described as “ethnic cleans- Reed and were immediately impressed, not only by his work but by Reed himself. “We were both floored by how stunning the photographs were visually, but also by [Reed], and just how articulate and committed he is to this project being such a young man,” Bernier said. Upon his graduation from Calvin College, Reed decided to sell everything he had to visit East Africa to do what he The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski One photograph from “Sudan: The Cost of Silence” depicts refugee women at the Kounoungo Camp in eastern Chad rushing to finish chores as a storm approaches. According to the photo’s caption, “Kounoungo has become home to more than 11,000 displaced Sudanese.” The vastness of this refugee camp further displays the depth and severity of the situation in Darfur. ing,” where certain ethnic groups have been deliberately targeted and murder, starvation and sexual violence against women and girls have been used as weapons of war, according to AI. The United States and the international community have been criticized for not taking action against what have been described as crimes against humanity, and that’s part of the reason why Dr. Ronald Bernier, Sordoni Art Gallery Director, and Brittany Kramer, gallery coordinator, chose to bring this exhibition to Wilkes University. After they were contacted by Beth Admiral, director of Public Policy and Social Research at King’s College about Reed’s work, Bernier and Kramer met with could to help. His college career began with the aim to study medicine, but Reed decided that this was another way he could help others. In addition to the traveling exhibition, he is also currently producing a book with photographs and written pieces documenting what he has seen in East Africa. Both Bernier and Kramer agreed that this exhibition is a vital component in the battle to not only raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur but also to convince people that the rest of the world needs to do something about it. Kramer mentioned that the gallery is encouraging individuals and groups from not only the campus but also in the community to see the exhibition. “Our main goal in bringing this exhibition to campus is to raise awareness, because this issue is covered very little, if at all [in the media],” Kramer said. While it does appear that this major issue is not headlining the American news, the aim of Reed’s exhibit is to at least further the conversation locally, and help individuals to understand what is happening and what needs to be done through visually startling photographs. “Now, with everyone’s attention on Iraq, it is very easy for something that doesn’t directly involve us to get lost in the media, so it’s probably even that much more important to [show this exhibition],” Bernier said. The collection also coincides with an exhibition that will be on display in the Farley Library until February 17, “Children of Darfur: Picturing Genocide,” that features drawings made by children living in Darfur. According to Kramer, a doctor working with “Doctors without Borders” had the children of Sudanese refugees create photos while their parents were being interviewed for medical care, and was so moved by them that they were turned into a traveling exhibition so the rest of the world could see them as well. All of the photographs in the collection are particularly striking and show a world that many Americans could not possibly fathom. One in particular displays children playing amidst a ravaged and desolate area. Regardless of which photographs stand out to the individual, one thing is for sure: the cost of silence is unmistakable. In conjunction with this exhibition, the following programs and events are scheduled: -“All About Darfur”- A film by Sudanese filmmaker Taghreed Elsanhouri (co-sponsored by King’s College), immediately followed by guest speaker, Jean-Marie Kamatali, professor of Law at University of Notre Dame, February 7, 7 p.m., R/C Wilkes-Barre Movies 14. -Guest speaker, John Heffernan, Director, Genocide Prevention Initiative, U.S. Holocaust Museum, February 15, 7 p.m., Henry Student Center, 2nd floor Ballroom. -Gallery talk, Ryan Spencer Reed, March 13, 7 p.m. �JANUARY 29, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Book Review: Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Staff Writer While 2006 was throwing in the towel, Gillian Flynn was just arriving. Her first novel, Sharp Objects, hit bookstores as the holidays began to close in. In the midst of the season’s call of overwhelming cheer and good will, I couldn’t help but want to get away for just a little while, and Flynn’s novel provided me with the freedom that I craved. Fresh from a brief stay at a psychiatric hospital, Camille Preaker is sent on assignment to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to get to the bottom of a crime that is ripping the small town to shreds. Two little girls have been murdered, their teeth removed and their fingernails perfectly painted. Camille is forced to confront the problems and ghosts of her own past as she struggles to send information and articles back to her editor in Chicago for publication in the growing newspaper she works for. One of these ghosts is her mother, Adora, who obsesses over not only the well being of her youngest daughter, Amma, but over the loss of another daughter, Marian. Adora’s relationships with her children are disturbing, but it gets even stranger when Schedule of Events Monday, January 29 “Jackie, Vi and Lena” at the Kirby Center at 7 p.m. A powerful celebration of the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. on three people. Free tickets available at UCOM. Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte. Tuesday, January 30 Robb Brown and Friends performing at Slainte. Wednesday, January 31 The Five Percent performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Camille discovers her mother’s relationships with the dead girls, Ann and Natalie. Reaching out for help and “on record” information for her articles, Camille befriends Richard Willis, a private detective hired from out of state to help the local chief of police with the case. Together, they eliminate the chance that the killer is from out of town. A clue offered by a little boy who saw someone grab one of the victims, throws the investigation off and causes the town to immediately point fingers at each other. Is it John Keene, Natalie’s brother? Or could it be Meredith Wheeler, John’s attention starved girlfriend? Or maybe even Bob Nash, Ann’s father? Accusations continue to fly as Camille, Richard and the police struggle to find the killer. Flynn’s writing style is raw and straight forward. Readers will think and feel what Flynn wants them to, leaving little room for imagination. However, the flip flop between the suspects will continuously keep readers guessing. The end is guaranteed to shock and leave readers wanting more from this writer. Grade: B+ Friday, February 2 Blacklisted and Pulling Teeth performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Poogie Bell Band performing at the Jazz Cafe Movie Night: The Decline of Civilization, at Café Metropolis at 9 p.m. Saturday, February 3 The Godinez Bros. performing at the River Street Jazz Cafe. The Goo Goo Dolls performing at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. I Am You, You Are Me performing at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. Sunday, February 4 Sweetheart Yoga at Arts YOUniverse at 6 p.m. !CADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH MENTORING� $URING�MY�lRST�YEAR�AT�7ILKES��$R��!LVES�OPENED�MY�EYES�TO� MANY�ASPECTS�OF�THE�BUSINESS�WORLD��4HROUGH�HIS�PERSONAL�STORIES�AND�CLASS� LECTURES�)�LEARNED�A�BUNDLE�OF�INFORMATION�PERTINENT�TO�MY�MAJOR�ˆ�"USINESS� !DMINISTRATION��)�WOULD�HAVE�NEVER�PUSHED�MYSELF�AS�HARD�AND�AS�FAR�AS�)�HAVE�IF�IT� WERE�NOT�FOR�$R��!LVES��ENCOURAGING�WORDS�ALONG�THE�WAY� " 2U�Q�]U^d_b� 3Q\\�CdeTU^d�4UfU\_`]U^d�Qd�h�$!!!� %VERY�7ILKES�STUDENT�SHOULD�HAVE�A�MENTOR�OR�BE�A�MENTOR��� )F�YOU�WANT�TO�PLAY�A�PART�IN�THE�UNIQUE�7ILKES�EXPERIENCE��� CALL�3TUDENT�$EVELOPMENT�AT�X������ �$ANIELLE�����AND�$R��*EFF�!LVES� ggg�gY\[Uc�UTe�l�!�( �G9<;5C�E �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Dagwood’s Deli & Subs BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor I’m going to be honest here and say that I’m just not a deli and sub shop kind of girl. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but with the exception of Subway, anytime a restaurant’s name makes mention of subs, I’m turned off (could be due to a horrible past experience with a tuna sub, I’m not sure). That said, when my two dinner companions, Pete and Alisha, decided on Dagwood’s Deli and Subs, I forced myself to bite my tongue, tried to ignore my prejudices and give the restaurant a fair chance. Dagwood’s is a fairly small establishment right over the bridge in Kingston, and as a warning, you need to be a bit careful with the parking. There are a few parallel parking spaces for those among the driving elite, but for those who require traditional parking spaces, you need to keep your eyes open so as to not miss the entrance on Market Street. Once we entered the restaurant, there was no time to be wasted, as there’s one small menu posted in the middle of the restaurant. Any long hesitation would result in a backup of customers. It’s possible that there were more menus, but if so, they could have made it a little more apparent. So Pete ordered a turkey club sandwich, Alisha got a cheese steak wrap with fries, while I chose an egg salad sandwich with fries. While the food arrived rather promptly, it’s necessary to note that the restaurant had two crane machines, one featuring the “play until you win” rule. Those are hard to come by, so as we waited for our food we shelled out fifty cents and passed the time keeping ourselves entertained with plastic dinosaurs and finger puppets. That right there added a bit of character to the night. Once the food arrived, we realized how mammoth the portions were. Pete’s turkey club was cut into quarters, and no lie, each quarter could sufficiently feed one person. The amount of turkey piled on made it impossible to eat the sandwich by simply taking bites, unless you have the ability to unhook your jaw. Although it may have been a nuisance to eat, he did continuously make “mmm” noises, which clearly signified it was delicious. JANUARY 29, 2007 -~Dinner and a Movie l Alisha’s cheese steak wrap was a more reasonable size, but after she finished it, she wished she had only eaten half. She did really enjoy it, though, and was impressed to see that, regardless of all it was stuffed with, the wrap stayed intact until the end of her meal. The egg salad sandwich I ordered was good for about five bites, until it suddenly occurred to me that I was eating egg salad. So, while I eventually came to regret my order, rather than blaming the restaurant, I’ll blame myself, because really, who orders egg salad? The good thing is that the order was saved by the delicious and crisp steak fries that I ordered along with my meal. All in all, Dagwood’s has plenty to offer. The deli has a fairly extensive menu, and the prices are very reasonable. The gigantic turkey club and the cheese steak wrap were each $4.75, while the egg salad sandwich was $3.25. We did have to pay $2 extra for fries, but the sandwiches came with chips and a pickle, so they weren’t really even necessary. Everyone agreed that the atmosphere was casual, fun and family friendly. And while it is a fairly small restaurant, they took enough care to feature a separate, non-smoking room for better accommodations. They have some noticeably quirky décor, such as a large, cigarette butt ashtray, an almost life-sized statue on which they post the menu, and of course the two crane machines. So, if you’re on a tight budget, let it be known that this place has quality date potential. If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive dinner, and if you’re a hearty eater, or a fan of the doggy bag, Dagwood’s is a good choice, and a short distance from the school. And while I was let down by my egg salad sandwich, everyone else was pleased with their order. So, if you’re a fan of casual dining, and have better judgment than I, Dagwood’s Deli and Subs is sure to please. Grade: B ...And a movie: The Hitcher makes of older films, updated with modern graphics and fresh young casts. Unfortunately, some films should never be Over the past few years, it’s become ap- remade. The Hitcher, however, is not your averparent that Hollywood is slowly but surely age remake. The original, released in 1986 running out of ideas. The result, of course, is a string of re- starring B-Movie all-star Rutger Hauer, is virtually unknown to anyone but die hard horror fans, which makes the decision to remake it quite surprising, as most recent remakes (King Kong, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) are of films that were rather successful the first time around. Though the “I can drink remake follows the original script and still be in control” closely, this version offers a noteworthy change in the reversal of Drinking impairs your judgment, which increases roles between the main characters. the likelihood that you will do something And the updated The Hitcher still you’ll later regret such as having unprotected packs enough of a punch to thrill sex, being involved in a date rape, even those who know what to exdamaging property, or being pect. victimized by others. The story follows two young love birds, Jim (Zachary Knighton) and Grace (Sopia Bush), as they set -Sponsored by Health Services out from college for spring break in Jim’s cherry 1970 Oldsmobile 442. In the midst of a torrential downpour, Jim offers a ride to a http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp seemingly trustworthy hitchhiker, BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer Alcohol Myth Busters: [I] John Ryder, played by Sean Bean (Lord of The Rings, Goldeneye), much to the chagrin of the suspicious Grace. Unfortunately for the happy couple, their romantic get away is cut extremely short as this simple act of kindness spirals into a nightmarish chase across the dusty back roads of New Mexico, as Ryder soon proves Grace’s suspicions to be true. After the two successfully escape the first of Ryder’s attacks, they are drawn into his sadistic game of cat and mouse, as he frames them for his horrific crimes. With the New Mexico state police hot on their trail, Jim and Grace must follow Ryder’s bloody trail in order to clear their names and put an end to his grisly rampage. Can they save themselves from Ryder’s sinister scheme or will they become just two more victims to terror that hides behind the friendly smile of The Hitcher? Packed with car chases, gun fights and buckets of blood, The Hitcher is a film not to be missed by action and horror fans alike. However, due to its high body count and scenes of graphic violence, it is not a film for those who can’t stomach the sight of blood (or guts and brain matter, for that matter). On the other hand, those who get a thrill from a little blood and gore will be delight- ed over and over again as the film relentlessly delivers scenes of skull shattering head-shots and graphic knifings. One gut wrenching scene in particular will capture the hearts of gore hounds everywhere as the blood thirsty, yet crafty Ryder subjects one unlucky motorist to a little modernized medieval torture, fashioning a rack out of heavy chains and big rig trucks. Though The Hitcher isn’t up for any acting or directing awards this Oscar season, it serves its purpose as a top-notch popcorn flick, providing a fun and exciting way to spend an hour and thirty minutes, with plenty to be enjoyed by both fans of the action and horror genres. For an added scare, those looking for another take on this bloody tale of highway horror may want to take a trip to the local video store and pick up a copy of the original The Hitcher. Viewers who are into fast cars, big scares and explosive scenes of bloody mayhem will find this film a worthwhile way to spend a weekend evening. But if that sort of stuff isn’t your cup of tea, then you’re probably better off telling The Hitcher to take a hike. Grade: B �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword Puzzle BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent ACROSS Uttered by mouth Kibbles ‘n _____ Often becomes broken Bubbly beverage Object of worship Sleep disorder Country north of Thailand Steak Sauce Elector Annie was one Save for later Rear part of a ship “_____ the Terrible” of Russia Two couples eating dinner Time period Roman god of war Thought City in western New York Keep from sight Reveal secret matters Female horse Hot tub Identification digits Like some signs Optimal Where boats are built and repaired Powerful businessperson First five books of the Hebrew Scriptures Supernatural force Therefore Friend Second stage of psychosexual development Cease Stitch again Ambulatory appendages Logical 1 5 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 26 32 35 36 37 39 42 43 44 45 50 51 54 58 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 38 39 40 43 41 DOWN Capital of Norway Lion sounds Take into one’s family Struck with a whip Twice a year Bachelor’s last words Organs at the back of the throat Arm covering Cuba Capital Literary genre Opposed Mouthpiece of a wind instrument Weight of a vehicle without cargo Agreeable odor Small amount Male friend, Slangly Convulsive twitch March 15th Spring Tide Festive occasion Recedes Regulation governing conduct From a distance Mulder’s employer Web device Where electrons may be found Ordinary and dull Impoverished 46 47 48 49 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 62 In a careless way Tract of open ground Common type Break for school kids Main artery Enter a computer Heavenly body Residence of a person or family Colored portion of the eye Boy servant Slangy rejection Annoy by persistent complaints This 'l his Week Week in in History H istory JANUARY 29, 2007 Answers 11.27 1 BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by History Club Brought to you by the the History Club January 29 January 29 1936: firs 1936: The The U.S. U.S. Baseball Baseball Hall Hall of of Fame Fame elects elects its its firs members New York: York: Ty members in in Cooperstown, Cooperstown, New Ty Cobb, Cobb, Babe Babe Ruth, Walter Ruth, Honus Honus Wagner, Wagner, Christy Christy Matthewson Matthewson and and Walter Johnson. Johnson. January 30 January 30 1948: the political political and 1948: Mohandas Mohandas Karamchand Karamchand Gandhi, Gandhi, the and spiritual spiritual leader leader of of the the Indian Indian independence independence movement, movement, is New Delhi by aa Hindu is assassinated assassinated in in New Delhi by Hindu fanatic. fanatic. January 31 January 31 1968: As part the Tet Viet 1968: As part of of the Tet Offensive, Offensive, aa squad squad of of Viet Cong the U.S. Cong guerillas guerillas attacks attacks the U. S. Embassy Embassy in in Saigon. Saigon. The soldiers seized the embassy and held it for six hours until an assault force of U.S. paratroopers landed by helicopter on the building’s roof and routed the Viet Cong. February Fe6ruary 11 1884: first portion, portion, or of the the Oxford Oxford Eng Eng 1884: The The first or fascicle, fascicle, of lish lish Dictionary Dictionary (OED), (OED), considered considered the the most most comprehen comprehen sive sive and and accurate accurate dictionary dictionary of of the the English English language, language, is is published. Today, nitive authority published. Today, the the OED OED is is the the defi definitive authority on pronunciation and on the the meaning, meaning, pronunciation and history history of of over over half half aa million words, past present million words, past and and present February February 22 1887: rodent meteorolo meteorolo 1887: Groundhog Groundhog Day, Day, featuring featuring aa rodent gist, first time time at gist, is is celebrated celebrated for for the the first at Gobbler’s Gobbler's Knob Knob in in Punxsutawney, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. According According to to tradition, tradition, if if aa groundhog groundhog comes comes out out of of its its hole hole on on this this day day and and sees will be be six more weeks weeks of sees its its shadow, shadow, there there will six more of win win ter ter weather; weather; no no shadow shadow means means an an early early spring. spring. Happy Happy Groundhog Groundhog Day! Day! February 3 1959: Rising American rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson are killed when their chartered Beechcraft Bonanza plane crashes in Iowa a few minutes after takeoff from Mason City on a flight headed for Moorehead, Minnesota. Minnesota. Investigators Investigators blamed blamed the the crash crash on on bad bad weather pilot error. weather and and pilot error. Holly Holly and and his his band, band, the the Crickets, just scored No. 11 hit Crickets, had had just scored aa No. hit with with “That’ll "That'll Be Be the the Day.” Day." February February44 1974: 1974: Patty Patty Hearst, Hearst, the the 19-year-old 19-year-old daughter daughter of of news news paper paper publisher publisher Randolph Randolph Hearst, Hearst, is is kidnapped kidnapped from from her by two black her apartment apartment in in Berkeley, Berkeley, California, California, by two black men white woman, woman, all men and and aa white all three three of of whom whom are are armed. armed. Her ancee, Stephen Her fi fiancee, Stephen Weed, Weed, was was beaten beaten and and tied tied up up along along with with aa neighbor neighbor who who tried tried to to help. help. Witnesses ca Witnesses reported reported seeing seeing aa struggling struggling Hearst Hearst being being car ried blindfolded, and ried away away blindfolded, and she she was was put put in in the the trunk trunk of of aa car. Neighbors who were car. Neighbors who came came out out into into the the street street were forced fired their forced to to take take cover cover after after the the kidnappers kidnappers fired their guns to cover their escape. Note: All information is provided by the History Chan nel and can be found at http://www.history.com/tdih. do. Graphic courtesy www.aperfectworld.org �SPORTS 16 BASKETBALL from PAGE 20 Women’s basketball In many instances in life, attempting to retaliate after taking a loss may not be the best option. But in sports, avenging a loss is the sweetest and yet, the only option. After suffering a twenty point loss in the first game nearly two months ago against Delaware Valley, the Lady Colonels will look to bounce back and grab a much needed win at home versus the Aggies this Saturday. “We work very hard as a team and have progressed so much since the beginning of the season. As long as we keep that up, and use the heart and desire we have, we’ll be ready when we see them on Saturday,” said junior captain Katie Cappelloni. Despite working with a young team, coach Rachel Emmerthal has demonstrated much improvement from the previous season totaling six wins thus far, which is the same amount of wins the Lady Colonels finished with last year. Emmerthal stated, “We’re a young team, and we’re starting to play well together, and I think we are beginning to come together more.” Junior guard Randi Corbo leads the Lady Colonels scoring attack, averaging nearly twelve points per contest, while both cap- tains Lacey Andresen and Katie Cappelloni chip in with 9.2 points per game. During the Lady Colonels first outing against Delaware Valley, the Aggies put on a shooting clinic, hitting 42% of their shots from downtown and 48% overall from the floor, while the Lady Colonels only shot 32% in the contest. The Lady Colonels showed much effort on defense by forcing 17 turnovers, but just could not contain their hot shooting. If the Lady Colonels are able to shut down the Aggies primary shooters and control the rebounding category, they will improve their home record, which currently stands at 4-4. “Rebounding is essential in winning the game. We will be able to utilize our bigs which makes it easier to attack and have options to be successful,” said Emmerthal. Speaking of rebounding, Kelly Patchell who leads the team with a solid 6.9 rebounds per game, believes that good defense shall get the Lady Colonels the “W.” “The Del Val game was one of our earlier games, and I think our biggest problem was defense. We have been working on our defense all year and communication is a big part of that,” said Patchell. The Lady Colonels are at home Saturday February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. The JANUARY 29, 2007 The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes junior guard Randi Corbo drives to the hoop against FDU-Florham on January 24. Wilkes won the game 79-72. “Wilkes University welcomes the Cumberland student housing project to our neighborhood.” - Paul S. Adams Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments - 12 Efficiency Suites - Secure Entry - Elevator - Coin Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Removal Cumberland Efficiency $475./month Cumberland Efficiency Suite $675./month 17 West Ross Street, Wilkes Barre 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com “A comfortable and attractive alternative for our off campus students.” - Paul S. Adams, PhD V.P. Student Affairs �SPORTS JANUARY 29, 2007 17 Editor’s Picks: Top 10 sports headlines to look for in ‘07 BY SPORTS EDITORIAL STAFF David Beckham Beckham recently signed a contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team for over 200 million dollars over 5 years. Will the hype that he has been getting so far this year be worthwhile for the Galaxy? Rutgers Football As we look back on the success that the Scarlet Knights had in 2006, a team that historically has not been anything special, we wonder if they can repeat their performance in the upcoming season. Curse of William Penn For so many years, Philadelphia athletic teams have come so close to advancing to a championship game or actually getting there, but then something terrible happens and the famous line that comes to mind is, “There is always next year.” For those of you that do not know, a statue of William Penn is sitting high atop Philadelphia City Hall. For the longest time, Penn was the highest object on the Philadelphia skyline, but that soon changed. Once ADNES $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE !MM Daisuke Matsuzaka The question on the minds of all Bostonians this offseason is whether or not “Dice-K,” the 100 million Japanese import, can actually live up to the hype. Reggie Bush The Heisman Trophy winner and New Orleans Saints running back might find himself embrolied in further controversy after recorded conversations regarding his alleged acceptance of funds when he was still at USC. Kevin Durant This freshman forward has been putting up major numbers for the Texas Longhorns during his first season. Durant averages 24.4 points a game and is a beast on the glass, collecting 11 rebounds per game. We don’t know about you, but he’s beginning to look I Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 !TV like Carmelo Anthony in his championship season at Syracuse University to us. Look out for Mr. Durant in March. Terrell Owens From being accused of attempting to commit suicide to dancing around playing rap music at his birthday bash, Terrell Owens may be returning to the Cowboys, but without Bill Parcells. Let’s see if the next head coach can handle T.O. Jeff Garcia The former Pro-Bowl quarterback had quite an audition for a starting job in 2007 when he stepped in to take the place of injured Donovan McNabb. His great play allowed the Eagles to finish the season with a 6-1 record en route to winning the NFC East. Garcia, not likely to return to Philadelphia, will be a hot commodity in the offseason for any team looking for a starting quarterback. AI & Carmello Anthony Can anybody say Harlem Globetrotters? Well, that’s what the boys in powder blue are looking like nowadays. Ever since Allen Iverson said peace to the 76ers and Carmelo Anthony returned from suspension after punching on the Knicks, the Denver Nuggets have made basketball look so much easier. Shaking defenders out of their shoes, throwing alley-oops from the concession stands, it’s just not fair to the rest of the NBA to have both all-stars playing on the same team. Let’s see what ‘07 has in store for the Nuggets. Dallas Mavericks Although the Mavericks eight game winning streak was recently snapped by the Chicago Bulls, they still are unstoppable. Now they only have just the second best record in the entire NBA. With a veteran lineup that lost four out of six games in the finals last season against the Miami Heat, and a 7 foot monster known as Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks may be the lone soldier coming out of the Western Conference for a second consecutive season. Nowitzki is playing like a MVP candidate, and the Mavericks are something to be reckoned with in ‘07. Wilkes-Barre ROWNIE A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread Expires 5/31/076 the first building taller than William Penn was erected in Philadelphia, no team has successfully advanced to a championship game and won. Will 2007 be the year that the curse is broken? I 5 70-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �SPORTS 18 JANUARY 29, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Super Bowl XLI:Indianapolis Colts vs Chicago Bears Can Manning define his legacy in Miami? Double Take BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It all comes down to this. After 19 weeks of grueling, in-your-face, intense games, the NFL’s top two teams face off. The season gets decided in 60 minutes. This week, the top two teams in the NFL are facing off in Super Bowl XLI to determine who gets the Lombardi Trophy and who gets to try again next year. This season, it’s the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears who are vying for football immortality. And with each Big Game, there are several storylines surrounding each team. Will Peyton Manning finally be able to define his legacy and win “the big one?” Can Brian Urlacher prove the age old rule that “the best offense is a good defense?” Can Adam Vinatieri, arguably the greatest postseason kicker of all-time, repeat his Super Bowl magic that resulted in three rings? Which coach will become the first African-American to ever win the Super Bowl? Will it be Chicago’s Lovey Smith or Indianapolis’ Tony Dungy? And so it goes. More importantly it all comes down to whatever team can perform on the field on gameday. Offense Indianapolis: The Colts had one of the most prolific offenses in 2006, and the credit for that goes to Peyton Manning, who led the AFC in passing yards (4397), touchdowns (31), and passer rating (101.0). Of course, Manning couldn’t have done it without an impressive cast of supporting players, including the perennial go-to guy Marvin Harrison, who was second in the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. Besides Harrison, Manning also had reliable hands in wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark, who has been especially key so far this postseason, leading the team with 103 receiving yards. Most surprising of all is the running back tandem of Joseph Addai and Domi- nic Rhodes, who were left to fill the void of Edgerrin James after he departed for Arizona in free agency in the off season. Chicago: The Bears, on the other hand, don’t have nearly the offensive firepower. Despite leading the NFC in points per game, they are ninth in total offense, as well as not even being in the top five in the passing and rushing yards. Still, Chicago does have some very dynamic players who can change the flow of the game. They are led by Rex Grossman, a quarterback who is still wet behind the ears, as evidenced by his inconsistent performance throughout the season. His 3,193 yards and 23 touchdowns are adequate, but not spectacular. His favorite targets this season have been veteran wide receiver Mushin Muhammed and Bernard Berrian, along with tight end Desmond Clark. On the ground, the Bears will rely on the workhorse Thomas Jones, whose 4.1 yards per carry and 6 touchdowns led the team in the regular season. ADVANTAGE: COLTS Defense Indianapolis: The Colts are notorious for having the most maligned defense when it comes to stopping the run, something which teams have exploited mercilessly in the regular season. They’ve allowed a staggering 173 yards per game this season, which is the worst in the NFL. In the air, the Colts have faired much better statistically, only allowing 159.2 yards per game, a stat which is clouded given the fact that teams have been less likely to pass against a team that they can run up and down the field against. Despite the weak defense in the regular season, the Colts have found new life in the playoffs, and as a result have managed to stifle the running game of all the opponents they’ve faced so far. Chicago: The Bears have excelled on the defensive side of the ball, allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground in the regular season, and less than 200 yards per game in the air. The real strength in the Bears defense is their ability to cause their opponents to turn the ball over. They led the NFL in turnovers (44), causing 24 interceptions and 20 fumbles. ADVANTAGE: BEARS Special Teams Indianapolis: Two words: Adam Vinatieri. Chicago: Devin Hester has been the dynamo of returns for the Bears this season, scoring three times on kickoff returns and twice on punt returns, totaling 1,353 yards. ADVANTAGE: BEARS Ultimately, the game is going to get decided by whoever can cause the other team to make more mistakes. If the defense of the Bears is as solid as it’s been for the regular season, then expect to see them get the win. However, the Colts offense cannot be ruled out. Peyton Manning proved in the win against the New England Patriots that he can pick apart a defense better than anyone in the game today. There is a reason the Colts are consistently one of the better offenses each year, and Manning’s performance in the second half of last week’s game proved to everyone that he has the chops to win the big one. The Pick: Indianapolis 30 Chicago 17 Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Ah, the Super Bowl. When I began writing this column, I thought the Colts would be playing the Patriots. As you can see, I am looking quite forward to this monumental event. Ordinarily, I would base my pick for winner on one of the following: team colors, ratio of attractive players, which animal I think would beat the other in real life. Unfortunately, none of those apply here because the Colts and the Bears have varying shades of the same color, are lacking the likes of Tony Romo and Paul Posluszny (the only football players whose names I know and who I think are even a little good-looking, and yes, I am aware that Posluszny plays for a college team and that there is a difference) and colts fighting bears is just ridiculous. I am forced to find a new way of determining the winner, but don’t worry, I’m not going to look at stats or skills or any of those insignificant factors. I checked out both the rosters of the Colts and the Bears, and a lot of the Colts players have way cooler names than those of the Bears. First of all, one player’s last name is Saturday! I think that’s fun. Other first names include Dwight, Dallas and Rocky. I love it! I think the entire starting line-up (or whatever it is called) should consist of these players. But I’m saving the best for last. One of the players is named… wait for it… Dexter! Based on that fact alone, I believe the Colts have this one. Hopefully Dexter will pull through for us in the end and prove me right, but if not, I’m really not going to be affected at all, as long as the commercials are funny. �JANUARY 29, 2007 Athlete of the Week: Justin Barowski BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Staff Writer Wilkes sophomore wrestler Justin Barowski is the athlete of the week after going undefeated in three matches last week, including one match against Division One Liberty University. Barowski, currently ranked third at 165 pounds in the most recent Metropolitan Conference Individual Rankings, has sixteen wins and three losses on the season. The Colonel wrestling team took on three opponents last week including eighth ranked Delaware Valley College, Messiah College and Liberty University. Barowski started the week with a 7-3 win by decision over Ryan Pope of Delaware Valley. In the dual meet tournament, Barowski would jump a weight class to 174 pounds and pin Joseph Son of Liberty University in the second period. Barowski’s final match of the week proved to be his closest, beating Derek Ricker of Messiah by a point. With the Metropolitan Championship fast approaching on February 18th, Barowski has intensified his training in hopes of winning a bid to the Division Three National SPORTS Championship. Barowski explained, “I am focusing more on working hard. I think my skill level right now is the highest it has been all season.” Coach Jon Laudenslager feels Barowski is a leader to all his teammates. Laudenslager commented, “He [Barowski] challenges his teammates every day in the room.” He added, “He [Barowski] understands that working hard is part of achieving in this sport.” Laudenslager believes Barowski’s strong performance on the mat is highly due to the individual training he does outside of practice. Laudenslager explained, “He has a real sense of what needs to be done to win at this level.” Laudenslager has high hopes for Barowski for the remainder of the season. He feels Barowski has a great chance at being an All American if he continues to work hard. Laudenslager explained, “He [Barowski] has the toughest weight class in the conference, but I think he can beat any one of those kids if he continues to train hard and peaks at the right time.” For his strong performance on the mat, sophomore wrestler Justin Barowski is the Athlete of the Week. • 18 Total number of points scored by both Matt Gould and Tom Kresge in the Colonels loss to FDU this past Wednesday. The Beacon/Todd Weibel A Wilkes University student takes on the rock climbing wall at the University Center on Main. The rock wall is one of the many features that the UCOM has to offer. WEEKEND RECAPS Wrestling The 13th-ranked Wilkes University wrestling team split a pair of decisions in a tri-match hosted by the University of Scranton on Saturday night. The Colonels suffered a hardfought 25-21 loss to Centenary College in their opening match of the evening. Wilkes bounced back to earn a 47-3 victory over the host Royals in the nightcap. / 828 Wilkes Justin Barowski is 17-4 overall this season. 19 The Beacon/Alissa Lindner Men’s Basketball The Colonels suffered a 75-51 loss at DeSales University on Saturday. The Colonels trailed by only six at the half, but could not control the Bulldogs in the second half, being outscored 42-24. This loss puts the Colonels in last place with a 1-7 conference record and 9-8 overall. DeSales improves their mark to 14-4 and 6-2 in the conference Women’s Basketball Randi Corbo scored 15 points and handed out 4 assists as the DeSales Bulldogs still managed to spank the Lady Colonels in their 70-41 point win over Wilkes University on Saturday. Despite the Lady Colonels excellent performance on Wednesday in which they beat FDU-Florham 79-72, they could not stop a 16-0 run by the Bulldogs in the second half. The Lady Colonels record stands at 6-13 overall and 2-6 in the conference. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 125 The weight class that can’t hold sophomore Felipe Queiroz as he cruises through with an outstanding 13-3 record. 15 Number of points scored by Randi Corbo as the Lady Colonels loss to the DeSales Bulldogs 70-41 on Saturday. 1185 Total number of points cashed in by the Colonels men’s basketball team. �Sports JANUARY 29, 2007 20 Preview of the Week: Basketball Double Header vs. Delaware Valley BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Men’s Basketball Sometimes entering a contest overconfident may easily come back around to haunt you. That was a hard lesson to be learned for the Colonels, as they lost on the road against a mediocre Delaware Valley team by eleven points. The bright side is that conference match-ups are played twice. Ladies and gentleman, it’s that time again as the Colonels face the Aggies this Saturday at home. “I don’t think we brought it all against Del Val. I think we went down there and looked at them as not a very good team. So we came out, and slacked off, and it bit us in the rear end,” said junior guard Jeremy Kable. After King’s College snapped the Colonels six game winning streak on January 10th, the Colo- nels have lost six straight games, leaving them with a 9-8 record overall. Although the Colonels conference record stands at 1-7, they still have a chance to improve upon their young team against the Aggies. The first time these two teams met, the Colonels had no answer for Isaiah Pickney who scorched the Colonels for 27 points and played the entire forty minutes. Kable led the Colonels with 19 points. The Colonels shot just 29 percent from three point land, while the Aggies tossed in 66 percent of their three pointers. The Colonels also committed 22 turnovers, but out-rebounded the Aggies 43-35. With a more valiant defensive effort, and a hard nose offensive attack, the Colonels may be able to beat up on the Aggies this time around. “We have to get the ball inside on them, and make them pay in there,” stated head coach Jerry See BASKETBALL page 16 *Women’s basketball @ Lycoming - 6:00 p.m. *Wrestling vs. The College of New Jersey - 7:00 Monday 1/29 p.m. *Provost search forum, Breis 107 - *Men’s basketball @ Lycoming - 8:00 11:00 a.m. p.m. Tuesday 1/30 Thursday 2/1 *Provost search forum, Breis 107 - *No events scheduled. 11:00 a.m. Friday 2/2 *No events scheduled. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes junior guard Matt Gould takes a shot against FDU-Florham on January 24. Campus Calendar. All Week: *Sudan: The Cost of Silence exhibit, Sordoni Art Gallery. Wednesday 1/31 Rickrode, who is in his 15th season. “We also have to help more on defense, because they have an outstanding guard who is a senior. So we have to contain him more.” A hard body offensive scheme along with a shut down defensive approach will give the Colonels the edge that will lead them to victory in their second meeting with the Aggies. Freshman forward Tom Kresge leads the Colonels scoring attack with 14 points per contest, while both Steve Kline and Jeremy Kable average 10 points per game. Starting point guard Matt Gould leads the team with 64 assists on the season and will try to guide his team to victory in their ninth conference game. The Colonels come into the contest with a chip on their shoulders and will look to dust the Aggies on their way to a second conference win on February 3 at 3p.m. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH WAIT!!! Saturday 2/3 *Women’s basketball vs. Delaware Valley - 1:00 p.m. *Wrestling @ Ithica - 2:00 p.m. *Men’s basketball vs. Delaware Valley - 3:00 p.m. Sunday 2/4 *No events scheduled. Person .is coming from 2nd floor This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. There was no winner last week. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 January 29th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 January 29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/93ed6a4ef24a014ceef9fd318d006119.pdf 28d08867c063f55562fe861fb6b2fe6a PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW FEBRUARY 5, 2007 Show me the money... Volume 59 Issue 13 www.wilkesbeacon.com SG members voice concern about status of funds BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor When asked what he thinks of Student Government (SG) spending this year, sophomore class president, Dave Sborz, doesn’t mince words. “I think that the way we are spending money this year is absolutely ridiculous.” SG is annually charged with dispersing student fees, which are part of the tuition charges for every student. This responsibility is akin to what an elected official must do with the revenue generated by taxes. With the large pool of funds raised by taxes, legislators must make decisions about how best to use the money to benefit constituents. Like state or federal legislators, then, Wilkes SG representatives are charged with analyzing budgetary requests and needs and applying student dollars to them. Annually, student groups go before SG with funding requests for everything from sweatshirts and t-shirts, to attendance and travel costs for academic and leadership conferences, to support for special events. SG members hear the requests and vote to fund or not based on availability of funds and whether SG members deem the fund request worthwhile. This year, however, spring requests for funding may receive more “no” votes than in the past. According to SG members, the pool of funds from which to work has evaporated more quickly than in previous years due to liberal spending in the first semester. At the beginning of the year, SG had $421,000 in its account. That money is divided approximately in half for equal dispersals at the beginning of each semester. See MONEY page 3 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Some Student Government (SG) representatives are concerned that the SG treasury will run dry by the end of the school year, and it will be forced to dip into the “buffer” fund to pay for events and bills. Education best prevention against drug-related sex crimes “Date rape” considered one of the least reported crimes BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Thursday evenings at Slainte’s (formerly known as Murray’s) are wildly popular: Two dollar pitchers of Long Island iced teas and rum and cokes from 9-11 p.m. with the hoppin’ tunes of Go-Go Gadget playing in the background. What more could a student want? But with so many pitchers floating around in a sea of students, how easy would it be for somebody to slip something in? “I could definitely foresee it happening,” said senior political science major Brian McNelis. Just last month, while studying abroad in London, Wilkes junior Andrea Scarantino witnessed just such a scenario. While enjoying an evening out at a bar, Scarantino’s friend began to behave oddly, though she’d had little to drink. After she was taken to the hospital by ambulance, it was discovered that the young woman had received a drink from a man at the bar and it had been drugged. “She actually died at the hospital. They told her she had to be revived,” Scarantino said. Shortly after the incident, Scarantino put up a blog on Facebook which has already received two responses from locals. “People try to pull that crap here, too,” one response read. “I don’t even go to the bathroom without my drink in my hand... even if I know people are watching it.” According to a flier from the National Drug Intelligence Center, “Drug-facilitated sexual assault involves the administration of an anesthesia-type drug to render a victim physically incapacitated or helpless and thus incapable of giving or withholding [sexual] consent.” The victim in London was too overwhelmed by the experience to recall precisely the drug doctors told her she ingested, but chances are that the drug was either Rohypnol or GHB, the drugs of choice for sexual abuse perpetrators. Rohypnol is the frontrunner, a colorless, odorless prescription pill that is relatively cheap, costing no more than $5 per tablet. Illegal in the United States, Rohypnol is widely available across Europe, Mexico, See DATE RAPE page 4 In This Issue... He Said She Said PAGE 6 Comic Book Club PAGE 9 JC Chasez PAGE 12 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS FEBRUARY 5, 2007 2 Greenway Expansion Tree Lighting SG Notes 2 3 3 Expansion of the greenway still a work in progress Students embrace idea of open space, raise concerns about sidewalk safety BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Correspondent With Punxatawney Phil’s recent promise of an early spring, Wilkes community members may begin to think about the promise of new growth in the expanded greenway. It’s tough to see the possibilities under the recent blanket of white, but officials assure that the expansion of the greenway is nearing completion. John Pesta, Director Capital Projects, said, “The original completion date for the project was mid November 2006 but as is common with outdoor construction and landscaping projects, delays occurred that were beyond our control.” He added that in addition to the weather, there were other obstacles that arose. “During excavation, we encountered old foundations from previously demolished buildings. In addition, sections of our underground electrical distribution system had to be relocated to ensure future access to the system so it was not compromised,” said Pesta. According to President Tim Gilmour, “We are expecting that the construction will be complete this spring.” The expansion of the greenway was designed to provide more space for outside events. “Early on in the design phase of the Quad expansion project, there was a request to provide a more intimate space for students to hold outdoor events. This became a key element of the site design and the architects developed the concept of the ellipse (oval shape sidewalk area) with the Pergola that has a stage at one end. The layout and structure provides an appealing space to hold outside events,” said Pesta. Even though there were complications, Gilmour noted that he believes that the finished greenway will benefit the university. “Long term, I hope that it will create an area that people will enjoy and Scott Byers, Vice President for will bring a level of peace,” stated Finance and General Counsel, reGilmour. sponded to the student concerns While the green space has re- about the sidewalks noting that it’s ceived praise from students who important for community members look forward to its beauty in the to report problems if they occur. spring and fall, the new sidewalks “We [the university] are not aware have posed some challenges. of any types of problems related Laura Zuckery, junior history to the new sidewalks in regards to and spanish major said, “I think falls or accidents…The concrete that the greenway will be nice is similar to other sidewalks in when it gets warm out, and I that they are concrete but the conthink it will entice students to go crete is stamped and sealed. This outside more. However, the new type of sidewalk has been used sidewalks get slippery quick, and in many institutional settings, students who are disabled have a parks, driveways, etc. to enhance harder time getting places, and it appearance and extend the life of takes them longer. But, the expan- the concrete.” He added that any sion should ultimately benefit the concerns and accidents should be university.” reported so that the university is Rachel Jablon, senior spanish made aware and can address the and english double major, be- problem. lieves that the new sidewalks near Wasef agreed that students the expansion are slippery and should speak up to let officials students with certain physical dis- know of any problems they are abilities have a hard time travel- encountering. “Students shouldn’t ing to other parts of campus. “The be afraid to talk with the univernew sidewalks are hard for me to sity because by speaking out they use because my chair slides all are helping themselves and others, over them,” said Jablon. so we could avoid someone getMoreover, George Wasef, junior ting hurt in the future,” he said. double major in pre-pharmacy and business administration major, observed that when he was on RA duty doing rounds he notice that the new sidewalks were slippery. “The new side“Drinking isn’t all walks are somethat dangerous.” thing I worry about. They One in three 18-24 year-olds seem to get icy admitted to emergency rooms for quicker than the serious injuries are intoxication. And old ones and it could be a little alcohol is also associated with dangerous for homicides, suicides, and drownings. someone who isn’t cautious -Sponsored by Health Services when walking. More [maintenance] and spraying more salt could help,” http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp said Wasef. Alcohol Myth Busters: [I] The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski These Roman style pillars are just one of the new additions to plan the Greenway Expansion Project. Work will resume in spring. B E ACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 MONEY NEWS funds, SG General and the buffer fund. The SG general fund is broken down into the various accounts (leadership, spirit, etc) but that is just for our recorders to judge our spending. All Student Government spending come out of SG General.” Jenna Strzelecki, SG President, added, “We actually have a bunch of different funds under [the SG total of $60,000]. They are all-college funds where different fund requests come from. We have a conference fund if people are going to conferences that we take that from.” asking for money which technically impact a small number of students on campus, and from FRONT PAGE SG members have opted to fund those reA variety of student groups receive specifquests. Sborz believes money should be ic allocations for each semester. At the beused for the student body as a whole. “I ginning of both the fall and spring semesters think what they are doing for their clubs is about $80,600 is divided among the followexcellent, but I think the way we are spending groups: Alternative Spring Break; Aming money this year is just absolutely ridicnicola; BACCHUS; cheerleading; Circle ulous. I think we need to look at ourselves; K; community service; Commuter Counwe need to understand that this is money cil; concert & lecture; crew club; IRHC; that we are all paying into. I think it’s monlacrosse club; MSC; Off-Campus Council; ey we need to look back and say ‘O.K., this Residence Life; Student Health Advisory is money that every single student in the university is paying, and [we need to examine] how to best allocate those resources.’ It [will be] devastat30,000 ing this year if we run out of money.” Dean of Students Mark Allen, 2 4 ,000 who has seen many / years of student leadership in Wilkes SG, reflected ■ Budgeted 1 8,000 / on the financial / situations of past school years and -+-- --+-- ----+- - --1-- ---1-- ----1 • Actual said, “I think that l :l,000 they spent a considerable amount of money this year, and I don’t judge 6,000 as an advisor how specifically the money is spent. I think that is a big 0 responsibility that General sp ec i a l Sp i r i t conferences All Proj ects they have as a start -up co llege Leadership student organization. Over the past The Beacon/Andrew Seaman several years as an This is a chart that shows Student Government’s budgeted amount of money for each account and the actual advisor I am sure amounts that are in its accounts as of January 24, 2007. I’ve seen more money spent and Council; and speech and debate team. As Strzelecki explained, the remaining the fiscal situations a little bit tighter.” In addition, each semester Programming $60,000 is dispersed among seven funds The Treasurer’s report on the minutes of Board is allocated $65,000 to organize vari- that are designated for specific projects. the last SG meeting notes that SG has a toous activities such as comedians, concerts, However some SG representatives ac- tal of $74,376 in its bank account. Of that etc. knowledged that there is not enough money total, $60,000 must go to specific purposes So, while SG technically began this se- remaining to make it to the end of the se- such as the leadership fund, the special mester with approximately $216,500, from mester without going into the “buffer” fund, project fund or others listed in the all-colthat amount: $65,000 has been applied to which is normally reserved for large proj- lege lines during the spring semester. SG Programming Board, another $80,600 has ects such as investment in the ropes course also has approximately $14,376 remainbeen taken out for the sixteen clubs men- at the UCOM and the addition to the Henry ing from last semester which has been distioned above; $3,400 is dispersed among Student Center. persed among those accounts. The general the individual undergraduate classes (freshThe person who knows the financial state fund has $12,260 in it. men, sophomore, junior, senior); and finally of SG better than anyone is Jonathan McHowever, there are still several events to $7,500 are allocated to the student organi- Clave, SG Treasurer. “I don’t see us run- be held and spring term is the busiest time zations secretary per semester. This leaves ning out of money, but you can never really for student conference attendance. For ex$60,000 for SG to use for the spring. be positive of that,” he said. “This year we ample, at last week’s SG meeting, 25 psyThe person who knows SG’s funds better have spent substantially more money than chology club students sought $3,329.52 of than anyone else is its treasurer, Jonathan we have in years past.” support to attend a conference in PhiladelMcClave. He explained, “The school reOne criticism Sborz has leveled is that phia. corders only show two Student Government many clubs and organizations come to SG In a head to head comparison of reports t---•-·_· ■ 3 14 months apart, the Treasurer’s report from January 24, 2007, compared with the Treasurer’s report from March 29 of 2006, shows that SG has $35,666.50 more in its account than it had a year ago. However, expensive events such as Spring Fling, Winter Weekend, Casino Night and the SG Summit still have yet to recieve funds. In addition, according to McClave, SG has spent substantially more than it did at this time last year and there is almost a two month difference in the time period not working in this year’s favor. McClave acknowledged, “We’ve spent $22,000 more this year than we did last year. So there has been an increase in spending. It’s just how wisely we’ve been spending it. I think that’s the main concern.” “We need to come up with a more uniform way of voting on fund requests like whether or not we pay for food, because some of the clubs come in asking for food and in years past we have [supported that] and we need to standardize that more,” McClave added. Sborz, on the other hand, supports an increase in student fees. “Next week I am making a presentation to this room, to this body, and we are thinking of raising the student union fee. Why? Because students are coming to us with all these concerns, and at the end of the year we don’t want to be stuck not having that money.” Allen thinks that this is an interesting time for SG, and he said, “I think it’s good that they’re really taking a look at their fiscal responsibilities, because that is one of their biggest challenges.”Will SG run out of money? It is simply too early to tell, but it seems some SG members are concerned about the situation and will be evaluating their own performance on this issue. Meanwhile, students are also speaking their minds on the issue. Erin Sweet, a freshman integrative media major says, “I think SG needs to look at the way it runs itself, in the sense that they are the ones that let clubs be clubs...[and] approves [if] they get money. I’ve been hearing that SG has been allowing a lot of clubs to go through the system recently and I think they need to start to limit.” The SG meetings are open to all students who can voice their opinions at the end of the meeting. The meetings are held on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. Editor’s Note: All budget information taken from SG documents. �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 DATE RAPE from FRONT PAGE NEWS GHB can pack on the victim, rendering him/her without memory of events when the victim finally regains consciousness. “The hippocampus helps us form memories and when you depress function of that area, you’re giving yourself amnesia. Both of these drugs are good at doing that. If a person can’t remember what happened, they’re not going to report,” McCune said. Better known as “club drugs,” Rohypnol and GHB can both pose a threat at any bar or tavern, but according to Wilkes senior Matt LoPresto, a bartender at Slainte’s, there is no potential threat at the popular downtown watering hole. and Columbia, where it can easily be smuggled into the US. “It’s a prescription,” said assistant professor of pharmaceutical science Dr. Dan McCune. “People use it for sleep and anxiety. In fact, it’s chemically related to Valium,” he added. GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate), on the other hand, is a potent central nervous system depressant used for euphoric and sedative effects. And unlike Rohypnol, it can be manufactured by using certain components from household cleaning solvents “We don’t have a tremendous to kits sold on the Internet rang- amount on campus. However, sexing from $48 to ual assaults are traditionally one of $200. According to McCune, one the more underreported crimes.” doesn’t need to be clad in a white lab coat to pre- Gerry Dessoye, W-B Chief of Police pare it, either. “GHB is manufactured in homemade laboratories, like “The good thing about Murray’s is that meth labs. So it’s a process that people it’s like a Cheers bar,” LoPresto said. “All can perform fairly easily without a lot of the Wilkes students go to it so you know training,” he said. everybody there, but we’re always on the Though local police official acknowl- lookout for the unfamiliar face…there’s edge that the area receives approximate- a lot of good looking girls that go to the ly 30 reported rape cases in a year, there bar.” isn’t any conclusive evidence on how Though there are prescription drugs that many of these assaults are drug-related. can be taken to prevent the effects of Ro“We don’t have a tremendous amount hypnol, these antag-flumazenil agents are on campus,” said Wilkes-Barre Police nearly impossible for the average person Chief Gerry Dessoye. “However, sexual to get their hands on. assaults are traditionally one of the more “It’s nothing you would have access to underreported crimes,” he said. ordinarily,” McCune said. “They usually This lack of reporting could be due to use it to treat overdoses.” anterograde amnesia, a powerful punch As for an antidote being made readily to the brain that both Rohypnol and available to the general public? 4 “I haven’t heard of anyone proposing that, but it’s an interesting idea. I don’t know that there’s anything particularly harmful about this particular drug. They’re prescription only because they can be misused,” McCune said. The punishment for attempted drug-induced sexual assault is up to 20 years in prison plus fines. “We take any report of any rape or sexual assault very seriously, and I can only encourage people to report anyone that is a victim of any type of sexual assault to the police because it’s not The Beacon/Aleksander Lapinski just about themselves. If someone Rohypnol is a tasteless, odorless prescription pill that will usually gets away with turn a clear drink blue, as it dissolves. This makes blue drinks such as harming one perdaquaris, martinis, and margaritas especially dangerous. It is advised son, they’re much to never leave a drink unattended. more likely to do it to someone survivors, domestic violence, and assault. else,” Dessoye said. The VRC can be reached at 823-0765 and For anyone who has been the victim of a sexu- its regular office number is 823-0766. al assault or worries about a loss of memory and unusual circumstances following a night out, the Victim’s Resource Center ioffers counseling and support. The VRC offers a 24-hour hotline, staffed with trained counselors that provides services for a variety of crimes, including rape Facts on Date Rape Drugs Rohypnol and GHB Rohypnol: A tasteless, odorless, presciption pill that is illegal in the United States. Used as a sedative across Europe, Mexico, and Columbia, Rohypnol is up to 10 times stronger than Valium according to the NDIC. Street names: Circles, Forget-me pill, Mind Eraser, Roofies GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate): A powerful central nervous system depressant that can be made rather easily from components of home cleaning solvents and kits sold on the Internet. Street names: Cherry meth, Everclear, Fantasy, Gamma-O, Georgia Home boy, Griffic, Jib. At the January 31 Student Government (SG) meeting: The psychology club requested funding for 25 members to attend a conference in Philadelphia. SG heard the request and will rule at this week’s meeting. * SG members agreed to purchase admission for 150 students to attend the Vagina Monologues, at $5.00 a piece with a $750 cap. The Islamic Interest Society put in a fund request for $750 to support various activities and events. * SG meetings are held on the second floor of the Student Center in the Miller Conference Room every Wednesday at 6 p.m. * = Action taken next week �NEWS FEBRUARY 5, 2007 New lighting project brings warmth to the Square BY JEANNIE STAPLETON Beacon Correspondent Lights, Camera…. Trees? Leadership WilkesBarre is currently working on a project that will light the trees up on Public Square. “We really got excited with the entire idea”, says Jane Smedley, team member of Leadership WilkesBarre. Within the first couple of weeks of planning, the “Lights on the Square” team identified their goals and determined how they would go about raising money for their project. “Our mission statement is to (1) illuminate the square, (2) enhance safety and (3) draw attention downtown,” said Smedley. The project is slated to be completed somewhere between the beginning to mid March. Leadership Wilkes-Barre is planning a Lighting Ceremony that will be hosted by the Alumni Council. The lights will be a permanent fixture. Leadership Wilkes-Barre is asking for a $150 donation for sponsorship of each tree. However, there were initial concerns about the project team. “We had environmental concerns (i.e. squirrels eating the actual wires, vandals, how long the lights would last, etc). We had to meet with the city for approval, and they have been amazing and incredibly supportive. They are taking part in the il- MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I 5 lumination of the monuments/statutes as well as the flag, and the labor. The bulbs should last approximately 10,000 hours....so they will be on dusk to dawn, and really make the Square a nicer place to be,” says Smedley. Leadership Wilkes-Barre is currently working on five different projects; the “Lights on the Square” is just one of the five. When discussing another of the projects in a previous WNEP report, the revitalization of the clock in the Square, Gabrielle Lamb, Leadership Wilkes-Barre team member, said, “I think any little bit is important as the Chamber concentrates on some bigger projects to move the city along. This is just our little piece of it.” They are hoping that the lights will add warmth to the Public Square and draw people back downtown. “I think a lot of people will be first interested in seeing what the ‘Lights on the Square’ is all about. The interest in becoming a sponsor has been great too! Lots of people are interested in increasing the attraction, appeal and safety of the downtown. I think it will add a great segue for the area too - so that people want to drive around the square again, want to walk down to the square again, etc. There are so many fantastic developments in the area - we hope that this will just add to a greater downtown,” said Smedley. The Beacon/Cara Koster Wilkes-Barre ROWNIE Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �Opinion FEBRUARY 5, 2007 6 Renter’s Rights 7 A Sight for Sore Eyes 7 Radical Medicine 8 He said/She said: The Democratic frontrunners: Clinton v. Obama BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Lately, it has been all about the ‘he said she said.’ She said this. He said that. She has more experience. He has the likeability factor. Two of the Democratic presidential hopefuls, New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, have seen their every move critiqued as they move one step closer to the hot seat--the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination. Voters and pundits alike are quick to criticize the current administration for its recent choices regarding Iraq, as well as other policy decisions since 2002. In fact, the Bush administration’s approval ratings are at an all-time low. So what qualities must the next president posses to win back the faith of the American people? What issues will be at the forefront of the presidential campaign? IRAQ IRAQ IRAQ--This hot issue is not subsiding anytime soon. Both Obama and Clinton have made it clear where they stand. On January 30, 2007, Obama introduced the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007. This proposed legislation would stop the escalation of troops and would cap the number of troops in Iraq as of January 10, 2007. A second talking point is a phased redeployment no later than May 1, 2007. Troops would be redeployed to the United States, Afghanistan and other areas in the Middle East. Surprisingly, Obama and Bush agree on the enforcement of benchmarks which would serve as the basis to tracking progress. Obama delivered his plan with the goal of removing all combat brigades by March 31, 2008. As part of the Armed Services Committee Senator Clinton, has been a key advocate for troops and their families. Clinton acknowledges that there were never Afghanistan. And Clinton openly criticizes the current administration for its blatant disregard of the Iraq Study Group’s findings and recommendations. Race has become an interesting component to the 2008 Democratic bid for the presidency. Thanks Courtesty of www.fiveanddime.net/ enough troops from the beginning in Iraq. Recently, she has made the bold statement that if she is elected president come January to some erroneous reports and ridiculous rumors, there was speculation that Obama was Muslim. That is far from the truth. Once and for all we are going to set the record straight. He is biracial! His father is from Kenya, Africa and his mother is from Kansas. Political strategists argue that the Illinois Senator will need to pick a race Courtesy of http://davespeaks.blogspot.com/ to whom he 2009, she will end the war in Iraq. most wants to appeal--the “logic” Along with Obama, Clinton behind this theory, of course, is agrees to cap the number of troops that a viable candidate cannot apand will call for phased redeploy- peal to both blacks and whites on ment. To remove troops from Af- the same platform. We disagree. ghanistan and move them to Iraq Why should he, or any candiwould be a military nightmare date, have to appeal to a single according to Clinton. She feels element of our American populamore troops should be placed in tion? Does diversity not create dimension? There is much to like about Obama. He has often been described as articulate, young and handsome. Perhaps, this new 21st century type of approach is what this country has been lacking. Critics and fans alike have noted that Senator Clinton has received the good old “Washington Polish” in her time as a Senator. This polish can be seen in the way she answers questions as well as her persona. In interviews Clinton never seems to answer the question directly, but rather works her way around it. But the fact is that if we look at each of the candidates, there is no one--Republican or Democrat--who hasn’t been put through the spin cycle and buffed to some sort of high shine before running for The Office. And, just as the question, “Is America ready to elect a black man?” hovers, so, too, does the question, “Is America ready to elect a woman to the presidency?” It’s unfortunate that we even entertain such questions in the 21st century. So what does this country need in a viable Democratic candidate? Ten things to start: 1) Guts, 2) a plan for dealing with the mess in Iraq, 3) a backbone on the issue of global warming, 4) the means to unify a divided Congress, 5) ethics, 6) ideas for how to restore the credibility of the United States abroad, 7) a sensible accountant who can get the country back on the right side of the ledger, 8) a clean record, 9) smart choices for the federal judiciary, and 10) an ability to please some of the people some of the time. Ultimately it is going to be up to the next administration to fix what has been broken--starting with Iraq. Until January 2009 we can only continue and listen to the “He said She said” with open ears and choose the most worthy man or woman to mend a government divided. Editor’s Note Next Week: Republican candidate review Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 65 responses. The Beacon asked: What game show would you like to see come to campus? • • • • • • • • • • Deal or No Deal - 25% The Price is Right - 22% Jeopardy - 15% Family Feud - 13% Double Dare - 7% 1 vs. 100 - 7% Singled Out - 5% Other - 5% $25,000 Pyramid - 1% Identity - 0% Next Week’s Poll: What restaurant would you like to see downtown? • • • • • • • • • • Dave & Busters A greasy spoon diner Cold Stone Creamery White Castle IHOP Don Pablos Cheesecake Factory Hooters Hard Rock Cafe Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �OPINION FEBRUARY 5, 2007 7 Student renters be aware: you, too, have rights BY KRISTYN OSTMAN Beacon Opinion Editor I’ve known many students who dwell in apartments. Not unlike many of my peers, I’ve also chosen the off-campus apartment route. As a result, I have witnessed firsthand abuses of student renters as well as peers who are ignorant about their rights as renters. Many college students ignore their rights or opt not to exercise them, most likely out of fear of not being able to renew their lease or simply not knowing what their rights are. So, while this may seem like a dry and dull review of renter’s rights, keep in mind that if you fail to stand up for all your rights, no matter how small or mundane, then we might as well just take a poop on the Constitution and flip off Uncle Sam. The following is for all the residents that are off-campus dwellers, including those students renting from Wilkes in University Towers. Those who dorm in University Towers are subject to the rules and regulations for any other dorm. First, no matter what your relationship to your landlord, (i.e. college, friend, father, etc.) there are laws governing their behavior as well as yours. The following should be both understood between you and your landlord as well as part of your lease: Renters’ responsibilities: You cannot conduct illegal activities in your apartment, so no furnishing alcohol to minors and no meth labs! You aren’t allowed to disturb the peace, damage the apartment (unless you want to pay for it; that’s entirely up to you) and you have a duty to take out your trash, make minor repairs and notify The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski University Towers houses both on-campus and off-campus Wilkes students. the landlord of major problems. Many of you living off-campus take advantage of the freedom of living in an apartment, but keep in mind that Wilkes, as well as any landlord, retains the right to start eviction proceedings and take legal action against A Sight for Sore Eyes l~•,1~~ ·~. -~l) r \JI Q ff' M·· Wii ' 'e .·. / - , .. CJJ;..t I ,~ .I' ( \~t ·D Aleksander Lapinski ~ '- ~ '\· , ~ you for any breech of the lease agreement. Whether or not they win the suit, no poor college kid wants to pay for a lawyer so we should all try to keep our noses clean. Landlord responsibilities: A landlord must refrain from interfering \i I' I • • I . a. .OVh\o . £C . ' with the tenant’s rights to exclusive and peaceful use of the apartment. Therefore, Public Safety has no right to eavesdrop on you just because they hear voices. They also cannot compel you to leave your apartment since they are not the police, have no probable cause (as long as no one with a tshirt reading “I’m underage” is falling out of your door drunk) and they cannot and should not force you to give your name. This is a violation of your 4th Amendment rights. For those of you who have forgotten or never learned your Constitution, you have the right to be secure in your person, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizure. However, hallway, elevators, lobby, lounge and any common areas within a building are fair game. Don’t be stupid. Landlords do have the right to protect their property and keep order, but not at the total expense of your rights. Do not let anyone convince you that you suddenly don’t have the right to your privacy in your home. This doesn’t mean that you can (or should) purposely and maliciously disturb the peace of your building while waving the Constitution in the face of anyone who comes knocking. Be responsible and act like a grown-up. Finally, get everything in writing. Oral contracts between the tenant and landlord are not valid. The landlord is responsible for major problems, such as no hot water, power outage, etc. Go online and read the Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Law. You have rights and responsibilites and it would be better for everyone if we all played our part in being good renters. �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 OPINION 8 Bonding with clothing a perfectly natural phenomena BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor These cruel twists of fate seem to discourage me from, 1. buying articles of clothing I really like, or that fit very well, and 2. forming any sort of emotional bond with my clothes. While the concept of bonding with clothing sounds odd, and possibly perverted, it’s pretty much inevitable, in a nonsexual way of course. The same way guys can develop man- It’s laundry day so I’m wearing the old sweatshirt from high school that I couldn’t care less about. I’m clumsy, so the glass of red wine I’m drinking splashes all over the sleeves. (And yes, sometimes I drink wine while I do wash. What of it?) Besides that fact, the actual wine “stain” Courtesy of www.mommyneedscoffee.com is a complete non-issue. The spots will most likely wash crushes on Jon Stewart, I develop clothesout easily with a few drops of water and crushes on the articles that have seen me perhaps a bit of soap. The lack of attach- through good and bad days, and shield me ment to an article of clothing is directly in- from the elements. verse to its durability, likelihood to remain These crushes sometimes are long-lasting in my possession, and stain resistance. and fulfilling, but much like real-people reMy favorite jeans? Torn. Favorite t-shirt? lationships, they sometimes end in disaster. Slightly ripped. Most comfortable sweats Take for example, the loss of my vest last ever? Shrunk to pseudo-capri length. Be- winter. A year later I still mourn its mysloved green vest to keep me warm during terious departure. A bright green vest- how these cold winter months? M.I.A. could it magically disappear! I understand certain somehow disappeared, and a ring I had wear and tear is inevireceived as a baby fell off table. Sometimes the a chain, nowhere to bottoms of my jeans be found. At least with will get stepped on these items, I can conand torn, and that vince myself that somedamage I can deal one out there is smartly with, but when checking the time, and one the damage is lucky baby is pimped out unpredictable, wearing my jewelry. like my clumsiI suppose the only solution ness resulting to my supposed lack of luck in marred garwith clothing and jewelry is ments, it is to become a Buddhist and remuch more fuse attachment to all material difficult to goods. deal with. Either that, or I’ll start taking These care of my things, and maybe card a m ry a Tide Stain Stick. ages and losses are not limited to clothing. Any article of Courtesy of http://akamai.backcountrystore.com jewelry I become attached to is either damaged or lost. My favorite watch Radical medical decisions for kids parent’s choice tempt to keep their child, well, perpetually a child. In reality, Ashley functions much like an infant, unable to sit, stand, or even roll over by herself. According to Ashley’s parents and doctors, she will never improve, as her brain damage is irreversible. The surgery and the hormone treatment were designed and her parents from the added burden of menstruation. While there has been much public outcry about medical and parental ethics, Ashley’s care and the decisions about her health and life are no one’s decisions but her parents’. That does not mean that the idea of invasive surgery and extensive hormone treatment young, so the health effects of this procedure remain to be seen. However, while the parents may be taking some risks, including extreme public critiMany people long to improve or enhance cism and health risks for Ashley, only they their physical appearance in some way, know whether or not these changes have whether through surgery, exercise, or spebenefi ted their care of their daughter. And, cially designed clothing. as our world changes medically, parents are In most cases, women and men long to be making similar decisions all the more attractive, perhaps taller, time. fitter, and more desirable. HowIn our modern society, parents ever, with the advent of newer can choose to create babies outtechnology and the research on In our modern society, parents can choose to create babies outside of the bedside of the bedroom, can now growth hormones and similar room, can now screen for diseases or the possibility of diseases, create babies screen for diseases or the possibildrugs, a new concept has been with blue eyes and blonde hair. ity of diseases, create babies with developed to alter a person’s blue eyes and blonde hair, and physical appearance, and it eventually make decisions to undoesn’t involve making them dergo radical surgery or hormone better-looking. treatments for themselves later in life. As to keep Ashley more child-like, making it doesn’t make some people uncomfortable, Instead, parents of a 9 year old bedridparents, Ashley’s mother and father made a easier for her parents to provide her with myself included. den girl identified only as “Ashley” redecision that they thought would best serve better care. Because she resides in their The hormone treatments given to Ashley cently persuaded their daughter’s doctors their child, similar to decisions parents must home, her parents are responsible for her were designed to speed up bone maturation, to change their daughter in drastic ways. make every day about their children’s health day-to-day care. They lift her and reposimaking her bone plates fuse together. At 9 According to a January 5 <i>Newsweek</ i> article, Ashley, a child with severe men- tion her in bed, and worried that as they years old, Ashley has the bones of a fifteen or safety or well-being. In their eyes, these tal and physical handicaps, has been given aged, they may no longer be able to do this year old. Is this painful for Ashley? Is it procedures and treatments were improving large doses of hormones to stunt her growth were Ashley to physically mature complete- even possible to know when she can’t speak the quality of life of their daughter. And, yes, exposing a disabled child to at her parents’ request. She is currently ly. Her parents have offered statements that to tell her parents so? These hormones also invasive surgery and extensive treatments say keeping Ashley smaller will better prospeed up the maturation of menstruation and only 4’ 5” at 9 years of age; had she not that have not been around long enough to tect her against bedsores and allow them to breast development, causing her parents to been given the hormones, she would probconduct extensive, lifelong research may be more fully integrate her into their family decide to perform a hysterectomy. While I ably have grown to a normal 5’ 6”. She also a questionable decision. As long as they’re life. The removal of her breast tissue and don’t know if Ashley is the youngest girl to weighs only 65 pounds. acting with their daughter’s best interests at uterus was completed because Ashley will ever receive a hysterectomy, I can’t imagAshley’s parents also decided to have her heart, the bottom line is: it’s their decision. never make use of them and to save Ashley ine they are done all that often to a child so uterus and breast tissue removed in their at- BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief �FEATURES FEBRUARY 5, 2007 9 ChaCha.com Diversity Ambassadors Speech and Debate Team 10 10 11 Comic book club receives official club status Plans to create a multi-story comic book are in the works BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor The comic book club, which has recently been granted club status, is allowing Wilkes students and other writers and artists in the area to bring their dreams of creating comics to fruition. They had their first meeting last Thursday in room 013 of Breiseth Hall, where members will meet every Thursday at noon. At the first meeting, they discussed fundraising and community service opportunities. They plan to sell pierogies at the Henry Student Center on February 15 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., and also sell baked goods at the Vagina Monologues performance at Wilkes. Eric Shatrowskas, sophomore integrated media and English major, and Marissa Phillips, junior English major, are serving as the Editors-in-Chief of the comic book the club plans to produce. They encourage any interested Wilkes students or members of nearby communities to contribute art and story ideas to potentially be included in the comic book. Those submitting art should include male and female characters in an environment of their choosing, with frontal and profile views of the characters. Story ideas should be submitted in the form of a one-page overview with a list of characters. Small committees will work on each story idea, and create the final comic. Multiple stories will be included in the final comic book. “Once submissions are in, we can all offer each other constructive criticism to better our groups,” Shatrowskas said. The club is not limited to Wilkes students, with King’s communications major Alisha Turull in attendance at the first meeting. Turull, who is interested in concept design and writing, said she was introduced to the club by one of its founding members. “I’ve been an avid comic book reader since I was a little girl,” she said. Jim Feeney, senior communications major, will be drawing and possibly writing stories for the comic book. “I’ve always wanted to do a comic book, and I think it’ll be a great experience,” he said. Currently, the club has about fifteen members, but Shatrowskas said they welcome newcomers. “The more the merrier. So far only we have about four of five story pitches.” Story ideas discussed at the first meeting consist of tales of fairy gangs, Holocaust zombies, beekeepers who act as crazy villains, a couple of post-apocalyptic stories including one with Saint George and dragons. Potentially, the comic book may also include a story of jazz mobsters and ninjas. Interested submitters and people who are looking to work on the production of the comic book should contact Phillips and Shatrowskas at wilkescomicclub@ gmail.com. Submission guidelines and additional club information can be found at the club’s web site, www.djcardshark. com/wilkescomicclub. The deadline for submissions is February 18. YOU NAME IT TEES Above: Local artist Kevin Dougherty contributed a few pages of comics as an art sample. He may be joining the club in the production of their comic book. Express Yourself With Your Own Personalized T-shirt Designed How YOU Want It! Choose From 4 Different Styles On The Front Add Any Personalization On the Back February 5th - February 16th Monday thru Friday from llam-lpm Lobby of the Henry Student Center $11.99!! *Orders will take 2 weeks until pick-up *Money is due in full at time of ordering The Beacon/Nora Jurasits Left: Jim Feeney uses a scarf to create a ninja costume. Ninjas will most likely be featured in one comic book storyline. At the club’s first meeting, members discussed other potential story ideas, fundraising suggestions and future community service opportunities. �FEATURES 10 FEBRUARY 5, 2007 Watch out Google, ChaCha.com offers new moves A new search engine offers live, real-time assistance BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor “I can’t dance, but I can ChaCha,” said Donna Talarico, guide for the internet search engine ChaCha.com. No, she’s not offering a ‘how to’ on the techniques of the dance, but rather a search engine that connects users to to real people who guide the hee search in the right direction. Scott Jones and Brad Bostic, co-creators reatorss of the site, were not satisfied with obscure bscure search results that they came across from traditional search engines. Consequently, ently, they created ChaCha.com in order to filter through those unnecessary results and provide searchers with the best result instantly ntly and free of charge. The reason for the name me “ChaCha” is that “Cha” means “search” in Chinese, according to ChaCha.com n What makes ChaCha.com different than d the typical search engines like Google and Yahoo is that it provides the option of a guide to help search for you. “I was really intrigued by it. I love searching for things, but there are some people who do not know how to search as well with using brackets and adding pluses and minuses in their search. So if people are the master guide level. The more searches a struggling with searching, that’s where guide provides on certain key words makes ChaCha is different. They can search with he or she a master for those key words. Master guides also train otherr guides th through a live guide,” said Talarico. Talarico was introduced to ChaCha.com testing their heir search results results and and rating ratin them accordingly. through a website, Associated Content, ontent,.,-uv\;Ordingly. accordin Talarico reached the the master which offers freelancee writers chance --~•" a cha chance to to Talarico has has reached master level levGel and her service. bee published. Talarico was networking networking gets ---"'"'u. T Talarico was gets paid paid for for her service. “I’ve been doing this for two w, weeks through Associated Associated Content e through Content and and saw saw aa link link "I've been doing this for about about two which read which and which read “Other "Other Writing Writing Gigs,” Gigs," which and I’ve I've made made about about $100,” $100," said said Talarico. Talaricco Many led led her her to to ChaCha.com. ChaCha.com. Many of of the the searches searches Talarico Talarico comes cor.m with The to that The layout layout of of ChaCha ChaCha is is similar similar to that of of across across are are students students looking looking for for help help wit w projects. She’s for Google, with the Google, with the exception exception of of the the “Search "Search research research projects. She's also also searched searched fo :I\ with aa Guide” with Guide" tab. tab. Once Once aa user user opts opts to to obscure obscure song song lyrics lyrics and and occasionally occasionally she’ll she'’l “search with aa guide,” box appears "search with guide," aa box appears to to the the get get an an inappropriate inappropriate request request which which she she has haas left name of left of of the the screen screen with with aa screen screen name of the the the the option option to to cancel. cancel. Talarico Talarico also also adds adds that thaat the guide rated user in gguide d guide that that is is chosen chosen to to help help the the user in the the with with each each search search result, result, the guide is is rated ssearch. se earch. It’s It's similar similar to to an an Instant Instant Message Message on on the the results. results. “I’d users send sscreen sc ~reen where where users send and and receive receive mesmes"I'd say say more more than than half half are are sincere sincere rerejust fooling sages sa a,ges instantly. ing arou around instantly. Within Within minutes, minutes, the the guide guide quests. quests. If If someone someone is is just fooling am"- ' of different credible sites they don’t don't havee thee option nn+:search returns ret etmms a number of to rate rat my sear message with wit it·h information results, so I can just cancel the messa information on on the the chosen chosen subject. subject. searche.: a night. I box,” said Talarico. 'I'll do maybe 20 searches “I’ll 1d a couple counle i.spend nd hours at nnight searching. It’s The site also offers search categories anyway,” such as the arts, shopping, health, reference greatt bbecause I’m usually online anywa and more. Next to each search category said Talarico. IIn order to become a guide people must is the number of guides designated to that be invited by an existing guide that reached subject. . -vH n • • In relation to students using the site, this may be a very helpful tool when conducing research in a timely manner. However, isn’t the goal of a research project to find out the information yourself? With such a convenience, many might only rely on guide related searches for their research. Eric Miller, integrative media major, believes it may be making things a bit easy for people. “Especially if we’re talking about an academic setting or use. I’d have to say that I might be a bit biased, as I’m a bit older than most students and remember when the Internet was not such a powerful tool. I’d have to look things up in magazines, books, reference materials, etc. Are we less attentive because of this type of advance or does this change cater to a change in modes that is independent of the technology? It sounds like a good thing as long as it is used as assistance and not a crutch,” said Miller. ChaCha.com has appeared on CNBC, The New York Times ABCNews, and other major media outlets, according to its website. Diversity Ambassadors paint campus with broad, colorful strokes BY CANDICE HALLIDAY Beacon Correspondent History’s most celebrated artists--Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin and others--seemed to share one philosophy: the world is brilliant with color and texture, and it’s essential we seek it out. Members of the Diversity Ambassador program at Wilkes are working hard to educate the university’s community and color the campus using a brilliant palette of cultures and races. The main goal of the Diversity Ambassador program is to promote multiculturalism on campus. The program essentially provides students the opportunity to obtain a leadership role and educate others on different cultures and lifestyles. Diversity Ambassador Valerie Martinez explained that the program grew from issues that needed to be addressed on campus concerning diversity awareness and acceptance. “Students were asking questions like, ‘What’s the difference between Native Americans and Indians?’” said Martinez. Diversity Ambassadors aim to be the “go to” people on campus regarding questions about race or ethnicity. In order to become involved with the Diversity Ambassador program, students must go through an interview process with Dean of Students, Mark Allen. Allen, along with Alberto Prado, advises the program and helps train students to encourage leadership skills. Diversity Ambassador Teddy Orelinen explained that Allen aims to prompt discussion and thought with questions like, “What does cultural diversity mean to you?” Acceptance into the program is not limited to specific races or ethnicities. Anyone interested can join. The program currently has ten working ambassadors. Among them are students who have roots in a variety of cultures including Haiti, Puerto Rico, India, Trinidad, as well as caucasian American. The ambassadors work with the Community Service Office, Campus Interfaith and Student Development to identify needs on campus and recommend programming. In addition, students in the Diversity Ambassador program also collaborate with other student offices such as Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) and Programming Board. Diversity Am- bassador Amanda Kunkel is involved in all three of these programs and noted that diversity is an issue that needs to be part of many aspects of the campus. “People need to realize that diversity is not something black and white. It exists from person to person and we all need to celebrate the things that make us special,” said Kunkel. She added that it is important to understand that rules vary across cultures and not to hold one culture superior to another. Her main goal is to find unique ways for MSC, Programming Board and the Diversity Ambassadors to work together to encourage Wilkes University community members to value and discuss diversity issues. Diversity Ambassadors are currently working to promote upcoming events aimed to engage the campus in multicultural experiences and issues. Some events include the MSC fashion show, the Eiduh-Adha dinner hosted by the Islamic Society and the Indian Cultural Association’s Holy Hindu holiday dinner. In honor of Black History Month, the Diversity Ambassador program is working on various projects of its own. Student Ambassador Nitasa Sahu is writing a skit about Rosa Parks to present in elementary schools throughout Wilkes-Barre in February. Four other ambassadors are planning to promote the story of Little Rock Nine in Wilkes-Barre high schools. In addition, Linda-Nieves Powell is a featured speaker planned for March. Powell will speak about the importance of women’s education and self discovery. Martinez explained that Powell advocates the importance of molding yourself into what you want to become instead of letting other people mold you. In the next few weeks, Sahu said there will be a jazz band performing in the cafe and a diversity presentation given to business students enrolled in PPD. Diversity Ambassadors make it clear that Wilkes campus is dynamic with color and texture. It is an innovative canvas painted with different ideas, thoughts and values. According to Kunkel, this is what makes her believe, “We have honestly planted the seeds that will blossom into a garden of roses.” �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 FEATURES 11 Speech and Debate team to host tournament at home BY ALLISON KULIK Beacon Correspondent It is said that you’re only as strong as your weakest link. So, when you have a team full of rookies, the expectations of the team as a whole usually aren’t especially high. However, when a team works together as well as the Wilkes University Speech and Debate team, its rookie status is the least of its worries. Last semester the Speech and Debate team saw a surge of new interest and welcomed many new faces. Since that time the team has grown from two members last year to eight regular members this year. And according to Dan Broyles, Speech and Debate Team coach, the best thing is that despite the its overall lack of experience, the team as a whole seems to be doing a good job of holding its own in competition. At its last tournament, the Ed Leonard Swing hosted at Brookdale Community College and Seton Hall University, Art Redmond was a finalist, placing 4th and 5th, in Impromptu for both days of competition. Most of the team is fairly new to the world of college level speech and debate competition. Yet, members are not intimidated because most of them are in the same boat and everyone makes an effort to assist each other and better themselves as a team. Freshman team member Alyssa Benner said, “There are some people on the team who are stronger than others; however, we help each other out a lot so it really helps the team become stronger as a whole.” Unlike some teams, they appear to have great team chemistry and that proves to work in their favor. Junior team member Raquel Wheby added, “Although there are some people who strive to improve individually, the whole team wants to get to a point where they can feel comfortable going to tournaments and also rank well.” “Their energy, outgoing personalities and zest for knowledge would be the team’s biggest strengths. Trust me when I say there is never a dull moment with this group. We appear to have much more fun than many other schools at the tournaments simply because we enjoy one another’s company so well,” said Broyles. Freshman team member Jeff Niemiec noted coaching style affects atmosphere as well. “Broyles is a good guy and great coach. He definitely makes it fun.” Despite the team’s lighthearted attitude and fun loving personalities, they still know how to step up to the plate when necessary and continuously strive to improve their skills. “For us the competitions are not simply a mechanism to compete, but they are also a springboard for intellectual and personal growth. For instance, following the competitions, Wilkes students are always eager to read their ballots and see how they can improve themselves as communicators. Basically, we take our responsibilities very seriously, but we just have a lot of fun doing it,” said Broyles. Through coaching and interaction, the team members develop individually as well as together. Also, the students receive help from several staff members within the communications department too, which proves to be a big help to everyone. The next competition they are currently preparing for is the annual Harold Cox Swing tournament that Wilkes University is co-hosting with Johns Hopkins University. It will be held this weekend on the Wilkes AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR campus February 10 and 11. All of the team members will spend one day helping run the competition and then compete the next. Among the students from these schools who will be attending the competition, many of them are nationally ranked. There is additional excitement about the competition this year because the hosting teams have decided to donate their proceeds to charity, as well as Wilkes University’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) organization. ASB is an organization that sends students, faculty and staff to help communities in need. This year ASB is traveling to New Orleans to assist with Hurricane Katrina damage. Johns Hopkins University will be donating its proceeds to a charity that is chosen at the competition. With this particular tournament comes some extra stress because in addition to preparing and competing, team members will need to plan, organize and run the competition with Johns Hopkins University. However, despite the added pressure, Broyles said, “I feel very confident that this tournament will run smoothly and that our students will do well.” 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E FEBRUARY 5, 2007 12 CD Review: The Shins Crossword This Week in History Local Band: The Holy Mess 13 14 14 15 Former ‘N Sync star makes stop in Wilkes-Barre BY NICOLE ZASTKO Beacon Correspondent Lance has come out of the closet. Chris is about to participate in a new VH1 reality show. Joey’s been on Broadway and in movies. And thank God Justin has stuck around to “bring sexy back.” Members of the superstar boy band ‘N Sync have clearly gone their separate ways and enjoyed great media coverage of nearly every move over the past couple years, but little has been said about band mate JC Chasez. In his debut solo album, “Schizophrenic” in early 2004, JC proved he didn’t have the same star power or success as Timberlake. The CD only peaked at the Billboard at 17 17 on on the Billboard charts, and singles such as “Some Girls (Dance with Women)” and “All Day Long I Dream About Sex” got very little radio play. Three years later Chasez is back and making his rounds across the country promoting a new album. Currently on an east coast radio tour, Chasez made his way to Pittston and Wilkes-Barre last week to campaign for his latest material. Local radio station, 98.5 WKRZ, welcomed Chasez last Monday with a room full of fans eager to hear samples of his new record. The Beacon was part of a small entourage of local media allowed access to Chasez behind the scenes. Besession, ginning with a question and answer session, w h 1mto Chasez described what he has been up to and w h aatt went into making this album. Outside his musical realm, family and friends have been an important part of his life, he acknowledged. With a brother, 25, and sister, 28, he’s been around in their every day life. While his family is in full support of finding a passion, Chasez admits that he gives them no input on his music. “They don’t know anything,” he jokes. With the new album yet to be titled, Chasez noted, “… It’s been the focus of my life for over a year. They are really interesting songs.” . He further explains how the recording and writing process differs from his days of being in ‘N Sync. “It’s a different thought process. You have an idea and have to take it to four people. There is a lot more compromise.” The demise of ‘N Sync was not about hostility or problems, Chasez said. Each band member simply wanted to try something new. “This is what we wanted,” Chasez said. With the freedom of making a solo album, Chasez offered details on how writing a song happens. “Every song is different, it could start with a hum and and then then im1t fl -Av words just y out.” InterestOl ingly, he described songs as ingly, he de: “Lightening bottle,” saying “you "Lightening in in aa bottlt never know hit.” never know if if it’s it's gonna gonna be be aa hit." Writing he worked worked with with producers such Writing on on every every song, song, he as Dallas Austin, Billy Steinberg and Timberlake. The first single of the record, “Until Yesterday,” is co-written with Timberlake. Chasez said of the song, “It’s actually about your girlfriend getting knocked up with another man’s baby. How would you deal with that?” “I just like the way it feels,” Chasez expresses about the song. He believes this CD has great potential, describing it as IPM (Intelligent Pop Music). “I don’t want a quick burn. I want it smart where people won’t get bored.” When asked why he took his approach to a dance/pop Schedule of Events Monday, February 5 -Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte. -My Hero is Me, Beneath the Sky, Sincision and The Hottness performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 6 -“Wilkes-Barre Bicentennial Exhibit” photography that traces 200-year history of the city at Luzerne County Historical Society Museum 12-4 p.m. Wednesday, February 7 -The Five Percent performing at The Woodlands at 10 p.m. Thursday, February 8 -“Regional Ink: Tattoo Art from Northeastern Pennsylvania,” art exhibit at Everhart Museum, Nay Aug Park, Scranton 12-4 p.m. Friday, February 9 -Acacia Strain, Job for a Cowboy, See You Next Tuesday, Psuopus and Daath performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -The Pink Floyd Experience at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. -Flaxy Morgan performing at the direction, he noted that high energy is a key component to his overall style. “Ballads put me to sleep. If I kept doing slow songs over and over I wouldn’t be able to express myself the way I want to.” One song previewed at the meet and greet that had a promising chance was, in fact, a ballad titled “You Ruined Me for Life.” Two other in-the-works songs took on persona. “Kate,” a possible CD vu JC’s J'---' ., edgy '-'U.OJ dance/pop u.uu""'"'' _pv_p _tJ'-'.1 title, Claiming there are no title, is is about about an an imaginary imaginary person. p references references to to any any general life experience, Chasez uses “Kate” as a concept to give the record a focus. “Love Again” comes from the help of Dallas Austin, who has produced hits for Madonna, TLC, Pink and Gwen Stefani. “All my lyrics help to color a story,” Chasez says. “And that is what will give it staying power.” After discussion and listening to the album, JC made his way around the table to sign autographs, take pictures and just talk to his fans. All of the females at the event were winners of a WKRZ contest in which they received VTP nll"1"1P."1 VIP passes to hang out with the former ‘N Sync-er. Chasez then went into the radio studio where he went over the air waves to promote his CD to listeners. During the course of the interview, JC spoke about everything from his new single, to Justin’s triumph, to Britney’s lifestyle choices. With the second solo album due out in March or April, JC Chasez is making sure to reach his fans and listeners. “I want to go out and hand deliver my material,” he says. Anticipating to bring a tour back to the area later this year, it’s his hope that Wilkes Barre, and America, will welcome back the former boy band icon as a successful solo artist. All Photos The Beacon/Nicole Zastko Woodlands at 10 p.m. -Millenium Actress showing at Café Metropolis at 9 p.m. -Tanglefoot performing selections from its newest CD “Dance Like Flames” at the Chicory House, St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St. 8 p.m. Saturday, February 10 -All That, Pellinore and Mongoloids performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -Hypnosis for Couples at Arts Youniverse at 6:30 p.m. -Northeastern PA Phillharmonic at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. -Kid Icarus, Tigers Jaw, Three Man Cannon and The Lampshades performing at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. -Trylogy performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Sunday, February 11 -Ghost Mice, Captain Random and Miles to Texas performing at Café Metropolis at 2 p.m. -Sara Evans performing at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 CD Review: The Shins Wincing the Night Away BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor The Shins seem to know the way to my heart. Their newest album, Wincing the Night Away, came complete with free stickers and a 45 rpm record with an alternate version of “Splitting Needles,” as well as the B-side track, “Nothing at All.” As if the solid tracks on the album weren’t enough, the addition of free stuff capped it off. I’m in love. Based out of Portland, Oregon, The Shins have been around for about ten years. The inclusion of, “Caring is Creepy,” which was described in the movie as being a song that, “will change your life,” and “New Slang” on the Garden State soundtrack boosted The Shins into the public eye. James Mercer, the band’s front man, is the lone songwriter. Mercer also contributes guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, cat piano, percussion, synthesizers, beat and MIDI programming to the tracks. Along with Marty Crandall, who delivers synthesizer, bass, organ, and percussion sounds, lead guitarist Dave Hernandez, and Jesse Sandoval on drums, The Shins achieve success with their third full-length album. The late January release of this album seems appropriate. Its overall sound is somewhat down-tempo, matching with the seasonal sorrow that usually kicks in around this time of year. But the songs hold enough pep to snap listeners out of the winter funk without getting annoying or trying too hard. Wincing also boasts the achievement of finding the balance between serving as background music and acting as music that can grab your attention any time it is played. This versatility means the album can be played while studying, as well as while hosting guests. “Sleeping Lessons” is a strong lead track, beginning slowly and advising, “go without until the need seeps in.” This eloquently stated advice foreshadows the frequent inclusion of notable and entertaining lyrics. The song builds into a faster base for the next song to build off. From that base, “Australia” jumps into the rest of the album full-force with a steady beat, use of the banjo, and no actual mention of anything remotely Australian. The song has a timeless quality, as do many other songs on this album. The sound could be current, but could also probably be accepted twenty years !CADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH MENTORING� prior, or fifteen into the future. The musical sounds are pure, and that serves to translate very well across the years. “Pam Berry” is a minute-long track with one line of lyrics stretched out across a warble of background sounds. Mercer seems to tell an entire story with just a line, informing listeners, “The lass of some 15-odd years is widely known to have spat in her teacher’s lap but now I see how after all their crap, she rightly came to that.” This abstract piece is followed by the commercial “Phantom Limb,” which has been released as the first single. It continues with the pace of the album, and serves as a good representation of the overall style of Wincing the Night Away. Its only potential downfall is the overuse of the tambourine, resulting in more of a distraction than a compliment to the rest of the sounds of the song. Somehow Mercer manages to include “Sealegs,” a track with more of an 80’s, synthesized feel, without making it seem out of place, and transitions into “Red Rabbits,” on which vocals are laid against music with a dream-like quality that could accompany a sea adventure in some sort of video game. “Turn on Me” contains the lyrics that made me laugh out loud the first time I listened: “You can fake it for a while/ bite your tongue and smile/ like every mother does her ugly child.” They are relatable and somewhat depressed, but Mercer adds humor to the song about unrequited love, avoiding the mopefest it could have become if other indie rock bands had written or performed it. The two following tracks, “Black Wave,” and “Split Needles,” set a more somber mood, seemingly expressing the aftereffects of “Turn on Me.” But the songs avoid sounding angry category with the experimental sounds The Shins play with in these tracks. Although pleasing to the ear, “Girl Sailor” boasts no other notable qualities, but the album’s last song, “A Comet Appears,” sets them back on track. A noticeable lack of drums ends the disc with a mellow feeling. It is definitely worth noting that anyone who enjoys the fun style of The Shins should check out their web site, www.theshins.com. In addition to typical music web site features, their site allows visitors to move around the band members and watch a video of them dancing. $EAN�!LLEN�WAS�THE�lRST�PERSON�)�MET�AT�7ILKES� h)�M�INTERESTED�IN�3TUDENT�'OVERNMENT��!S�IT�TURNED�OUT��HE�WAS�OUR�ADVISOR��(E� HELPED�ME�ADJUST�TO�SCHOOL��)�THINK�OF�MYSELF�AS�A�LEADER�AND�)�WANT�TO�MODEL�MY� LEADERSHIP�SKILLS�AFTER�HIM��(E�S�A�PERSON�YOU�CAN�CONlDE�IN�AND�LOOK�UP�TO�AND�THAT� MAKES�THE�7ILKES�EXPERIENCE�EVEN�BETTER� " 6Y^T�i_eb�]U^d_b� %XPERIENCE�7ILKES�5NIVERSITY�S�INTIMATE�LEARNING�ENVIRONMENT� SUPPORTED�BY�FACULTY�MENTORS��AND�LEARN�MORE�ABOUT�OUR����MAJORS�INCLUDING�� "IOLOGY��"USINESS��)NTEGRATIVE�-EDIA��.URSING��4EACHER�%DUCATION��AND�0HARMACY� �*UNIOR��#ANDICE�AND�$EAN�OF�3TUDENT�!FFAIRS��-ARK�!LLEN� ggg�gY\[Uc�UTe�l�!�( �G9<;5C�E �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Crossword Puzzle BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent 1 6 10 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 30 32 35 39 40 41 43 44 46 47 50 53 ACROSS Poe’s works Duration Negative votes Kind of nerve Conception Popular cookie Remove security from a document Close by Contrivance Science of life (briefly) Yesterday Delay Chooses actors Molecule component Where wine is sometimes kept Tall mammal Recover from intoxication Aviator, ____ Earhart Tool for gripping Feels indignantly aggrieved Without purpose Pertaining to the evening Long narrow strip of wood Having two legs, for support Invalidate Person regarded with admiration 54 55 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 24 25 26 27 Watson’s concern Detain Yard tool Permission to enter Now and _____ Caribou or elk Excursions Master of ceremonies Bar connecting wheels Abides by DOWN Groups of whales Oil countries grp. Inscribe Denver height Cons “My country ____ of thee” Consumable Replenishes Common condiment, for short Sugar covered flat chocolate Carpenters measurements Dough raiser Organizes Assign Expert Pay T.V. Lab medium Contract stipulation PANAMA Wilkes Spring Break March 3-10 $1950 all inclusive $500 extra will earn you 3 elective Wikes credits, STE3000 Sun and surf on Contadora Pacific Island, all water sports available Rain forest Eco-Trek Gondola ride through forest canopy Ancient Mayan ruins 5 hr. white water rafting through the jungles Cultural visits to indigenous village The Panama Canal Luxury accommodations Vibrant night life 30 spots available! Reserve your spot today with a $250 deposit Absolute deadline for sign-on Feb 15, 2007 Tour accompanied by Prof. Jim Merryman, Wilkes Anthropologist and seasoned tour leader Call 408-4043 or james.merryman@wilkes.edu 28 29 31 33 FEBRUARY 5, 2007 Iron and copper Bad-natured Cuts off Charged money as a penalty Found in junk 34 foods 36 Film unit 37 Constellation ____ minor 38 Get ones attention quietly 42 Tight fitting fabric 43 Decorative vase 45 Protective coating 47 Babies entrance 48 Potato State 49 Prods 51 The greatest abbr. 52 Game of chance 54 Father, as said by a baby 56 Energy molecule, for short 57 Leg joint 58 Repulsive, slangly 59 Famous monster 62 Anger • L 0 Answers 1.29 14 • 0 A •s • A L 0 A. ■ ~ I 0 S ■ p H "A I T s D D L A 0 11 • ■ "s H E p I "A .• N E e■ v 0 r E T s I 0 11 E . A • " ., • D 0 u • L E 0 A "T A ■ "M • •• -• ., ·1 w·.1u 'A ,. --o .■QM "c e • ..•s 19! T E I . . -. Ii . "., ..• .• A 11 1 ))M R F D ~ L A R I ■I p R I lr'o l E s ' L E 0 A H G o ■ E N W■ A u • 11 l I T V C 0 0 0 ■ R C E 11 A A • E 'G A L •• ", I '• A R G 0 A I ~E LI "s G s ■ ~s ." A E N • . ■ " 0 E M .,,., • '• ~ E ~-- 0 11··01 L 11", I o 1r.1... V T A T 0 p E This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by the History Club February 5 1917: With more than a two-thirds majority, Congress overrides President Woodrow Wilson’s veto of the previous week and passes the Immigration Act. The law required a literacy test for immigrants and barred Asiatic laborers, except for those from countries with special treaties or agreements with the United States, such as the Philippines. February 6 1952: After a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dies in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death; she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27. February 7 1984: While in orbit 170 miles above Earth, Navy Captain Bruce McCandless becomes the first human being to fly untethered in space when he exits the U.S. space shuttle Challenger and maneuvers freely, using a bulky white rocket pack of his own design. McCandless orbited Earth in tangent with the shuttle at speeds greater than 17,500 miles per hour and flew up to 320 feet away from the Challenger. After an hour and a half testing and flying the jet-powered backpack and admiring Earth, McCandless safely reentered the shuttle. February 8 1587: After 19 years of imprisonment, Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England for her complicity in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I. February 9 1950: During a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican-Wisconsin) claims that he has a list with the names of over 200 members of the Department of State that are “known communists.” The speech vaulted McCarthy to national prominence and sparked a nationwide hysteria about subversives in the American government. February 10 1962: American spy pilot Francis Gary Powers is released by the Soviets in exchange for Soviet Colonel Rudolf Abel, a senior KGB spy who was caught in the United States five years earlier. The two men were brought to separate sides of the Glienicker Bridge, which connects East and West Berlin across Lake Wannsee. As the spies waited, negotiators talked in the center of the bridge where a white line divided East from West. Finally, Powers and Abel were waved forward and crossed the border into freedom at the same moment--8:52 a.m., Berlin time. Just before their transfer, Frederic Pryor--an American student held by East German authorities since August 1961--was released to American authorities at another border checkpoint. February 11 1990: Nelson Mandela, leader of the movement to end South African apartheid, is released from prison after 27 years on February 11, 1990. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http://www. history.com/tdih.do. �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 - LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT: The Holy Mess BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor The Beacon recently had the opportunity to speak with local band The Holy Mess before they went off on a weekend tour. The band offers a solid and upbeat pop-punk sound, and always delivers an energetic live performance. Add along with that their clever sense of humor, and you’ll see that this band truly is the “real baked potato.” The Holy Mess consists of Rob Malloy on guitar and lead vocals, SteveO on bass and vocals, Dommy Russo on guitar and vocals, and usso Keith Yosco on the drums. They currently R my have a demo out which you can order from m Do their website, and they have a number of east coast tour dates lined up. Beacon: How long have you been a band, and what changes has your band gone through over time (sound, lineup, etc)? Rob: We’ve been a band about a year-ish, during that time we added Dhom James on guitar and hired ‘Big Money’ Yosco on the drums. SteveO: We have steadily been improving our awesomeness thanks in no small part to Busch pounders. Beacon: Do you guys currently have any recordings in the works? Yosco: We have the proverbial hammer ready to drop with 6 freshies...starting at a slow simmer and bringin it to boil sometime on or around March 24, 25. Beacon: So, I’m a little confused. Did your band used to be named Fo A Cha, or was that an entirely different band, because unless I’m mistaken, the lineup appears to be almost entirely the same? Rob: Fo A Cha was my old band and SteveO filled in for awhile, so I see how you would make that comparison. This band is the real baked potato...print that! tour horror story. Share one with us. Rob: We look at all of our horror stories as blessings...we live for that stuff! Dommy: Balls Mahoney versus The Sandman ‘95... Beacon: Along with that, describe the best show you guys have played. Rob: We played a show once in Tamaqua with 7th Layer, a juggalo band...that pretty much made our lives. SteveO: We love playing Cafe Metropolis...Donald and Matt are totally chill dudes and we always get good vibes over there. Beacon: Have you guys ever encountered any overly obsessive fans? Also, have you guys amassed a hyperactive entourage of teenage girls yet, or is it still too early in the game? SteveO: We have yet to encounter any fans at all...and if we ever do, we will turn them away. Yosco: We do this for us, ***damnit! Rob: Should we put some ‘haha’s’ in there? Beacon: What exactly are you guys shooting for with this band? Is this something you all do full-time, or do you all have other jobs on the side? Yosco: Clay pigeons... Dommy: There’s pellets that shoot from the ends of our guitars and take them out. SteveO: We’re all award-winning marksmen. Beacon: Okay, and lastly, sum up the Holy Mess experience in simply three words. Dommy: Real baked potato. Rob: A holy mess. Yosco: Busch Pound Ers. SteveO: Everything listed above. If you haven’t yet checked out The Holy Mess and you’re really dying for a baked potato, go to www.myspace.com/theholymess1. MA ROB LLOY Beacon: Also, why the name The Holy Mess, and who actually came up with the name? Dommy: The real explanation is...a zombie gave us the idea. That’s actually not a joke. w sy w urte s co e.com/theholym w.myspac ess1 Beacon: So, like most bands, you have to have some sort of show or oto Beacon: Are there any other bands that people have compared you to? For people who haven’t ever heard you guys play, who could you compare yourselves to? And are there any bands out there that you guys sort of admire, or aspire to be similar to? SteveO: Mike from The Avalanche is the only dude who ever compared us to anything, and he said we sounded like The Lawrence Arms, so we took that as a compliment. Ph Beacon: So on your myspace you describe your sound as “punk/lounge/soul.” Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t really spot the lounge undertones… While that’s not worded as a question, feel free to respond. Rob: I’m stoked that you picked up on the soul influence! SteveO: We’re pretty much the soul of punk that lounges around all day... if that makes any sense. Yosco: ...I liked Lounge, they were a good band. �SPORTS 16 FEBRUARY 5, 2007 Wilkes wrestlers lose two close dual matches with ranked rivals 2-1 decision over Chris Prihoda. In the 157 pound weight class, sophomore Andrew Franko was forced to injury default from the bout. Joey Galante of the College of New Jersey was awarded the win and the Lions again captured the lead, 12-7. Freshman Frank Heffernan moved up a weight class to 165 pounds. Heffernan met the Lion’s Lenny Goduto. Goduto was awarded an escape in the third period to send the bout into overtime. In overtime, Goduto scored a takedown to win the bout. Also bumping up a weight class was sophomore Justin Barowski. Barowski met 7th ranked Greg Osgoodby in the 174 pound weight class. Barowski kept the bout close; however, Osgoodby would take a 3-1 decision. With three weight classes remaining, the College of New Jersey Lions held the lead 18-7. Freshman Colin Nagy provided the most exciting bout of the evening in the 184 pound weight class. Nagy faced Jim Tomczuk, who is the top-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds in the Metropolitan Conference. Nagy was awarded a point for riding time to BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Staff Writer The Wilkes wrestling team was in action this week with fellow nationally-ranked rivals. The 13th-ranked Colonels took on the eighth-ranked College of New Jersey Wednesday, January 31 in the Martz Gym. Wilkes took the mat again on Saturday, February 3 at 14th-ranked Ithaca College. On Wednesday in the dual against College of New Jersey Lions, Shaun Farnham started off the match for Wilkes in the 125pound weight class. Farnham won the first bout of the evening for the Colonels with an 11-2 major decision over Tom Roberto. The Lions took the next two bouts by a close margin. In the 133-pound weight class, sophomore Josh Pauling lost a close 6-3 decision to the Lion’s Ray Sarinelli. Sarinelli is currently ranked seventh in the nation at 133 pounds. At 141 pounds, sophomore Pete George lost a narrow 1-0 decision over Tyler Branham. But the Colonels fought back to take the lead in the 149 pound weight class. Sophomore Erik Smith was awarded a point for riding time at the end of the bout to win a See WRESTLING page 17 The Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments - 12 Efficiency Suites - Secure Entry - Elevator - Coin Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Removal Cumberland Efficiency $475./month Cumberland Efficiency Suite $675./month 17 West Ross Street, Wilkes Barre 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com The Beacon/Alissa Lindner Pete George narrowly lost on the mat 1-0 to Tyler Branham in the Colonels match against the College of New Jersey. The Colonels who came into the match ranked 13th in the nation, also took on Ithaca College on Saturday. �FEBRUARY 5, 2007 SPORTS Preview of the Week: Women’s basketball v. Scranton BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor In a road game, getting off to a slow start can be deadly. The crowd gets pumped up, home-team opponents are constantly slapping high fives with one another to keep the fire stoked, and your team is left miserable wondering how all of this is happening. Too often in scenes like this, before you know it the game is over and your team is on the losing end of the stick. Unfortunately, the Lady Colonels know what it feels like to get off to a slow start, and will look to reverse their previous performance against Scranton University in which they faced an embarrassing 63-23 loss at Scranton. “The first game against Scranton, we got off to a real slow start. We took a lot of shots in the first half, but they just wouldn’t fall. It wasn’t like they were rushed shots or bad shots. A lot of them were good shots, but they just wouldn’t fall,” reflected head coach Rachel Emmerthal. As Emmerthal acknowledged, last month was the first time the two teams squared off at Scranton University, and the Lady Colonels could not make anything happen. Wilkes shot just 10% from the floor on 3-30 shooting for the entire first half. The Lady Colonels made minor improvements in the second half, in which they shot only 7-26 from the field. Wilkes finished the game shooting just 17.9% from the floor. The sun wasn’t shining for the Lady Colonels that day, and putting on a poor performance against a solid Scranton team most WRESTLING from PAGE 16 send the match to overtime. The Colonels prevailed in overtime as Nagy was awarded a takedown to win the match 4-2. Nagy commented, “It was exciting to beat the first seed. Coach explained to me he was very beatable.” He added, “In overtime, my adrenaline was rushing and I was able to get the quick takedown.” Senior Brandon Kelly returned to action for the Colonels after missing nearly three weeks due to injury. Kelly, ranked sixth at 197 pounds, pinned his opponent, Shawn Vanwingerden, in the first period to bring the Colonels within two with one bout remaining. In the 285 pound weight class, senior Keith Altiery took the mat for the Colonels. Altiery remained strong throughout the match only to lose a close 2-0 decision over the Lions Steve Carbone. The College of New Jersey Lions were awarded the win, 21-16. But Coach Jon Laudenslager was of the time will result in a loss. The Scranton University Lady Royals, also known as the reigning MAC Freedom Conference champions, are in first place of the MAC conference with an impressive 100 record. The Lady Royals have the luxury of veteran leadership in their 26- year head coach Mike Strong, who has led his teams to seven NCAA Final Four appearances. Not only do the Lady Colonels have to be concerned with the leadership of Coach Strong, but they also have The Beacon/Todd Weibel to be able to conLady Colonels all time block leader Karyn Perestam goes up for a tain two senior chip shot, and will look to help her team knock off top seeded Scran- All-Americans, ton University this Wednesday at 6 P.M. in the Marts Gym. Taryn Mellody pleased with the performance of the entire team against the College of New Jersey. Laudenslager explained, “We wrestled well. It was a great match against two good teams.” He added, “It was an exciting dual meet.” The Colonels wrestled another tight match against the Ithaca College Bombers on Saturday afternoon. Both teams won five bouts; however, the Bombers ultimately took the win, 19-15. Credited with wins by decision for Wilkes were Heffernan, Barowski, Kelly, Altiery and Felipe Queiroz. Queiroz returned to the mat after nearly a month off. With the end of the season nearing, Laudenslager is confident in his team’s ability. He explained, “We have had some ups and downs, but hopefully we are getting ready to peak at the right time.” Laudenslager added, “We have two weeks until the conferences. Our guys are goal oriented right now to win the Metros.” The Colonels will be in action again next 17 and Allison Matt. Mellody leads the Lady Royals in scoring with 17.4 points per contest, and Matt chips in with 12.3 points per game. The Lady Colonels have a lot on their plate when it comes to this experienced Scranton team, but they are hoping that the home team advantage this time around will prove that the results of the last meeting with the Lady Royals was a fluke. “We just have to come out and play hard. Anybody who is a giant, and is used to winning, there are still nights where they can be picked off; and we are hoping Wednesday night will be that night,” said Emmerthal. The Lady Colonels will need contributions from the entire team, including freshman guard Ashley Makarczyk who led the Lady Colonels in scoring this past Saturday against Del Val, with nine of her 13 points coming from behind the three point line. Both junior captains Lacey Andresen and Katie Cappelloni must display great leadership in order for the Lady Colonels to pull out a win against the Lady Royals. Randi Corbo leads the Lady Colonels in scoring and assists and believes that being at home will give her team the edge versus the Lady Royals. “Scranton is coming to our gym, so it will be a much better game. It’s our school, our gym, and we played them before so we know what to expect to get the win,” said Corbo. The Lady Colonels will need a much greater effort than what they demonstrated in the first contest against the Lady Royals, and if they can do so, a “W” for the Lady Colonels can be in reach. The Lady Colonels will play host to Scranton this Wednesday at 6 P.M. The Beacon/Alissa Lindner Frank Hefferman is armed locked during the Colonels wrestling match, which the Bombers won 19-15. Saturday, February 10 when they host Elizabethtown College and SUNY Morrisville in the Martz Gym at 12 noon. �SPORTS 18 FEBRUARY 5, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NBA: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Lakers, Pistons meet to settle their past differences Double Take BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It doesn’t get any better than this... Three seasons ago during the 2004 NBA finals, two teams faced off and the outcome shocked the world. The LA Lakers were on a hot streak. They finished first in the Pacific Division and second in the Western Conference. With the Lakers back in the playoffs, everyone knew that it was almost definite that this superb Laker team would dance in the NBA Finals again. Prior to the 2003-04 season, the Lakers had won three out of four NBA championships. But this time, the Lakers weren’t the ones shining with the “bling, bling” on their fingers; it was Ben Wallace and the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons bullied Kobe Bryant and traded severe body blows with Shaquille O’Neal on their way to beating the Lakers in five games out of a seven game series. Basically sweeping the Lakers, they somehow slipped and lost a game. This time it’s only a regular season game, but the tension between these two teams following their battle in the NBA Finals still lingers. The Lakers minus Shaq and the Pistons minus Ben Wallace equals an even match this Thursday at 5 pm. The Pistons primary focus will be to shut down a guy by the name of Kobe Bryant, and it certainly won’t be an easy task. Bryant is a nine-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion, six-time All-Defensive selection and the list goes on. An examination of his record shows that the man is a monster playing amongst children. Bryant scored 81 points in a single game last seson, which currently stands at the second most points scored in a single game behind Wilt Chamberland’s 100 point game against the Knicks nearly 35 years ago. Despite the credentials of this living legend, the Pistons are famous for their stingy defense and can put a halt on a player’s scoring at the snap of a finger. In fact, the first time this season the two teams met in November, the Pistons held Bryant to only 19 points, and spanked the Lakers 97-83 in front of 18,997 screaming Laker fans at the Staples Center. That success can be attributed to the excellent coaching strategy that involves sending the 6’9, long-armed defensive weapon Tayshaun Prince to contain Bryant. And it works, so they will probably give him the job again. Head coach Flip Saunders has guided this Piston team full of veterans to a 27-18 record, which leads the Eastern Conference. But for a coach like Saunders, their job is made a whole lot easier when you have one of the strongest and quickest guards in the league in Chauncey Billups. Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP after whooping on the Lakers in 2004, and he’s on the path to another standout season, averaging 18.1 points and a stellar 7.6 assists per game. Most of Billups’s passes are thrown to Richard Hamilton, who tops the team in scoring with 22.7 points per contest. Although Hamilton wears a permanent mask, he can shoot in anybody’s “grill” and when he’s hot, the sound of the net goes “swish.” Rasheed Wallace, who averages 12.1 points and 8.2 rebounds, will also play a huge factor in the game against the Lakers. Instead of playing alongside his former partner Ben Wallace, who was traded to the Bulls at the beginning of the season, Rasheed will be accompanied by newcomer Chris Webber, combing for a two-man-wreckingcrew down low in the paint. The Pistons are an experienced team that has the potential to run the Lakers out of the gym, but it won’t be easy. Why? Two names: Phil Jackson or Kobe Bryant. What- ever. It doesn’t matter. They both cause a problem for the other team, and together they cause a 48 minute brawl for any team in the NBA. Jackson is just one finger short of being able to cover both hands with NBA championship rings, which means that he possesses unique coaching experience. Jackson has led his young and inexperienced Laker team to an impressive 29-19 record as they stand in sixth place among a jungle of great teams in the Western Conference. After trading in his number 8 for a 24 on his jersey, Kobe Bryant has been dishing the “rock” with great precision, averaging 5.6 assists per game to go along with 28.8 points per game. If the Lakers get everyone involved in the flow of the game, look out Detroit. Lamar Odom is fresh from his knee injury that he suffered back in December, and will look to continue being a reliable compliment to Kobe Bryant’s offensive attack. Smush Parker is doing a solid job at the point guard position, averaging 11.5 points per game. The bottom line is this: If the Pistons are able to effectively set up their half court offense and shut down Kobe Bryant, they win. If the Lakers execute Jackson’s famous triangle offense and control the tempo, they win. But based on these teams’ past history, expect a great game as the Lakers and Pistons go head to head for another exciting round of NBA basketball. Prediction: Lakers: 97 Pistons: 93 Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor I will admit I actually kind of enjoy basketball. Well, I use the word “enjoy” loosely. I “enjoy” it in the way that I understand that when the ball goes in the net, that’s a good thing. More often, I enjoy scoping out what celebrities are rooting for which teams, and then I can decide which team I prefer (unless the Knicks are playing, because in that case I am always rooting for the Knicks). In the case of the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Detroit Pistons, there should be no question of whom I am betting will win. Pitting Los Angeles against Detroit would normally be a no-brainer, at least for me. I mean, it’s LA! It’s the city of angels or whatever, and definitely the city of amazing shopping and ridiculously attractive people (even if they weren’t born that way). However, I did hesitate for a second here, for one very good reason. When it comes to cute cheerleading outfits, the Pistons have the Lakers beat. While both teams have scandalously skimpy outfits that are barely visible, what I could tell was that the Pistons’ uniforms were a lot more sparkly and therefore, in my opinion, more worthy of attention. I never thought I’d say it, but in this case, cute outfits are just not enough. While the Pistons have the Lakers beat in the desirable attire aspect, the Lakers are the Lakers. They not only have an enviable location and infamous players (Kobe Bryant is on the team, right?), but they also seem to have a higher ratio of celebrity fans. I’m not one to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to sports (insert laughter here), but I find it quite impossible not to when one of the team’s biggest fans is Jack Nicholson! Add to that the fact that other celebrity fans include Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Costner and Denzel Washington, and I’m about ready to book the next flight to L.A. ASAP. So, in my opinion, the Lakers are going to, like, totally win. �SPORTS FEBRUARY 5, 2007 BASKETBALL from PAGE 20 both programs expected to return substantial talent, the potential exists for some outstanding games in the next several years. However, many administrators and coaches involved in that decision have mixed feelings about Scranton leaving the conference, and the immediate future of the rivalry is still uncertain at best. “I think the first thought we had here was one of disappointment,” said Wilkes athletic director Addy Malatesta, when asked about Scranton’s move to the Landmark Conference. “We’ve enjoyed the history be- tween the two schools, and we’ve had some outstanding contests in men’s basketball over the years. Scranton has made a decision that they feel is in the best interest of their institution. They remain our friends and colleagues, and we must respect their decision.” Still, many coaches and administrators at both schools have expressed interest in keeping the rivalry alive through non-conference competition during the regular season. Regardless of the future, this Wednesday will mark the final installment of a conference rivalry that has brought out the best in 19 players, coaches and fans for decades. The meetings may continue, but nothing will ever quite replace the battles between the Colonels and the Royals for conference-and local-supremacy. The Beacon/Todd Weibel WEEKEND RECAPS Women’s Basketball Moira Donohue popped in 27 points to lead Delaware Valley College to a 75-65 Freedom Conference women’s basketball win over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center. The win improves the Aggies to 9-11 overall and 5-5 in conference play. Wilkes sees its record move to 6-15 overall and 2-8 in the conference. Ashley Makarczyk led three Wilkes players in double-figures with 13 points. Patchell chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds, while Karyn Perestam added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Men’s Basketball Junior Jeremy Kable scored a career-high 24 points and freshman Tom Kresge added 17 counters to lead Wilkes University to a 62-53 Freedom Conference men’s basketball win over Delaware Valley College on Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center. The victory not only improved the Colonels to 10-9 overall and 2-8 in the conference, it also snapped the team’s seven-game losing skid. Delaware Valley saw its record fall to 417 overall and 2-8 in conference play. The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Colonels smacked the Delaware Valley Aggies 62-53 this past Saturday, and desperately need to repeat that performace against Scranton University on Wednesday to avenge last month’s 70-41 loss to the Royals. 24 Number of points scored by junior guard Jeremy Kable against Del Val on Sat.. His outstanding effort gives him a new career high. Wrestling In a battle of nationally-ranked wrestling teams 14th-ranked Ithaca College nipped 13thranked Wilkes University, 19-15, on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Bombers to 9-2 in dual matches, while the Colonels see their record fall to10-8. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 197 The weight class that has been dominated by the Colonels 6th ranked Brandon Kelly. Kelly’s record stands at 8-2. 13 Total number of points scored by freshman guard Ashley Macarcyzk. She led the team in scoring as the Lady Colonels lost to Del Val. 288 Number of career wins for head coach Jerry Rickrode. Rickrode is currently in his 15th season as the Colonels head basketball coach. �Sports FEBRUARY 5, 2007 20 Wilkes, Scranton to meet for last time as conference foes End of an era for classic rivalry BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer When the Wilkes University men’s basketball team takes to the Martz Center floor Wednesday against conference rival Scranton, the showdown will mark the end of an era in local college basketball. For many years, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) has enjoyed a three-way rivalry between Wilkes, Scranton and King’s College. Sold-out arenas, passionate student sections and conference title implications have all become regular features of the clashes between the three local basketball powers. However, in late 2006 The University of Scranton made a decision to leave its local rivals in the MAC and begin competition in the newly-formed Landmark Conference. The Royals will therefore no longer share the MAC with King’s and Wilkes and as a result, Wednesday will mark the last meeting of the Colonels and Royals in a game with MAC conference implications. “I think it’s taking away an atmosphere that’s hard to top,” said Wilkes head coach Jerry Rickrode of not having the annual conference clashes between Wilkes and Scranton on the schedule. “When I got the job at Wilkes in 1992, it was a big draw being in the same conference with a successful team like Scranton and the local rivalry factor that came along with that.” The two programs have enjoyed tremendous success in recent decades, with nearly every regularseason meeting between the rivals holding playoff implications. Some of the most memorable moments in the series came when Wilkes won six MAC championships from 1995 through 2001. Scranton also featured strong teams in those years, and fans would often line up outside the gym well in advance just to secure a seat for the game. When Wilkes won the conference title in the 1997-98 seasons, the teams met twice in the regular season, again for the league championship and once more in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Scranton leads the all-time series 71-35, but Wilkes has won many of the more recent games in the rivalry. When and if the rivalry will continue has become a hot topic of conversation on the Wilkes campus and in the local sports community. Given the close geographical distance and outstanding sports history shared by the schools, many fans are eager to see the teams continue to meet in a non-conference format. With See BASKETBALL page 19 Campus Calendar. *King of Prussia Shopping Trip, HSC Info Desk - 9:00 a.m. *Wrestling vs. Elizabethtown/ Morrisville - 12:00 p.m. Monday 2/5 *Women’s basketball *No events @ FDU-Florham - 1:00 scheduled. p.m. Thursday 2/8 *Alternative Spring Break *Men’s basketball @ Tuesday 2/6 Spaghetti Dinner, HSC FDU-Florham - 3:00 *MBA Information p.m. Ballroom - 4:00 p.m. Seminar. *Penguin’s hockey game, Wachovia Arena - 7:05 Friday 2/9 Wednesday 2/7 *National Black AIDS *Student Development p.m. Group Ski Night, Awareness Day Sunday 2/11 information table, HSC SnoMountain. *No events lobby - 11:00 a.m. scheduled. *Women’s basketball vs. Saturday 2/10 All Week: *Sudan: The Cost of Silence exhibit, Sordoni Art Gallery. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Leading scorer Tom Kresege will look to guide his team to a win in their last conference meeting with rivalry Scranton University. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH Scranton - 6:00 p.m. *Private movie screening: All About Darfur, RC Movies 14 7:00 p.m. *Men’s basketball vs. Scranton - 8:00 p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body ILKES UNIVERSITY text. A random winner will be picked from the W PROGRAMMING BOARD correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of Programming Board. - Congratulations to Lorraine Serfoss, who correctly identified last week’s picture, which was of a sign on the front door of Pearsall Hall. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 February 5th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 February 5 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/b04627e9fff844b9ad8f82939bdb05e9.pdf 3a248c9d02f236a67ce46ae00b31c543 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 14 www.wilkesbeacon.com FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Reported campus sexual assault under investigation BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor A rape that allegedly occurred the weekend of February 3-4 in a Wilkes residence hall is currently under investigation by the Wilkes-Barre police department. “The only information we can and will provide at this time is that this event was reported to the University by the WilkesBarre Police Department,” said Director of Campus and Support Services, Chris Bailey in an e-mail. “It is an alleged crime at this point involving a Wilkes student.” The Beacon’s policy is to protect the identity of victims of sexual assault to ensure they are not re-victimized by excessive public scrutiny. In addition, the newspaper will not identify accused perpetrators until they have been adjudicated and found guilty. According to the community notification posted by Public Safety officials Wednesday, February 7, the alleged attack “oc- curred between acquaintances, and as such was not a random act.” Though Vice President of Student Affairs Paul Adams would not identify the name of the dorm in which the alleged assault occurred, he discussed the role student services plays in such a situation. “First and foremost, our role is to make sure that the victim receives proper attention emotionally and physically, making sure that if there is a need for medical follow-up that it’s taken care of,” Adams said. Adams further explained that if the university is involved before the police, university officials will provide the victim with the necessary knowledge needed to press charges and explain to them how these processes work through the University or through Luzerne County’s court system. w WILKES UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION A sexual assault has been reported to University officials. The incident was reported to have occurred within a residence hall on or about February 4"', 2007. The incident i.vas reponed to have occurred between acquaintances and ~ s~h i.vas not a random act. In an effort to protect the anonymity of the . vicnm no funher details regarding specific location or cuturnstances are bemg made available at this time. As with all incidents we ask that an}'t)ne with information regarding~ e_vcnr contact the Public Safety Office at 408-4999 or the Wilkes-Barre Police 911_. ~mmunity members may also make an anon)'.'11ous rcpo;;r°) at ~S-2;73. Uruversity CARE line (Campus Anonymous ReportUlg Exrens fth The Beacon/Nick Podolak Public Safety placed these community notification fliers all over campus to inform the students about an alleged rape that occured over the weekend of February 3-4. The alleged crime remains under investigation by the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. See RAPE page 4 Spring commencement moving to the Wachovia Arena No graduation speaker yet named BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor Wilkes University has finally decided to jump on the bandwagon. Other local colleges and universities such as King’s College, Marywood University, Luzerne County Community College and the University of Scranton have all held their commencement ceremonies at the Wachovia Arena for several years. Now, Wilkes has added itself to the list. Spring 2007 commencement will mark the first time that graduation will be held Dump Cupid! PAGE 7 off campus. In the past, graduation has been held either outside on the Fenner Quadrangle or inside at the Marts Gymnasium when there were unfavorable weather conditions for an outdoor event. Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs, said, “The idea of moving to the Arena has been under consideration for several years. I think we felt it was time to try it.” “The other colleges and universities in the area have spoken very positively about it. For us, it will save us from preparing two sites for commencement and assures us plenty of seating and parking for anyone who wants to attend,” commented Adams. Adams listed the benefits of moving commencement to the Wachovia Arena as “plenty of seating and parking, good sight lines of the stage, plenty of restaurants in the area for pre- and post- ceremony family celebrations.” He added, “[The move] diminishes the labor required from the facilities department and weather conditions no longer play a role in our planning - everybody knows exactly what to expect.” The move to the Wachovia Arena impacts many at Wilkes. Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services, said, “Moving the event from our campus to the Arena will eliminate the need to set-up two sites on campus... It will also eliminate the impact on the whole staff in terms of the amount of work that goes into the setup and execution of this event. “Remember, for us it is not a one day event, but actually takes most of the week prior to graduation and at least two days after graduation to setup and take down the See GRADUATION page 5 In This Issue... PAGE 9... A l z h e i m e r s M A K I N G THE BAND... P A G E 12 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS FEBRUARY 12, 2007 2 Interns Darfur SG Notes Graduation 2 3 4 5 Wilkes breaks placement records with 99 interns BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor MTV, The View, Philadelphia Flyers, Met Life, NASCAR, ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings: just some of the hot spots where Wilkes University students have previously interned. But this semester, it’s about more than the prestige of the placement. According to the university’s cooperative education office, the number of Wilkes students who are earning experience and credit in the field has hit record numbers--just one shy of 100. The purposes behind an internship, according to the Wilkes University Cooperative Education office, are to first “gain academic credits, receive employment references, network with potential employers, enhance leadership skill, decide what career is right for you and gain hands on work experience before you graduate.” Internships are open to all stu- dents, as long as they meet some standard requirements. The student must: be enrolled part- or full-time, have at least undergraduate sophomore standing, a minimum GPA of 2.00 and the consent of thier academic advisor and department chairperson prior to their placement in an internship. One person who met all of these requirements and obtained an internship is senior sociology major, Noelle Burdurka. She is interning at the Institute for Human Resources and Services located in Kingston. Burdurka was happy to share her experience so far at the Institute, “This is a really great place to intern. I’m learning lots of interesting stuff here and traveling to Philadelphia on occasions. It’s pretty neat!” According to Wilkes University Cooperative Education documents, a student’s role as an intern is to: “function as a professional within [their] desired positions, meet regularly with [their] su- pervisors at the internship site for feedback on performance and future direction, complete all [of their] required hours an academic assignments as agreed upon by [their] faculty coordinator and the co-op education office.” Also, the process of finding the right internship is a lot of hard work and looks similarly like the job hunt process. First, a student must meet with their advisor and see if an internship is a possibility. Then the student must schedule a time to meet with the staff at the cooperative education office. Usually this meeting takes place early in the semester before the one which the student will intern in. Then the student will start making or updating their resume, then start looking at businesses or organizations where he/she would like to intern. Finally the students send their resume and letter of interest to the places of interest. A student will then prepare for interviews by having a “mock in- terview” with their Co-op advisor. Next the student will go for the actual interviews and once “hired” the student will need to find a professor to be their faculty coordinator. Finally a student must fill out registration paperwork. Students can start their internship search online by looking through postings around the school and in the co-op education office located on the first floor of the Student Center. For more information on internships, students can contact Sharon Costano, the Cooperative Education and Internship Coordinator at (570)408-2950 or by going to www.wilkes.edu/coop. Internship Websites Worknplay NEPA www.worknepa.com Washington Semester www.washingtonsemester.com Internship Programs www.internshipprograms.com Monstertrak.com www.monstertrack.com Princeton Review www.review.com/career BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Above: some of the 99 students taking part in internships that will allow them to further their education and gain hands on work experience in their desired field. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NEWS FEBRUARY 12, 2007 3 Internationally recognized film raises awareness of Darfur crisis BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Staff Writer The internationally recognized documentary All About Darfur was featured at Movies 14 last Wednesday, February 7. The documentary highlighted specific aspects of the genocide occurring in Darfur, and offered a variety of observations made by citizens living in Sudan. In the uprising, thousands have been killed, raped, or maimed while millions have been displaced permanently. Dr. Jean-Marie Kamatali, professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, was a guest speaker at the event, which was cosponsored by King’s College. Kamatali, who experienced the tragedy in Rwanda, noted that the genocide in Darfur is deeper than race, religion, socioeconomic class or ethnicity. “The problem isn’t just about ethnicity, race, religion or socioeconomic class. It’s that people’s perceptions are different to what they see as real or not, and this is a big factor. We should all try to understand each other’s differences to find out the truth, and not judge based on our own or other’s perceptions because they could not be completely accurate,” Kamatali said. “People should be aware of what goes on in the world or try to be aware. The more people that are aware of what’s happening, the less likelihood of another genocide occurring. Being aware also helps reveal the truth,” said Yves Ngabonziza, sophomore environmental engineer major, who also lived through the genocide in Rwanda. Raquel Wheby, junior psychology and communication studies double major, be- lieves that the documentary screening was an important tool to teach about Darfur, and that being educated about Darfur is important not only for humanitarian reasons, but also for national security. “This documentary helped me realize even more that Darfur is very important. Since, Darfur is in Sudan, which is known for housing numerous terrorists’ camps and organizations. I believe it’s in the U.S.’s best interest to aid the victims in Darfur, not only because it’s the humane thing to do, but our nation’s security could be at risk from another threat or attack, which is the last thing we need,” Wheby said. Moreover, Dr. Evene Estwick, assistant professor of communication studies, who took her Intercultural Communication class to the film, agreed that the area is a hot spot for terrorists, and if nothing is done, the U.S.’s security most likely could be at stake. She also noted that the situation in Darfur is multifaceted. “What’s going on in Darfur is way more complicated or complex than most people imagine or attempt to understand, but we should try to learn more about this by educating ourselves,” Estwick said. She added that in order to address some of the issues, Americans need to “put pressure on your elected officials to give aid and maybe over time, change will happen. Also, look at celebrities that are bringing awareness to situations like Darfur. For instance, George Clooney and his dad have been there many times,” said Estwick. However, Kamatali noted that if America or any other country intervenes, those who commit to such aid should not go in to help and then pull out when things get tough. All About Darfur Courtesy of AllAboutDarfur.com Movies 14 offered a screening of Darfur last Wednesday, a documentary revealing the tensions between African Americans and Muslims that has resulted in genocide. Dr. Jean-Marie Kamatali, a professor of law at Notre Dame, shared his experience with a short Q & A sharing his firsthand experience of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Forces should stay and be committed. “Intervention is necessary in Darfur. It’s the humanitarian thing to do. But, if you want to intervene make sure you are there with a mission to stop what’s going on, and have a very clear precise mission that will protect the victims. If you leave before the job is done, the consequences will most likely be worse,” Kamatali said. Ngabonziza added, “Humanitarian efforts are necessary in the world to help with this situation and others. It shouldn’t be about political or economical gain. It should be Jewelers WILKES UNIVERSITY I ,, ___ • V tl Slfl FACULTY STAFF Receive a 15% discount \.YI LKES . , ...on a new purchase at Bartikowsky Jewelers when you present your: The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Salman Punekar speaks at the Eid-ul-Adha Muslim dinner held last Wednesday in the SUB. The event, attended almost by 138 was hosted by the Islamic Interest Society and the Diversity Ambassadors. AFllmFrom CALIFORNIA NEWSREEL A iut the Filmmaker Director's Statement Conflict ,n Darfur Film Synopsis Press Adva1acy lor Afri10 More on Alr11on Clnemo Conto1t Us I Order Bartikows~ STUDENTS - MOVIES 14 Ticket Stub AND This Ad * Not Valid On Sale Merchandise, Special Orders, or Combined With Other Discounts * about helping other human beings who are in dire need of assistance, which is the right thing to do.” Alcohol Myth Busters: “I can sober up quickly if I have to” It takes about 3 hours to eliminate the alcohol content of two drinks, depending on your weight. Nothing can speed up this process not even coffee or cold showers. -Sponsored by Health Services [iJ http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp �NEWS FEBRUARY 12, 2007 RAPE from FRONT PAGE However, Coordinator of Student Affairs Gretchen Yeninas does not believe the victim had formally pressed charges by the end of last week. “I don’t know all of the details,” she said. “But at this point to the best of my knowledge no charges have been brought forward regarding that,” she said. Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Gerald Dessoye made it clear that a reported rape is one of the few crimes in which the victim is interviewed by the District Attorney to make sure both the victim and the perpetrator’s accounts are thoroughly investigated before any charges are filed. “It is very, very, damaging the minute that accusation is made public. We do try to protect both people’s rights and we try not to ever jump to conclusions,” Dessoye said. Adams acknowledged that the university responds on a case by case basis in terms of whether an alleged perpetrator may be allowed to reside on campus during the adjudication process. “I know that in past cases we have taken people out of school or off campus, but I won’t say that’s going to happen 100 percent of the time,” he said. Wilkes-Barre police and Wilkes public safety officials could offer no further comment on the case pending an official press release. In an unrelated case, another sexual assault was reported during the same weekend involving a U.S. Marine and a 22-year old woman on West Ross Street. 4 All About “Safe Rides” If a Wilkes student finds themselves under the influence of alcohol, and lacking transportation back to campus they are in luck because Wilkes University participates in the “Safe Ride” program. To utilize this program... • Call Posten Taxi at 823-2111, give your location, give your destination and notify the dispatcher that you are a Wilkes student using the “Safe Rides” program. S E D I R • When the cab arrives, show the driver your student ID Card and they will return you to campus E SAF At the February 7, 2007 Student Government (SG) meeting: Treasurer’s Report The remaining SG funds exist in the following lines: All College: $22,657.62 General: $12,251 Special Projects: $3,077 Spirit: $3,405.15 Leadership: $4,540 Conferences: $18,137 Start-up: $3,200 New Business The Wilkes University Student Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) requested $800 to hold the first annual Wilkes ASME Car Show to be held on Saturday April 28, 2007. * The Wilkes University Running Club requested for a donation for its participation in Relay for Heat on Saturday, February 17, 2007. Relay for Heat is a 100-mile relay held along the dikes in Kirby Park, proceeds benefit the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Martin Luther King Fuel Fund. SG agreed to match funds up to $1,200 with a vote of 36 in favor, 3 opposed and 1 abstained. Psychology Club’s second week for its fund request for $3329.52 to enable 25 (11 seniors, 6 juniors, 2 sophomores, 6 freshmen) students to attend a conference in Philadelphia. SG agreed to allot $1,400 to the psychology club with a vote of 34 in favor, 5 opposed and 2 abstained. * limited to a distance of 10 miles and 4 students per trip Winter Weekend Update: there will be 14 Teams and everything has been ordered (t-shirts, cups, etc.) Discussion of revisions to SG Constitution: up G.P.A. requirements. Islamic Interest Society’s second week for its fund request for $700 to fund Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) National membership, speaker, and supplies for dinners. SG agreed to allot $50 to the Islamic Interest Society with a vote of 20 in favor, 18 opposed and 3 abstained. Discussion of themes for Spring Fling: “Sweet Dreams” = 14 winner “Starry Seashores” = 12 “Hollywood Red Carpet” = 8 “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” = 5 Events Relay for Life Meeting 02/08/2007 11a.m. - 1p.m. in Breiseth 106 Singles Night Out - Mardi Gras (junior class social) on Valentine’s Day at 8:00pm Committee Reports The Campus Support, Portal, One-Stop, SG Shirts, H.S. Leadership committees reported Club Reports Programming Board: Hockey tickets on sale for $5.00 * = Action will be taken at next meeting �NEWS FEBRUARY 12, 2007 GRADUATION looking forward to graduation being held in the greenway, but I am excited about it being at the Arena.” Fred Gerloff, senior environmental engineering major, said, “I realize they’re doing it for space reasons, to be more accomodating, but it may be too big of a venue. It could be less intimate, depending on how they set it up, but it does have potential to be good if they keep it focused.” Adams explained that the other local colleges did have an influence over the university’s decision to move commencement. “Their positive experience certainly influences our decision. If their experience was negative I’m sure we’d be less apt to make this decision,” he said. While the move to the Wachovia Arena is currently a one time agreement, this year’s event will determine those commencements still to come. “After our experience at the Arena this year we will evaluate whether or not it becomes our pre- from FRONT PAGE staging, the chairs, and the electrical and sound systems. Not to mention the need to have a second planting and bed service for grounds and increased Public Safety for parking, crowd, and traffic control,” he said. He added, “As a rough estimate we are reducing the staff needs by over 200 over-time, man-hours for this event.” There is also another group of people who are affected by the move: graduating seniors. Some students have voiced disappointment in the move. Mike Sciulara, senior business administration major, said, “The move is going to take away from the intimacy of graduating at Wilkes. That is what sets us apart... It’s breaking a tradition that has been a part of Wilkes for a long time.” Dan Luskin, senior mechanical engineering major, said, “I was Courtesy University of Scranton Spring 2007 commencement will be held off campus for the first time. Wachovia Arena will be the new host. ferred location,” said Adams. Also, when asked if there was a confirmation of a graduation The Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments - 12 Efficiency Suites - Secure Entry - Elevator - Coin Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Removal Cumberland Efficiency $475./month Cumberland Efficiency Suite $675./month 17 West Ross Street, Wilkes Barre 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com 5 speaker, Adams said, “No one has been named as of today �Opinion FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Where Popularity meets experience: Potential U.S. presidents Giuliani v. McCain BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Obama already faces skepticism for his lack of national experience with only two years in the U.S. Senate. But Guiliani is a candidate who has never been elected to a national office. However, as the mayor of New York City during September 11, 2001, supporters point to the national credibility he earned before the cameras for several months following the attacks. It will be interesting to see Rudolph may not be leading a sleigh tonight, but he sure plans to lead a presidential campaign and McCain’s not too far behind. The Republicans will be in as much of an arm wrestle as the Democrats when President Bush finishes his second term and leaves the race wide open. O.K., so it is not official, but it might as well be. Rudolph Giuliani has submitted his statement of candidacy papers with the Federal Election Commission. This is often the first step before a candidate will formally announce their intent to make a bid for the presidency. However, Giuliani did not waste any time. After filing his papers, he was quick to jump on Fox Courtesy of www.ovaloffice2008.com News, traditionally thought of as the conservatively based chan- if constituents who turned to Giunel. Granted, the word conserva- liani during that tragedy will turn tive is not needed, however these to him once again. Giuliani is also using his wife are Republican candidates. He appeared on conservative Fox News Judi as a spokesperson for his Channel’s “Hannity and Colmes” warm-and-fuzzy side. This is an segment. Giuliani proudly an- interesting maneuver, which could nounced, “I’m in this to win.” Our play in his favor trying to entice question is: And, most candidates female votes away from Senator Hillary Clinton. However, Guilare in this to….? As early as it is in the rat race, iani’s relationship with his nowGiuliani is tactfully bringing two wife began as a scandalous affair of his “likeability factors” to the when he was married to another foreground: 1) His former posi- woman. Will voters forgive and tion as mayor of New York City, forget? Have they already done and 2) His wife Judi. As we men- so? McCain’s already not starting tioned in last week’ article, Barack out on the right foot with his constituents. In a poll taken in his home state of Arizona, in Maricopa County, McCain was listed as a fourth choice for president behind Newt Gingrich. This is not favorable for a man who would be running against two candidates, Giuliani and Clinton, who are liked by their home state. It was an interesting move on McCain’s behalf to comment on 6 Fine Art of Dating 7 Dreaded Valentine’s Day 7 “Madam President” 8 Beacon Poll Results lican only by party name and often crosses over party lines on social The following are results of a issues. He does in fact agree with poll that The Beacon conducted prosecuting abortion doctors and online this past week. The poll not the women who get them. As was unscientifi c, and does not well he is open to alternative fuels claim to refl ect the overall attiand emission controls. tudes of students on campus. ReAs far as Iraq is concerned, both candidates are sticking with their sults are based on 82 responses. party and their boy, Bush, on this one. Giuliani supports Bush’s decision because he feels as though The Beacon asked: pulling out What restaurant would you troops now like to see downtown? would encourage another • Hooters - 20% terror attack. • IHOP - 15% As well, he • Dave & Busters - 15% believes lib• Cheesecake erating Iraqis Factory - 13% is something • Cold Stone all Americans Creamery - 11% should find • White Castle - 7% prideful. Mc• Hard Rock - 7% Cain cannot • Other - 4% help but sup• A greasy port Bush as spoon diner - 4% he was once • Don Pablos - 4% a prisoner of war and Next Week’s Question: because, he Which untimely death was the feels, send- most shocking and had the most ing in a heavy impact on the nation? wave of troops is the • Elvis Presley (overdose) only way to • Anna Nicole Smith establish or(unknown) der in Iraq. • Marilyn Monroe Courtesy of www.ovaloffice2008.com With all this (overdose) talk of like• Mama Cass Elliot the State of the Union address, ability, we cannot help but think (choked on sandwich) during ABC News with Charles of a high school election for prom • Lee Harvey Oswald Gibson, where he openly admitted king or queen. Although other (murdered in public) his agreement with George Bush. countries are already making a • Karen Carpenter This was definitely an interesting mockery of our nation’s political (complications from strategic approach. Here we saw system, let’s just hope it does not anorexia) a man who wants to be president- become comparable to that of a • Florence Griffith Joyner agreeing with the wildly unpopu- high school popularity contest. It (epileptic seizure) lar sitting president. will be interesting to see who gets • John Ritter (heart attack) The only logical explanation the first dance. • Ryan White (AIDS) would be that McCain plans to use • Other the fact that he was a prisoner of war in his favor. If anyone is goVisit www.wilkesbeacon.com ing to agree to a surplus of troops to cast your vote. Results will it better be someone who can actube published in next week’s ally relate to being in war themissue of The Beacon. Courtesty of www.alarmingnews.com selves. McCain is seen as a Repub- v. �FEBRUARY 12, 2007 OPINION Revisiting the fine art of dating for a new generation Singles: run out, get your favorite box of candy, and indulge. Couples: do the sappy cutesy stuff you do. To everyone: honor 11 • Beacon Graphic By Kristyn Ostman 7 those that mean the most to you, not only on Valentine’s Day, but throughout the year. I may not be entering a legally binding someone’s house, anything involving family bad date behavior. So now that you actually BY CARA KOSTER contract with that person, you are putting or other people who may be intimidating or have a date you need to do your best to be Beacon Staff Photographer your emotions and heart out on the line. distracting from your date. charming and pleasant. No answering cell When was the last time you were on a real Relationships are about trust (and generally Before you run out and ask that special phone calls or text messages. Also, if you exclusivity) so how can you possibly trust someone out on a date you need to figure out ask, then you pay (just a heads up guys, I date? If it’s taken you more than four seconds someone if you don’t even know them? what exactly to do with them. Dinner and a know a lot of girls who still like it when to answer, or if your answer is ‘never,’ And just to further clarify, going on a date movie is always a fool-proof choice. You go a guy pays). Proper table manners and then you have proven my point. manners in general should Nobody dates anymore. be used. Guys: open the We’re the generation of instant door and pull out her chair. And just to further clarify, going on a date with someone does not mean you Girls: take some initiative, if gratification. Why can’t we wait for anything anymore? We are in a relationship with them. Dating is what leads to a relationship. you want another date, say bounce from “hooking-up” to so, don’t leave everything relationships with no period of up to him. Lastly, be sure to getting to know one another. shower, wear nice clothes and Whatever happened to romance run a comb through your hair. and the fun of the chase? Dating You are trying to impress this someone offers a chance to really get to with someone does not mean you are in a see a movie first and then if conversation is person, right? know a person and make a rational decision relationship with them. Dating is what leads awful at dinner you at least have the movie Now that we’re all a little more clear to talk about. Other great date ideas are, on the rules of dating, take a chance and after gathering facts of whether you actually to a relationship. Perhaps people do not know what exactly bowling, playing pool, going to a museum, walk up to that person you’ve always been want to be in a relationship with them. Now people say that it’s just a relationship, constitutes a true date. There are certain an amusement park, getting some coffee, or curious about. You never know. not marriage, so why does it matter if you activities that are not appropriate for a first seeing a play. Furthermore, there is nothing worse than really know the person or not? While you date, such as, going to a party, hanging out at BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor This holiday honestly makes me ill. I dread walking down store aisles as their displays turn from the reds and greens of Christmas to the pinks, reds and whites of Valentine’s Day. I don’t even like those candy hearts. As far as I’m concerned all candy should be chocolate. Do we really need candy dictating our affections for one another: “HUG ME?” Spare me. There are two kinds of people on Valentine’s Day- the singles and the couples. The singles are either wallowing in their own pity or flaunting their single status. The singles are easy to pick out. The ones who are in the depths of their depression are the ones moping around in all black. The ones displaying their singlehood are those who recently purchased a brand new outfit for this special occasion. Of course, the outfit more than likely fashions shades of red and pink. The couples are not hard to pinpoint. They are the hypocrites of this holiday. They are hypocrites, because they use this holiday as the one time a year to confess their dying devotion to one another. If you need a holiday to say, “I Love You,” consider it time to reevaluate your relationship, please. As the commercial goes, “Every Kiss begins with Kay [Jewelers]” What better way to say, “I Love You” than a diamond heart necklace or earrings? Of course, jewelry items are for the veteran couples. For those just starting to date there seems to be that awkwardness. Do I get a card? A card and something else? You want to come across thoughtful, but not too strong. Speaking of thoughtful, what happened to those straight from the heart valentines like we made in grade school? The ones made out of construction paper. The hearts were always lopsided, usually with an original poem written in the inside. They were finished off with white lace paper and glitter paint…CLASSIC! Stuffed animals always seem to be a popular item. An oversized stuffed bear singing “Let’s Get it On.” Lets turn it off! Nothing but abnormally large dust collectors if you ask me. Flowers are always appropriate. A dozen red roses have become the norm. How about getting original guys? Nothing satisfies a sweet tooth like a box of dark chocolates. Kudos to Gertrude Hawk for listening to public demand: chocolate covered strawberries and smidgens, sinful. The dreaded nausea of Valentine’s Day • �OPINION FEBRUARY 12, 2007 8 Prepare yourselves for the term, “Madam President” BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Okay, here is the deal, you read this and you will not have to listen to another opinion piece about the presidential election from me until April, agreed? Good. I can guess you already know what this is about: the presidential election. At this writing, Senator Barack Obama has just announced his candidacy for the presidency while Senator Hillary Clinton held a town hall style meeting and former NYC mayor Rudy Guiliani addressed the California GOP talking about his leadership skills. As the race stands now, I believe one of the mentioned will be president at the close of the 2008 election. How do I come to this conclusion? Let’s start with the Republicans. First off all, Republicans have one strike against them from the start, George W. Bush’s popularity, but that’s a given. So let’s get onto the other stuff. Senator John McCain will not get his party’s backing because he is not...well, let’s be frank, he, “bats for both teams,” meaning he sometimes sides with the Democrats, and in this particular climate, a politician is all in his party or not in it at all. So, McCain is out. Then we have Giuliani, who does not have national experience. When it comes time for hardcore campaigning this will bury him. That eliminates the main contenders for the Republican seat and leaves the small fish (but don’t forget about them). So, welcome to the Democratic side of the coin where we have Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. First, Obama is a freshman Senator from Illinois and when it comes to election time this lack of experience will be seen as a problem. Also, even though it is a shame, its true many Americans will not vote for Obama because of the color of his skin. What is interesting, though, is the fact that he has a shot and maybe in a few years time Americans will be ready, but unfortunately that time is not now. This leaves us with Hillary Rodham Clinton as the Democrats’ other front runner. Now granted, she is a woman, which in some circles will be seen as a hurdle to get past among certain voters, but it seems that if anyone has a shot it is her. She has successfully separated herself politically from her husband and instead of being Former First Lady Hillary Clinton, she has become Senator Hillary Clinton who has tremendous backing in the south and north. The only things she has going against her A Sight for Sore Eyes vJe.. ..\--c .\_eve 0,. s ~ O tJ o \\ l"<'l \,J \-.a yo f Qel\ ,-\- .\--o Se. \ \ o ~ Jl.l J -\-le_ t ~ei' ~ ~~Q I/ \ , \~ S . 0Vl<2. . L, \ l ~ ~- o L Qt_~ w IA V-- ~~ ) ~ L Bush (which beating George Bush and discrediting the Republicans should not be a hard thing to do). So there is a possibility that some Z factor will come into play, but hopefully both parties learned their lessons from Kerry and will choose wisely. For the Democrats will be Hillary and for the Republicans’ fruitless efforts, Giuliani. Last observation: beware of any “professional” who tries to compare today’s political landscape and the looming race for the presidency with anything too far back in our history. The past two elections have been different on a level that could not be imagined. In fact this election is probably the most unique yet and I do cringe when I think about comparing this upcoming and past election (but you need a reference point to work with). Therefore, it is insane to compare this election or any future one with the election of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, or Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, because America has changed dramatically. Yes, I guess you can argue that at the base politics are the same but the landscape is not, and we as learned people must realize this. See ya’ in April. Political Double Take: Aleksander Lapinski V-6 are her gender (once again unfortunate but true), and, far more importantly, she voted for the war and is now saying (well she hasn’t said it… in fact she doesn’t want to say it, but it easier just to say it here) it was a mistake. Even with these elements against her, as the race stands now, by the end of that election night in 2008, Hillary Clinton will be President of the United States of America. However, this is contingent on several things. First the assumption that the Republicans will continue to be the “unpopular minority,” and if the Democrats continue on as predicted with meaningless legislation and no big scandals. Secondly, in last election, John Kerry came out of nowhere during the primaries and the Democrats just said “okay” and dumped all their money into his pocket. I like to believe this is because “the local hometown hero” Governor Howard Dean went “crazy,” the Democrats needed a new “local home town hero” during that time, and party leaders acted faster than they realized. The problem was that Kerry couldn’t inspire the sort of passion or trust the common voters were after, so despite the party money in his pockets, the Dems ended up with someone who couldn’t beat George The future President of Adorable BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor if I thought he was a moron, but that’s the thing; he is really intelligent and politically well-rounded (I believe he has worked his i,,_ Unlike sports, I actually know a thing or way up the ladder, from Columbia to Hartwo about politics and most of the people vard and from a position as a professor to who have announced themselves for can- one in the U.S. Senate). So, with that as a didacy for the 2008 election. That said, I background, his overall likability is actually would like to state that just secondary, but it’s still I think Barack Obama pretty important. is going to take it all… And anyway, his family is and it has nothing to do freakin’ adorable! His wife with his political poliis cute, and his daughters, cies. Malia and Sasha, complete Let’s start with his what I would deem to be overall appeal. I’m sorthe perfect family. If we’re ry if anyone finds this going to have a first family to be slightly creepy, representing us, then they but I think he’s kind of had better be this generahot, in that esteemed, tion’s Cleaver’s, right? political official way. So, yes, I am seriously He dresses well, he has in love with Barack and I a very attractive voice Courtesy of davespeaks.blogspot.com think he would be the perand he is generally fect president and the next extremely well-groomed. Seriously, listen step in the right direction for our country to one of his speeches. I guarantee you will (for various reasons), which is why he might be mesmerized by his deep, calming voice, just have my vote in the primary elections… whether or not you agree with what he’s It’s true that I don’t necessarily completely saying. agree with every single one of his opinions, Ok, ok… none of this would matter to me but I just love his smile. �FEATURES FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Students and taxes Bat Boy 10 10 9 Exhibit raises Alzheimer’s awareness on campus Presentations and artwork address personal and medical aspects of the disease Try to imagine losing the thought of what “self” means to you. Imagine what your life might be like if all the memories you had became a blur. Well, this is true for those who struggle with the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Alzheimer’s, a disease that causes slow but steady deterioration of memory. Alongside loss of memory often comes changes in personality, inability to make sound judgment, loss of communication skills, and anxiety. No one fully understands the causes of the disease, though genetic research indicates some link to certain genes. To acknowledge the importance of a century of Alzheimer’s research, and progress in awareness, Wilkes University and The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania are co-hosting an art exhibit and related events created by William Utermohlen, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer. The exhibit, located in the Farley Library, depicts Utermohlen’s progression through the various stages of the disease through the artist’s own self-portraits. Each piece illustrates, sometimes starkly, how he saw himself; the works range in date from 1967 to 2000. The university is also sponsoring a series of lectures and discussions that examine Alzheimer’s disease from a a variety of vantage points including the personal, medical, and practical sides. “On [Tuesday] February 13, we will be hosting a presentation featuring personal stories from patients, families, and those who have written about Alzheimer’s to discuss its consequences. On February 23, there will be a speaker who will take a scientific look at this disease, and on February 26, there will be a panel presentation and Q & A with professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients and their families,” said Eileen Sharp, Manager of Health Sciences, who also is coordinating the events. Sharp noted that Wilkes University is probably the only place that is going to The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski BY MARK CONGDON, JR. Beacon Staff Writer host these kinds of events on the east coast. “Surprisingly, Wilkes, most likely, will be the only place on the east coast that William’s exhibit is featured during the 100th anniversary,” said Sharp. “This art tells a story of the progression of this disease, and we are able to see how the whole concept of self seemed to fade away from 1967 to 2000,” Sharp added. “The point of all of this is to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, and to let people know that there are resources and many others who are affected and may not talk about it much. This ultimately tells a story when you see the differences in the paintings of how tragic this disease really is,” said Sharp. Jason Woloski, freshman biochemistry major, who is also the student coordinator for the events, believes that the Alzheimer’s series will “increase Alzheimer’s awareness and give everyone a clearer understanding of the disease itself. Especially in NEPA, where there are a high number of senior citizens, it is important for the community to be well-informed. Furthermore, the presentations will provide a behind the scenes look at the disease. The exhibit itself can appeal to almost any major, from psychology majors, to art majors, to the science majors.” Many Wilkes students personally seemed to be affected by this exhibit. “For me, the exhibit touches home in a special way. My grandmother is currently suffering from Alzheimer’s so bringing this exhibit to Wilkes was very important to me. Hopefully through a close examination of the paintings, and attending all the presentations, my family and I can get a deeper understanding of the disease,” said Woloski. Courtney Zawatski, junior nursing major, noted that the disease also hits close to home and is glad these paintings are brining awareness to the disease. “Because my grandfather has Alzheimer’s, I witnessed firsthand the effects that it had on him and my family, so I am glad that Wilkes is trying to educate the campus and community. Hopefully, this will generate discussion that will allow more people to understand how important it is to try to find a cure or at least understand the disease,” Zawatski stated. Michalene Davis, senior psychology major, believes that this exhibit and presentations will be successful events for Wilkes. “They should be successful because we have many students majoring in the health science like pre-medicine, psychology, and nursing. Therefore, it’s relevant to our campus,” said Davis. “I hope the campus gains a greater understanding because this is an interesting way to look at Alzheimer’s that we don’t get to witness often.” Sharp emphasized that for those who do attend, there will be a guest book where visitors could write down their thoughts and comments to share with others. “It would be nice to have people comment on this amazing event. The exhibit will also be open before and after the various presentations to those who wish to see it. Along with accepting donations for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater PA, donations will be taken to help pay for the art exhibit and presentations,” Sharp said. She added that if students, faculty, staff, and community members feel strongly about this disease, they could volunteer their time to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater PA located on Franklin Street in the Kirby Health Center. Woloski concluded, “I encourage anyone who can make any of the presentations to attend. It is especially important that everyone tries to attend the exhibit, since it is only in the United States for one year. Then it is touring in other countries. Having such a famous exhibit come to Wilkes provides a once in a lifetime experience.” �10 FEATURES FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Accounting students offer tax filing assistance BY CANDICE HALLIDAY Beacon Correspondent It’s a month into the new year which means many resolutions have been broken and w-4 forms are starting to arrive in the mail, signaling the start of the tax season. Tax time is infamous for evoking a variety of different emotions. While some individuals are scoping out places for a relaxing weekend getaway with their hard earned tax returns, others are cringing at the demanding process of filing their federal, state, or local tax returns. Wilkes University’s, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program has a long history of serving lower income families and the elderly throughout Wilkes-Barre who need assistance filing taxes. “Through this initiative, students in our accounting program help low income and elderly citizens in the preparation and filing of their personal income tax returns,” said Dean Paul Browne of Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. The program is held every Saturday throughout the month of February from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Breiseth 108. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It is a volunteer service where student coordinators work together in teams. All together there are about eight different teams. Some of their tasks include coordinating the process, assisting return papers, answering any questions, solving problems, and keeping in contact with the IRS to ensure they are pre- paring accurate returns. Junior student coordinator Karl Kemmerer said, “For me, the program is a chance to help out the community and also to put to practice what I’ve been learning in my accounting classes. It has been an excellent hands-on experience, and it’s obvious that our clients are very appreciative of our time.” Similar to Kemmerer, VITA’s faculty coordinator Cynthia Chisarick also described the program’s benefits noting, “It allows students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom and give back to the community. Individuals who receive are also very appreciative.” She also emphasized how the program allows the student coordinators to develop better people skills. Although involvement with VITA is voluntary, becoming a member is not an easy task. Students must complete one full day of training to become a member. This includes learning how to use tax software and e-file federal and state income taxes. At the end of the day, students must complete a test. “Students must complete a substantial amount of work,” said Chisarick. Most of the students involved have completed the individual tax course, which is a requirement for all accounting majors. Not only do students have to go through a rigorous day of training, but they must begin planning for the program in November, three months before tax season. This involves reviewing all materials and publicizing the event. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski VITA student confers with community member on filing taxes VITA has been in operation for the past 20 tax seasons. It was developed by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). They are the Federal organization that oversees filing of tax income for individuals. Over 20 years, VITA has undergone many changes. One major improvement is in the new use of tax software, which allows everything to be done electronically. Chisarick said, “You don’t need to check your math on the software and e-filing, which allows for quicker refunds.” Although VITA’s past has proven successful, those involved with the program envision an even brighter future. Kemmerer said, “I think the program will continue to be successful. It has been continuing on for several years, and has always been a suc- cess. Also, we’re more closely documenting things this year to be sure we can continue to provide a high quality service and see any areas we can improve. This year we started to use web-based software to prepare the returns, and so far that has been an improvement from what I’ve heard from people who worked for VITA in past years.” Other student coordinators involved with the program are Allan Karaffa, Erin Simpson, and Cassandra Hare. “It is the dedication and commitment of students that have made the program successful,” said Chisarick. Stop the tabloid presses! Bat Boy flies into DDD BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor Most people can relate to standing in line at a grocery store with full attention on tabloids covered with pictures of aliens, deformed humans, and Elvis sightings. One lead tabloid story has made its way to the stage. The musical “Bat Boy” is being performed at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. The musical is based on a front page article that ran in Weekly World News about a bat child found in a cave. Naomi Baker, director of “Bat Boy,” explained that the play goes one step further by portraying what might happen if this creature really existed. She notes that the play doesn’t take itself too seriously; however, there are underlining themes within the production. “There are themes in the play about the struggle between man, their spiritual side and animal instincts. There’s sort of a message in there about not messing with mother nature, also about acceptance. But it’s just a fun, crazy world that you step into, sort of an alternate universe,” said Baker. The story takes place in the town of Hope Falls, West Virginia. A few teenagers come across this half bat, half boy creature and bring it back to the local sheriff. The sheriff takes the creature to the local veterinarian and a lot of craziness ensues. Dara Rees, senior communications and theatre major, plays the role of Shelley a 16-year-old who ends up falling for bat boy. Rees describes her character as having a lot of energy and is quite the singing machine. “Bat Boy is such a fun and interesting show with a very exciting ending. When I first read the show, I literally dropped the script and gasped about the ending. It’s a really great show,” said Rees. Posters around campus describe the show as a “terrifying tale of love, betrayal, and cows.” Baker explained the reason for cows and a connection to Wilkes-Barre in the play. “All the characters in this town used to be miners. The mines are all closed so they’re trying to make it as ranchers. They are completely out of their element trying to raise cows on the side of a mountain. So, one of the big problems is that they are really having trouble with these cows and wishing they could go back to being miners again,” explained Baker. Baker describes the musical score as one of the best scores she’s heard in years. See BAT BOY, Page 11 YOU NAME IT TEES Express Yourself With Your Own Personalized T-shirt Designed How YOU Want It! Choose From 4 Different Styles On The Front Add Any Personalization On the Back February 5th - February 16th Monday thru Friday from 11am-1pm Lobby of the Henry Student Center $11.99!! *Orders will take 2 weeks until pick-up *Money is due in full at time of ordering �FEBRUARY 12, 2007 BAT BOY from Page 10 The band is a rock-n-roll band which is not your typical musical theatre ensemble. The band consists of a guitars, drums, bass, and piano. “It’s inventive; the melodies are catchy and interestingly complex. There’s a lot of rock-n-roll, country, gospel, and rap,” said Baker. Along with the music, there is an addition of more choreography in this production than the original. “The original production did it with ten people, and part of what made their show funny was these actors were having to change characters constantly on stage. I wanted to cast more students and give more people an opportunity to work so I didn’t do it that way. There is some doubling, but I have a cast of 14. Lynne Mariani choreographed a lot of our dances and brought this modern, jazz, hip-hoppy, funky kind of choreography, which I thought it would really work for this show,” said Baker. The stage is a unit set which serves as more than one location, such as a living room, cave, and a town hall meeting, according to set designer Teresa Fallon. “The students painted the scenery by dripping and splattering paint on the surfaces to suggest violence and darkness of the story as well as to conjure images of blood spatters and murder. The show is an unusual FEATURES 11 blend of comedy and horror,” said Fallon. In order to arrive at this set, Fallon researched many Weekly World News covers, as well as photographs of West Virginia coal towns and caves. This will be Naomi Baker’s directorial debut at Wilkes University and she serves as assistant professor in the theatre department. Rees has enjoyed working with someone new and is having a lot of fun during the rehearsal process. “The rehearsals are very intense, but the show is so much fun that sometimes it doesn’t even feel like a rehearsal,” said Rees. Baker has directed shows at University of Alabama at Birmingham and Southern State Community College. Her experience in acting was mainly with musicals, so we will most likely be hearing her name attached to future musicals here at Wilkes. “This play is fun. I want people to come and have fun. And I’d like for people to come back and see it again,” said Baker. The play runs two acts with a 10 minute intermission. Performances will be held on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 at 8 p.m., Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m., Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 25 at 2 p.m. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E FEBRUARY 12, 2007 12 Film Project Chickflick-less Valentine’s Crossword This Week in History 13 14 15 15 The ABC’s of becoming a rock star (maybe) BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor The idea of starting a band is one many toss around, but to actually put that idea in motion is quite a different story. How does one go about finding compatible members? How are compromises made about who gets to be the lead singer and therefore star of the group (because no matter what, there always is one; examples include Axl Rose, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, the list goes on and on)? What the heck is the process for getting the band’s music heard? These may not be the questions prospective band members usually ask, but they are the ones that eventually come up after all the really important issues are resolved (like where band members will store equipment, where all the groupies are going to come from and what kind of free swag will be available). There are plenty of websites and even books out there to offer useful tips and guidelines about the process, but to find out how to start an actual band, what better starting place might there be than to chat with band members who are in the process of “making it?” Those who have gone before are usually the best sources for the right recipe for not only starting a band but keeping it together. So, The Beacon recently consulted with Anthony Lattanze, singer/guitarist/songwriter of The Anthony Lattanze Band (a bluesy funk rock band from Annville, PA), Brendan Stephens, who does lead vocals for Arson D’ecor (a punk band from Maryland) and guitar for Houston We Have A Problem (an indie punk band from Rochester, PA), and Matt Rutkoski, drummer of Azrael (an alternative metal band from Dallas, PA) all of whom fit the bill for people who are navigating the murky waters of musical careers. Their insights should provide prospective band members insight into the inner-workings of different kinds of bands in PA. To begin, the general consensus between Lattanze, Rutkoski and Stephens is that their bands all started with some kind of friendship. It seems that it is a lot easier to rally a bunch of friends who really love music together than it is to go out searching for the perfect addition to the hypothetically perfect band. Lattanze said, “But that’s how I envision creating music. I feel I need to do it with my friends. If the band gets along it’s going to be a lot more fun.” But sometimes it is necessary to solicit local musicians to round out the sound the band is aiming for. Rutkoski noted, “I would personally say that if friends don’t play any instruments then...make a resume [listing your music abilities and what type of genre of music you play] and post it in music shops.” If the band stays together for more than about two minutes, then this particular step may be necessary, considering that all three bands have undergone changes in composition, where members have left and joined over the course of time. “We went through many different line-ups with different instru- trying to avoid having someone become a black sheep of the band,” Stephens said. Lattanze agreed with Stephens on this issue, adding that some of the biggest struggles The Anthony Lattanze Band grapples with are coordinating all nine members’ schedules and coming to a consensus. Keeping composure during disagreements is vital because compromise is a big aspect of having a musically cohesive band and a copasetic setting. Who wants to write, perform, or even stand next to someone who won’t speak to them because they didn’t like a lyric in a song? Additionally, Lattanze advised that it’s probably best to have one designated The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Freshmen Charles Cavallotti and Anthony Alu get together in Sturdevant Hall from time to time to play some music and hang out. If the prospect of starting a band is in the near future for them, they’ve got a few things to consider. mentation. Over the years we added/lost members. It’s been almost four years...and the band is now a nine piece,” Lattanze said. As further proof, Stephens joined Houston We Have A Problem a couple of years after they had already been established. Swapping of members is just one of the many, many challenges associated with establishing a band. And it also correlates pretty well with the obvious idea that coming to an agreement about all issues between members, especially when there are as many as nine people, is pretty much an impossible feat. “Whenever you get a group of people coming together there are always different opinions, especially when you have a larger band of four or five people. It’s hard to all come together and agree in which direction a band should be heading and also member who takes care of the “logistics.” He said, “If you want to be in a band for the long haul, you have to realize that starting a band is much like starting a business. If you want the band to succeed, someone needs to take care of all the odds and ends that don’t involve playing music. Promotions, recordings, bookings, travel, money, etc... it all needs to be taken care of.” Once the band members have decided the basic pretenses under which everyone will perform, such as deciding whether to be a Def Leppard tribute band or a Wham! cover band, the next step is getting the music heard, after all, that’s the whole point, isn’t it? Booking gigs is also a vital component of this, and networking seems to be an important player in both of these respects, since many bands seem to work together in somewhat of a support system. For ex- ample, Rutkoski said that Azrael was able to earn some public exposure because of their friendship with members of the band Breaking Benjamin. Stephens was adamant about how important it is for bands to network with other bands, stating, “In all honesty it’s easier to get shows if you build friendships with bands and trade shows with them. Bands care more about unity and helping each other out while venues care more about getting their bills paid. I am not saying that there isn’t anything wrong with that and some of the people that run venues care very deeply about the music scene, but more often than not going through a band is the way to get a show set up.” Lattanze added that sometimes the band has to do whatever it takes to get the music heard, whether it is through posting songs on iTunes, giving away some free merchandise or pitching songs to compilation CD’s. He also described “press kits,” which are composed of “a good photo [of the band], a quality demo, presentable biography, and a nice folder,” that are distributed to venues in hopes of booking a gig, after which the band usually makes a few follow-up phone calls. And even though it’s more often associated with online predators these days than music, Myspace.com is a completely valid and extremely useful resource for bands to use to gain interest from people all over the country. Azrael, Houston We Have A Problem, Arson D’ecor and The Anthony Lattanze Band all have Myspace profiles. The overall feeling that one might get from each of these band members is that they are doing what they are doing because they love it, and that is the best and possibly only reason one should even consider starting a band. It requires a lot of hard work, compromise and dedication, but it’s not work if it’s fun, right? Stephens said, “I say the most important thing about starting a band is just to have fun. If you are a couple of friends who are getting together to write a couple of songs and hang out, you really have nothing to lose. If you can’t find anyone to play with, just keep focusing on practicing and writing songs because you will only get better.” To check out all of these bands, visit: http://www.myspace.com/anthonylattanzeband, http://www.myspace.com/azraelrox, http://www.myspace.com/arsondecor, and http://www.myspace.com/hwhap. �FEBRUARY 12, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Community film project reaches out to budding filmmakers BY SHANNON CURTIN Beacon Staff Writer Film and the aspects of filmmaking have become more accessible to many would-be directors as the cost of high quality cameras and editing equipment drop, not to mention the evolution of self-promotional websites like YouTube.com. For the first time, anyone with the passion and incentive to become a filmmaker can find the basic resources to do so. However, there are certain aspects of film making that just cannot be done without more advanced knowledge and equipment, and there does not seem to be any place for the budding filmmaker to find these necessities, that is, unless they contact the Community Film Project. The Community Film Project started in 2004 by current President and Vice President Jeff Fowler and Jason Sherry, respectively, is a local organization that aims to connect and network individuals interested in various areas of the film making process. Sherry explained that the Community Film Project provides an opportunity for indi- viduals to gain experience in the film industry, “Community theatre exists as an entry level place to work in the world of theatre, and I always thought it was a shame there was no ‘community film.’ But I really had no thoughts about how to make it happen. When I met (CFP President) Jeff Fowler, we realized that he and I were both trying to produce feature films with many of the same needs (actors, musicians, locations). We determined that if we pooled our resources we could expand both of our talent and technical pools, and we could create our own community to enable filmmaking in the region.” Fowler and Sherry urge individuals with various levels of experience to become a part of their networking organization. The Community Film Project does not require any experience but rather urges prospective members to be, as Fowler states, “responsible, passionate about learning or practicing their craft, and willing to come out and support the local filmmaking community. There are positions suited to all experience levels. Many directors will be more than !CADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH MENTORING� happy to teach skills to people with no experience who are willing to commit being available when needed.” So college students with an interest in film and film production are encouraged to register with the Community Film Project. Senior Wilkes student Jim Feeney never heard of the Community Film Project throughout his four years at Wilkes but is very interested in the organization now. “Film is my passion; it’s who I am. I wish I could have been doing film this whole time.” Freshman Erin Sweet also feels that the Community Film Project could benefit the Wilkes community, “I think a greater knowledge [of the Community Film Project] would benefit Wilkes students,” specifically Sweet mentioned that integrated media students who are interested in film may find the Community Film Project especially interesting and beneficial. The Community Film Project has produced a slew of productions since its creation in 2004, some of which were products of high school and college artists and have experienced a lot of success. Fowler noted, “CFP has facilitated the production of 16 short films in the last two years. One of our films appeared on the Independent Film Channel, and another of our films has made an impressive run on the film festival circuit--including international screenings.” In addition, Sherry’s feature length film Cubes will soon be available nationally for purchase and rent from major rental and retail outlets, like Netflix and Amazon. The Community Film Project bills itself as a unique and extemporary company featuring resources and opportunity for students and community members to explore and capitalize on their interest in film and film production. CFP encourages interested people to attend its next scheduled screening event on Saturday, March 10 at ArtsYouniverse in Dallas, where a number of short films will be featured. To learn more, check out www.communityfilmproject.org. $EAN�!LLEN�WAS�THE�lRST�PERSON�)�MET�AT�7ILKES� h)�M�INTERESTED�IN�3TUDENT�'OVERNMENT��!S�IT�TURNED�OUT��HE�WAS�OUR�ADVISOR��(E� HELPED�ME�ADJUST�TO�SCHOOL��)�THINK�OF�MYSELF�AS�A�LEADER�AND�)�WANT�TO�MODEL�MY� LEADERSHIP�SKILLS�AFTER�HIM��(E�S�A�PERSON�YOU�CAN�CONlDE�IN�AND�LOOK�UP�TO�AND�THAT� MAKES�THE�7ILKES�EXPERIENCE�EVEN�BETTER� " 6Y^T�i_eb�]U^d_b� %XPERIENCE�7ILKES�5NIVERSITY�S�INTIMATE�LEARNING�ENVIRONMENT� SUPPORTED�BY�FACULTY�MENTORS��AND�LEARN�MORE�ABOUT�OUR����MAJORS�INCLUDING�� "IOLOGY��"USINESS��)NTEGRATIVE�-EDIA��.URSING��4EACHER�%DUCATION��AND�0HARMACY� �*UNIOR��#ANDICE�AND�$EAN�OF�3TUDENT�!FFAIRS��-ARK�!LLEN� ggg�gY\[Uc�UTe�l�!�( �G9<;5C�E �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 12, 2007 The chickflick-less Valentine’s Day movie guide BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer All right guys, it’s Valentines Day again-the day happy couples get together to show one another just how much they care. It’s a time for love, a time for hearts and flowers and unfortunately, a time for mindnumbingly sappy, lovey-dovey chickflicks. As usual, you’ve bought the candy and flowers, you’ve footed the bill at your sweetheart’s favorite restaurant and now, unless you’ve got better plans, it’s time to head back home, cuddle up on the couch, pop in a movie…and proceed to be bored out of your skull. Sure, you could lay there, slipping in and out of consciousness silently cursing Hugh Grant. That’s always an option. However, lucky for you, The Beacon’s here to deliver a list of movies full of enough blood, bullets and explosions to keep any red-blooded male interested, while still delivering enough of a love story to keep your little lady occupied from the opening reel to the ending credits. You can thank us later. 1.) True Romance- Clarence (Christian Slater), a down on his luck comic book salesman, and Alabama (Patricia Arquette), a newly reformed call girl, are young and in love. Unfortunately, they’re also on the run for ripping off a powerful mob kingpin. Will the two lovebirds make their big score and live happily ever after, or will their dreams fall short, and send them the way of Romeo and Juliet? Scripted by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, this 1993 masterpiece delivers on all levels. Backed by an all-star cast including Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman and James Gandolfini, True Romance offers something for everyone by mixing tons action and suspense with a well done love story. 2.) Shaun Of The Dead- Billed as “A romantic comedy…with zombies,” this film lives up to its label. Shaun (Simon Pegg) is going through a bit of a rough patch. He’s stuck in a dead-end job, he hates his stepfather, his roommate (Nick Frost) does absolutely nothing, and to top it all off, Liz, the love of his life, has just dumped him… oh yeah, and the dead have also returned to life hungry for human flesh, but that’s really neither here nor there. With a story and characters that could have stood on their own, this film merely uses the zombie apocalypse as a humorous backdrop for a tale about a loveable loser in his pursuit to win back the woman he loves. However, if the history of cinema has taught us nothing else…we all know that everything is better with zombies. 3.) Truth or Consequences, N.M.- Kiefer Sutherland directs and stars in this highoctane thriller about a group of small-time thieves, led by Ray (Vincent Gallo) and his fiancée Addy (Kim Dickens), trying to make it big as they set up a score that will leave them all set for life. However, when things turn ugly, and Ray’s triggerhappy partner Curtis (Sutherland) goes on a rampage, leaving both cops and crooks dead, the gang goes on the lamb, taking a married couple hostage as they head to the small New Mexico town of Truth or Consequences to make their deal, where they begin to suspect that one of their own may be an undercover D.E.A agent. Who is the rat? Can Curtis keep his cool long enough for the deal to go down? Will Ray and Addy be able to put their life of crime behind them and start anew? Or will this treacherous gang of thieves and killers face the consequences of their actions? 4.) Out Of Sight- Jack Foley (George Clooney) is your average, everyday guy. He also happens to be one of the world’s greatest bank robbers. However, after an unfortunate incident involving a flooded engine in the parking lot of a recently robbed bank, he’s found himself incarcerated. Lucky for him, his partner Buddy (Ving Rhames) is always willing to lend a hand. The two devise a plan to spring Jack from prison, which works out perfectly…until federal marshall Karen Sisco (a pre-diva Jennifer Schedule of Events Monday, February 12 -Ligeia, Burn in Silence, The Handshake Murders, Apiary and Mayella performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 13 -“Alzheimer’s Narratives” in Breiseth 107 at 7 p.m. -Robb Brown and Friends performing at Slainte Wednesday, February 14 -Alesana, Bless the Fall, Endwell, A Day to Remember, and I Am You, You Are Me performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -New Past Life performing at The Woodlands at 9 p.m. Thursday, February 15 -Guest speaker, John Heffernan, Director of the Genocide Prevention Initiative at the U.S. Memorial Holocaust Museum in the Ballroom at 7 p.m. Friday, February 16 -Dino-Sores, The Mother Daughter Lopez) gets caught up in the action. After being momentarily kidnapped during the prison break, Sisco finds herself spending some quality time with Jack locked in the trunk of the getaway car. Once the two part ways, neither can deny their mutual feelings of attraction, which adds an interesting element to the game of cat and mouse the two play, as Karen is assigned to catch Jack as he sets up for one last score. Will the two opt to continue their lives on opposite sides of the law, or can they find a way to mix business with pleasure? 5.) Buffalo ‘66- After being released from prison, Bill Brown (Vincent Gallo) has three things on his “to do” list: 1.) Find a bathroom. 2.) Go home and visit his parents (Angelica Houston and Ben Gazara) 3.) Kill former Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Wood, who, by missing the game winning field goal in Super Bowl XXV, inadvertently ruined Billy’s life. After accomplishing his first goal, he heads to his parents house, but not before kidnapping the lovely young Layla (Christina Ricci) who he forces to act as his fiancée in order to impress his folks. Throughout the course of one bizarre day, Layla falls for her downtrodden abductor; however, the powerful combination of Billy’s rocky past and his quest for vengeance against Scott Wood may be too great for Layla’s love to overcome. 6.) Brainsmasher…A Love Story - In this 1993 B-movie classic, Andrew Dice Clay plays Ed “Brainsmasher” Malloy (yeah, his nickname is actually “Brainsmasher”), a nightclub bouncer who’s saves a beautiful model (Terri Hatcher) from being attacked by a gang of evil Shaolin monks seeking to obtain the mysterious and powerful Red Lotus. From here the unlikely duo of the gorgeous model and the brutish bouncer must team up to stay alive and keep the Lotus out of the clutches of the sinister monks (don’t call them ninjas, they really hate that). Can they survive? Will they defeat the evil ninj…uh…monks? And what exactly is the Power of the Red Lotus? If you can get past the initial ridiculousness of the plot, you’ll not only discover the answers to these questions, but also that Brainsmasher delivers plenty of laughs, loads of action and a love story just serious enough to be taken…well…seriously. 7.) London- Set at a high class good-bye party in a New York City loft, London is the tale of Syd (Chris Evans) and his exgirlfriend, the party’s guest of honor London (Jessica Biel). Still carrying a torch after months of separation, a drug addled Syd finds that his former love is moving to L.A. and decides to crash her going away party to put a stop to her plans of moving away and win her back. However, soon after arriving Syd loses his nerve and opts to hide from his love in the bathroom with his drug-dealer, Bateman (played with fervor by action superstar Jason Statham). After hours of coke fueled conversations covering every topic imaginable and a sequence of flashbacks covering both the good and bad times of Syd and London’s relationship, Bateman convinces his client-turnedfriend to face his fears and confront his lost love. But is it too late? And can Jason Statham actually go through an entire movie without beating people up? Let’s hope not. 8.) Natural Born Killers- Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis) are two young lovers driving cross country after a whirlwind romance and shotgun wedding. It’s a story we’ve heard a million times, only this time newlyweds are on the business end of a multi-state crime spree, leaving a trail of blood and bodies in their wake. Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Oliver Stone, N.B.K. is a wickedly fast paced, darkly funny thriller with an amazing cast, an abundance of action and a love story to boot. This one may be a stretch, as it’s pretty far from heartwarming ….but hey, it’s Valentine’s Day, and even psychopaths need a little love. Team, A Corrupted Memory, and I Am You, You Are Me performing at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. -“BATBOY The Musical” in the Darte Center at 8 p.m. -The Best of Broadway: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Weber at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. -Generation Next performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Saturday, February 17 -Tim Abrams, Chuck Keller, Timoteo, Blinded Passenger, Eric Schlitter, A Brown Leaf and Obvious Dolphin/Gf. Glacier performing at Café Metropolis at 7:30 p.m. -“BATBOY The Musical” in the Darte Center at 8 p.m. -Generation Next performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Sunday, February 18 -“BATBOY The Musical” In the Darte Center at 2 p.m. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword Puzzle BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent 1 5 9 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 28 29 32 34 36 39 40 41 46 47 48 51 52 54 56 60 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 ACROSS Use profanity Protestant denom. Finishes Fairy-tale opener Sandwich cookies Mother or fathers sister Hoover Dam lake Cubbyhole Dog order Sale seeker Rising movement Cattle call Borrower’s promise Golf peg Amphibian Crew participants Situation Draped Indian garment Commonly displayed at train sta. Alpha Centauri, for example Authors woe Agree and comply Answer to a roll call Simon and Garfunkel song “___ Robinson” Even if, for short Universal time Turn computer off and on Showing an alert mind Advil target Journal Sea bird Misfortunes Spooky Away from the wind on a ship Many Went fast Geek 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 21 22 26 27 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 42 43 44 45 48 49 50 53 55 57 58 57 59 60 61 DOWN Oppose vigorously Opposite of 9 down Rare Marsh growth Supervise ____ Brockovich Computer specialist, for short Routine and boring Opposite of 2 down Nourishing ingredient Chromosome constituent Pig pen Spanish men Against Sound resembling a horn Killer whale Addict Intrepid airmen Netherlands people Insect with a sting Mention Farm animal Slap Curved construction Bullet rebound Blade side Prepared again Placed in an orderly arrangement Reward Segment of a spacecraft ______ coaster Fashioned Attempts Started Fewer Angel’s instrument Fewer Empire State canal Carpentry tool Pigeon sound This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by the History Club February 12 1912: Hsian-T’ung, the last emperor of China, is forced to abdicate following Sun Yat-sen’s republican revolution. A provisional government was established in his place, ending 267 years of Manchu rule in China and 2,000 years of imperial rule. The former emperor, only six years old, was allowed to keep up his residence in Beijing’s Forbidden City, and he took the name of Henry Pu Yi. February 13 1689: Following Britain’s bloodless Glorious Revolution, Mary, the daughter of the deposed king, and William of Orange, her husband, are proclaimed joint sovereigns of Great Britain under Britain’s new Bill of Rights. February 14 1929: In Chicago, gunmen in the suspected employment of organized-crime boss Al Capone murder seven members of the George “Bugs” Moran North Siders gang in a garage on North Clark Street. The so-called St. Valentine’s Day Massacre stirred a media storm centered on Capone and his illegal Prohibition-era activities and motivated federal authorities to redouble their efforts to find evidence incriminating enough to take him off the streets. FEBRUARY 12, 2007 . , , .. I , .. O E M OP P T IC 14 17 ,.D s S T ·~ A "G ".,A _R ., B ." ." I R 18 C L A s s I F y C H E M E ■ "B I 0 27 T 28 O 211 ~ M I R A M E L I A E s ..vE N T E S . I .,p 0 "N "A "y "s "0 R E 0 "N E A R "p A s T M E A 2$ E IDEA L L- E L "s .,, "L . "C A B E p L I S ~s L . "A D N A ■ "L 0 "A D M "I T T o • 'L N D 0 L R A K E T H E N . D E E H 0 s T "A X L R I E :T 0 s T R- 0 P "E - s A . C A ,. 37 R u 38 p E s s s L A E R T "K " I "N N C E R E K s s B E y February 15 1898: A massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship USS Maine in \ Cuba’s Havana harbor, killing 260 of the approximately 400 American crew members aboard. February 16 1923: In Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen. February 17 1801: After one tie vote in the Electoral College and 35 indecisive ballot votes in the House of Representatives, Vice President Thomas Jefferson is elected the third president of the United States over his running mate, Aaron Burr. The confusing election, which ended just 15 days before a new president was to be inaugurated, exposed major problems in the presidential electoral process set forth by the framers of the U.S. Constitution. February 18 1930: Pluto, once believed to be the ninth planet, is discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http:// www.history.com/tdih.do �SPORTS 16 FEBRUARY 12, 2007 BASKETBALL from PAGE 20 The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Wilkes Colonels attempt to make a shot during a game against Scranton. Wilkes lost, 81-65. MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I FREE BROWNIES Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I in foul trouble the entire contest. It was just an off night for the Colonels, and a shooting frenzy for the Monarchs. They shot 47% from behind the arc, and 46% overall. The veteran equipped Monarch team capitalized on a young Colonel team, but this game may be a little different. “We have to stop their big men in the post from just sitting on us. This game we have to work the ball around on offense, and be more patient”, said Gould. The 5’10 junior point guard from Brodheadsville,PA will look to guide the Colonels to a win with leadership and hardnose defense. Gould leads the team with 43 steals and an impressive 70 assists. His main targets will include Kline who just recently put on a stellar performance leading the Colonels with 24 points in their loss against FDU-Florham this past Saturday. Junior Jeremy Kable came off the bench with 15 points and Anthony Gabriel chipped in with 16 points. If the Colonels receive scoring contributions from their main options, they may be able to pull off the upset. The Monarchs enter the contest with last seasons’ first team All-Conference point guard Jamie Cousart who leads his team with 13.6 points per game this season and an unselfish 103 assists on the year. Also playing a huge factor for the Monarchs will be junior Vince Scalzo who led his team with 15 points in their first meeting with the Colonels. The Monarchs are just one game short of flawless leading the conference with an 11-1 conference record staring the number one seed in the conference in the eyes. The Colonels will need quite an effective strategy to contain this “hot” Monarch team. “They are a good veteran team. A big key is making some shots because they pack it in. And when they pack it in they get really good rebounding position unless we could stretch them out by making some shots,” stated head coach Jerry Rickrode. Both Rickrode, and the Monarchs head coach J.P. Andrejko have standout resumes which will result in a strategic and well coached performance for both teams. But it all comes down to which team is more hungry for the “W”. “We love playing and coaching in such a big game atmosphere, and I think our guys will be ready for the game”, said Rickrode. Ladies and gentleman get ready for another exciting Wilkes and Kings matchup as both teams look to chalk another victory to their programs legacy. The Colonels host the Monarchs this Tuesday at 8 p.m. Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �SPORTS FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Student development, athletics team up to promote new UCOM athletic facility BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor You feel the sun beating down on your back. The occasional breeze blows across your face. Above are crystal blue skies and fully to students and the public. “The ropes course is utilized in leadership programs but also by high schools. We have already had three high school groups come in and we are scheduled to have two more,” said Student Development Director Phil Ruthkosky. “Our goal is get even more dates and times available. We would also like to eventually make the athletic facilitators a work study position as well, which we will be able to do as more people are trained,” he added. The selected dates for open rock climbing are February 11 from 2-5 p.m., March 14 from 5-8 p.m., March 25 from 25 p.m., April 11 from 5-8 p.m. and April 23 from 5-8 p.m.. The rest of the athletic center 17 Editor’s Pick: Top 10 Superbowl XLI Commercials 10. Emerald Nuts 9. Bud Light: Great Apes 8. Snickers: Mechanics 7. Sierra Mist: Combover 6. Coca Cola: Video Game 5. GM: We Got Love 4. Nationwide Insurance 3. Doritos: Car Accident 2. Budweiser: Rock, Paper Scissor 1. Bud Light: Fist Bump ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Wilkes student scales the rock wall. The Beacon/Todd Weibel several thousand feet below you lies a rocky canyon. O.K. The scene isn’t natural for an afternoon in Wilkes-Barre; however, students now have the opportunity to at least get a feel for such possibilities in the new athletic center in the University Center on Main (UCOM) which includes a floor to ceiling rock climbing wall. After purchasing the former call center on Main Street, Wilkes University set out to build a fully functional indoor athletic facility that features three full basketball courts, a two lane running track, a ropes course, and a state of the art rock climbing wall. Throughout most of the fall semester, the facilities were only open to students who took part in athletic teams. But after several faculty members and all of the resident assistants were trained on the ropes course and in rock climbing, the facility opened is open on the weekend from 4-8 p.m. on Saturdays and from 7-10 p.m. on Sundays. Even with the increase in time and dates that the courts and rock climbing wall are opened some students feel that it is still not enough. Junior business administration major Phil Sampona expressed that, “I like the fact that we have the UCOM on campus but we should be able to use it on a daily basis for a certain amount of hours that are later on at night and not during the afternoon when students are in class.” ~ I ~ gi i i i --- weouy anase11 l\111l ,,s YIYS ~ Sundance i ~ PS2 gi . XBOX NINTENDO VDE&GADS UsGM45s I Ii IVSIUL ENEIGI gi i i i § § gi i i we have hundreds of posters!! i 59 north main.. wilkes barre .. 829-2929 gi . . - - - - - - - - - - - - , gi gi .____ _ _ _ _ ___, gi Vacations Inc -Sports/ Event Marketing! -Flexible Schedule -Weekends & nights a must -GREAT PAY! $100 to $200/day -Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area CALL NOW! 1-800-233-1613 gi~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -----------' �SPORTS 18 FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NBA All-Star Game: East v. West The NBA’s Finest Invade America’s Playground Double Take BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Once a year, the most elite players in the NBA get together for a star-studded weekend of dunks, dishes, and oops. And this year, they can gamble, too. That’s right, the 2007 NBA All Star game is invading the city of sin, Las Vegas. The festivities kick off on Friday, February 16, with the NBA Rookie Challenge, which pits the NBA’s hottest rookies up against the A-team of equally successful sophomore players. The sophomores are 61 since the inception of the challenge, having won six in a row. This year, they will be looking to 2006 rookie standout Chris Paul to lead them, while the rookies, desperately in need of a victory, hope that the likes of Adam Morrison and Marcus Williams can lead them to a W. The action gets even hotter on Saturday, when the NBA stars will come together for the three-point shootout, which will put the six best shooters in the NBA against each other in a battle for the three-point line. Last year’s winner, Dirk Nowitski, will be back to defend his title against the likes of Gilbert Arenas, Damon Jones, Jason Kapono, Mike Miller, and Jason Terry. Next up is the Skills Challenge event, an obstacle course which consists of dribbling, passing, and shooting drills. The 2006 winner, Dwayne Wade, is back to take on the likes of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and 2005 winner Steve Nash. Last, and finally not least, is the most exciting event of the All Star weekend: The Slam Dunk Contest. While the popularity of the contest has waned over the last few years, it has nevertheless had its moments of excitement. The 2006 winner, Nate Robinson, proved that height really doesn’t matter when dunks are concerned. Robinson, who stands at 5’9”, jumped over 5’7” Spud Webb to slam it home and win the contest. Not only was it a remarkable dunk, it was also a throwback to the 1986 contest that saw Spud Webb win it all. This year Robinson will be back to defend the crown against Gerald Green, Dwight Howard, and Tyrus Thomas. While all that is fun and exciting, the real game starts on Sunday, when the Eastern Conference battles the Western Conference for NBA superiority. Last year’s contest was one of the most memorable in history, a game that saw the Eastern All Stars G- Gilbert Arenas(Washington) F- Chris Bosh(Toronto) F- LeBron James(Cleveland) C- Shaquille O’Neal(Miami) G- Dwayne Wade(Miami) G - Chauncey Billups(Detroit) F - Caron Butler(Washington) G/F - Vince Carter(Toronto) G/F - Richard Hamilton(Detroit) C/F - Dwight Howard(Orlando) G - Jason Kidd(New Jersey) F/C - Jermaine O’Neal(Indiana) Coach: Eddie Jordan(Washington) Western All Stars G - Kobe Bryant(L.A. Lakers)(G) F - Tim Duncan(San Antonio)(F) F - Kevin Garnett(Minnesota)(F) G - Tracy McGrady(Houston)(G) C - Yao Ming(Houston)(C) F/C - Carlos Boozer(Utah) G - Allen Iverson(Denver) F - Shawn Marion(Phoenix) G - Steve Nash(Phoenix) F - Dirk Nowitzki(Dallas) G - Tony Parker(San Antonio) C - Amare Stoudemire(Phoenix) F - Carmello Anthony(Denver)* G/F - Josh Howard(Dallas)* Coach: Mike D’Antoni(Phoenix) * Injury Replacements Eastern Conference overcome a 21 point deficit to win the game, 122-120. Lebron James was the savior of the East, scoring 29 points and winning the MVP. This year, James will be back as he was the leading vote getter among NBA su- perstars. Alongside James, the Eastern All Star starting roster will consist of Gilbert Arenas, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwayne Wade. The Western Conference starters are led by Yao Ming, the 7’6” center from China. This is his fifth straight All Star appearance in only his fifth year in the NBA. He will be supported by an equally impressive starting five, which includes Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Kevin Garnett. Both sides are well stacked juggernauts and should easily provide for some great Sunday night fare. Expect to see a high scoring affair, as the All Star games tend to be more a show of talent and skill than a display of solid fundamentals. With the likes of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade on the same team, the Eastern Conference is the much younger and in experienced team, but that doesn’t mean they are any less talented. The West consists more of “veterans” with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, who are old enough to have been high school seniors when Lebron James and Chris Bosh were just incoming freshman. Regardless of age, you would be hard pressed to find a deeper pool of talent in any of the major sports. Expect to see the young guns of the Eastern Conference light up the scoreboard and win their third straight All Star game. The Pick: Eastern All Stars 145 Western All Stars 124 ,. Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor The way I see it, All-Star games are kind of pointless. I’m sure that to most sports fans that makes me sound like a hedonist. However, I just don’t understand what the big deal is. Granted, I don’t understand what the big deal is about any kind of sport, but it’s especially true in this case. East versus west? Where’s the fun in that? If they are going to insist on duking it out between coasts, then they should at least come up with cooler names than the obvious “east” and “west,” such as pirates versus ninjas. At least then I would know who to pick (pirates, hands-down). In my opinion, the only really cool thing about this All-Star game is that it’s in Vegas. Where else in the world is one supplied with the luxury of not knowing what time of day it is, spending exorbitant amounts of money and drinking until Tony Parker looks like twins? I honestly have no idea who any of the players are in this game, and taking the time to research it would cause way too much mental exertion. That being said, I don’t have too much to go on here about who I think will win… perhaps I will have to approach this a different way. Let’s think about this logically. If the teams are playing in Vegas, they are probably going to be up late, drinking, gambling and partying. The question is, which players are more accustomed to this kind of lifestyle? Since the west-coasters are most likely partying on a regular basis with the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, I would venture to guess they would be the winner in that respect. The east coast players would probably get overexcited and peter out, thus exhausting themselves for the game. So, I guess I think the West Coast is going to win. Even if they don’t, what difference does it make? �FEBRUARY 12, 2007 Athlete of the Week Tom Kresge BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer As he continues his outstanding rookie season for the Wilkes University men’s basketball program, freshman Tom Kresge is this week’s athlete of the week. Kresge has started all but one of the Colonels games this season,immediately making his mark on the team and the Freedom Conference. As of February 9, he is leading the Colonels in scoring and rebounding per game, averaging 14.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. On the season, Kresge is the team leader in points scored and is currently tied for the lead in rebounds. In the Freedom conference standings, he is currently fourth in both points and rebounds per game. As a result of his outstanding play, he has become a frontrunner for conference rookie of the year honors. Kresge found his way to Wilkes after an outstanding career at Pleasant Valley High School, where he played together with current Wilkes point guard, Matt Gould. So far, the Brodheadsville, PA native has progressed well in making the significant transition to the college game. “The speed of the game, especially getting up and down the court, is the biggest change from high school” Tom Kresge said. “I’ve tried to take everything I’ve learned from high school and apply it SPORTS to all aspects of my college life. We’ve got a great group of guys on the team and we all try to stick together and help each other out as best as we can.” Kresge’s dedication to the program has not gone unnoticed by players and coaches, who expect him to continue to develop into a marquee player. “He gives you one hundred percent, in every game and practice” Wilkes head coach Jerry Rickrode said of Kresge. “As a freshman, he has done an outstanding job of handling a role that is more than a freshman would typically be asked to handle at this level. If he continues to work hard, he has the potential to be an outstanding player in this league.” With a young team in what can be described as a rebuilding year, Kresge’s work ethic and dedication to improvement can be see as an example for the entire team, particularly his fellow freshman, several of whom have also been counted on to play significant roles for the Colonels this season. “We had four freshman playing significant minutes in our recent games, and I don’t think we’ve ever had that in my time here before” Rickrode said of his freshman players. “It’s a great group of guys that can be really good if they continue to work together in the offseason.” For his outstanding contributions on the court this season, Tom Kresge is this week’s athlete of the week. 19 Kresge Box PPG. 14.0 REB. 6.7 FG .409 HI Game 24 BLK 20 Assist 34 Courtesy of Sports Information Wilkes freshman Tom Kresge is leading the Colonels in scoring and rebounding this season. WEEKEND RECAPS Men’s Basketball FDU-Florham shot an impressive 61.5 percent from the field in the first half to open up a 22-point lead on their way to an 89-78 Freedom Conference men’s basketball win over visiting Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Devils to 16-7 overall and 8-4 in the conference. The Colonels see their records fall to 10-11 overall and 2-10 in conference play. Women’s Basketball FDU-Florham rallied from a nine-point first half deficit to top Wilkes University, 79-66, in a Freedom Conference women’s basketball contest on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Devils to 10-13 overall and 4-8 in the conference, while Wilkes slips to 6-17 overall and 2-10 in conference play. Wrestling Elizabethtown College won three of the final four bouts to overcome a seven-point deficit and score a 21-16 wrestling win over 13th-ranked Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center. The victory improves the Blue Jays to 6-5, while Wilkes concludes their dual match slate with a 10-9 mark. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 24 Career high in points for Wilkes sophomore Steve Kline against FDU-Florham 50 Number of falls achieved by the Wilkes wresting team this season 41 Combined points from Jeremy Kable and Tom Kresge in the 62-53 win over Delaware Valley 29 Number of days until the March 13 opening day for men’s baseball against Marywood �Sports FEBRUARY 12, 2007 20 Preview of the week: men’s basketball v. King’s BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor As we approach the end of the 2006-07 basketball season you may be thinking that things have cooled off for the men’s basketball team, but in fact things are just starting to heat up as the Colonels prepare for one of the biggest rivalries in division three basketball. The loyal fans will be frantically screaming, the players will be hustling for every loose ball and the coaches will be shouting out strategies to control their opponent en route to an emotional victory. The atmosphere will be intense Tuesday night as the Colonels take on cross their town rival, the King’s College Monarchs for another amazing round of college basketball. “The rivalry makes the entire gym packed, and it makes a big difference in having all our fans there. The more people that are there makes it a big game atmosphere,” stated junior captain Matt Gould. It’s been a tough journey this season for the young team. Their conference record stands at 2-10 leaving them in last place in the MAC Freedom conference behind Delaware Valley, which unfortunately puts the Colonels out of playoff contention. Although the Colonels season will soon be coming to a close, they still have the opportunity to finish strong against the Monarchs as they compete this time for hometown pride and bragging rights. Both teams met for the first time this season back in January with the outcome a little out of the ordinary for a Wilkes-King’s matchup. Last season the Colonels and the Monarchs met three times, in which the Colonels won the first contest in an exciting fashion at home 77-76 in OT while the Monarchs bounced back at their gym winning 69-66. The final game of the series ended the season with the Colonels spanking the Monarchs 68-61 on their way to the conference championship game against the University of Scranton. But it has been different season and a different storyline. The Colonels came up extremely short against the Monarchs in their first meeting at Kings where they wound up losing 76-55. The Monarchs had a well designed, balanced offensive attack putting four players in double figures. Matt Gould and freshman Anthony Gabriel were the only two Colonels with double figures combining for a total of 32 points. The Colonels trailed the entire game shooting just 29% from the floor and 25% from three-point range cashing in only seven of their twenty eight attempts. The Colonels also struggled rebounding the ball due to the fact that their second leading rebounder Steve Kline was See BASKETBALL page 16 Campus Calendar. All Week *Exhibition- Sudan:The Cost of Silence - Arts & Culture (Sordoni Art Gallery) *The Later Works of William Utermohlen - Arts & Culture (Farley Room, Farley Library) The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes freshman Chris Gulla takes a shot against Scranton on 02/07. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH *Men’s Basketball vs. King’s Musical”, Darte Center - 8:00 PM 8:00 PM Wednesday 02/14 *No events scheduled Saturday 02/17 *Women’s Basketball vs. Drew - 1:00 PM Thursday 02/15 *Men’s Basketball vs. Drew *Guest Speaker: John Hef- - 3:00 PM fernan, Director, Genocide *“BATBOY The Monday 02/12 Prevention Initiative at the Musical”, Darte Center *No events scheduled US Holocaust 8:00 PM Memorial Museum in Tuesday 02/13 Washington, D.C. Ballroom, Sunday 02/18 *Womens’ Basketball vs. Henry Student Center - 7:00 *Wrestling @ Metro King’s - 6:00 PM PM Championships - 9:00 AM *“Alzheimer’s *“BATBOY The Musical”, Narratives”, Breiseth 107 - Friday 02/16 Darte Center - 2:00 PM 7:00 PM *“BATBOY The C ( ~o,J .. ,,.r ~,.,..,,. i. -- ~ I This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming WILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. _. ~ Congratulations to Ashish Javia, who correctly identified last week’s picture, which was of side of the building toward the JCC parking lot. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 February 12th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 February 12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/a25127424359208bdd8218b1cf8c553f.pdf 9ba8fc8ba4b4f2fe58b8aa9e8160cdb7 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW FEBRUARY 19, 2007 Volume 59 Issue 15 www.wilkesbeacon.com Winter mess wreaks havoc on schedules BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Last week’s first major winter storm dropped anywhere from 12 to 20 inches of snow throughout the region. In the middle of the storm, temperatures rose enough to mix snow with ice, causing treacherous driving conditions. The end result was that the Wyoming Valley came to a near standstill for over 48 hours between Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon. For some, that standstill was literal, as tractor trailers jack knifed causing miles of immobile vehicles. Interstate 81 continued to be closed along with Interstates 80 and 78 until 4p.m. on Saturday. State troopers, military officers, and some PennDOT workers became rescue workers, picking up stranded motorists and shuttling them to shelters. Governor Ed Rendell said he found the response to the snowstorm “unacceptable.” Rendell also announced that his office will conduct an investigation into the state’s response along with an independent investigation run by the former director of FEMA, James Lee Witt. The Pennsylvania House and Senate will also hold hearings to see what exactly led to such terrible road conditions and what many deemed to be slow response. Rendell and others blamed the highway mess on a breakdown of communication. Some, including PennDOT workers blamed the situation on simply not having enough manpower. Locally, Mayor Thomas Leighton and Wilkes-Barre city offices came under similar fire for slow street cleaning response. As both the Citizens’ Voice and Times Leader newspapers reported, city offices were flooded with complaints about entire neighborhoods being “forgotten” or abandoned in the clean-up effort. See LET IT SNOW page 5 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Unfortunately due to a breakdown in communication, Franklin Street was being cleared Thursday afternoon without notice to the public. This unfortunate driver came up against a front loader that was moving snow from the street. Yeninas assumes Advising Coordinator position Search committee ensues for new Director of Residence Life BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief When Jim Harrington vacated the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Advising Coordinator position last fall for a new post at Mansfield University, some big shoes needed to be filled. But university officials recently announced that former Director of Residence Life, Gretchen Yeninas, assumed the role January 15. Yeninas has been employed at Wilkes University for a number of years. She was involved with Residence Life for eight and a half years, plus an additional three years prior to that. Yeninas said, “This position is a new challenge for me.” However, the advising post differs greatly from her previous one in residence life. When it comes to settling in and becoming familiar with her new position, Yeninas said, “I’m enjoying so much of it so far… the people I work with, the idea of working with students academically. I can’t say I enjoy it more, but it is a welcome change.” Yeninas is also settling in by getting right to work and developing plans for her new position. She attended a week-long institute sponsored by NACADA, the national academic advising association. “The last week in January, I attended an institute about being an advising administrator and one on assessing advising,” Yeninas said. As she explained, institutes are a little different than a conference. Participants are separated into small groups and work together on different projects. “I learned a ton! But I was also happy to know that a lot of things I already knew about student development from residence life are pertinent in this position,” Yeninas said. Yeninas also detailed her plan for her new position on campus. “My plan includes reintroducing myself to the faculty. Many of them know me as the housing person, but I’ve been attending Darin Fields’s chairs meeting so I can start to understand some of the issues facing faculty on campus.” Additionally, Yeninas explained that she and the rest of the advising team plan to attend a luncheon with the new faculty. The advising team includes Tom Thomas, Director of University College, Blake Mackesy, Assistant Director of University College, and MaryBeth Mullen, Advising Coordinator for the College of Science and Engineering. Yeninas said, “[The luncheon] is a good way to get my name out there and let the faculty know I’m here to help with students.” See YENINAS page 2 In This Issue... And the Oscar goes to... PAGE 7 Old is New Again... PAGE 9 Captain Random PAGE 15 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS FEBRUARY 19, 2007 YENINAS from FRONT PAGE Yeninas also explained that, while she is filling Harrington’s position, she will handle things her way. “So far no one has compared me to him, and how could they? Jim had such a unique style. I couldn’t replicate that if I tried,” Yeninas said. Yeninas further stated that the students Harrington worked with have been reassigned to new advisors since the position wasn’t filled in the fall, so she is starting with a new group of students that never had Harrington as an advisor. As far as her former position goes, Yeninas explained that Elizabeth Roveda, Assistant Director for Residence Life, is handling much of the day-to-day operations, although Yeninas is technically acting as director. She also explained that Roberta Shaffer, secretary, and Jonathan McClave, head Resident Advisor in Evans Hall, are helping out. “I’m spending Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the RLO and have daily morning meetings with the RLO staff to keep up with what’s happening. The spring semester is a busy one for Residence Life, so I’ll still be a part of the RA interviews (that start on Monday) and ye b o d nc e o e G llo n g d e i H s s i or Re Life i t v a n d di A r o Co will help out with the room selection process,” Yeninas said. Philip Ruthkosky explained that Mark Allen, Dean of Students, has formed a search committee consisting of six staff members and two resident assistants. “Each candidate who is invited to interview will spend one hour with the search committee, followed by one hour with a group of four to six student leaders and one hour with the Deans and Vice President of Student Affairs [Paul Adams],” Ruthkosky said. Ruthkosky explained his role as “chairing the search committee, who will be responsible for offering feedback and providing a recommendation to Dean Allen.” Allen and Adams will make the final hiring decision. Ruthkosky further explained that candidates for the position should possess two to three years of successful experience within Alcohol Myth Residence Life, be a role model and mentor, fit in with the Wilkes atmosphere, and possess a bachelor’s degree (required) or a master’s degree (preferred). Ruthkosky said, “In addition to the requirements [listed above], the search committee identified a list of competencies required for the position that include, but are not limited to: strong supervisory/ leadership skills, effective mediation and counseling skills, proven written and oral communication skills, and experience in training and budget management.” As far as possible candidates go, Ruthkosky said that the committee has chosen four individuals who will be interviewed over the next two to three weeks. “We hope to make a decision by mid to late March,” Ruthkosky said. Graduating Education Majors Busters: “It’s okay for me to drink to keep up with my boyfriend” Women process alcohol differently. No matter how much he drinks, if you drink the same amount as your boyfriend, you will be more intoxicated and more impaired. -Sponsored by Health Services [I] http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp Educating for America’s Future Recruitment Fair Trexler Middle School 851 North 15th Street Allentown, PA 18102 Saturday February 24 2007 Two Sessions 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Come learn about the opportunities with one of Pennsylvania’s most progressive school districts. www.allentownsd.org 484-765-4245 2 Advising Coordinator Environment Let it Snow 2 3 4 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The International Students Mentoring Program held a Chinese New Year celebration yesterday in the location of the old bookstore. Authentic Chinese food as well as games were offered at the event. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 NEWS Time for a wake up call on the environment 3 Temps could rise over seven degrees over next century BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor In ten to 15 years, lions, tigers, and elephants may no longer roam the planet, according to Chuck Putnam, coordinator of the Awakening the Dreamer symposium. “It’s time for a wake up call,” he said. The symposium on sustainability hosted by Wilkes University and the College of Science of Engineering will give participants new insight into Earth’s current status and how their everyday decisions can shape and impact the direction the world takes in the next decade. The event is set to take place Saturday, February 24th where the old bookstore is located. “This is a finite world that we’re living on and we have to use our resources thoughtfully and frugally,” said Margaret Bakker, local architect and leading environmental advocate. The name “Awakening the Dream,” which is derived from an indigenous dream culture tribe in Equador called the Atchwar, refers to America’s assumption that their wasteful habits will have no effect on other countries. “We are the dreamers,” Putnam said. “We live in a dream that we can throw away and consume as much as we want, that there is no effect on the rest of the world.” After a reccurring dream of her own, environmentalist Lynn Twist traveled to Ecuador 15 years ago to meet with the Atchwar tribe leaders. Together, they formed the Pachamama (mother earth) Alliance, which has since saved over 1 million acres of rainforest. “What they’ve been dreaming was that they needed to get out of isolation in the rainforest and make contact with someone who had the same dream,” Putnam said. “Twist had that dream.” According to an article in the Britain Sunday Times, scientists say rising greenhouse gases will make climate change unstoppable in a decade, allowing ten years for us to reverse the surge of greenhouse gases that have contributed to a very serious global warming issue. However, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences Sid Halsor warns this is not necessarily the end of the world. “I wouldn’t go as far as saying that t h e r e ’s going to be maj o r loss of life, but it is certainly a very serious change and something that our human race hasn’t experienced before,” he said. Halsor explained that reports indicate the temperature will rise two to eight degrees over the next century. “At two degrees the impact is going to be minimal,” he said. “But if it’s on the order of seven to eight degrees, it’s going to have a significant effect on habitat and ecosystems. Human activity is changing the climate.” Putnam assured, however, that if action is taken now, planet Earth will be a much better place to live in the next ten years. He shared the example of h i s recent trip to the dentist’s office, r e laxing back in the leather chair as the nurse gave him a plastic cup full of water. “It takes 500 years for every plastic lid to biodegrade,” Putnam said. “I asked [the nurse] why not use plastic cups made out of corn starch that biodegrade in nine months? The Beacon/Cara Koster Chuck Putnam, Coordinator of the Awakening the Dream symposium, speaks at the Pre-Symposium lecture in the Miller Conference Room. According to Putnam, action must be taken in order for future generations to live comfortable on Earth. Every little bit helps,” he said. The Symposium will cost $15 and will provide video clips and various short films from some of the world’s most respected thinkers. “It should be a very interesting symposium and I’m hoping that there are a number of students that attend. There’s plenty there to take in,” Halsor said. The issue of sustainability deals with handling current natural resources in such a way that there will be enough left over for future generations. With a temperature rise expected between two and eight degrees due to global warming over the next century, could scientists possibly be looking at life on the moon if action is not taken now? �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 NEWS Snowed in...2007 Style 4 This sh show ot of Kirb s a sn y ow-co Hall take Thur vered n from sday at Wi lkes. scene. Cla the third sses w fl ere ca oor of the H ncelle d on b enry Stud en oth W ednes t Center day a nd The greenway is covered with snow and devoid of people. University officials worked overtime to clear sidewalks and walkways. ath fterm The Susquehanna River was a log jam of ice and snow after Wednesday’s storm, which dumped over two feet of snow on the Wyoming Valley. e sce esqu ictur rap es fo 007. k a m2 se m Hou Day stor i n Alum ne’s The Valenti e of th us amp nc ne o ea in th All photos: The Beacon/Andrew Seaman �SNOW from FRONT PAGE A t At Wilkes, after two full days of shut-down, students, faculty and staff returned to offices and classes Friday on a compressed schedule. Early on, some students voiced displeasure that they had to venture out during the storm for night classes and the Wilkes-King’s basketball game that went on as scheduled Tuesday night, while other surrounding universities canceled events for the night. However, freshman basketball player Emilee Strubeck didn’t seem to mind the fact that she had to come out in the storm on Tuesday night because of her basketball game against King’s. “. . . We were really pumped to play them and anticipated the game all week,” she said. “There were a lot of fans out for the guy’s game, but I think a lot of them walked, even from King’s,” Emilee said about fan attendance. As the days passed, commuter students especially battled the road conditions and noted they were still treacherous in areas. Even during the day on Friday, the section of River Street along campus n was diminished by two lanes because all snow had been pushed o s ob to the center, creating an island. D t n ree rra t The cars that ventured onto River Street early in the storm u S . n/C ver orm created their own lanes through the snow and in the proi co a R t e of the s cess created the snow island in the middle of the street that eB e h T sid ut became, at times, two feet tall. This buildup of snow can he gho t ou on also be blamed for the traffic jams that plagued the campus ed t thr k ar tree after Thursday. p ar r S Like the city and state, Wilkes University officials faced similar a c Rive t u g o challenges with respect to safe and prompt snow removal, in part bel n lo ve ho in a cause parked cars hampered the process. Because the parking lots had cars s s aa owed in them, plowing was nearly impossible in some areas. Wilkes University PubH l n ya ere p lic Safety officials released a statement Friday night to all the students who were R nd s w parked in University owned parking lots, urging them to move their vehicles. y a y car d ur an “The Facilities Services department will be plowing the parking lots throughout P an . M the weekend, beginning at daybreak on Saturday morning. Vehicles that are not ord noon J s ter moved this evening may be plowed in.” The statement also encouraged student to r o af ni have “patience and cooperation” during the cleanup of the parking lots. Ju iday Fr As many discovered, pedestrians and motorists were actually able to return to routines more quickly than snow could actually be removed, which meant that as feet trampled snow to hard-packed blocks of snow and ice, its removal became a more arduous process. Facilties workers at Wilkes were seen all over campus Friday trying to shovel off problem areas even as students and community members trudged through hard-tonavigate areas.Community members who wish to comment on the road conditions and the state’s response, please e-mail stormresponse@pasen.gov. Please remember to include your name, address and telephone number with your response. obson urran D acon/C The Be Getting storm. e h t g in durin es. snowed nd spining tir y n a m a ing, ne of r was o hoveling, plow This ca s f d lots o require out The Beaco The roof abov n/Nick Pod e the Childre olak n’s section of day under th the Hoyt Lib e weight of th ra ry n collapsed e heavy snow open. . The mansion Wednesof the library will remain �Opinion FEBRUARY 19, 2007 6 Angry Rant: Oscars 7 A Sight for Sore Eyes 7 Snow Day Reflections 8 Celebrity craze fueled by societal vicious cycle Beacon Obsessing over rich and famous keeps them in lime light BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD We all have guilty little pleasures, like reading trashy romance novels or playing Madden football on XBOX 360 for hours. These pursuits represent a way to get away from it all, to become mesmerized by something distracting and relaxing. In a way, they’re an escape from reality. A guilty little pleasure that has been taken to new heights and degrees of obsessive behavior is the celebrity fanfare craze that fuels such magazines as People and US Weekly. As the paparazzi swarms, readers gobble up the photos and TV shows like Entertainment Tonight prosper. For some reason, the goings-on in Hollywood attract more of an interest than does the President’s State of the Union address, especially with those under the age of 25. And, this celebrity fan base is populated by men and women alike, something few hobbies can boast. What is it about these men and women of Hollywood that becomes so fascinating? When Jen and Brad split up, people were so devastated they began wearing either “Team Jolie” or “Team Aniston” t-shirts. Fans track the spending habits of celebs like Oprah and George Clooney with VH1’s Fabulous Life of… . And, as recently as Sunday, February 18, two celebrity headlines were among MSNBC.com’s most viewed articles: Britney Spears’ head shaving episode and Lindsay Lohan’s release from rehab. These appeared amongst reports of bombings in Baghdad and an expose on depression in men. Seems like we have some wacky priorities. Sure, celebrities are rich and famous and usually good-looking. In a way, following their lives allows us to imagine what it might be like if we were rich and famous and had enough money for private planes and sixteen-bedroom homes and yachts. Following their love lives allows us to imagine what it would be like if we could date Beyonce or Jay-Z ourselves. The simple fact that we know that Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise are ing the celebrity craze is a negative thing, and, in a way, we are. Tracking the lives of overpaid actresses and actors hardly seems as noble a thing to do as becoming literate in the political jargon of this country or becoming aware of global interests and concerns. Being well versed in who wore we come to resent the pedestal. Sounds a little like a dysfunctional relationship. When Britney Spears burst onto the scene years ago, we bought her records and went to her concerts and made her into the multi-millionaire she is today. Now that she has squandered her reputation and fame and become a bald-headed media circus, we resent the fame and attention she’s paid. We fuel the vicious cycle of celebrity buzz and allow it to remain in place. We say that discussing celebrities’ lives is meaningless and an empty pursuit, although as a society we are the ones who supported them enough to give them the money to live the lives we then meaninglessly discuss. This article itself is testament to the fact that celebrity culture is alive and well in this country. If we must examine outlandish behavior, perhaps instead of looking at celebrities, we should look at our own crazed-fan antics. The fabulous life of... together while we would struggle to remember the name of Dick Cheney’s wife is testament to what we as a society deem important and worth remembering. However, parallel to the ultrafanatic trend towards celebrities runs a current of discontent. Paparazzi are just as eager to snap a photo of a celebrity’s “intimate” wedding ceremony as they are to catch Paris Hilton in a club drunk and belligerent. Messy breakups and rumors of infidelity dominate headlines just as often-if not more-than celebrity hookups. It’s as if, at the same time that we live their lives vicariously and envy the lifestyle, we just can’t help but to want them to fall as well. Perhaps this stems partially from our voyeuristic culture that is perpetuated by Myspace.com and online blogs and photo albums. In today’s society, we put so much of ourselves out into the public eye and much of it is closely scrutinized. We enjoy being the object of voyeurism as much as we enjoy being the voyeur. And, as the viewer of someone’s intimate and private moments, of course we are going to want to see something juicy. In a way, celebrities never really leave the big screen. When their movie roles are over, they continue to entertain us all with their antics in real life that show up on the small screen. It may seem that we are suggest- what to the Academy Awards does make for some enjoyable light conversation during the lunch hour; however, it shouldn’t replace conversations about important and pressing issues. It becomes easy to blame the celebrities for this fanfare. They are the ones living the lives that are so outrageous that they simply scream for airtime and headlines. They are the ones making millions when we decide to go to the movies or buy a CD. But we’re a contrary bunch. We may place celebrities on the pedestal to begin with, but then •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Nominate your favorite teacher or advisor for: Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 96 responses. The Beacon asked: Which untimely death was the most shocking and had the most impact on the nation? • • • • • • • • • • Next Week’s Question: What’s your favorite urban legend? • Innovative & Nontraditional Teaching Award or Outstanding Advisor Award • Ballot box is at the mail counter, 2nd floor, Henry Student Center • • • *Brought to you by the Teaching and Research Effectiveness Committee • Deadline --March 1, 2007-•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Elvis Presley -25% Other -20% Lee Harvey Oswald -17% John Ritter -14% Anna Nicole Smith -10% Marilyn Monroe -6% Mama Cass Elliot -3% Ryan White -2% Florence Griffith Joyner -2% Karen Carpenter -1% Babysitter receives calls from within the house Gang members drive without headlights & kill people who flash theirs Boy dies from eating pop rocks and soda HIV infected needles found in unsuspected places Axe murderer climbs into backseat of woman’s car at a gas station Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �OPINION FEBRUARY 19, 2007 7 The Angry Rant: Oscar Edition BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Well, it’s that time of year again. Time for the Oscars, the four-hour long spectacle that pretty much sums up Hollywood’s opinion about itself: “Hey America, we are all better than you, and here’s why!” Ah, to be a movie star…so glamorous… and yet so vapid and clueless about anything and everything around them. Now, this week’s edition of The Angry Rant just wouldn’t be complete unless I made my picks for who and what I feel should win the Oscars. Mind you, these picks are what should win, but not necessarily will win. Best Picture: The Departed, hands down. In the words of many a great Bostonite: “That movie was wicked pissah!” Seriously, any movie that can turn Leonardo DiCaprio into a bonafide tough guy while simultaneously delivering some of the best New England accents you’ll ever hear deserves to win some kind of an award. Best Director: Martin Scorsese. This is his sixth nomination in the category, and this should be his first win. Hollywood should be ashamed of itself for not rewarding someone who is arguably one of the greatest directors of his generation…plus, have you seen his eyebrows? They directed two movies last year! That’s got to be good for something. Best Actor: Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson. Arguably the most real performance out of any actor that’s been nominated, Gosling should easily walk away with the statue. It’s a feat to even get nominated, but more importantly, did anyone see him when he was in the movie Stay? It’s amazing that he’s even working again. Best Actress: Penelope Cruz for Volver. Not because I believe she was the best actress, I just want her to explain the trainwreck that was Bandidas. Come on, I paid $6 to rent that piece of garbage. Best Supporting Actor: Jackie Earle Haley for Little Children. The journeyman actor is finally receiving his payday due in part to his fearless performance. However, most Hollywood insiders will tell you that his winning the Oscar is really because of his performance in the original Bad News Bears. Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls. Yes, her performance is very Oscar worthy, and the former “American Idol” star is deserving of the award. But more importantly, doesn’t everyone just want to see her stick it to Beyonce? Best Screenplay (Original): Little Miss Sunshine. Because of that movie, I think we all wish that we had grandfathers that used excessive profanity and that were addicted to blow. Best Screenplay (Adapted): Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. I really have no vested interest in who wins this one, I just want to see if the presenter will actually say the entire title. Anyhow, the Oscars, along with any other award show, are always full of shocking and surprising moments, and here are the top ten moments you need to be looking for this year. A Sight for Sore Eyes A\ trort.. ~\o-~ tor f~ o Y-~c.e.w\\.( \Jo r ~\\k(l \Jw ik rr-o~ofe_ ~ \0\oo..\ Q\AlG.n?..tU-'iS 1 Col\ Courtesy of silverchips.mbhs.edu “Good Vibrations” when The Funky Bunch unexpectedly joins Mark Wahlberg on stage after he wins Best Supporting Actor. 9. The cat fight that will inevitably occur between 10-year old nominee Abigail Breslin and yet-to-be-nominated Dakota Fanning. 10. Watch as the presenters giggle when they introduce the animated short film: “No time for Nuts.” Happy Oscaring. Courtesy of www.ntlworld.com Aleksander Lapinski u.~c.eJ ~1"5 Cfl.Jt°~ +- \_NW~, 1. If Scorcese doesn’t finally win his Oscar, then expect to see something very drastic…not from him, of course, but his eyebrows. (Yes, two jokes about Mr. Scorcese’s eyebrows. This is classy stuff.) 2. The look of Beyonce’s face when “Dreamgirls” co-star Jennifer Hudson walks away with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. For those of you who didn’t know, Beyonce said, “I wish I could have gained 20 pounds to play [that character]” when referring to Hudson. Translation: “That fatty can win all the Ocsars she wants…because I’m still Beyonce.” 3. Lindsay Lohan’s live Oscar presentation from rehab, where she has been for the past month tirelessly working on getting healthy…oh wait. 4. After it wins Best Picture, someone will actually attempt to explain the movie “Babel.” Not because of the story, but because of the bizarre plot twist that has Brad Pitt suddenly adopting all of the extras. 5. The number of times it takes the presenters to correctly pronounce “Djimon Hounsou.” 6. Larry the Cable Guy’s acceptance speech for when “Cars” wins for Best Animated Feature Film…seriously, how great would that be? You’re right, not that great. Moving on. 7. The number of people that are absolutely shocked when they see that the guy from “Bad Boys” and “The Fresh Prince of BelAir” is actually nominated for his second Oscar. 8. Expect to see a fantastic rendition of 0 I k\le.. ~o~ o-.. ....ew -=joa.l ••. J, ~lAS-t- ~ u.+ CV\ e_J_ 1o L~v~ f~ l. ( �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 OPINION 8 If time doesn’t exist, is it something you can waste? BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Everyone needs a friend, not just any friend, but the sort of friend with whom you could spend all summer riding bikes and going to the park. Spending time with that sort of friend allows time to stretch out endlessly. For me, that person was a kid who lived up the hill from me. He was always my best friend as far back as I can remember. During the summer I would call his house and we would meet at the park down the road where we would spend our days. Our practice continued right into seventh and eighth grade, when we started to drift apart as many people do. This separation wasn’t due to a fight or anything like that. It was simply the situation of many friends, as we began to associate with different crowds. Still, even though we talked much less frequently, he was still what I consider to be a best friend. I also want to point out that he was one of the smartest people I have ever known. This kid had an I.Q. that would have made Einstein jealous (okay I am going a bit far, but you get the point). In fact, when I need a laugh now and then, I will think of the hell he is putting his professors through, probably challenging every single thing they measure the distance between two events.” For me, this was a revolutionary comment. Time does not exist? Well then, I can pretty much do anything if I don’t have to worry about wasting or not having enough statement, I don’t worry about this, because I didn’t waste anything. I enjoyed what I was doing, which was sleeping and walking in the snow. I took notice of several things I normally wouldn’t, like the train across the river which I can now hear clearer than ever without the trees, or how the falling snow looks against the lights and banners on the greenway. It was from these observations that I have noticed my week seemed much longer than it normally does, mostly because I didn’t worry about what I needed done by when. So I would like to challenge you to not worry about time. Remember to get your assignments done, but in your free time don’t worry about being productive. Do what you need to do and then have fun. It will make your day last longer and your life more enjoyable. After all, it is silly to worry about something that does not exist. And if you think this was a terrible op-ed, if time does not exist, what have you lost? “Time does not exist; time is something we use to measure the distance between two events.” say and getting into huge arguments in the classroom. But the thing is, he probably wins. I often joked with him about what he could do if he used his powers for good and not evil. One day in philosophy class he began to chat with me while we were discussing the concept of time. He said something that I still think about occasionally, which is proven by this peregrination. He told me, “Time does not exist; time is something we use to time. That is why when I think of something like a project and it interests me, I have no problem tackling it because I know in the end, it will get done. That is why I find it scary that I cannot count how many people told me they wasted all of their free time given to them by the snowstorm last week. I must admit though, even I told several people that I wasted all of my time. However when I go back to my friend’s Inner child can direct response to snow day stress BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Staff Writer that in times like snow days, it is acceptable to let our inner child out which is often suppressed by the massive amounts of work. Think of all the moments and memories that were lost and could have been gained with our friends and family if we Remember those snow days when you were in elementary school? The day off from school offered a chance for snowball fights, sledding and building forts. While the kids had fun, parents always seemed to see the snow as a hassle and didn’t enjoy shoveling. They just saw the negativity that the snow brought, rather than the enthusiasm and happiness that snow can bring. After two snow days this past week, it seemed like old cranky parents, who were pessimistic about the white fluffy stuff, were taking over Wilkes’s campus. I didn’t see many students enthused about playing in the snow like we were when we were younger. Instead I witnessed students bickering and The Beacon/Mark Congdon Jr. complaining about the sidewalks, the roads and not being able to go to Club brought out Mardi Gras for the junior class social. It our inner child more at times is understandable to be upset about the when it’s appropriate. Because I didn’t supsidewalks and the roads; after all, they were press the child that’s in me, I have many new a terrible mess. memories with friends that we created over But it seems some of us have forgotten the two days off I thought snow would prohibit me from school. the from doing activities with friends, and I would be held hostage in my room for the day. But the opposite was true. Even though the snow can be a pain, it can also be great fun. Three of my friends and I played ninjas on the greenway this past Wednesday. It may sound childish, but let me tell you, we all had a blast. The experiences we shared on that snowy adventurous day reminded me of when I was a little boy playing with my sisters and cousins in the snowfilled days we had when I was younger. It seems I had forgotten how much fun the snow can be and how close it brings you to those who play with you. It’s a great relief to know that you still can get in touch with your inner child, especially after the stress you acquire from school and work. So the next time we have a snow day or you become very stressed, I encourage you all to be more optimistic and to release your inner child. �FEATURES Winter Worship Night FEBRUARY 19, 2007 11 9 T-shirt modification encourages individual fashion flair BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor T-shirts really offer endless possibilities: they can be converted into a tank top, a skirt, can be tapered or shaped, among many other things. On the other hand, t-shirt devotees can also grab a can of spray paint, or get some fabric paint and decorate it with pictures or slogans that consumers wouldn’t normally find sold in a store. So, here’s a beginners guide to t-shirt design and alteration. The easiest way to alter a t-shirt is simply by cutting it. There are countless ways to go about this, but here are some pretty basic cuts to start. s t u C c i s a B 4 For a one-strap tank top, cut off one sleeve, and then up diagonally from the armpit on the other side. Halter Top Another design that takes a little more time and effort than a snip or two with the scissors, is a halter top. 1. Measure about 1” up from the bottom of the shirt, and cut directly across. Make one cut so this piece becomes a long strip, and then save it to use for the strap. 2. Cut two evenly spaced holes in the front of the tube-top. For a regular tank top, cut at least an inch away from the sleeves, and two or more inches down from the neckline. For a muscle shirt, cut off each sleeve. For an 80s, off the shoulder shirt, make a curved cut that comes down about an inch under the neckline. 3. Cut across the T-shirt directly under the armpits, from one side to the other, creating a tube-top. 4. Thread the strap through the hole, tie it around the neck. Voila! A halter top. See T- S H I RT S page 10 1” �FEATURES 10 T-SHIRTS from PAGE 9 s l i c n e t S g n i Creat Necessary Tools: A piece of sturdy paper (poster board, transparency, manila folder, etc) Preferably an exacto knife, though a box cutter will also work A print-out of the desired picture (unless you are going to draw it) To start, gather the aforementioned necessary tools. A can of spray paint, or fabric paint, a small roller, and a paint tray are necessary to color in the stencil. To create a stencil either draw a picture onto the paper, or if you’re not particularly artistic, find a picture online. If you choose to print out a picture, simply tape it onto the MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 !MM I piece of sturdy paper, and cut through with an exacto knife. The important thing to keep in mind is that not all pictures will function as a stencil. In order to work as a stencil, you will need a picture that does not have any enclosed white spaces. For example: Once the stencil is created, tape it onto the shirt in the desired space. If you choose spray paint, make sure to keep the can at a distance, and spray steady and consistently, or else you will over saturate the stencil. If you choose to use paint and a roller, do multiple, thin coats, instead of caking on the paint, which could cause the paint to run and ruin the picture. FEBRUARY 19, 2007 These instructions are just starting points. With practice, t-shirt artists can expand upon all of these ideas. In terms of altering shirts, with some skill you can make all different articles of clothing, accessories, and even household items. And with some practice and patience, t-shirt artists who stencil can eventually make layered, multi-colored stencils. Also, using Photoshop you can convert photographs into stencils. There are plenty of books and websites that offer more ideas and step-by-step instructions. For many more ideas, and in-depth instruction about altering shirts, check out the folFor ready-to-use stencil patterns and information lowing books: on creating more intricate stencils, check out : -Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a Twww.stencilrevolution.com Shirt by Megan Nicolay http://stencilpunks.mattrunningnaked.com/ http://www.freewebs.com/stencilry - 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special by Faith Blakeney, Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic and Ellen Schultz Wilkes-Barre ROWNIE Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 !TV I 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 FEATURES 11 Winter worship night promotes Christian faith with live music AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR get the club a little more known throughout the community. We want to establish a relationship between the club and local churches,” said Curry. The club has also planned cookie sales, movie nights, game nights and members sponsor a child in Africa in need of basic assistance. ( hristian I{' I I ,. ( IUb l♦ inter· l♦c t"'\hiu "'-ii&1ht TUf'\dd)' Feb• .if .• f Drn {'f-Sifl' I dllrnnn holding a Christian praise night for the community Bl'ldwill thebePUbllc at the who would like to attena. Three Christian bands w/11torbethose playing; from Abbott United Methodist Church In Parsons, SOio f)erfotmance by , and the main band wm . Wilkes students Will also be performing. There Snd ll k Ju ship Club l♦ilk('S l istian Fellow The Christian Fellowship Club will host a night dedicated to worship and live music this Tuesday, February 20 from 6-9 p.m.. The event is called “Winter Worship Night” and will be held in the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom on the second level. The night will consist of three musical acts all celebrating Christianity. Angela Hermes, Interfaith Coordinator and club member, is enthusiastic about the musical evening. “The music is Christian, so we hope this will be uplifting and energizing for Christians who attend, and hopefully educational and fun for those who want to know more about Christianity. Music is very powerful and can describe so much of our lives, emotions, beliefs. I am really excited to see these bands performing together on our campus,” said Hermes. Scheduled bands include: Revelation 21 from Abbott United Methodist Church in Parsons, Scott Robbins of Chief Brody Band and Evernight. Members of the Christian Fellowshiop Club proposed the idea to local churches of inviting local bands to Wilkes. According to Andy Curry, co-president of the Christian Fellowship Club, there was a lot of interest in creating the event. “It’s a night where we want to provide a comfortable atmosphere of people coming together to worship Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We’ve invited local churches, colleges, high schools and members of the public. We’re going to play some good music, and it’s going to be a come and go as you please,” said Michael Lewis, co-organizer of Winter Worship Night. Hermes emphasized that the night serves as a social time, where students, faculty, staff and the community can gather for a positive, encouraging and entertaining musical experience. The Christian Fellowship Club meets weekly and involves scripture reading, songs and conversation relating to Christian beliefs. “Generally we have a song or two, then a couple chapters from scripture are discussed, then we close with petitions and prayer. The weekly volunteers read over the scriptures ahead of time, then talk about what stood out to them and they also pose questions for the group to reflect on collectively,” said Hermes. Andy Curry described the club as a way to strengthen faith while keeping priorities straight and not getting caught up in the classroom. Curry hopes the night helps define an important aspect of the Christian Fellowship club which is to serve as a median in supporting local churches and accepting their support as well. “The goal of the event is to praise God. Secondly, help Courtesy Chr BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E FEBRUARY 19, 2007 12 Love is a Mixtape Crossword This Week in History Captain Random 13 14 14 15 Trendspotter: Getting ready for the thaw BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor With about two feet of snow on the ground and two glorious snow days under the belt, it may not feel like spring is exactly fast-approaching. But according to mass merchandise stores (and Punxsutawney Phil, for that matter), spring is right around the corner. Besides, it’s never too early to start shopping, right? In the stores and on the spring runways bold, bright colors and graphic shapes are some of the prevailing movements in fashion. While some styles on the racks are slightly remniscent of the 80’s (unfortunately), others seem to be inspired by the mod look (also seen in black and white this season, having carried over somewhat from winter trends). After buttoning up in winter’s conservative colors-oatmeal, black, heather-gray and thick, chunky fabrics, it’s time to don some lighthearted, punchy colors, fabrics, textures and patterns. One collection to hit up when searching out some new spring garb is the GO International line at Target. Every few months, this series allows budget-conscious shoppers to indulge in designs from some of the world’s top designers, and this month Proenza Schouler’s wallet-friendly collection hit the racks. The funky, eclectic mix of summery patterns and bright hues takes a cue from Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough’s runway collections to allow shoppers to participate in the latest trends. Of course, snatching up some pieces from this line isn’t the only way to get on the bandwagon, but Proenza Schouler seems to be leading the pack when it comes to this trend. After obtaining some fabulous spring threads, deciding how to wear them can be a challenge. Some pieces, such as dresses, can stand alone with a few accessories like a chunky necklace or rings, but it can be difficult to figure out how to combine such bright patterns in individual pieces. Jewelry in bright colors is the minimalist way to wear the trend. Bangles in bright colors or black and white lend a mod look to any outfit, as long as the rest of the outfit is more subdued. Bold, colorful pendants can modernize your favorite outfit. Watches in bright patterns will also be a splurgeworthy accessory to pick up this spring. Sporting outerwear in bold colors is another way to show your individuality without going overboard. Bright colored jackets in solid colors or bold patterns are a simple way to add to an outfit without the added stress of deciding what to wear, and can be easily shed if you leave the house and then realize that this trend is not for you. As is the case with pretty much any trend in fashion, matchy-matchy is out of the question. Unless one can really, really pull it off. Otherwise, play it safe with one of two options. Feeling bold? Take a hint from Proenza Schouler’s collection and mix it up. Pair intense colors with unique patterns for a style that is uniquely “you.” Just be careful with acessories, because too much of a good thing is, well, never a good thing. The slightly more conservative option is to add unexpected neutrals to a punchy top or bottom (one or the other). For example, why not pair navy blue with yellow? Unconventional combinations can lend a more refined and polished edge to these youthful, almost whimsical colors. If all else fails, the best way to wear this trend is the way celebrities have been for quite some time: add one really bright, really fantastic accessory. Dress up a plain dress with red heels. The platform trend in shoes is still going strong in spring and shoes that pair bright solids with wooden and acrylic heels are the best way to add some extra height and style to your look. Add a bright green bag to a spring staple-the trenchcoat. Canvas bags have shown up in spring collections and are an easy and more budget-concious counterpart to the leather bags that have been in style. A canvas tote in a bold color can go with practically any outfit and is also a sophisticated way to play up the preppy trend that is happening this spring as well. If the bold color trend is just a little too The Beacon/Marissa Phillips over the top, then at least check out the new mod pieces hitting the shelves in black and white graphic designs. These pieces allow the wearer to still look fabulously in style, if a little less daring. Schedule of Events Monday, February 19 - Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte. - Sweetwater performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Tuesday, February 20 - Karate High School and Everyone Meets Sharp performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. - Robb Brown and Friends performing at Slainte. - Rod Stewart performing at the Wachovia Arena at 8 p.m. - Sweetwater performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Wednesday, February 21 - M-80 performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Friday, February 23 - Diseases of the Brain lecture at 7 p.m. in Breiseth 106. - New Riders of the Purple Sage performing at the River Street Jazz Cafe. - Batboy: The Musical in the Darte Center at 8 p.m. - Livingston, A Golden Era, Melded and Spread Thin performing at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 24 - Awakening the Dreamer Symposium from 9:30 am-5:30 p.m. in the old bookstore. - Stout, Scheduled Beating, Dead and Buried and Taken by Force performing at Back stage at 6 p.m. - ArenaCross at the Wachovia Arena at 7 p.m. (shuttle service at 6:30 at the SUB) - Batboy: The Musical in the Darte Center at 8 p.m. - The Menzingers, The Holy Mess, The Track Record and You, Me and Everyone We Know at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. - Go Go Gadget performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Sunday, February 25 -Batboy: The Musical at 2 p.m. in the Darte Center. - Madball, Death by Dishonor, Since the Flood and Reign Supreme performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Book Review: Rob Sheffield’s Love is a Mix Tape Life and Loss, One Song at a Time BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Staff Writer What is love? The question is simple. The answer? Not so much. There are perhaps a million different responses to this question, but Rolling Stone journalist Rob Sheffield seems to have found the right one. According to Sheffield, love is a mix tape. Many mix tapes, to be exact. Sheffield’s book guides you through his life, from childhood to the present time, with a variety of different songs on a number of mix tapes, all made for certain occasions. He writes of The Party tape, the I Want You tape, and the You Broke My Heart and Made Me Cry and Here Are Twenty or Thirty Songs About It tape. Tape 635 takes you through a Christian summer camp when he was an awkward teenager full of witty remarks, and Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things helped him cope with his very first breakup in college. On October 10, 1989, Sheffield made one of the most important mix tapes of his life. The tape included the song that brought he and Renee together. Renee was a spunky free spirit who an introverted Sheffield described as his hero. The mix tape he sent home with Renee a few nights later led to many more and eventually, the two were married and happily in love. But as soon as happily ever after began, it came to an end. After Renee’s sudden death, Sheffield uses his mix tapes for a different reason: to survive. Crazy Feeling, Paramount Hotel and MMMrob were Sheffield’s attempts at sleeping through the night and trying to drive anywhere in Charlottesville without being reminded of Renee. “When I fell asleep,” he writes, “I had dreams in which Renee was trying to find her way home, but she got lost because I moved a chair or something.” He uses his mix tapes to cope with losing Renee and to try to start his life over. If you aren’t familiar with the music or the movies that Sheffield references, you may find yourself confused at some points. If you’ve never seen A Stolen Life or Horror of Dracula and you’ve never heard Peter Godwin’s “Images of Heaven,” you may feel a little out of the loop with the sarcasm or jokes Sheffield makes. In the end, it’s the songs and movies that you do recognize (like RHCP’s “Under the Bridge” or Tag Team’s “Whoomp! There It Is”) that help tell his whole story. Rob Sheffield’s Love is a Mix Tape is a must read for anyone who is a fan of ‘90s alternative and pop music and a good story about love and loss. 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A f< G 23 A S T T L y 0 A R y I E E D 64 w 0 67 L 0 03 G u L L ."A L E E E R D N This This Week Week in in History History BY BY MICHAEL MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Beacon Correspondent This history brought you by History Club. This week week in in history brought to to you by the the History Club. February February 19 19 1847: first rescuers rescuers reach members of the Donner 1847: The The first reach surviving surviving members of the Donner Party, Party, aa group group of of CaliCalifornia-bound by snow Nevada Mountains. snow in in the the Sierra Sierra Nevada Mountains. fornia-bound emigrants emigrants stranded stranded by February February 20 20 1962: Florida, John 1962: From From Cape Cape Canaveral, Canaveral, Florida, John Hershel Hershel Glenn Glenn Jr. Jr. is is successfully successfully launched launched into the Friendship the fi rst orbital flight by by an into space space aboard aboard the Friendship 7 7 spacecraft spacecraft on on the first orbital flight an American American astronaut. astronaut. February February 21 21 1965: New York York City, African American American nationalist 1965: In In New City, Malcolm Malcolm X, X, an an African nationalist and and religious religious leader, his Organization by rival rival Black Black Muslims Muslims while while addressing addressing his Organization of of AfroAfroleader, is is assassinated assassinated by American Unity American Unity at at the the Audubon Audubon Ballroom Ballroom in in Washington Washington Heights. Heights. February February 22 22 1980: the most upsets in underdog U.S. U.S. hockey 1980: In In one one of of the most dramatic dramatic upsets in Olympic Olympic history, history, the the underdog hockey team, made made up players, defeats of college college players, defeats the the four-time four-time defending defending gold-medal gold-medal winning winning team, up of Soviet XIII Olympic Soviet team team at at the the XIII Olympic Winter Winter Games Games in in Lake Lake Placid, Placid, New New York. York. The The Soviet Sovie1 squad, regarded as finest in squad, previously previously regarded as the the finest in the the world, world, fell fell to to the the youthful youthful American American team team 4-3 before aa frenzied Americans defeated of 10,000 10,000 spectators. spectators. Two Two days days later, later, the the Americans defeated 4-3 before frenzied crowd crowd of Finland the hockey Finland 4-2 4-2 to to clinch clinch the hockey gold. gold. February February 23 23 1954: Arsenal Elementary 1954: A A group group of of children children from from Arsenal Elementary School School in in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, receive the rst injections the new polio vaccine of the new polio vaccine developed developed by by Dr. Dr. Jonas Jonas Salk. Salk. receive the fi first injections of February February 24 24 1836: behalf of 1836: In In San San Antonio, Antonio, Texas, Texas, Colonel Colonel William William Travis Travis issues issues aa call call for for help help on on behalf oJ the the Texan Texan troops troops defending defending the the Alamo, Alamo, an an old old Spanish Spanish mission mission and and fortress fortress under under attack attack by the by the Mexican Mexican army. army. February February 25 25 1870: Natchez, Mississippi, 1870: Hiram Hiram Rhoades Rhoades Revels, Revels, aa Republican Republican from from Natchez, Mississippi, is is sworn sworn into into the first African in Congress. Congress. the U.S. U.S. Senate, Senate, becoming becoming the the first African American American ever ever to to sit sit in Note: All information provided by History Channel found at Note: All information is is provided by the the History Channel and and can can be be found at http:// http:/; www.history.com/tdih.do. www.history.com/tdih.do. Picture courtesy of http://www.africawithin.com. �15 - ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 19, 2007 LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT: Captain Random The Beacon: For someone who has never seen you perform, describe what your live shows are like. Billy-the-Squid:I guess we are fun. I know we have a blast playin’ no matter what. You Captain Random is a 6-piece “skunk” band out of Pocono Pines. The band’s sound is would have to ask the people who actually give us the time of day. fast-paced and upbeat, paired with gritty vocals, just a bit reminiscent of the Misfits. AfThe Beacon: I’ve noticed that just as metal bands seem to have offensive, grotesque ter a high-energy performance at Café Metopolis, The Beacon was able to catch up with names (Cattle Decapitation, Blood Sundae), on the other side of the spectrum, ska bands drummer Billy Orender (a.k.a. Billy the Squid) and ask him a few questions. often seem to have much more fun, quirkier names (The Hippos, The Aquabats!). So who Captain Random consists of Bobby Be-Bop (Robert Propst) on lead vocals, Billy the came up with the name Captain Random, and is there a meaning behind it, or did it just Squid (Billy Orender) on drums and back-up vocals, Easy V (Vincent Orender) on bass sound pleasing to the ears? and back-up vocals, Drewsifer (Andrew Clegg) on guitar, Seany Boyo in charge of hype, Billy-the-Squid: I noticed that, too. By the way, Cattle Decapitation, The Hippos and back-up vocals, and random horn, and Malibu who’s in charge of “greestyle madness.” The Aquabats! are phenomenal bands. I’ve never heard of Blood Sundae, but with a name The Beacon: Okay, first off, fill us in with your band’s background information. How like that I feel I need to listen. I know with Cattle Decapitation, their name deals with long have you been a band, and have there been any major sound or lineup changes since what they preach and that is being vegan and the cruelty shown by man towards beast. the beginning? I guess in that genre it’s lyrical content. With The Hippos and The Aquabats! I couldn’t Billy-The-Squid: I think we have been a band for like a year and a half. When we starttell ya’. Well, The Aquabats! are super heroes and most of their lyrical content deals with ed, it was I, Billy The Squid, on the drums, my brother, Vincent Orender a.k.a. Easy V, on adventures of The Aquabats! bass and back-up vocals, and Andrew Clegg a.k.a. Drewcifer on guitar and lead vocals. The name Captain Random was thought up by Vince, the bassist, my little bro. Drew asked me and my bro if we wanted to start a ska influenced punk band. We quickly I didn’t argue because the fact remains, a band name is just a band name. The music is jumped on that because me and Vince were out of luck when it came to starting bands. what counts. We all really hate that name now, but I feel we are stuck with it. Anyway, Drew was already in a great punk band known as Indecent Exposure, I was The Beacon: By the way, I see you have a band member, Malibu, all ready to go to Jersey and be in a power violence band with my who’s in charge of ‘greestyle madness.’ I have no idea what that is... cousin Mike and Vince was going to Colorado. We did this just What is that? You also have Sean who’s in charge of ‘hype,’ among because we wanted to have some fun during that summer. We other things. Explain that one as well. ended up playin’ a show a few weeks after we started and got a reBilly-the-Squid: Malibu is our good friend who happens to be a ally good response, then went and recorded our first demo, called master of words, especially off the top of his head. It was supposed the “Shitty EP.” It was called that because Drew sang and most to be ‘Freestyle Madness,’ but someone in the band misspelled and of the songs sucked. During this time we started hangin’ with our thought it was funny just as “Greestyle Madness”. good friend and future lead singer Robert Propst a.k.a. Bobby BeSeany Boyo has been with us from day one. He is our best friend Bop. He had the car, so he drove us to record the “Shitty EP.” He and also sang backing vocals on the “Spooky Skunk EP.” Every also sang back-ups on our cover of “In Hell” by the great Choking time we play a show we bring him, he gets the crowd going, and he Victim. After we recorded that, we realized we needed another is an official part of this band whether he likes it or not. If you see singer and better songs. the Boyo in the pit, join in or get out of the way! I was in Jersey at the time jammin’ with my power violence, exThe Beacon: Who writes the majority of your lyrics, or is it more perimental, chemistry-core band, EVILskull and I get a phone call of a group effort? And where do you get the majority of the material from Vince saying, ‘Hey, why don’t we have Bobby sing?’ for your lyrics? I said, ‘Do you think he could? I know he can sing The Misfits Billy-the-Squid: Bobby writes the lyrics. Most of the content had quite well.’ to do with horror stylings like The Misfits were famous for. NowaVince was like, ‘I think so, and he even has lyrics.’ days it’s what he’s experiencing that day or what kind of people So I was like, ‘Aight bet, we’ll jam when I get back, ONE!’ bother him. The band doesn’t help really with the lyrics, we feel he And Vince was like, ‘Aight, one.’ has that pretty much covered. After the jam session with Bobby we knew we found something The Beacon: Do you have any upcoming show dates you’d like to special and that is the core line-up of today. We tried a second guithrow out there so people can come out and see you? tarist for awhile. His name was Anthony but that didn’t work out. Billy-the-Squid: I’m pretty sure we are playin’ in Syracuse, NY, He added a little somethin’ to the band but he felt he needed to quit with Bombtown (Megalith Records) and The Sneaky Sealions (exfor personal reasons that I don’t feel I have the right to get into. members of SGR). That should be a lot of fun. The Beacon: What have you released up to now? www.syracuseska.com Billy-the-Squid: We recorded our “Spooky Skunk EP” Novemwww.kingstonbeat.com ber of 2005 with Bobby on lead vocals, Drew on guitar, Vince on Those two links are the people responsible for hooking us up with bass and backing vocals, and Bill on drums and backing vocals. I that great show. Very cool guys. feel that came out quite well for the fact that we did it in one night. I also think we are playin’ with The River City Rebels when they We sold a few of them, got some more exposure, got to play Café Courtesy of www.myspace.com/ come back around here but I’m not too sure. They are one of my Metropolis, which was a goal of ours, got to play with some awecaptainrandomyo. personal favorites. That should be a good one if it goes down. Other some local and internationally known bands. We also recorded a than that, anybody want us to play a party of some sort? split EP recently with our friends, Precedent. Check them out. They are quite good. We The Beacon: Lastly, sum up everything your band has to offer in three words. haven’t really done anything to release it yet, but it will come out soon. That is really it, Billy-the-Squid: That’s a silly question but, here goes. . . anything else you would like to know you could come out to our shows and ask us! EAT A D***! or maybe, WE ARE COOL! or even, SKA KIDS SUCK! but I think the The Beacon: So, you’ve called yourself a “skunk” band, which I think is a pretty good best one would be, THERE’S NO HORNS! term to use, since you’re not straight ska, but at the same time, you’re not simply punk. To check out Captain Random’s tour dates and upcoming shows, go to www.myspace. So, can you take credit for that term, or did you get it from somewhere else? com/captainrandomyo. Billy-the-Squid: We took that from Skunk Records, the label that the great Sublime created. We just figured it to be a good term to use for our music and all of third wave ska. It is ska influenced punk, I think it’s a better term than ska-punk. Just being lazy, really. Tryin’ to look cool. BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor �SPORTS 16 FEBRUARY 19, 2007 Cumberland Apartments Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. - Brand New Construction - Kitchen with appliances - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 SPORTS 17 NEPA ski industry looks for alternatives in shortened ski season BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor compete with each other in ideal skiing conditions and extend their seasons while conditions continually point to shorter winters. With all of this money that the Pennsyl- Where is the snow? That is the question that people, especially ski fanatics have asked themselves for most of the winter. No need to fear now. Look around. After a something 1For everyone 36-hour pounding and nearly everything in the Valley closed for vania ski industry has spent to build reputwo days, some might now say to be careful tation, slopes operators would love to see what you wish for. some return on their investments. With the recent cold spell and a little help from Old Man Winter, the slopes on average, according to skicentral.com, are open anywhere between 75 to 100 percent with most lifts and terrain parks open for operation. Recently though, With or without last week’s snow, the lo- the concerns about the length of the skiing cal ski industry has struggled for the major- season have arisen not only here in Pennity of the season to drum up business. It was sylvania but either too warm, like it was in December, in other parts with temperatures into the 60s at times, or of the country. too cold with temperatures in the teens or The increase in single digits. The snow making conditions temperatures simply haven’t cooperated enough for any and extreme consistency. cold caused According to howstuffworks.com if the by global temperature is around 30 degrees you need warming and changes in the climate have caused ski resorts to try to figure out alternative ways to attract busia fairly low relative humidity for good snow ness and make making conditions. If the temperature is be- their goals for profits. Many ski slopes have low 20 degrees then you will need a relative taken the initiative to create year round humidity of 100 percent. The most ideal resorts that include concert venues, water temperatures though are between 15-20 de- parks and other indoor/outdoor forms of engrees. tertainment for all ages. Over the past year, The question that now arises is many ski resorts ranghow can Wilkes students either ing from the all new learn how to ski or get discountSno Mountain to Moned ski passes? Student developtage Mountain have ment offers skiing trips as part spent millions of dolof its weekend entertainment lars upgrading their series at Sno Mountain. slopes and snow making machines to try and Northeastern Pennsylvania Ski Report* Shawnee Mountain Snow Base Depth: 38-64” Trails Open: 22 out of 23 Lifts Open: 8 out of 10 Percent Open: 95% Snowboarding: Terrain park open m Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am - 10 pm; Sat/Sun 8 amam- 10 10 pm pm Sno Mountain Snow Base depth: 36-60” Trails Open: 21 out of 21 Lifts Open: 6 out of 6 Percent Open: 100% Snowboarding: Terrain park open Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am -10 pm; Sat/Sun 8:30 am - 10 pm Jack Frost/Big Boulder Snow Base Depth: 30-60”/40-110” Trails Open: 21 out of 28/15 out of 16 Lifts Open: 5 out of 9/4 out of 8 Percent Open: 75%/94% Snowboarding: Terrain Park Open/Terrain Park Open . Hours: Mon-Fri -Fri 9 9 am am -- 4 4 pm; pm; Sat/Sun Sat/Sun 8 8 am an - 4 pm / Hours Vary - Elk Elk Mountain Mountain Snow Snow Base Base Depth: Depth: 36-72” 36-7 Trails Trails Open: Open: 27 27 out out of of~27 Lifts Lifts Open: Open: 6 6 out out of of 7 7 Percent Open: Open: 100% 100% Percent Snowboarding: Terrain Terrain Park Par~ Open Snowboarding: Hours: Hours Hours Vary Vary Hours: Camelback Snow Base Depth: 36-76” Trails Open: 33 out of 33 Lifts Open: 13 out of 13 Percent Open: 100% Snowboarding: Halfpipe Open en Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am - 10 pm; Sat/Sun 8 10 pm 8 am am --10 pm Bear Creek Snow Base Depth: 43-68” Trails Open: 21 out of 22 Lifts Open: 6 out of 7 Percent Open: 100% Snowboarding: Halfpipe Open Snowboardi en Hours: -1C pm; Sat/Sun 8:30 am - 10 pm Hours: Mon-Fri Mon-Fri 9 9 am am -10 Alpine Mountain Alpin Snow Snow Base Bas Depth: 32-58” Trails Open: Op, Trails 21 out of 21 Lifts 5 out of 5 Lifts Open: O~ Percent Percenl Open: 100% Snowboarding: Snowboard in~ Terrain Park Open Hours: Hours: Mon/Tues Mon/Tues 9:30 9:30 am am -- 6 pm; Wed-Fri 9:30 am - 9:30 pm; Sat/Sun 8:30am - 9:30 pm Blue Mountain Snow Base Depth: 30-70” Trails Open: 30 out of 30 Lifts Open: 10 out of 10 Percent Open: 100% Snowboarding: Halfpipe Open Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 10 pm; Sat/Sun 7:30 am - 10 pm *All data current as of Sunday, February 18, 2007. �SPORTS 18 FEBRUARY 19, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins v. Florida Panthers Penguins look to continue to bring the heat Double Take BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It finally happened. After months of unseasonably warm weather, followed by an all too familiar cold spell, Mother Nature finally gave in to fate and blanketed the better part of the Northeast with inches, and in some places, feet of snow. Wi t h the NFL season w i n d ing down just a few weeks ago, and w h i l e baseball is still a month and a half from being underway, the nation can turn its attention to the one major sport that is really meant for this kind of weather. And with that, it seems that hockey season has finally arrived...in a manner of speaking. As the weather is cooling down in the Northeast, the hockey action is heating up around the continent, less than a week shy of the always crucial trading deadline, and just over a month remaining until the second season starts to determine the owner of Lord Stanley’s Cup. This season, it seems as if the young guns of Pittsburgh could very well be the driving force behind the next champions of the National Hockey League. In fact, the majority of the Penguins’ starting five can’t even rent a car without having a parent or guardian with them. Nevertheless, Crosby, Malkin and company will continue their playing tirade in the Eastern Conference on Thursday, when they visit Florida to do battle with the Panthers. The Penguins are currently riding high on a bit of a winning streak, having won four in a row, with a record of 14-5 so far in 2007. They are second in the Atlantic Division behind New Jersey, but they have been by far the best team as of late, going 9-0-1 in their last ten games. That streak is due largely in part to the play of Sidney Crosby, the former number one overall draft pick and current face of the Penguins franchise. Crosby leads the NHL in points (88) and assists (63). Crosby can’t do it alone, however, and is supported by Russian import and rookie phenom Evgeni Malkin, whose sensational freshman season continues, as he leads in scoring (28). The center/wing duo of Crosby and Malkin will look to continue their impressive run as they take on the Panthers, who are currently ranked 13th in the Eastern Conference. Maybe it was the unusual weather that caused it, but the Panthers have been off to an inauspicious start so far in 2007, having gone 7-11 in the new year and 5-4-1 in their last 10. Perhaps it is not for lack of effort, as Florida has a formidable center in Olli Jokinen, who leads the team in points (58), goals (24) and assists (34). If only Jokinen could guard the net also, then maybe the Panthers wouldn’t be in such dire straights. Ed Balfour, the veteran goaltender who has spent most of his career in Chicago and Dallas, is having a less than great first sea- son in Florida, as his 2.75 goals-against-average is one of the worst in the league, but not nearly as bad as his .901 save percentage, which ranks among the worst in the NHL. That’s not to say that the blame for Florida’s performance this season lies with Balfour, as teams don’t necessarily live and die by their performance. P i t t s burgh’s goalkeeper, Marc-Andre -Fleury, has a worse GAA (2.83) and only a slightly better save percentage (.906). In terms of the truer team sports, hockey certainly is one of the most pure variations. Unlike baseball, where it’s one pitcher versus one batter at a time, or football, where it’s one quarterback or running back against a defensive line, hockey is fluid and moving at all times and relies on the skills and smarts of all the players on the ice at any given moment. Perhaps that is what the Panthers have been lacking so far; the absence of a true synergistic effect on the ice, something that the Penguins clearly have a surplus of. Of course, all that can be changed in any given moment on the ice, and winning streaks can only go so far. On Thursday, however, look for the Penguins to continue their dominant streak when they invade Florida and to come out with the win. The Pick: Pittsburgh 3 Florida 1 Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Hockey, eh? When I found out the Game of the Week would be hockey, I was slightly concerned that writing this allimportant column would be a touch difficult. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I really know nothing about hockey. I don’t understand how it’s played, or what any of the rules are, and I don’t stick for a specific team. I just really like it when they fight. So, my initial thought was to choose the winner based on which animal would win in a real fight (the only really logical way to choose a winning team). But come on, penguins versus panthers? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist-or a sports junkie- to figure that one out, and I just can’t allow myself to let a Pennsylvania team lose so quickly. I am, therefore, extremely proud of the thought process that led to my choice for the winner of this game. So hockey players are often from Canada, correct? Logically speaking, then, the team closer to Canada will obviously be better at it. I am choosing to ignore the fact that both teams probably have players from Canada, by the way. Thus, the Pittsburgh Penguins should and will win. And anyway, using the animal logic makes no sense, because why would a panther be fighting a penguin anyway? They don’t even eat the same kinds of food. A panther eating fish? I don’t think so. 1,/J[_/Ef# ~!ftrfffl} �FEBRUARY 19, 2007 Athlete of the Week Katie Cappelloni BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer As she concludes her third year of action for the Wilkes University Women’s basketball team, junior communications major Katie Cappelloni is this week’s Athlete of the Week. Throughout the 2006-07 season, Cappelloni has been a key contributor both on and off the court in her third year with the Lady Colonels. Heading into Saturday’s season finale, she ranked third on the squad in both total points scored (201) and in points per game (8.4). After starting 22 of the team’s 24 games, she also ranks third on the team in minutes per game, with 24.4, while adding 23 assists and eight blocks to her season totals. Earlier in the season, Cappelloni was named the MAC Freedom Conference player of the week after scoring a career-high 21 points in a win at Penn State Harrisburg in December. Coming to Wilkes after a standout playing career at Bishop Hannan High School, Cappelloni has been a regular in the Wilkes lineup for each of her first three seasons. The Scranton native has teamed with fellow juniors Randi Corbo, Lacey Andresen and Karyn Perestam to give the Lady Colonels a solid foundation to build on for what looks to be a very bright future. With all 12 players on this season’s roster eligible to return next year, Coach Rachel Emmerthal has SPORTS looked to Cappelloni and her classmates to provide solid leadership as the squad’s younger members continue to grow and gain experience at the collegiate level. “Katie has done a great job for us in all areas--she works very hard and always brings an excellent attitude with her,” Emmerthal recently said of Cappelloni. “All of our juniors have been very dedicated to our off-season workout plans and Katie has been instrumental in organizing those activities for our players. Our junior class has grown and improved tremendously in the last two years and we’re looking for that group to provide the leadership we need to continue to move our program in the right direction.” With asked about the team’s progress this season and its potential for the future, Cappelloni cited the maturity she and her classmates have gained in their first three seasons as a key ingredient in the team’s building process. “A lot of improvement comes along with maturing. Our team has worked on a lot of new stuff this season, and we’re looking to use that experience and chemestry to compete at a much higher level in all of our games next season. We all work very well together and we believe we can achieve some outstanding things in the future if we stay focused.” After a solid junior season that promises to be an excellent preview of big things to come for the Lady Colonels, Katie Cappelloni is this week’s Athlete of the Week. Cappelloni Stats PPG: 8.7 RPG: 4.5 High Game: 21 FG: .317 Blocks: 9 Assists: 24 19 The Beacon/Todd Weibel Junior, Katie Cappelloni drills hard towards the paint in a game against Scranton. Cappelloni is averaging 8.7 points per game and has led the team in scoring in 7 different games this season. WEEKEND RECAPS Men’s Basketball The Wilkes University men’s basketball team ended its season on Saturday afternoon by disposing of Freedom Conference foe Drew University, 62-50, in the Marts Center. The Colonels conclude their campaign with a 12-11 record overall and a 4-10 mark in conference play. It also marks the 15th consecutive season under head coach Jerry Rickrode that Wilkes has finished above the .500 mark. Drew saw their season come to a close with an overall record of 9-15 and a conference log of 4-10. Gould led the Wilkes attack with 16 points and three assists. Kresge added 15 tallies, while Kline finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Dan Adams had eight rebounds for the Colonels, who held a 33-28 advantage on the glass over the Rangers. Women’s Basketball Senior guard Melissa Kraft scored 36 points to help Drew University post an 84-70 Freedom Conference women’s basketball win over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon. The Rangers conclude the regular season with an overall record of 13-12 and a conference mark of 8-6, while Wilkes sees their season come to an end with a 6-19 overall record and a 2-12 mark in conference play. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 16 10 15 Total wins for the wrestling team Consecutive number of seasons Number of points scored by Matt Gould to lead the way for as it prepares for the post season. that the men’s basketball team Wilkes in their season finale has a winning record under head win over Drew University. coach Jerry Rickrode. 16 Total points scored by Katie Cappelloni in the Lady Colonels final game of the season against Drew University. �Sports FEBRUARY 19, 2007 Colonels shock the conference with two huge victories BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Wilkes University Colonels men’s basketball team finished their 2006-07 season on a high note with two impressive MAC Freedom Conference victories over both King’s College and Drew University. Wilkes vs. King’s It might’ve been a snowy day for the city of Wilkes-Barre, but the Colonels were on fire. The Colonels put on a show at home this past Tuesday, upsetting the number-one seeded King’s College Monarchs 66-58. Freshman Tom Kresge lit up the Monarchs for 26 points, shooting 9-12 from the floor, while senior captain Dan Adams chipped in with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Ryan Nenstiel led the Monarchs with only 11 points. King’s led 30-25 at halftime, but the Colonels came out firing on all cylinders by outscoring the Monarchs 41-28 in the second half. The Monarchs had no answer for the Colonels 1-3-1 zone and managed to turn the ball over 16 times. “Our defense really stepped up and made them shoot a lot of bad shots. By closing out and contesting their three pointers, they did not have any open looks,” said junior guard Jeremy Kable. The Colonels’ brilliant defensive scheme, along with an efficient offensive attack, sent Monarch fans home with sad faces. Wilkes vs. Drew The Colonels capped off their season this past Saturday with a 62-50 home win over Drew University. Their victory over the Rangers improves the Colonels final record to 12-11 and 4-10 in the conference, leaving them in sixth place. The Colonels proved to be the better team most of the contest by outscoring the Rangers in both the first and second halves. The Colonels shot efficiently from the floor, hitting 41.3% of their shots and 40% from three point land. The Colonels received double digit scoring contributions from point guard Matt Gould, leading his team with 16 points, Kresge, who put up a solid 15 points, and sophomore Steve Kline, who cashed in 13 points and 7 rebounds. The Colonels shut down the Rangers offense, holding both their top scorers David Cramer and Ryan Eisner to only ten points each. Despite the fact that the Colonels endured much adversity this season, they managed to pull out two huge victories that will set the tone for an improved Colonel team next season. Assistant coach Mike Farrelly said,”I am happy to send the seniors off on a good note for working hard all four years and getting a win over our rival and a win at home on senior day. We didn’t have the greatest success this season, but to end with two big victories will be a springboard for next year.” The Beacon/Todd Weibel Sophomore Steve Kline pops in a bucket over King’s defense as the Colonels win in a thrilling matchup against the Monarchs 66-58. ....,._· Campus Calendar, All Week *Sudan: The Cost of Silence, Sordoni Art Gallery *Winter Week, Campus wide Thursday 2/22 *No events scheduled Friday 2/23 *Alumni Spaghetti Dinner, HSC Ballroom - 6:00 p.m. * “Diseases of the Monday 2/19 *No events scheduled Brain, Breis 106 - 7:00 p.m. *Batboy, DDD - 8:00 Tuesday 2/20 * “Alzheimer’s Narra- p.m. tive”, Breis 106 - 7:00 * Karaoke, HSC Ballroom - 8:00 p.m. p.m. Saturday 2/24 *Awakening The Wednesday 2/21 *No events scheduled Dreamer Symposium, HSC Old Bookstore 9:30 a.m. *ArenaCross, Wachovia Arena - 7:00 p.m. *Batboy, DDD - 8:00 p.m. *Basketball, Volleyball, & Dodgeball, UCOM - All day Sunday 2/25 *Winter Weekend Greenway games, Fenner Quadrangle - 12:00 p.m. *Batboy, DDD - 2:00 p.m. 20 Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming W ILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. - Congratulations to Kristen Davidson who correctly identified last week’s photo which was of a picture by the registers in the new Barnes and Noble. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 February 19th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 February 19 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/b85457c5880a920ac1f40950349e081b.pdf dbfc408d778841e61adedf0cd85b01d1 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 16 www.wilkesbeacon.com FEBRUARY 26, 2007 V.P. for Finance and Support Operations resigns Byers accepts position at Diversified Information Technologies BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Scott Byers, Wilkes University’s General Counsel and Vice President for Finance and Support Operations, announced his resignation this weekend and will be leaving the university as soon as a replacement is found, but no later than May 15, 2007. A search for a successor is slated to begin immediately. Byers, who oversees all budgetary, legal, and support operations for the university, will become General Counsel for Diversified Information Technologies based in Scranton, PA. Diversified is an information processing company with more than 250 clients and its CEO is Clifford K. Melberger, a Wilkes University Board of Trustees member. Byers said he will be taking his many years of experience to his new position at Diversified where he “will be responsible for the legal side of the house … as well as helping out a couple different areas.” Byers is not the first Wilkes administra- tor to leave for Diversified. Josephine Panganiban, Wilkes’s former Vice President of Human Resources left the university on November 3, 2006, to accept a similar vice presidency with the company. The search to fill the Vice President for Human Resources position at Wilkes is in its final stages. Byers is the fourth administrator in a year to leave Wilkes. In addition to Panganiban’s departure, Provost Maravene Loeschke left to become President of Mansfield University, and Associate Provost Barbara Loftus recently departed for a Vice Presidential post with Middle States. President Tim Gilmour said, “The fact of the matter is this wonderfully talented cabinet brought [the university] progress...Talented people will move onto bigger and better things.” Byers agreed and credited Gilmour’s leadership for having supported the professional development of his cabinet members. “[Gilmour] does a fine job of preparing and developing people not only for here, but for the next stage in their career development.” See RESIGN page The Beacon/ Andrew Seaman General Counsel and Vice President for Finance and Operations Scott Byers will leave Wilkes University as soon as a replacement is found but will stay no longer than May 15, 2007. A search for Byers’ successor is said to start immediately. 4 Final two Provost candidates visit campus Search committee expected to make recommendation this week BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor The provost search committee, despite some minor setbacks, is readying for the last stages of review before selecting a replacement for Dr. Maravene Loeschke and making a recommendation to President Gilmour. The last of the three candidates vying for the provost position had a chance to visit campus last week. Dr. Laurie A. Fathe, the current Associate Provost for Educational Improvement and Innovation at George Mason University, spent two days at Wilkes University getting to know students, faculty and administration. On Tuesday, February 20, Fathe had the opportunity to voice her opinions and concerns through a question and answer session that has become routine with each candidate for provost. Fathe opened her introduction by explaining her respect for the students at Wilkes. “The one thing that I found since I’ve been here is that I have heard no one bad thing about the students from faculty, from administration, from anybody else. Whatever else is good or bad at this institution, there seems to be a uniformed census that the students are quite wonderful… and that is what interests me in this institution… It’s making a difference in the lives of people who come here. “I think the provost is somebody who has to listen to the concerns that are out there and keep the institutional perspective in line… I would hope that I would be able to articulate what my priorities are and how See PROVOST page 5 In This Issue... Beyoncé Destroys Feminism PAGE 7 Winter Weekend PAGE 9 NG I R SP K A E BR PAGE 12 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS FEBRUARY 26, 2007 2 Eating Disorder Screenings Maitenance Issues SG Notes 2 3 4 Eating disorder screening week kicks off this week BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor A portrait of a girl hangs in the psychology lounge on the third floor of Breiseth Hall. It is an oil painting of Lauren Martin, a Wilkes junior who died March 27, 2004, at the age of 24 after a courageous battle with anorexia nervosa. “Lauren was a very special person. I know that everyone who knew her was deeply saddened by her death,” said Associate Professor of Psychology Debbie Tindell. In light of Eating Disorder Awareness Month, Psi Chi, the national honor society of psychology students, will hold its annual Eating Disorder Screening Day in honor of Martin. The event is slated to begin Monday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. “The screenings are very accurate in terms of indicating if there’s a problem,” psychology professor Robert Bohlander explained. Students and faculty who wish to be screened will take a pencil-andpaper type test, answering a series of questions that will be evaluated by a campus counselor who in turn will inform the test taker whether or not he or she is at a high or low risk of developing an eating disorder. The tests are completely confidential, though Bohlander feels that the people who need to take the test most, don’t. “Denial is a big problem, especially in anorexia nervosa patients. Many of them don’t believe that there is a problem. They believe what they are doing is the right thing. They believe it shows good self control,” he said. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychiatric Association, more than seven million women and one million men nationwide experience some form of an eating disorder. With the highest death The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Lauren Martin’s portrait hangs in the third floor of the psychology lounge. Martin tragically passed away on March 27, 2004 after a courageous battle with anorexia nervosa. rate of all of the eating disorders (about a 10% mortality rate), anorexia nervosa is estimated to affect about 1% of teenage girls, while 5% of college-aged students have it nationally. “It’s a very, very serious condition,” Bohlander said. Junior psychology major Rachael Cosgrove was diagnosed with the disease when she was only 14 years old after going through several family issues, which is one of the causal factors of the disease, and to this day, she continues to struggle with her weight. “It’s hard,” she said. “I’d love to be able to eat whatever I want whenever I want and not worry about it. But the truth is, I’m not at that point yet. I can still remember the freedom of eating before.” Contrary to popular belief, the anorexic doesn’t necessary misperceive their image when looking at themselves in a mirror, but rather they view themselves with a sense of pride, trying to pick out the “problem areas” that could use some work. “Some people don’t see the bones. I saw the bones, and there was some comfort in seeing them,” Cosgrove said. “I like taking up less space. You’re very aware of the noises your body makes, like when you step on the floor and it creaks, automatically you’re thinking: ‘it’s the weight.’” Though there is no known cure for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia other than force feeding and individual or group therapy, there are clinics in the state, such as the Renfrew Clinic in Philadelphia, that are nationally known. “If you have an eating disorder and want treatment, Renfrew is the place to go,” said campus counselor Meaghan Broderick. Getting “checked in” to a hospital, in many cases, can be the possible move for the patient, as Cosgrove, who was only 89 pounds when admitted into Renfrew, explained. “There’s something about the hospital setting that makes it a safe haven,” she said. “It was OK for me to eat. It was OK for me not to exercise.” Terry Martin, Lauren’s mother, explained that her daughter was well on her way to recovery after being admitted to several treatment facilities outside of the area. Sadly, she passed away tragically in the midst of her self-will and determination. “It’s very, very hard. And no one knows unless you yourself are living with that illness. But seeing how hard the struggle was, we can only imagine the strength and courage it took to beat this horrific illness,” she said. Lauren’s cause of death was attributed to significant damage sustained to her heart after many years of battling the illness. “This condition is very damaging to your internal organs,” Bohlander said. “A lot of people think you starve yourself to death, but you really don’t for most anorexics. You die from all the strain and stress on your organ system, and your heart could give out.” As a parent, Martin stressed the importance of taking the screenings. “You can recover, but before it gets to the stage where it’s going to be difficult, get the help you need now. 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River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 26, 2007 NEWS Residence halls hit with leaks and heating issues 3 Students urged to report any problem no matter how minor BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor Wilkes University residence halls have been experiencing some minor maintenance issues over the recent weeks. While Public Safety officials have continued to respond to such issues, they stress that unreported instances cannot be fixed unless they are known. The University Commons on Ross Street, which are leased by Wilkes, have recently faced such problems as dirty water and no heat. We have had water go off a few times. Our apartment at the beginning of the year was very cold, but we called and complained about it a few times and they did come in and put in a new external heater and put plastic on our windows to help heat it up,” said Christine Durdach, P2 pharmacy and University Commons resident. Alicia Cain, University Commons Resident Assistant, said, “The heat issue has been reported numerous times from way back into last semester probably starting in October. They have tried to be helpful; however, I think in general all of my residents have mostly complained that it really hasn’t been resolved.” “They have at least been nice enough to give some rooms space heaters. But with how cold it is… it is still chilly in the apartments. I actually did initially call public safety myself and they said you have to go through the University Commons maintenance staff to get a space heater. It wasn’t that they ignored us or ignored the issue… however it’s definitely a common complaint,” Cain said. Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services, said in response to the complaints, “This is the first time that I have heard this. University Commons are aged properties and …they are on a master lease. The University leases a bunch of those properties from J.R. Robinson, which is an outside firm and the same people who used to own University Towers. We are leasing them as if they are our own residential halls, so we need to be very concerned if we do hear issues of heat and unresponsive issues of service. In the past, we have gotten to the point where we were going to tell the current owners that we were going to start responding ourselves.” Bailey explained that there is a maintenance service provider on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for University Commons and that all issues are usually handled by that source. “It’s an old building first of all. Heating in old building is usually tricky, it’s on or off. But if that’s the case, especially with this frigid weather, we are going to respond and do whatever it takes to get heat to them or pull that student out of the residence because that is dangerous. Normally, though, we have to use their maintenance and contact them and give them the opportunity. They should be taking care of cleaning the steps, taking care of the heating, the electrical, and all other repair work. If it’s not happening, I need to know about that… the University needs to know about that,” said Bailey. Gretchen Yeninas, the acting Director of Residence Life, said, “I know we had an issue with some water, but I didn’t know it was black necessarily. But once students reported it, we contacted the management over there to take care of it. To the best of my knowledge it was taken care of as soon as it was reported. If there are other issues out there that weren’t reported then if I don’t know about them I can’t do anything about them.”Beth Mahonski, P2 pharmacy and resident of University Commons, voiced her concern over the way the heating problems had been handled, but said that minor problems are usually taken care of quickly. “I just want to say that when we had problems with our heat and had the maintenance men here several times to look at it. They didn’t actually do anything about it until my father called. It’s hor- rible that it takes a parent to call to get things done around here. Most of the other problems we have had have been taken care of without any trouble, like when our toilet broke and if our light bulbs go out,” she said. While University Commons has had its fair share of complaints, there are other resident students also barking about their dorms’ hindrances. Sherri Homanko, sophomore pre-pharmacy and resident of recently purchased University Towers, has complained about the elevators breaking down on numerous occasions. “Public safety is well aware of the problem that is going on. There is always at least one of the two elevators broken down. A few times already this year, both elevators have been broken. The only access to the building if both elevators are broken down is if someone walks down the stairs and props the door open,” said Homanko. Michael Zack, freshman undeclared major and resident of Sterling Hall, said, “I noticed something leaking from the third floor hallway extremely close to one of the fluo- The Beacon/Nick Podolak A mop bucket captures a leaking ceiling in the basement of Stark Learning Center. With the recent abundance of snow, many buildings and residence halls on campus have been hit with water leaks and heating problems. Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services, urges all students to report any issue no matter how minor. rescent lights. I knew this was dangerous and went back to double check that it was indeed water dripping by the light. However, when I want back the second time it had stopped. There was a water stain on the ceiling tile and a wet spot on the floor where this had occurred. I haven’t seen it since and I didn’t see the need to tell anyone about the problem, but if it happens to continue I will report it.” Stephanie Gerchman, freshman elementary education major and resident of Slocum Hall, also spoke about water leakage problems. “Last semester, in our shower, there was always water dripping from the ceiling. The boys’ bathroom is directly above our bath room, therefore the water had to be coming from their shower, which is really gross. There was also always a puddle of water in the middle of the floor,” she said. “I called maintenance and they said they would send someone over. A month later and still there was nothing. I told my RA and I’m not sure if she called, but I called again and they finally came and fixed it. They did leave the ceiling boards down for weeks though so when you looked up in the shower you saw wood beams and stuff,” said Gerchman. Kacy Muir, junior English major and resident of Catlin Hall, actually enjoys her dorm despite some minor problems. “It is an old mansion and it is to be expected that there are minor problems with it. The room gets cold every once and awhile but the heat is always on high, whether we want it or not. There are rare times when water from the rain comes through our door, which we filled with bags, but the door leads to a fire escape for safety. We also haven’t followed up with maintenance to fix the door so that is a fault of our own,” she said. Catlin Hall’s Resident Assistant concurred. “Personally, I feel that the conditions of the dorms, especially Catlin, are adequate,” said Alison McDonald, sophomore pre-pharmacy major. Bailey added that reporting any problem is of utmost importance. “What I would ask is that the students report these types of issues. The university has no problem stepping in and actually doing whatever it takes for the students. We want to be honest, we want to be open. We are willing to face our errors, but we’re getting hit with things that aren’t correct,” he said. �NEWS FEBRUARY 26, 2007 RESIGN from FRONT PAGE Gilmour also noted how difficult it will be to find a replacement for Byers because his background and education offered the unique combination of skills that could serve in the capacity of both university’s lawyer and chief financial officer. When asked if these two positions will continue to be connected, Gilmour said, “My bet is, it won’t be … [it] depends on who it is.” Michael Frantz, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Services, said, “The daily contact and collegiality that he and I have, I will sorely, sorely miss. And I hurt for the institution, because Scott has brought great expertise, wonderful leadership, confidence, and financial stability.” Frantz added, “[Byers has] made the financial status and budget development process at the institution a much more open process than it ever was prior to his arrival.” Indeed, when Byers was hired, Wilkes University’s Standard and Poor credit rating was lower and its accounting processes were deemed unstable. The president credits Byers with bringing Wilkes “financial stability.” Of Byers’ many accomplishments during his tenure, Frantz acknowledged, “You can certainly point to the instrumental role he has played in the master plan development, in the Barnes and Noble accomplishment, the move into [UCOM], the purchase of University Towers, the restructuring of our indebtedness to free up money for the institution and all of those financial things. But I think the biggest accomplishment of Scott’s is the confidence he brings to his position at this institution. He is just a remarkable professional, non-judgmental, open to sharing information, open to receiving feedback...almost unprecedented.” During Byers’ years at Wilkes, the office of Public Safety was completely restructured and became a far more visible entity on campus. Byers noted that as far as his accomplishments go, “Public Safety was always one that stuck out, because unless we can provide a safe environment in which to learn, live and play everything else doesn’t really matter.” Byers was also quick to note that, “It was always a team effort.” Byers added that despite his departure, “the machine keeps moving,” and many of the tasks that need to be addressed by his position for next year will not be affected. SG NOTES At the February 21, 2007, Student Government (SG) meeting: Treasurer’s Report The remaining SG funds exist in the following lines: All College: $23,956.62 General: $11,061.00 Special Projects: $2,077.00 Spirit: $3,405.15 Leadership: $4,540.00 Conferences: $16,737.00 Start-up: $3,200.00 New Business The Wilkes University Student Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) requested $800 to hold the first annual Wilkes ASME Car Show to be held on Saturday, April 28, 2007. A motion to table this item to the February 28, 2007 meeting because of confusion over the organization’s advisor failing to sign forms failed with a vote of 16 in favor and 23 opposed. After another discussion SG agreed to grant the organization $400.00 with a stipulation attached saying that if the organization can acquire the funds from their account they must give the $400.00 back to SG. This motion passed with a vote of 21 in favor and 18 opposed. The Wilkes University Society for Advancement of Management request for $3,018.90 to enable 9 (2 seniors, 6 juniors, 0 sophomores, 1 freshman) students to attend a competition in Las Vegas. Total project cost equal $5,854.90, however through fundraising their current account balance as of the beginning of February 2007 was $1,736, which brings the fund request to $3018.90. The advisor will be paying for his own trip.* Alternative Spring Break gave a presentation to SG about what they will be doing this year in New Orleans, as a “thank you” for their funds. David Sborz, sophomore class president, gave a presentation on the renovations that are planned to occur in the Henry Student Center. The project cost will be about $1.8 million and the first phase will focus on the first floor, the carpeting in the old bookstore and possibly sound equipment. The proposed changes include moving Rifkin Byers challenged members of the Wilkes community to stay the course on the strategic plan. “Dr. Gilmour has developed a strategic plan with a lot of thought, a lot of input, a lot of challenges to it.” He advised, “...Just remain disciplined in trying to carry out that strategic plan. And that is tough for a lot of organizations to stay the course when things might not feel that good or might not feel all warm and fuzzy, but to stay the course, because the plan has merits to it, and that’s what I really hope the institution does going forward. And if that’s the case, we will come out a much stronger institution.” Among his best memories during his tenure at Wilkes, Byers recalled opportunities to bond with others. “Two years ago when, I believe Wilkes beat King’s at football...I think it was about 36 to nothing, and Dr. Adams and I were caught chest bumping after we went up about 24 - nothing. So we work hard, but we get along and we have fun with what we do.” On a final note, Byers said, “We have a great focus [at Wilkes]. It’s really about the students and there aren’t that many institutions like that. The Harvards and Yales are great institutions, but they’re not Wilkes either. The relationships, the people, that will continue and the strategic plan will further that.” At press time there was no word as to who will chair the search for a successor. 4 SCREENING from PAGE 2 in a lot of these questions, then you have to realize that ‘maybe I do have a problem,’” she said. The screenings will take place this week starting Monday from 10-12, Tuesday from 11-1, and Thursday from 11-3 in the Henry Student Center, with counselors on hand for feedback on Monday from 10-12 and Thursday from 1-3. “There are some folks walking around on this campus who are in serious trouble who don’t want to do anything about it,” Bohlander said. “People need to act.” While the screenings will remain completely confidential, students can anonymously take and receive feedback from an online version on the test for depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders at http://course.wilkes.edu/PsiChi/ MHS Feel like you may have an eating disorder? Worried about a roommate or friend? Contact the Campus Counselors Center located on the first floor of Evans Hall at 408-4732. into the old bookstore with double the seating. The game room will become the tri-council office, and the information desk area will move to the center. The new location for Rifkin Café will allow for outdoor seating and will also open up the door to having a grill since there is ventilation. The new Rifkin Café will also have a stage with soft seating like that by the fireplace, which will remain untouched. This plan will be set into motion shortly after graduation and should be finished by the start of the 2007 fall semester. David Sborz, who made the presentation, also assured SG members that their money was being dispersed throughout campus in other projects such as the renovation of some residence halls and improvements being made in Breiseth and at the Ralston Field Complex. Danielle Namiotka, junior class representative, gave a presentation on the university’s budget. This presentation included the renovation and maintenance of several buildings (Weckesser Hall, Max Roth Center, Conynham Hall, Breiseth Hall, Annette Evans Alumni House, Henry Student Center, Martz Gymnasium, Farley Library) along with the demolition of several buildings (Passan Hall, 247 S. Franklin Street, 258 S. River Street, Human Resources Building). A possible explanation for the demolition of these buildings included the discussion of a new Science and Health Building. SG voted to allow for $300.00 to be spent on decorations and candy for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This motion passed with a vote of 35 in favor, 1 opposed and 2 abstained. The budget for Winter Weekend was also presented with total cost coming to $4,305.48. As an update to Spring Fling, it was announced that the glasses for the event have been ordered. A discussion was held about school organizations advertising alcoholic drinks or clubs who serve alcohol on campus. A policy is in place prohibiting the advertisement of alcohol on campus. Events High School Leadership -Riverside 9am UCOM- Feb. 22 Winter Weekend Club Reports Programming Board: Justin Kredible performed, psychic Mad Man Jim Karol will be here in March. * = Action will be taken at next meeting. �NEWS FEBRUARY 26, 2007 PROVOST from FRONT PAGE they fit with the priorities of the institution,” she continued. After discussions surrounding research and different staffing issues, Fathe tackled the issue of diversity at Wilkes. “I am a big believer in increasing the diversity of an institution because I think students need that variety of perspectives, particularly when you have the sort of student body that you [Wilkes] have who comes out of a background where they may not of had that sort of thing… I think it goes beyond just ethnicity. I think there are lots of things about diversity that you want to go after. You need resources, but I think it’s also about having a climate that people feel valued in… It’s not just about that there is nobody who looks like me, it’s that there is nobody who thinks like me,” said Fathe. Fathe then discussed the importance of technology in education. “I am a big fan of working with what is called blended courses, where you have some face to face time and then do other things electronically because I think most traditional-aged students… need that personal contact and MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I somebody is going to care whether they do the work or not.” Fathe also suggested what she called online office hours. “It’s not just I’ll answer this student’s email, but I will be here at this particular time and I will take all your questions and you will get essentially an immediate answer.” As with Fathe, the second candidate for provost, Dr. C. Reynold Verret, also spent two days on campus from February 12-13. Verret is the current Dean of the Misher College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. “I think one of the things that I do bring is this ability to actually think across a number of disciplines,” said Verret, whose background is in the sciences. “There is not one notion of what an educated student should be, but what a Wilkes graduate should be… but that is something the faculty needs to decide what is an educated Wilkes graduate and what should he or she look like,” said Verret in response to a question on a liberal arts and interdisciplinary education. Verret was asked what challenges he sees for Wilkes University. “The perception that I am hearing is that faculty are concerned ROWNIE FREE ITV that they are not heard and that everything is top-down. That perception, even if it’s just a perception, is something that needs to be addressed,” he said. Fathe and Verret join Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, who visited campus in late January, as the three finalists for provost. Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs and Chair of the Provost Search Committee, explained the next feasible steps in the process. “The Search Committee is scheduled to meet February 28 to prepare its final report on each candidate for President Gilmour. Dr. Gilmour will review our report and then make his decision as to whom he will offer the position. Before Thursday, the Committee will be doing additional reference checking and reviewing the feedback received from the campus community,” said Adams. The new provost is expected to take office in summer 2007. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Dr. C. Reynold Verret speaks during a question and answer session. Verret joins Dr. Laurie Fathe & Dr. Timothy O’Rourke among the three finalists for provist. Wilkes-Barre Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies Expires 10/8/06 5 I 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �Opinion FEBRUARY 26, 2007 6 Anti-Feminism 7 Thin Ice 8 Your Voices 8 Slim chances for third party candidates Beacon Presence brings the important issues to forefront BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD For a moment, consider yourself a future candidate for President. What issues would you highlight as your campaign platform? Many candidates specifically underscore one or two key issues. The environment, healthcare reform, social change and many other issues are brought to light during a presidential campaign season. Sometimes we see people running, even from the Democratic or Republican parties, and wonder: why? What chance do the more obscure candidates have of making it to the Oval Office? Case in point: the former Governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack, was among the first to throw his hat in the ring for the 2008 presidential race. He is also the first to withdraw, and his explanation last week was that he was simply out of money. But in his announcement he noted the importance of the message and the fact that the issues he raised are ones we need to pay attention to. And that, is sort of the point. In the history of the United States, no candidate from a third party has ever been elected to the presidency. Basically, there is a slim chance that someone outside the two mainstream parties--Republican or Democrat--will be getting into the White House any time soon. So why go through all the motions of raising funds and wasting time? Aleksander Lapinski .\ell iou \JJl"J 1.1~ ·th:'.. {-w 0 0-\2 Jo~·\- 'o+o~ k'cker 1~-. 11\e',+l,er- ot ~cu_l,o..y\ 1~r°' o.~ .. f rti., ,cX~t least likely to get a single vote for president, other than his own, his choice to try and raise concern for his cause is not without merit. If a man or woman feels that a crisis needs to be addressed, what better way to draw attention? Even though Nader did not win, Al Gore has taken the lead in making a push for change for our planet. The issues brought to light by these “no chance” runners are important and reach beyond the need for a president with that particular platform. Some issues transcend the need for an elected official to give them credit; instead, we need to simply realize that these issues are out there. Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 24responses. The Beacon asked: What’s your favorite urban legend? • • • A Sight for Sore Eyes J \l Ralph Nader, a well-known third party candidate, made a huge splash as the Green Party candidate in the 2000 election. Democrats felt that he divided the party and that contributed to Bush winning. Nader’s key issues were extremely enticing to the socially and environmentally concerned voter. Nader primarily directed focus on environment reform. Granted, there are a select few that tend to go above and beyond bringing problems to the forefront. For example, a declared candidate for the 2008 election is Michael Jesus Archangel. This man’s platform is proving that the United States is actually a theocracy. Though this attempted murderer and former janitor is probably the ou 1 ; ~ ~ Your Voices University vehicles plowed in Dear Editor: On Friday, February 16, Wilkes University Public Safety officials issued a statement urging all students with vehicles parked in University-owned lots to move their vehicles. This statement was made in order to help the Facilities Services department thoroughly and efficiently plow the snow in these parking lots. “Vehicles that are not moved this evening may be plowed in,” officials said. The following Monday morning, I parked my car in the lot behind the Student Center only to discover a vehicle next to me plowed in by mounds of snow- a University-owned blue Kia minivan. It was so pleasant to witness such irony, irony almost as bitter as the snowstorm that necessitated the plowing. Why should Wilkes expect its students to obey the requests of Public Safety when the University cannot do it themselves? Matthew Vanston Senior, computer science major • • • Gang members drive without headlights & kill people who flash theirs -38% Boy dies from eating pop rocks and soda -25% Axe murderer climbs into backseat of woman’s car at a gas station -16% Babysitter receives calls from within the house -12% Other -4% HIV infected needles found in unsuspected places -4% Next Week’s Question: What’s the greatest challenge facing Wilkes University? • • • • • • • • • • Snow removal Finishing expansion projects Parking Physical plant repairs and maintenance Customer service Technology advances High tuition Too many projects Lack of diverse faculty Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �FEBRUARY 26, 2007 OPINION 7 How Beyonce is chipping away at feminism BY KRISTYN OSTMAN Beacon Opinion Editor Beyoncé is destroying feminism. This may sound insane and irrational, but it’s true. She is dangerous because she masks her anti-feminism with her catchy lyrics and well-defined posterior. This realization came to me recently as I was once again attacked by her song, “Irreplaceable,” as it played for the third time that morning on the radio. With my concerns about radio overplay aside, I took the time to listen to the words of the song. For those who have not heard the song, listened to the lyrics or are living in a windowless basement where The Beacon is regularly delivered, it is about a woman who is putting her significant other out. The song warbles the torrid tale of the man driving the car the singer bought him to pick up another woman. As the singer tells him to pack up his things and leave, she explains that she can easily replace him with a new man, who will be by any minute, and she is not missing her ex-lover at all. After all, he’s an ungrateful jerk. Here’s what dawned on me: what did you expect? Of course he cheated. After all, the woman aims to buy him in order to keep him and then wonders why he has zero respect. He knows he’s replaceable. But he will take what he can get as long as he can get it or until he’s offered something better. Basically female listeners are urged to be offended when a man, who has been given no reason to offer respect in the first place, finally (and predictably) betrays a trust. And that’s where the walls of female equality begin to crumble. No feminist-militant or otherwise--would agree with that idea. Okay, I am independent, rich and powerful enough to buy you a car, let you live in my fantastically decorated mansion and when you cheat on me, I’ll just replace you with another guy who is also dying for a sugar mamma. Personally, I can’t afford that on any level, financially or emotionally. How many self-respecting women want to put up a guy until he cheats, and then start over? No one I know. I don’t care how great the sex is; cheating can often result in the innocent party getting an STD, aside from the additional emotional turmoil. (That fact leads me to hope that Beyoncé will be driven to put out a more socially responsible song titled, “How I Got the Clap.”) In general, relationships need equality on all levels…meaning you can’t ingrain in a significant other that they are just another fish in the sea. If people disrespect each other enough to communicate that those around them are “replaceable,” why not just get a dog? It’s cheaper. Men and women are equally entitled to healthy, fulfilling relationships with mental, emotional and physical safety and security provided equally from both sides. O.K., I admit it. I’m not really afraid that this Courtesy of http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/ reflects a shift in female empowerment or relationship trends; I frivolous with their relationships is easy wouldn’t dare give Beyoncé that much and fun. Respect (and all of the perks that credit. But I do wonder if young women in go with it like independence, self-esteem, particular have begun to think that acting etc.) comes with being respectful of others. Citizen movement is changing thoughts about community BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor There is a change going on in the world. More specifically this change is happening in your hands or at your fingertips as you read this. While the change seems to be happening in many fields, it’s quite evident in a specific movement in journalism: a tide of citizen engagement is upon us. This change has been coming for a long time but it never really hit me until last week’s Student Government (SG) meeting here at Wilkes. I was sitting, as I normally do, in the back of the room taking notes, when another student sat down next to me. I am not sure why this student was at the meeting, but I liked seeing another person there who wasn’t on SG. I think more people should come to these meetings (but that’s another opinion article for another time). As I sat there I took notice of the students’ reactions to the things said or presented at the meeting and I started thinking about something I heard at a conference last November: the idea of citizen journalism. Honestly, I have heard about it before in classes but I don’t think I ever truly understood its purpose until that evening at SG. As far as I was concerned a “citizen journalist” was someone who got up one morning to find a pile of dog crap on his lawn. The guy takes care of his lawn, and this “gift” makes him angry. He wants justice; he wants change. But instead of writing a letter to the editor, or calling some complaint line about the situation, he decides to look into how effectively the police are enforcing the “pooper scooper” laws and writes an article for the local newspaper about what he uncovers, ideally influencing future enforcement for all community members. Prior to the other night, this is how I would have defined the notion of “citizen journalism.” I was only partly right. Citizen organized journalism is amazing. Usually I sit in the SG meetings almost disconnected from the fact that there is life outside the Miller Conference Room, but as I sat there with that other person who didn’t “have” to be there and I saw this person’s reactions, I knew what the student cared about. This student wasn’t sitting there thinking what she had to write for the paper this week about the meeting, or how many interviews she needed to get to reach 850 words. Her reactions and questions were real, not ones that were planned or necessarily thought out for a long period of time. What if she wrote down all of those questions that were popping into her head, and then after the meeting I said, “Find the answer to those questions?” That would probably be the most effective and useful interview I have had the privilege to write. At the conference I attended in November, the entire group of journalists who were speaking discussed their fears about this new form of journalism, where the “average Joe” writes the news. But this is where that fine Wilkes education kicks in. In my COM 224 class this week we talked about the fact that when a new technology comes along, the old technology must adapt to stay alive. This concept should also be true for entire professional fields like journalism. For those journalists at the conference who communicated such fears about a citizen army of untrained, new-age journalists jumping off their tractors and leaving their briefcases behind in the subways to fight for their First Amendment rights, the goal should be to forget their formal training about inverted pyramid style and put themselves in the shoes of an “average Joe.” For journalists to make it in a world of emerging “citizen journalism,” they must be the citizens. Today’s journalists need to adjust. Instead of asking what they think their readers should know, they need to ask what their readers want to know. I do want to point out, though, there is a difference between citizen journalism and opinion articles. I am writing this because I aim to persuade my fellow citizens to think as I do. This is an op-ed. Citizen journalism should reflect genuine investigation into what I want and need to know as a citizen and should end up on the news, features and even sports or arts and entertainment pages. If I’m in touch with my community, that, in turn, is also probably what the readers want to know, too. Building community and making positive change through such coverage is the nature of this movement, and it aims to empower those without the official title of “trained journalist.” So, Wilkes community members, take the time to think about what it is you want to see on the pages of The Beacon and pursue it, or talk to us. Make this paper your own. �OPINION FEBRUARY 26, 2007 8 Your Voices Dear Editor: Wilkes University has failed. It has failed the current students that attend this university and it will fail the up and coming students that will be coming here in the fall. Wilkes tried to reform the school rapidly but all they did was waste the money and time of the student body. The administration foolishly spends money in black hole programs and systems that continue to fail time and time again. As the year progresses on, new failures occur and old ones still remain. The students were promised more efficiency in a lot of programs but in all reality, the process has been slowed down. Many of the failures include the Ten East Apartment complex, The UCOM or “warehouse,” the right judgment to declare when school should be off, revisions to various buildings, and the disgraceful greenway. Starting with the Ten East Apartment complex, Wilkes University seems never to have taken the time to actually evaluate the condition of the building they bought. Practically every week one elevator is always broken and needs constant repair, not to mention that the elevators are outdated and need to be replaced and need a major speed increase. Not only with the elevators, but constant maintenance is required for wash rooms and just general repairs. Granted maintenance does their job when asked and do a great job in what they do, but Wilkes in my opinion did not predict this much main- house,” the problems started the minute they opened the building for business. Granted the gym is amazing and provides a lot of benefits for athletes and other activities such as rock climbing and team building. The main area of where the paper work is done is inefficient. about paperwork not getting completed due to lack of knowledge of the employees. How long do students have to wait before all their paperwork gets done and money issues get taken care of? It is not as if I am talking about a few dollars, I am talking about thousands of dollars. The last failure is the new greenway. In turn for destroying precious and needed parking, the university has erected roman columns and tons of foliage. So what true use has come from all this space, a possible statue to President Gilmour? The real truth is extremely slippery walkways and tons of foliage that blocks any use of greenway for events and activities. Overall, Wilkes has truly failed a lot of people, and the student population should be considering whether the administration is truly working for them or against them. Wilkes tried to reform the school rapidly but all they did was waste the money and time of the student body. tenance when they first bought the building. Not only are there building problems, but there is also the constant graffiti and lack of security in the building. Public Safety has a limited supply of officers on the weekend, so in turn they cannot perform their actions required to keep watch on all of Wilkes. Especially on the weekend, public safety is spread thin and can only provide a limited amount of safety. As for the UCOM building, or “ware- When you walk in, the receptionist has some idea of your problem or has no clue; in turn she calls someone who knows further about the problem yet may not even be there. I noticed that many of the staff in that building only work three days or less, hence nothing truly gets done. Paper work and students records pile up and create many problems. I am not the first to say lines in the UCOM are long, and the efficiency of the people working there needs to step up. Fellow students and I constantly talk Mark Leicht junior, history major Walking on thin ice...and paying for it ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Don’t step on a crack or you’ll break your mother’s back-maybe even your own? As the polar-like ice caps from last week’s storm begin to melt, I can’t help but notice students on-campus and patrons at the store are enjoying a few ‘trips’ of their own. Even the slightest ice patch poses a serious threat. As I was walking into the store this weekend, I played hero. I picked my head up just in time to see a middle-aged woman gliding on thin ice. Perhaps, it was my goalkeeper instincts kicking in. I dove to my left (ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little), but I did catch her mid-flight and my support served to avoid a complete wipeout. She acknowledged my Good Samaritan award for the day, and then looked behind her as if the ice appeared out of nowhere. As though she didn’t notice the water trickling out of the rainspouts and the decent sized ice patch that was forming? This tends to be the norm when people fall. They turn around in a Sherlock Holmes-like detective glare wondering where their match, in this case ice, happened to emerge. I give this woman props for actually admitting that she almost took a nosedive. The male student I witnessed slamming his tailbone into the pavement tried to shrug it off like nothing happened. As he laid there sprawled out on the sidewalk he stared around to see if anyone noticed. Just for the record, young man, I did! I’ll admit it. I’ve taken the plunge. However, I’ve become a seasoned, and might I add skilled, tripper. Walking home from Barnes & Noble with my daily dose of caffeine (aka: Starbucks coffee) I leapt onto the sidewalk to find my legs ripped from under me and my coffee held straight in the air. Feel free to call me Grace. In all seriousness, if you find yourself a victim of an unsalted sidewalk on campus, don’t be afraid to report it to Public Safety. There is no excuse to fear for your life upon your route to educational bliss. Unless trouble spots are reported, nothing will be done. My fellow street walkers: be careful of the slick conditions that you may face. Don’t be embarrassed if you happen to take a tumble. We all do it. Get up, do like the song and “brush your shoulders off” and be on your way. However, Courtesy of www.eurekalert.org don’t pretend like nothing happened….someone’s always watching! �FEATURES FEBRUARY 26, 2007 TRIO Day Bethlehem trip 10 11 9 Wilkes University Winter Weekend 2007 The theme of this year’s Winter Weekend festivities was Disney Movies. Teams competed over the weekend in sporting events, karaoke, and a banner competition. All Photos The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Mickey courtesy www.mickey-mouse.com The winning team for 2007 is the Gargoyles. �10 FEATURES FEBRUARY 26, 2007 Upward Bound celebrates National TRIO day at Wilkes BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor in that the program can breathe a sign of relief due to the funding crisis it has experienced the past three years. “The last two years we’ve had this event, it has been right after the President has cut us out of the federal budget. It has been a real rally as far as working our way back into the budget. We have been successful. It’ll be very difficult for anyone to According to Espada, the most intense part of the program is the summer session. The summer program is offered to students following their sophomore year in high school. It is a six-week academic and social interactive program. “It’s a great opportunity to reside on campus to see what it’s going to be like. It’s everything from learning about room- school. “This program helped me with my classes, SATs and the most important thing was my college decision. The program not only helped me academically, but also personally and emotionally. At every step it gave me a chance to improve myself for the better. The whole experience taught me that nothing is impossible in life and also never give up on anything,” said Mukhija. Mukhija adds that her experience with TRIO day in the past has been filled with opportunities to reunite with other graduates of Upward Bound and current members. The eligibility requirements for students involved in Upward Bound are a desire to attain a college diploma but would have difficulty accessing college without the assistance provided by Upward Bound, according to Espada. Specifically, Upward Bound looks for students whose parents have not graduated from a four-year post-secondary institution and whose taxable income is within 150% of the national poverty level. Most high school students feel the pressure of deciding where to attend college-some as early as their sophomore year. But this weekend Wilkes celebrated National TRIO Day and hailed the efforts of one program’s efforts to ease the challenges parents and students face as they navigate the murky waters of the college search. The program not only helped me academically, but also perUpward Bound, a long-standing fedsonally and emotionally. At every step it gave me a chance to eral program which has been a presence on the Wilkes campus since 1967, ofimprove myself for the better. The whole experience taught fers guidance and assistance to students me that nothing is impossible in life and also never give up and families in need of support for colon anything. lege. The program counsels high school students on choosing a college and posParan Mukhija sible career paths afterwards. Classes are freshman chemistry major held every Thursday night which include supplementary academic courses, SAT preparation, and seminars focusing on the steps in applying for college. prove that Upward Bound is not a viable mate issues to taking classes on campus Saturday, Wilkes hosted National TRIO program. There are so many graduates which supplement their high school classday, a celebration the university has initi- that are out there now that are lawyers, es”, said Espada. ated every year for the past four decades. doctors, politicians, sports stars, and artParan Mukhija, freshman chemistry TRIO is an educational opportunity out- ists. We have a strong alumni base,” said major, was involved with Upward Bound reach program that helps assist low-in- Espada. beginning in her sophomore year of high come, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities through high school to college. More than 2,700 TRIO programs serve nearly 866,000 low-income Americans, according to www.trioprograms.org. Peggy Espada, Director of Upward Bound, said National TRIO day at Wilkes consisted of educational workshops, seminars, and keynote speaker, State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski. One segment of the afternoon students broke into groups to disuss leadership. Along with students receiving guidance, parents were also included in workshops focusing on how to advocate and support their children’s journey to a college education. Alumni of the program also met during TRIO day to discuss the celebration taking place this summer for the program’s 40th year at Wilkes. One of the themes of this year’s TRIO day was service to the community. Prior to the event, Espada said, “We’ll be helping a used bookstore whose proceeds go to a woman’s shelter, transfer to a new location. We’ll be doing sort of a bucket The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski brigade, by helping them move all their books into the new location. The workers Wilkes University’s Upward Bound program organized TRIO Day. This year, one theme was service to the community. The of the bookstore are all homeless individ- program helps facilitate students with disabilities, as well as first generation, low-income college students. Pictured far right, uals from the Wilkes-Bare community.” Matt Sowcik of the Sidhu School of buisness talks with students on Saturday. Espada noted that this year is unique �FEBRUARY 26, 2007 FEATURES 11 Wilkes students help keep railroad history on track BY CANDICE HALLIDAY Beacon Staff Writer Thanks to several Wilkes University students, historical foundations that helped build America are not going to be forgotten. On Saturday, February 17, five Wilkes University students, all of who had a profound interest in history, caravanned to the National Museum of Industrial History located in Bethlehem, PA to assist in the preservation of artifacts from the locomotive ship of the Philadelphia, Bethlehem and New England railroad. The museum has a lot of fascinating history behind it. Museum executive Mike Piersca explained, “Until this past month, the building was used as a repair ship for the locomotives that pulled trains on the grounds of the former Bethlehem Steel mill. In its heyday in the mid 20th century, the shop serviced a fleet of locomotives dedicated to moving materials for the steel mill.” Trains also transported things like ingots, semi-finished products, molten iron, iron ore, coal and coke (baked coal). Although the museum has shown great success with its productivity and the railroad has a great future ahead, the new owners were unable to purchase the locomotive repair shop. The lease for the repair shop finally fell in the hands of Sands Beth Works who plans to build a casino. They hope to open in the summer of 2008. Since the museum is not yet open, Piersa explained how they rely on a heavy volunteer corps. Piersca said, “We needed responsible people to help move artifacts to a storage site. The museum asked for recommen- The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Freshmen Pat Hart and Jimmy Kelleher take down hanging baskets in the locomotive repair shop. dations from fellow preservationists and was directed to a Wilkes student, Nick Zmijewski. In addition to a vast knowledge of railroading and museum practice, his organizational skills were invaluable and allowed great progress to be made. The work ethic of Nick and his team from Wilkes was impressive.” Their main mission was to remove artifacts that pertained to the Mill on site to another part of the complex. In the first AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR load, they took items that ranged from paperwork that was abandoned on desks to a blueprint sized drawing inside a glass frame. The also removed hard hats, signs, tools and spare locomotive parts. Removing these items symbolized a great deal of humanism that once existed in the Mill. Piersca described how “preserving items such as the logo emblazoned red hardhats bring a human scale to railroads. The same is true of the paperwork, which reveals practices that would otherwise be forgotten in time.” Students decided to become involved with this project because of the impact these artifacts had on them after taking a tour two years ago. In an interview, Nick Fisher, one of the five students involved with the project, said, “The artifacts are a big piece of history like Beth Steele.” Beth Steele is the woman who formally occupied the National Museum of Industrial History. Furthermore, the artifacts also have a profound impact on the Bethlehem community and the city of Pottstown. Fisher explained, “Beth Steel built everything, including the Golden Gate bridge in Pottstown. We are saving stuff that relates to people’s everyday lives. I’m from Pottstown, so I can relate to this.” These efforts brought forth from the concerns of the Wilkes University students involved with this project shows that history cannot be relived and it is important to cherish the items that still remain. Fisher concluded that, “Once the Casino is gone nothing is going to be the same so it is important to remember what we can.” 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E FEBRUARY 26, 2007 Drum Lessons Dinner & A Movie Crossword This Week in History 12 13 14 15 15 Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama... nab a flight and hotel rooms this late in the game, but according to Susan Gorham, travel consultant at TravelIt may feel like school has just started, world (Market St., Kingsand you haven’t even had time to wear in ton), it can technically be those brand new penny loafers you bought done. Gorham explained last September, but believe it or not, spring that there are occasionally break is almost here. last minute deals that can For some, it may be an opportunity be found, but it all deto log some extra hours at work, but for pends on availability. In many others, spring break is a time for fun, other words, you may sun and sand--or something to that effect. have a shot at sipping Planning a spring break trip is like looking Mai-tai’s on the beach forward to that one shining beacon of hope instead of discounting among all the tests, papers and deadlines jars of pickles at the we drone through every semester. But fig- local grocery next uring out all the details, like where to go week, but luck and and how to get there, can be a bit daunting. good timing may be Have no fear, because the tips and ideas of- necessary. fered here should make that process a little There are, howbit easier. ever, other last minute options According to Karen Monko-Nagle, that do not require as much advanced owner of Sea the World Travel (Wyoming planning as trips to exotic places. MonkoAve., Forty Fort), it is probably too late Nagle said that cruises are a surprisingly to plan a trip to, say, the Bahamas right good option (as long as there is space left) now, since spring break is about a week because one can book as little in advance away. It would most likely be difficult to as the day before the ship leaves, and the prices at that time are often deeply discounted. Gorham did point out, however, that it depends on where the ship is leaving from, because obtaining last-Book early minute airfare to get to that place can be extremely expensive. -Choose all-inclusive Gorham added that Travelworld -Travel with a lot of friends also has travel packages for ski -Look for a resort that is spring resorts in places like New Engbreak friendly land, Vermont and Canada, and -Make sure traveling companions she added that even the Poconos might be a good option for somehave their deposits down one who has a short amount of time to make plans. Additionally, BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Tips for planning a trip: Travelworld also has city packages, such as New York City, that might be another possibility. It’s common sense, though, that waiting this long to book a trip--to anywhere--means that it might be difficult to get certain necessities, like hotel rooms. Because of that, and the short time span one would have to book a trip for this year, basically all of these packages depend on availability. Both Gorham and Monko-Nagle advocated that booking as early in advance is key to getting the best deals and least headaches. They also both mentioned allinclusive packages, where food and drinks might be included. Monko-Nagle noted that although the price for an all-inclusive package might be a bit steeper, it’s worth it in the long run because “at least [you’ll know] you can eat and drink.” She also added that Sea The World offers certain packages that have a “party bus” at the destination, which may take spring breakers from club to club. As far as deciding where to go for spring break, that’s mostly up to the individual. But some popular destinations include Cancun, South Beach, Jamaica and Punta Cana. Gorham warned, however, that there are some hotels that do not accept people on spring break, for fear of too much partying and overall hassle, which is another reason why booking in advance is much easier. She also recommended getting trip protection and making sure fellow travelers all have deposits down so nobody gets stuck with a non-refundable bill. Monko-Nagle also added that remembering to bring a valid passport when leaving the country is vital. International travel rules have recently tightened and now require a passport of all individuals traveling beyond United States borders. And, since getting a passport can take upwards of about six weeks, it wouldn’t be possible to book a Mexican or even Canadian trip for this break if the person doesn’t have a passport. She also advocated taking the trip with a few people to help lower the cost. Overall, spring break can and should be a fun experience to remember, but there are certain precautions everyone has to take to be safe, and there are a lot of details that need to be taken into account. As long as you keep those in mind, it will be all “cocktails and moonlit nights.” You didn’t really expect a spring break article without a Beach Boys reference, did you? Schedule of Events Monday, February 26 -Alzheimer’s panel presentation at 6:30 p.m. in Breiseth 107 -Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte Tuesday, February 27 -Robb Brown and Friends performing at Slainte Wednesday, February 28 -Film: The History Boys showing in the Kirby Center at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. -Sound the Alarm, The Transit War and Until June performing at Cafe Metropolis at 7 p.m. -Go Go Gadget performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 1 -To Outlive the Beginning, Passion, Sun Up/Sun Down and Catapult Rome performing at Cafe Metropolis at 7 p.m. -Celtic Women performing at the Kirby Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2 -Hoods, My Children My Bride, Furious Styles and Landmine performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -Movie Night at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. -Sam I Am performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 3 -21 Rounds, Ambergris, The Project and Trashcan Circus performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -The Irish Tenors performing at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. -Captain Random, Backflip Journeymmen and Precident performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. -DJ Godfather performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. �FEBRUARY 26, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Breaking Benjamin drummer offers spring lessons BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Szeliga, along with the rest of Breaking Benjamin, is currently working to promote their new single, “Breath” and is continuing to gain popularity not only locally but nationwide. Breaking Benjamin is a Wilkes-Barre based quartet that is signed with Hollywood Records and has shared the stage with the likes of 3 Doors Down and Godsmack. For more information regarding the drum lessons or to sign up, please e-mail Joe Rutkoski at joseph.rutkoski@ wilkes.edu. Ph u att Rutkoski !S�A�WRESTLING�COACH��HE�PUSHED�ME�IN�SPORTS�AND�IN�ACADEMICS��!T� THE�NATIONALS�IN�-INNESOTA�HE�TOLD�ME�NOT�TO�BE�OVERWHELMED�BY�THE�SITUATION� AND�THE�CROWDS�ˆ�JUST�FOCUS�ON�THE�OPPONENT�IN�FRONT�OF�ME�AND�GET�THE�JOB� DONE��(E�S�BEEN�THERE�AND�DONE�THAT��)T�WORKED� " 2U�Q�]U^d_b� 3Q\\�CdeTU^d�4UfU\_`]U^d�Qd�h�$!!!� %VERY�7ILKES�STUDENT�SHOULD�HAVE�A�MENTOR�OR�BE�A�MENTOR��� )F�YOU�WANT�TO�PLAY�A�PART�IN�THE�UNIQUE�7ILKES�EXPERIENCE��� CALL�3TUDENT�$EVELOPMENT�AT�X������ ggg�gY\[Uc�UTe�l�!�( co yM !CADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH MENTORING� �*EREMY�����AND�WRESTLING�COACH�*ON�,AUDENSLAGER oto s rte The drums tend to be an underrated instrument. Sure, everyone knows that there are drums in most bands and that without them, a song would sound different, but it’s not likely that most listeners acknowledge how important they are to the sound and heart and soul of a song. So learning how to play the drums could actually be considered a necessity of life-for a musician, that is. Aspiring drummers who may also happen to be Breaking Benjamin fans will have the unique opportunity to take some lessons from one of their heroes this spring, when drummer Chad Szeliga rolls back into town after Breaking Benjamin’s nationwide tour with Nickleback. Szeliga plans to offer lessons to beginning, intermediate and even advanced drummers who are willing to learn from a local artist who has been undoubtedly successful in the past few months. (Being a fan is not a requirement, though.) For about $30 a lesson (probably a small fee for anyone who is really looking to get a solid foundation on the drums), musicians can sign up to learn techniques and skills from Szeliga for about a half hour in his very own studio, with the added possibility of a jam session or two. This is likely to be an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most fans who are also interested in becoming known for their own musical abilities. Szeliga, who lists Guns ‘N Roses, The Police and Stewart Copeland among his influences, hopes to be an inspiring teacher for those who enlist in the lessons and wants others to experience the same success he has had in his music career. He said, “I’m doing [this] to inspire younger drummers and make them set goals that they [can] and will achieve.” In addition to teaching basic techniques, Szeliga plans on “dissecting the kit and breaking it down to teach students the basics.” He added that there is no skill or age requirement to take these lessons-everyone from beginners to those looking to take their drumming to the next level are welcome to sign up. Szeliga does ask, however, that students keep in mind the fact that his schedule is demanding and constantly changing, and so there may be instances when he would be out of town for periods of time. As for how well these “classes” will go over, only time will tell, but it’s likely that there may be a Breaking Benjamin fan or two who is willing to learn the drums for a chance to hang out with one of their very own musical influences. John Polson, senior biology major, doesn’t play the drums but thinks the idea behind the lessons is interesting. “I think it’s cool that, even though he is in a band that’s doing pretty well and is probably really busy, he’s still willing to take the time to teach other people who are interested in learning how to play the drums.” �G9<;5C�E �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 FEBRUARY 26, 2007 ---~Dinner and a Movie I Dinner: Tasty Buffet BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Some restaurants boast about their romantic atmosphere or ambient lighting. Then there are those restaurants that take pride in their obnoxiously over-the-top and energetic servers, or their kitschy themed decor. While Tasty Buffet may not have all of these unnecessary frills, what this restaurant can boast is good food, speedy service and prices that are lower than you’ll find in most other places. At a distance of about a 6 or 7 minute walk from campus, Tasty Buffet is an easily accessible dining alternative for students. And with a lunch buffet that costs $4.95 and lunch combination plates running between $4 and $5, the prices definitely won’t be putting much of a dent in your wallet. Tasty Buffet offers 16 different entrees, such as chicken and broccoli, fried rice and dumplings and two different soups. The only disappointment was that the menu boasts a variety of desserts, yet there were none available. Also, the drinks aren’t included in the buffet price, but then again, when are they ever? My friend Dennis ordered a soda alongside his buffet, which ran his bill to $6.10, but that still keeps the price fairly low. If you are looking for something other than buffet, Tasty Buffet has you covered with countless other options. It is also a take-out restaurant and offers huge orders of Szechuan Beef and Kung Pao Shrimp, which may be too much for a suitable lunch, but if you opt for a lunch special, along with the main meat or vegetable, it includes either pork-fried rice or white rice, and a side of either wonton, egg drop or hot and sour soup. For the health-conscious eater or vegetarian/vegan, Tasty Buffet has a health food section and a vegetable entrée section on the menu. While these items are slightly higher in price than the classic staple entrees, they come with a side of rice and the portions are large. I opted to go on the healthy side, and order a large order of vegetable and bean curd soup. While soup is generally unlikely to fill someone up, they managed to pack enough vegetables in there that it was more than enough for a hearty eater like myself, and it happened to cost only $3.25. It’s also worth noting that my order came out in about 5 minutes or less. In terms of atmosphere, Tasty Buffet is very casual and family-friendly. The tables are a little small, and would probably feel crowded with a large group, but in a group of two, it’s perfectly comfortable. While the décor is pretty simple, as my friend noted, “You just come here to eat, you don’t come here to soak up the atmosphere.” So if you’re a fan of Chinese food, and don’t mind a little walk, Tasty Buffet is a good destination to get your money’s worth. The owner is incredibly friendly, the service is almost instantaneous and they have a rather extensive menu. With the only criticism being small tables and a lack of buffet desserts (although that may be crucial to some), it’s probably one of the best restaurants you’ll find at a distance so close to the school. Grade: A even a name, is quite foreign to this type of film, as it is generally one of the goals of a filmmaker to get audiences to connect with the characters, especially in the “life or death” situations so commonly found in horror films. For those hoping to see a little excitement along with their scares, Feast comes through big-time, as it jumps directly into the action with very little build up and doesn’t stop until the end credits begin to roll. Gore-hounds will be sure to enjoy the film’s relentless, pull-no-punches style, as the motley crew of strangers do battle against the ravenous monstrosities, using anything and everything they can get their hands on as a weapon as heads start to roll and blood begins to spill (spray, spurt and gush). But it’s not just the humans taking all the punishment, as the desperate survivors dish out some punishment on their otherworldly assailants that, in some cases, will have the viewer feel- ing the monster’s pain. In addition to top notch gore and creature effects, Feast also packs a whole lot of genuine laughs, which is what makes it so appealing; one minute it’ll have you hiding your face in horror/disgust, the next it’s got you holding your ribs with laughter. Who knew being eaten alive could be so amusing? As far as horror movies go, Feast’s got it all: good story, great effects, tons of gore and just the right amount of humor. So for audiences tired of the mundane, predictable “thrillers” being churned out, film after film, by Hollywood, consider skipping the theater and heading to the local video store to pick up Feast, which is sure to fill the appetite of even the most voracious horror fan…that is, if you think you can stomach it. Grade: A ...And a Movie: Feast BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer Horror fans rejoice! In a time plagued by lame, watered down PG-13 horror flicks, fans of the genre have been forced to settle for whatever teen-idol ridden garbage the movie industry is willing to give us. Luckily, somebody has finally broken the tired, played-out mold that has seemingly shaped the past five or so years of shock cinema. Feast, directed by John Gulager, offers up something fresh and new, in both his ideas and his delivery of the material, brought to us by Project Greenlight 3 winning screenwriters Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton. Originally offered in limited theatrical release, Feast has thankfully been released to home video, allowing those not fortunate enough to see it in theaters a chance to bask in its 92 minutes of pure, pulpy horror enjoyment. Set in an isolated tavern somewhere in the American Southwest, the film follows a group of strangers who must band together (a la Night of The Living Dead) to fend off a horde of mysterious creatures hell-bent on satisfying their seemingly unyielding hunger, and too bad for our heroes, they fit the bill for the monster’s main course. At first glance this may not seem like the most original concept for a film; however, the manner in which Feast handles its otherwise familiar plot is what makes it such a breath of fresh air. For starters there are no major stars in the film, only a handful of familiar faces such as rocker Henry Rollins, Duane Whitaker (Pulp Fiction), Krista Allen (Anger Management) and Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), who plays himself. Horror buffs may also recognize the bartender as the director’s father, Clu Gulager, from his role in Return of the Living Dead. This lack of star power makes it extremely difficult for the viewer to predict who’s a survivor and who’s going to end up dead meat, which has become all too easy in the genre’s recent years. Another intriguing device used that makes Feast so original is the fact that throughout the film, none of the characters are given a name, settling instead for quirky titles such as Beer Guy, Bartender, Bossman and Coach. Though it has no real effect on the film’s story, the concept of being this removed from the characters who seemingly have no back-story, no motivation, not Sundance Vacations Inc Al cohol M y th B u s ters : -Sports/ Event Marketing! -Flexible Schedule -Weekends & nights a must -GREAT PAY! $100 to $200/day -Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area CALL NOW! 1-800-233-1613 “I can manage to drive well enough after a few drinks” About one-half of all fatal traffic crashes among 18-24 year-olds involve alcohol. If you are under 21, driving after drinking any alcohol is illegal and you could lose your license. The risk of a fatal crash for drivers with positive BACs compared with other drivers increases with increasing BACs, and the risks increase more steeply for drivers younger than 21 than for older drivers. -Sponsored by Health Services Li_ http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword Puzzle BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent 1 5 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 26 30 31 32 36 40 41 43 44 46 47 48 50 52 56 57 58 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 ACROSS Axis of a plant Bakery emanation Broad flat stone Surface a road Prolonged periods of unconsciousness Des Moines state Allies’ foe Mary Kate and Ashley Lab medium Outline of an object A.M. time, for short American Revolution, for example Is present 1984 author, George _____ Distress signal Seabiscuit strap Steady, easy gait for a horse Himalayan country Loud, sudden, explosive noise Common road sign Ice cream holder Long, stabbing weapon Erie, for example Steak sauce Card game Oedipus killed him Whole number “Goodnight, don’t let the ____ bugs bite.” Polite address for a woman Can not be changed Rocky Mountains explorer Style Freud stage Equal Sudden forward thrust Hawaiian flower wreaths Easter prelude Come in Clinton opponent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 25 26 27 28 29 33 34 35 37 38 39 42 45 49 51 52 53 54 55 56 59 60 61 62 63 DOWN Hot baths Danny DeVito sitcom Black hearted Become interlocked In reality or fact Crew participant Leave out Large ray Belongings Popular feline Access a computer Emmy, for example Farm buildings Bird often heard at night Two thousand pounds Spheres Harvest Zinfandel, for example Appointment Black gold Type of soup Deer type Christopher Robin’s friend _____ Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII Sinister look Protector Manipulate fraudulently Lie close and snug TV commercials Urge to action Lacking experience Stolen Repeat on TV Bout of excessive indulgence Camper’s abode Informed Popular cookie Builder’s fastener Do what I say, or ____” FEBRUARY 26, 2007 Answers 2.19 ,. 10 S P " II C I 12 U 13 M N E I A N 0 I '°c o M I 1J This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Staff Writer Brought to you by the History Club February 26 1993: At 12:18 p.m., a terrorist bomb explodes in a parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City, leaving a crater 60 feet wide and causing the collapse of several steel-reinforced concrete floors in the vicinity of the blast. Although the bomb failed to critically damage the main structure of the skyscrapers, six people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured. The World Trade Center itself suffered more than $500 million in damage. After the attack, authorities evacuated 50,000 people from the buildings, hundreds of whom were suffering from smoke inhalation. The evacuation lasted the whole afternoon. February 27 1827: A group of masked and costumed students dance through the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, marking the beginning of the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations. February 28 1953: Cambridge University scientists James D. Watson and Frances H.C. Crick announce that they have determined the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule containing human genes. March 1 1932: Charles Lindbergh III, the twenty-month-old son of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, is kidnapped from the family’s new mansion in Hopewell, New Jersey. March 2 1807: The U.S. Congress passes an act to “prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States...from any foreign kingdom, place, or country.” March 3 1820: After months of bitter debate, Congress passes the Missouri Compromise, a bill that temporarily resolves the first serious political clash between slavery and antislavery interests in U.S. history. March 4 1789: The first session of the U.S. Congress is held in New York City as the U.S. Constitution takes effect. However, of the 22 senators and 59 representatives called to represent the 11 states who had ratified the document, only nine senators and 13 representatives showed up to begin negotiations for its amendment. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http://www.history.com/tdih.do Graphic courtesy of http://alacostacenter.org �SPORTS 16 FEBRUARY 26, 2007 Cumberland Apartments Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. - Brand New Construction - Kitchen with appliances - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �SPORTS FEBRUARY 26, 2007 17 Winter Athlete Senior Tribute Tyler Jenkins Senior Year Stats Games Played: 8 Minutes Played: 19 Points: 6 Rebounds: 4 Mike Sciulara Senior Year Stats Weight Class: 157 Record: 1-5 Duals: 0-1 Falls: 0 Dan Adams Senior Year Stats Games Played: 23 Minutes Played: 567 Points: 141 Rebounds: 140 D.J. Giancola Senior Year Stats Weight Class: 174 Record: 15-17 Duals: 3-5 Falls: 2 BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor in D3 wrestling, but late season injuries and tough losses undermined advances. For the men’s basketball team, the story was the same. While the team was young, there wer still highlights, such as Wilkes’ 66-58 win over King’s here at home on February 13. The two senior members of the team stuck together, kept their heads high and led the team to the best of their ability. Thank you for all of your leadership and contributions. This year’s graduating class of winter senior athletes, although few in number, have made a big impact on their teams. For these seniors, their seasons consisted of many ups and downs, celebration and frustrations, but when it came down to it all were proud to call themselves Colonels. Coming into this season, the wrestling team was ranked one of the top teams in the country Congratulations to all the seniors on their graduation. The Beacon salutes senior athletes for all they have contributed to wilkes athletic teams throughout their years on campus. Matt Carey Career Stats Weight Class: 285 Record: 20-16 Duals: Not available Falls: Not available Keith Altiery Senior Year Stats Weight Class: 285 Record: 5-11 Duals: 3-9 Falls: 1 Brandon Kelly Senior Year Stats Weight Class: 197 Record: 8-2 Duals: 4-2 Falls: 2 �SPORTS 18 BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor FEBRUARY 26, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Nascar: A look into the upcoming season Double Take Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Let’s go racin’, boys! For all you gear heads out there, Darrell Waltrip’s trademark phrase at the Daytona 500 two weeks ago officially dropped the green flag on yet another exciting year of NASCAR Nextel Cup action. But so far down the stretch, there have been plenty of “cautions” to keep your interest during the off week. Now before we even get into the heartpounding climax of the Great American Race, a photo-finish between seasoned veteran Mark Martin and hotshot Kevin Harvick, a couple of issues that took place before the race even began needs some addressing. Daytona 500 “Bone Head of the Year” Award Whether it’s Sterling Marlin getting out of his vehicle to kick in the side of his right front fender, or something else stupid, the Daytona 500 always has its token bonehead. This year, it’s a toss up between Kyle Busch who took out a pack of cars at the end of the race and Michael Waltrip, who unfortunately, was caught with jet fuel in his engine. Unfortunately, this year’s award must go to Waltrip. “Mikey” is arguably the nicest guy at the track (when he actually finds it), and who doesn’t love all of those Aaron’s commercials? However, when you’re representing Toyota, who was making its Nextel Cup debut, it’s probably not the best idea to cheat by putting jet fuel in your intake system. Not only did Waltrip have to explain his inexplicable behavior to his daughter, but it cost him 100 championship points, not to mention the $100,000 that was slapped on his crew chief. So congratulations, Michael Waltrip, you are the Daytona 500 “Bonehead of the Year.” To make matters worse, Waltrip failed to qualify for yesterday’s Auto Club 500 at California speedway. Who really won the Daytona 500? I must admit; I only caught the last three laps of the Daytona 500, but in reality, what else do you really need to see? Just think about all of the great photo finishes of years past that took place on the very last lap of the race: The Cale Yarborough/Donnie Allison demolition derby that ended up in a fist-fight on the greenway, or and the Ricky Craven/Kurt Busch neck and neck fight to the finish in 2003 at Darlington. This year’s Great American Race was no exception. It was thought that Mark Martin would have gotten his first Daytona 500 win and 36th career victory on the penultimate lap of the race when Harvick shot like a rocket from the middle of the nowhere to take the lead. Just before Harvick could take the lead on the final lap, Kyle Busch spun out taking out six cars and bringing out the yellow flag. Now usually the rule of thumb is that if there is a caution on the final lap of the race, whoever is leading at that point in time should be declared the winner. Now I don’t know about anyone else, but does anyone else find it ironic that Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin’s protege when they were both affiliated with Rousche Racing, bumped Busch to the lead of the pack? I was really pulling for Mark Martin here. In perhaps his last Daytona 500 ever, one would think the NASCAR officials would have given it to him. Oh, well. At least he’s not still rolling in the Viagra car anymore. This week offered no further solace for Martin as he lost again on the final lap to of Saturday’s Craftsman Truck series race. Current Nascar Standings 1. Kevin Harvick (190) $1,563,469 2. Mark Martin (175) $1,170,416 3. Jeff Burton (175) $865,216 4. Mike Wallace (160) $615,658 5. David Ragan (155) $529,350 6. David Gilliland (147) $489,764 7. Joe Nemechek (138) $302,008 8. Jeff Gordon (134) $403,497 9. David Stremme (130) $294,758 10. J.J. Yeley (127) $308,541 Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor So normally, the logic I use in determining the winner of the Game of the Week is slightly... absurd. This week, however, I think I’ve actually got a pretty solid line of reasoning behind my opinions. First of all, let me begin this by saying that I don’t know who is racing in this Nascar event, and I don’t really want to waste the time to research it-no offense- so I’m not really offering my choice for the winner this week. I guess I can see why car races would be fun to watch, but I still never got into it, and I don’t really see a purpose for it. The more I thought about it, though, I started to realize-this seems to be a huge waste of fuel and thus an entirely unnecessary strain on our resources. Don’t worry, even though I’m currently very interested in environmental issues, I’m not going to get up on my soapbox and preach to everyone who loves Nascar. I can’t, however, just ignore the fact that this seems to be a colossal waste of our precious resources. We are facing what I’m fairly certain some have deemed to be the 6th mass extinction, and it seems kind of crazy to be spending so much fuel on something that is so minute in the grand scheme of things. Of course, since I haven’t researched it, I don’t really know if Nascar uses some sort of special fuel that is ok for the environment. But I sincerely doubt it. If I’m wrong, then I apologize to the Nascar officials who I’m sure are reading this, but if I’m not, then... they should probably look into changing some things. �SPORTS FEBRUARY 26, 2007 SPRING SPORTS from PAGE 20 have been looking really strong. The young guys are staring to develop and every body on the team is starting to look good and come through with everything,” stated Wozniski. The Colonels will head to Florida on March 4th where they will look to bring their “A” game as they begin their 2007 season. Softball After winning a championship, the next season gets tougher. Every team will put on their best performance just to have the glory of beating the number one team. But when you’re as solid as the Wilkes University lady Colonel softball team, winning is not hard to do. Boys and girls it’s the 2007 season, and last year’s MAC Freeom conference open their 2007 season Friday March 2nd for the Wesleyan Tournament in Virginia Beach. Two-time Freedom Conference Coach of the Year Frank Matthews enters his seventh season as the lady Colonels head coach. Last season, Matthews led the lady Colonels to an impressive 28-15 overall record including winning eleven out of 12 at home. The lady Colonels breezed through Freedom Conference with a 12-2 record leaving them ranked 8th in the entire region under Matthews. “We have a good group of seniors that are excellent ball players. They lead by example and they are doing a very good job.” Speaking of seniors, returing for the lady Colonels is first team Academic All-District II College Division Softball star Laurie Agrestie. Agrestie led the lady Colonels pitching staff with 15 wins and 6 losses. She pitched a total of 139 innings, sent batters back to the dugout 241 times on strikeouts. Leading the lady Colonels offensive attack is sophomore Samantha Evanich who drove in 42 RBIs and 14 HRs. The lady Colonels open the season on a gruesome 10 game road trip. The first six games are played at Virginia Beach, and the final four are in Salisbury, Maryland. The lady Colonels will be in for a fight to the finish in their first three contest where they face three NCAA tournament teams from last year. The lady Colonels finished 2-2 in their NCAA appearance last year. “They all are very good. The first three teams made the NCAA tournament and two of them more of them won 30 or more games. It’s going to be a challenge coming out of the gate and playing teams that good. We think we can play with just about anybody pretty evenly”, said Matthews. It’s time for another exciting season of softball. The lady Colonels will look to pick up where they left off last year as reigning MAC Freedom champions, and come out victorius in their 10 game road trip in the south. 19 The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Colonels baseball team will look to get off to a hot start in Florida on Sunday March 4. Spring 2007 Softball Schedule 3/13 vs. Marywood 3/16 vs. King’s 3/17 @ King’s Gng's 3/21 vs. Muhlenberg hlenber g 3/23 vs. Drew Drew 3/24 @ Drew Drew 3/25 vs. PSU-Berks U-Berks 3/30 @ FDU FDU 3/31 vs. FDU 4/2 vs. Baptist Bible 4/5 @ DeSales 4/9 vs. DeSales 4/11 vs. Misericordia 4/13 vs. Delaware Valley 4/14 @ Delaware Valley 4/16 vs. Moravian 4/18 @ Misericordia 4/19 @ Susquehanna 4/22 vs. Alvernia 4/24 @ Marywood 4/27 @ Scranton 4/28 vs. Scranton The Beacon/Todd Weibel Reigning MAC Freedom Conference champions return to the field for more action on Friday March 2 in Virginia Beach. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 16 The number of times that Freedom Conference Rookie of the Year, Tom Kresge scored in double figures this past season. 5 Place that the Wilkes grapplers earned at the Metropolitan Conference Championships. 6 Total wins for the women’s basketball team this season including 4 of those wins at home. 10 Matches that the Wilkes wrestling team won this season. They ended their season with an overall 10-9 record. �Sports FEBRUARY 26, 2007 20 Colonels baseball and softball teams ready themselves for spring BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Baseball March is just around the corner and that means baseball season is rapidly approaching. The anxiety from all of the off-season practices and preseason talk will cease as soon as the umpire says those famous words, “play ball.” Baseball fans, the time is almost here. Following a strong finish to last season, the Colonels will look bring the heat to Florida as they start their 2007 baseball season. “Last season we finished strong and we’re hoping to build on that going into this season. They (the players) have worked hard, they are ready to go and now it’s time to get on the field and start winning some games,” stated head coach Joe Folek. Folek enters his 12th season as Colonels head coach with 217 wins under his belt. During his WIIIIIIIIIII' ........· tenure as coach, Folek has led the Colonels to a successful season, posting a 28-15-1 record which is the most wins in school history. Not only does he have a winning record, but his coaching strategy has proven effective, sending five players to the major leagues. Folek will look to lead this year’s Colonels to a successful season. “It’s a good group and we’re expecting to do very well this year. I think our biggest strong point is going to be our offense. We have a couple veteran guys, Chris Mayerski, Kyle Follweiler, Brad Wozniski, that are now in their junior year and have been all conference players. We are expecting them to continue to do well and have a number of the new and old guys fall in line with them to have a good season,” said Folek. The Colonels capped off last season with a 19-14-1 record and were 7-11 in the Freedom confer- ence. Despite the fact the Colonels finished under .500 in the conference and did not reach the playoff contention, they won eight of their last ten games. Leading last season’s offensive attack for the Colonels was returning junior from Swoyersville, PA, Chris Mayerski. He managed to bring in 43 RBI’s for the Colonels, and smacked a total of 10 balls out the park. Mayerski will prove to be a problem for the rest of the league. The Colonels football and baseball beast Kyle Follweiler will also be top priority on opponents scouting report after batting .383 on 133 times at bat. Colonels pitcher/catcher Brad Wozniski will also look to lead the Colonels to victory with effective batting. Last season Wozniski turned 30 hits off of 85 at bats. “Im real thrilled about this season. So far, at the UCOM we See SPRING SPORTS page 19 The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes University’s softball and baseball teams get ready for their season. Campus Calendar, Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH All Week: *Sudan: The Cost of Silence, Sordoni Art Gallery *The Later Works of William Utermohlen, Sordoni Art Gallery ginia Wesleyan Tournament Thursday 3/8 *Crucial Conversations, - 1:00 p.m. Woodlands Inn & Resort 9:00 a.m. Saturday 3/3 *Women’s softball @ Vir- *Women’s lacrosse @ Bryn ginia Wesleyan Tournament Mawr - 4:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday 2/26 Friday 3/9 *Alzheimer’s Panel Presen- Sunday 3/4 *Crucial Conversations, tation, Breis 107 - 6:30 p.m. *No events scheduled. Woodlands Inn * Resort 9:00 a.m. Tuesday 2/27 *Women’s softball @ SalisMonday 3/5 *No events scheduled. *Women’s softball @ Aver- bury Tournament - 10:00 a.m. ett - 10:00 a.m. Wednesday 2/28 *No events scheduled. Saturday 3/10 Tuesday 3/6 *Women’s softball @ Salis*No events scheduled. Thursday 3/1 bury Tournament - 9:00 *No events scheduled. a.m. Wednesday 3/7 *Sales development: ClimbFriday 3/2 ing the Sales Ladder, UCOM Sunday 3/11 *Women’s softball @ Vir- - 8:00 a.m. *No events scheduled. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming W ILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. - There was no winner from last week’s campus photo. Next week’s prize will be $20. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 February 26th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 February 26 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/087a8ad06ac2b484118e31dd952d7dc7.pdf 71af9bacedee9408aba65d924c29af0e PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 17 www.wilkesbeacon.com MARCH 19, 2007 Wilkes mourns two legends BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor George F. Ralston 1917-2007 Within hours of one another, two Wilkes University legends died earlier this month. On Monday, March 5, and again yesterday the Wilkes community bid adieu to Thomas Arlington Bigler and Dean George Ralston respectively. Thomas Arlington Bigler, professor emeritus (1921-2007) Bigler, professor emeritus and pioneer in local broadcast news, died on Friday, March 2, in the Heritage House Hospice in WilkesBarre. He was 85. “Tom not only taught hundreds of students and changed lives because of the kind of influence he had, but he was a voice of conscience and reason when the Wilkes community struggled on particular issues,” said associate professor of communication studies Andrea Frantz. Recognized by many area natives for his deep coverage of community and national issues, as well as local news stories such as the Agnes Flood of 1972, Bigler served as News Director with WILK-AM radio, WNEP-TV, and WBRE-TV before retiring in 1986. He then joined the Wilkes University communication studies program as its endowed chair and professor of journalism, where he quickly established close ties with colleagues and students. Communication studies professor Bradford Kinney noted, “We were a one man tag-team. Tom was instrumental in finding the funding for the Thomas Shelburne Television Studio.” The state-of-the-art studio has offered Wilkes students an enviable space for learning the ropes in broadcasting. “He was one of the finest men I have ever known, the type of guy who would do anything for anybody...He will be sorely missed at this university,” added Kinney. Wilkes alumna Sarah Herbert, who took a senior seminar in ethics with Bigler, recalled chatting with him on daily university shuttle bus rides to and from the Ralston Thomas Arlington Bigler 1921-2007 Field, and remembered him as an influential force in her life. “Tom was a great asset to the Wilkes community. He was always willing to share his journalism experiences with his students and had such a great enthusiasm for the youth in the community. Most of the communications students looked up to him, but he was always very modest about his achievements,” she said. Over a period of just a few days in the fall of 1998 Bigler’s eyesight failed dramatically over just a few days due to wet macular degeneration, a condition caused by scarring due to blood vessel leakage near the optic nerve. Bigler’s drive to address community, national and international issues, however, was undeterred as he continued to write a Sunday column for the Times-Leader with the help of Frantz, who transcribed his words. “I think God brings people together for a reason, and the loss of his eyesight did bring us together,” Frantz said. “Tom dealt with the loss of his eyesight with more grace than most people deal with the common cold.” Despite his blindness, Bigler continued to teach full-time and stay abreast of the latest ethical issues in the news. Many Wilkes and Wilkes-Barre residents know of Bigler’s countless contributions to his communities. But few know of his service to the United States in World War II. In 1942 Bigler joined the U.S. Army Air Force (ATC), and was stationed all over the country and eventually in India. Bigler’s communication skills were quickly put to test, and may have saved the life of his best friend David Baltimore while flying over the hump from India to Burma. See LEGENDS page 4 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS MARCH 19, 2007 2 Alcohol Ad Campaign Legends 2 3 4& 5 University officials consider alcohol policy revisions BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Edior Wilkes university officials are currently reviewing some of the school’s alcohol policies, Mark Allen, Dean of Student Affairs confirmed recently. The reason, he noted, was because, “There has been an increase in the number of on campus alcohol violations this year.” Allen added, “The policy is periodically evaluated, and given our changes in alcohol education through the use of alcoholEDU, we felt it appropriate to review the policy at this time.” AlcoholEDU is a program that all Wilkes freshmen must successfully complete and involves a comprehensive test of knowledge about substance abuse as well as training sessions. Students who fail to complete all of the requirements of the program receive punishment in the form of an alcohol violation and a fine. The proposed revisions came on the heels of a discussion at a recent Student Government (SG) meeting on vendor alcohol advertisements. Philip Ruthkosky, Director of Student Development, said, “As per the student handbook, Wilkes University ‘does not encourage the use of alcoholic beverages by students. The University respects the rights of individuals who are 21 years old who decide to use alcoholic beverages, but is greatly concerned about the misuse and abuse of alcohol.’” Ruthkosky added, “The Student Affairs cabinet is currently in the process of examining the current policy in regards to student clubs/ (i.e. by bracelets) and the event must be approved in advance by the Office of Student Affairs,” Ruthkosky said. Allen concurred, “The University has typically held events (Homecoming, Spring Fling) where there are those present who are not of age to drink. Special precautions are discussed with the owners of the establishment to clarify the University’s expecta- This is an area where we are looking to modify policy in the best interest of our students. - Mark Allen Dean of Student Affairs organizations sponsoring functions at local establishments that serve alcohol where underage students are permitted entrance and local bars/establishments attempting to sponsor fundraisers to promote business. “[Currently] at University events where the participants are of mixed age, those of legal drinking age must be visibly identified A l c o hol My th B u st er s: “ I’d be better off if I learn to ‘hold my liquor’ ” If you have to drink increasingly larger amounts of alcohol to get a “buzz” or get “high,” you are developing tolerance. Tolerance is actually a warning sign that you’re developing more serious problems with alcohol. -Sponsored by Health Services Li_ http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp B tions of complying with the law.” But, Allen acknowledged that there is a problem with some local establishments that do not conform to the law. “Recently, clubs and organizations have been sponsoring events at establishments where I question enforcement of the law. This is an area where we are looking to modify policy in the best interest of our students.” He then added, “my concern is that Sffice l 887 artik'?~i, WILKES UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FACULTY STAFF these organizations are not complying with the law, my hope, is that all are complying.” Also mentioned during the discussion at SG was the fact the some organizations are providing advertisement for local bars and clubs through them. Ruthkosky pointed out that currently, the university already requires that before a poster or flyer is display in the Student Center it must be approved by the Student Development Office. Alishia Allegrucci, a freshman student at Wilkes told The Beacon what she thought about the current policy on alcohol and flyers. “I think it’s a good thing because it would influence more underage drinking and wouldn’t be doing anything to help underage drinking which I think the school wants but then on the other hand I think it should be allowed for the students who are over 21.” Jonathan McClave, a senior mechanical engineering and business administration major simply said that, “I strongly oppose bars advertising on campus.” Specifics on the revision of the alcohol policies have not been identified at this time. All that is known is that they will be looking at the current policy to find where they can improve. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Receive a 15% discount ...on a new purchase at Bartikowsky Jewelers when you present your: MOVIES 14 Ticket Stub AND This Ad * Not Valid On Sale Merchandise, Special Orders, or Combined With Other Discounts * Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NEWS MARCH 19, 2007 New university ad campaign garners national attention 3 Marketing appeal focuses on individual messaging BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor Who hasn’t dreamed of attaining that elusive 15 minutes of fame? Here’s one way to make it happen: apply to Wilkes University. Still don’t believe it? Just ask six area high school seniors who have applied to Wilkes for the fall’s freshmen class. Their names are plastered across billboards, printed on kiosks in malls, animated on MTV, and flashed across the screen on the ever popular website, Myspace. And everyone is taking notice. This personalized appeal is all part of Wilkes University’s new adverising campaign, “A Majority of One,” that is designed to “increase the university’s name recognition, highlight our special mentoring culture, and demonstrate the personal attention students receive from Wilkes faculty and staff.” Jack Chielli, executive director of marketing communications, described the reasoning behind the new campaign. “We never really ran an undergraduate marketing campaign before. It was mostly through direct mail. Therefore, after the university did research with branding, my department rethought what we would say in ads to show that we pride on close relationships with students at Wilkes,” he said. Chielli continued, “We wanted to rebrand the college as a mentoring institution and gain more name recognition.” Wilkes’ marketing communication department combined with 160over90, the university’s public relations representative based in Philadelphia, to create the unique campaign. Jim Walls, associate creative director at 160over90, said, “Because there are only 2600 students at Wilkes, it is smaller than a lot of high schools. When we first started working with Wilkes we realized that you get a different level of personal attention and our idea was based on that.” “In some places, a lot of people haven’t heard about Wilkes. thing and everything where people would pay attention. 160over90 sent a graphic designer and a writer on a road trip from Philadelphia to Wilkes-Barre to find advertising options close to their local high schools. Walls said they were “detailed in how we selected everything.” One example of a smith e an ,, Our number one goal was to build awareness. This [ad campaign] is a chance to get attention for Wilkes that you wouldn’t normally get,” said Walls. The team selected six students who had been billboard advertisement that has caused some buzz focuses on Tyler Behlke, a senior from Wyoming Area High School, reads “Tyler BehlkeNot every accepted to Wilkes and seemed to be a good fit for the university, but had yet to sity doesn’t take out a billboard for every student.” Another, featuring Megan Smith, a senior at West Scranton High School, exclaims “Megan Smith- At Wilkes University, we’ll help you become a journalist. Lesson One: Get used to thousands of people reading your name.” While Smith is still deciding between her choice of colleges, Behlke had decided to enroll in the pharmacy program here at Wilkes. Through this campaign, Wilkes has seen an increased interest in the university. “We have heard that high school students [at those of the six students featured in the ads] are all talking about Wilkes,” said Chielli. While Chielli said that it is still “too early to notice an effect in admissions” for an advertising campaign that has only been running for 4-5 weeks, he said the main benefit is that “we’ve got people talking about Wilkes.” The advertising campaign has garnered Wilkes national and local attention. Articles have appeared in The Citizen’s Voice, The Times Leader, the Standard Speaker, but perhaps most notably garnered attention in a two-page analysis story in The New York Times by prominent advertising writer, Stuart Elliott. Chielli said, “It has a lot of benefits and it has been rewarding. If you can get paid media to create free media, it’s an added bonus. You can’t pay for a New York Times article. These articles give the campaign more legs.” He added, “I think it really helps the university raise its reputation and be known in the northeast United States as an institution doing some really great things.” ''Kate Murtaugh ' decide to enroll or not. Walls explained, “We started talking about finding high school students that were right for Wilkes and make them celebrities in their hometown.” After asking permission to use their names, Wilkes began putting them on any- student excels at calculus like you do. But then again, Wilkes Univer- �NEWS MARCH 19, 2007 4 At right: Tom Bigler in full uniform during his tenure in the U.S. Army Air Force. Bigler flew over the hump between India and Burma. Courtesy of the Wilkes Amnicola George Ralston posing in one of his signature bow ties as the Dean of Student Affairs. Ralston took over the position in 1960 after initiating the school’s very first athletic program. Photo courtesy of the Bigler Family The Beacon/Nick Podolak Above: Wilkes University former Dean of Students Jane Lampe Grohe speaks at a memorial service held in honor of George F. Ralston at the First Presbeterian Church in Wilkes-Barre. Many Wilkes faculty and staff were in attendance to pay homage to the father of Wilkes athletics. At right: Bigler conducts one of many interviews while serving as News Director at WNEP-TV. Photo courtesy of the Bigler Family �NEWS MARCH 19, 2007 5 LEGENDS from FRONT PAGE At the memorial service, Ralston’s son look out onto the visitors’ stand without Dean George F. Ralston, father of John, described his father’s ritual of wak- thinking of him. I will never again walk Wilkes athletics (1917-2007) On Baltimore’s birthday, Bigler prepared to present him with a birthday cake. When Baltimore’s plane didn’t return from a mission, however, Bigler, sensing a problem, immediately took action and began to contact various authorities to find his friend. They discovered that Baltimore’s plane had, indeed, crash landed into a mountain; however, thanks to quick response time, something unheard of in that area due to the sheer number of planes that were downed, Baltimore and his crew were rescued and eventually returned to base. Once he returned from his military service, Bigler launched what was to become a storied career in radio and eventually television. He was perhaps best known at WBRE for his daily editorials on issues such as the environment, public education, taxes, regionalization, and international relations. Bigler was also active in a variety of community services as a board member including, but not limited to, the Association for the Blind, the Osterhout Library, Family Service Association, the League of Women Voters, and the Jewish community. While Tom Bigler made his mark on the Wilkes community with an accumulation of “small littles,” George F. Ralston, affectionately known for years after his retirement simply as “The Dean,” is widely heralded as a giant whose shoes may never be filled by a single individual. Known for his compassion, a distinctive southern drawl and an affinity for bow ties, Ralston was dubbed “The Father of Wilkes Athletics” for starting the program in 1946, coaching World War II vets who came to school on the G.I. Bill. In the advent of the sports program, he coached football, basketball, and baseball. After retiring from coaching in 1960 to become the Dean of Student Life, it was not uncommon to see Ralston riding his blue bike with its wire basket big enough for bags of groceries, around campus on his daily commute from his Mallory Place apartment. “That was his mode of transportation. You always knew the Dean was in the office because his bike was always parked in the driveway,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Paul Adams. MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks, CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I FREE BROWNIES Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I ing his children with “Rise and shine!” He would then get on his “sky blue Schwinn” and, whistling Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (“Joyful Joyful”), ride off to work. Working as the Director of Residence Life under Ralston’s supervision for seven years, Adams truly had the chance to bond with “The Father” before succeeding his chair in 1986. “One of the great gifts of my life was to work with him,” Adams said. “There are few individuals that one can encounter in their life who are as uniquely talented as he.” Though former President Christopher Breiseth could not attend Ralston’s memorial service yesterday because he was on a long-planned family trip, he did send remarks that were read. In his remarks, Breiseth noted that Ralston Field, the main athletic field for the University, was the first entity to be named for a living staff or faculty member. Also, at the memorial service, Jane Lampe Groh, former Dean of Students and longtime friend of Ralston, acknowledged that Ralston’s physical presence was palpable for many. “I will never again stand on the hill at Ralston Field at a football game and into Marts gym and not look for him in his spot in the bleachers.” Ralston’s sons rounded out the picture of the man with descriptions of his powerful presence as a father and role model. To a person, all who knew him mentioned his hearty, genuine, whole body handshake and the fact that he remembered every name and detail of every person he met. Ralston’s passion for Wilkes athletics never died as he continued his beloved “Ralston Cheer” at most football games. Starting at one end of the bleachers towards the end of the game, Ralston would get down on his knees, initiating a “Go Wilkes!” volley that shook the entire stands with a crescendo effect. He would then sprint to the other side of the bleachers and repeat before capping off the rant with an exclamation mark on a band member’s bass drum. “It will be one of the enduring memories that people will have of George. Nobody was more faithful to Wilkes. Nobody. The Cheer was just something that everyone looked forward to and he was the only one who could get away with that. I don’t think anybody dared to try and emulate him,” Adams. Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �Opinion MARCH 19, 2007 6 Smoking ban 7 Religious ignorance 7 A Sight for Sore Eyes 8 Humanitarian intervention turns foreign policy into social work BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Freedom is never free. We have heard this referenced for hundreds of different political and social issues. The problem with this simple statement is that it does not express the very real effects earning freedom has on a people and a culture. In ethnic conflict situations, it is better to change minds through education and diplomacy than through militaristic solutions. Violence breeds more violence and in the end, all that occurs is a greater loss of life, resources and time. There will always be problems in the world that we feel the need to “fix.” We respond emotionally to hearing terrible human rights violations, for example, the ethnic cleansing in Darfur. As Americans and as humans, we find it to be an abomination, a total contradiction of all that is moral and right. Though we can never truly understand the pain of others being senselessly murdered, our hearts go out to them. Unfortunately, we must at some point come to realize that it is A Sight for Sore Eyes the responsibility of the leaders of those countries for the condition of their nation, not outsiders. There is only so much we can do. No military can intervene on a human rights violations and change the climate of the country which bred the conflict. In other words, while we can stop the violence temporarily, a permanent solution really comes down to developing a new line of thought and respect for life, ethnicity and way of life within the nation. A militaristic agenda to control the situation would be the worst attempt at a solution. Forcing freedom is im- Aleksander Lapinski -r ~~ ft,. 0 \t) 'o ~ 00 cf ou.S -\:---rcof tk l'\:JJ~€-,.+ -_~1/. . 4-----~ · - I_ .. _ _ • ~I,\ w;~£"'v.1 o..l\ ~ L A.,,°' possible and would result in the greater loss of life including our own soldiers. An entire culture of people is raised in a tradition of repression and genocide is not capable of maintaining freedom that is handed to them. To fight for it, and then win freedom helps a people to truly appreciate the meaning and continue to uphold it. A more proactive solution would be to educate. In addition, it is physically impossible to ensure the rights of every person on the planet, especially when these rights are taken to astronomical levels. The only way to ensure everyone in the world is able to receive the rights of many western states is to westernize and democratize the rest of the world. However, this totally destroys other cultures and creates an ethnocentric environment. If our goal is to protect a people, we must understand that it encompasses their entire history, culture and way of life. If we go in and destroy everything that makes a culture unique, we are doing nothing more than belittling them and insisting a western approach is the only “right way.” In order to put a complete halt to the problems within the state, the state must reform itself. No amount of help from the outside world will ever fully accomplish what needs to be accomplished in order to stop the disarray within the state. This does not mean that we cannot make an effort to help using less politically charged organizations. The Red Cross and Amnesty International are groups that gear their agendas more toward the aid of the people. We can do our part to rebuild a community but the challenge is realizing that doing so requires putting the time in. Ethnic conflict is not solved overnight, it takes years and getting separate parties to even agree to negotiate is just the beginning. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 59 responses. The Beacon asked: What’s the greatest challenge facing Wilkes University? • • • • • • • • • • High tuition -20% Finishing expansion projects -18% Too many projects -14% Physical plant repairs and maintenance -12% Parking -10% Lack of diverse faculty -8% Other -8% Technology advances -6% Snow removal -2% Customer service -2% Next Week’s Question: What is the best kind of bottled water? • • • • • • • • • • Dasani Evian Dannon Poland Spring Figi Nestle Deer Park Aquafina Perrier Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �OPINION MARCH 19, 2007 7 Smoking ban in public spaces healthy move for W-B BY CHRISTINE ZAVASKAS Beacon Correspondant It seems that cigarette smoke is everywhere. It’s there when I’m walking to class and get stuck behind someone who is oblivious to the cloud of smoke they are blowing in my face. It’s there when I go to work at a local restaurant and wait on tables in the smoking section. It’s also there when I enter a building and have to wade my way through the crowd of smokers taking a last drag while creating a haze of pollution by the doorway. Despite the now common knowledge of what smoking does to a person’s health, many people continue to light up. Not much more can be done in the fight to convince smokers of the danger they are in, but in the area of secondhand smoke many are ignorant of just how harmful it can be. As a result, the city of Wilkes-Barre and many other cities nationwide do not sufficiently protect their citizens from harmful exposure to cigarette smoke. According to the WNEP website, in his recent budget address Governor Rendell mentioned his wish to ban smoking in all restaurants, bars, and workplaces in Pennsylvania. However, this is likely to take months if not years, and in the meantime all nonsmokers continue to be in danger. When someone comes into contact with secondhand smoke, the risk that they are put at is significant. According to The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General, nonsmokers are 20-30% more likely to develop lung cancer and 25-30% more likely to develop heart disease when exposed to cigarette smoke. There are also numerous other health risks that can occur, many of which researchers are still learning about. There is no doubt that secondhand smoke is dangerous, but our city has thus far failed to protect nonsmokers from unwillingly being exposed to this threat. One common misconception people have is that since their exposure to secondhand smoke is only in public for brief amounts of time, they are not at risk. These people consider secondhand smoke to be a concern only for those who live with smokers. This has been proven false. Recent studies show that limited exposure to secondhand smoke still causes immediate damage. A section from the same June 2006 Surgeon General’s Report states, “Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.” This report also concluded that there is no amount of exposure to secondhand smoke considered safe, even small amounts can damage your health. According to the American Lung Association, 3,400 nonsmokers die in the United States each year from illnesses caused by secondhand smoke. Although many citizens of our country do not have knowledge about this danger to their health, it is clear that our government does. This gives it the responsibility to do everything it can to ensure these deaths stop happening. Unlike those who make a conscious decision to smoke, those who are involuntarily exposed to the chemicals in cigarettes need and deserve protection through new legislation. There are some who oppose the idea of banning smoking in all public places in Wilkes-Barre. Restaurant and bar owners claim that they will suffer decreased profits if patrons are not able to smoke in their establishments. This may occur in the beginning, but eventually smokers will still want to go to out to eat and they will return to the restaurants and bars. Also, those who are currently aware of the harm that secondhand smoke does will begin to patronize these places more, now that their health is not at risk. There is even the chance that people in our city will be healthier in the future and live to spend money at restaurants and bars for a longer amount of time. Some smokers complain that they are being discriminated against. This claim has no substantiation whatsoever. A ban Religious slurs of any kind show ignorance BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Correspondant “I don’t care about your feelings, I’ll say what I want, and I don’t care if it offends you.” Imagine I said this to you. It would inevitably stir up some emotions, may cause you to become angry, and possibly even act upon that anger. This is what happened to me a few days ago. Someone I was with used “Jesus Christ” as a derogatory swear word. As a Christian, I was offended. I calmly asked her to please not use Jesus’s name in vain because he is my God and it offends me. But she went on the defensive and said that she isn’t Christian and doesn’t believe in a god, so she can say it because it’s her right. Her use of Jesus’s name in such a manner was not only disrespectful but displayed ignorance. I respect that she isn’t Christian and doesn’t believe in a god, but freedom of expression does and should have limitations, especially if it offends and harms others. I believe in freedom of speech, but when you use your freedom to intentionally or even unintentionally hurt others, it should questioned. be Respecting others is important. I wouldn’t disrespect someone on the basis of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion or any other thing and I expect the same from others. The fact that it’s acceptable to use Jesus Christ as a derogatory term should not only alarm Christians but also those who believe and do worship a god or gods. If it’s acceptable to degrade Jesus Christ, it will most likely be acceptable in the future to denigrate other gods and beliefs. It is not acceptable to say something anti-Semitic in our society, so it shouldn’t be acceptable to say something anti-Christian. There should not be any double standard. I realize that everyone is not Christian, but the fact is, many people at Wilkes and in America are; therefore, it seems only right to treat them Coutresty of http://i68.photobucket.com with the same sensitivity we’ve on smoking in public places is not a matter of having a prejudice against smokers, but of wanting to be protected from unwilling contact with deadly chemicals. The last time that I checked personal freedom stops at the point where others are harmed. If not, then are those who drink alcohol being discriminated against by the outlawing of driving while under the influence? Governor Rendell’s idea of a future public smoking ban is certainly a step in the right direction, but I do not believe that the city of Wilkes-Barre should wait for state action in this matter. Each day that goes by allowing people to be involuntarily put at risk is a shame to our city and leads to suffering later on that could have been prevented. Also if it took the Governor almost a week to take care of a foot of snow, how long do you think it will take him to create a public smoking ban? We should take the example that our neighboring city of Scranton has set for us and act immediately. Until the time that such a ban is made, I ask the smokers, especially on campus, to practice consideration when lighting up. If you are not sufficiently motivated to be understanding to strangers passing you on the sidewalk, then think of your own loved ones and friends who do not smoke. Realize that your choice is not just harmful to you, but also to everyone around you. applied to other religious discussion. According to the October 2006 issue of Time magazine, more than 85 percent of Americans follow a Christian faith. Moreover, it was reported on CBSnews. com on October 1, 2006, that “Eighty-two percent of Americans are Christians, 90 percent believe in God, 70 percent pray regularly, and half attend church at least once a month.” It is simple human decency to respect other people, even if they are a different religion than you. As a society, we need to become more mindful of the values, beliefs, and morals of other people in order to create more harmony as a whole. We are taught to be culturally sensitive and to not offend others, and I am personally offended when people use my Lord’s name in vain. In the professional world, if you just blurt out anything you want without thinking about the consequences, you could lose your job. Why should discussion in a classroom, dining area, or shopping mall be different? �OPINION MARCH 19, 2007 8 Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to the environment Protecting our earth is all about the little things we can do BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor There is a videotape somewhere at my parents’ house that proves that I was never very in touch with nature. Apparently, even when I was a wee baby who couldn’t walk, I had extremely negative feelings about anything related to the great outdoors. This video illustrates how I refused to leave my small rectangular haven of pink cotton/poly blend and immediately winced and retreated if any part of my body even grazed the grass. I could barely even sit up by myself, and I was already deathly afraid of the natural world. Fast forward about 20 years, and while I’m not completely thrilled with all aspects of nature (like wasps and camping), I am beginning to understand that not only is everything in nature there for a reason, but it’s actually pretty fascinating how the earth’s ecosystems work. I’m writing all this because, while my purpose here is to state my case about why we should care about what happens to the environment and everything encompassed in that broad term, I know that preaching to anyone about anything is never very effective. I came to my own realization about our environment and what we’re doing to it, and I hope that others do, too. First of all, we all need to become better educated about the environmental issues in the forefront of today’s society, such as global warming and deforestation. One reason I never really acknowledged the fact that these things were occurring was because with that knowledge comes great responsibility. How can we know the solid facts about these things and not do something about it? I feel it’s a moral responsibility, not a political one (and yes, I stole that from last year’s Academy Award winning An Inconvenient cording to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), “The increase in global temperatures is expected to disrupt ecosystems and result in loss of species diversity, as species that cannot adapt die off. The first comprehensive assessment of the extinction risk from global warming found that more than one million species could be committed to extinction by 2050 if global warming pollution is not curtailed.” One million species! SAVE me Even the possibility Truth). of something like that The idea of preoccurring in as little as serving our environ43 years is appalling. ment for future generNot convinced? Conations is more abstract to people who are in Courtesy of http://www.dehs.umn.edu sider this: “Warmer water in the oceans pumps more college and maybe not even beginning to think about having chil- energy into tropical storms, making them dren. But anyone who has a niece or neph- more intense and potentially more destrucew (as I do), may be able to understand that tive.” That is something that could have an they are going to have to grow up in a world effect on every one of us. If I spelled out all of the predictions made we single-handedly destroyed, and that’s a about the future of our planet, however, I very dismal reality. If you’re looking for my evidence that would probably need about three more pagwe are, in fact destroying our natural envi- es-it’s that overwhelming. I will say that ronment, there’s plenty. For example, ac- visiting the NRDC’s website or www.stop- A Sight for Sore Eyes Aleksander Lapinski ...,_ \;Joo 1, globalwarming.com can provide a lot more details about what’s happening. But the key to awareness is not even necessarily acknowledging the effects of global warming. You don’t have to believe it or care about it the way I do to understand where I’m coming from. More importantly, I think we all just need to stop and take a minute to appreciate the natural beauty in the world. Yes, that sounds corny, but it’s the truth. If we recognized what we had, we might be much more likely to do something to preserve it. And I’m not saying we all need to necessarily start wearing organic hemp and sleep in redwood trees (but props to you if you do). I think we can and should find a way to keep growing and developing while at the same time preserving the natural environment we were blessed with. We can all make small changes that will have a huge impact on the environment. Will it really take that much effort to throw a plastic bottle in the recycling bin at school instead of in the garbage can? If every one of us made one small change in our daily lives-recycling, turning off the water when lathering up, refusing a plastic bag-we really can make a difference. And I think that will be the difference between purity and pollution for the next generation. �FEATURES Coffee Human Rights MARCH 19, 2007 10 11 9 Forty-six Wilkes students enter classrooms as student teachers What comes to mind when you hear the word teacher? Does it bring back memories of an inspiring teacher you had in high school or elementary school, or does it bring back memories of a teacher who you dreaded? Since student teaching is required from all students concentrating in education, 46 Wilkes students are student teaching at local schools to become that encouraging teacher. According to the Wilkes University’s website, “The student teacher program provides the participants with valuable classroom experience and an easy transition from college life to the professional field.” Patrick Austin, senior English major with concentrations in English as a second language, and secondary education, is student teaching in the Wilkes-Barre School district. He believes that the education department gets students ready to enter the work force. “Wilkes University education department provides programs and classes that allow students to be prepared in the classroom,” Austin said. However, Jeanine Barber, 9th grade English teacher in Unatego, New York and a Wilkes 05’ alumna who majored in English with a concentration in secondary education, disagreed that the education department prepared her as well as those who were elementary education majors. “The education department at Wilkes focuses on elementary education more than secondary education. They didn’t really include their secondary education students in their curriculum. Because of this, I wasn’t prepared as well as I wanted.” said Barber. Dr. Gina Morrison, assistant professor of education, acknowledged that the department has heard these concerns and are addressing them. “We are concerned about this because we want to get the students prepared as well as possible. Due to this, we now have a better balance of professors with concentrations in elementary education and secondary education as well as our specialty areas. In fact, it’s about half and half. Our department is better able to relate the material to secondary education majors due to having more of an equal balance of professors with experience in secondary and elementary education.” She added that, “We have elementary education as a major and secondary education as a minor, so of course there’s going to be more emphasis on elementary education. But elementary education focuses not only on content, but has a heavy emphasis on methodology, whereas, secondary education focuses much more on content.” Austin noted that his biggest challenges in teaching are getting the students involved in what is being taught, and being aware of the politics involved with teaching. “Getting the kids interested in material that they are not interested in is sometimes a challenge,” Austin said. “You also need to be aware of the administrative and politics involved with teaching.” Barber agreed that, “Motivating students is the toughest part of teaching; so many students are indifferent to their education. I remind them that good grades are a reward in themselves.” getting them excited about the material.” The mission of the teacher education program according to the university’s website is, “to provide the educational community and society at large with competent, caring, and ethical educators who are life-long learners, reflective practitioners, and effective communicators. The teacher education program provides opportunities for students to grow academically and professionally. The program promotes an appreciation for diversity, as well as a regard for research-based and innovative practices. The ethic of service and dedication are expected of graduates to meet the diverse needs of all students within the learning community.” Morrison stated that, “The mission is on Courtesy wilkes.edu BY MARK CONGDON, JR. Beacon Staff Writer For a regular tank top, cut at least an inch away from the slee ves, Wilkes University’s spring semester student teaching class of 2006-2007. and two or more inches Another challenge Wilkes student teachers every syllabus, and the most important part dowisnnotfrom the neck - caring, competent, and ethical face in the classroom having enough is to develop time in the dayline to do. everything on their educators who care about the students in the agenda. Karen Wesolowski, senior elementary education major, who is student teaching 6th grade at Dallas Middle School, said, “Some challenges I face is not having enough time in the day to fit in all my planned activities and lessons. I plan ahead for the week and always seem to fall behind due to the variety of snow delays and scheduling conflicts.” Wesolowski said she uses the “Fry your Best” chart to motivate students. “It is where I have Wendy’s fry bins and students earn fries by showing good attitudes and excellent work. Every student has their own fry bin with a number on it. At the end of the week I check to see if all the students have received a fry in their bin. If they have, the students have earned a review game such as Deal or No Deal. They enjoy this.” Austin added, “I motivate my students by classroom.” Wesolowski agrees that the mission of the department is important and has ultimately helped her build teaching abilities. “The Wilkes education department has the best professors possible to ensure the learning of the field of education. Wilkes has totally prepared me for my student teaching by having me constantly up in front of the classes,” Wesolowski said. “In all of my education classes here at Wilkes, we did numerous lesson presentations to our peers. I have used many of these ideas already in my class here at Dallas. I feel that Wilkes upholds the highest expectations for its students and then we definitely are shining now out in the classroom.” Wesolowski believes the department has prepared her to handle students who may misbehave, and because of this she hasn’t had any major problems. “I really have not had a problem with misbehavior. My students are in 6th grade, so they know what is expected of them. The students work in groups in my classroom and if they were acting out of line they will be moved to an isolated desk in the back of the classroom which we named ‘Wesolowski Island.’ I tell students how this is the island of no fun. It seems to work well,” she said. Austin also agreed that the education department help prepare him to deal with students who misbehave and noted that he deals with students who act out on a case by case basis. “They are usually just seeking attention, so I give them a little and if they continue to misbehave I ask them why they are acting the way they are.” He added, “The general rule in my class is to make sure you respect everyone around you and don’t talk when someone else is talking.” Barber added that she handles students who misbehave on a case-by-case basis. “I deal with them in different ways. I don’t like to write students up so I try to avoid that at all costs. Sometimes I have them spend an hour with me after school to help straighten up my room. Ever student is unique and their punishment must be too.” Morrison noted that, “Many cooperating teachers told me that the Wilkes students are the best student teachers they ever had. Teachers think they are well prepared, know the state standards, have good classroom management skills, know the content thoroughly, and are great at handling the students. This validates everything we, as a department, are trying to do!” Wesolowski said that despite any issues in the classroom, she enjoys student teaching because of the influence she can have on the children’s lives. “I love getting the students motivated to learn. I look forward to seeing all of the hands up and participating in various lessons and activities. The best part of teaching is seeing that the students are learning and gaining knowledge that can be used for their future.” When asked about the joys of teaching and what she looks forward too, Barber enthusiastically said, “I love when students become involved in their work and take pride in what they’ve accomplished, because that rarely ever happens. I really look forward to the interactions with students, not only in the classroom but in the halls and while coaching track and field.” �FEATURES 10 Getting the down-low on a cup of joe BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Java, brew, cup of joe, jitter juice. Regardless of the preferred nickname for the heavenly nectar, most Americans cannot live without their daily cup (or cups) of coffee. Most people, however, probably pick up their daily fix without much regard for what went into the process of creating the steaming hot refreshment, and perhaps are too busy or wired to ask. The first thing that gives a cup of coffee its character is the roast of the beans it came from. During roasting, the sugars and starches within the bean are emulsified, creating oil that gives the bean its flavor and aroma. Consumers know the terms mild, bold and French roast, but do most of them really know what is entailed in creating those roasts? Brigette Baker, manager/barista at Outrageous Coffeehouse, Shavertown, said that the primary difference between these blends is the degree to which the beans are roasted. According to about.com, lighter roasts, sometimes described as mild, are slightly more acidic and sharper in flavor than their darker counterparts, such as bold or French roasts, which have a fuller flavor. Another interesting fact, Baker pointed out, is that darker roasts actually have less caffeine than lighter ones. Indeed, some beans are better suited for certain roasts. “Some beans are better for mild or dark roast, like [for example] if you had a Colombian, it’s probably better for medium roast, whereas a Haitian bean is better for dark roast, but the flavor has to do with the roasting more than anything else,” she said. That’s not to say that the origin of the beans doesn’t have an impact on the flavor, however. According to about. com, even if beans are labeled as the same roast, they can have a different flavor depending on the place of origin. Another buzzword floating around coffeehouses these days is organic, and along with it, fair trade and shade grown. In fact, all three of these terms go hand-in-hand in the coffee industry, although only organic and fair trade coffee can be “certified” under more stringent guidelines. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, certified organic coffee, in the simplest terms, has been grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic chemicals. The reason this coincides so well with shade grown coffee is because, according to the American Birding Association, the process involved there allows the coffee to be grown under a natural canopy, preserving animal habitats. Fair trade certified simply means that the farmer was paid a fair and equitable price. Flavored coffee, while likely to be shunned by the coffee purist, is becoming increasingly popular. Retail stores are stocking new blends like the Gourmet Selections from Folgers and many other brands. When the beans themselves are flavored, the process involves an infusion from flavored oils, as opposed to adding syrups after brewing the coffee, Baker explained. There is also the debate about whether purchasing MARCH 19, 2007 whole beans and grinding them at home provides for a better tasting beverage than buying pre-ground coffee. The verdict? If there is room in the budget for the slightly more costly whole beans, go for it. Coffee grinders can be fairly inexpensive and freshly ground coffee really does seem to taste better. Ever go into a coffeehouse and find that the names of drinks are so confusing-macchiato, latte, mocha, cappuccino, espresso-that it’s usually just easier to buy a plain old cup of joe? Well, while Baker mentioned that, like roasts, different coffee drinks vary depending on the shop or coffeehouse they come from, the basic routine for each beverage often stays the same. Espresso is a fine grind that involves both a darker bean and a completely different process than drip coffee, with more caffeine in a smaller dose. A latte is usually just one part espresso and steamed milk, whereas a cappuccino is more coffee and less steamed milk with more foam, Baker said. A macchiato usually varies greatly, but at a larger chain it is often simply a latte with flavor. At Outrageous, the most popular drinks are probably a regular medium roast coffee, the mocha (which is basically a latte with chocolate flavoring) and the latte. But the moral of the story here? It’s probably necessary to taste a lot of different brands and types of beans to determine a favorite. Say What? Ever find yourself waiting in line at Starbuck’s with sweaty palms and a developing stutter that cannot be attributed to a desperate need for caffeine, but instead are due to an intense fear of pronouncing words like cappuccino and venti? The Beacon is here to tell you that you’re not alone, and to help in your quest to appear as a functioning human in a coffee drinking society, we’d like to offer some pronunciations of the most important pain of ordering a caffeinated beverage size. • Tall- by its name, one might assume this is the largest size, but it is in fact the smallest. If you can’t pronounce this, we can’t help you. Grande- medium, pronounced grawn-day, not grand-ee. Venti- the most confusing and daunting of the bunch, this is actually the largest size, pronounced vent-ee �MARCH 19, 2007 FEATURES 11 Public affairs club sponsors panel discussion on human rights BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor Murder. Rape. Torture. Unlawful arrest. All are seen as evidence of human rights violations across the world in various hot spots such as Darfur, Iraq, and Chechnya, to name just a few. Around the world people’s rights are being restricted or ignored. In order to face the problem, educating people on human rights is a significant first step. The Public Affairs Club is sponsoring a panel discussion entitled “What Can Political Science Contribute to Our Understanding of Human Rights around the World?” this Tuesday, March 22. The discussion will be held in the Marts Center, room 214, at 11:30 a.m. “Political science provides empirical research to demonstrate whether or not human rights are being denied or advanced in a country or region of the world. The scholars who will present and discuss their research...have examined human rights in Latin America, Europe, and Asia,” said Dr. Thomas Baldino, professor of political science and Public Affairs Club/Pi Sigma Al- pha advisor. The program is an extension of the Sordoni Art Gallery’s Darfur exhibit, according to assistant professor of political science and moderator of the event, Dr. Andrew Miller. “This program will give students an opportunity to hear a different perspective Sebastian Anner, Department of Labor Relations and Political Science, Penn State University; David L. Cingranelli, Department of Political Science, Binghamton University; and Janice Bially Mattern, Department of Political Science, Leigh University. This program will give students an opportunity to hear a different perspective and be involved in a very important discussion. Andrew Miller Assistant professor of political science and moderator of the event and be involved in a very important discussion. Traditionally, local universities have brought student groups to this event so it is also a good opportunity for our students to have a discussion with a wider student group,” said Miller. The panelists are all published scholars who have researched various aspects of human rights. The panelists include Mark Valerie Martinez, sophomore political science and communication studies double major, believes this discussion will be interesting and plans to attend. She says she would like to ask the panel about poverty stricken areas, the war on terror, and immigration issues. In order to make this discussion possible, the national political science honor society, AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR Pi Sigma Alpha, received a chapter activity grant from the national office to fund this program. There are nearly 100 schools from across the country that apply for grants, according to Baldino. “Each year, the national chapter invites applications for chapter activities grants. These grants may be used to fund guest speakers, a panel of speakers, a trip for the club, or an activity of some kind that the club wants to hold on campus. All the grants must involve learning about political science, or more broadly, politics and government. Grant proposals are reviewed by a panel of three political scientists, the national chapter president and the national office’s administrative director,” said Baldino. Over the past few years, the Public Affairs Club has held other discussions relating to the 2004 Presidential election, the Supreme Court, and international careers. There will be an opportunity to ask the panelists questions during the discussion. The panel discussion will end approximately at 1 p.m. and is free and open to high school students, college students, and faculty. 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E MARCH 19, 2007 12 Book Review Schedule theAudition Crossword This Week In History Q&A with Giovanni Ribisi and crew of A Perfect Stranger BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor “I used to visualize God as Diana Ross, but now I picture him as you,” was one of the rather absurd and random comments actor Giovanni Ribisi heard from a student journalist at a panel discussion in New York City this past Friday. The actor, who will co-star with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis in the soon to be released thriller A Perfect Stranger, was joined by the movie’s screenwriter, Tom Komarnicki, and producer Elaine Goldsmith at a Q&A session following an advanced screening of the movie that members of The Beacon staff were invited to attend. Ribisi, Komarnicki, and Goldsmith each took turns sharing experiences and insights about the movie, as well as information about the business of movie making in general. Ribisi, whose last name may not instantly ring a bell, has been acting most of his life and has landed a number of notable roles. He is perhaps most widely recognized as the actor who played Phoebe’s brother in the sitcom Friends, but has also offered memorable performances in movies such as Lost In Translation, The Boiler Room and The Other Sister. Courtesy www.annsumma.com Komarnicki has written a number of screenplays (including a Hitchcock remake), as well as plays and multiple television pilots. Goldsmith has produced such movies as Maid in Manhattan and Mona Lisa Smile. The panel discussion was off-the-cuff, and more than a bit casual as another member of the crowd asked, “If you could lose one sense which would it be and why?” to which Ribisi responded “depth perception” and Goldsmith answered the sixth sense. Also, there was more than enough star-worshipping masked as questions from the young would-be journalists; however, there were at least a few meatier questions that found their way into the mix. When asked about working alongside big names such as Halle Berry and Bruce Willis, and the possibility of clashing egos, Ribisi’s answer was a bit different than most might have expected. He explained that the more successful actors in the business actually usually turn out to be the nicer ones. Also, when asked what his most difficult role was, to the disappointment of most of the crowd, he was unable to name one specifically. “You want to create the most challenging role, regardless,” he said. “It’s up to the actor to make whatever he’s doing into whatever it can possibly be.” The few questions posed to the screenwriter offered the crowd insight about the business. Komarnicki explained that since the film began production, the script went through about 15 different drafts, and by the end the movie’s conclusion was changed entirely. He referred to a screenplay as “a living thing” and explained how important it is to be prepared to keep rewriting again and again. About developing screenplays in general, he stated that in the business, “It’s such a killing floor; 13 14 14 15 15 it’s a miracle any movies get made at all.” Despite the fact that the crowd screened the unreleased movie prior to the Q & A, there was discussion about the movie itself, which the producer, Goldsmith described as a film that examines how “we all have a face we put on” and how “what you see may not be what it is.” A Perfect Stranger is a movie about secrets, and Goldsmith explained that New York was the prime location as the skyscrapers and overall vertical build of the city makes it naturally “a city of voyeurs.” All three expressed excitement about the film, and the message that it conveyed. A Perfect Stranger, will be in theaters April 13. Ribisi also has about three other movies in the pre-production stages. Goldsmith is currently working on the production of four other projects, while Komarnicki is working on an adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Giovanni Ribisi Tom Komarnicki Elaine Goldsmith The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Calling all health nuts... Luzerne business fitures llsitemsnatural, organic lifestyle needs on clearance that allow students on a sources, such as soy and mushroom based BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor For the environmentally-conscious or health food obsessed citizen of Wilkes-Barre and its surrounding areas, it can sometimes be difficult to find products to satisfy everyday needs. Brands like Seventh Generation, Preserve and Annie’s Naturals may be available in small quantities at larger chains, but one local alternative grocer in particular specializes in these “obscure” items. The House of Nutrition, located on Main Street in Luzerne, is an alternative grocery store that also offers personal assistance that is unmatched by many larger shopping centers. But they don’t just stop there. The grocery store is also attached to the Mill Hollow Café, a cozy locale that specializes in health food, leaving behind the false belief that if it tastes good, it can’t be good for you. Mill Hollow offers everything from a sandwich featuring Tofurky to a tofu scramble, and vegetarian and often vegan friendly options in an area where such cuisine can be difficult to come by. “Because we have the restaurant next door and this [House of Nutrition], between the two you’re always going to find a good meal or [even a sale],” said Sue Smake, employee. She reiterated that, very often, the grocery store fea- budget to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The store also offers a promotional flier featuring sale items, taking the idea of living healthfully on a budget a step further. And, keeping with the natural and environmentally conscious theme the House of Nutrition has created, the flier is using soy-based ink on recycled paper. The range of products runs the gamut from personal care and cosmetics to healthier pet foods, said Smake. And its entire focus on healthy living is what differentiates this grocer from others. Customers can peruse the many options offered in terms of alternative protein items, but the House of Nutrition also provides free-range organic meat products, satisfying the needs of herbivores and carnivores alike. Organic produce, including the sometimes difficult to find mangoes and pineapples, are also available, and come from a local organic farm when possible. The House of Nutrition even has its own bakery that allows health nuts to indulge with just a little less guilt, as many of the baked goods are made with a healthier twist. Recently, the store has acquired a range of fair trade and recycled gifts (such as handbags), making it that much easier to participate in earth-friendly living. One of the more unique features of the locale is its community bulletin board, where information about various events relating to yoga, raake, and other aspects of an “alternative lifestyle” is offered. The bulletin board provides students and all patrons the opportunity to engage in and become a part of another aspect of the community that may not be readily accessible from the confines of campus. The House of Nutrition is probably a place many students would be interested in frequenting, but is not one that is heavily advertised the way chain stores are. Hannah Schechter, sophomore psychology major, said, “I have not heard of the House of Nutrition, [but] judging from the description of the store, I would definitely like to explore the vegan options there.” Perhaps what may attract many other students is the one-on-one service provided to each customer. Smake stressed the fact that the House of Nutrition is a small, locally and family-owned business where the needs of the customer are always a top priority. �MARCH 19, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Book Review: Paul Auster’s Travels in the Scriptorium BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Staff Writer Ever read a book about a man reading a book about a man writing a book? Paul Auster, best selling author of an assortment of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays, is known for his style of multi-frame stories within stories. “When Auster gets cooking, he’s like a magician who can amaze us by sawing a woman in half; when he’s not, as in Travels in the Scriptorium, it’s as if he’s sawing away without a woman in the box,” says Allen Barra of Salon.com. Barra’s critique is right on the money. Throughout the entire novel, it feels as if something crucial is missing, a purpose, perhaps...some kind of shock value, something to keep the reader guessing and turning the pages. Essentially, Auster’s latest is about a day in the life of an older man who is stuck in a small, white room being secretly monitored by overhead cameras and microphones. Since he doesn’t know his name and apparently no one feels the need to share it with him, he is referred to as Mr. Blank by the handful of visitors (whose lives he’s apparently ruined) that stop by throughout the course of the day. Without checking to see if the door is locked or if he can come and go freely, he automatically assumes that he is a prisoner of some kind and is never allowed out. He is given colorful pills that wipe out his memory and are supposed to be part of a treatment - for what, you never find out - and is instructed to study the pictures and typescript on the desk. The story he reads is more interesting than the story of Mr. Blank himself simply because interesting events are actually occurring in it. For avid Auster readers, there is some familiarity among the characters in Travels… since they are recycled from his previous novels. If you know these characters, then maybe you know why they’re so angry with Mr. Blank, but according to Barr, they were treated quite fairly in his previous tales so their reason for their hatred may never be clear. There are no quotation marks in this book, though there are some parts with dialogue, and there are also no chapters, which irritated me. Travels in the Scriptorium is a novel that makes up for its condescending tone, uncomfortably August disgusting details (you learn more about Mr. Blank in the first 25 pages than you will ever need to know about anyone ever) and boring story line with its large font and quick readability. “Mr. Blank therefore abandons the shuffling strides he used with the slippers and travels toward the desk… Mr. Blank lifts one foot an inch or two off the ground, propels the leg attached to that foot approximately six inches forward, and then plants the entire sole of the shoe on the floor, heel and toe together.” I’m sorry, but such precise and unnecessary detail, coupled with the author’s creepy, black eyes staring from the back inside cover, just annoyed me. Grade: D- (The part about the label swapping was actually amusing.) I 2007 ''MyWilkes'' is corning. myw i I k.es. wi I Ike s.ed u Photo courtesy www.bookshop.blackwell.co.uk �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 19, 2007 theAudition makes splash in dance pop punk scene BY ASHLEY GIBSON Beacon Correspondent m .co A dance pop punk band from Chicago has just burst onto the music scene. Audiences are enthusiastically dancing and singing along to the rhythms of this energetic band. The latest band to create a stir in the dance pop punk scene is theAudition. theAudition is fronted by Danny Stevens with Joe Lussa on bass, Timmy Klepek and Seth Johnson playing guitar and rounded out by Ryan O’Connor on drums. Lead singer Danny Stevens sat down with The Beacon to offer insight into the world of a touring pop punk band. In 2003, theAudition was founded by Lussa and O’Connor, and after some rotating of band members the final line up was comprised. Sing along lyrics and upbeat hooks help to solidify their place in the music scene. Stevens said, “Joe and Ryan started playing together in high school, they had two different guitar players and a different singer and as time went on they went through a bunch of different guitar players and they finally stuck with Seth. After Seth, one of the guitar players quit again and I joined to play guitar. And then about and we’re just poking fun at those kids and, 2 weeks into me playing guitar, our singer you know, just about breaking out of your quit and so I started singing and after that mold and have fun with bands and that’s what music’s about. It’s about having fun we found Timmy.” After finalizing the band, theAudition and sharing something with everybody,” Courtesy w quickly inked a deal with Vicww said Stevens. .my tory Records and immespa The band recently ce secured an opendiately began work ing slot on the on a record. The sold out “West album “ControCoast Winversy Loves Company” ter Tour” hit shelves featurin 2005 and ing Jack’s the band was Mannequin quickly hailed which they as the next big just wrapped thing. in Chicago. Their video for the Stevens said, single “You’ve Made Us “The shows are huge, Conscious” features the band they’re the biggest shows we’ve ever done. The guys in Jack’s poking fun at the scene kids. “The song is about kind of like making Mannequin and Head Automatica are just fun of the people that go to shows and they such nice people. It’s amazing hanging out pay however many dollars to get in and just with those people every day. You know stand there and hate every second of it. That we’ve become best friends with Jack’s never made any sense to me. Why would Mannequin. Bands only get one brother you pay, you know, $15 to go to a show and band and they’re definitely our brother not have fun and look like you hate it? So we kind of tied in the video with the song Schedule of Events Monday, March 19 -Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte Tuesday, March 20 -Robb Brown and Friends performing at Slainte Wednesday, March 21 -Film: Shut Up and Sing showing at the Kirby Center at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. -The Marty Edwards Jazz Band performing at Bart and Urby’s -Go Go Gadget performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 22 -Die Young and Face Off performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Friday, March 23 -Tiger’s Jaw, The Mother Daughter Team, Stay Six and Three Man Cannon performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. -Dimensions performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 24 -The Devil Wears Prada, My Hero is Me, A Kiss for Jersey and A Faith Worth Fighting performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -Irish Culture Night at Arts Youniverse at 7 p.m. -Steven Lynch performing at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. -A Modern Day Massacre, Livingston, Dino-sores and Miles to Texas performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. -Dimensions performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Sunday, March 25 -Backflip Journeymen, Captain Random and Slightly Askew performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -MercyMe performing at the Wachovia Arena at 7:30 p.m. -Man of La Mancha showing at the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. band. This tour helped us out more than anything that we’ve ever done and we’re so thankful and grateful for everything.” After touring the United Kingdom with The Academy is, theAudition flies out to Paris and will open a show for the reigning kings of pop punk Fall Out Boy. They will then start on their headling tour with The Graduate and New Atlantic. In May theAudition will be playing the coveted Bamboozle which is slated to feature about 200 of the hottest bands to date. The Bamboozle is a multi-day music festival from May 5-6 held at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, in the parking lot of Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. theAudition comes straight out of the myspace era and acknowledges the presence that myspace has had in helping them as a band. “We try and reply to all the messages and we add all our friends and try to keep in contact with people. I think fans appreciate that,” said Stevens. Feel free to hit them with a comment and you might just be lucky enough to have a legit band comment you back. Check them out at www.http://www.myspace.com/theaudition UNIQ!JE OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING UNIVERSITY COMMO NS R I V ER SI D E Convenient, affordable and secure, we provide a special student living experience in the heart of Wilkes-Barre - more than just a place to rent, a place to live * * * * * * Walking distance to Wilkes University, Kirby Center, restaurants & shopping Security & fire systems 24-hour emergency assistance Off-street parking 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments W est Rive r Univer s ity Com mons South Ri ver S t . S. Fr a nklin St. For leasing Wilkes Unive r s ity information, please call 570.829.4339 ......i - -_ _ _....,._ __ http ://www.j rwi I kes. com �15 Crossword Puzzle BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent ACROSS 1 Supervisor 5 Without clothing 10 Half a Latin dance 13 Mathematic term 14 Alpha’s opposite 15 Vegas token 16 Bona fide 17 Tart and pungent 18 Ambiance 19 Calculate in advance 21 Core 23 Weeps 24 Serious in intention 25 Bleak 28 High energy wavelength 29 Hasten 32 Combine 35 Person, place, or things 36 Make a mistake 37 Frenzy 39 “Now ____ then” 40 Good-humored teasing 42 Former Italian currency 44 Distinguishing features 45 Mythical bird 48 Trick 49 Kind and sympathetic 50 Remove from power 54 Congregational response 55 Animal nose and jaws 57 Ancient Roman poet 58 Arizona basketball team 59 Edgy MARCH 19, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 60 61 62 63 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 20 22 24 25 26 27 30 31 32 33 34 37 38 40 41 42 43 45 Thing that ruins or spoils Curvy line Guide the course of Enthusiasm DOWN Vomit, slangly Hydrox competitor Burn Peddlers Worthy of attention Accumulate Lane’s co-worker Breakfast food Child depository Skydiving gear, for short Employs Divided Astute Grill heat source Period Additional Comedian, ______ Carvey Idol Kind of missile Chill out “Roses ____ red” Against Ajax’s foe 70’s sitcom “Happy ____” Tract of low wet land Bacterium that can live without oxygen Clergy members Distorted speech Tilts Country stopover Stage in a process 2 3 6 4 13 14 ,., 17 19 0 7 8 0 II 12 52 53 20 23 25 :re 27 20 35 311 51 49 54 57 68 GD 01 03 46 47 48 50 51 ,,. I" ,. . Answers 2.26 Decayed organic matter S T E M A R O M A "s "L "A "B "C O M A S " I 0 W A Signs P A V E 'A X I S "T W I N S "A G A R Recycle s I L H "0 u E T T E "M 0 R N Complete "W A R A T T E N D S Executive R W E L '""'= ■ •O "N S O s• - R EIN N E P A L ., L O P E office 8 A N G Y I E L 0 ■ 43 C O N E 40 One of a S P E A R ■ L A K E ■ 47A O N E ■ -- ,;sG I 4GN • "'F "A T H E R ,. sailing trio I N T E G E "R "B E 0 ,.Biblical 'M A A M s E T I N s T 0 N E p I K E " T R E N o ■ "o R A L garden 'e V E N L u N G e ■ " L E I s Hockey goal L E N T "E N T E R ■ "D 0 L E . N I I Jl I" ,. 30 33 J4 ' · 30 37 38 3Q 01 02 CJ 42 52 I 46 ~ 53 ,~ 00 M 56 0 This Week in History BY MICHAEL GIONRIDDO Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Brought to you by the History Club March 19 2003: On this day in 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiated war on Iraq. Just after explosions began to rock Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, U.S. President George W. Bush announced in a televised address, “At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.” President Bush and his advisors built much of their case for war on the idea that Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, possessed or was in the process of building weapons of mass destruction. March 20 1413: King Henry IV, the first English monarch of the Lancastrian dynasty, died after years of illness, and his eldest son, Henry, ascended to the English throne. March 21 1804: After four years of debate and planning, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte enacted a new legal framework for France, known as the “Napoleonic Code.” The civil code gave post-revolutionary France its first coherent set of laws concerning property, colonial affairs, the family, and individual rights. March 22 1765: Hoping to raise sufficient funds to defend the vast new American territories won from the French in the Seven Years’ War, the British government passed the notorious Stamp Act on this day in 1765. The legislation levied a direct tax on all materials printed for commercial and legal use in the colonies, including everything from broadsides and insurance policies to playing cards and dice. March 23 1839: On this day in 1839, the initials “O.K.” were first published in The Boston Morning Post. Meant as an abbreviation for “oll correct,” a popular slang misspelling of “all correct” at the time, OK steadily made its way into the everyday speech of Americans. March 24 1989: The worst oil spill in U.S. territory began when the supertanker Exxon Valdez, owned and operated by the Exxon Corporation, ran aground on a reef in Prince William Sound in southern Alaska. An estimated 11 million gallons of oil eventually spilled into the water. Attempts to contain the massive spill were unsuccessful, and wind and currents spread the oil more than 100 miles from its source, eventually polluting more than 700 miles of coastline. Hundreds of thousands of birds and animals were adversely affected by the environmental disaster. March 25 1911: In one of the darkest moments of America’s industrial history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in New York City burned down, killing 145 workers. The tragedy led to the development of a series of laws and regulations that better protected the safety of factory workers. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http:// www.history.com/tdih.do Picture courtesy /www.odisea.ucv.cl �SPORTS 16 MARCH 19, 2007 Cumberland Apartments Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. - Brand New Construction - Kitchen with appliances - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �SPORTS MARCH 19, 2007 Spring sports get an early start in the south 17 Men’s baseball heads to Florida; softball to Virginia BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor This season, the Wilkes Univeristy baseball and softball teams are opening their 2007 campaigns on the road. Both teams took time during this semester’s spring break to travel out of state to play a series of games to begin the season. On Sunday, March 4th, the baseball team played a double header in Cocoa Beach, Florida to take on Rivier College during the Cocoa Expo. The two games kicked off the eight game road trip for the Colonels, which would put them up against Northland College, Baruch College, SUNY Old Westbury and Oneonta State. Overall, Wilkes finished the road trip with a 6-2 record, which had great showings from junior Corey Helfrich, who led the team at the plate with a .570 batting average, and senior Justin Popovich, whose 11 RBIs led the Colonels. Wilkes begins the stateside season on Tuesday, March 20th when they take on Marywood at home. The softball team began its season under similiar circumstances when they began play in the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament on Friday, March 2nd. They also took part in the Salisbury Tournament during their road trip, which concluded on Saturday, March 10th. The Lady Colonels posted a 6-4 record during the season opener, which pitted them against Lynchburg College, Roanoke College, Hunter College, Virginia Wesleyan College, Averett College, Salisbury University and Cabrini College. Baseball 3/20 Tue. vs Marywood 3/21 Wed vs Muhlenberg 3/23 Fri. vs Drew * 3/24 Sat. @ Drew (DH) * 3/25 Sun. vs PSU-Berks (DH) 3/30 Fri. @ FDU-Florham * 3/31 Sat. vs FDU-Florham (DH) * 4/01 Sun. @ King’s (DH) * 4/02 Mon. vs Baptist Bible 4/05 Thu. @ DeSales * 4/09 Mon. vs DeSales (DH) * 4/11 Wed. vs Misericordia 4/13 Fri. vs Delaware Valley * 4/14 Sat. @ Delaware Valley (DH) * 4/16 Mon. vs Moravian 4/18 Wed. @ Misericordia 4/19 Thu. @ Susquehanna 4/22 Sun. vs Alvernia 4/24 Tue. @ Marywood 4/27 Fri. @ Scranton * 4/28 Sat. vs Scranton (DH) * Softball 3:30 pm Home 3:00 pm Home 3:30 pm Home 1:00 pm Away 12:00 pm Home 3:30 pm Away 1:00 pm Home 1:00 pm Away 3:30 pm Home 3:30 pm Away 1:00 pm Home 3:30 pm Home 3:30 pm Home 1:00 pm Away 4:00 pm Home 3:30 pm Away 4:00 pm Away 2:00 pm Home 4:00 pm Away 3:30 pm Away 1:00 pm Home Baseball spring break roundup Results: 3/04 Rivier - W 9-7 3/04 Rivier - W 5-2 3/05 Northland - L 10-4 3/06 Baruch - W 8-4 3/08 Rivier - W 19-11 3/09 Old Westbury W 13-4 3/10 Oneonta State - L 11-0 Wilkes saw an impressive outing by senior Laurie Agresti, who posted a 4-1 record during the tournament, during which she recorded 60 strikeouts and a 1.00 ERA over 35 innings pitched. Agresti’s best performance came during a 1-0 victory against Hunter College in which she pitched a no hitter and struck out 18. On the opposite side of the plate, Wilkes was led by sophomore Samantha Evanich, who went 12-25 during the tournament, posting a batting average of .480. The Lady Colonels open their season on Team Leaders: AVG:Corey Helfrich - .579 RBI: Justin Popovich - 11 H: Corey Helfrich - 11 R: Mike McAndrew - 12 W: Anthony Giuffrida - 2 K: Brad Woznisky - 10 IP: Justin Huff - 11.0 3/22 Thu. @ William Paterson (DH) 3/24 Sat. vs Delaware Valley (DH) * 3/25 Sun. vs Keystone (DH) 3/31 Sat. @ King’s (DH) * 4/01 Sun. vs Manhattanville (DH) 4/05 Thu. @ DeSales (DH) * 4/11 Wed. vs Misericordia (DH) 4/14 Sat. vs Lycoming (DH) * 4/17 Tue. vs Susquehanna (DH) 4/18 Wed. @ Scranton (DH) * 4/21 Sat. vs FDU-Florham (DH) * 4/22 Sun. @ Elizabethtown (DH) 4/26 Thu. @ Lebanon Valley (DH) 4/28 Sat. @ Drew (DH) * 4/29 Sun. vs Marywood (DH) 5/04 Fri. vs Freedom Playoffs 5/05 Sat. vs Freedom Playoffs 2:30 pm Away 1:00 pm Home 4:00 pm Home 1:00 pm Away 3:00 pm Home 1:00 pm Away 3:00 pm Home 1:00 pm Home 5:00 pm Home 6:00 pm Away 1:00 pm Home 1:00 pm Away 3:30 pm Away 1:00 pm Away 1:00 pm Home 11:00 am Home 9:00 am Home DH - Doubleheader * - Freedom Conference Game Softball spring break roundup Results: 3/02 Lynchburg - W 3-1 3/02 Roanoke - L 9-1 3/03 Hunter - W 1-0 3/03 VA Wesleyan- W 11-6 3/05 Averett - L 2-1 3/05 Averett - L 5-2 3/09 Cabrini - W 5-3 3/09 Cabrini - W 6-3 3/10 Allegheny - W 4-2 3/10 Lynchburg - L 7-2 Team Leaders: AVG: Samantha Evanich - .480 RBI: Samantha Evanich - 5 Erin Plank - 5 Kathy Dalton - 5 H: Samantha Evanich - 12 R: Alex Ingram - 6 W: Laurie Agresti - 4 K: Laurie Agresti - 60 IP: Laurie Agresti - 35.0 �SPORTS 18 MARCH 19, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Dallas Mavericks v. Cleveland Cavaliers As the season winds down, teams make their playoff push BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, and the trade deadline come and gone, the teams in the NBA have one more thing to look forward to this year: the playoffs. After five and half months of games, they are coming into the home stretch of the season, which means the hunt for the second season will only get more intense. As such, it comes as no surprise to see that both of the teams in this edition of game in the week are bound for postseason action. The Dallas Mavericks, owners of the best record in the NBA(53-11), are surprising no one with their level of play thus far, even though the outlook for the season was uncharacteristicly dim after the first week of the season, in which they lost their first four games. They’ve rebounded nicely, however, and shot to the top of the Southwest division with a comfortable lead over San Antonio, and are only one of two teams along with the Phoenix Suns to have already clinched a playoff berth. While the Mavericks have assembled quite a team in the last few years, one player on the roster has stood out among the others as the statistical and on-the-court leader. Dirk Nowitski, the 7’0” power forward, leads the team in points(25.2) and rebounds(9.7), as well as leading the team in field goal and free throw percentage. Nowitski can’t do it all by himself, however, and has aide from the likes of assists leader Jason Terry(5.3 assists, 16.4 points) and Josh Howard, who ranks second on the team with 19.2 points per game. The Mavericks will be squaring off against the Eastern Conference Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that surprised everyone last season by nearly making the Conference Finals, only to be edged out in 7 games by the Detroit Pistons. The Cavaliers still have much to prove, especially since the franchise has never made it to the NBA Finals. They are hoping to do so this season, and will look to their star and young phenom LeBron James to guide them there. James, one of the NBA’s elite young players, is the third leading scorer in the Eastern Conference(27.4), as well as leading his team in assists(5.9) and field goal percentage. James is assisted by fellow leading scorers Larry Hughes(15.1) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas(11.4). The real strength in the Cavaliers’ game comes when they are on the opposite side of the ball. They are second in the Eastern Conference in rebounds per game(43.56), a statistic that will come in handy down the stretch against high powered teams such as Dallas. Unlike the Mavericks, however, Cleveland has not yet guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs, as they are currently trailing the Central Division leading Detroit Pistons by 2.5 games. Despite being the front runner to make the playoffs as the wild card, they still must hold off surges by the Miami Heat, who have started to regain the level of play that brought them the title last season. In order to do so, the Cavaliers are going to have to rely on their defense as much as their offense down the stretch. LeBron James is the leader of team, but has the unfortunate burden of having to carry the team on his back at times. Players like Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden are going to need to pick up the slack and put of the points when “King” James is unable. And with only sixteen games left in the season, the Cavs are going to have to play nearly perfect basketball if they hope to return to the playoffs. Offensively, the Mavericks have the advantage, putting up 100.92 points per game to Cleveland’s 96.76, while also holding the advantage in three pointers and free throws. Despite having a ticket booked for the playoffs, don’t expect the Mavericks to lay down for the Cavaliers. The Pick Dallas: 98 Cleveland: 93 Double Take Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor I didn’t even know the NBA was still playing games. I thought that once all this March Madness stuff was in motion, other kinds of basketball would be done for the season. Not that I gave that much thought to it to begin with. But anyway, Dallas is playing Cleveland. For the purposes of determining a winner, let’s use one of my old stand-by methods: which mascot is cooler and would actually win in a real fight. For starters, maybe I’m just a little dense, but I didn’t really know what a cavalier or a maverick was. Does anyone, really? We’ve all heard the words, but could someone actually rattle off a definition of each that doesn’t involve a reference to Tom Cruise or a car? According to the dictionary, a maverick is pretty much either someone who doesn’t follow the rules, an unbranded animal separated from its mother or an airto-ground tactical missile. Judging from the fact that this team’s logo resembles a unicorn (at least in my crazy mind), I guess they are going for a mix of the first and second options. The dictionary offers a plethora of assorted definitions for cavalier, but for the sake of this article, let’s use the whole mounted solider/knight thing. So if we’ve got a loner horse/unicorn creature pitted against a knight, that just doesn’t make sense. In fact, I think they would actually need each other in order to succeed in a violent battle. Based on this impressive and reasonable logic, I think the Cavaliers and the Mavericks will team up to overcome all obstacles. And anyway, wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could all just get along? �SPORTS MARCH 19, 2007 Lacrosse from Page 20 new players under a new coach, and the lady Colonels will look to turn last year’s mistakes around with a win in their first game against Cedar Crest College. “The first game of the season Mar. 19th @Cedar Crest 4pm will show us where we are at, because we are throwing a lot of Mar. 24th vs. Kean 1pm players into college ball for the Mar. 27th @Centenary 4pm first time, so it will be exciting,” Mar.29th @Susquehanna 4pm stated Studley. The Cedar Crest Falcons from Mar. 31st vs. Widener 1pm Allentown, PA are three games Apr. 2nd @Bryn Mawr 4pm into this season with games against Centenary, Neumann and WesleyApr. 4th @Scranton 4pm an College. The good news for the Apr. 10th vs. King’s 4pm Lady Colonels is that Cedar Crest Apr. 12th vs. Messiah 4pm lost each of those opening games. Last season the Falcons posted a Apr.14th vs.Wilmington 12pm 1-16 record, and have lost their Apr16th @Miscericordia 7pm first three games this year by an average of 11 points. The Lady Apr. 18th vs. FDU-Florham 4pm Colonels go on the road to square Apr. 21st @ Moravian 2pm off against Cedar Crest today, and Apr. 24th @ Elizabethtown 4pm will look clip the Falcons’ wings to chalk up their first tally of the Apr. 26th @ St. Thomas 4pm season to the win column. Apr. 28th vs. Lycoming 1pm The Lady Colonels first home game of the season will be SatMay 1st, 3rd, 5th MAC Playoffs urday, March 24, when they host Kean University. The Cougars are currently 1-1. The Cougars recently lost to University of Redlands on March 11, 15-13. Leading the scoring attack for Kean was senior Gio Burono with 7 points, and will be the main threat to shut down for the lady Colonels as they look to complete this week with two huge victories. “We’re extremely excited about this season, we can’t wait. Unfortunately we’re ranked last in the MAC right now, and people don’t know what we have to offer. So I think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” stated Studley. The Lady Colonels are certainly a team full of new surprises, and will look to get off to a good start with two victories against the Falcons and the Cougars. 19 Women’s Lacrosse Schedule '/1,/J[/lfl rf!Wlfffl!I The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Lady Colonels lacrosse team marched down the field this week under first year head coach Katherine Studley in two non-conference match-ups. SPRING BREAK RECAPS Baseball Justin Popovich had four hits and drove in seven runs to help Wilkes University rally past Rivier College, 19-11, in a non-conference baseball game on Friday March 8 in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The win improves the Colonels to 5-1 overall, while the Raiders see their overall mark slip to 0-4. Starting pitcher Corey Helfrich scattered three hits and did not allow a run in five innings of work and the Wilkes University offense pounded out 16 hits as the Colonels cruised to a 13-4 win over SUNY Old Westbury on March 9th at the Cocoa Expo in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Softball Senior Laurie Agresti tossed a no-hitter with 18 strikeouts to lift Wilkes University to a 1-0 softball victory over Hunter College at the Atlantic-East Challenge hosted by Virginia Wesleyan College on Saturday March 3. Averett College handed Wilkes University a pair of non-conference softball losses on Monday March 5 at Virginia Wesleyan College, dealing the Lady Colonels a 2-1 setback in the opener and a 5-2 defeat in the nightcap. The Lady Colonels see their record even at 3-3, while Averett improved to 3-5. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 6 Total number of games won by the Colonels baseball team during their stay in Cocoa Beach Florida. 14 60 Kyle Ungvarsky paced the Lady Colonels softball pitcher Colonels tennis team in singles Laurie Agresti burned 60 batters last season with 14 victories. The times during their road trip to Colonels tipoff their 2007 season Maryland and Virginia. The lady this Tuesday vs. FDU. Colonels are now 6-4. 11 Number of RBI’s smacked in by senior Justin Popovich this season. Popovich and the rest of the Colonels are on fire with a record of 6-2. �Sports MARCH 19, 2007 20 Preview of the Week: Women’s Lacrosse Lady Colonels lacrosse team is back again for another exciting season BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Just weeks ago, the Lady Colonels lacrosse team posted flyers around campus in a desperate search for players to fill the roster. But that grueling search is finally over. Ladies and gentleman, the Lady Colonels will strap on masks and pick up the sticks to begin another exciting season of lacrosse this week against Cedar Crest College and Kean University. Currently a team of thirteen players, Wilkes returns only four veterans from a season ago that will look to raise an inexperienced team to new heights. Among those returning for the Lady Colonels is junior Stacy Fimmano, who was the second leading scorer for the team last season with 48 points. Fimmano also dished out 20 assists. Fimmano noted that the new athletes recruited to the team offer great promise for the season. “The players we picked up are very athletic, and it will be a surprise to see what they can do on the field,” stated Fimmano. One of those additions, field hockey sophomore phenom Alyssa Koncelik, begins her first season as part of the Lady Colonels lacrosse team, and will look make major contributions en route to a successful season. Also added to the list of new faces for the lacrosse program is rookie head coach Katherine Studley. Studley brings an impressive resume to the table, in which she was named first team All-American and Division II Goalkeeper of the Year at Pfeiffer University in 2004. Following her departure as goalkeeper for Pfeiffer University, she returned as an assistant coach for the Falcons. Studley said good-bye to Pfeiffer for good last season when she took the role as Niagara’s assistant lacrosse coach, and now, she represents navy and gold while she looks to lead her troops down the field on their way to two huge victories. “Our team is very cohesive, and they are very good as a unit. This team is one of the best I have ever coached. We’re playing really well as a team. We just have to get down to the fundamentals of the offense and defensive to fully secure what we are trying to do,” said Studley. Currently, the Lady Colonels are ranked last in the MAC Freedom Conference based on last year’s efforts. Last season the lady Colonels struggled, and won only four of fourteen games, and posted a 1-9 record in the MAC. The lady Colonels finished 4-4 at home, and went 0-6 on the road. The bright side is that it’s a new season for See Lacrosse page 19 · .,__ , Campus Calendar. Monday 3/19 *AFROTC forum for healthcare professionals, HSC Miller Room - 12:00 PM *Women’s lacrosse @ Cedar Crest - 4:00 PM Tuesday 3/20 *Men’s baseball vs. Marywood -3:30 PM *Men’s tennis vs. FDUFlorham - 3:30 PM Wednesday 3/21 *Sales Development: Climbing the Sales Ladder, University Center on Main Saturday 3/24 *Men’s baseball @ Drew, Madison, NJ - 1:00 PM *Women’s lacrosse vs. Kean - 1:00 PM *Women’s softball vs. Delaware Valley - 1:00 PM Thursday 3/22 *STE 300 info. session, *V.I.P. Day for future students, Wilkes Campus Breiseth 207 - 11 AM *Women’s softball@ Wil- 9:00 PM liam Paterson, Wayne, NJ Sunday 3/25 - 2:30 PM *Men’s baseball vs. PSU Berks - 12:00 PM Friday 3/23 *Wyoming Valley/Walmart *Men’s baseball vs. Drew Shopping Center Shuttle -3:30 PM *Men’s Tennis@ Philadel- Trip, HSC - 2:00 PM phia Bible, Philadelphia, *Women’s softball vs. Keystone - 4:00 PM PA - 3:30 PM The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Lady Colonels are back in action for another intense season of lacrosse this Monday at Cedar Crest, and Saturday at home hosting Kean. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH -8:00 AM *Men’s baseball vs. Muhlenberg - 3:00 PM *Men’s tennis vs. Keystone - 3:30 PM This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming WILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. _. ~ Congratulations to George Haleem for correctly identifying last issues photo which was of a sign in the stairwell of the SUB. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 March 19th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 March 19 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e09a0df7d19794d79526eb016662df17.pdf 20b3da1a51f62fe25137c5c4e751aaa3 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 18 www.wilkesbeacon.com MARCH 27, 2007 Dr. Ronald Verret named as finalist for provost position Candidate to visit campus to assess his ‘fit’ with university BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor After a six-month process, the search for a new Provost appears to be winding down as Dr. Ronald Verret plans a return to campus to negotiate details and further assess his fit with the university culture. Dr. Paul S. Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs and chair of the provost search committee, told The Beacon last week that, “President Gilmour hopes to announce a new Provost by the end of April.” Adams noted, “The University has invited Dr. Reynold Verret to return to campus to further our discussions about the Provost position.” Verret is the current Dean of the Misher College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and will be “returning to learn more about the University and to further assess his sense of his ‘fit’ with Wilkes,” Adams added. He also noted that “it allows him, and his family, to explore in depth our community - its different neighbor- hoods and schools.” “We are absolutely delighted that Dr. Verret’s interest in Wilkes has grown,” Adams continued. “He is an academician of great intellect with a rich teaching and administrative background. He has a demeanor that is warm, welcoming and engaging. His breadth of experiences in the sciences, in the humanities and with pharmacy programs is uniquely suited to our needs at Wilkes. We think he’s an excellent match for us.” Dr. John Koch, professor of math and computer science and one of the faculty members on the search committee, agreed with Adams and said, “He [Dr. Verret] fits very well.” Koch also liked the idea of having someone with Verret’s background serve as provost because historically the administration has been populated by people from history, political science and other humanities backgrounds. Verret is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Verret is scheduled to visit campus in early April according to Adams. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Dr. Ronald Verret takes questions from faculty and students during his recent visit to the University. He is scheduled to appear again in early April. Wilkes announces 2007 graduation speaker Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin to address grads BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Paul Adams confirmed last week that hearing impaired actress Marlee Matlin will deliver the keynote address at the University’s 60th annual spring commencement to be held on May 19, 2007. “I think her story is great...what she’s overcome,” he said. The Morton Grove, Illinois native, lost most of her hearing as a child after a bout JUST WEAR IT. Page 7 with roseola infantum, but still managed to defy odds by taking on the role of Dorothy in a stage production of The Wizard of Oz at age seven, her very first acting role. After being discovered in the stage production of Children of a Lesser God, a story that takes place at a school for the hearing impaired, she was cast to star alongside William Hurt in the film version. Receiving critical acclaim worldwide in 1986, Matlin won the Academy Award for Best Actress in her silver screen debut at age 21---making her the youngest recipient of the prestigious honor, and only one of four actresses to win in their motion picture debut. Since then, Matlin has appeared in various sitcoms on television shows such as Picket Fences, The West Wing, The Outer Limits, Spin City, Desperate Housewives, My Name is Earl, and most notably, Seinfeld, where she played a deaf tennis player in a popular episode. “You name it, she’s been in it,” Adams commented. But it is her spirit---not just her talent--that makes her such a great choice to speak at this year’s spring commencement, Adams noted. Matlin currently serves as the national celebrity spokesperson for The American Red Cross, was a major force in persuading Congress to pass a federal legislation in 1992 for all television sets to be equipped with a closed-caption technology, and serving on the boards of other charitable organizations such as the Easter Seals and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. See PROVOST page 4 In This Issue... G R E A T Page 9 D E S I G N S To Dye For! Index P a g e 12 News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS MARCH 27, 2007 2 In search of Provost Going all Mac Student Goverment Notes Harrisburg Trip 2 3 4 5 Committee selected to find VP for Finance and Support Ops Frantz chosen to head search committee for Byers’ replacement BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Edior A search committe charged with the task of finding a new Vice President for Finance and Support Operations was named late last week. The committee will be chaired by Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, Mike Frantz. The remainder of the committee is analytical capabilities; proven understanding of current and emerging technologies, customer service orientation, and a collaborative and open management style.” Byers currently oversees all of the university’s financial operations; support operations including public safety, facilities and custodial; information technology; and serves as general counsel. to use his insight into law to extend his leadership on campus as General Counsel. Frantz said that the school does not require a law degree with this position since Wilkes has always received outside legal counsel from a local law firm. President Tim Gilmour, in a previous story, acknowledged that Byers’ degree is a unique combination. Jamie Gwynn, a sophomore communications major, who will be serving on the committee as one of the two student representatives, told The Beacon he will be keeping an eye out for the best candidate Frantz that offers a combination of key professional characteristics. “Without hearing any opinions from the student body yet, the areas that I believe would benefit the students most, and what they would like to see in a candidate would be regarding ethical values, leadership, and of course, the innovative ideas that candidate will present to make Wilkes University better in all aspects,” Gwynn said. Gwynn also shared his thoughts on serving on the committee. He said that he believed “having a student’s perspective on a search committee offers a fair chance for a representative voice for the entire student body....You wouldn’t think it means a lot for a student to be on this committee, but not only am I learning valuable things for my future, but I’m also representing the Wilkes community.” Representing the Wilkes community as fully as possible is a driving factor in the creation of search committees for faculty and administration. The president appointed a chair, in this case Frantz, who then fields suggestions from people from around the university as to who should serve on the Byers has such talented individuals in his organization that any person coming into this position will be fortunate to have great leadership already in place. -Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, Mike comprised of: Board of Trustees member, Susan Shoval; faculty members, Dr. R. Gregory Peters, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Thomas Hamill, Assistant Professor of English, and Dr. Nandita Das, Assistant Professor of Accounting; staff members, Controller Anna Rusnak Noon, Manager of Capital Projects Paul Kaspriskie Jr., Athletic Director Adelene Malatesta and students Sherri Homanko, Jamie Gwynn. Sott Byers has announced his resignation of the Vice President position and will leave no later than May 15 to take a position at Diversified Information Technologies based in Scranton, PA. Wilkes has advertised on the website of The Chronicle of High Education, and notes that the committee is looking for someone with a minimum of a “master’s degree with significant education and senior-level experience in financial management, planning and operations.” The ad also states that an “ideal candidate will possess highly developed financial and Frantz, who is the Chair of the search committee, told The Beacon that Byers’ replacement will be “coming into a very good position.” One reason Frantz gave for this is because of the administration that he referred to as a “strong team.” In addition, “[Byers] has such talented individuals in his organization that any person coming into this position will be fortunate to have great leadership already in place,” Frantz said. Another selling point for this position is the timing of the opening. According to the ad for this position, the priority deadline for applications is April 15, 2007. Byers’ replacement will start after the budget for the following school year is set and will be able to “get the lay of the land,” as Frantz put it. The search will also benefit from the fact that the committee is, at this point, not looking for someone with a law degree. Byers, who holds a Juris Doctorate from American University, was able committee. Staff and students are selected based on these suggestions. Faculty are elected by their colleagues and the president or the chair of the committee generally asks a member of the board of trustees to complete the team. Frantz also noted that there will be a “great amount of consistency” between this new search and the search that is currently in the process of finding a new provost for the university. One concern that may be raised in this search is the amount of time it will take to find the replacement, but Frantz added that the committee has been told to “move the search along as rapidly as possible.” To do so, ads have been placed in the most high profile locations for this field, including The Chronicle of High Education, The Wall Street Journal and on the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ website. An update can be expected sometime after the priority deadline in mid April. B E ACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �MARCH 27, 2007 NEWS 3 New Macs on campus garner national attention BY MARK CONGDON, JR Beacon Staff Writer Wilkes University recently took a big juicy bite out of Macintosh’s newest computer technology. The University will be one of the few college campuses nationwide to exclusively use and service Macintosh computers. The new Mac computers are able to run both Windows and Mac applications, and will save the university money, according to Mike Salem, Chief Information Officer. “Our end users get the flexibility to choose the system, Windows or Mac, and the application that best suits their needs. Switching to one system has made the computer classrooms and labs more flexible. Gone are the days when we had dedicated rooms for one system or the other. This conversion allows us to make better use of our campus resources, allowing Wilkes to save more than $150,000,” said Salem. Salem added, “One needs to understand that we are embracing a hardware platform in the new Intel based Macs that allow our students, faculty and staff to choose the best Windows or Mac application to suit their needs. The Wilkes community can now have the best of both worlds. This is what is different about what Wilkes has done as we are among the first campus to use the new Intel based hardware to run both the Windows and Mac operating systems and the application software of both on the same computer.” As a result of this change, Wilkes University has received both local and national attention, notes Christine Seitzinger, Associate Director Marketing Communications. “The Mac news has garnered local and national media attention. National media placements have included the Chronicle of Higher Education (online), Computerworld and now the Wall Street Journal. More than 40 online sources and blogs have picked up the story. Also, [Scott] Byers will be a live guest on Your Mac Life Show, a traditional podcast that has more than 170,000 listeners per week,” said Seitzinger. Salem said, “It will take about three years to replace most of the 1,700 computers on campus with the new Intel Mac systems.” He added that when the project is complete, it will have cost the university about $1.4 million. Joshua Walker, freshman mechanical engineering major, believes that the switch could be beneficial as long as the computers aren’t too complicated to figure out. “If they are user friendly to those who don’t have Mac computers, it should be beneficial for Wilkes,” said Walker. The Beacon/ Cara Coster Students work on Macs in the library which is just one of several buildings on campus that have new hybrid computers. Suzanne Cochi, sophomore undeclared Windows applications, there is no need for major, agreed that Wilkes should benefit. anyone to switch over to the Mac side un“Students will be able to ac- cess all less they wish to,” said Salem. Salem concluded by saying that, “There the software from both types of computers on one system now, and this should save us is more to this initiative than just changing time. We now don’t have to go to another computer if we need an application; now it will all be in one,” stated Cochi. However, Cochi said that it would be a good idea to offer training to those who don’t know how or have trouble using Mac computers. “If A 12-ounce bottle of beer has the the university could give same amount of alcohol as a a small training session standard shot of 80-proof liquor or a brief overview to students, faculty and staff on (either straight or in a mixed drink) how to use the new comor 5 ounces of wine. puters, I think that it will help people get the most -Sponsored by Health Services out of them,” said Cochi. “Apple will be providing resources to assist with training on Mac applications. However, since these computers run http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/alcoholMyths.asp A l c o h o l M y t h B u s t e rs : “Beer doesn’t have as much alcohol as hard liquor” [][ computer hardware. Wilkes and Apple executives met last month to discuss how we can work together to pioneer advances in the use of technology in academics.” Sundance Vacations Inc -Sports/ Event Marketing! -Flexible Schedule -Weekends & nights a must -GREAT PAY! $100 to $200/day -Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area CALL NOW! 1-800-233-1613 �NEWS MARCH 27, 2007 4 television movie based on the true story of a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the experimental sterlization of mentally challenged women. Most fans who have seen Matlin’s performances on television or in film agree that her ability to speak is so refined that they cannot tell she is hearing impaired. “She is someone who has lived most of her life without being able to hear. She’s become a tremendously accomplished actress, performer as well as a philanthropist and somebody who does advocacy to all of those less advantaged. I hope the respect will resonate with the graduates,” Adams said. Wilkes University has a long history of offering a sign language interpreter for its graduation ceremonies. There is no word as to whether Matlin will sign for herself throughout the speech. MATLIN from FRONT PAGE The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski On Saturday, March 24 Wilkes University hosted over 200 accepted students and their families at their annual VIP Day. Students were treated to tours and classes presented by Wilkes faculty members. Courtesy Marketing Communications Wilkes 2007 graduation speaker Marlee Matlin. “She’s a very talented lady if you look at the list of things she’s done, but she gives back. She’s very philanthropic, the sort of character Wilkes would want for a commencement speaker,” said Dr. Bonnie Culver, English professor and director of the MA in creative writing program, whose screenplay Raining Rainbows was optioned by Matlin’s production company, Solo One Productions. Culver’s ties to Matlin are what ultimately led her and Dr. Adams to bring her to campus. “I’ve never met her in person, so it will be great for me to meet her,” Culver said. “I’m just as excited as everyone else.” Matlin has played the lead role in Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story, a made for SG Notes -l#lK[S UNIVfRSJTY- At the March 21, 2007, Student Government (SG) meeting: Courtesy marleematlinsite.com Marlee Matlin in her Oscar winning debut in “Children of a Lesser God.” @@@~@~~~~~~~~~~~~~@ i @ i i @ i --- @ 'webuy and5ell i ,,s i i l\llll5 YIY PS2 XBOX NINTENDO VDE8GADS llsllMl45s @ @ I I I !i IUSIOL ENEIGI !I ~ @ 59 north main -- wilkes barre ,_ 829-2929 @ . - - - -- - - - - - - , @ i we have hundreds of posters!! i @ .____ _ _ _ _ ____, ~ @~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Courtesy http://student.valpo.edu @ New Business Spring Fling and Budget: Spring Fling will be held at the Waterfront on March 31 starting at 6 p.m. The total cost of the event will be $10,567.50, but with ticket sales, the cost comes down to $8,067.50. Student Government Election: Student Government elections will be held on Monday, March 26 to Wednesday, March 28. Voting will take place over email. Casino Night: Casino Night was held on Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m. in the ballroom. Prizes included gift cards, televisions, game systems and Wilkes attire. SGA Summit: Student Government will host a summit for area Student Government organizations on April 14. Block Party: OCC will once again be holding block party with food vendors, games and bounce houses on April 21. Events Wilkes Idol - March 27, April 3, 10 Spring Fling - March 31, Waterfront @ 6 p.m. �NEWS MARCH 27, 2007 5 Students lobby in Harrisburg on financial aid issues Courtesy of Rob Donahue Students met with representatives and state senators from the Wilkes-Barre area including John Yudichak, Mike Carroll, Eddie Day Pashinski and Lisa Baker to lobby for an increase in student funding for higher education. Junior hisory major Robert Donohue said, “They seemed like they were all for the idea of more FIA, especially Mike Carroll and Eddie Day Pashinski since they too, used to work in higher education.” MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I FREE BROWNIES Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I Courtesy of Meredith Rogers Wilkes University student, Mary Balavage, poses with Pennsylvania State Senator Lisa Baker (R) on a recent trip to Harrisburg. Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �Opinion Harvard Sex Ed Angry Rant: Immigration 8 MARCH 27, 2007 6 Civilian protection Public apologies don’t always ring true Sticks and stones may break your bones…but words can never hurt. Oh? Recently media maven Ann Coulter came under fire for comments she made before a CPAC gathering in which she referred to Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards as a “faggot.” Conservatives and liberals alike decried her use of the term as bigoted and nasty. In her response to the public outcry, Coulter explained that she had intended the comment as “a joke.” Effectively, this was meant as an apology. Did Coulter’s comment cross the line? Obviously, such a volatile somehow shame these people into an apology, such statements would not be even remotely sincere, so what’s the point? Why should Washington apologize? It is clear that he meant what he said, or he would not have repeated it on multiple occasions. Therefore, any apology he makes is purely to please sponsors and the public. Obviously, making derogatory remarks toward any race, culture, religion or sexual orientation is not acceptable, but insisting on Courtesy of oneresolve.wordpress.com Aleksander Lapinski an apology is fruitless. The same to promote our separate ideas or rights that allow us to lifestyles, no matter how ignorant feel free to live differ- some of those opinions might be. ent lifestyles also gives The legal limit is, of course, that crass people the right to we cannot say things that infringe have another opinion. upon others’ rights or make others Last year, at a Beacon feel threatened. Did Coulter’s or staff meeting, there was Washington’s comments threaten? a back-and-forth debate No, though we could argue that over public displays of they contribute to a culture of ingay pride and homo- tolerance that can, indeed, threaten sexuality. One side em- given enough weight. In the end, phasized freedom of ex- though, their comments simply pression and the right to afforded clear glimpses into the pursue what makes them speakers’ characters. happy. However, the flip The more serious attacks on gay side did not want to be rights are not coming from Ann bombarded by messages Coulter or Isaiah Washington. Insbout a lifesyle they dis- stead, we should focus on more agreed with. They felt in pressing matters, such as South this their rights were be- Carolina officially banning gay ing violated. Both sides marriage. Not everyone is going made compelling argu- to think progressively and we canments and neither apolo- not all agree on the same things; gized for their views. however, taking away rights that This is how the Ameri- will at least put us all at equal can free speech system levels is more of what we should works. worry about than which celebrity We are a culture born should put a shine on the latest in the tradition of dis- public apology to save face. sent. We have our rights to speech and assembly remark was made purely for shock value and the widespread press coverage it received has certainly ensured she hit the mark there. We think the use of such language is not only bigoted, but also displays ignorance among some we might otherwise look to as media savvy. Another case in point: Actor Isaiah Washington, of Grey’s Anatomy has been rumored to possibly lose his contract after his repeated antihomosexual comments directed at co-star T.R. Knight. Suddenly he began making public apologies as angry activist groups began to protest the program. For her part, Coulter is not particularly apologetic. Washington has made efforts. But the point is that if the media and the public A Sight for Sore Eyes 8 Beacon Anti-gay statments not easily forgiven BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD 7 Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 52 responses. The Beacon asked: What is the best kind of bottled water? • • • • • • • • • • Dasani - 35% Aquafina - 19% Other - 13% Figi - 10% Poland Spring - 10% Evian - 8% Perrier - 4% Deer Park - 1% Nestle - 0% Dannon - 0% Next Week’s Question: What is the most irritating word misuse? • • • • • • • • • • There/Their/They’re Two/To/Too Whether/Weather Loose/Lose Effect/Affect Than/Then It’s/Its You’re/Your Are/Our Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �MARCH 27, 2007 OPINION 7 Harvard’s True Love Revolution aims at ‘mindless sex’ BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Sex ed. We have been learning the male and female anatomy since middle school. We had tests on the “boy parts” and “girl parts.” Movies have repeatedly made a mockery of this sex education while classrooms full of students have giggled and blushed trying to put a condom on a banana. Now, Harvard University has formed an abstinence group to fight against what they call “mindless sex.” Two students at the Ivy League school discovered a student health center’s advertisement for FREE LUBE, a promotion of the mindless sex they are fighting against, so they opted to offer an alternative. Interestingly enough, the two who have created this group are dating. They have called their group True Love Revolution and have over 90 participants on their Facebook.com page. According to the homepage for the group, “TLR is a new, non-sectarian student group at Harvard College dedicated to the promotion of premarital sexual abstinence...[the group’s] efforts focus on community outreach, publicity, and support for those who wish to remain strong in or have recommitted themselves to this cause.” It was evident my freshman year that sex-talk was normal conversation at Wilkes. I remember it being thrown in my face the moment I walked into the dormitory. Baskets of individually lubricated condoms filled the common room, along with flavorful dental dams. Some wiseguy always found it amusing to display these sexual protection mechanisms as artwork around the dorm. And stickers were randomly placed around the halls with the black bold words JUST DO IT printed on a white condom. In short, sex is everywhere. As freshmen we were encouraged to attend group discussions about practices of safe sex and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, we have moved from STDs to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In a recent conversation with my mother, she was unaware of the switch from STDs to STIs. I will once and for all separate the two. STDs have symptoms. However, organizations The Beacon/Cara Koster have begun using the term STIs because these infections can be passed from one individual to another even when there are no apparent symptoms. So, has sex on college campuses become mindless? Are universities promoting sexual behavior when they provide their students with the means to conduct such activity? When too much alcohol is consumed everything and/or anything will become mindless. So, yes, when alcohol is mixed into the equation sexual intercourse will be mindless. On the other hand, having condoms around the dorm is not an advertisement to have sex, but a safe option for those who choose to do so. Freshmen year students are breaking away from the strict reins their parents had on them all through grade school and struggling with their newly claimed freedom. It is my hope that as Evans Hall is revamped into an all freshmen dorm we see a lot more of these prized baskets in that dormitory. And it is very convenient that health services is in the same building--it shouldn’t be moved. Maybe Wilkes will not see a True Love Revolution group on campus anytime soon as we do not have that sort of prestigious reputation to uphold. But the basis on which Harvard formed its abstinence group is still applicable to Wilkes and any college campus. Will abstinence ultimately become the dominant social practice on campuses across the nation? Perhaps not. But education is key. Awareness of risks is essential. And easy access to means of protection should people not choose abstinence is very important to maintaining a healthy climate. News coverage of tragic events acknowledges humanity BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Last Saturday I worked at VIP Day as an admissions ambassador, but also as a student from the communication studies department helping with various classes that prospective students attended. One of the classes I helped with was Mass Media. This topic is huge and cannot be fully covered in one fifty minute session, but many things did come up in conversation. One subject was the shock value of certain news items and why people watch them. I brought up the point that just because you see a house fire on TV and like to look doesn’t make you a bad person. As expected, some in the crowd reacted to my comment as if I were an axe murderer. Staring at the accident on the road, listening to the television news story about the murder across town, or reading the account of war in Iraq doesn’t make us sick and twisted. And don’t get me wrong. I do not hope houses burn down or people get into accidents. But craning our necks to watch images of these events does not make our society depraved. It makes us human, and indeed, such events connect us. Think for a moment about the circus, or any other form of entertainment based on thrilling an audience. In a circus, for example, we hold our collective breath when the high wire artist fakes a slip or those hurtling through the air on the trapeze miss a hand off. The truly daring circus is the one that doesn’t offer a net, and it’s also the one that sells the most tickets. Why? Audiences are not interested in seeing death, per se, but they are interested in being thrilled--we are fascinated by the unusual, the daring, the brightly colored and the shocking. Humans seek out those things in life that are not mundane. Just because audiences come night after night to see if a high wire artists might walk out of the tent as a pancake doesn’t make them evil. People are simply hard-wired to take in their surroundings and be curious about what is going on. Scientifically the term Schadenfreude means to take pleasure in someone else’s misfortune that draws such audiences. But I’m not sure it’s acutally pleasure. I think that curiosity is what drives an audience to keep watching, and the thrill of What if. When you pass a car crash, you look. What is ethically wrong with that? It is natural to be attracted to the image that is not of the norm. The same holds true for the news. If our media published half of the shocking images taken from hot spots around the world such as the Sudan, Iraq, or Afghanistan, or regularly offered video feed from natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes, audiences would go insane from how much sadness there is in the world. So, we’re offered a few, often sanitized, images, and they remain out of the ordinary. There is a reason why the fire is the lead story on the local news. There is also another reason as to why audiences find out that “The family is now looking for temporary housing. They did not have insurance,” instead of hearing their truly personal stories about what each person lost. News gives shape to community. When reports of the unusual, the fantastic, the shocking filter into our headlines and images, it’s not necessarily a ploy to sell more papers or increase viewership. Disasters, wars, loss, and yes, even death, define a key component of human experience--one that the rest of us are curious about. News shapes society, and as gatekeepers news directors, editors and producers have a huge responsibility because they choose how the community reacts. If the media offers an in-depth story about a family who lost all of their possessions in a fire and the single father of six children who lived in the house has terminal cancer, viewers or readers are more likely to send the family a card with a $1,000 check in it. If the stories that emerged from 9/11 taught us nothing else, they showed that stories of human loss ultimately bind communities and bring people together. Yes, the interest is born of curiosity, but it’s also born of compassion. News coverage of tragic events is necessary, and while some may be attracted to such stories as vouyers, the majority are attracted to such stories because they are simply human and need connection with one another. �MARCH 27, 2007 OPINION 8 Civilians should never be seen as fair game in war BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief I recently participated in a debate in my history class about whether or not the United States should have dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II. Needless to say, it got heated. And I fell confidently on the side of those who thought we should have found a better way, a more diplomatic, humane way. My main argument was that there should be a distinction between military lives and civilian lives. When a government decides to wage war, it makes the conscious decision to expend the lives of the men and women serving in the armed forces in order to accomplish a goal, in order to win power, in order to take power away from those countries bent on destruction and greed. Men and women sign up for war knowing that they place their lives on the line for their country. If you ask them, they will state that they know the risks and decide to fight anyway. Civilian lives are more often than not the lives these men and women are fighting to protect. As a country, we have gone to war to defend or protect or assert our way of life. In World War II, we fought to stop the rise of a misguided dictator who held no respect or regard for human life. And, we fought because Japan made an unprovoked attack on our soil with the intent of drawing us into the war. We responded with the full force of our military might, which included the atomic bomb. And, while it ended the war and prevented the loss of more American military personnel, our grandfathers and uncles and possibly grandmothers, we killed innocent people to bring Japan to her knees and bring a b o u t surrender. It is this act that I took so much issue with during the debate. And while I realized that a life is a life and the loss of a military man or woman is felt just as keenly as the loss of a civilian, I held firm on the idea that civilian men, women, and children should be protected from the acts of war. It’s why we have rules of en- gagement and people can be tried for war crimes. The existence of war trials suggests that certain acts are not tolerated in war and will be punished, thus destroying the concept of “All’s fair in (love and) war.” My classmates argued that Japan had bombed us at Pearl Harbor and initiated this war and that this was simply our retaliation for what they started. But, we responded on such a large scale, one many times greater than what occurred at Pearl Harbor and Graphic by Kristyn Ostman on civilian lives. Yeah, yeah, I’m beating a dead horse with the civilian thing, but take for instance the attack on 9/11. While in America it was viewed as unprovoked and from a faceless enemy, for those hijackers and members of al-Qaeda, it was far from unprovoked and was done with the express intent of declaring war on America and our way of life. And, no, I am not defending the actions of those men. I consider them horrific, unfeeling monsters just like every other red-blooded American. What I am asking Americans to consider is that our attack on those cities may have seemed to the Japanese very similar to the way we perceived the attack on 9/11. Those hijackers upped the ante in terms of the way war can be waged by intensifying the game, identifying civilians as fair targets and using our own conventional means of transportation against us. In many ways, we upped the ante in World War II by successfully developing and employing a catastrophic weapon of war and using it against civilians. I recognize that war is inevitable and in some cases necessary. And, yes, I am glad that the war in the Pacific ended when it did and both of my grandfathers came home alive. What I wish, however, is that we could have found a better way, a way that didn’t send a message to the global community that war could be so destructive and that young children, grandmothers, and men and women alike were fair game. The Angry Rant: Hazleton Immigraton Ordinance BY TIM SIEGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It’s probably just me, but maybe the ACLU should spend more time defending people who are actually citizens of this country. Perhaps I’ve sounded too critical of the ilPure ridiculousness. That’s how I describe legal immigrants thus far, but it is my firm the current hot button issue that is illegal belief that if you want to live in this country, immigration. then you need to become a citizen and conFor those not in the know, it seems that tribute to the American workforce. there are citizens from other countries I’m all for coming into America without the proper identification or without an someone leavapparent desire to attain such idening their hometification. to find a If people are committing a crime, and illegal immigration is clearly that, then why is there land And so it is, this problem has better life in the even a debate over what we are doing? turned into quite an epidemic, as it United States. seems that more and more illegal After all, immigrants are coming into the weren’t most of country every day. our descendants If people are committing a crime, immigrants and illegal immigration is clearly that, then ACLU, have filed complaints that the act is ter or any additional resources to someone when they first arrived on the shores? why is there even a debate over what we unconstitutional and would end up hurting who just robbed a bank, you are held reOur country is built around the principles sponsible for your actions as well, as there that this is the land of opportunity and that are doing? the town in the end. This debate has been brought to light in First of all, I’ve been waiting for Hazele- is a crime that does prevent ordinary citi- you can find your way by working towards our area recently, thanks in part to the deci- ton to announce an official language for a zens from aiding and abetting felons. it. It’s also beyond me how the ACLU, which sion made by Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazle- long time. Personally, I was campaigning You just need to do it legally. for Polish, but whatever. means the American Civil Liberties Union, ton. Secondly, those business owners who are can be on the side of the illegal immigrants. The Immigration Relief Act was passed in order to punish those who were assisting illegal immigrants through employment or housing. As such, fines were issued to those who were renting to or employing illegal immigrants. In addition, the act also made English the official language of Hazeleton. In response, several groups, including the providing employment to illegal immigrants are committing a crime, simply because they are paying their employees under the table (no taxes!), not to mention they are withholding jobs from other citizens who aren’t willing to work for five dollars an hour and no bathroom breaks. Also, let’s not forget that if you offer shel- -======---- �FEATURES MARCH 27, 2007 Historical buildings Relay for Life 10 10 9 University College shapes lives, offers direction The programs and services that University College offer were created to lend guidance and assistance to all students through any challenges they may face as they go through the transitional stages of personal and intellectual growth. These programs include: Academic Advising Services, Act 101 Program, Career Services, Disability Imagine walking into a room, unsure and Support Services, ESL Program, First-Year fearful of what your future holds. You may Program, Learning-Skills Program, Supplefeel alone, confused and possibly overmental Instruction, Tutorial Services, Undewhelmed. Now imagine leaving that same clared Major Program and Upward Bound room a little while later with an idea of Program. where you want to go and what you want For seven years, Karen Riley has held the to achieve, with the confidence to make it position of Act 101 assistant director and happen. has seen the positive impact that the proFor Wilkes University students, this gram has on students. “room” exists on campus. University Col“I love working with students because lege, located in Conyngham Hall, is the each student is unique and has something to Wilkes version of the “Center for Student offer in making a difference in our world. I Success.” am able to see students feel successful and University College was first established achieve their goals,” Riley said. in 1826 by London philosopher Jeremy Many Wilkes students participate in the Bentham. Bentham insisted that education programs during the course of their studies be available to everyone regardless of genhere. der, race, or religion, therefore he opened Mike Fox, a 2006 Wilkes grad, is a former his doors to all students. lacrosse and football player. Fox is just one Blake Mackesy, assistant director of of the countless students over the years who has benefited from University College. During his freshman year in 2002, Fox entered University College for the first For a regular time. tank He said the most important aspect top, cut at least anthat helped him through his undergraduate inch experience was knowing that he had help away from the slee ves, to him at any time. available “If es I slipped, I knew [Karen Riley] was and two or more inch going to be there to kind of guide me.” down from the neck Fox attended the peer tutoring sessions offered through University College, which line. are open to everyone, while he was struggling through Calculus II. “They spent time working on homework problems with me and they were just students at that point that were doing some tutoring, so I think that really helped and got me back on track to the point where I was at least doing better in the math classes that I was struggling in.” The majority of students who take advantage of these programs and services that University College has to offer see a great amount of improvement in many areas, Riley said. “Student improvement can vary at all different levels, but is mostly reflected in better semester grade point averages, betMike Fox, a 2006 graduate of Wilkes, now serves as an admissions counselor ter decision-making when contemplating at the university. Fox used the services available through University College important choices, better guidance in acato help him succeed as an undergraduate. demic advisement and better confidence in BY NICOLE FRAIL & JAMIE GWYNN Beacon Correspondents Part I: Breaking the Stigma University College, is one of the many caring individuals that continue this tradition. “I try to help students make connections between their Wilkes experience, both their classes and out of class experiences, and their personal lives, values, hopes and dreams. Individuals who achieve great success often do so with the assistance of others.” Since 1976, the Act 101 program has been one of the programs that helps students reach these goals. Through this program, students are assigned personal academic counselors who listen to their concerns and share strategies and ideas to help students set and achieve goals. Act 101 is open to any Pennsylvania resident who demonstrates financial need to attend college, and there is no cost to be a member. The Act 101 program provides a variety of services, including academic, career, and financial aid guidance, and professional and peer study sessions in selected courses. Although Act 101 is for specific students, all students have the potential to benefit from at least one program that University College offers. approaching either academic or personal situations.” “Considering University College is [available for no additional cost on tuition], I think you are kind of a fool not to use [their resources] to your advantage,” Fox added. So why aren’t more students involved with University College? “I think that every time you have to go for help, there’s a stigma, you know, that [it’s] wrong,” Fox said. Riley agreed. “From a student’s perspective, he or she may feel that others see him or her as weak in that subject area and may not be able to do the work. So that individual may avoid seeking out help for his or her concern.” It’s important to remember that Bentham’s purpose in opening his doors to all students was so that every student, no matter their differences or capabilities, could get the education he or she deserves. Students who turn to University College are not viewed as weak and are not stereotyped into negative categories or groups. Fox said that no matter who you may be, there is no shame in asking for assistance if you need it. “You are not necessarily inept or incapable of doing something… I think there is a possibility for every student on campus to get something out of University College.” Whether a student is trying to raise their GPA or declare a major, one result that the student will see that Fox, Mackesy and Riley agreed on is an increase in his or her confidence. “The best tool to have is the confidence to seek help,” Mackesy said. Mike Fox used the resources from University College to his advantage, and currently he is an admissions counselor for Wilkes. Still think it’s not “cool” to get free help? In Part II, we’ll take a look at Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring (peer and professional) available to all Wilkes students through University College. �10 FEATURES MARCH 27, 2007 Wilkes buildings have ties to manners maven BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor Photos: The Beacon/Cara Koster Students living in Rifkin Hall no longer have an excuse to not be on their best behavior. The building, which was built in 1873, was designed by Bruce Price, who is the father of famous Etiquette author, Emily Post. According to the Walk Wilkes-Barre brochure, which provides information about historic buildings in the city, Rifkin Hall was originally designed for the Murray Reynolds family. Years before Wilkes acquired the building in 1989, another familiar name was associated with the building. Colonel Robert B. Ricketts, who donated Ricketts’ Glen State Park to Pennsylvania, resided in the house. “Colonel Robert B. Ricketts, a Battle of Gettysburg hero, lumber baron, and early conservationist, who donated Ricketts’ Glen State Park to the people of Pennsylvania,” once lived in the building that now houses Wilkes students. Wilbur Hayes, associate professor of biology, emeritus, has done research on Rifkin Hall, as well as Bedford Hall, which was also designed by Price. He said the building was donated to Wilkes in 1967. “At that time, much of campus was on one block, and there was now a new men’s dormitory.” Hayes added that Bruce Price and family, including Emily Post, only lived in WilkesBarre for three years, between 1873 and 1876, before moving to New York City. After moving, Price helped design Tuxedo Park, and according to greatbuildings. com, “The Shingle style houses Price built at Tuxedo, with their compact massing and axial plans, influenced several young architects including Frank Lloyd Wright.” Rifkin Hall, left, is located at 80-84 South River Street, and serves as a dorm for Wilkes students. Bedford Hall, located at 96 West South Street, house the department of Air and Space Studies/Air Force ROTC offices and the Institutional Research Office. Both buildings were designed by Bruce Price, father of Emily Post. Participants prepare for upcoming Relay for Life event BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor The Relay for Life is still a month away, but teams on and around campus are already preparing for the event by raising funds and awareness. John Botch, who is serving as the team recruitment co-chair, said there are at least twelve teams already signed up. The event is designed to raise money and awareness and to benefit the American Cancer Society. “The purpose is to raise cancer awareness. It’s also to raise money for the projects that the American Cancer Society wants to do, research, and get the information out to people so less people get cancer, and they know what to do to not get it, if possible,” Botch said. To raise money, teams have the option of enlisting area businesses to donate and relying on the donations of friends and family. Many teams are also fundraising through group events. “There’s one team that’s going to be doing a car wash, and other teams are selling t-shirts,” Botch said. Teams are encouraged to be imaginative with their fundraising. “There’s a wide variety of things they can do,” he added. “We have about 120 people signed up so far, and our goal is $100 per person to raise. Our goal is $20,000 as of right now, being the first year event for us. Once we get the business sponsors on, we should be good.” The majority of the teams are composed of students, but there are also two faculty teams, and a team formed by employees of Target. See RELAY, Page 11 �RELAY from Page 10 Botch said members of the community, as well as other local businesses, are welcome to participate in the event. Matt Crouse, P2 major, said his team is just doing individual fundraising so far, but they plan to do something soon to raise money as a group. “We want to do something creative that other people aren’t doing,” Crouse said. Crouse wanted to be a part of the Relay for Life because his grandfather and sister had cancer, and he wanted to do something to raise money and awareness so others may not have to suffer. “I think that everyone has had contact with a relative or someone they knew that had cancer, and I think events like this are a good place for people to learn about cancer and come together for a FEATURES 11 cure. It’s also great because survivors and people with cancer are going to be there, and it is great to show them our support and love and let them know they aren’t alone.” Crouse added that his team is prepared to stick it out for the 24-hour event. “I think [we’re] used to staying up late, if not all night, so I think we will be in good shape for the long haul.” Anyone who has an interest in registering a team is still encouraged to do so. Forms are being accepted until March 31, but Botch said they are willing to extend the deadline so as many people as possible are given the opportunity to sign up. To register, call 484-347-7237 and leave a voicemail, or e-mail Botch at john.botch@wilkes.edu. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski MARCH 27, 2007 On Thursday, March 22, Dr. David Wyatt visited Wilkes University. Wyatt, who teaches at the University of Maryland in College Park, came to Wilkes to read from his latest book, And the War Came. Before reading in Kirby Hall, Wyatt joined students and faculty members for dinner, where he was able to learn about day-to-day life on campus. AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E MARCH 27, 2007 12 Manuscript Redesign Decorating Eggs Crossword 13 14 15 Q&A with Giovanni and crew of A Perfect Stranger Dinner: Circles on theRibisi Square BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Even though there is a virtual treasure trove of huge chain restaurants in town now, every now and then a girl just craves a quick lunch at a small, local place that is actually within walking distance (especially since the weather lately has turned from polar to pleasant). Luckily, Circles on Public Square in WilkesBarre fits that definition perfectly. The lack of seating is probably that first thing that jumpsA out to the average patron at Circles, but for me it was just fine, as I was feeling a bit anti-social anyway. Apparently, they have been “take out only since 1985” and quite proud of it. Circles caters to the eccentric in everyone, with an assortment of magnets, plaques (I plan on picking up the “Hippies must use side door” soon) and other gifts that are probably not easily found otherwise. ...and a Movie BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer In the short time since its opening on March 9, 300 has developed quite a media buzz for itself; and after pulling in over $70 million during its opening weekend alone, it would appear that the buzz is paying off. Luckily for moviegoers, 300 is one movie that lives up to the hype. Adapted from Sin City creator Frank Miller’s graphic novel, this epic tells the story of the legendary battle of Thermopylae, where a small band of Spartan warriors bravely held their own against the massive invading forces of the Persian Empire. Of 300’s virtual army of heroes, Sparta’s brave king Leonidas, played by Gerald Butler (Dracula 2000, Reign of Fire), stands head and shoulders above all others. After receiving a message from his trusted oracles, warning him not to march the full force of his army against the invading Persian forces, King Leonidas is faced with the decision between defying his gods and his council by leading an attack on his enemies, or obeying the oracles and sitting idly by as his people and his kingdom fall to the mighty Xerxes, “God King” of the Persian Empire. Unable to choose between the two rather unpleasant options before him, Leonidas creates his own option. Deciding that he can’t surrender his people into bondage, Leonidas leads a small force of 300 hardened soldiers to defend the mountain pass that the Persian army must travel through The locale also features a variety of sandwiches with, I must say, some very interesting names. Craving some roast pork and cranberry preserves (because who wouldn’t be)? Try the ‘Carl’s Candygram.’ More of a beef person? Give the ‘King Biscuit’s This’ll Fix It’ a whirl. The quirky titles were probably my favorite part of my dining experience, and after-as always-much debate, I finally decided to order the ‘Market Street Bridge.’ The service was so fast that I barely had time to peruse the assortment of knick-knacks and gourmet chocolates lining the walls before my order was up. But, while deciding what to order, I did have the opportunity to notice the wide range of sandwiches Circles offers. They basically have something to suit everyone, from vegetarians to hard-core carnivores, and the customer can feel very free to add and substitute to their heart’s desire --~Dinner and a Movie I gave the sandwich that extra something spe(sometimes for a small fee). After locating a place to dig in, I was able cial, next to the sprouts, of course. My only to find out exactly what a “Market Street regret would be that I wish I had realized I Bridge” is, and apparently cheese is the first could have ordered half of a sandwich inthing that came to the minds of the creators stead of the entire thing. The sandwich was of this sandwich when thinking about a huge huge. Overall, if you’re looking for a quick bite concrete overpass. With a combination of smoked mozzarella and American cheeses to eat without much hassle, Circles is defion whole wheat bread, the sandwich also nitely the place to go. The service was fast, included tomato, cucumber, red and green the food was decent and the meal names peppers, sundried tomato, sherry vinegar, were a refreshing break from the sandwich mustard and alfalfa sprouts. monotony some larger restaurants fall into. Oddly enough, my favorite part was prob- Circles is truly a unique characteristic of a ably the sprouts, as I don’t see them as often changing downtown. as I would like to and I feel they are a highly Grade: B+ underrated ingredient. The cheeses also went surprisingly well together, as did the vinegar and mustard, which I was leery about Giovanni Elaine at first. And the sundried tomatoes definitely Ribisi Goldsmith in order to reach the Dead) the film city of Sparta, while was shot almost his queen, played by entirely in MonLena Headey (The treal, heavily utiCave, The Brothers lizing blue and Grimm), attempts to green screen techconvince the council nology to create to allow the rest of the stylish, stunthe army to march, ningly realistic reinforcing the king Greek kingdom against the invaders. and the sweepOnce in position, ing, carnage-ridthe 300 Spartans den battle fields await the oncoming featured throughbattle with the seemout the film. ingly unstoppable Other than the forces of Xerxes, elaborate, comwhich numbered puter generated in the hundreds of sets on which thousands and was the three hundred comprised of warSpartans do battle, riors from all of the the combatants lands conquered by on both sides are the “God King.” The quite impressive battle that ensues is themselves, espeCourtesy of www.impawards.com cially those on the known for bravery and sacrifice made side of the invadby the 300 Spartans, and has become famous ing Persians. Consisting of wave after wave as one of the greatest “last stands” ever made. of fearsome warriors, the Persian forces range Unfortunately, those who paid attention during from infantry to explosive-throwing wizards history class will know how the battle ends. to the menacing, iron-faced Immortals. Even In addition to delivering a great story, 300 more impressive than the appearance of their explodes onto the screen, delivering one of the soldiers are the “beasts” they bring with them, most visually stunning films in years. Under including elephants and rhinoceros armored the direction of Zack Snyder (Dawn of the for battle, along with some interesting mon- sters such as the gigantic, blue-skinned, razor fanged “Uber-Immortal” (played by former WWE wrestler Robert “Kurgan” Maillet), or the “God King’s” saw-armed executioner. Most impressive of all is Xerxes himself, portrayed as a gravel-voiced, hairless, 8 ft. tall giant, adorned with gold, seated on a thrown carried on the backs of his slaves. From beginning to end, Frank Miller’s 300 is an all out cinematic tour de force, combining elements of epic storytelling, stunning visuals and heart-pounding action. However, though it may come from the pages of a comic book, it is certainly not a film for children. From the instant that the Persian army sets foot onto Spartan soil, the violence begins as the heads start to roll and the blood starts to spray. Other than the violence, the film also earns its R rating through several scenes of nudity. On the upside, though they may be vicious killers on the battlefield, the Spartan army has incredibly clean mouths, as there is virtually no bad language. Nevertheless, the film’s combination of sex and violence make 300 one for the big kids. So, if you’re in the mood for a visually stunning, adrenaline driven epic full of powerful acting and breathtaking battle scenes, go out and see 300. If you’re not into that sort of thing…go out and see it anyway, even if it’s just to see what all the hype is about. Grade: A+ �MARCH 27, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Manuscript redesigns with help of Paper Kite Press BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Correspondent When members of the Manuscript staff thought their literary magazine was looking rather drab, they decided to take that problem into their own hands-literally. Wilkes University’s literary magazine, the Manuscript, will show off a new, revitalized design when its next issue comes out in May. New technology will help make the content more lifelike, while a simple pair of hands will bring a fresh look to its cover by fastening it with original bindings. “We wanted to reflect more creativity with our product,” said faculty advisor Dr. Mischelle Anthony. “Manuscript is so creative at every level that we wanted our final product to reflect that.” The Manuscript prints twice an academic year, once each semester. Founded in 1947, The Manuscript welcomes creative submissions from anyone from the Wilkes community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. According to Anthony, it publishes work that “makes the ordinary extraordinary.” The Manuscript includes both visual and print art, such as drawings, paintings, poetry and fiction. Since the fall of 2003, the magazine has featured its current design-straightforward black and white pages slightly larger than those of a paperback novel. “It’s been safe,” said Kacy Muir, executive editor of Manuscript. Muir, a junior English major with literature and writing concentrations, has been involved with the magazine since she was a freshman. Members of the Manuscript Society decided they wanted a change, but needed some direction in how to implement their ideas. So, they enlisted the help of Jennifer benefit from the workshop because it will teach them how to incorporate their creativity into different parts of their lives. “They’ll learn how to bring their creativity into a fairly limited process,” she said. The Beacon/Cara Koster The Manuscript Society meets every Thursday to edit content, plan layout and learn book-binding techniques. They are working hard to get the new book finished in time for the unveiling on May 1. Hill-Kaucher and Dan Weber of Paper Kite Press, a small, independent press on South Franklin Street. Hill-Kaucher and Weber offered to hold a bookbinding workshop so the students could learn how to add more personality to their magazine. At the workshop in April, members will learn how to bind magazines by hand, using materials such as rubber bands, string, hemp, ribbons or lace. They will have a week to bind 300 copies of Manuscript before the May 1 unveiling of the new design. Anthony believes that the students will “Usually bookbinding isn’t seen as something really creative, but we’re going to make it be.” Changes will be made to the interior of the magazine as well. Manuscript will grow to standard 8x11 size and include full color and glossy photographs. A noticeable homage to the ‘60s and ‘70s will be evident in the style and design. “We’re going back to the old Manuscript style,” said Muir. “We’re tapping into that ‘archaic’ layout and incorporating it in a modern way.” The magazine will be modernized further by technological advances that promise to make the pages seem more lifelike. The University Print Shop, which is printing the pages at no charge for the organization, uses a high definition copier that copies submissions in their original form. Handwritten pieces, doodles, paperclips and editorial marks will all be visible in the new design, giving the magazine an original, edgy feel. Muir believes that the new design will visually stimulate readers with its three-dimensional look. She hopes its new design will prompt a broader audience to appreciate the creative works of the contributors. “Their work stands alone,” she said. “We’re just packaging it.” While Manuscript’s next issue will show a major revitalization, Anthony doesn’t think the invention should end there. “My goal is for it to be different each semester, to reflect who we are as a group,” said Anthony. “I want it to be bursting at the seams.” When the fruits of their labor are revealed to the public, Muir hopes that Manuscript sparks conversation, whether positive or negative. “Any reaction is good,” she said. “Any emotion whatsoever shows that it’s doing something, and that’s what we want. We want people to take something away from it.” 0dVdbc�k�!��&� h-Y7ILKESv�IS�COMING� \hfX[ZTb�fX[ZTb�TSd FP]c�P]�X?^S. E^cT�U^a�h^da�UPe^aXcT�<hFX[ZTb�_^acP[�STbXV]�^]�<PaRW�!&���!(�Ua^\� ¾ X]�cWT�BcdST]c�2T]cTa�P]S�QT�Pdc^\PcXRP[[h�T]cTaTS�c^�fX]�P�"�61�X?^S� 6^�c^�\hfX[ZTb�fX[ZTb�TSd�U^a�\^aT�STcPX[b�P]S�c^�e^cT� 7),+%3 <HG9<;5C �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 27, 2007 Turning the plain egg into an artistic masterpiece orat dec You may ne ed t o ter de al w ng as er. Th e Be a co n ar may seem simple enough, when you experiment with decoration methods, it actually takes some testing and practice. Be prepared to lose a few eggs in the process. And it takes some patience as well, because certain things take a very long time to dry, and the curve of the egg is pretty awkward to work with. Now go to the grocery store, grab a carton of eggs, and start decorating. iss s hillip aP done. ta But while the traditional route will supply a bunch of pretty, pastel eggs in minutes, using the same methods every year gets a bit dull. Beyond the standard food dye, holiday adventurers may opt for paint, stickers, magazine clippings, markers, glue, and glitter, among other things. Ultimately, there are countless alternative methods to decorate an egg. But while the possibilities may seem endless, the thing to keep in mind is, a great idea doesn’t always guarantee success. There are many ways to decorate an egg, but believe it or not, there are also many ways to fail at decorating an egg. Here are a few alternative ways to decorate eggs, as well as some advice to keep your decorating fault-free. Before actually beginning the decoration, there obviously needs to be some ith ggs before b bad e eco ew mi f a m Eggs d and ecorate Mari d by ssa Phill Dennis ips. Con dus you choose to hard-boil your eggs, avoid spray paint. It seems like a cool idea, but any moisture on the egg will also make it impossible to dry. If you are going to use paint, it’s important to pay attention to the kind of paint you’re using. An acrylic paint is probably the best choice, while watercolors and oil-based paints would be poor choices beause it takes far too many coats for any real color to show and artists may find themselves still waiting in June. One creative method involves using colored cotton balls and glue. Coat the egg in rubber cement and paste little puffs of different colored cotton to cover the entire surface. It’s important to place the egg in a holder throughout this process to avoid the mess of directly holding the rubber cement covered egg. Once the egg is covered in cotton, its size has increased dramatically and may not exactly look like a chicken egg anymore, but heck, you can toss it and run less risk of breakage with the new padding you’ve created. There are obviously plenty of other materials to decorate eggs, and the only limitation to color and design is really the artist’s imagination. Just realize, that while it a If you think about it, the smooth white chicken’s egg is simple perfection in its plainness. But humans are known to crave color ad texture and have sought throughout history to change the blank canvas to fit our individual visions of art. At this time of year especially, the plain white egg becomes the ultimate challenging canvas for would-be artists. When it comes to the art of decorating eggs, it’s usually simple enough; put a few drops of food coloring in a cup of water, dye the egg and you’re egg preparation. While there’s the traditional method of hard-boiling the egg, another method is to remove all of the insides, keeping a hollow shell. To do this you take a safety pin, poke a moderate-sized hole on each end, and blow the egg yolk out of the shell. While the method might seem a little gross, it’s better than boiling the egg since in time a hard-boiled egg will spoil, but with the insides removed, these egg shells can be saved indefinitely. If the egg is hollowed, it’s usually helpful to immediately apply a base coat of strengthening material so that the egg isn’t as fragile when working on it. Interestingly, some use acrylic nail strengtheners for this base coat. Others will put a simple coat of white paint down as the base. To actually decor a t e t h e egg, o n e easily access i b l e material to use is a permanent marker. They’re simple, neat, and save the mess of water and dye. The thing to keep in mind is, although the markers are permanent, it’s still important to take care when making marks on the egg. Artists need to allow at least 20 seconds for the marker to set before touching the egg, or the design will smudge. Another method to use is decoupage. Clip brightly colored images from magazine or use strips of tissue paper. While both produce an interesting effect, tissue paper is the preferred material because the thickness of the magazine clippings becomes irritating to deal with due to the curve of the egg. Use a jar of adhesive/ glaze (such as Modge Podge) to adhere the pieces to the egg. Depending on the color of tissue paper used, this method can turn an egg into a spherical stained glass window if done well. Puff paint is another possibility, but stay away from glitter paint and glue, which takes an eternity to dry. Also, if /M BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Schedule of Events Monday, March 26 -Blitzkid, Lugosi’s Morphine and Sorrowsun performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -Maria Dubiel performing at Fuse. -Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte. Tuesday, March 27 -Corporate Karaoke w/Mitch & Dancin’ Frank at the Woodlands. -Beauty and the Beast performed at the Kirby Center at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 28 -David Crosby and Graham Nash performing at the Kirby Center at 7:30 p.m. -The Marty Edwards Jazz Band performing at Bart and Urby’s. -Open Mic at the River Street Jazz Café. -Go Go Gadget performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 29 -Trophy Scars performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -Ken Schmidt lecture in the Darte Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 30 -Mason Dixon, Silhouette of a Soldier, Symera and the Plague of Ruin performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -The Sw!ms, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer and Losing Caufield at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31 -Blue Suede Bombers, The Von Horribles and Cunnilingus performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -An Albatross, Hot Cross and Everyone Meets Sharp at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 1 -Wilkes University Faculty Exhibit opens in the Sordoni Gallery at 2 p.m. �15 MARCH 27, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kudracross BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent ACROSS 1 Cronies 5 An impulse 9 Ambitions 14 Reed instrument 15 Work again 16 MC’s lead-in 17 Historical job of the Wyoming valley 19 Facial hair 20 Attire 21 Epic narrative 23 Leg parts 25 University speaker 29 Ledge 31 Major European river 32 Radiance 35 Abolish 38 “All ___ Need is Love” 39 Available resources 40 Anger 41 Cryptic 44 Mogul 46 Model 47 Monetary unit of Russia 49 Underground room 51 Raised (as in a child) 54 Those in favor 56 Ethically indifferent 58 High body temperature 62 Potentially harmful animal defense 64 Defendant’s explanation 65 Ceramic square 66 Finishes a cake 67 Shapeless protozoa 68 Agitate 69 Choose actors DOWN 1 Little (in Spain) 2 Approximately 3 Reluctant 4 Inconsiderate 5 Move with a twisting motion 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 22 24 26 27 28 30 32 33 34 36 37 39 42 43 44 45 48 50 52 53 55 57 58 59 60 61 63 Female bird “Beware the___of March” Ethically concerned Japanese grill Undivided School grp. Mess up Turf Used to express possibility Pathogens Rain and snow Oz man Live T.V. Style of an earlier time Talent Soap ingredient Type of chemical bond Leader Bring upon oneself Ending for Hallow Asian archipelago Substance used in styling hair Mosquito transmitted disease Find fault with Living only in the presence of oxygen Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s Assistant Sleeps Susan Lucci soap opera role Goes out with Irritated state For fear that Airline regulating org. Nightmare street Strive in competition Recede A.K.A. Clay Answers 3.19 I B 13 A "R "F ,. D "A ' 0 's ' s R E A "0 I M p R A E E R A " I "'s :l5 N 0 u I A N D R y 3'I T s . H .s "A "E M u s s E Ill I D N E L A N ., s E 8 E R "E A This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONRIDDO Beacon Asst. A&E Editor March 26 1979: In a ceremony at the White House, Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed a historic peace agreement, ending three decades of hostilities between Egypt and Israel and establishing diplomatic and commercial ties. March 27 1958: Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev replaced Nicolay Bulganin as Soviet premier, becoming the first leader since Joseph Stalin to simultaneously hold the USSR’s two top offices. March 28 1979: At 4 a.m., the worst accident in the history of the U.S. nuclear power industry began when a pressure valve in the Unit-2 reactor at Three Mile Island failed to close. Cooling water, contaminated with radiation, drained from the open valve into adjoining buildings, and the core began to dangerously overheat. March 29 1974: The unmanned U.S. space probe Mariner 10, launched by NASA in November 1973, became the first spacecraft to visit the planet Mercury, sending back closeup images of a celestial body usually obscured because of its proximity to the sun. March 30 1981: President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by a deranged drifter named John Hinckley, Jr. March 31 1492: In Spain, a royal edict was issued by the nation’s Catholic rulers declaring that all Jews who refused to convert to Christianity would be expelled from the country. Most Spanish Jews chose exile rather than the renunciation of their religion and culture, and the Spanish econ- omy suffered with the loss of an important portion of its workforce. Many Spanish Jews went to North Africa, the Netherlands, and the Americas, where their skills, capital, and commercial connections were put to good use. Among those who chose conversion, some risked their lives by secretly practicing Judaism, while many sincere converts were nonetheless persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish Muslims, or Moors, were ordered to convert to Christianity in 1502. April 1 1918: The Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed with the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). The RAF took its place beside the British navy and army as a separate military service with its own ministry. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http://www.history.com/tdih.do �SPORTS 16 MARCH 27, 2007 Cumberland Apartments Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. - Brand New Construction - Kitchen with appliances - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �MARCH 27, 2007 SPORTS Lacrosse club gears up for season with full roster BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor 17 son, but I am also terrified. It is completely different to be on the sidelines trying to explain to the players what to do rather than being able to actually go out on the field and do it for yourself.” In addition to being a team on the field, the Wilkes University lacrosse club is also a team off the field. According to McCaffrey, the team is heavily involved in community service and has even adopted the Montage Mountain/Davis Street exit of interstate 81 to ensure the environmentally clean area for years to come. As the team continues to develop and open up new possibilities for students and the university, the future for the team is looking good and may eventually grow into a full fledged varsity team once again. “If we received it [varsity status] tomorrow, I’d be ecstatic,” said Fox. A piece of athletic history has made its way back into the spotlight, uniting former teammates with new recruits and opening new opportunities to athletes. Originally formed as a varsity team in 1967, the Wilkes University lacrosse team has been brought back to life, although this time as a lacrosse club. The expectations of the team are no less; in fact, according to those associated with it, the dedication to the team is probably greater now both for current players and for alumni than ever before. Since its reincarnation in 2004 under the guidance and leadership of 1994 graduate Matt McCaffrey, the team has managed to not only recruit a large number of players to maintain a full roster, but has also joined the largest lacrosse club in the country, the National College Lacrosse League. Understanding the interest Courtesy of Matt McCaffrey and need in restarting a team at Wilkes after more than two The lacrosse club shows some love to the Back Mountain Bandits. The club recently provided Contact Ariel Cohen by email decades of silence, McCaffrey, community service to a brand new youth lacrosse league in the Dallas/Shavertown area. beaconsports@gmail.com who returned to the university as an admissions employee, has a long his- Would there be enough people to meet the return to the university,” said McCaffrey. As the season gets started, everyone intory of lacrosse in his blood from playing minimum roster number set of 28 people? to coaching. After transferring to Wilkes McCaffrey went ahead to comment that, volved is extremely excited and looking for his junior year, McCaffrey joined the “There has been a rousing success rate on forward to all that this season has to ofMen’s 2007 Wilkes intramural lacrosse club team which all levels. It is getting students involved and fer. “The one game that I have been lookLacrosse Schedule ing forward to is he played for during his two year tenure at the game against Wilkes. Between the time that he played for Millersville. In 3/31 @ Albright - 10:00 AM Wilkes and the time that he returned to Willast year’s game, kes as an employee, McCaffrey also spent 3/31 @ East Stroudsburg There has been a rousing success rate on all even though we time as an assistant boys varsity coach for - 2:00 PM levels. It is getting students involved and we have lost, Scilara, who one season at the Wyoming Seminary Up4/1 vs. Kutztown - 4:00 PM per School in Kingston and was the head managed to have a constant average roster of 25- is our senior goal4/14 vs. Penn College of ie, had 52 saves,” coach from 1995-1998 at the Wyoming 32 players. McCaffrey said. Technology - 4:30 PM Seminary Lower School in Forty Fort. The spring seaUpon his return to Wilkes in 1993 after 4/15 @ Lehigh - TBA taking five years off from the sport when he Matt McCaffrey, Lacrosse Club Advisor son, which must 4/15 @ Lafayette - TBA have a minimum took a job SUNY Maritime, McCaffrey was of eight games approached by then freshman, Mike Scilara, scheduled, will who was interested in getting a team started be one full of ups again. “In the fall of 2003, Mike came to me and we have managed to have a constant aver- and downs and surprises for both the Wilkes team and for the teams they will be playing. asked me if I would be interested in coach- age roster between 25-32 players.” ing the team, so after doing some research The benefits to the university have been Some of the other teams that the lacrosse about startup costs we proposed originally astounding in the current three year run of team will play outside of the Millersville to have a varsity lacrosse team but were told the team. “It has engaged an entire group of game will include Albright, Kutztown and we could just have a team as a club,” said Wilkes alumni from the varsity teams that Penn College of Technology. Former player and 2006 graduate, Mike McCaffrey. existed between 1967 and 1982, and, durSome of the concerns with being a club ing the homecoming weekend of 2005, we Fox, who is now an advisor to the team, was what the success rate would actually be. actually got 40 former lacrosse alumni to said, “I am honestly excited about the sea- �SPORTS 18 Commentary MARCH 27, 2007 One fan’s prediction: look for the Phillies in October Spring training wrapping up as MLB season starts April 2 BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It’s officially spring now, and aside from the obvious changes such as the weather, there is an apparent change in the air, a sense that there is something different all around us. I speak, of course, of baseball season. Spring training has been underway for almost a month, and it is set to wrap up this week to make way for opening day on April 2. If there is one team overdue for a ring, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies. The City of Brotherly Love has been without a playoff berth since 1993, the year they were defeated in the World Series by the Toronto Blue Jays. Prior to that, they won the Big One in 1980 with a team led by Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose and Steve Carlton. Fast forward to 2007, a year in which the Phillies are led by reigning National League MVP Ryan Howard, All-star second baseman Chase Utley and young ace Cole Hamels. Could this finally be the Phillies’ year? In an off-season filled with many questions for Phillies fans as to how the team could be improved, one question loomed over everything else: could General Manager Pat Gillick put together a winning team after writing the team off in the middle of last season? After the last season surge that ended with the team narrowly missing the playoffs for the second straight season, Gillick became more proactive to build a winning club during the off-season. In what was the biggest move of the offseason, the Phils acquired starting pitcher Freddy Garcia from the Chicago White Sox for two minor league players. Garcia was crucial in helping Chicago win the World Series in 2005. That sparked a series of moves that saw the Phillies add third baseman Wes Helms, catcher Rod Barajas, as well as starting pitcher Adam Eaton and veteran relief pitcher Antonio Alfonseca. Things are certainly looking up for the Phillies, who led the National League in runs scored last season. They should have no trouble repeating that success in 2007. Projected lineup: 1. SS Jimmy Rollins: Rollins had a tremendous offensive season in 2006, hitting 25 homeruns with 83 RBIs(career highs). With his newly found power and speed, expect Rollins to have a similar year. 2. RF Shane Vi c t o r i n o : “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” took full advantage of his opportunity to play full time last season, and the effort resulted in a starting job in 2007. Vi c t o r i n o ’s speed makes him an ideal candidate to steal 40 bases this year, and his range in the outfield and his cannon of an arm Jimmy Rollins make him a threat to win a Gold Glove. 3. 2B Chase Utley: Utley’s first full season was a most successful one, as the Allstar played a vital role in the playoff push, culminating in a 35 game hit streak during the middle of the season. He led all NL second basemen offensively (.309, 32, 102) and was a catalyst for the offense push. Expect more of the same from Utley this season, who recently signed a seven year extension with the club. 4. 1B Ryan Howard: One question remains: What else can this guy do? 5. LF Pat Burrell: After unsuccessfully trying to trade Burrell in the off-season, the Phillies can only hope that he can turn it around this season and put up the kind of numbers he is capable of. 6. 3B Wes Helms: His power numbers should increase at Citizen’s Bank Park, and Helms should look to prove that his career high .329 average last year was no fluke. 7. CF Aaron Rowand: Rowand’s season started off with a bang in 2006, as he led the team in batting during the month of April, but his infamous collision with the fence and another collision that left him with a broken ankle made the gutsy outfielder on the disabled list for much of the season. If Rowand can regain his stroke, then he is capable of hitting over .300 and 20 homeruns. 8. C Rod Barajas: The power hitting catcher will help fill the void that has been Phillies catchers over the last few years. Along with Chris Coste and Carlos Ruiz, Barajas leads a great trio of talent behind the plate. Starting Rotation: Brett Myers: Myers really showed his potential last year, and despite some personal problems during the season, he bounced back nicely and led the team in strikeouts. A thinner, fitter Myers showed up at spring training to prove he is the ace of the staff. Cole Hamels: There weren’t too many pitchers that were better than Hamels in the second half of last season. Hamels himself has proclaimed that he will win 20 games this year, and the young lefty certainly has the chops to do so. Freddy Garcia: Garcia’s experience adds some much needed depth to the pitching staff, and his ability to pitch in big games adds to his value on the staff. Jamie Moyer: The 44 year old lefthander rarely throws over 90 mph, but his craftiness and wits on the mound keep batters guessing at every pitch. His experience is irreplaceable and he should prove to be a great leader of the staff. Adam Eaton: Eaton’s past injuries are a cause for concern, but a healthy Eaton could prove to be a solid number five on an already stellar rotation. Jon Lieber: Lieber is the odd man out of the rotation, and will most likely be moved into the bullpen unless he is traded for additional bullpen help. The one Achilles heel for the Phils is the bullpen. During the second half of last season, the bullpen began to break down and caused them to lose some crucial games in the late innings. With the health of Tom Gordon in question, the Phils are looking to the likes of Ryan Madson and Antonio Alfonseca to fill the void if needed. Rounding out the bullpen is Geoff Geary, who was one of the few bright spots in the bullpen down the stretch last season. Matt Smith will remain on as a left handed specialist. With a revamped lineup and one of the best pitching staffs in the National League, look for the Phillies in October. Contact Tim Seigfried by email beaconsports@gmail.com Photos courtesy of phillies.com Jon Lieber �SPORTS MARCH 27, 2007 19 SOFTBALL from PAGE 20 pitcher Laurie Agresti. The Lady Colonels enter the contest 6-4 overall, and have yet to play a conference game. Agresti will be leading her team’s defensive attack against the Lady Monarchs. “All I can do to help my team to victory is to pitch the way that I am capable of pitching,” Agresti said. Agresti is a monster on the mound. She has won four out of five games and her ERA stands at a near perfect 1.00. This season she faced a total of 118 batters and has only allowed a stingy 18 hits. Not to mention that out of 35 innings pitched, she has struck out 60 batters. Expect to see another outstanding performance by Agresti on Saturday. “I think we should be ready to play. Our pitchers have been throwing the ball well, and my biggest concern is defense,” said Matthews. Defense wins ball games, but you also have to be able to put runs on the board. Leading the Lady Colonels at bat will be Samantha Evanich. Evanich tops the rest of the Lady Colonels with twelve hits on the season and an impressive .480 batting average. Following her efforts is sophomore catcher Erin Plank with 9 total hits and 5 RBI’s. Gina Stefanelli holds the team’s only homerun for the season and will also look to make contributions to help the Lady Colonels come out on top in their doubleheader against the Lady Monarchs. Although the Lady Colonels are doing relatively well, two games against the Lady Monarchs will be no walk in the park. The Lady Monarchs are currently 9-5 and have a pitching trio of their own with Amanda Rizner, Kelsey Shreaves and Lindsay Hoerner. Rizner leads the team with a 1.09 ERA and has won three out of four pitching performances. Shreaves won four contests and holds the team’s strikeout lead with a total of 27 on the season. Hoerner chips in with a 2.13 and 19 strikeouts. Junior Leanne Harvey leads the Lady Monarchs offensive attack with an impressive 17 hits, 18 RBI’s and a .591 slugging percentage. “The King’s games are the most fun games. Besides the tournament games, the King’s games are the most intense games,” said Matthews. Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to watch the Lady Colonels leave their blood, sweat and tears on the field as they try to shut down the Lady Monarchs for their first MAC Freedom conference victory of the season. Contact Carlton Holmes by email beaconsports@gmail.com FREEDOM CONFERENCE STANDINGS (as of Mar 20, 2007) Team Delaware Valley DeSales King’s Wilkes FDU-Florham Drew W 7 4 9 6 4 0 L 1 2 5 4 4 1 T 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pct .875 .667 .643 .600 .500 .000 Colonels next game - Thursday March 29 @ William Patterson - 2:30 p.m. 1lltrll ' The Beacon/Todd Weibel Senior Salman Punekar responds to a serve during Sunday’s tennis match against Keystone College. Final results were unavailable at time of publication. MARCH MADNESS For all you bracket lovers, we have a recap from Thursday- Sunday for you. You ready? Let’s go! Friday, East Region #1 North Carolina defeats #5 Southern Cal, 74-64 #2 Georgetown defeats #6 Vanderbilt, 6665 Thursday, West Region #1 Kansas defeats #4 Southern Illinois, 6158 #2 UCLA defeats #3 Pittsburg, 64-55 Saturday, West Regional Finals #2 UCLA defeats #1 Kansas, 68-55 Saturday, South Regional Finals #1 Ohio State defeats #2 Memphis, 92-76 Thursday, South Region #1 Ohio State defeats #5 Tennessee, 85-84 #2 Memphis defeats #3 Texas A&M, 65-64 Sunday, Midwest Region #1 Florida defeats #3 Oregon, 85-77 Friday, Midwest Region #1 Florida defeats #5 Butler, 65-57 #3 Oregon defeats #7 UNLV, 76-72 Sunday, East Region #1 North Carolina vs. Georgetown, 5:05 pm "~ NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 8 Total games postponed this past week due to inclement weather. 3 The number of goals scored by Ashley Leggio during the Colonels lacrosse matchup against Kean College. 11 Goals scored by the women’s lacrosse team in their first two games of the season. 6 Number of wins for the softball team so far this season. The team is currently seeded fourth in the Freedom Conference. �Sports MARCH 27, 2007 20 Preview of the Week: Softball vs. King’s Lady Colonels look to begin their regular season against crosstown rival BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor One of the biggest rivalries in the history of the Freedom Conference heads to the field this Saturday as the Lady Colonels softball team takes on the King’s College Lady Monarchs. The last time these two teams faced off, the outcome was one for the history books. With the anticipation of such an exciting rivalry, expect the bad blood to continue to boil this weekend as Wilkes and King’s go for another grueling doubleheader of softball. “In reality, this game is no more important than the other confer- Tuesday 3/27 *Ethics in Healthcare, UCOM - 9:00 AM *Senior Commencement Meeting for May Graduates, HSC Ballroom 11:15 AM *Women’s lacrosse @ Centenary - 4:00 PM Wednesday 3/28 *Sales Development: Climbing the Sales Ladder Workshop, UCOM 8:00 AM *Ethics in Healthcare, UCOM - 9:00 AM *Men’s tennis @ King’s 3:30 PM *Target Information Session for future interns and employees, Breiseth 206 - 5:00 PM ence games. But because King’s won six out of the last seven conference championships, and has been to the NCAAs seven straight years, it adds more emotion to the game,” said head coach Frank Matthews. That’s right. King’s has carried the MAC Freedom conference on its back, sweeping six straight championships. But in the 2006 season, both teams met at Ralston Field for the conference championship, and boy was it a dandy. Reigning MAC Freedom Conference Pitcher of the Year Laurie Agresti smoked twelve Monarchs batters on strikeouts in only five innings pitched en route to a Wil- kes 4-3 victory. The intensity of last year’s match-up led to an extra inning, until sophomore Samantha Evanich left the Lady Monarchs crying by smacking a homerun out of the park. With both teams displaying stellar performances last season, expect to see them pick up where they left off for another intense contest. “Games against King’s are always exciting because of the big crowds that they draw and the fierce rivalry that exists between the two schools,” stated senior See SOFTBALL page 19 The Beacon Archives Thursday 3/29 *Women’s softball @ William Patterson - 2:30 PM *Women’s lacrosse @ Susquehanna - 4:00 PM *Allan P. Kirby Lecture: Ken Schmidt, DDD - 7:30 PM - 1:00 PM *Spring Fling, Waterfront - 6:00 PM Sunday 4/1 *Wilkes University Faculty Exhibition, Sordoni Art Gallery - 12:00 PM *Men’s baseball @ King’s - 1:00 PM Friday 3/30 *Men’s tennis vs. Eliza- *Women’s softball vs. Manhattanville - 3:00 PM beth - 3:00 PM *Men’s baseball @ FDUMonday 4/2 Florham - 3:30 PM *Alumni Event, Rivercrest *Wilkes University Faculty Exhibition, Sordoni Art Country Club - 6:00 PM Gallery - 12:00 PM *Men’s baseball vs. BapSaturday 3/31 *Men’s baseball vs. FDU- tist Bible - 3:30 PM *Men’s tennis vs. SusqueFlorham - 1:00 PM *Women’s lacrosse vs. hanna - 3:30 PM *Women’s lacrosse @ Widener - 1:00 PM *Women’s softball @ Bryn Mawr - 4:00 PM *Jewish Passover Sedar, King’s - 1:00 PM *Men’s tennis vs. DeSales JCC - 6:00 PM The Lady Colonels get ready for another rival game with King’s. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and VIILKES UNIVERSITY will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the PROGRAMMING BOARO Programming Board. - Congratulations to Sean Madden who correctly identified last week’s secret shot which was of the side of the admissions building facing Stark. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 March 27th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 March 27 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/9297a1195a55b9ba23b3dda18ae5a39e.pdf ff075012c79ab36e42d8510530947770 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW www.wilkesbeacon.com APRIL 3, 2007 Proposed HSC renovations put on back burner Volume 59 Issue 19 Rifkin expansion, more seating still possibilities this year BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor A move for the post office and mailroom, a change for the game room, a whole new idea for Rifkin Café and a new information desk are among the renovation plans for the Henry Student Center (HSC)… eventually. At the February 21, 2007, Student Government (SG) meeting, David Sborz, sophomore class president, offered an enthusiastic presentation about proposed renovations to the HSC. During the meeting he acknowledged that if all goes as planned the renovations would take place over the 2007 summer and be ready for the fall 2007-2008 school year. However, plans for such speed may have been an overstatement, because at the March 14, 2007 SG meeting, it was announced that there is only $100,000 that will be allocated in this year’s budget for changes to the HSC. According to the conceptual cost document for this project, for all of the components to be implemented would set the school back over $1.8 million. Sborz noted that it was an “absolute disappointment” that this project will be put off to the side. However, Scott Byers, Vice President for Finance and Support Operations said, “We never began the process with any funding in place. What we were doing was developing a design for renovation of the SUB [HSC]...Based on initial feedback, we don’t have any consensus as to what is needed or desired by the students.” Sborz said that he knew going into the process that the money was not guaranteed, “We were never guaranteed anything, [but] I just wish they were more honest and open with us on how exactly it would come down. They told us at our last meeting that we wouldn’t get everything done, but to be only granted $100,000 to do a project as big as ours, it is just really disappointing.” Sborz also stressed that this is a building that everyone uses, “Our project offers a lot to all the students. It’s the most widely used building on campus. When students come See SUB page 5 The Beacon/Cara Koster Students have been eating and meeting in Rifkin cafe in the Henry Student Center next to the game room for several years. Because of budget prioritization, the proposed HSC expansion is on hold. Residents accuse Public Safety officers of posing as pizza deliverymen BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Director of Public Safety Chris Bailey confirmed Thursday afternoon that several officers have been reprimanded for posing as Domino’s Pizza deliverymen to gain access into residential student suites in response to a noise complaint. “We have received complaints on the matter and have addressed the issue. But since it deals with personnel we will not go into any further detail,” Bailey said. The incident allegedly occurred during Let’s Talk Hillary Style the week prior to spring break on the 11th floor of University Towers. English major Dan DiMaria claimed he received a knock on his door shortly after 11:00 p.m. from a person claiming to be “Domino’s.” When he opened the door, a Public Safety official stood outside. He was not within the scope of the door’s eye piece. “The problem is, we actually did order Domino’s,” DiMaria said. “I wouldn’t have opened the door if we hadn’t ordered Dominoes.” While the Public Safety officers did not Lessen One ‘Yup for some Sexual Jeopardy? Page 10 Page 8 enter the residence, they questioned students about excessive noise complaints. The situation has the tenants feeling as if they were manipulated. “When that happened, I got kind of angry because I felt like we were lied to,” said junior communication studies major Matthew Gobbler. “It was dirty. They also refused to give us their names--once again, unprofessional. If they are doing their jobs, why would they beat around the bush?” he said. While Bailey admits the officers’ actions were unprofessional in nature, he does not P a g e 15 think they necessarily broke any rules per se, since the students in question are residents. “They would have had to have let the officers in, regardless. If they are residential students, they must cooperate and show their Wilkes ID’s,” Bailey said. Furthermore, Bailey stressed that it is not in Public Safety’s nature to go around conducting random searches to cause trouble for students. “We’re here to enforce the rules and regulations of the University,” he said. Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS APRIL 3, 2007 2 Kirby lecture Residence life SG SUB 2 3 4 5 Former Harley Davidson exec delivers Kirby lecture BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor For For this this semester’s semester's annual annual Kirby Kirby lecture, Allan P. lecture, organizers organizers of of the the Allan P. Kirby Free Enterprise Kirby Center Center for for Free Enterprise and and Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship decided decided to to take aa ride the “wild” take ride on on the "wild" side. side. Rather traditional Rather than than invite invite aa traditional business owner or or well-known business owner well-known politician, Wilkes Wilkes University University ofpolitician, officials decided to extend ficials decided to extend the the covcoveted eted invitation invitation to to Ken Ken Schmidt, Schmidt, aa former former Harley Harley Davidson Davidson executive executive and and communications communications expert. expert. It It was was clear clear from from the the moment moment Schmidt that his Schmidt stepped stepped on on stage stage that his speech speech would would be be extremely extremely differdifferent past. ent from from those those past. Opting Opting not not to to wear wear the the expected expected suit suit and and tie, tie, Schmidt Schmidt wore wore black black jeans, jeans, sneakers sneakers and and aa Harley Harley DaDavidson shirt. vidson shirt. And his And his backdrop? backdrop? A A shiny, shiny, brand new 2007 brand new 2007 Harley Harley Davidson Davidson motorcycle. motorcycle. Dr. Allen P. Dr. Jeffrey Jeffrey Alves, Alves, Allen P. Kirby Kirby Professor Professor of of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship, inintroduced Schmidt meantroduced Schmidt and and the the meaning bike. ing behind behind the the bike. “The story represented by that bike... represents what can happen when average people do extraordinary things,” he said. Matt Brown, junior entrepreneurship major, said, “Harley Davidson was on the brink of bankruptcy. The company and [Schmidt] realized that a bold, innovative strategy would be required to rescue it. As director of communications, [Schmidt] was responsible for reviving and repositioning the Harley image.” Schmidt opened his speech noting, “I’m here to talk about stuff that doesn’t get talked about in business--the stuff that should be talked about--basic human behavior. What makes us tick? What attracts and repels us? What turns us on or off?” Schmidt claimed that while quality and customer service are important in business, they are not what set Harley Davidson apart from other companies. “These things come under the umbrella of what I call the expected language of business... Every single company that you’re competing with is saying the exact same to realize realize we same thing. thing. We We need need to we are big way are hurting hurting ourselves ourselves in in aa big way when we use the when we use the same same language language as as everyone else else in in our our industry,” industry," he everyone he said. said. Schmidt added, added, “We’re "We're not not aa Schmidt rational and logical logical species. species. VirVirrational and tually tually every every other other decision decision you you make starts the heart]. heart]. Things make starts [in [in the Things like dence, believability like confi confidence, believability and and trust aren’t aren't rational... we trust rational... Rather, Rather, we are are an an emotional emotional species. species. If If we we can just aa can get get somebody somebody to to like like us us just little bit more than than they they like like somesomelittle bit more body else, we we could could become more body else, become more competitive." competitive.” Schmidt explained explained that that the sucSchmidt the success not due cess of of Harley Harley Davidson Davidson is is not due to “huge "huge ad ad campaigns campaigns and and blimps blimps to flying over major major cities,” cities," but but rathrathfl ying over er “it’s "it's people going to to work work on on er people going Monday and and telling their co-workco-workMonday telling their ers to go ers that that need need to go out out and and spend spend too much much money money to to get get aa bike.” bike." too In the early 1980s 1980s Harley Harley DaIn the early Davidson had aa poor image. “It’s "It's exexvidson had poor image. tremely cult to to create tremely diffi difficult create demand demand for a product that an overwhelming majority of people deem disgusting,” Schmidt acknowledged. Even after strong professional reviews, sales reviews, sales were were still still down. down. Schmidt Schmidt suggested suggested that that Harley Harley Davidson Davidson allow allow riders riders the the chance chance to to experience experience driving driving the the motormotorcycle before purchase. purchase. cycle before As the the test As the crowds crowds at at the test driving driving centers becenters grew, grew, Harley Harley Davidson Davidson began the drivers what they gan asking asking the drivers what they would add would add or or tweak tweak about about each each motorcycle. motorcycle. “Ask "Ask the the customer customer what what he he wants and wants and then then give give it it to to him,” him," said said Schmidt. Schmidt. He nature He added added that that the the internal internal nature of of aa company company is is also also an an important important aspect aspect of of business. business. Schmidt Schmidt said, said, “The "The way way aa busibusiness is perceived is reflecness is perceived is aa direct direct reflection tion of of your your internal internal culture. culture. CulCulture ultimately dictates ture ultimately dictates the the success success of business.” of aa business." Lastly Lastly Schmidt Schmidt added, added, “Harley "Harley Davidson llDavidson is is in in the the dream dream fulfi fulfillment ment industry... industry... We We are are clearly clearly and and distinctly distinctly different different The Beacon corrections In The Beacon’s March 19 article “Wilkes bids farewell to university icons,” Tom Bigler’s friend David Nielsen was misidentified in the story as David Baltimore. Baltimore, also a close friend of Bigler’s, was a colleague throughout much of Bigler’s career in television in the Wyoming Valley. Nielsen served with Bigler during World War II and was the man involved in the story of the plane crash. Last week, The Beacon reported that actress Marlee Matlin has been named as the May graduation speaker in the article “University names 2007 graduation speaker.” The article inadvertantly misidentified the source of Matlin’s deafness as a childhood ailment. Also, Provost finalist Dr. Reynold Verret’s first name was misspelled in the headline and cutline of the lead story in last week’s Beacon. The Beacon strives for accuracy and good sourcing in all of its stories and regrets the errors in the past two issues. Editors are grateful for readers who take the time to point out inaccuracies. Curran Dobson, editor-in-chief Andrea Frantz, faculty advisor Courtesy Marketing Comm. Ken Schmidt, former executive of Harley Davidson and a communications expert, delivered the annual Kirby lecture on March 29. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Tuesdays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �APRIL 3, 2007 NEWS 3 Interview process names new Director of Residence Life Brenda Stanley, of Salisbury University, to fill vacancy BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Brenda Stanley, of Salisbury University in Maryland, has recently been named new Director of Residence Life at Wilkes. She is currently an area director at the public university and will make her move to Wilkes mid-April. Mark Allen, Dean of Student Affairs, described Stanley as, “very outgoing, energetic, and . . . [she] brings a nice amount of experience with her.” According to the university’s website, Stanley’s responsibilities as an Area Director at Salisbury are to “manage residence hall community, supervise four to eight undergraduate resident assistants, adjudicate disciplinary hearings, assume on-call responsibilities for on-campus students, collaborate with office of student activities, organizations and leadership for programs and services.” “I am very pleased about the opportunity to work with the student population at Wilkes,” Stanley said. She described her feelings about Wilkes when she visited campus for the first time during the February snowstorm. “The moment I stepped on campus it kind of invited me in, despite it being 20 degrees and snow everywhere. It was very open and inviting. I fell in love with the institution the moment I stepped on campus.” Stanley also explained why she wanted to go after the position of Director. “I was ready for the next progression. I love what resident life offers, that you have your hand in everything student affairs without actu- ally having to be the director of counseling [or] the director of resident health, but you get a chance to be involved in each of those aspects of student affairs. For me resident life is that complete package.” Stanley anticipates that the greatest challenge she may face initially will be the 10 East South residence. “I do know that I do have an obstacle ahead of me with the new- tution, for her undergraduate education. She then made the transition to Salisbury for her masters in education, and stayed on for a job opportunity which eventually led to her current area director position. Being an area director was never in her plans growing up though. “I wanted to be a teacher and that didn’t pan out. And once I started working at Salisbury, I recognized The moment I stepped on campus it kind of invited me in, despite it being 20 degrees and snow everywhere. It was very open and inviting. I fell in love with the institution the moment I stepped on campus. Brenda Stanley, Director of Residence Life est purchase, where you still have senior citizens living with on campus residents... and I was made aware of that during my interview. So I understand that that might be one of the bigger challenges that I would have to tackle early on in trying to figure out how to manage that facility.” Allen also mentioned it will be a challenge for Stanley when she makes the switch from a “public to private setting.” However this is not the first time S t a n l e y has made such a move. Stanley attended Washington College, a smaller private insti- that I loved the connections I had and the involvement I had with students, and I wasn’t getting that on a daily basis working in IT. So, I made the switch after I finished my masters into the student affairs division.” Allen noted that there is a distinct advantage to “bringing someone in from the outside” as Wilkes is doing with Stanley primarily because a fresh perspective has the potential to energize, particularly given the changes in residence life at Wilkes this year. Stanley noted that she loves the idea of Spring Fling ‘07 concentrating freshmen students in one area of campus. “I mentioned that in my interview, that if you make the connection with freshman early on, they’re more likely to stay to continue their matriculation at the university.” Stanley also added, “Ideally, I would like to consolidate first year students truly around the center of the campus so that they are closer to the student center, their classroom spaces, so that they become the focal point of the center of campus and then your upper classmen would literally surround the rest of the campus.” When asked if she had any ideas about how things that can be done differently, Stanley said she knows she has a strong team in place and that as far as additions, she would like to add an extensive Resident Assistant (RA) training course. “With the cooperation of the staff, hopefully, [I would like to] to offer some sort of pre-class for the newly hired RAs, just to make sure they are truly comfortable with the process of being an RA and understanding the duties that come along with it, that it is more than just managing a building.” Allen agreed and added that because of the unique housing situations on campus, “Wilkes places a little more responsibility on our RAs.” Stanley noted that she would be taking her new position at Wilkes soon, because she wants to be part of the process of assigning housing. Sexual Abuse Stats: Did You Know... 90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim. -Sponsored by Health Services The Beacon/Andrew Seaman LiJ http://www.factsontap.org/ �NEWS APRIL 3, 2007 4 General Board Election Results S IOR SEN President- Matt Brown Vice-President- Blaine Madara Secretary- Meghan Badach Treasurer- Anthony Scerbo Representatives- Alison Woody, Courtney Mullen, Danielle Namiotka, Kristina Erat, Mark Leicht, and Mike Canzanella S IOR N U J President- TIE: Dave Sborz & John Edler SPECIAL ELECTION to be held April 2-4 Vice-President- Jef Bauman Secretary- Kathy Dalton Treasurer- Tanya Fieretag RepresentativesEllie Galiastatos, Andrew Julian, Farrah Munir, John Luff, John Botch, and Carl Santana S OPH RE O M O S President- Jill Kalariya Vice-President- Greg Castelli Secretary- Nick Koch Treasurer- Justin Balint Representatives- Jason Woloski, Charles Siarkowski, Ashley Palkovic, Jacob Reichart, Maria Rinaldo, and Katie White SG Notes 3/28/2007 At the March 28, 2007, Student Government (SG) meeting: New Business SG first passed around a sign-up sheet for Adventures in Science, which is an annual event for fifth graders from area schools. Spring Fling Update: There are 234 people attending the dance, the tent ($810.00) will also have one heater in case of cooler weather. The setup and movement of items for the dance was also discussed. The schedule for people to watch the door was also read. Election Update: The junior class presidential race was too close to call and there will be a tie breaking election on Monday to declare a winner. Some notable write-in votes were: Bob Dylan, Jesus, and Dr. Mencer. Colonel Charity Challenge: Due to a lack of teams, SG has decided to sponsor three teams with a donation of $300.00 (which includes the team sponsorship). This passed with a vote of 38 in favor, 1 opposed and none abstained. The SGA Summit Update: SG will hold a Student Government Association for area universities. Each class will prepare a presentation and this will be held on April 14. Block Party Update: Off Campus Council (OCC) will hold its annual block party on April 21. The event will feature the winner of Wilkes Idol, inflatable games, bands, a buffet, gyros, frozen treats, soda and a magician. The total cost of the block party will reach approximately $20,000.00. The individual classes will also hold games as fundraisers at OCC’s block party. Nominations for Faculty Choice Awards: SG members offered faculty nominations. Faculty members are only allowed to win once. Old Business Beacon Archives The 7th annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference was held on Friday, March 30. The conference was attended by over 200 students from 16 regional high schools. The keynote speaker, Gene Policinski, is the executive director and vice president of the First Amendment Center in Nashville, TN. Policinski is pictured above attending a press conference at which select high school journalists were able to ask questions about first amendment freedoms. Throughout the day, high school students attended several workshops in print journalism, public relations, television and radio that were run by Wilkes University communication studies students. In addition, 16 media profressionals in the fields of photojournalism, magazine publishing, newspaper, television, radio and public relations offered academic sessions. The day ended with an awards ceremony that recognized outstanding high school students for their participation in student media. Casino Night: It is estimated that 261 students attended casino night, which is the highest turnout ever. There was an incident of “ethics” where tickets for prizes were being passed out to friends. This issue has been resolved according to Jonathan McClave, SG Treasurer. lantic Conference (but will continue as a sport at the university), Wilkes is required to pick up another sport. Therefore, next year, Wilkes University will initiate a cross country team. Spring Fling and Decorating: All went well and faster then expected. One Stop: Officials are looking into holding another forum to voice concerns about University Center on Main. Food Focus Group: A food focus group was held with Sodexho. Events Wilkes Idol: 11 - 12 participants, April 3, 10 Senior Social: FUSE Friday, March 30 @ 8pm Spring Fling: March 31 Waterfront @ 6pm SG Football: SG will hold a football game for its members after their meeting on April 4. Committee Reports Budget: University will seek to increase tuition by 4.5%. Dean of Students Mark Allen noted that this is above inflation but is less than other area universities. Also, since Wilkes wrestling has left the Mid At- Vans: It is suggested that SG might replace their old vans with new more accommodating models. Provost: The committee will work to get Dr. Reynold Verret to choose Wilkes University. Club Reports Programming Board: Psychic Mad Man Jim Karol was at Wilkes last week to a filled audience �NEWS APRIL 3, 2007 SUB from FRONT PAGE to this university even for admission...this is one building that they come through to get to the admissions office and this is one building that they tour in. It is the student center and I think there are a lot of things we can give back to the students--not just on campus students but also commuter students.” Currently there are two possible plans for the HSC. Both of the plans look alike with minor changes having to do with a convenience store and the mailroom. Also, tentative plans include renovations of the second floor of the HSC meeting rooms and formal ballroom. The reasons Byers offered as to why the project was allocated just $100,000 this year included a lack of time and information, and also current investment in other projects. “It is necessary for us to submit for funding now and as such I felt we could only recommend proceeding with renovating the bookstore based on the lack of consensus about how to move forward with consideration of other projects that are further along in the development process.” The money that will be allocated to the project this year will be earmarked for “hopefully tak[ing] some walls out and buying some new furniture and get that new stage into the con- cept this year. I am optimistic that we will get something done. What that is going to be, I am hopeful, [will] be the stage, some more lounge furniture for students to hang and study in the student center and a little more extension of Rifkin.” said Sborz. Byers concurred there is a possibility that the project can proceed next year, “We can submit for additional funding as part of next years budget process,” he said. “This year there were five proposals for capital projects and this happens every year,” Sborz explained. “You’re not guaranteed all your money. So five proposals were put in, and we were told we were second in line, and I am really optimistic in the future they will allot more and more money to our project to get more and more done. I am optimistic we will put a little into the bookstore area this year, and next year we are optimistic we will get the first floor done and then the following year we will get the second floor done. But there will be some renovations to the HSC this year.” Sborz added, “We are going to move forward. I am still positive about that, and we are going to put some things in our proposal this year to get that project started. I am really optimistic that in the future we can possibly get this project finished.” Undergraduate Symposium Schedule 5 I I c::::r- D -·· --+-----,t------"- ----fFl_ _ _1_.IJ__~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - =~ .- . :. ..r - ~_.,.i;D-,,-J.._:;!..n:~-fi!i.~· I a gg - gg igs g ~............... ~ (.; I - ~- ~ -~- - Courtesy of John Pesta The proposed renovations to the Henry Student Center include moving the information desk to the center, the mailroom being moved to the first floor, a new convenience store, the movement of Rifkin Cafe to the book store area, the movement of the Student Government office, the creation of offices and the expansion of the game room. ©2007 Gould Evans Associates Figure One -w LJ OFFICE April 13, 2007 Event Poster Session and Breakfast Poetry Reading I Stitch-a-Thon Paper Session I Banned Book Readings Performances/Mid-Day Grant Applications Poetry Reading II Paper Session II Paper Session III Paper Session IV Paper Session V and Panel Discussions Current State of the University and Diversity Location Time Old Bookstore Ballroom SUB Foyer Ballroom Sub Foyer Gies Hall Sub Foyer Ballroom Ballroom Ballroom Ballroom 8:00 - 9:45 10:00- 11:00 10:00 - 10:30 11:00 - 12:00 11:30 - 12:00 12:00 - 1:00 12:15 - 1:15 1:00 - 1:45 1:45 - 2:30 2:30 - 3:15 3:15 - 4:30 Ballroom 4:30 - 4:45 Courtesy of John Pesta 4:45 - 5:45 The main difference between the two possible plans are the post office and convenience market in the Henry Student Center. The first (figure one) plan has the mail room accessible from the outside and through Rifkin (which is in the place of the old book store). Then, the convenience market is accessible from Rifkin. The service lane is also accessible from inside the convenience market. The second (figure two) has the convenience store accessible from the outside with the service lane inside, while the mail room is accessible through Rifkin. Ballroom Figure Two �Opinion APRIL 3, 2007 Fear distracts people from taking action BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD What’s your biggest fear? Of course there are the every day fears: public speaking, heights, the dark, etc. However, people are often unaware they should fear certain things until the media helpfully brings such awareness to light. Think about it. For starters, let’s look at shark attacks. Yes, the movie Jaws made the fear of shark attacks an issue. But, it was not the movie that created terror among beach goers. After all, it was a mechanical shark--most movie goers know how to separate fact from fiction. In reality what truly created the fear was the media’s coverage of Bethany Hamilton. On October 31, 2003, she survived a shark attack, along Tunnels Beach, Kauai in which she lost her left arm. As this 13 year-old surfer girl was receiving national attention, it was steering people away from the ocean in fear that they, too, would be attacked by a shark. How about pandemics? Ah, the Avian Flu. Media outlets used scare tactics to make the bird flu a worrisome issue around the world. Even media queen Oprah had experts on her show claiming the bird flu could be the end of the world. Experts reported that everyone should don protective masks because the infectious dis- Courtesy of www.wrightsafety.com ease could travel around the globe in a matter of days, infecting every city on the planet. Well, when “experts” are predicting the end of the world, shouldn’t we be preparing ourselves for the worst? Speaking of the end of the world, how many different possibilities of the demise of Earth are out there? There is the possibility of an asteroid plummeting towards Earth, crashing into an ocean, creating a monstrous tidal wave and completely wiping out an entire population. Hopefully, Bruce Willis would be sent on the mission to direct his spacecraft towards the oncoming asteroid to stop it from destroying Earth. Again, this was a movie, but what if? The question is not if, but when. A Sight for Sore Eyes "J As recent as February 2007, scientists and ABC News reported that a large asteroid, Apophis, will pass within 10,000 miles of Earth around 2029 and even closer in 2036. They even went as far as to predict the exact date of this worldwide tragedy, April 13, 2036. The possibility of another terrorist attack inspires discussion of the Earth’s end and hinders the every day action of Americans. After 9/11, travelers were frightened to board an aircraft in fear that their plane would be hijacked. We worry about what we can’t see in our air and water, and count the seconds it takes to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel. The possibilities for the end of the world are endless. But we 6 Socialized Medicine 7 Making Progress? 7 Start a Conversation 8 cannot continue to live in fear by what scare tactics the media decides to throw our direction or what experts on that particular issue are reporting. What we can do is continue to live our lives and control those variables that interfere with the overall well-being of Earth. You may not be able to control an asteroid heading towards Earth, but you can control your use of manmade emissions. Go ahead; change five of your most used conventional bulbs to ones that have the ENERGY STAR label. The U.S. Environmental Agency shares that, “If every household in the U.S. took this one simple action, we would prevent more than 1 trillion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.” That you can control. Instead of taking responsibility for those things we can control, we continue to live in fear of those scenarios that are out of our hands. We need to remember the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. We can vote for officials who will support initiatives that are in the best interest of our community and support the funding for research to prevent such circumstances that further the threats of terrorism, foreign oil dependency, and encourage greater research into things like communicable diseases. Take a stand and don’t live in fear. @@ ~fc:__ f lA \ \ -\-~ e. H-, l .l';J c,..r-,\ <H\{. ot'l\t. Uh~ Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 68 responses. The Beacon asked: What is the most irritating word misuse? • • • • • • • • • There/Their/ They’re -31% Your’re/Your -28% Effect/Affect -14% Two/Too/To -6% Other -6% Than/Then -4% It’s/Its -4% Are-Our -4% Whether/Weather -3% Next Week’s Question: How do you think the world will end? • • • • • • • • • Aleksander Lapinski ~ V\OvJ) l.. \\ Beacon i • Plague Asteroid hits earth Wrath of God Nuclear holocaust Pollution Complications from global warming Cubs win World Series Robot take over Chemical/biological weapons Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �APRIL 3, 2007 OPINION The Angry Rant: 30 Second Movie Reviews BY TIM SIEGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor If you’re like me, then you hate nothing more than sitting down in front of a newspaper or computer screen and reading the words of some “professional movie critic” who gets paid per word to review a movie with “artistic integrity” or “stunning performances.” So I offer you all a solution, as I present to you the 30-second Movie Review. 300: Despite all the blood, gore, guts, and senseless violence, 300 is without a doubt the most blatantly homosexual movie since Top Gun, that doesn’t star Tom Cruise. Alpha Dog: Wait, you’re telling me there is a movie starring both Emile Hirsh and Justin Timberlake? I haven’t seen a gathering of this much star power since my trip to IHOP last week. Freedom Writers: This movie was better when it was called Dangerous Minds. Actually, it still sucked then, too. Smokin Aces: For just $7.50, you, too, can watch Ben Affleck and his fumanchu. The Painted Veil: This period piece starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts is as long as it is boring. The veil is purple, by 7 A visual editorial... the way. The Good German: I can think of a better title: “The Bad Movie.” Black Snake Moan: Contrary to popular belief, this movie is non-fiction. Samuel L. Jackson always keeps chained up women at his house. Epic Movie: Kal Penn has made more turds than my two-year old nephew…and he poops a lot. Pride: Hoosiers in a pool. Blood Diamond: Leonardo DiCaprio is a pretty good actor when he isn’t frozen solid. Reign Over Me: Adam Sandler’s face meets Bob Dylan’s hair. Hannibal Rising: Okay, we get it, Hannibal Lector kills people. Norbit: Seriously, how does Eddie Murphy still get offered jobs? The Number 23: Should’ve been called “The Number 2.” Dead Silence: “From the writer and director of Saw,” or “From the guy who will be pumping your gas next week.” The Beacon/Cara Koster Graphic courtesy of www.aperfectworld.org Dorms Chesapeake and Delaware and the ever unfinished Temple of Wilkes. Potentially a reason for graduation being moved to the Wachovia Arena? Socialized medicine not a solution to health care woes BY CARA KOSTER Beacon Staff Writer Generally people believe that everyone should be allowed access to the same medical care, especially if that medical attention could save their life. However, beliefs and reality are generally different. I would love it if everyone in the world, or even in the United States, could have access to the medical care they needed for either no money or little money out of pocket. One idea aimed at just that has been implemented in a variety of countries around the world: socialized medicine. In countries such as Italy, Canada and the UK, government subsidies ensure that all people within those countries have equal access to health care. But there are major problems with allowing everyone in the US to have this level of health care. On a very basic level, America is a large country and its size will hinder the system of socialized health care. The amount of tax dollars required to sustain what would become yet another bloated bureaucracy would be astronomical. The government is having a hard enough time handling the issues of Social Security. Do we really think it can handle universal healthcare? Some have argued that the level of health care the lower class receives is insufficient and that socialized health care will allow fantasy land it would be the rich and big businesses, but in reality the middle class will face the most substantial tax increases to fund such an endeavor. Moreover, the wealthy will find ways around the system, as usual. They will either pay for more coverage, like many Canadians do, or they will travel to other countries to receive the I should not be penalized because you smoke, have AIDS, don’t wear your seatbelt, are promiscuous, or participate in any other activities that could adversely affect your health. the poor greater access to treatment-particularly experimental and/or excessively expensive ones. However, in reality the poor already qualify to receive reduced cost health care in our nation. It is the lower-middle class and the middle class who do not have access to the necessary health care facilities. If a job does not provide health care insurance, paying for it themselves is generally out of the question on their salary. And who do you think is going to be taxed to pay for such socialized health care? In best care for their specific ailments like many Europeans do. Universal healthcare destroys physician incentives to be competitive by providing the best care possible. If the Canadian system is any indication of what could be, the wait time for simple procedures will be months. Without monetary incentives to develop new treatments and to become the best they can be in their field the amount of new technologies will decrease and the level of care will stagnate. These issues also cross over the drug companies which are looking for ways to make more profit. Furthermore, I’m not comfortable with money coming out of my pay check to pay for your health issues. I should not be penalized because you smoke, don’t exercise, have AIDS, don’t wear your seatbelt, are promiscuous, or participate in any other activities that could adversely affect your health. Also, think of all the people who will be going to see doctors for issues that don’t really exist or is something that can be treated with some over the counter medicine. As much as I would like to live in a world where everyone would have access to excellent health care for little cost, it’s just not reality. At some point we all need to realize the world is not a fair place and sharing and equality don’t work because someone will always abuse your kindness. Socialized health care is a bad idea for America. The American population is already questioning our government’s ability to handle so many other issues. Why are we going to give them something else to screw up? Graphic courtesy of www.accesskm.com/ �APRIL 3, 2007 OPINION 8 Let’s pull a Hillary and start a community conversation Beacon website provides opportunity for feedback BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Well, I promised that I would not write about the presidential election until April and here it is...April. But before I begin, I want to pull a Hillary and involve you in the conversation. Why? Well, think about where we are. Readers of The Beacon are either life-long residents of Pennsylvania, temporarily stationed here for school, or know someone who lives in the Keystone state. Pennsylvania is a state prone to identity crisis when it comes to presidential elections, and at the heart of the insanity is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. In order for the media to understand and report on the people’s views throughout this campaign season, we need a solid handle on who they are and what they’re looking for. So...to really get the pulse of those in the area, I want to hear what you want to say about the 2008 race, and I don’t care what your demographic is--Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Anarchist, male, female, gay, straight--I just want to hear your voice. If readers log onto wilkesbeacon.com, there is a section that allows you to post your comments on certain stories. Find this story and scroll to the bottom and post your comments. Or if you don’t have access to the Internet, send us your letters and I will post them for you. Why am I interested in gathering so many views? Because when 2008 rolls around, we want to provide the area with the kind of data pertaining to the presidential election that truly matters to people in the area. With it, there may well be a chance of even predicting a winner. But we are not going to decide how this study is conducted, you are. As we receive your information we will notice trends and, while sticking to the main objective, will focus our stories on what seems important to you. This study is part of a personal mission to involve our readers with The Beacon on a completely new level. My father and I often sit around and talk about which direction the country should go and we hardly ever agree on issues. So, I have always heard Pennsylvania was this huge swing state, and it hit me when I realized that if two people who live in the same house are in disagreement, people from all around the valley must experience the same thing. Personally I think about several different things when I try to predict who will be president: what is important in the race (one issue voters); what external factors can impact the race; opponents’ arguments and stances; and anything that people will think, because people are creatures of habit. As long as you can get into their heads, then you should be able to think of all the little things that will factor in. So I already told you who I think will be president, as the race stands now, a month or two ago and I stick by that. Clinton will be president at the close of the day, but who will win NEPA? Giuliani is a pretty strong force because of his relationship to NYC, but Clinton also has strong ties to the area. Now of course, this is all if things go the way I think they will and Clinton and Giuliani are the two nominees. Giuliani, because of his commanding role in 9/11 is not a stranger to this area, or any area for that matter. He has made many stops in the area last campaign season and I am sure that will continue. Overall I think Giuliani has a lot of strongholds in the area with people who commute to NYC everyday for work. And do not forget his wife, Judi. She is from Hazleton. Local folks will use that as the reason to vote for him, too. Then there is Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a very powerful figure because of Bill, her rise to stardom in the Senate, and especially in this area because her family is from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. And of course like any Democrat, she will receive a little extra boost because the unpopular war is considered the Republicans’ war, no matter how it is portrayed. As angry as the voters are right now about the war, Republicans are likely to suffer. In a head to head competition, I predict at the end of the day Clinton will win NEPA. But of course, anything can happen between now and 2008. Log on to our site (www.wilkesbeacon. com) and post your comments or mail them to us. What issues are important to you? What are you worried about? What should the media concentrate on to help educate voters? What do you believe are the key issues facing the state of Pennsylvania? These are just starting places, but we hope to hear from you. Sexual health concerns are individual decisions State-mandated vaccines cross boundaries, infringe on rights BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief about how far educators and schools can go to control a student’s health and life. Previous vaccines, such as those for chicken pox and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) were put into place to prevent students from contracting and then spread- that they could contract if they make the decision to engage in unprotected sex with Billy outside of school. And, the stipulation that all 12-year-old girls receive it in order to come to class on day one of sixth grade suggests that parents can no longer make The continued debate on teenage sexuality reached a new height of controversy recently with the FDA approved debut of a vaccine designed to protect women against a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer. Gardasil, which protects against HPV, A decision about whether or not to administer a vaccine to a girl the human papillomavirus, can 12 years old should be made by her parents... help prevent up to 70 percent of all cervical cancers. However, the administration of this vaccine has caused controversy and concern throughout the country as doc- ing those illnesses. Having parents protect decisions for their children’s sexual health, tors and educators have suggested that, be- their school-age children from contagious but that state administrators can. Now, I recognize that assuming that 12ginning in sixth grade, girls should receive diseases that could keep them out of school and could be spread easily throughout a year old girls are not engaging in unprothe vaccine. Some, like Texas governor school or household just made good sense. tected sex is naive, as much as the thought Rick Perry, have even gone so far as to inSchool and state administrators require these horrifi es me. And, while I also recognize sist that all sixth grade girls receive the vacvaccines to keep their students healthy and that this vaccine could do some good by cine prior to, and as a stipulation of, beginkeep their schools operating smoothly. preventing the possible onset of a STD or ning the school year. Eighteen other states However, Gardasil does not protect fecancer for all women if they choose to enhave bills drafted putting similar measures male students from a contagious disease gage in unprotected sex, what I really take into place. that they could contract simply by sitting issue with in this controversy is state ofSuch legislation suggests that 12-year old next to Billy in science class or sharing a fi cials’ belief that a girl’s sexual health is girls are perhaps engaging in premarital, undrink with Jen during lunch. It protects somehow under their jurisdiction. protected sex in enough numbers to warrant A decision about whether or not to ada blanket vaccine. It opens up a new debate them from a sexually transmitted disease minister a vaccine to a girl of 12 years old should be made by her parents and should take into consideration whether the parents have even had sexual health conversations with their daughter. Conservatives worry that administering these vaccines will make girls think it is okay to engage in sex, that the “magic pill” could protect from any sexually transmitted probof lem, including pregnancy. Many girls this age have not even kissed a boy yet, let alone thought about having sex, and subjecting them to a vaccine that has only been approved for less than a year is dangerous and presents an issue that may never need to be brought to light for certain girls. Most importantly, when a state decides to make decisions for a person’s health, they cross the line of privacy and a person’s right to choose what is right for himself or herself, or, in this case, parents’ rights to choose what is right for their daughter. The administration of Gardasil should be decided individually, in consultation with doctors and after a meaningful discussion between parents and daughter. No state should interfere with such an important decision. �FEATURES APRIL 3, 2007 Sexual Jeopardy Stitch-a-Thon 10 10 9 University College shapes lives, offers direction Part II: Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring Because it is considered the transitional stepping stone from youth to adulthood, the challenge for many college students is to balance time wisely between classes, homework, and extracurricular activities. But sometimes a combination of these can become overwhelming and frustrating. Enter University College. University College offers tutorial services and supplemental instruction to help students through any academic struggles they may encounter. Ryan Pepper first started using the tutoring services offered by University College during the first semester of his freshmen year. For the second half of that same year, he became a peer tutor. “Not only did I get help on understanding new material, I also was able to make a [few] new friends,” said Pepper. Salman Punekar, currently a senior, also began using University College’s tutoring services review for tests when he was a freshman in 2003. As the years progressed, he became a part of another program offered through University College: supplemental instruction. Supplemental instruction takes place during weekly review sessions for particularly challenging courses. It’s a nationally recognized program that is designed to use peer-assisted study sessions to improve student performance. Study sessions are normally led by a professional in the course or a recommended undergraduate who has successfully completed the course. At Wilkes, supplemental instruction is traditionally led by professionals and is normally held for courses in mathematics, chemistry, and biology. During the sessions, students compare notes, share study strategies, practice test questions, and discuss any readings that they may have been assigned with the peer leaders who often attend the classes with the students. “The best aspect of the supplemental instruction sessions was asking questions about material hardly covered in class. The instructor at [this service] knew the material very well,” said David Sebelin, a junior communication studies major. Sebelin used University College’s programs in his freshmen and sophomore years to study for students who want to sharpen their or clarify any misunderstandings with the for Dr. Carl Charnetski’s psychology tests. skills in the class [in which] they are en- material. He finished the class with a 4.0. rolled.” “It’s not too late to meet with a peer tutor “I think the reason why these services According to Punekar, “It is unwise to or an SI leader. It’s not May, yet,” Prado help so much is because it forces you to worry about [being seen as] cool when said. sit down and study... but it also makes you grades are on the line.” If you’re interested in scheduling a tutor vocalize your thoughts and reason them Sebelin agrees. “[University College] is session or looking into the Supplemental aloud. Additionally, since there are other just another program that’s there to help Instruction programs offered by University students there. They can provide an extra you. Would I criticize a hammer for being College, contact Blake Mackesy at blake. source of information and understanding a tool to help me? No! The supplemental mackesy@wilkes.edu or stop by Conynmaterial,” Sebelin added. instruction is just a tool that we can use to gham Hall. The supplemental instruction offered help us achieve a goal. Whether or not it’s To sign up for a peer tutor online, go to through University College has been cool doesn’t matter, only the end result.” http://tutortrac.wilkes.edu. If you have any named an Exemplary Educational Program Pepper, Punekar, and Sebelin all highly problems with scheduling an appointment, by the U.S. Department of Education. Par- recommend turning to University College feel free to contact Alberto Prado at alberticipating in this program typically results at any point that assistance is needed for a to.prado@wilkes.edu. in higher course grades and lower rates of particular course. withdrawals and failures in the assisted Prado has suggestions as well. If you feel classes. that you are struggling or need help, don’t In Part III, we’ll wrap Even though the tutorial sessions and be afraid to meet with your professors, he supplemental instruction have strong re- said. Ask them questions in class, go see things up with University sults for students, participation in these them during office hours, or e-mail them. College’s Career Services programs follows closely along the lines If students still feel like they are missing of the participation outlined in the first in- a piece of the puzzle, schedule times with program. stallment of this series about the Act 101 a peer tutor frequently to help fill in gaps program. Officials acknowledge that many students are not taking advantage of the services. Alberto Prado served as coordinator of the peer tutoring services and supplemental instruction for the past two years, and he has yet to come up with an answer. “I wish I had that magic wand,” he said. “Every semester [of] every year I go in and introduce what we do at University College providing academic Support with Peer Tutoring and SI and attendance is minimal.” There is a possibility this program carries the same stigma as Act 101, and students see asking for help as a sign of weakness, or are afraid they will be stereotyped for asking for assistance, and will be labeled as a student who struggles The peer tutoring program allows students to get help for courses they may be having trouble to pass his or her classes. Prado claims that this is with. Mike Simko, left, is a peer tutor who provides support in chemistry and math for students not the case. “We are here like Greg Wolanin, right. Courtesy Alberto Prado BY NICOLE FRAIL & JAMIE GWYNN Beacon Correspondents �FEATURES 10 APRIL 3, 2007 Sponsors turn sex ed into a game show with “Sexual Jeopardy” BY CANDICE HALLIDAY Beacon Staff Writer Students can take the advice of Salt ‘n’ Pepa and talk about sex when Health Services, SHAC, and the BACCHUS Club host “Sexual Jeopardy.” The sex-based game show will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom on Monday, April 16 from 9:00 to 10:15 p.m. Gail Holby, leader of BACCHUS described the event as “an hour of fun and education.” For all you bashful individuals out there, this isn’t something you have to do solo. In fact, the event is divided into two to four teams with three to four participants per team. It’s a great opportunity to grab some of your closest friends and see who is the most sexually knowledgeable. Students will first be asked a question followed by an answer exchange. Holby explained that it “is a game show format designed to educate students about sexual issues and concepts. Its purpose is to encourage them to continue to seek information and realize that no one is more important than themselves.” Doane Hall dorm students sick of Waller residents playing their music too loud can bring the tension to the game show. Students of the residence halls are especially encouraged to participate. “Sexual Jeopardy can be used as an educational tool for your Dorm or Resident Hall,” Holby said. Health Services staff want to encourage a challenge between all the dorms or residence halls. The game requires three to four students per dorm to sign up and sponsors encourage the rest of the hall residents to attend to cheer representatives on. Students in off-campus housing are also welcome to participate, and can do so by grabbing students in their building, the building next door, or any other building, and making a team. If the topic of sex isn’t enough motivation to get involved, prizes will be distributed to the winning team. A pizza party will be the prize for the dorm with the most points. For those who prefer sugar to salt, a five-gallon container of ice cream will go to the dorm with the most participants. Don’t worry; no extra trips to Wegman’s are necessary be- UNIQ!JE OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING SayUNIVERSITY What? COMMONS RIV ER SI D E Convenient, affordable and secure, we provide a special student living experience in the heart of Wilkes-Barre - more than just a place to rent, a place to live * Walking distance to Wilkes University, Kirby * Center, restaurants & shopping * Security & fire systems * 24-hour emergency assistance * Off-street parking * 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments We s t River U ntYerslt)' Commons South R i v El t' S L. S. Franklin St. For leasing WIikes Unlverslty information, please call 570.829.4339 ......1----...--.....- - http://www.jrwilkes.com cause cones are included. Sexual Jeopardy isn’t new to Wilkes it also took place last year. Biology professor Debbie Chapman attended last year. “When I went, I found it to be very well done, very informative, but, at the same time, very funny,” she said. Jozepf Becley, sophomore pharmacy major, thinks the idea of Sexual Jeopardy is interesting, but is glad it is not an individual challenge. “I think it would be something fun to do with a group of people or close friends; it is definitely not something I would want to do by myself.” Stephen Rozanski, sophmore pharmacy major added, “I think it would be fun because it would be funny to hear some of the answers to the questions asked.” Put down the books and come for a night of sex (and) education. Those interested in getting into “Sexual Jeopardy” can contact Health Services at 570-4084730 and ask for Gail Holby. Students are encouraged to sign up soon because there are only a limited number of spaces available. Beacon Graphic/Nora Jurasits Stitch-a-thon aims to raise awareness, funds for Darfur BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor Helping those suffering in Darfur and a little bit of creativity will literally run handin-hand on April 13. Wilkes students, faculty, and staff are invited to a stitch-a-thon that aims to raise awareness and financial support for the people suffering in Darfur. The event will occur between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Mentoring Symposium in the foyer of the Henry Student Center. According to Assistant Professor of English and founder of the stitch-a-thon, Dr. Marcia Farrell, 100% of the proceeds from this event will be sent to three organizations: American Care for Sudan, the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, and the Save Darfur Coalition. Farrell credits many people and events that led her to the idea of a stitch-a-thon. After taking two of her English classes to the Sordoni Art Gallery to view Ryan Spencer Reed’s photography of Darfur, a number of students approached her saying they wanted to do something to help. “The room grew quiet and the students spread out in front of different photographs, sitting on the floor, and writing and looking intently. It was the most mystical teaching experience I had ever had. Many of them expressed afterwards that they wanted to do something,” she said. Interestingly, within a couple of days, an episode of “Gilmore Girls” featured a knit-a-thon fund raiser. Farrell said that together they triggered the idea for the stitch-a-thon. She discussed the idea with president of the WISE-UP club, senior English major Shannon Curtin, in order for the stitch-a-thon to be sponsored by a club since the stitch-a-thon was not a club itself. WISE-UP agreed to sponsor and stitcha-thon morphed from an interesting idea See STITCH-A-THON, Page 11 �APRIL 3, 2007 STITCH-A-THON from PAGE 10 to an event on the calendar. “WISE-UP is honored and happy to help Dr. Farrell and all the other faculty and students involved in this endeavor,” said Curtin. According to Farrell, participants interested will pay a $2 participation fee that will add to the overall proceeds of the event. There will be two main stitching projects: knitting and crocheting. And even if you never picked up a knitting or crocheting needle, you will have the opportunity to learn how to knit and crochet by students Lauren Carey and Amanda Baronowski. According to the brochure, two weeks prior to the event there will be drop boxes throughout the campus for stitching donations, such as yarn or needles. In case there are not enough supplies available, those interested in participating should bring their own crochet hook or knitting needles and yarn. Final products will be displayed during the week of April 23 in the lobby of the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. The products will then be raffled off on April 30 to coincide with the Global Days for Darfur organized by the Save Darfur Coalition. Rachel Tretiak, freshman history/psychology major, is serving as a contact person and will help with advertising for the event. Tretiak hopes that the stitch-a-thon helps students and faculty become more aware of the genocide FEATURES 11 taking place in Darfur. “The Ryan Spencer Reed exhibit got a fair amount of attention, but there are still many students who have never even heard of Darfur, and are completely unaware of what is taking place there. Being that the stitch-a-thon is such a unique type of fundraiser, I believe that it will do a great job of getting that attention, while at the same time being a fun experience for the participants,” she said. AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR Anyone wishing to participate should contact Farrell. Upon signing up to participate, each individual will receive a packet including information on the crisis in Darfur and each organization that will benefit from the Stitch-a-Thon. Also included in the packet will be information about writing Congressional representatives, the White House, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon asking that the situation in Darfur become a top priority. Courtesy www.essex.ac.uk 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E APRIL 3, 2007 12 CD Review Crossword This week in history Local Band: Lessen One 13 14 14 15 New Sordoni art exhibit showcases faculty talents BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Correspondent ously, Schulte exhibited at Artists for Art in Scranton and Lizza Fine Arts Studio in Tunkhannock. Schulte chose his works based on a common theme. All of his works have a maternal theme, and some are based on classical images with an original twist. For example, in one of his sculptures, Schulte portrays the classic Madonna and child image as somewhat cause they inspire you to think,” Schulte said. “I’m not telling you what to think. I’m just presenting you with a problem.” It’s always encouraging for students to see their facSchulte believes that exhibits are important to artists ulty practice what they preach. because they open up the door to communication to the Students will have the opportunity to view their art world. “It would do me no good to have my artwork professors’ talents free of charge in the Faculty Exhibisitting in the closet,” he said. tion 2007. The exhibit will run from April 1 to May 20, Schulte, who teaches sculpture classes and will be open to the public seven days a and the introductory “Experiencing Art” week from 12:00-4:30 p.m. at the Sordoni course, encouraged his students to attend Art Gallery in the Stark Learning Center. the exhibit. He believes that students can Ten current and retired professors will benefit from seeing the works of their inhave their works featured. The artists instructors and also from seeking out certain clude Sharon Bower, Jean Adams, David professors whose works stand out to them Schulte, David Leonard, Bruce Lanning, for future instruction. John Sedor, Beverly Glennon, and Profes“Many times students don’t get to see sors Emeriti William Sterling, Herbert Sitheir teachers’ work,” he explained. “Valmon and Richard Fuller. idation is very important to the students. The exhibit will feature more than 50 They can see that the individuals responworks created in various types of media, sible for their education are skilled and are including ceramics, porcelain, clay, waGiovanni Tom expressing their thoughts in an Elaine intellectual tercolor, oil paint, photography and digital Ribisi Komarnicki Goldsmith manner.” work. According to Schulte, the Faculty Exhi“It was a challenge putting together the bition 2007 can be beneficial to all Wilworks of ten very different artists, but I kes students, not only students who have think we pulled it off,” said Ronald BerniThe Beacon/Cara Koster a minor in art or are taking those courses. er, director of the Sordoni Art Gallery. “We tried to make it as coherent as we could Visitors at the Sordoni Art Gallery take in the artwork Sunday at the opening of “Everyone should go to at least one art with all the vastly different works.” the current Faculty Exhibition. The exhibition will run until May 20 and features show in their lifetime,” Schulte said. “If Faculty Exhibition 2007 will be the first over 50 works from ten current and retired professors in a variety of media, includ- someone is uninterested or unacquainted with art, going to see particular types of faculty art show since 2004. When Wil- ing porcelain, clay, watercolor and photography, among others. art helps inform them.” kes used to offer an art major, the faculty Bernier, who has been the director of the exhibit ran annually. However, since the school no longer has a full faculty art department or a of a “parasitic relationship,” not one that is always easy Sordoni Art Gallery for six years, agrees with Schulte that the Faculty Exhibition 2007 can enrich all students major, the Sordoni Art Gallery only offers the exhibit or joyful. “You have that same parallel, but it’s more human- regardless of their academic concentrations. every few years. “It’s important to all Wilkes students,” Bernier said. Bernier believes interest in art on campus is still high. ized, less iconocized,” said Schulte about the similari“Our goal is to get both the Wilkes community and the He points out that art classes often have a waiting list ties between his work and the classic images. Another of his sculptures is titled “Specimen Female public to see the range of talent we have in our faceach semester. “We’ve scaled back, but we still have a number of Fetus 5.9 months.” The sculpture of the fetus in a jar ulty.” was inspired by the ongoing debate about abortion, and talented artists working on our faculty,” said Bernier. One of those “talented artists” is David Schulte, who when a fetus is considered a life. “All [of my work] has grounds to be controversial bewill display four of his sculptures at the exhibit. Previ- Schedule of Events Tuesday, April 3 -Karaoke w/Mitch & Dancin’ Frank at the Woodlands -Open mic at the River Street Jazz Cafe -The Marty Edwards Jazz Band performing at Bart and Urby’s -Big D and the Kids Table, The Menzingers, The Holy Mess and Captain Random performing at Cafe Metropolis at 7 p.m. -Taking Back Sunday performing at the Wachovia Arena at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 -Film: Curse of the Golden Flower playing at the Kirby Center at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, April 6 -Maddog Surrender, Cunnilingus, Trashcan Circus and Ali Baba performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Monday, April 2 -Anime Club showing of Samurai X at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. -Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte -Karaoke w/DJ Bada Bing at Fuse -Dirt Vultures, Fight Amputation, Aeondeath and Catapult Rome performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 7 -Braindead, Crumbler, Gnarlies, Freethrow and Gone Mad performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -Bigger Thomas, The Big Green plus TBA performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. �APRIL 3, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists’ Living with the Living In the band’s new album Living with the Living, it feels a little bit more like living with the dead. To put it plainly, this album is weak, which is painful to say considering the strength of all of Ted Leo’s past albums. While the instrumentation and lyrics are solid, that’s basically where it ends. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have been around since the 90s, delivering upbeat, punk-inspired indie rock. They have released four prior albums, and while they’ve pulled in fans with earlier albums, their popularity significantly grew after their “Shake the Sheets” release, which featured the song “Me and Mia.” Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are one of the strongest indie rock bands out there, both instrumentally and lyrically. Their lyrics are meaningful, and often political, and for those who just care about the music, the guitar riffs and choruses are catchy enough to appeal to pretty much anyone, whether they appreciate music that is off the radar or keep up with radio-friendly hits. Unfortunately, with the exception of “La Costa Brava” and “Bottle of Buckie,” the songs on the newest Living album are entirely unimpressive. It’s possible they could be more appreciated by a newcomer to Ted Leo, but to anyone who has heard Hearts of Oak or The Tyranny of Dissonance, this album just doesn’t compare in terms of creativity. Also, “The Lost Brigade” which goes on for almost eight minutes, becomes repetitive and tiresome about halfway through. “Bomb. Repeat. Bomb.” seems to be trying to deliver a political message, but the vocals end up sounding a bit muffled, leaving the listener aware that the singer is angry, but at what exactly, it’s hard to tell. There are a few slower tracks that offer a Photo courtesy /blogs.indiewire.com BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor change of pace, but they’re forgettable. Basically every track sounds like a song recycled from a past album, but stripped of a key piece. It all sounds like something played before, yet not as good. For those who haven’t yet heard Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, this would definitely not be the album to start with. While the tracks are not terrible, the whole album gives the feeling that the band is holding back. Tyranny of Dissonance would be a much more suitable introduction to the band. Fans who have been following the band to this point will most likely be disappointed in this album as a whole. With the exception of the reggae undertones in “The Unwanted Things,” the songs don’t deliver anything that hasn’t been done countless times in past albums. So, while the songs still feature smooth vocals and instrumentation, the smiliarity in sound to past albums doesn’t manage to save it. Compared to everything produced in the past, the album is tolerable, but ultimately falls short. Grade: C � 0dVdbc�k�!��& FT�WPeT�P�fX]]Ta� �FT[[��PRcdP[[h�cWaTT�fX]]Tab�� CWT�Ë�]P[�e^cT�^]�cWT�<hFX[ZTb�[^V^�fPb�^_cX^]��!�� CWT�^eTafWT[\X]V�RW^XRT�U^a�bXcT�[Ph^dc�fPb�^_cX^]��"� 9d]X^a�<^aVP]�:dW]b�fX]b�cWT�X?^S �fWXRW��^U�R^dabT��bWTÃ[[�Ë�[[�fXcW�b^]Vb�PR`dXaTS�[TVP[[h��aXVWc.�� CWP]Zb�c^�P[[�cW^bT�fW^�e^cTS� 6^�c^�\hfX[ZTb�fX[ZTb�TSd�c^�eXTf�cWT�fX]]X]V�STbXV]b�P]S�c^�[TPa]�\^aT�PQ^dc�cWT�<hFX[ZTb�_^acP[� �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Kudracross BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent 1 6 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 26 30 31 32 33 35 39 41 43 44 46 47 49 50 51 54 56 57 63 64 65 66 67 68 ACROSS Student workstations Inquires Anthracite 1995 film “The _____ Suspects” Indicates direction of wind Killer whale Pine Tree State Gulf leading to the Persian Gulf Pine varieties Common PA wildflowers Adversaries Bottom heavy fruit Uniformly B.A. part Greek H Mold in which objects are cast Washington source Eight Curvy lines Telescope inventor State of nonexistence Madison Square Garden (e.g.) Cuckoo Edit out Accomplished Internet suffix Needles partner Passion Sci. of angles Tel ___, Israel Pertaining to commerce Masculine Buffalo neighbor Pertaining to the ear Aroma Antiquated Slowpoke 69 70 71 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 25 26 27 28 29 34 36 37 38 40 42 45 48 51 52 53 55 58 59 60 61 62 APRIL 3, 2007 Scottish monster Point of intersection Crew members DOWN Dopey Jacob’s brother Uniform German philosopher Immanuel Land of Nod Hobby Japanese warrior Chip flint or stone Became aware of Starbucks (e.g.) Constellation of the Hunter Land measurements Cattle rope Superman’s portrayer Range of sight Pond microorganism Back end “A ___ of Two Cities” Underwater swimmers without scuba gear Butt in Eighteen-wheeler “_____ Brockovich” Tennis units Dragon’s abode Ancient Rome’s port Not tested Lower in dignity “The Bourne Identity” actor Matt ____ Avoid Farm buildings Grind as teeth Therefore Type of seafood sandwich Teheran’s country Put down Pipe joints Answers 3.26 This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by the History Club April 2 2005: John Paul II, history’s most well-traveled pope and the first non-Italian to hold the position since the 16th century, died at his home in the Vatican. Six days later, two million people packed Vatican City for his funeral-said to be the biggest funeral in history. April 3 1860: The first Pony Express mail simultaneously left St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, carried by Henry Wallace riding west and John Roff riding east. During the 1,800-mile journey, the riders changed horses dozens of times, and on April 13 the westbound packet arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound packet’s arrival in St. Joseph by two days. April 4 1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatal- ly shot while standing on the balcony outside his secondstory room at the Motel Lorraine in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers’ strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old. April 5 1614: Pocahontas, daughter of the chief of the Powhatan Indian confederacy, married English tobacco planter John Rolfe in Jamestown, Virginia. The marriage ensured peace between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan Indians for several years. April 6 1896: The Olympic Games, a long-lost tradition of ancient Greece, were reborn in Athens 1,500 years after being banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I. At the opening of the Athens Games, King Georgios I of Greece and a crowd of 60,000 spectators welcomed athletes from 13 nations to the international competition. April 7 1963: A new Yugoslav constitution proclaimed Tito the president for life of the newly named Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. April 8 563 B.C.: Buddhists celebrated the commemoration of the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, thought to have lived in India from 563 B.C. to 483 B.C. Actually, the Buddhist tradition that celebrates his birthday on April 8 originally placed his birth in the 11th century B.C., and it was not until the modern era that scholars determined that he was more likely born in the sixth century B.C., and possibly in May rather than April. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http://www.history.com/tdih.do Picture courtesy www.md.lp.org �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 - APRIL 3, 2007 LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT: LESSEN ONE BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor It’s no secret that making it in the music industry isn’t exactly a piece of cake-especially in Northeastern Pennsylvania. That’s why the tremendous success of local rock/alternative band Lessen One is such an admirable feat. With gigs all over the area and an original full-length album already released (Thousand Words), Lessen One has proven itself a very ambitious and talented band. Band member Steve Husted, guitar and vocals, recently took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with The Beacon about the current album and what’s next on the horizon for Lessen One. The Beacon: What changes have you gone through over the years (lineup, sound, direction, etc)? Husted: Ok, here we go. Lessen One’s current lineup is: Jaconda (Jay) - lead vocals; Steve (myself) - backing vocals/rhythm guitar; Kevin - lead guitar; Andrew - bass; Rob - drums/percussion. However, Lessen One started out in the late summer of 2003 with Kevin, Jay and myself being original members. At the time we had a different drummer (Pat) and bassist (Mike). We played under that lineup until the fall of 2004. After losing Pat and Mike to unsettled differences, Kevin, Jay and I began playing acoustic three-piece shows. After about eight months we then added Rob in the early summer of 2005. The following winter we added Andy on bass. The current lineup still stands and hopefully will for quite some time. The Beacon: How’s the first full-length CD working out for you? Husted: It’s very gratifying when I see people singing the words to our originals. The CD was a risk for us financially but it all seems worth it when you get a bigger response for an original song rather than the best of covers that we may do. We all have been a part of the recording process with other bands, but I think that this is the CD that we all have yet to make on our own. So to answer your question...things are good. The Beacon: Are you currently working on any new projects? What’s up next for you guys? Husted: The biggest of all things right now is that we are planning a two week long tour with the band Ourafter, June 15-30. We will be playing in New York, Harrisburg, DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, three different cities sounds right to us. We write together, so having five different ideas is somewhat hard at times. For example, we don’t scream on a heavy song for the sake of screaming if it isn’t necessary. If the song is short and doesn’t need anything else, we let it be, and if it seems to run longer than standard radio play time, we let it if it calls for it. One of our more popular songs called “Drone” is about 4:30 long; too long for radio but just right for itself (so we think). Our music is energetic and a product of what seems to be an endless source of inspiration, so I think you can find a little of everything in our CD. The Beacon: For those who have not yet seen Lessen One perform, describe your live shows. Husted: Visually and sonically, very energetic. Lots to listen to: melodic vocals, extensive harmonies, complimenting guitars, flourishing bass lines, and a rhythmic backbone that intricately ties it all together. And on top of that, a lot to see. We move on stage independently but yet very synchronized. The Beacon: Can you describe the craziest thing that’s happened to you as a band, or your most embarrassing moment on stage? Husted: Well, I guess watching Kevin split his head open on the main speakers at Tink’s in Scranton, and then still playing four more songs dripping blood everywhere [was pretty crazy]. Or the time when Jay was screwing around on a slippery stage at Outsiders, and, out of nowhere, ended up completely horizontal in the air, just to fall flat on his side on a previously broken full pint glass. However, even though he fell, cut himself, and was lying in a puddle of beer, he pulled the mic down and finished singing the rest of the song like a champ on his back. I haven’t Courtesy myspace.com//lessenone The Beacon: What’s the story on the spelling laughed that hard since. of the band’s name? Lessen One has seen a lot of success with their first full length album, ThouHusted: The original drummer, Pat, and I sand Words, and continues to play shows at locales throughout the area. In The Beacon: Any hoardes of screaming girls were spewing out band names in the beginning, June, the band will hit the road, touring with Ourafter. yet? and we decided that we liked the idea of having Husted: Unfortunately for Jay... nope. All of a band name with a number in it - not sure why - but it us are in great relationships, so I think we put out the vibe, in Florida, Indianapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Scranton. seemed good then. We finally settled on a few ideas and or something like that. We have a few funny, more so Basically we have two nights off the whole trip; should be I [think I] remember it being either Lessen One or Figure creepy, stories, but overall we shake as many hands and a great time. Five. kiss as many babies as we can. We appreciate everyone Being that we are also a cover band, we have a few great Once the votes came in we all agreed that we liked Lesstaking the time out to come and see us, so maybe we just shows lined up out of town. en One much more. And then the conversation of lessOn don’t notice them...who knows? We have an upcoming Wilkes University show, where vs. lessEn came up. My description of the band name Wilkes and ourselves will be distributing 100 free CDs; goes as this: I didn’t want to be thought of ‘teaching’ peoThe Beacon: If you can remember this far back, deple about the music... thought it sounded a little arrogant. should be quite fun, too. scribe your first show as a band. And lastly we are in the beginning stages of writing new I wanted it to be ‘taking away from something,’ not “less Husted: With this lineup? Great. We are all talented material. The new music seems to be even more diverse than” as in math class with the whole <,> or = to. musicians and we work well together, so I guess the first and more energetic than before. We are really excited to The lyrics we began to come up with for the songs and was quite like the most recent. We get the chance to play get back to writing again; it has been awhile. my personal life made me describe the band name as: to out quite often, and as far as I can remember, we have had be in this lifestyle/band you have to ‘give up’ or ‘let go;’ many great nights. Every night is some new challenge and The Beacon: For someone who hasn’t heard Lessen parts of your life. There are many things that I/we had to every show seems completely different and we are lookOne, are there any bands that you can compare yourselves give up to maintain this band, and I think that the band ing forward to many more. to? If you don’t like to make comparisons, then just dename is a reflection of where I/we have been and where I/we come from; remember what once was, and knowing scribe your sound. The Beacon: And finally, can you describe Lessen One Husted: I usually liken us to Incubus, solely on the fact what I have let go/changed to get here. I/we appreciate in just three words? that we don’t write to a specifi c genre. We write music my/our decisions and know that I have four other guys to Husted: Buy our CD. No, I am kidding. (Seriously without writing to make a specifi c sound. In other words, lean on when it gets hard...and so creates Lessen One. the direction of the song is dependent on what naturally now buy it anyway). But three words? … �SPORTS 16 APRIL 3, 2007 Cumberland Apartments Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. - Brand New Construction - Kitchen with appliances - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �SPORTS APRIL 3, 2007 17 Equestrian Club sends first two to regionals BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor It has been nearly two full years since Alisha Cain’s dream of having an equestrian club at Wilkes University became a reality. The road from being granted club status back in April 2005 seems like such a long time ago considering all that the team has accomplished, especially this year. Wilkes is sending not only one competitor to regional competitions but two -Jessica Ashford and Sarah Brown. The Equestrian Club, which does not represent Wilkes University in any official varsity athletic competition, still finds its way to bring Wilkes pride and name recognition as they compete with other schools as part of the Inter-Collegiate Horse Show Association. “The team is going well. It is really a blast and a big adrenaline rush to be able to ride a horse that you have never ridden before,” said freshman Tia Hickman, who just joined the team this year. In addition to Tia, there are two other freshmen and a total of eight members on this year’s team. The experience level of MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks, CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I the women, including Jessica Ashford and zone show in Pittsburgh, “which, out of the Sarah Brown, who have both been riding 15 to advance to that point, we had two including myself and Brown,” Ashford said. since the age of seven, is very high. With this being the first regional show “All of the girls on the team have been riding all of their lives, but we would like for any Wilkes University Equestrian club to recruit girls who haven’t had as much ex- member, a new landmark has been set and new goals are now being perience,” formed for next fall as the stated juwomen head back to work nior Jessica for another season. “My new Ashford. aspiration since I won a blue Experiribbon for Wilkes this past ence is what year is to go to regionals in matters for the novice competition,” said members of Ashford. the equestriAlthough neither one of the an club. The Courtesy of wildheartranch.com representatives from Wilkes team has ten advanced beyond this zone shows per competition this past weekyear, including five in the fall and five in spring. Every end, the knowledge and level of experience fall semester, the team co-hosts a show with for the team continues to grow with higher Cedar Crest which has been a tradition since hopes and bigger expectations for next seathe team began two years ago. Every team son. member’s dream, however, is to win that blue ribbon and head to the national show. According to Ashford, a competitor needs to accumulate a minimum of 35 points over three semesters to qualify for the regional FREE BROWNIES Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I SOFTBALL from PAGE 20 don’t offer up careful, smart pitching, the Bulldogs offensive muscle could be intimidating. But facing a team of the Colonels stature is never easy for any conference opponent. Folek is a veteran at his profession and will look to lead the Colonels to another Freedom Conference victory. “Our upperclassmen have to have good series, and our offense needs to score more runs,” stated Folek breaking down his keys to victory in beating the DeSales Bulldogs. The Colonels will look to bring hard hitting and solid pitching out of their bag of tricks on the road against the DeSales Bulldogs this Thursday at 3 p.m. Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am 8{_/ll . ' ' ,~ �SPORTS 18 APRIL 3, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Major League Baseball Yankees to host Devil Rays; Red Sox take on Royals BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Tampa Bay v. New York The Yankees have to be nervous. After all, it’s been six seasons since they’ve won a World Series ring, and three since they’ve even been to the Big Dance. And with a boss like George Steinbrenner, who wouldn’t be a little pensive about this season? The Bronx Bombers, who finished first in the American League East last year, had a less than spectacular post-season in which they were bounced in the first round by the Detroit Tigers. This season, like every other season, the Yanks have their eyes on number 27. They have good reason to be confident about their chances, as they are returning with one of the best lineups in the American League. Led by Derek Jeter (the real AL MVP), the offense consists of All-Star leadoff hitter Johnny Damon, the always underrated Bobby Abreu, the over criticized Alex Rodriguez (who will become the youngest player to hit 500 homeruns this season), power hitting lefties Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui, long-time Yankee Jorge Posada and future star Robinson Cano. With a lineup like that, what do the Yankees have to worry about? The answer is, as always, pitching. With a retooled pitching staff, New York has said goodbye to Randy Johnson and said hello (again) to former Yankee Andy Pettitte and are welcoming back Carl Pavano, who last pitched in June of 2005. Pavano, who was part of a Florida Marlins staff that bested the Yankees in 2003, has been injury prone since coming to New York in 2005, and hasn’t had the opportunity prove his worth. That’s about to change, as he is likely to be the opening day starter on April 2 at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. With Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang dealing with minor injuries, Pavano is the likely choice over newcomer Kei Igawa and youngster Jeff Karstens. It should prove to be a clean slate for the much maligned Pavano, who is in desperate need for a solid performance to prove to the brass that he is back in his 2004 form. Unfortunately for Pavano, the young lineup of the Devil Rays won’t make it easy. Led by Carl Crawford, who effortlessly blends power and speed, players like Ty Wigginton and Rocco Baldelli are young players who are going to blossom in the coming seasons. Japanese import Akinori Iwamura is a power hitting third baseman who could have an impact on the middle of the lineup, while Delmon Young is a serious candidate for Rookie of the Year. Their pitching staff is led by Scott Kazmir, who was very quietly one of the best arms in the American League last season. Kazmir is most likely the opening day starter, and has the talent to make it hard on the Yankees lineup. It’s essentially a battle between pitchers with a lot to prove, but expect the bats of the Yankees to out slug the inexperienced Devil Rays lineup. The Pick: Game 1: New York Yankees 3 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2 Game 2: Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7 New York Yankees 3 Game 3: New York Yankees 5 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3 Boston v. Kansas City Red Sox Nation has been abuzz this offseason. After acquiring the much praised Japanese Ace, Daisuke Matsuzaka, it appeared that Boston has cemented one of the best rotations in the American League. Matsuzaka, who carved up hitters during last year’s World Baseball Classic with help from his mythical “gyroball,” is flourishing this spring and is proving to be the real deal. That can only be good news for the Red Sox, who are looking to return to the World Series after their Cinderella-like 2004 season. Led by opening day starter Curt Schilling, the staff consists of 2003 World Series MVP Josh Beckett, knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, Matsuzaka, and closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, whose 35 saves and 0.92 ERA make him an automatic in the bullpen. With a solid starting rotation and a lights out closer, the Red Sox are more than ready to storm the AL East. Oh, there’s one more thing: they still have David Ortiz. Ortiz, aka, Big Papi, will no doubt lead a tremendous offense that consists of perennial slugger Manny Ramirez, newcomer and leadoff hitter Julio Lugo, on base hog Kevin Youklis, Captain and catcher Jason Varitek and newly acquired J.D. Drew, who completes a dangerous 3-4-5 in the lineup. Also along for the ride is speedy centerfielder and current titleholder of “Best Name in Baseball” Coco Crisp, great gloveman Mike Lowell, and top prospect Dustin Pedroia, who looks to make his first full season in Beantown a memorable one. Schilling, the outspoken and gutsy pitcher, is looking for one more great season that can be added on to this Hall of Fame resume, and should have no trouble leading things off against the Kansas City Royals on April 2nd. Kansas City, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back and bring back glory and respectability to the once great franchise. They have their work cut out for them, as they are light in top prospects and heavy on career minor league players. The biggest move in the off-season for the Royals was the acquisition of starting pitcher Gil Meche, whose 55-44 lifetime record with a 4.65 ERA was good enough to earn him a 5 year, 55 million dollar contract. Besides Meche, the rotation is filled with mediocre pitchers Luke Hudson and Odalis Perez, finishing off with Octavio Dotel, who was once a premier refief pitcher. Two lone bright spots for the Royals are in the form of young phenom Alex Gordon, who was officially named the starting third baseman (George Brett, anyone?), and left fielder Mark Teahen, another young star on the verge of a breakout season. Squaring off against a Red Sox lineup that eats up bad pitchers, Gil Meche’s best bet is to just throw strikes and let his defense make some plays. The Pick: Game 1: Boston Red Sox 8 Kansas City Royals 3 Game 2: Boston Red Sox 4 Kansas City Royals 1 Game 3: Boston Red Sox 5 Kansas City Royals 0 Double Take Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Oh boy. Another game of the week, another Double Take. Except this time, there are two games of the week. I don’t know why this is necessary, and to be honest, I really don’t care. So instead of taking the time to write two double takes (which would make me dizzy), I’m going to pretend that the Yankees and the Red Sox are teaming up against the Devil Rays and the Royals. I thought this would be fun because, apparently, people who are Yankees fans generally hate the Red Sox, and vice versa. Well, that’s too bad, because in my imaginary world they are going to have to join forces to defeat the Royal Devil Rays. In my imaginary world, the teams are also going to have to use light sabers instead of baseball bats. And instead of uniforms, they should all wear black cloaks. But that’s a given. Plus, it would probably make the game a lot more entertaining. So, where does one really go from there? Well, let’s also pretend Derek Jeter is Darth Vader (nothing personal against Mr. Jeter, he’s just the only player I know). Evil never prevails. The Yankees and the Red Sox are going to lose, because they don’t have the power of the Force, unlike the Royal Devil Rays, who actually all look like Yoda. Now one would think that since they are the Devil Rays, they would be evil. But, in fact, remember, this is my world, and things are never quite what they seem. Anyway, nobody cares what my predictions are, much like I don’t care about who wins the games. So instead of sitting down to some MLB television this week, I’m going to settle in for a Star Wars marathon… because that sounds far more entertaining than any baseball game. �SPORTS APRIL 3, 2007 19 Rival to join Freedom Conference Misericordia to compete in 2008-09 season BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer In the world of college athletics, few things bring out the passion and spirit in players, coaches and fans more than a local or regional rivalry. Players get a chance to compete in front of fans who often know and remember them from earlier in their athletic careers, and school communities are able to enjoy packed arenas infused with school spirit for these contests. For the Wilkes University athletics community, one of those rivalries recently opened an exciting new chapter when College Misericordia announced it will begin competition for all of its sports programs in the Freedom Conference of the Middle Atlantic Corporation (MAC), beginning with the 2007-2008 school year. “Misericordia offers a tremendous package to our conference in terms of both the academic and athletic components we are seeking at institutions when we were looking to expand the conference”, said Ken Andrews, MAC executive commissioner for the Freedom Conference. “This addition will help the conference further establish itself in a part of the mid-Atlantic region in terms of things such as media coverage and recruiting, where several of our current institutions have had great success over the years.” Misericordia will be coming to the Freedom Conference from the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC), of which it was a founding member when the league was formed in 1992. The Cougars will be joining Wilkes and fellow MAC Freedom member King’s College in a new conference alignment that is expected to reap benefits for student-athletes, coaches and fans alike. The close proximity of the Misericordia campus will enable Wilkes athletics teams to play more conference contests on weeknights, making scheduling and travel arrangements much easier for coaches and officials at those schools. “We’re thrilled that Misericordia is coming into the conference,” said Wilkes men’s basketball coach Jerry Rickrode, whose teams have regularly competed against Misericordia in a non-conference format during his 15-year tenure as head coach. “They’ve got an excellent basketball facility and a very solid athletics program, while producing some very competitive teams during their history. We’re looking forward to competing with Misericordia as a conference opponent in the near future.” For Misericordia, the move carries with it many of the same advantages and benefits in terms of travel time and proximity that are beneficial for Wilkes. The Dallasbased school boasts excellent facilities for all of its sports teams and has traditionally been very competitive in the PAC, winning 26 conference championships since the league’s founding. This strong foundation is expected to help make the Cougars immediate competitors in the Freedom Conference. The move will also allow the Cougars to find a league for their swimming and track & field programs to compete in neither sport was sponsored by the PAC and as a result, those sports operated without a conference affiliation at Misericordia until this decision. Sports fans and student-athletes at both Wilkes and Misericordia are both set to enter an exciting new chapter of the sports history between these two institutions. “For many years Wilkes and Misericordia have competed against each other in a non-conference format,” Wilkes University athletics Director Addy Malatesta said of the move. “Now, we have the opportunity to develop a great conference rivalry that will benefit both schools and their athletics programs for years to come.” The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Lady Colonels look to add a “W” to their record Wednesday against Scranton. Weekend Recaps Baseball The Colonels baseball team suffered two conference losses at home in their doubleheader matchup against FDU-Florham on Saturday. Junior Kyle Follweiler drove in the team’s only run in both contests as they lost 8-1, and 9-0. The Colonels drop to 9-5 overall and 3-3 in the Freedom conference. Softball The Lady Colonels fell in close battle on the road to crosstown rival King’s College 2-1. Sophomore Nichole McCloskey scored an unearned run for the Lady Colonels in the 5th inning, but could not close the deficit following a King’s 2 run spurt in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Colonels are currently 6-7 overall and 0-1 in the Freedom conference. Lacrosse Widener University picked up their first Middle Atlantic Conference women’s lacrosse win of the season with a 17-4 victory over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Field. The win improves the Pride to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference, while the Lady Colonels fall to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 8 Number of strikeouts by Wilkes senior Laurie Agresti in loss to William Paterson University. 5 Number of goals by Wilkes freshman Ashley Leggio in loss to Centenary College. 2 Number of RBIs by Wilkes junior Kyle Follweiler in the win over Drew University. 0 Number of earned runs allowed by Corey Helfrich in a 2 hit, complete game win over Drew University. �Sports APRIL 3, 2007 20 Preview of the Week: Baseball vs. DeSales The Colonels get ready for their fight against the Bulldogs this Thursday BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor In baseball, there is nothing like watching two evenly matched teams duke it out on the field as they look to notch a win on their record. Colonel baseball fans get ready to bear witness to a classic Freedom Conference contest as the Colonels go on the road to square off against DeSales University. “We’ve been getting good pitching and playing good defense, and that’s why we have been winning. As a team, we need to keep that up,” said head coach Joe Folek. Despite the Colonels recent losses in their doubleheader match-up this past Saturday away against the FDU Devils, Wilkes still boasts a comfortable record of 95, and 3-3 in the conference. During the Colonels road trip to New Jersey, pitcher Cory Helfrich gave up 8 runs on 11 hits in only four innings in their final game of the doubleheader. “Our sole drive right now is to make it to the playoffs to play FDU and beat them when it counts,” stated junior Brad Woznisky. The first conference loss of the season for the Colonels happened Friday against the Devils 15-5. Centerfielder Kyle Follweiler led the Colonels with 2 runs, while 5 players split a single RBI. Leading the Colonels scoring attack is senior first baseman Justin Popovich, who racked up a team high 12 RBIs. The lead batting average goes to junior Kyle Follweiler with .439 who has started in all of the Colonels 14 games. The Colonels pitching staff is doing a solid job combing for total of 60 strikeouts on the season, and a 5.53 ERA, while their opponents combine for a 6.17 ERA against the Colonels. Junior pitcher Brad Woznisky leads the Colonels with 22 strikeouts and believes that in order for the Colonels to win, “We have to go in with a better mindset and just keep working hard and staying at it. If we do that, eventually everything will come together.” The Bulldogs are a tough team led by a coach with an impressive resume, and will be looking to fight the Colonels until the last out of the ninth inning. Head Coach Tim Neiman is in his 18th season as the Bulldogs head coach. The Bulldogs have won 423 games under Neiman and have a .656 winning percentage. He is ranked 35th in the nation among active coaches in winning percentage. The Bulldogs are currently 9-5 overall, and 4-0 in the MAC Freedom conference. Junior Anthony Heard is big dog in the dugout with a .481 batting average, and has smacked in a team high 26 hits. The Bulldogs all around offensive attack consists of 7 players with double digit RBIs, and 3 homeruns by junior first baseman Scott Matejicka. If the Colonels See BASEBALL page 17 The Beacon/Todd Weibel Senior Justin Popovich will look to help lift his team past the Bulldogs en route to a huge conference victory. Campus Calendar. Tuesday 4/3 * Wilkes University Faculty Exhibition, Sordoni Art Gallery, 12 PM, All Week Wednesday 4/4 * Women’s softball vs. Keystone - 3 PM * Men’sTennis @ Scranton - 3:30 PM * Women’s lacrosse @ Scranton - 4 PM Thursday 4/5 * Women’s softball@ DeSales - 1 PM * Men’s baseball 3:30PM Monday 4/9 * Men’s baseball vs. DeSales - 1 PM Tuesday 4/10 * Blood Drive, Henry Student Center Ball room, 10 AM * Men’s tennis vs. Lycoming - 3:30 PM * Women’s lacrosse vs. King’s - 4 PM Wednesday 4/11 *Climbing the Sales Ladder, University Center on Main, 8 AM * The Power of Pat terns, The Woodlands Inn - 9 AM * Men’s tennis vs. FDU, 3 PM * Women’s softball vs. Miscericordia - 3 PM * Men’s baseball vs. Miscericordia, 3:30 PM Thursday 4/12 *Women’s lacrosse vs. Messiah - 4 PM Friday 4/13 * PoetrySeries, Barnes & Noble, Arena Hub Plaza - 7 PM Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming W ILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. - Congratulations to Adam Butler who correctly identified last week’s picture, which was of a plaque in front of Evans Hall. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 April 3rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 April 3 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/a06f243306f7db92ec44af7aa395a4ea.pdf 0615ae068d0cb273c84c11845097fdcf PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW APRIL 24, 2007 In This Issue... Vice President Marty Williams recovering from stroke Sandra Carroll named as the interim BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor VA Tech Tragedies PAGE 8 ••••••••• The Can Man PAGE 10 ••••••••• 10 Best Summer Books PAGE 12 Inside: News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 Volume 59 Issue 20 www.wilkesbeacon.com On Easter Sunday, Vice President for Development Marty Williams suffered a massive stroke and was transported to the University of Pennsylvania hospital. While early reports of his condition were dire, Williams is making what some call a “miraculous recovery,” and was released last week to begin rehabilitation at the John Heinz Rehabilitation Center in Wilkes-Barre. Michael Frantz, Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment, along with other members of the President’s Cabinet, were able to visit Williams in Philadelphia and upon his return to Wilkes-Barre. Frantz said Williams’ progress was “nothing short of amazing.” “We have every confidence that his rehabilitation will continue to be positive and that he’ll return to work as soon as he is ready. Marty is a very important part of our team and we look forward to his return. We continue to pray for him and his family with the trust that his health will be fully restored,” said Frantz. Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs, has remained close to the situation since the beginning, but declined to comment on Williams’ exact health condition due to privacy. However, Adams did state, “We are thrilled that he is back in Wilkes-Barre and are excited by how well he is progressing. We can’t wait for him to get back to work. Marty is a special colleague and we miss him.” Williams’ illness has left yet another hole in the President’s cabinet, along with the April 13 departure of Scott Byers, former Vice President for Finance and Support Operations and the year-long See WILLIAMS page 4 Courtesy Marketing Comm. Vice President of Development, Marty Williams, suffered a stroke on Easter Sunday. Brown elected SG President Tuition to increase 4.5% BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor With 30.3% of the student vote, junior class president, Matt Brown will be named Student Government (SG) President for the 2007 2008 academic year. Brown faced a vote to determine whether he could remain on SG last week for misrepresentation and other impeachable offenses. However, in the student-wide vote beat out three other candidates: Danielle Namiotka, Anthony Scerbo and Jeffrey Bauman for the top SG post. Brown said, “I really appreciate the honor that the student body has given me to represent them for the following year. I am a very approachable person, and would love to hear any questions, concerns, or comments that anyone might have. Please do not hesitate to email me, call me, or just stop me when you see me walking. You voted to have me represent you, and I will not let you down.” Brown will be a senior in the Entrepeneurship program of the Jay Sidhu School of Business and has hopes of becoming a commercial real-estate developer. As SG president Brown said he plans to develop a strong bridge between the organization and the students it represents, “I plan to See PRESIDENT page 4 At the April 18 meeting of Wilkes University’s Student Government (SG), Vice Presidents Mike Frantz and Dr. Paul Adams along with Controller Anna Noon announced a 4.5% increase in undergraduate tuition, from $11,495 per semester to $12,040 a semester. In addition to the tuition bump, the budget also indicates a 9.39% increase in fees. The general fee will increase from $325 to $340 at a rate of 4.62%; the technology fee will raise from $100 to $125 at a rate of 25% and the student union fee will also raise from $20 to $25 at a rate of 25%. Frantz, Vice President for Enrollment Services, presented the bulk of the presentation and assured students that the fee in- creases will not affect free laundry or parking fees. Housing fees will also be going up 4.5%. This means that campus apartment rental will raise from $3,285 to $3,435, dorm rooms will go from $2,970 to $3,105 and singles will increase from $3,120 to $3,260. According to Frantz, compared with other area institutions, the Wilkes tuition and housing hike is notably less. However, Wilkes’ bump is above the rate of inflation, which is about 3.5%. Frantz explained the process of finding the rate of increase. “We enter into the budget development with the intent of trying to keep tuition increases as low as possible. But we have to balance that versus what we see as desired needs of the institution. As a starting point we pick a tuition See TUITION page 5 �NEWS APRIL 24, 2007 2 Law School Wild “N Out Burglary Tuition Hike 2 3 4 5 Faculty approve moving forward with law school plans BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor On April 11, 80 members of Wilkes faculty voted to approve moving forward with plans for a proposed law school. The vote was 71 in favor, 9 opposed. Following faculty approval of the concept behind the law school, the next step for the project will be to draft a proposal that will be presented to the Board of Trustees. While the initial Board of Trustees vote was scheduled for April 13, it has now been pushed back to sometime in June. President Tim Gilmour explained the change in plans for the Board vote. “The problem was a scheduling issue. The faculty meeting at which the law school was considered was [scheduled for] April 5- just four days before the Board meeting. “We felt the faculty needed to deliberate before the Board did and we would have had to send the law school materials to the Board at the end of March. Therefore, we rescheduled the Board discussionfor June,” he said. In a previous Beacon article, Bernard Graham, interim Provost, said, “The main niche for the law school will be our mentoring heritage and culture at Wilkes that makes us so unique... There is no law school in northeast Pennsylvania and the need stems from there.” While there seems to be overwhelming support for the concept of a law school at Wilkes, there are still those who have their reservations. Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall, professor of communication studies, described why she is opposed to the new law school. “I was one of the 9 [faculty] who voted against sending this process forward with full faculty endorsement. Simply put, I do not think [there has been a] convincing argument that a law school will not negatively affect existing programs. What’s the rush? We need a more realistic budget plan. “I also know there really is no such thing as a vote of endorsement in decision-making bodies that are elected to represent much larger communities, such as the general faculty at Wilkes on behalf of the academic mission of the University. There are only main motions to approve or disapprove an action,” she said. If the Board of Trustees gives its approval to the law school in June, that would green light the proposal for fundraising and curricular planning. If successful, the inaugural class of about 70-80 students is expected to enroll in the fall of 2009. Beacon Archives The proposed law school has been given the green light from the faculty by a vote of 71-9. The Board of Trustees will vote in June. B E ACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. The Beacon/Jim Feeney On Thursday, April 19, the Wilkes University community gathered around the bell tower which rang 33 times to signify the lives lost in the Virginia Tech massacre. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �APRIL 24, 2007 NEWS ‘Wild ‘N Out: Wilkes Style’ sparks discussion, controversy 3 University administrators receive questions, feedback on event from trying out pick-up lines on one of the BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Correspondent A student-planned and executed fundraising event that occurred last Tuesday, April 17 on the Wilkes campus has sparked debate and drawn sharp criticism from several students and administrators who were in attendance at the show. The event, known as “Wild ‘N Out: Wilkes Style,” was planned and run entirely by ten members of a freshmen business class as the culmination of a two-semester course in integrated management. The game show-style contest featured two competing teams, with four students each, squaring off through 12 rounds of games and contests. The organizing group, known as “Ca$h Money,” was set to donate proceeds from ticket sales to a local soup kitchen and had also agreed to perform community service at the facility. The controversy over the show was sparked by use of profanity and vulgar language by several of the participants during a number of the 12 games that composed the event. Requirements for the games ranged female organizers to team members boasting about their team captains to participants coming up with amusing, outgoing messages to be used by celebrities. While much of the competition was conducted in good taste, several participants made free use of language and phrases that were found objectionable and offensive by several members of the audience. This led to a number of those audience members leaving the event early and subsequently voicing their displeasure with the offensive language at a student government meeting the next night. Junior biology major Tony Scerbo was one of the students who left the event after the opening salvos of distasteful comments between the teams. “I think the students did a real good job of planning everything out,” Scerbo said afterward about his reaction to the show. “But the way it was presented was a little distasteful. It would have turned out to be a really good event, but the vulgarity took a lot away from it. They should have placed some basic limitations on what could be said,” he said. The student organizers of “Wild ‘N Out” were both upset and expressed regret about the aftermath of the show. “We learned a lesson in running a business and the proper steps to take in running an event,” said Michael Reyes, freshman business major, who was both an organizer and participant in the show. “There are a lot of untrue stories going around about what we intended the event to be like.” Representative of both the office of student affairs and the Jay S. Sidhu School of business and leadership have begun investigating the conduct of participants and organizers in the show and the possibility of those actions violating university policy. “The students need to be held accountable-they have stepped up and begun to take appropriate steps in taking accountability for bad judgments used,” said Dr. Justin Matus, assistant professor of business administration, who was one of the instructors for the group’s class. “It was a case of great planning, but poor execution. Overall, the evening was not up to our standards here at Wilkes.” Exactly what actions will be taken in response to the show are yet to be determined. Some of the funds raised through ticket sales will be refunded, ackowledged Matus. Mark Allen, Dean of Students, stressed that students must behave and act appropriately during such events. “All students are held to a code of conduct that is present in the student handbook--there were several possible violations of codes at this event that we feel need to be investigated. Our department is still looking into things in terms of who said and did exactly what in this situation.” While the specific outcome of the administration’s investigative efforts have yet to be determined, the faculty and members of university leadership hope that the group members and show participants can learn some valuable lessons from their experiences. “What we can take away from this event is that we can learn great things, even in the aftermath of great failures,” said Matus of the aftermath. “I hold great hope that some valuable lessons will be taken away from this experience by these students.” SG presidential candidate accused of misrepresentation Members’ vote allows representative to remain on SG BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor At the April 18 meeting of Wilkes University’s Student Government (SG) voted 13-21 to retain a representative, who is also a candidate for 2007-08 SG President, in spite of allegations of unethical behavior and misrepresentation. Because of the vote, Matt Brown, junior class president and SG presidential candidate, will be allowed to remain on SG and accept his position as president of the organization next year. SG Parliamentarian, Brian Deihl read Brown’s charges to the group, “Ten members of Wilkes Student Government have found Matt Brown’s representation of the school to be against Article 11 section 2b and d. B states that the valid charges, being the abuse or misuse of power. D states, that the valid charge is an action unbecoming of a member of Student Government. All 10 members expressing their concerns reference this issue in the their comments and methods by which you used to convince the businesses to obtain a Nintendo Wii.” Brown was accused by several SG members as misrepresenting himself over the phone as a charity, while trying to obtain a Nintendo Wii for the winner of Wilkes Idol, an event the junior class sponsored throughout this semester. In his statement, Brown noted, “I called the business and said, ‘Hi, do you have any Nintendo Wii’s in stock.’ They then said, ‘No we don’t.’ And I asked them if they knew the date they would get their next shipment in, because ‘I am calling from Wilkes University, I am in a bind and I need to buy one as soon as possible so I can give one away for a charity.’” Brown’s claimed his goal was to determine when and if he could go wait in line for the merchandise. Brown said, “I know that I made an error in judgment, and I am dealing with my harsh consequences. This was an error in judgment on my part, and should not reflect anyone but myself.” He added, “I respect the vote made by the general board to allow me to stay on Student Government for next year. This shows that even throughout all of this, people still feel that I have a lot to offer SG and the university as a whole. I give everyone my word that I will not let you down. No matter if I am elected SG president or not, I will the best student leader as I possibly can.” The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Student Government Parliamentarian Brian Deihl (left) and President Jenna Strzelecki (middle) look on as Matt Brown (right), junior class president, answers questions during a recall procedure that would have dismissed Brown from his role in the organization under the charges “actions unbecoming of a member.” �NEWS APRIL 24, 2007 PRESIDENT 4 WILLIAMS from FRONT PAGE get more of the student body to attend our weekly meetings, so that they have a chance to voice their opinion on certain matters.” Going into his term, Brown also has some fears about his year to come, “My biggest fear would be [not] living up to the expectations of our amazing out-going president, Jenna.” Brown also noted, “I really appreciate all of your support, and respect your judgment that I would make a great Student Government President. I will not let you down!” He then added, “For those who didn’t vote for me, I hope that over the next year you will be able to see all that I plan to do for the student body to allow you to better enjoy your time here at Wilkes. College is one of the greatest experiences that we will ever encounter. We will take these memories with us forever. I want to make sure that everyone’s memories of Wilkes are the best they can be.” Brown will be joined on Executive Board next year by: Kate Baas, who won the Vice Presidential post; Sherri Homanko, who was elected in an uncontested race for IRHC President; and a Communter Council President to be voted in during a special election. PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS Student Government- Matt Brown (30.3%) Off-Campus Council- Sherri Homanko (100%) Inter-Residence Hall Council- Kate Baas (59.6%) from FRONT PAGE “Just like an athletic team, when a teammate gets hurt, we rally together to help one another out and bring in a very qualified individual to temporarily replace the injured team member. We have very, very capable interim Cabinet members. They have stepped into these roles and done far more than just hold us steady; they are helping us continue forward with very positive progress,” said Frantz. He added, “The benefit of having a talented and deep pool of employees to draw from in times of need is that we can continue our progress during times of transition.” search for a new Provost. President Tim Gilmour has announced that Sandra Carroll, executive director of alumni relations and annual giving, will serve as interim Vice President for Development in Williams’ absence. Gilmour also stressed that this situation will not cause an issue with capital planning and any future projects slated for the university. “We will keep moving on the capital campaign and are hopeful he will be able to return to his role in a few months,” he said. Frantz suggested that the Cabinet works as a team. BELOW Matt Brown will be the Student Government President for the 2007-2008 academic year. He was elected this past weekend with 30.3% of the vote- dispite almost being recalled from SG earlier in the week because he said that he was representing a charity to obtain information about a Nintendo Wii. Communter Council- SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD FAR LEFT 799 students voted, roughly 39.24% of the student body The Beacon/Andrew Seaman The four candidates who were in the running for the Student Government presidential position answer questions at the debate held on Wednesday, April 17. Only 799 students voted in the election, roughly 39.24% of the student body. Pictured from left to right: Jeffrey Bauman, Matt Brown, Anthony Scerbo, and Danielle Namiotka. Brown will be joined on Executive Board next year by: Kate Baas, who won the Vice Presidential post; Sherri Homanko, who was elected in an uncontested race for IRHC President; and a Communter Council President to be voted in during a special election. The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Wilkes sophomore criminally charged after break-in BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Wilkes sophomore Benjamin Fusco was arrested by the Wilkes-Barre Police Department and charged with burglary, criminal trespass, and theft by unlawful taking after allegedly breaking into a West Ross Street apartment on March 30 in the early hours of the morning. His status at the university remains unknown at this time. “Certainly we could not confirm a student’s status with respect to any disciplinary process,” said Dean of Student Affairs Mark Allen. “We do hold students responsible for their behavior on and off campus, particularly those that effect the reputation of the institution. But in terms of specifics to the incident, all disciplinary proceedings are part of educational record and therefore cannot be disclosed.” According to a Public Safety report, Fusco allegedly broke into the victim’s apartment and is accused of rummaging through drawers and cabinets. When the victim confronted Fusco and asked “what he was doing,” the report notes he allegedly replied, “Nothing.” He is accused of leaving with a $10 dollar bill from the victim’s kitchen table. Fusco allegedly dropped a cell phone on his way out. After calling the last number on Fusco’s phone, the Wilkes-Barre police received confirmation that he resided on South River Street, where he was approached and questioned after drinking at Club Mardi Gras. After the victim positively identified Fusco as the person who broke into her apartment, he was placed under arrest after the $10.00 bill was allegedly found in his pocket. “The suspect cooperated and did not show any signs of violence,” said Manager of Public Safety Gerald Rebo. “It was a quick and easy process,” he said regarding Public Safety’s assistance in the arrest. Fusco made bail and was released from the Luzerne County Correctional facility that night. He declined further comment on the matter. “It was one of those instances where the crime was in progress, police responded, and apprehended the individual,” Wilkes-Barre Police Capt. Wayne Cooney said. �NEWS APRIL 24, 2007 TUITION from FRONT PAGE hike increase, if you will, plug that in on the revenue side of the equation. Then look to see how it compares to the expense side, and then you go back to each side and say, ‘Okay, can we reduce anymore on expenses without compromising the academic needs of the institution?’ Or do we think we need to increase the preliminary tuition hike figure to bring it into balance?” Freshman Sabrina Hannon reacted to the news of the increase. “I just think it is ridiculous that they’re having us pay more for tuition; it’s already really expensive,” she said. Melissa Leet, undeclared freshman, concurred, “I feel that the university should have more respect for students because it doesn’t seem like we get a lot as it is with the tuition we do pay.” Luckily for Hannon and Leet, the university’s financial aid and scholarships are also increasing 10.69% from $20,167,706 to $22,321,706. This number includes Wilkes University merit scholarships and grants and does not include federal or state aid. Students must also remember that the university is required to compensate the faculty and staff for their work and this year the faculty and staff salaries will increase 4%. The budget also funded new positions, such as the Dean of Library Services, the Business Process Analyst in the Human Resource Office. The Advancement Office was also given $250,000 to develop new positions for next year. This money for expenditures comes from many sources, some come from gifts from Wilkes alumni, Wilkes community members and from the endowment. This year the revenue from gifts and the endowment rose 70.92% from $1,558,000 to $2,663,000. However, the bulk of the school’s revenue still comes from undergraduate revenue. This year Wilkes can expect to gross a total of $87,318,856 in revenue for the 2008 fiscal year. The budget is also an exciting time because it is when the administrators announce what plans are in the works for the next year. In the design phase, the budgets list an allocation of $50,000 each for the Farley Library and Breiseth Hall. The budget also allocates $300,000 for the design of the new health sciences (SHE) building, planned to replace the Stark Learning Center. The final figures for the renovation of Chesapeake and Delaware were also announced at $600,000. As a cosmetic procedure, the university will be removing part of the sidewalk along the University Center On Main and additional landscaping to the tune of $75,000. The Darte Center’s theater will also be renovated at a cost of $300,000. The Ralston Field Complex is also slated for some changes. Currently, Wilkes is only allocating the standard $100,000 to renovate the athletic complex to fix the fields and do the necessary repairs. But Frantz pointed out in his presentation that Ralston “needs some lovin’.” He explained that there are preliminary plans to redesign the whole Ralston area, but as he mentioned in his SG presentation this will take a few years. Frantz noted in his presentation that this is the first time the tuition hike has been under 5% in many years. He also pointed out that most of the fees have not increased in three to five years. Students should also be assured that these increases, according to the budget, seem to be going back to the students through better academic equipment, better living qualities and better information technology services. First Annual Undergrad Symposium hosted at Wilkes The Beacon/Jim Feeney Keith Hubbard reads poetry as assistant professor of english Michelle Anthony looks on at The First Annual Wilkes University Undergraduate Symposium. The full-day event, sponsored by the Wilkes University Mentoring Task Force, included in formal and poster presentations, creative projects, readings, and live performances in which the student mentoring program played a significant role. The day was designed in order to recognize and honor the wealth of undergraduate research and creative projects in which faculty-to-student mentoring has played a significant role. For a full slide show of images from the day go to www.wilkesbeacon.com. FAST FACTS: - Undergraduate tuition will increase 4.5%, making it roughly $12,040 - Total financial aid and scholarship budget will increase by 10.68% - Total gross revenue for the fiscal 2008 budget is $87,318,865-- a 10.51% increase - Total fee costs will increase by $55 The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Michael Frantz, Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment, presents the 2008 fiscal year budget to members of Student Government. 5 Sexual Abuse Stats: Did You Know... Female college freshmen are at the highest risk for sexual assault between the first day of school and Thanksgiving break. -Sponsored by Health Services - Price in residential hall living will increase by about 4% http://www.factsontap.org/ �Opinion APRIL 24, 2007 Today very few escape the touch of cancer BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD LIVESTRONG This simple phrase has become a national symbol in the fight against cancer. Over 55 million individuals around the globe wear the yellow rubber wristbands in a show of support for so many who have wrestled with the disease. Those two syllables were the inspiration Lance Armstrong used to battle advanced testicular cancer which spread to his lungs and brain. After surviving cancer, Armstrong went on to win six more Tour de France titles and start the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Elizabeth Edwards put on a courageous smile, with her husband, two-time Presidential candidate John Edwards close by her side, as she told the world her breast cancer had returned. Not long after, the nation learned White House spokesperson, Tony Snow was battling cancer yet again. And in the not-so-distant past, the world mourned the loss of ABC anchor, Peter Jennings who passed away of lung cancer. These individuals are only several of the millions who have died, survived, or been affected by this deadly disease. The world sets these public figures on a pedestal, but it seems that it is not until they get a life threatening disease that they too become “one of us”. Perhaps it is because millions can relate to what they’re going through. Katie Couric used the death of her husband to bring awareness to colon cancer. Couric did so by receiving a historic televised colonoscopy while she was on the Today Show. Couric did not stop there. She later had her mammogram televised. The testing of colon cancer rose 20 percent after the show aired. In their archives of internal medicine the University of Michigan called this “The Katie Couric Effect”. Not everyone has the funds available to receive such cancer screenings. Some major insurance companies do not cover routine mammograms until the age of 40. Colonoscopies are allowed every ten years starting at the age of 50, according to most insurance policies. Doctors can recommend screenings earlier if there is a family history or necessity based on diagnosis. On Friday, April 20, Bush signed the Cancer-Screening Bill. This bill will allow low incomewomen to receive free or subsidized mammograms, Pap tests, and other screenings to detect the early stages of breast and cervical cancer. With early detection the key, this still does not give hope to those who are not eligible for the screening until a certain age according to their healthcare provider. It could be too late. Wilkes University may not have A Sight for Sore Eyes resources available to gain national coverage, nor the power to sign a bill in Congress. But it does have a population of people who will advocate for a cause. April 27 and 28 Ralston Field Complex will become home to the Relay for Life. There, teams will walk all night, raise funds and heighten community awareness about what 6 Troop pull out 7 Your Voices 7 Gun law debate 8 is still left to be done in this fight against a disease that has touched, in some way or another, nearly everyone. Next weekend the local community has the opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. We hope everyone gives a little bit of their time and attention Friday and Saturday to find a cure. Your Voices To Wilkes University students, faculty and whomever it may concern, On behalf of the team Cash Money who recently hosted the event Wild’n Out on Tuesday Night April 17th, 2007 we are deeply sorry for any harm that the content of the show or the contestants may have caused. When we set out for this project we envisioned a show similar to the one shown on MTV to host a good time to some Wilkes University students. What everyone got was not that. This show was filled with vulgar language and jokes that were inappropriate for a paying audience. We failed as a group to better prepare the show for an audience as well as failing to stop the show before it got to the point that it escalated to. We in no way meant to disrespect of offend anyone that paid to come see this show. As our first step National Award winning cartoonist, Aleksander Lapinski for forgiveness we are refunding money for anyone that attended the show and was offended by its content. We take responsibility for our actions solely because it was entirely our fault and hope that you believe us when we try to reach out and ask for forgiveness. Our personal reputations have been sullied and we hope want you to know that our team of individuals will do what it takes to begin the long healing process as a result of our show and our mistakes. Our deepest apologies, Anthony Troianiello Dan Haugh Adam Witinski Nicole Zangardi Jackie Booths Katelynn Walters Frank Heffernan Michael Reyes Anthony Gabriel Kaitlyn Ziegler Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 104 responses. The Beacon asked: How do you think the world will end? • • • • • • • • • • Wrath of God- 23% Nuclear holocaust- 17% Complications from global warming- 12% Cubs win World Series- 11% Other- 9% Asteriod hits earth- 9% Robot take over- 6% Plague- 6% Chemical/biological weapons- 5% Pollution- 2% Next Week’s Question: What are your summer plans? • • • • • • • • • • Travel Work Visit old friends Summer class Sleep Spend time at the beach See summer blockbusters Nothing special Volunteer Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �OPINION APRIL 24, 2007 Your Voices Dear Editor: In case anyone has been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, historic shock radio host Don Imus was fired for what he said in regards to the Rutgers women’s basketball program, when he called them “nappy headed ho’s.” Now is what Mr. Imus said wrong? Yes. But should he have been fired for what he said? No. I was listening to his program the day he said that comment, and, in the context, it was funny. He was talking about how members of the Rutgers basketball team looked like men and many of them had tattoos, and in many instances said they were scarier than the Toronto Raptors. And ever since then there has been outrage from the African-American community saying how Imus should apologize for what he said. But where are the apologizes from the African-American community to the Duke Lacrosse players? Or better yet, where is Rev. Al Sharpton’s apology for the Twanda Brawley case when he accused members of the New York state government of being racists and rapists? We are trying to live in a society where we claim equal rights, but at its core there is no such thing as equal rights in this society. White people will say something that might be a little bit racist or sexist and we have to come out and apologize for what we said, while African-Americans might say something racists or sexist and they hide behind the 1st Amendment, which is racism when a group is treated differently. When white people say something are considered bigots, and overall bad people, but African-Americans when they say things are considered rappers and hiphop artists and not racists or sexists. Don Imus is a good man and should not have been fired for what he said. MSNBC and CBS radio fired him on April 12 while he was in the middle of his yearly telethon which supports various charities like the Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund. MSNBC and CBS radio should be embarrassed for firing him because they did not take the “moral high ground;” they only acted with their wallet, after several top sponsors of the show like American Express, Travelocity and Fed-Ex pulled out of the show. The Imus in the Morning program is a program that has brought on several of today’s top political leaders and national news reporters. Once Don Imus was suspended, there were several people that announced they would be back on the program, people like former Presidential candidate John Kerry, former Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman and current Presidential hopefuls Rudy Gulianni and Senator John McCain. Don Imus historically has been one to offend anyone and everyone. He referred to Senator Hillary Clinton as a lesbian, Rush Limbaugh as a “fat pill popping drug addict.” Don Imus likes to offend anyone, because as a shock jock that is his job, just like it is Howard Stern’s job to offend and it is Opie and Anthony’s job to offend. I would like to see Don Imus get his job back, if not because it gave me something to listen to in the morning, but because I don’t want to pay for satellite radio to hear Opie and Anthony. Rob Tonnesen Junior history and political science major 7 Troop escalation will solve Iraq problem BY ROBERT DONAHUE Beacon Staff Writer Face it; both Iraq and the United States are less safe than they were prior to the 2003 invasion. Iraq is a modern day Vietnam, and the U.S. is again conflicted about how to get out of the mess. To date, almost 3,500 American men and women have sacrificed their lives. There is no correct way to settle this crisis, but there are wrong ways to approach this situation. Troop withdrawal is not an answer. I do agree that the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq and let the Iraqis fight amongst themselves. Unfortunately, President Bush caused this mess and we are now obligated to do our best to fix it. If the military publicly discloses an American troop pull out date, Al Qaeda and Iran will be sitting and waiting for the last U.S. service person to leave and most likely will invade. Iraq will become more of a haven for terror than it is today. Troop increases are also not the answer. Military recruits are down. The Iraqi government knows as long as there is an increase of violence, the U.S. will send as much manpower and money as necessary to protect them, leaving American taxpayers with the bill. Americans were promised that the war would cost $1 billion. Instead, due to a lack of separation of powers and oversight, the previous Republicancontrolled Congress gave the President a blank check. Finally, the Democrats are in control of both the House and the Senate. Democrats are doing what they were elected to do, oversee the President and especially oversee his foreign policy. When the President’s war budget wasn’t passed he said, “The Democrats aren’t listening to our commanders” or my favorite, “They do not care about America.” The President should take his own advice. When he ordered a full blown invasion of Iraq, he ignored the advice of the commanders who requested more troops to protect the Iraqi borders from terrorists coming in. Also at the beginning of the war, President Bush refused to listen to our generals on the ground when they requested more reinforcements like General Eric Shinseki. Iraq was never a direct threat to our international interest. The nonpartisan 9/11 Commission (remember Duyba was not only against the commission but was uncooperative with its investigation) stated that bin Laden and Saddam Hussein never worked together. Also defense contractors such as Halliburton (we all know how “honest” they are) would love for this war to continue. The longer there is a conflict in the Persian Gulf the more companies such as Halliburton will be able to exploit money from the taxpayers. What the U.S. should do is freeze all direct monetary assets to the Iraqi government, keep a small number of troops in the region and make the Iraqis cough up some of the costs for this war. If we do that, the Iraqi government might not completely depend on our assistance. If we leave the country unstable then there is a strong possibility Iran or Al Qaeda might take over. If Iran invades, we cannot militarily intervene without a true alliance, and that would be a huge mistake for this country because we are already spread too thin. All community members need to pay attention and act BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer When I first heard the early reports about the tragic events at Virginia Tech on the day they occurred, I was left in absolute shock and horror. It was horrifying to think of over 30 members of the Virginia Tech community being murdered in cold blood by a homicidal maniac, in an environment that was a second home to them all. The victims were not just students and faculty, but sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, fathers and friends to so many other people whose lives will be forever affected by these senseless murders. As I’ve followed the story in the national media this week, it’s become apparent to me just how deeply disturbed and troubled the murderer, Cho Seung-Hui, was during his years as a student at Virginia Tech. My perceptions of his mental state became all the more vivid when I saw the news reports about the package of video footage and photos he sent to NBC, containing deeply disturbing images of him brandishing his weapons for the world to see. As the story continued to evolve, questions such as “Why didn’t anyone do something about this psychopath?” came to mind. To me, what appears different about Cho’s case when compared with other mass murders in recent years is that, apparently, many people at Virginia Tech recognized that Cho was a troubled young man who needed psychiatric help. According to a <i>Washington Post</i> report, one of Cho’s English teachers offered to teach him one-on-one because so many of her other students were frightened by his reclusive behavior and disturbing writings in her class. In the same report, students who knew Cho claimed he never spoke a word in class, even when addressed by other students or faculty. As our nation begins to heal and recover from this tragedy, many of us will ask, “What can we do to prevent similar events like this?” As has been the case in previous mass killings, many experts have discussed and will continue to evaluate ways to identify warning signs in deeply troubled young people who may be a risk to commit such acts. But if each of us wound up in a class or dorm with someone like Cho Seung-Hui, what would we do to try and steer him or her towards people who can give them the help they need? What kind of lessons will school administrators and law enforcement officials take away from these experiences? Will college officials now look more closely at the behavioral backgrounds of prospective students? I’m not an expert in either law enforcement or psychology, so I don’t know if there was one specific action that would have prevented this tragedy. However, I believe we can all take away a valuable lesson from this situation. As college students in today’s world, we need to reach out to people who are as obviously troubled as Cho SeungHui was. If we just ignore people who cut themselves off from their classmates, who knows what paths they will walk down in their world of isolation. Each of us can make a difference if such a person winds up in our lives--we all need to step forward and reach out to help people such as this, for the good of everyone involved in our lives. Graphic courtesy of media.nbc12.com �APRIL 24, 2007 OPINION 8 If we want peace, we must stop the killing BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Correspondant It was a tragedy… Friends and loved ones were grieving, crying… My friends were sending me messages, telling me how they thought the world was certainly ending. My reply from England: “Today is a beautiful, happy, sunny day.” It was like I lived in another universe. The next day, the news was swamped with updates. The American papers were filled with pictures of those slain in Virginia. My papers in England were filled with attacks on the absolute and utter idiocy of America for allowing this to happen. From “More Guns Than People,” page 2, Daily Mail, 18 April, 2007: “There are 30,000 gun deaths every year in the U.S., yet the majority of Americans still believe passionately in their right to ‘bear arms’… Yet within hours of the shootings, the [American] gun lobby was arguing that tragedy proved the need for gun laws to be relaxed, not tightened. Gun lobbyists point to the second amendment to the U.S. constitution which states that ‘a well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This has resulted in a country where there are more guns than people.” The article moved on to state that Virginia “has some of the weakest gun laws. AK-47 assault rifles and Uzi sub-machine guns can be bought perfectly legally over the counter.” I will not receive positive feedback from this article. I have already been verbally attacked on instant messenger, MySpace, and via email by Americans for my views. I’m going to press on, though. I am not an antihero, nor someone who is being cynical in a time of crisis. My friends, I simply do not want to see another life lost. How can you, my fellow Americans, stand up and say the answer is to possess a gun to “kill the killer.” How can a culture simply be so na’ve? In Britain, in the late nineties, there was a school shooting. The people were outraged. Eventually, the massive outcry by the people made Parliament outlaw guns entirely. Now, not even a police officer can carry a gun. “Ohhhh, but I can’t defend myself!” some of you will screech. You won’t have to. Think about the number of law-abiding citizens versus criminals. Clearly, if a gun ban were ever instated, most citizens would hand over their guns. Instating a gun ban would mean at the very glimpse of a rifle, the bearer would be prosecuted-even if they were not a criminal; even if they were unaware. “America is too big, though!” All right, yes, America is vast, but if we act now, in ten years the number of guns will have decreased by more than half. I guarantee in twenty years, guns will be almost impossible to find. Two decades is not a very long time. Why are we waiting? How many shootings are going to have to take place before America finally realizes that the state with some of the weakest gun laws also had the deadliest shooting in American history to date? I bet you’ve already forgotten the Amish school children that were lined up and slain against a blackboard in Lancaster County. Yeah, that’s a distant memory. Let’s push it off and pretend it never happened. Columbine? Ancient history. The truth is, my friends, that Americans live in a very new nation. I bet a lot of you feel very safe there. I felt safe when I lived there. I cannot say I will feel safe anymore upon my return to America. You see, I live in an odd type of utopia. In London, England, people do not fear guns. They do not fear one another. They do not even fear terrorism. Currently, I live in a very old nation. Terrorism is something that has been going on in Britain for centuries. America is still very na’ve about it. That explains the general panicked state of the American populace, and also why the populace of one of the most apt to be terrorized cities in Europe is generally calm and complacent. Americans panic excessively, and panicked people want to bear arms. We need to defend ourselves! I understand America prides itself on being a land of freedom, but how can anyone say the fear of death and the ratio of guns to people is freedom? Perhaps maybe it’s time to realize that we are not free at all, and maybe we need to forfeit some of our “freedoms” to better society as a whole. I would rather lose the right to bear arms, than live my life in constant fear. My friends, I wish that you could be here. I wish that you could sit in the office with me and hear my colleagues speak with anguish, screaming about how unfortunate those 32 lost lives were, but also, screaming about how stupid a nation is for allowing it to happen. You don’t see the other side, and that’s why you probably do not agree with one thing I said. You can’t imagine a world without guns. You can’t imagine a world that isn’t filled with uncertainty and terror. It’s all right. We forgive you, and we pity the American government for putting you into such a terrible state of existence. I can say that it does get better. It’s probably just going to take America several centuries to figure it out. Until then, let us pray for the families and loved ones of all who lost their lives, and all of the lives to be lost in the future in one of the most unstable nations in the world. Abolishing guns won’t protect the innocent from evil BY CARA KOSTER Beacon Staff Photographer The events which occurred at Virginia Tech are a tragedy. Now begins a process of healing and rebuilding of an entire community. The immediate reaction has been for antigun activists to call for tighter controls, and even, in more extreme advocates, an overall gun ban. It is naive to think that banning the weapon that helped perpetrate this heinous crime would have prevented it all together. However, making guns illegal is not the cure to the problem of gun violence facing the nation and the world at large. Once drugs were made illegal in this country the entire drug problem went away, so of course we should do the same thing with guns. If that statement were true, then I would be completely for banning guns, except there is one small problem…there’s a huge drug problem in the country. Just because something is illegal doesn’t mean that the market for the product goes away. Most guns acquired on the black market or not through a licensed gun dealer are the ones being used in murders and other crimes. The guns that were used in the Beltway sniper attacks a few years back were not purchased from a licensed gun dealer. At face value, the claim that making guns illegal is going to make the world a safer place makes sense. However, if a person goes on a shooting rampage or is harming multiple people in some other way how is he/she going to be subdued? It is much less efficient to use other means and more lives will be lost in the end. If one properly trained person is witnessing a crime, he/she can stop it before it becomes a horrifying event to be remembered for years. Furthermore, if more people had guns, criminals would be less likely to perpetrate a crime for fear of the immediate repercussions. You won’t put a gun to someone’s head to rob them if they can put one right back at yours. Moreover, how can the police and armies be expected to protect us if there are no guns? Will there be a special exception made for those people? It is possible to maneuver a gun away from a police officer or another official, there should not be excep- background checks and waiting periods betions to an overall ban of guns but banning fore someone is allowed to own a weapon. guns in general is totally illogical. There should be a mandatory safety course Taking guns away is not going to rid the and child locks that should come with havworld of murder. Stabbings, brutal beatings, ing the responsibility of owning a gun. I do strangling and poisonings will still exist believe that guns, when used for their inwithout guns. If someone has the intention tended purposes by trained individuals, can of killing someone they are going to find a protect people and save lives. Making guns way to do it, gun or no gun. In London re- illegal would only prevent people from uscently, a man was stabbed repeatedly with ing them for the right reasons, defending a broken whiskey bottle. Because the at- themselves from criminals, who would tacker did not have a gun, he made do with continue using them for crime and violence even if they were made illegal. The probthe next readily available tool. Preventing law-abiding citizens their ac- lem with murder and other heinous crimes cess to guns for protection and recreational is not the means which they are carried out purposes is the primary outcome. Law abid- but the fact that the intent is there to begin ing citizens are not the problem; therefore, with. Guns do not create a violent society; by making guns illegal, the only people be- therefore banning them will not alleviate ing hurt are the people who should be pro- the problem. The only way to prevent furtected. Words and laws are not impeding ther violence is treat the individuals who are criminals from taking someone else’s life, thinking these horrible thoughts. Guns are and words and law will not necessarily pro- not the problem, people are. tect the innocent. I do not believe there should be more guns or that they should be easier to obtain. I agree there should be extensive Graphic courtesy of blog.racetotheright.com �FEATURES APRIL 24, 2007 Can Man Car Show 10 11 9 University College shapes lives, offers direction Part III: Career Services & Undeclared Major Program BY NICOLE FRAIL & JAMIE GWYNN Beacon Correspondents Whether it’s a student’s first or last year at Wilkes, University College offers programs available to aid in some part of the educational process. To date, this series has examined University College services aimed at helping students make decisions and succeed in the classroom. The final installment of the series examines what, for most, is the last leg of the journey in the Wilkes educational experience--planning for post-graduation employment. Career Services has been an official part of University College for three years, but has successfully worked in conjunction with Student Affairs throughout many years of Wilkes’ history. The office brings together employers, alumni, academic departments and student organizations to provide career education and opportunities for the life-long careers of Wilkes students and graduates. Career Services employees organize employment fairs, post job openings, offer graduate school information, conduct mock interviews and advise students how to write effective cover letters and resumes. Employers also work closely with the office in the areas of co-ops and internships. Classes are also offered through Career Services. Senior Leanne Rivers enrolled in CAR 198, Life Career Planning, because she knew that there was plenty she didn’t know about locating and contacting employers, interviewing, resume writing and proper business etiquette. According to Rivers, the majority of students think that Sundance Vacations Inc -Sports/ Event Marketing! -Flexible Schedule -Weekends & nights a must -GREAT PAY! $100 to $200/day -Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area CALL NOW! 1-800-233-1613 The Beacon/Nora Jurasits In association with the Career Services Offices of the NPEC (Northeast PA Employment Consortium Colleges and Universities), Wilkes and King’s Career Service programs invited students to attend an information session on careers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The speaker explained the physical and mental requirements necessary to become an agent. they already know everything there is to know about how to get a job and how to successfully interview. “Let me say that about 90% of those people truly do not,” she estimated. “I recommend all seniors to enroll in CAR 198 without hesitation. You will be sorry if you don’t.” “I know a lot of graduating seniors now freaking out because there is one month until graduation and they are not even close to landing a job,” she added Similar to other University College programs, staff in Career Services would like to see their numbers of participating students increase. Carol Bosack-Kosek, Director of Career Services, notes that students may not realize how competitive the fields can be for securing a good first professional position or entering into a graduate program; therefore, they hesitate to take the classes offered to them. Students may also think that their resume or interviewing skills are already acceptable and that they don’t need to be any better than they are. According to Bosack-Kosek, sometimes “acceptable” needs to be “exceptional.” “A company did on-campus interviews here at Career Services,” she said. “The students whose interviews were rated by the company as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ got sent rejection letters.” The only students who were asked on second interviews were those whose resumes were rated as ‘excellent.’ Enrolling in a CAR 198 class helps more students reach the level of excellence needed to earn a professional position. Career Services also includes the Undeclared Majors Program. This program provides advising for students who wish to explore their options before they declare a major. When entering the undeclared program, students participate in a one-credit Career and Life Planning Course (CAR 101). “Changing majors and exploring options occurs very frequently in college,” Bosack said. “You’re actually quite ‘normal’ if you are confused about what to pursue in the future.” Taking time to explore your values, interests and skills is a part of good career decision making and Career Services provides the opportunity to do so. Students who take advantage and utilize University College’s Career Services programs come away with “more realistic ideas and abilities related to how to successfully compete and promote their skills and experiences to achieve their professional goals,” Bosack said. For more information on Career Services, call 570408-4060 or email careers@wilkes.edu. There are also resources such as guides to writing cover letters and resumes available at www.wilkes.edu/career. �FEATURES 10 APRIL 24, 2007 Wherever I may roam... Local man makes living from others’ cast off cans Nomad, vagabond, call him what you will. Albert Austin is just trying to make a decent living. Tearing up the streets in his aluminum Huffy/Cart, “The Can Man” scans WilkesBarre area dumpsters every morning for aluminum containers which he stashes in three plastic tubs on his outlandish bicycle, cashing them in at Abe Solomon’s scrap yard for about 17 dollars a bag. “By the end of the day, I’ll walk outta here with at least twelve pounds worth,” he said, prodding through a dozen Yuengling cans scattered along a dark alleyway with his garbage picker. A former Denny’s dishwasher, Austin now lives on Social Security and the cans serve as his main source of income. “My wife works at Gelpiaz as a dishwasher. Her money pays the bills; my money pays the rent,” the Susquehanna County native said. Adorned with pinwheels, posters, and American flags, Austin completely customized the bike to suit his needs. The bells and whistles include a dashboard equipped with a speedometer, a stereo system, and even a set of rearview mirrors…all tightly held together with enough duct tape to put Red Green to shame. “I’m a farm boy and a Dutchman,” he proudly stated. “A Dutchman can build anything. They don’t like to spend money on The Beacon/Nick Podolak BY NICK POLODAK Beacon News Editor “The Can Man,” Albert Austin, rides around Wilkes-Barre collecting cans. The cans he collects act as a supplement to the Social Security he receives. nothing,” he said, propping open a tin can packed with his homemade menthol lights, which he struck against the bike’s cigarette lighter. Austin also puts safety first, of course, in style with a black state-of-the-art helmet equipped with a pull down visor that protects his entire face from oncoming bugs, pounding rains, and the sun’s ultra violet rays. It also boasts a mouthpiece attached at the side which connects to his Nextel cell phone. “If the wife calls while I’m riding, all it takes is the push of a button to talk to her on the go,” he said. Cruising through bustling traffic lanes, Austin is considered a hindrance to many motorists, where the legality of whether or not he should be riding with traffic comes into play. Wilkes shuttle bus driver Stanley Hanczyc has crossed passed with Austin many times before, occasionally losing his patience when getting stuck behind him on the Market Street Bridge. “Some days I’d like to run him over,” Hanczyc said. “Some days he acts like he’s the ‘King of the Road.’” However, according to Chapter 5, Section 3504 of the Pennsylvania Bike Laws, “A bicycle may be operated on either a shoulder or on the roadway (the travel lanes). The locations will be based upon traffic volume, the physical condition of the travel lanes or the shoulder, traffic speed, the bicyclist’s intended direction, and other safety factors.” So while Austin is legally within his rights to ride on the road, he still receives some flack from local law enforcement, who he thinks are just out to get him. “The policemen tell me to get off the road. I tell ‘em to mind their own business,” he said. “I know my rights.” Sporting a clean driving record so far on his aluminum Huffy, Austin shared some horrifying crash tales from years past. While riding in Philadelphia on his very first bike, a crooked handle bar Schwinn, he lost control after being chased down by a dog for about a mile, resulting in him flying over the handlebars head first onto the hard, concrete pavement. “That’s how I lost these,” he said, pulling out a pair of dentures in a trail of spit. In another incident on Market Street, he tried to make a red light but mistimed it, placing him in the face of oncoming traffic with no chance of stopping. He heroically dove off his 21-speed Schwinn before it got plowed by a zooming pick-up truck. “The front wheel got bent pretty good, but I took it home and straightened it up. Good as new,” he said proudly. For now, Austin, 55, lives on Church Street in Edwardsville with his wife, where she, too, commutes to work via bicycle. Together, they will ride off into the sunset. Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society with branches on local, regional, national and international levels, inducted 21 Wilkes students on Sunday. Assistant English professor Chad Stanley served as keynote speaker at the ceremony, which was held in Kirby Hall. Stanley spoke to inductees about the experiences that led to him becoming an English professor, and what role imagination played in the process. The 21 new members were presented with certificates during the rituals that occur at each ceremony, including reading passages written by various authors. In addition to the new members, four officers and Dr. Thomas Hamil were present at the proceedings. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski �APRIL 24, 2007 FEATURES 11 Car show revs into Henry Student Center parking lot BY CANDICE HALLIDAY Beacon Staff Writer Riding in style? It’s time to show off those four wheels. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is sponsoring its first annual car show Saturday, April 28. A rain date is scheduled for May 5. The car show will be held in the parking lot at the Henry Student Union from 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. There is a minimal entry fee of $10.00, which will go toward funding for ASME. No worries if you don’t have 32-inch platinum chrome rims because there are no restrictions on type, year or model of the cars entered. Along with showing off their rides, participants will receive a car show tshirt. Everyone in the competition will also cast their own vote. The top 10 winners will receive trophies. First place will be awarded “Best of Show.” The event is free for all spectators. Dr. Syed Kalim, associate professor of mechanical engineering and academic advisor of ASME, explained the idea behind the car show. He noted that, “The person who takes initiative becomes successful. Ideas float around within ASME but nothing ever happens unless students put the plans into action.” Kalim explained that Eric Skogland, ASME member, initiated the event. “There is a leadership of skills involved in planning something like a car show and it is a process where students grow as professionals,” Kalim said. He also noted that Skogland’s passion for hot rods contributed to the idea of hosting a Car Show. Freshman David Lewis said he would be interested in attending the car show. “I hope to see some old fashioned Mustang Cobras, with racer style pin-stripes!” said Lewis. In addition, Kalim explained that help from other organizations on campus made the show possible. Student Government contributed a $400 donation. Parking in and around campus can be troublesome, but Kalim emphasized that the car show will not cause further trouble for students seeking parking spots. “I don’t think it’s going to be a big problem because it is the weekend and the Society approached the university very well about the issue,” said Kalim. He also explained how this is not an intellectual exercise, but a fun exercise. With finals approaching it is a chance for students to put down the books and have some fun. In a humorous tone he added, “It is also an AS A COLLEGE GRAD , YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR opportunity to show that mechanical engineering faculty and students do not only talk about mathematics and science; we also talk about things like cars.” Courtesy www.missionvalleycruisers.com 2007 FJ CRUISER 2007 RAV4 2007 CAMRY HYBRID 2007 YARIS ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM† *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. †NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E APRIL 24, 2007 12 Pirouettes in the Park Crossword This Week in History Dinner & A Movie 13 14 14 15 Q&A with Ribisi and this crewsummer of A Perfect Stranger The 10 bestGiovanni books not to miss BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Staff Writer Whether you find yourself trapped indoors during a storm, relaxing in the swing on your front porch, or sprawled out on a towel at the beach or pool this summer, take along a great book for company. Next to December--the peak of the holiday shopping season--late spring is the most popular time for new releases in the book world to help prepare avid readers for the lazy days of summer. From comedy to romance, drama to mystery, and even some humorous self-help, there’s truly something out there for everyone. Check out the most promising among the new releases for this summer: Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey by Chuck Palahniuk (release date: May 1) This fictional biography is about Buster “Rant” Casey, who could possibly be the greatest serial killer of all time. The story is told through the eyes of an assortment of people from his family to his worst enemies. Reminiscent of the style of his previous novels like Haunted and Fight Club, Palahniuk’s characters tell the tale of Buster’s violent adventures, brilliant death, and the plague of rabies he silently spread while alive. Dream When You’re Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg (release date: May 1) During WWII, three sisters sit in their Chicago home writing letters to the men they love stationed across seas. They learn how difficult it is to keep their spirits high and their dreams alive while they wait and struggle with the rest of their country. The power of love and strength of family are the heart of this bestselling author’s latest. I Had the Right to Remain Silent… But I Didn’t Have the Ability by Ron White (release date: May 1) Best known for his ‘Blue Collar Comedy’, cigar smoking and scotch drinking, comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White’s second book includes new material and explores the stories behind his most famous characters, revisits some of his old jokes and stories, and includes illustrations of his best jokes by illustrator Matthew Schulz. Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl’s Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? by Jen Lancaster (release date: May 1) Secrets to living in the big city are finally out in Lancaster’s newest book. She’s raw, honest, and doesn’t care what you or anyone else thinks about her. Her material covers everything from the Bush sisters and Target employees to her thoughts on being politically correct. “Her humor is a bit like junk food-something you can enjoy when no one is looking” - Publisher’s Weekly. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Coping with Difficult People by Arlene Matthews Uhl (release date: May 8) As a psychotherapist, professor of developmental psychology, and author or many self-help books, Uhl’s expertise shines through as she offers the most effective, simple ways to deal with co-workers, strangers, family, and friends. She divides her strategies into four categories and provides ways of recognizing behavioral patterns, personality types, and getting yourself out of those awkward conversations we all love so much. After Dark by Haruki Murakami (release date: May 8) Translated by Jay Rubin, After Dark takes place over seven hours as the sun sets and rises over Tokyo. This novella follows three loosely linked stories that The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski come together in the end to show that at what a good agent can really do for you. He the heart of the book lies humanity’s over- admits that there is nothing “more intoxiwhelming and desperate hunger for human cating than making TV shows every week” contact, for attention. A model, a student, and that there is nothing more heartbreakand a musician travel the streets of Tokyo ing than ending the party with unscripted, late at night and encounter a handful of reality TV shows. night people who are connected and intertwined by their experiences, crimes, and Giovanni The Harlequin by Laurell K.Elaine Hamilton Ribisi passions. “Murakami’s trademark humor, (release Goldsmith date: June 5) psychological insight, and grasp of spirit Out of the handful of vampire novels and morality are here distilled with an ex- coming out this summer, Hamilton’s The traordinary, harmonious mastery” - Knopf Harlequin appears to be the most anticiPublishing Group. pated. The best selling author’s newest publication is the fifteenth book in the AniFalling Man by Don DeLillo (release ta Blake Vampire Hunter Series. It trails Anita Blake’s struggle against creatures date: May 15) Leaving Cosmopolis dripping with dis- so furious and frightening that the oldest appointment and no heart, DeLillo is back of vampires refuse to speak of them. To with Falling Man, one of his best works. be contacted by the Harlequin is deadly; The book opens with protagonist Keith therefore, Anita Blake must join forces Neudecker standing in the middle of a with vampires, werewolves, shape shiftNew York City street covered in blood ers, and the one man who she has relied on and dust as he stares up into the smoky most in the past. sky where the Twin Towers were missing. Though previously separated from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows his wife, Neudecker returns to his family, by J.K. Rowling (release date: July 21) where, oddly enough, his life begins to spiThe Harry Potter blockbuster series will ral downwards. Affairs, disappointments, finally come to an end with Rowling’s sevand lack of compassion lead to the much enth book. The 784-page much-anticipated anticipated explanation of how Neudecker end will be printed on recycled paper and escaped the burning towers alive. will follow Harry and friends one last time as they attempt to defeat the evil Lord Billion Dollar Kiss: The Kiss That Saved Voldemort and tie up all loose ends from Dawson’s Creek and Other Adventures in the previous books. Due to the mystery TV Writing by Jeffrey Stepakoff (release of this book and the fact that little is ever known about Rowling’s work before it is date: May 15) Throughout his experiences as a writer released, the only things truly expected are on Wonder Years and Major Dad and also the potential deaths of a few beloved charas a co-executive producer of Dawson’s acters. Creek, Stepakoff’s seen his fair share of Also, be on the lookout for The Solosuccess and failure in the television indusmon Key, Dan Brown’s sequel to The Da try. In his memoir, he describes the money, Vinci Code. No release date has been set the business, how to get in, how to stay in, but word on the street is that it should be and what happens when the cameras stop coming soon. rolling. He details 16-hour work days and �APRIL 24, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Cherry Blossom Festival to offer dance extravaganza BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Jaded students complaining about the lack of entertainment and activities in the area just might be in luck this weekend. The city of Wilkes-Barre’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, set for April 28 and 29 at Kirby Park, is sure to entertain all those who venture out (whether it feels like winter or spring) and also just may provide a little distraction during the stressful end-of-year preparation for finals. T h e Cherry Blossom Festival will feature “Pirouettes in the Park” and “Music in the Park” programs, and while both programs will offer a slew of entertainment, the dance component is new to the festival. Bridget Giunta, administrative coordinator, City of Wilkes-Barre, said that while the event has always had great entertainment in the past, the idea for a dance festival was something that has been in the works for a while, since a few dance studios were featured last year. The process for finding the various dance studios that are participating involved a distribution to studios across the Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton and Back Mountain areas. Additionally, a guest artist will be the event’s featured ensemble. New York City’s YC Movement Theatre will present “a suite of excerpts from its full evening length movement theatre work, ‘Moonlight Interior,’ which was presented off-Broadway.” Giunta said, “They’re really excited to come, which makes us even more excited because they’re a professional group, and I think it will be a great opportunity for the audience and the dancers who are participating to see some professional dance.” Dancers from RE-CORED Dance Company of NEPA will also participate, and Lynne Mariani, director, is looking forward to an opportunity to encourage and contribute to arts in the community. And while she stressed that concept, she also added that she is hoping for a fun day to present what the company has to offer to the commu- nity and she hopes that the audience gets a lot out of the experience. The dance portion of the festival will feature, in addition to YC Movement Theatre and RE-CORED Dance Company of NEPA, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers Dance Team & the Turi Studio of Dance and Fitness, Dance Entertainment Company (DEC) and the NEPA School of the Performing Arts, among many others. “Pirouettes in the Park” will take place Saturday, April 28 from noon to 6 p.m., and “Music in The Park” will be held Sunday, April 29 from noon to 7 p.m. In addition to these programs, the two-day affair will also include food and craft vendors as well as amusements, all of which have been staples at past Cherry Blossom Festivals. Students are encouraged to attend the event not only as a way to engage in arts in the community but also just as a way to get out and enjoy a stress-free day as the end of the semester nears. Giunta said, “I often hear complaints that there’s nothing to do in Wilkes-Barre, so this is a fun weekend to get out of the dorms and apartments and enjoy Kirby Park- which is an easy walk from campus. And I think it’s a great opportunity to end the semester, get outside, hang out, and enjoy the entertainment.” � 0dVdbc�k�!��& FT�WPeT�P�fX]]Ta� �FT[[��PRcdP[[h�cWaTT�fX]]Tab�� CWT�Ë�]P[�e^cT�^]�cWT�<hFX[ZTb�[^V^�fPb�^_cX^]��!�� CWT�^eTafWT[\X]V�RW^XRT�U^a�bXcT�[Ph^dc�fPb�^_cX^]��"� 9d]X^a�<^aVP]�:dW]b�fX]b�cWT�X?^S �fWXRW��^U�R^dabT��bWTÃ[[�Ë�[[�fXcW�b^]Vb�PR`dXaTS�[TVP[[h��aXVWc.�� CWP]Zb�c^�P[[�cW^bT�fW^�e^cTS� 6^�c^�\hfX[ZTb�fX[ZTb�TSd�c^�eXTf�cWT�fX]]X]V�STbXV]b�P]S�c^�[TPa]�\^aT�PQ^dc�cWT�<hFX[ZTb�_^acP[� �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 APRIL 24, 2007 This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by the History Club April 23 1564: According to tradition, the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-on-Avon on April 23, 1564. It is impossible to be certain the exact day on which he was born, but church records show that he was baptized on April 26, and three days was a customary amount of time to wait before baptizing a newborn. Shakespeare’s date of death is conclusively known, however: it was April 23, 1616. He was 52 years old and had retired to Stratford three years before. April 24 1800: President John Adams approves legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress,” thus establishing the Library of Congress. The first books, ordered from London, arrived in 1801 and were stored in the U.S. Capitol, the library’s first home. The first library catalog, dated April 1802, listed 964 volumes and nine maps. Twelve years later, the British army invaded the city of Washington and burned the Capitol, including the then 3,000-volume Library of Congress. April 25 1859: At Port Said, Egypt, ground is broken for the Suez Canal, an artificial waterway intended to stretch 101 miles across the isthmus of Suez and connect the Mediterranean and the Red seas. Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French diplomat who organized the colossal undertaking, delivered the pickax blow that inaugurated construction. April 26 1986: The world’s worst nuclear power plant accident occurs at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Soviet Union. Thirty-two people died and dozens more Kudracross 19 21 22 23 25 29 30 31 34 35 36 40 42 43 Telescope building Tennis unit BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Freedom from concern Beacon Correspondent Skeptical ACROSS Serious or earnest 1 Busy Chicago airport Stomach area 6 Frog movement Susceptible 9 Dad’s partner Wear off or down by scraping 12 Chill out Touch or be next to 13 Foundation Hairstyle 15 Iron in the rough Metal or ore deposit 16 Upright Music beat 17 Small island Robot component 18 Cell material, for short Line of waiting people 45 Hudson and Ford First-rate @@@@@gi@@@@gi@@@@@@@@ 46 47 Cleverly stylish @ @ 49 Gymnastics equipment @ ~ @ @ 50 Healing @ @ 57 Jurassic or Paleozoic @ @ 58 Second place . PS2 @ @ 59 Stellar dragon XBOX @ 60 Biblical vessel @ @ NINTENDO @ 61 Expunge @ @ 62 Common Everglades @ @ bird @ @ 63 “Catcher in the _____” @ @ 64 Macadamia, for example gi @ gi 65 Closely packed @ DOWN gi @ @ 1 Common snack food @ @ @ 2 Rosemary, for example @ 3 Bar beverages @ @ @ 4 Belmont Stakes gi 5 Utmost in degree @ @ 6 Hurry @ 7 Capital of Norway 8 Atlantic City sight @ gi 9 Food fragment we ouy ana sell )V)s ,,s VIIE8GADS LPs 11ti 45s IVSIUL ENEIGI 59 north main -- wil kes barre -- 829-2929 i we have hundreds of posters!! i @gi@gigigigigigigigigigigigigigi@gi Clara Petacci, are shot by Italian partisans who had captured the couple as they attempted to flee to Switzerland. April 29 1992: In Los Angeles, California, four Los Angeles police officers that had been caught beating an unarmed African-American motorist in an amateur video are acquitted of any wrongdoing in the arrest. Hours after the verdicts were announced, outrage and protest turned to violence, as rioters in south-central Los Angeles blocked freeway traffic and beat motorists, wrecked and looted numerous downtown stores and buildings, and set more than 100 fires. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http://www.history.com/tdih.do suffered radiation burns in the opening days of the crisis, but only after Swedish authorities reported the fallout did Soviet authorities reluctantly admit that an accident had occurred. April 27 4977 B.C.: In 4977 B.C., the universe is created, according to German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler, considered a founder of modern science. Kepler is best known for his theories explaining the motion of planets. April 28 1945: On this day in 1945, “Il Duce,” Benito Mussolini, and his mistress, 10 11 13 14 20 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 35 37 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 51 52 53 54 55 56 Unpleasant in disposition 1 2 3 4 Heavily fleshed 12 Favoring one over 1G another Fashioned 19 Retro vehicle XI Bath or Hot Springs Sphere Slugger Gehrig Appetizer follower 1987 Michael Jackson song Museum contents 40 Scrooge comment :i1 Outer edge Farewell 60 Falter ~ Campus greenery Car performance enhancer Hurl Broke away from Excavation pit Absorption Trendy Spread or daub Aquafresh alternative Aesop character who lost Brass instrument A son of Isaac Coax Small mountain lake Finishes a cake Small shelter for sheep or birds Graphic courtesy www.nigelbeale.com 6 Answers 4.2 'D 'E s . "u s u A L ■ ' N • ■ , K 's ■ ' .A ' S "V .. K S A N e "' A N "C "0 "... "L "0 'F R C A I R ."''i :. ":::: "I.,., ., "' "..... ,' . 'i"•, •, " "' I A ~1 jSl ~A 11R ~T n "0 =:iA »:s ~o :'.>II LEAK I I n I ".1. ;1 REN !fi M DES ,.,M I ,1, ■j --2_~ t D A L e e ~o o o 1, ".1. :S N 1to11N E S E ...,;;;;, R_! e --1 > :M 1 ■ ESSES ·o • , • • , , " • •• •- 0 s r • :□ M I T ' P I u R A L t-' S RIO ~ I ~ o e o O O E A •s 1H ~ A I A. N D L ~ �15 APRIL 24, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT It£ioinner and a Movie I Dinner: The Greenery Restaurant at Boscov’s BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor A department store diner may not sound like the most appealing of dinner options, especially when it’s situated in a dark corner of Boscov’s basement floor. The Greenery Restaurant at Bosov’s on Main Street may not offer an aesthetically appealing atmosphere, but it fares well in the areas that really matter: food, costs, and service. Located in an area some might be tempted to overlook, between the candy and the toys, you’ll find a quiet, dimly lit diner. With a drab color scheme and 80s reminiscent abstract paintings, owners obviously aren’t trying to impress customers with design. There’s no mood setting music either, but rather a constant humming, and an incoherent and muffled talk radio show coming through the speakers. But the waitress makes up for the dreary atmosphere, and her sunny and friendly demeanor actually appears to be genuine, which is a bit surprising. This is probably in part due to the fact that the restaurant is filled with many regulars with whom the waitress appears to be well acquainted. It’s this familiarity that also sets the tone of the place. This is a diner that the patrons, most of them anyway, make part of their daily routines. I ordered a California salad plate, which consisted of a grilled chicken breast on salad greens, assorted fruit, and cottage cheese, which ran my bill to $5.29. My friend ordered a turkey salad sandwich, along with a turkey, barley and vegetable soup, which cost $7.09. Definitely not the cheapest eats to get in the area, but still fairly reasonable for a sit-down dinner. Our food was out to us almost as soon as we had finished ordering. While we weren’t quite ecstatic about spending our money on food that day (sometimes you just want to go cheap), the hearty portions definitely proved to be worth the price. While the California salad plate may have sounded like a light and meager meal, it offered a heaping portion of meat, and the variety of fruit was fresh. The turkey salad sandwich also proved to be filling, and thankfully they didn’t go too heavy on the mayonnaise, which is often the problem with turkey and chicken salads. Considering the simple meals we were ordered, the food ended up being surprisingly impressive. There were impressive specials to be found throughout the menu as well. They offer an extensive breakfast menu with offerings such as wraps, stuffed French toast, and “make your own” omelets. There are some breakfast options that actually start in the $1-$2 range, and there are a few large breakfast combos for little more than $3. The Greenery Restaurant at Boscov’s is dreary in terms of atmosphere, and doesn’t attempt to mask the fact that it’s in the unattractive basement of Boscov’s, but other than that, there’s really nothing to complain about. When it comes right down to it, the food should be the most important consideration. The dinner prices may not be the most appealing to poor students, but they are no more expensive than a Friendly’s or Applebees. So, if you’re willing to overlook minor atmospheric defects, next time you’re shopping at Boscov’s, make sure to stay for dinner. Grade: B+ in bio-chemical warfare, all hell breaks loose as one of the containers inevitably opens, spraying a putrid green gas into the air. As the locals come in contact with the chemical cloud, they begin to experience some interesting side effects, namely an unyielding hunger for human flesh. Consequently, as the residents begin to residents begin to go go ghoul, ghoul, the survivors, including a one-legged 1e-legged go-go go-go dancer dancer (Rose (Ro: McGowan, Scream), a trucker Rodricker with with aa mysterious mysterious past past (Freddy ( guez, Poseidon), 1), aa surgery-happy surgery-happy doctor doctor (Josh (Jo Brolin, The Proof. Tarantino’s contribution is a pedal-to-the-metal thrill ride that follows the diabolical Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell, Escape From New York), an aging daredevil with a rather unusual hobby. Some people collect stamps, others take up golf, Stuntman Mike stages elaborate car crashes involving his custom built “death proof” stunt car and unsuspecting victims. Needless to say, the results are always the same: Mike walks away; the others leave in body bags. However, when he targets two groups of beautiful young women, including Rosario Dawson (Clerks II), Mary Elizabeth Winsted (Final Destination III) and Jordan Ladd (Waiting), as his next victims, he may be biting off more than he can chew. Will Stuntman Mike’s deadly fixation with twisted metal and broken bodies leave the unlucky ladies as road kill, or has he finally met his match? If two feature length films, packed with enough violence, gore, car crashes and nudity to make an MPAA censor’s head explode, then you’re in luck, because Grindhouse has one last feature to offer. Aside from Planet Terror and Death Proof, Grindhouse presents the viewer with four fake movie trailers, advertising movies that look good enough to be real. The first trailer, for a film entitled Machete, is the only one made by the film’s creators. The other three trailers, Thanksgiving, Don’t and Werewolf Women of The S.S. were created by fellow directors Edgar Wright (Shaun Of The Dead), Eli Roth (Hostel) and Rob Zombie (The Devil’s Rejects). A hilarious stab at the horror genre, the trailers will have the viewer wishing that the films they advertise existed outside of Grindhouse. So whether you’re looking for a scare or a laugh, this double feature has something for everyone. Well, that is if everyone can stomach the sight of cannibalistic frenzies, exploding heads and gruesome car crashes. Grade: A ...and a movie: Grindhouse BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer After viewing Grindhouse, it’s easy to understand how some moviegoers may exit the theater with a very strong feeling of “what the hell did I just watch?” Chock full of the new >f sex sex and and violence, violence, the new fi f lm by Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Resivior Resivior Dogs) Dogs) and Robert Rorip Fiction, a driguez (Desperado, From Dusk Dusk ‘Till Dawn), has a high Jerado, From 'Till Da11, probability of' leaving leaving viewers viewers speechless, speechless, either in shock at the film’s overwhelmingly verwhehningly graphic, graphic, grizzly grizz content or in awe of it’s pure, pulpy genius. re, pulpy genius. When the film’s together, movie fans relm's co-creators co-creators got got together, joiced, as the two two legendary legendary directors directors could cm have easily delivered a cinematic masterpiece, driven inematic masterpiece, driven by compelling characters, award plot, all rard winning winning acting acting and and an an intriguing inti backed by a top )p notch notch script. script. However, being ~ing far far from from conventional conventional and an never known to be predictable, Rodriguez and Lble, Rodriguez and Tarantino Tarantin< opted to take another route. Rather just another epic in the Rather than than creating creating just ano vein of the Kill Bill series the El El Maria Mariachi trilogy, the ill Bill series or or the duo opted to pay homage to to the blood ‘n sex driven, Jay homage the blood 'n guts, g1 high octane films the 1970s. lms of of the 1970s. This This brand brand of 1 extreme cinema, branded with with the the label label “Grindhouse”, "Grindhouse", was marked by its low budgett and and its its gruesome gruesome depictions depictions of 1 violence and gore, as well as scenes, LS its its extremely extremely graphic…uh…”love” graphic . .. uh .. and were commonly back. I-And after view11Tionly shown shown back back to to back. ing the film, it’s quite some t's obvious obvious that that the the creators creators took t1 time and a great deal of effort in order to capture the feel of this nearly forgotten era of film. In Rodriguez’s contribution to the Grindhouse double feature, Planet Terror, viewers will be delighted to see several familiar faces, and will then cringe in terror as hordes of the undead tear them limb from limb, one by grisly one. When a mysterious caravan of military vehicles roll into a sleepy Texas town carrying containers filled with the latest http://www.toxicshock.tv Goonies), his cheating :heating wife wife (Marley (Marley Shelton, Shelton Sin City), the town sheriff (Michael Aliens) and 1:ichael Biehn, Biehn, Aliens) and his his barbeque chef brother (Jeff Fahey, Lawnmower Man), ahey, The The Lawnmower Man), must band together to make: it it out out of of town town alive. alive. However, Howeve if they want to live to see daylight, must first first find find out the deadly iaylight, they they must 1 secret behind the gas, and to do so, must match wits and weapons with a rogue U.S. military squad, led by Bruce Willis. What is the secret? Who will survive? How many people does a zombie have to eat before it’s full? To find the answers, sit back, relax and aim for the head as Robert Rodriguez presents Planet Terror. After intermission, (yes, there’s an intermission) it’s time to buckle up for the double feature’s second half, Death L1 __ --- ___ __j ..__ ..J_ -- _____ _ .._ -- Photo courtesy http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk �SPORTS 16 APRIL 24, 2007 Cumberland Apartments Brand new luxury construction in an historic landmark building - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. - Brand New Construction - Kitchen with appliances - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �SPORTS APRIL 24, 2007 17 Spring football program jumpstarts next season’s team BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer While the cold chill and bitter winds of winter have been slow to leave the Wyoming Valley, the nasty elements haven’t stopped the Wilkes University football program from hitting the fields at the Ralston Complex for their annual round of spring practice sessions. Football programs at the Division III level are allowed 16 practice sessions during the spring semester. While the NCAA does not permit contact and hitting during spring practice for Division III schools, teams are allowed to use a football to run through non-contact drills and exercises. As a result, spring practices at Wilkes have been a mix of strength and conditioning exercises, combined with drills designed to build and develop football skills and fundamentals. The spring practices are the first time that the previous season’s seniors are no longer with the team, and the coaching staff often seeks to use this period to begin to shape the leadership and composure of the team for the season to come. “We have several objectives in our spring MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks, CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I practices,” said Wilkes head coach Frank Sheptock, when asked what he looks for the team to accomplish during spring workouts. “First, we try to best identify the young men who have bought into the work ethic and commitment we have tried to instill in our players, particularly with regards to their strength and conditioning work in the offseason. Also, we are trying to identify a new profile for our team after the graduation of several of our key players. We look at our program during this time and ask ourselves, ‘How will this group best go about winning football games?’” For many of the Colonels, the spring offers a chance to correct and build on what they have experienced and learned from the previous season. Cornerback Corey Gilroy is using the spring practices to continue his progress and preparation for the upcoming campaign. “In your first season, the speed of the game and the playing styles of other teams take a lot of getting used to. It’s an excellent opportunity in the spring to help yourself progress a long way by applying See PRACTICE on PAGE 19 ROWNIE Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes football players are working out during the annual spring practices. Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �SPORTS 18 APRIL 24, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Boston Red Sox v. New York Yankees Baseball’s greatest rivalry heats up in the Bronx BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Every sport has it’s great rivalries. Basketball had the Lakers and Celtics of the 70s and 80s, football had the Cowboys and the Eagles, and tennis had Sampras and Agassi. Baseball, of course, has the Red Sox and Yankees. The storied rivalry has existed for nearly a century, dating back to 1919 when Babe Ruth was sold from the Red Sox to the Yankees. The rivalry has been mostly dominated by the Bronx Bombers, capped off by a dramatic, extra innings, game ending homerun by Aaron Boone in the 2003 American League Championship Series. A year later, the two teams would meet for a rematch in the ALCS, with the Yankees taking a dominating three games to nothing lead. In what would turn out to be the greatest comeback in the history of sports, the Red Sox rallied behind to win four straight en route to their first World Series title in 1986. Since 2004, there have been some classic Yankees/Red Sox moments, including the Yankees signing former Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon, as well as the five game sweep that took place during the “Boston Massacre” last fall. However, the rivalry hasn’t had the same feel to it since that memorable comeback nearly three years ago. This week, the two teams will look to rekindle the fire as they square off in six games within a ten day span. This past weekend, the Yankees visited Boston for three games, which did not go well for the Bronx Bombers, as they lost the first of several series to the Red Sox. This week, however, it’s time for the Red Sox to go on the road as they visit Yankee Stadium for the first time this season. It looks to be a good contest, as both teams have a lot going for them as they enter the weekend. First, the Yankees an advantage, and his name is Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod, who has never been fully embraced by the tough Yankee fans due in part to his lack of clutch hitting, is getting a lot of love from the crowds in the early parts of the season, as he has had two game winning homeruns in addition to his league leading power numbers. Aside from Rodriguez, the Yankees lineup is stacked with talent, including Johnny Damon, team captain Derek Jeter, and perennial slugger Jason Giambi. With a lineup like that, it’s hard to lose, unless you have a depleted pitching staff that consists of having three starters on the disabled list. As it turns out, the Yankees have just that, with starters Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano and Chien-Ming Wang nursing various injuries. As such, the Bombers will look to veteran Andy Pettitte to lead a pitching staff of mostly newcomers, which could be a problem against a tough Boston lineup. While not as deep as the Yankees’ starting nine, the Red Sox can tear apart bad pitching, especially with a 3-4-5 of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and J.D. Drew. Ortiz, who leads the team in homeruns and RBIs, is picking up where he left off last season, while Manny’s slow start is of concern, it should be noted that the quirky slugger has averaged 39 home runs and 119 RBIs every season since joining the Red Sox in 2001. The real strength of the Red Sox is their pitching staff, which consists of 5 solid starters. Led by renowned Yankee killer Curt Schilling and finished off by closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, the Yankees will certainly have their work cut out for Double Take Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor them, especially against the likes of Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka, both of which have enjoyed success in this young season. Ultimately, baseball games come down to pitching, a category that the Red Sox have a distinct advantage in. Despite having Mariano Rivera in their bullpen, the Yankees pitching staff has given up more runs, walks, and has fewer strikeouts than the Red Sox. As for the series, expect the rotation of the Red Sox to get the better of the Yankee’s bats. The Pick: Game 1: Red Sox 7, Yankees 2 Game 2: Red Sox 12, Yankees 9 Game 3: Red Sox 4, Yankees 3 Probable Starters (as of 4/23) 4/27 Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-2, 2.70 ERA) vs Chase Wright (1-0, 5.40 ERA) 4/28 Tim Wakefield (2-1, 1.35 ERA) vs Kei Igawa (1-0, 6.06 ERA) 4/29 Julian Tavarez (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs Chien-Ming Wang(No official start) Another Yankees/Red Sox game? Wonderful. I must say that I am actually trying to understand and maybe even like baseball. But that hasn’t quite happened yet, so I really have no idea who would win this game based on stats and skills. That said, I think my money is on the Yankees, for a few simple reasons. First, I’m aware that the fans on both sides of the field are pretty hard-core about their teams, and I can respect that. But when I was in Manhattan yesterday, I saw a Red Sox banner sitting in a bucket on someone’s fire escape. In honor of you, Mr. Bucket, and your creative hatred, I am putting my faith in the Yankees. I’ve never been to Boston, but I can’t imagine there’s a city greater than New York. Where else can you get a bagel and erotic videos while watching a man who looks remarkably like a robot all on the same street corner? So if the city is that awesome, the team has to be pretty great too, right? And come on, the Yankees have way cuter and sleeker uniforms than the Red Sox, and we all know having confidence in what one is wearing can really give one an edge. Finally, I do believe that the Yankees players are a little bit more attractive. Maybe it’s just the uniforms. There’s something about the pinstripes. Do they still wear uniforms with pinstripes, or was that just from the movie 61*? I suppose their outfits may have changed since the time of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, but I hope they haven’t. For all these reasons, I think the Yankees are going to dominate. Who can argue with my stellar logic? �SPORTS APRIL 24, 2007 PRACTICE from PAGE 17 what you’ve learned from the previous season,” he said. For a few other players who were not members of the team before this semester, spring practice is the first practice time they will spend with their new teammates after transferring from other institutions over the Christmas break. Running back Sean Madden is looking to make an impact as a Colonel this season after transferring from Iona College. “Practice has been going very well; the coaching staff has worked well with me in helping me learn the new plays and systems. I’ve gotten to know everyone on the team and I feel very confident being in the program,” he said. As all the players continue their progress and development in the spring, they also seek to develop a drive in their work that will power them through the summer, leading up to the start of training camp in midAugust. While the weather may be chilly outside, the 2007 version of the Wilkes Football program is rapidly heating up and taking shape. 19 BASEBALL from PAGE 20 that enables them to control their own destiny in trying to make it to the playoffs. If the Colonels manage to pull off a three game sweep against the Royals, they will be much closer to being crowned MAC Freedom conference championship contenders. The Colonels go on the road to face Scranton on Friday at 3:30 pm, and come back home for a doubleheader against the Royals Saturday at 1 pm.that enables them to control their own destiny in trying to make it to the playoffs. If the Colonels manage to pull off a three game sweep against the Royals, they will be much closer to being crowned MAC Freedom conference championship contenders. The Colonels go on the road to face Scranton on Friday at 3:30 pm, and come back home for a doubleheader against the Royals Saturday at 1 pm. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes senior Alex Ingram connects for a home run in a game against Scranton. WEEKEND RECAPS Baseball Wilkes University had 20 hits and scored more than one run in five of the nine innings on its way to a 23-9 non-conference baseball win over Susquehanna University on Thursday afternoon. The win improved the Colonels to 15-10. The Crusaders saw their record fall to 7-19-1 overall. Softball Wilkes University and FDU-Florham split a Freedom Conference softball doubleheader at the Ralston Complex on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Colonels posted a 2-1 win in eight innings in the opener, before the Devils bounced back for a 4-3 win in the nightcap. The split moves Wilkes to 17-9 overall and 7-3 in Freedom Conference play. FDU-Florham sees its records change to 17-13 overall and 9-3 in the conference. Lacrosse The Beacon/Todd Weibel A Wilkes University football coach goes over drills during the annual spring practices. 17 Number of wins for the Lady Colonels softball team after they split the double header against FDU-Florham. Lindsey Lustrino scored a school-record nine goals and also dished out an assist to lead Moravian College to a 19-5 Middle Atlantic Conference women’s lacrosse win over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Greyhounds to 2-10 overall and 1-7 in the conference. Wilkes slips to 0-12 overall and 0-8 in conference play. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 2 Number of goals by Wilkes freshman Ashley Leggio in the women’s lacrosse match against Moravian. 946 The number of career strikeouts for softball pitcher Laurie Agresti. She had 15 in the first game against FDU and is only the 5th player in D-3 history to reach this milestone. 7 Number of wins that the men’s tennis had this season before losing to Drew University in the playoffs. �Sports APRIL 24, 2007 20 Preview of the week: Baseball triple header vs. Scranton BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor As the 2007 baseball season draws to close, teams around the Freedom Conference are fighting to muster up much needed wins in hopes of dancing into the postseason. All the long hours of intense practice devoted to winning come into play at this stage in the season. The Colonels are no exception and will look to sweep their three game series against Scranton University en route to the third playoff berth for Wilkes in four seasons. “Scranton is a good team, and playing them is always a battle. They are a local, cross-town rival, and because of the rivalry, throw the record books out the window. And we have to play good if we want to be in the playoffs,” stated head coach Joe Folek. Following a 23-9 whopping on the Susquehanna Crusaders, the Colonels will look to carry that momentum into their contests against Scranton. The last time both teams met in a three game series Wilkes posted two victories, including an 11-1 blowout in the Royals own backyard. This season, the Colonels own the fourth and final playoff spot, while the Royals trail behind as the fifth seed. Therefore, expect an intense battle between both ball clubs. Leading the offensive attack for the Colonel’s is junior outfielder Kyle Follweiler with a team-high 4 homeruns and an impressive 24 RBI’s. Junior Corey Helfrich has also had an impact for the Colonels offensive game with a stellar .416 batting average and 32 hits on the season. Both players will look to step up to the plate and guide the Colonels to three much needed conference wins against the Royals. Although the Royals have all the symptoms of a struggling team with an overall record of 9-18, and 3-5 in the Freedom Conference, the team is in playoff contention and poses a mild threat to the Colonels’ playoff hopes. In the Royals’ last conference matchup, they spanked second seeded King’s College at home 18-6, while combining for 15 hits. If the Colonels’ bullpen contains the Royals’ hitting ability, they may be able to walk out the series with three more wins under their belt. “We are going to Scranton with the mentality that we have to take three. Two out of three is not going to cut it when it’s this close to the playoffs. I think with our pitching, the way our bats have been hitting, and with our defense, Scranton does not stand a chance against us,” said senior catcher Matt LePresto, one of three hungry players looking for a postseason championship before graduating after this season. The Colonels are currently 6-8 in the Freedom Conference and See BASEBALL page 19 The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes senior Justin Popovich connects in a recent baseball game. The Colonels go into the game against Scranton with a 15-10 record. Campus Calendar. All Week *Faculty Exhibition, Sordoni Art Gallery Tuesday 4/24 *Men’s golf vs. Misericordia - 1:00 PM *Men’s tennis @ Philadelphia Bible - 4:00 PM *Men’s baseball vs. King’s - 4:00 PM *Women’s lacrosse @ Elizabeth - 4:00 PM Wednesday 4/25 *Men’s golf vs. Scranton - 1:00 PM *Women’s softball vs. Delaware Valley - 3:00 PM Thursday 4/26 *2007 Extracurricular/Leadership Award Exhibition Lucheon, HSC Ballroom - 11:00 AM *Women’s softball @ Lebanon Valley - 3:30 PM *Women’s lacrosse @ St. Thomas Aquinas - 4:00 PM *WB/Scranton Yankees Luxury Box, PNC Field - 7:00 PM Friday 4/27 *Men’s tennis vs. Moravian - 3:00 PM *Men’s baseball @ Scranton - 3:30 PM *Alumni night at Allenberry Theatre, Allenberry Theatre - 6:00 PM *Concert-Chorus/Chamber Singer, St. Stephen’s Church - 7:30 PM Saturday 4/28 *Men’s golf @ Freedom Conference Championships - 9:00 AM *Men’s tennis @ MAC Individual Championships - 9:00 AM *ASMS Car Show, HSC parking lot - 11:00 AM *Men’s baseball vs. Scranton - 1:00 AM *Women’s lacrosse vs. Lycoming - 1:00 PM *Women’s softball @ Drew - 1:00 PM *Dance Concert, DDD 8:00 PM Sunday 4/29 *Men’s tennis @ MAC Individual Champions - 9:00 AM Men’s golf @ Freedom Conference Championships - 9:00 AM *Stock Car Racing Experience, HSC - 12:00 PM *Women’s softball vs. Marywood - 1:00 PM *Men’s baseball @ Misericordia - 2:00 PM *Wyoming Valley Mall/Wal Mart Shopping Shuttle Trip - 2:00 PM *26 Rosenn Lecture, DDD - 7:00 PM *Civic Band Concert, DDD - 3:00 PM Monday 4/30 *No events scheduled. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming W ILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. - Congratulations to Adam Butler who correctly identified last week’s picture, which was of a switch panel in Stark. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 April 24th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 April 24 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/8ad73091905611d9364dccebcfdd94aa.pdf c7b465b42b825014c4108519a4ece7ea PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW MAY In This Issue... '---------------1 (. "'!! ' ·1#1.trr /4t11i Page6 • • • • • • • •• Page 9 Rosenn lecture focuses on the Sudan crisis BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor Film can do many things. It can make you cry, laugh, scream in terror and think. A good film will make you do all four, and the audience of the 26th Annual Max Rosenn Lecture saw such a film Sunday evening. In an unusual move for the annual lecture, the evening included both the screening of an award-winning film, God Grew Tired of Us and lectures delivered by two individuals associated with it, director Christopher Dillon Quinn, and one of the subjects of the film, John Bui Dau. The film won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie focuses on three "Lost Boys" of Sudan, their escape from a civil war and their relocation in the United States. Dau was one of the "lost boys." The film, which was screened before the lecture, depicted the compelling story of the Lost Boys who fled their homes when the northern Sudanese government tried to kill them. The group of 27,000 fled to neighboring Ethiopia and arrived emaciated and near death. The group's stay in Ethiopia was short; they were then forced to flee again when civil war broke out there. The group, reduced by starvation, drowning See ROSENN page The Beacon/Cara Koster Christopher Dillon Quinn, lecturer of the 26th annual Max Rosenn Lecture, stands with one of The Lost Boys of Sudan, John Dau (left). Dau is featured in the movie that was screened at the lecture, God Grew Tired of Us. 4 Text notification ••••••••• system planned BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Staff Writer Retention rate of diverse students dips BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Staff Writer The Virginia Tech massacre caught the country by surprise, though it appears that even local universities were already in discussions about how to best inform campus constituents about emergencies using the latest technologies. Before the Virginia Tech tragedy, Wilkes University officials were already investigating how best to inform students and faculty in the event of an emergency. Thus, Public Safety officials acknowledge that they are now in the process of implementing a phone-based, text messaging notification system for both communication and emergen- - - - - - - - - - - - - . Icy purposes weeks ahead of the nationwide trend in reaction to the tragedy. Wilkes students, faculty and staff should be able to enroll next week, said Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services. "A few News .. ...... ............ ..... ....... 1-5 departments have been investigating a text based messaging system, Opinion .............................6-8 both for emergency and non-emergency communications, for the past Features .... ..................... 9-11 year or so. Page 13 Inside: Arts & Entertainment.. .. 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 Volume 59 Issue 21 www.wilkesbeacon.com 1, 2007 See TEXT page 4 Twenty-three full- and part-time students of culturally diverse and international backgrounds chose not to return to Wilkes University at the end of the fall semester in December 2006. According to Brian Bogert, Assistant Director for Institutional Research, those 23 students accounted for a combined 12.2% of the university's multicultural students. Mark Al Jen, Dean of Student Affairs, noted that there could be a number of reasons for the retention drop-off among minority students. "Regardless of ethnicity, the reason why a student would leave would be a lack of academic success, changes in financial circumstances or they just don't care for the environment," he said. Homesickness may also play a key role, according to Alberto Prado, Interim Director of the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC). Along with the Diversity Ambassadors, the Indian Culture Association and the Islamic Interest Society, MSC has sponsored a number of events this year to See RETENTION page 2 �., NEWS MAY 2 1, 2007 RETENTION from FRONT PAGE try to help students feel more at home and accepted among the Wilkes community. Even though events are scheduled, and multicultural and ethnic clubs and organizations are offered on campus, some note that students don't appear to utilize what's available to them. Yohanna De Los Santos, a transfer student from the Dominican Republic, admitted that she noticed the missing students on campus when she returned for the spring semester and considered applying to different schools for the upcoming 2007-08 year. "I thought of applying somewhere else like New York or Miami, you know, like a big city where it's more diverse with different people," the sophomore said. Having never heard of groups like MSC, she wasn't aware that there were places she could go to feel closer to home while she worked on adapting to an incredibly dif- SG Notes At the April 25, 2007 Student Government (SG) meeting: Treasurer's Report The remaining SG funds exist in the following lines: All ~ollege: $2,406.21 General: $4,034.73 Special Projects: $131 Spirit: $3,405.15 Leadership: $4,540 Conferences: $7,469.10 Start-up: $3,200 New Business Matt Brown accepted his position as SG President, Sherri Homanko accepted her position as Off Campus Council President and Kate Baas accepted her position as Inter Residence Hall Council President. The next SG meeting will be managed by both the current president, Jenna Strzelecki and incoming president, Matt Brown. ferent culture and school. Though there may be many explanations as to why the number of ethnic students attending Wilkes University has fallen off, Allen said that it's difficult to pinpoint one specific reason. "In what we've looked at between semesters in terms of students leaving, we've not been able to identify any single factor that's raised a flag that says we really need to focus and do a better job on this particular aspect in order to improve retention," he said. If a student doesn't inform the university that they don't plan on returning for the upcoming semester, then there is no way of identifying the cause for why he/she has left. If a student formally withdraws from the school, then there is an exit process so that they can provide a reason for leaving. It is still unclear whether the percentage of ethnic or diverse students who left Wilkes mid-year will affect the decisions of minority students to come to the university next year. In response to this, Charles Siarkowski and Andy York presented a song that they wrote to commemorate the SG's year. Emerging Leaders asked for a donation to clean up Charles Street Park and hold a grand re-opening. The total project cost is $605 and the request was for $300. The money will go to food, cooking, ice and serving utensils for the re-opening. The money will also go towards the revitalization with the purchase of paint, flowers and mulch. SG allocated the $300 to Emerging Leaders with a vote of 34 for, 0 against and 5 abstaining. A tentative SG budget was presented with four clubs taken off of the budget for next year because of concerns that they do not help all the students or that they did not hand in the proper forms in time. The clubs excluded from the budget include: Concert and Lecture, Crew Club, Speech and Debate and Lacrosse. Allen said that the university is always interested in building a more diverse population. "The Diversity Task Force is taking the lead role in identifying a lot of issues on campus so we can see where we can do a better job, not just with students from underrepresented populations but also from the staff and faculty standpoint so we can have a more healthy population with respect to diversity," said Allen. The Diversity Task Force was formed at the end of the first semester and is comprised of faculty, staff, students, Board of Trustees members and community members. The group is engaged in evaluating Diversity Survey results as well as interviewing constituent groups about their perspectives on needs in the diversity arena at Wilkes. Prado noted that once finals are over and the stress of the semester is lifted, the student leaders of MSC, Diversity Ambassadors and other organizations will meet to make plans that will hopefully draw more students of every culture together for the fall semester. 2 2 3 4 .</', ✓-_ :r",, -¥=,/ ·•""·' . . The Beacon/ Cara Koster Tiny wooden crosses adorn the lawn across from Kirby Hall with an "Our Future?" banner hanging in the background. The display sponsored by S.A.V.E brings attention to endangered species. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Jonathan McClave presented a proposal to buy their own tables for casino night. They will be personalized with Wilkes logos and the total project will cost $15,067.80 to $15,567.80. It will take seven casino nights to pay for the purchase and passed with a vote of 36 in favor and 1 opposed. There was a presentation to trade in SG's current vans and purchase two used models. The money will come out of the buffer fund. The vans are 2007 Chevy Uplanders with an extended wheel base. The vans will seat seven and have dual climate control. The purchase will cost $39,998 and passed with 31 in favor, 4 opposed and 2 abstained. Leaving Town Student Goverment Notes Summer Renovations Rosenn Lecture 2007 ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. · River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, wTikes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 ·141tKES llNIVERS/TY· wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �MAY NEWS 1, 2007 3 University Towers to undergo renovations for 'life safety' Though residents have long complained that the elevators in University Towers are painstakingly slow, it is still uncer@ tain whether or not a full upi grade will be completed by the end of the summer. "A full upgrade would digitize the elevators, increasing the speed," Pesta said. "But that depends on if it fits in the budget or not. That's a pretty big chunk of work to try and do all in one summer." Due to the renovations, however, political science major Karyn Perestam was informed by Residence Life that all oncampus students living in the Towers must not only vacate their apartments for the sum= - - - - - - ' - - ' mer, but move out all of their The Beacon/Cara Koster furniture as well. BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Several renovations for life safety will take place over the summ"er at University Towers on South Main, including new fire suppression systems, smoke detectors, a clean-down of the elevators and an upgrade in the voice data system. "Our engineers are working on the specifications and final documentation of the life safety issues, and have completed the specifications for the voice data upgrade," said John Pesta, Director of Capital Projects. The building, which was constructed in 1977, does not have any detectors according to Pesta. Just last semester, a student became incapacitated due to smoke inhalation after she left something cooking on the stove and it caught fire. Public Safety officers had to step in and pull the student from the smoke-filled room. "Early intervention in a fire is the best. When you' re able to quickly contain and put out a fire prior to the fire department arriving on the scene, you're ahead of the game," said Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Operations. A fire extinguisher stands next to of fire hose in U niver"This is a huge burden placed sity Towers on South Main Steet. Renovations for the on students who thought they summer will include a new sprinkler system, smoke were moving into apartments, detectors and an elevator clean-up. which would allow them to avoid the annoyance of moving in and out of a dorm every year," Perestam said. However, a contract that on-campus students must sign clearly states that students must vacate the University Residence Hall within 24 hours after his/her final examination or within 24 hours after the termination of the residence hall contract. Director ofResidence Life Brenda Stanely explained, "The terms of this contract have not changed since the apartment-style living environment was introduced at Wilkes and so we are unclear as to why students living at University Towers would think differently," she said. "On campus students that reside in University Towers sign the same contract as on-campus students that reside in any of our other residence hall and mansions." Aside from the life safety renovati!ns, one of the biggest changes students will notice upon return is that they will have access to the campus networks, giving them access to the H-drive without having to make a secw-e link from off-campus to on-campus. "You could use any campus service as if you were sitting on the campus," said Chief Officer of Informational Technology Services Mike Salem. "We' re making it just like any other dorm." S E X U A L A S S A U L T: PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO YOU 5 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK ■ When you go to a party, go with a group of friends. Arrive together; check in with each ot~er and leave together. Don't be isolated with someone you don't know or trust. ■ Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably iJn't the best place to be. ■ Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to. "I don't want to" is always a good enough reason not to do something. ■ Practive safe drinking. Don't leave your beverage unattended, pay attention to your drink while it's being prepared and don't accept drinks from someone you don't know well. ■ Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged. Know what parts of campus are well llt and where people hang out. Use a campus shuttle at night and carry cab money when you go out. IN AMERICA. 1 IN 6 WOMEN AND 1 IN 33 MEN HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED -Sponsored By Health Services Rape Abuse & Incest National Network <www.rainn.org> • �MAY 1, 2007 NEWS 4 ROSENN from FRONT PAGE and war, was left with less than half of the original boys, bringing their numbers to about 12,000. The boys charted their journey to Kenya where they established the Kakuma Refugee Camp in 1992. The Lost Boys formed their own village until the United States agreed to place them in homes and jobs in this country. The movie then begins with the story of John Bui Dau who learned he would be moving to Syracuse, New York. The film followed him and other Lost Boys as they travelled across Africa, Europe and the Atlantic until they reached New York City. The boys then separated and went to either Pittsburgh or Syracuse. The film touched everyone in the audience with its comical elements, including scenes about the boys not knowing how to use things that we take for granted, like a light switch. The boys were given assistance for three months until their visas and Social Security cards were taken care of and then began looking for a job. The film also shows the culture shock the boys experienced, especially because they lacked the interaction they had previously in the camp and because they were alone for long periods of time. There was enough pressure on them to drive one of the boys insane. The community's reaction to the boys was also depicted. Store owners asked that they didn't enter their store in large numbers. Neighbors asked them not to sit or dance outside under the tree near their apartment like The Beacon/Cara Koster Wilkes University President Joseph E. (Tim) Gilmour introduced Christopher Dillon Quinn, award-winning director of God Grew Tired of Us, and John Bui Dau, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, at the annual Max Rosenn Lecture Series Sunday, April 29th, at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Dau was featured in Quinn's film, and the film was showed to the audience prior to both Quinn and Dau speaking. Quinn stressed the importance of the United States' involvement in the crisis in Sudan, while Dau spoke to the audience about the power of perseverance. they did back in Kenya. The film ends with the Lost Boys either working on graduating from college or trying to get their families to come to the US. Dau was someone who worked and put his education on hold to bring his family to the US and the film showed the reunion. The film did not have a definite ending, because the Lost Boys of Sudan's future is still in question. Many are still in Kenya or are afraid to go back to Kenya in fear that they will be shot or burned along with their village. When the lights came up on the packed Darte Center, many in the audience were wiping their eyes while offering a standing ovation. Quinn began his pa1i of the lecture by making the format very conversational. Neither man stood behind the podium and instead walked around the stage. Quinn spoke about his inspiration for the film, which started in seventh grade when he learned about the holocaust. "I always remember in seventh grade saying 'well at least that will never happen again.' And for me Africa is not only something that is in turmoil but is also something that is being ignored." Quinn also told the story about how hard it was making the film. He had to call around and ask for donations until he finally called enough "friends of friends" to get a screening in Los Angeles where Brad Pitt was in the audience, who decided he wanted to be part of the project. The floor was then turned to Dau who spoke about his experience and his progress. Currently, he has worked to raise $400,000 to build a clinic in his village in Africa, which was completed the day after the lecture, April 30. He also talked about the future of Sudan which, according to him, lies in the hands of the United States, beause "the U.N. is not doing its job." Dau also talked about what he saw in America that could be improved. One thing he mentioned was how students need to persevere. "You are not getting good grades or your mom is not buying jeans or computer games, it's not a big problem. All you have to do is persevere." Dau said that is the key to success. After the speakers concluded, the audience was invited to the lobby for a reception where they could purchase Dau's memoirs and meet the speakers. The gentlemen were immediately swarmed by people who were fascinated by their stories and experience. This lecture is named for the Honorable Judge Max Rosenn who passed away last year. The Beacon corrections In The Beacons April 24 article "Brown wins SG Presidential post with 30% of student vote," the winners of Inter Residence Hall Council (IRHC) President and Off Campus Council (OCC) President were misprinted as Student Government (SG) Vice President and other positions. For clarification, Kate Baas will be the president of IRHC and Sherri Homanko will be president of OCC. Last week, the photo of the SG presidential candidates was printed as being taken by Andrew Seaman. This photo should have been credited to Kathy Dalton. The Beacon/Cara Koster John Bui Dau signed a copy of his book, God Grew Tired of Us, durin·g the meet and greet after the 26th annual Max Rosenn Lecture. Dau is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan whose story is told in the film of the same name as his book. Dau moved to Syracuse, New York with the help of the United States and worked in order to bring his family to the US as well. The film was showed at the lecture and depicted the reunion between Dau and his family. The Beacon strives for accuracy and good sourcing in all of its stories and regrets the errors in the past issue. Editors are grateful for reatiers who take the time to point out inaccuracies. Andrea Breemer-Frantz, Faculty Advisor Curran Dobson, Editor-in-Chief �.. MAY 1, 2007 NEWS TEXT from FRONT PAGE We plan to deploy an enhanced system that will provide both te,rt as well as voice alerts. This system will also allow us to utilize the phones currently located within our classrooms in addition to enrolled cell phones. This would allow us to reach students and faculty while they are in class where they may have switched off or otherwise silenced their cell phones ... The phone and cell phone alert system will have an initial cost of $3,500 plus the cost of minutes which are purchased in blocks of 400 minutes for $500," said Bailey. Bailey added that there are two ways students, faculty and staff can sign up. "There will be two avenues to enroll in this service; a primary method as well as a back-up. The primary method will be a web-based form where community members will provide their last name, their WIN and their phone number. Due to possible technical issues with a large number of individuals trying to access this web form, we will also allow individuals to enroll by sending the same information via email to a specific address; most likely safety@wilkes.edu but I will have to confirm this address," stated Bailey. Danielle Capone, freshman nursing major, believes that this is a great idea for the university. "Considering how safety is more important now than ever before, I believe that this system should protect our campus community if something tragic like the shootings at Virginia Tech ever happen here," she said. Jack Chielli, Executive Director of Marketing Communications, said that the university has other safety features for back-up. "All of the current safety procedures are still in place. These include 14 professional public safety officers who are trained in 5 emergency response procedures and are mobile on bikes. We can visit very building on our campus within 10 to 15 minutes to lock them down in emergencies. We also have 40 to 50 emergency phones on campus that directly hook into the public safety office . which is in constant contact with the police department. Email and other notifications are also available to us and will be employed in the case of an emergency," said Chielli. Chielli added that some of the disadvantages of the proposed addition of text and e-messaging are that, "Some students and faculty will not have their cell phones on or will not opt in to the program. We have to have back up measures in place to reach those individuals." Brooke Barney, freshman elementary education major, feels that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. "With any safety system there are drawbacks, but it seems like this phone-based system has more positives than negatives. That's why we have other safety procedures in place. It's not perfect, but I believe that it's better than what we currently have. I feel safe at Wilkes already, but I know that this will help me feel even safer," noted Barney. Chielli encouraged students to take safety precautions when necessary. "I think it is important to stress that the safety of our campus is everyone's responsibility. The best way to stay safe is to look out for each other. Also, we should use this opportunity to stress ways to prevent the more common threats to students. These can be greatly reduced by conducting oneself in a responsible manner - only drink responsibll' and never drink and drive; always knm~ who you are letting into your dmm; never leave the door to the dorm building propped open; do not walk on campus alone late at night; call security whenever you see or hear something suspicious; and take care of each other. No security system, no matter how good or costly, can guarantee there will not be a crime," said Chielli. Wilkes-Barre t Buy a large pizza at reguA large cheese pizza '.· .· . i lar price and get a. 1 Ope ¥ t + an 8pc Breadsticks, CinnaStix. o.r· Ch . eesybread P @ order of our new warm f brownies 1. I. I $9.99+TAX VAL.ID .12.AM-CL .·. OSE Expires 5/31/076 ;--*-•:•·.W,-~----~ f J 1 FREE Expires 10/8/06 ..... .... I ITV IJ ~~-,;~,~--- 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11am-2am Fri & Sat 11am-4am t ~-- _ ---··-----~-___________________ ............. -....... -... __ .., _______ ....., ___ ------~- .... ... _...,.. .,_........,. . �7 Angry Rant Too much focus on VT killer 7 6 Senior reflection 8 Cronyism poses a challenge at all levels of government Student govenment policies leave room for corruption BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Do we ever really trust our government? All politicians lie--that's the old adage--but we still hold elections and hopeforthe best. Wilkes University's Student Government (SG) is no exception to the rule. SG members have promoted w01thy causes, represented important issues, and also made mistakes. Scandal and redemption are mere inches apart. Recently, it was reported that newly elected SG President, Matthew Brown, was involved in controversy because he allegedly lied to obtain information from a local business. While the exact details of the case remain slightly cloudy, the case occurred just before campuswide elections for SG ExecuBoard positions. Brown was evaluated by his peers in an SG hearing, allowed to remain on SG and continue his quest for the position. He was elected to the top post days later. The scenario is one for which no federal government candidate for office could ever hope: evaluation by peers and friends who determine your fate and a general election in which the majority of the voting body is unaware of the news until after casting their ballots. Some students expressed their displeasure with having the elections open before the news was available. Many even admitted they would have changed their votes. It should be the primary goal of our government to be as We candid as possible, given that this is a much smaller scale than a national election where one must vote with only as much information as is available by a single day. But while the Wilkes SG constitution has been adequately followed, it still seems strange that the election was not postponed. In national elections, this is much more difficult, but the story broke just as elections were opening online and it easily could have been changed, especially since the candidate could have potentially been disqualified after the fact. At least three students approaced Beacon staff members and said that know they would have voted differently. Since we have the unique ability to prevent such scenes by postponing elections or rerunning elections, since we are on a small and private scale, our SG should consider such options in order to take into account a possible change in the sentiment of the student body toward a candidate. The greatest conflict of interest is that our constitution supports the entire SG membership to determine the fate of a fellow member. Aside from the potential for peer pressure, there are few checks and balances built into the system to ensure accountability among representatives. When Hillary Clinton voted for the war in Iraq, it left a mark on --==--.11 her reputation that she is still trying to shake from the reputation for he 1p ing a friend. In fact, such loyalty is usually rewarded socially. As representatives, the default is simply to use one's best judgment, which is complicated by peer pressure and friendships on a small college campus. A Sight for Sore Eyes Aleksander Lapinski Many positions in the university have a code of conduct. Some faculty advisors for clubs and teams warn their students not to have compromising photos of themselves on Facebook or MySpace as a way to keep respectable appearances. When someone slips up, it has resulted in losing a position or leaving a team. Why should our government be different? To Brown's credit, he has offered a full acknowledgment and apology for his actions. Such public mea culpas require fortitude and leadership. It is unlikely that SG members will be asked to account for their votes, however. We must set a standard against cronyism and peer pressure and develop standards with actual consequences. Without them, we leave ourselves open to unethical behavior running rampant. It is not only about being honest and open to the student body, but also about the public appearance of the entire university. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 42 responses. The Beacon asked: What are your summer plans? Work-55% Travel-16% Spend time at the beach-15% Take summer classes -8% Volunteer -2% Nothing special -2% Sleep-2% Visit old friends -0% See summer blockbusters -0% Other-0% �MAY 1, 2007 OPINION 7 Should NBC and other networks have focused on Cho? violence. What should have happened is this: In news accounts of the shooting, news organizations should have offered an What el se can I say about the tragedy that account of what happened but not focused occurred at Virginia Tech? I am sure I could too much on the killer. Instead, more go on and on about gun control laws and focus on the victims might help to prevent how good/bad they are but what will that copycat events. By showing the really accomplish in the long images of Cho holding guns run? and reading his manifesto, other However, I feel the need to people will see this and think, "I write about this topic because can be famous, too." something bothered me today The responsibility for determining what constitutes news generally News organizations need ask as I walked past the news themselves, "Why are we giving o·rganizations in New York City should fall to the trained gatekeepers at the news organizations, but too this to the public and what will on Saturday. They were still this do to the community?" talking about what happened. often it falls into the hands of the company's CEOs. Once this happens, these It is not that I expect to never organizations may earn ~he hear of this again. It is just a respect of the community question of where do audiences again and the news they report draw the line of what we need That package should not have been will be even more accurate. And yes, the regurgitate it to you, the audience . The ideal or want to know? The responsibility for determining what model should operate as one that has the given to every single news company in unwanted materials like the pictures of the constitutes news generally should fall community's best interests that guide such the world. It should have been examined gunman reading his manifesto will surface to the trained gatekeepers at the news choices. In general , news organizations need and given directly to the police involved in through the internet, but the number of organizations, but too often it falls into to more carefully screen news items and the ongoing investigation. Nothing in that people viewing the material will decrease the hands of the company's CEOs. This is check their prominence before presenting it package was necessary for the public to see. tremendously. News organizations need to However, the news organizations contended simply ask, "Ifwe put this out to the public, because the companies are still pursuing the to their audience. Take the package of information created that it did have relevance and importance what is going to happen?" act of scooping other news organizations and unfortunately it can 't be done by the shooter, Mr. Cho, that he mailed to for audiences wanting to better understand accurately. However the companies still NBC apparently between his first and last the madness that had spurred Cho to such BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor believe that this model equals big money, because to change the model successfully to a more community minded one, all news organizations must act together and in harmony. Currently all news organizations grab at whatever information is available and shootings. The package contained writings and disturbing video in which Cho made his case for how and why he felt compelled to visit such violence on the beautiful campus. At times during the video, Cho raves about the injustices visited upon him. At others, he brandishes weapons and looks menacing. --~ ---- --==~=----~_-_:_---_-__-_-_-_-____-.:::=======--------·-....- ....___ ~.:.:'..'.:::__ __4'. ~, The Angry Rant: Stupid People BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Let's face it: people are stupid. In a society that exists in a world of logic and reason, we are hard pressed to find much of either one. In other words, common sense isn 't that common. Case in point: I was at Wal-Mart at one in the morning a few weeks ago, and as I was walking in the main entrance I passed a young mother pushing her one-year-old son in the shopping cart. I'll let you think on that for a moment. It was after midnight, and this genius had her infant awake and at Wal-Mart. Not only that, but after she wheeled him out the front door, she started to light a cigarette not six inches from the child's head! Question: When they were accepting enrollments in "Good Parenting" classes, were you sick that day or were you too busy getting your current boyfriend's name tattooed on your neck? Not only that, but parents in general seem confounded by how to take care of their kids, especially the screaming and crying ones. Nothing is more annoying than when a screaming child is left to scream while the parent just stands there like nothing is going on. As far as the younger generation is concerned, how is it that 17- and 18-yearolds are allowed to parade around wearing virtually nothing? Do the parents who raised these kids have any ideas what their daughters or sons are wearing? I was at the librruy some time ago and saw two girls whose shorts began and ended somewhere around their waist. If that's not bad enough, these same girls have the audacity and gall to get defensive when comments are made about how they dress. Mind you, these are the same people who put provocative pictures of themselves on websites like MySpace and Facebook, and are somehow surprised when the emails from 35-year-old men start pouring in. "But I'm just expressing myself and my womanhood! I am not a whore!" That may be true, but as the great Dave Chappelle once said: "You ' re not a whore .. . but you're wearing a whore's uniform, and that is confusing." The lack of common sense isn't an affliction that we normal people own; it also affects celebrities. Case in point: Sheryl Crow. Ms. Crow is one of a recent slew of celebrities who have joined the cause to combat global wanning. Now I'm all for famous people using their star power to draw attention to a cause, and global warming is no exception, but what she is proposing might be one of the worst ideas in the history of bad ideas: One square. That's the idea. Just one square of toilet paper per bathroom visit. Really, l didn't make that up. Apparently, she feels that the excess waste of paper products can be cut down if, as a society, can ban together and use just one square per visit. Really? One square? I don't know about anyone else, but after l down a delicious meal that consists of surf and turf, I'm willing to bet that I'm going to be needing more than one square of toilet paper. Ok, time for the lighting round: GraphicbyKristynOstman Cell phones: People's habits concerning cell phones have become increasingly poor. If you're in a crowded waiting room, then perhaps you should tum your phone on vibrate so no one can hear "Baby Got Back" every time your phone rings. Bad drivers : When did tum signals become a thing of the past? Nothing is worse than when you ' re heading down the turnpike and some fool cuts in front of you without using any sort of signal. Self checkout: If you can't operate a computer, then you shouldn't be using the self checkout, what with all the fancy gizmos and servos. Poor grammar: Like, it's really annoying, when, like, people don't know how to like, speak, and everything, right? It's like, so bad when someone can't complete and entire sentence without, like, saying like, like, every other word. It like, drives me crazy. One more thing: People who are needlessly critical about eve1y little thing ... and irony. Have a great summer. �MAY 1, 2007 OPINION 8 Be every color that you are: a senior's farewell BY KRISTYN OSTMAN Beacon Opinion Editor It is a bittersweet fact that for many of us college is ending. Some have more schooling to look forward to. Others have jobs or prospects ... Then there are people like me. The proud, the few ... the absolutely terrified. It's not that I haven't any thoughts about my future; I have plenty and even a few possible jobs. The sad fact is that my only definite plans are to move back home and watch Spanish telenovelas until I am fluent. A lot of people tell me that it's okay. Everyone moves home and has that uneasy feeling in the pit of their stomachs. But it's cool, kiddo . You'll get a job soon enough and, ya' know, continue working for the next 40+ years. Okay, I get it that being nervous about my uncertain fate is nothing new. Everyone goes through that post-college malaise. Sadly, I have little advice for anyone other than to offer my understanding and a possible seat beside me during Corazon Salvaje. The most frustrating thing is that floating along the river of uncertainty is as much the learning experience as the past four years. I suppose that the only shred of advice I can offer is to be open to change. Whether it's changing your plans, your mind, or your clothes, just try to allow room for yourself to grow. As much as everyone has grown through the course of college, it never truly stops. If my first job turns out to be in an environment I don't like or not exactly what I want to do, I hope I have the courage to nior, was the issue of marriage. It seems like everyone I know is either engaged or planning on it soon. Recently, some divorce lawyers reported that the number one cause of divorce boils down to: "We got married too Courtesy of http://unet.ollusa.edu quit and go somewhere else. Lots of people get stuck in their comfort zones because random career changes make them feel like a flighty college student. Don 't worry about it. Go out and make sure you are who you want to be. Something else I thought was still a long way off, but that came up as I became a se- young." Please think about that before the wedding. Sure, I'm not one to talk, as the idea of getting married before the age of 27 makes me uncomfortable, to say the least. But this is the time people change and it's still okay. Give yourself the room to change and then make sure that the new you still fits with your other half. Sure, it sounds nice to say that we should all be willing to go out there and embrace our dreams. I know I must sound like a cheesy poster about grad school or going abroad, but it's the best advice that few people actually follow. We kind of get stuck in the daily routine of work, school, or in some cases unemployment. It happens. Try to not be satisfied with everything, strive for more, the majority of goals are not unattainable (I say "most" as I have finally come to terms with the fact that I will never be Mrs. Richard Dean Anderson.) My high school history teacher once said to us, this is the only country that guarantees you the right to try to be happy. Go forth and pursue happiness however you can and whatever that means . Without getting overly nostalgic, I would like to say that the past years have been fantastic. Even the really awful parts. At the same time, I'm ready to be done. Granted, I have no job and my parents still wait up for me even though I am approaching age 22. But at least I have a car and that puts me at slightly cooler than the 14-year olds I will be buying beer for as a side business. While it still saddens and frightens me that nothing seems stable or constant right now, I'm kind of glad for that. Sometimes things need to get shaken up so everything can fall into place. Ivy League no guarantee of success for college grads of the Emerson Electric, Inc. He's pursuing his MBA from Wilkes and is off to a tremendous start in a career that he seems set As the semester comes to an end, we all to excel in for many years. Coming out of ~ k forward to catching up with friends high school, Mike also considered attendfrom our hometowns and high schools. ing a number of While some of those friends schools with namay have also wound up at Wiltional prestige inkes, many others moved on to cluding Rochester, other colleges and universities, Johns Hopkins, each with its own unique profile Just because a school requires high SATs or sends tons of kids overseas to study isn 't a Lehigh and Laand mission. When we're catchguarantee that an alumnus will become a success in the working world. fayette. Yet after ing up with the old crowd, some attending Wilkes, of our friends will begin talking Mike is taking off about the schools they attend in his career and and the excellent level of educadoing just as well tion they are receiving there . as graduates from many of those other insuccess in the working world. In my research for this op-ed, I decided At the tail end of Christmas break, I caught .. The responses received lined up perfectly stitutions. up with an old friend of mine who's now in to question the people who are_ often at So when you get together with friends the forefront of promoting their schools' with my long-standing belief that a student her second year at the University of Rochescan excel at whatever school they choose-- and family and the topic of your education ter. One of the first things we discussed was images- admissions directors . I chose six be it a nationally-known scientific institute comes up, don't forget to give Wilkes a nod schools in Pennsylvania that are of similar that Rochester had recently been named one size to Wilkes, and e-mailed the admissions or a locally-based liberal arts school. As of endorsement. The oppo1tunity is here for of 25 "new Ivies" by Newsweek- schools directors at each institution, asking, "Do proof of my theory, I offer the case of my each ofus to follow a similar path to Mike's that receive strong consideration from apgood friend Mike Liberski. A 2004 graduate and succeed at whatever we intend to do, you believe a school's academic reputation plicants who normally look toward the Ivy and prestige leads to a better education for of Wilkes with a degree in mechanical en- just as it would be at nearly any other instiLeague schools. students?" While l only received two re- gineering, Mike is now employed by an in- tution of higher learning. During our conversation, I began to wonsponses, those gentlemen stressed that an ternational company with local roots, Interder how people at schools like that viewed individual can get a quality educational ex- Metro Industries, Incorporated., a division Wilkes and our academic programs. More BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Correspondent importantly, I wondered if graduates from a small, regional school like Wilkes would face a disadvantage if applying for jobs and other opportunities against applicants from a more nationally-known institution. perience at nearly any college or university- small or large, local or national in scale. Just because a school requires high SATs or sends tons of kids overseas to study isn't a guarantee that an alumnus will become a �FEATURES MAY Baja car Poli-palooza 1, 2007 10 11 9 Wilkes walks for a cure 24-hour Relay for Life event at Ralston Field brings students together From 5 p.m. on April 27 until 5 p.m. on April 28, Wilkes University held its first Relay for Life event at Ralston Field. Team members walked around the track in shifts to keep at least one participant from each team on the track at all times. Students and sponsors purchased luminaries in honor of relatives who have been affected by cancer. Some of the luminaries were placed around the track, and others were used to spell out "hope" on the bleachers around the field. Junior Blaine Madara, above right, read a poem to his aunt and grandmothet; who are both cancer survivors. Many teams stayed overnight, opting to pitch tents for shelter. Other team members stayed for a while after or before their allotted walking time, socializing with other teams, partaking in karaoke, listening to music, and playing soccer and whiffle ball on the adjacent soccer field. Photos:The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski �10 FEATURES MAY 1, 2007 Baj a team places in Florida competition Society ofAutomotive Engineers students build all-terrain car BY MEGAN KRISANDA Beacon Asst. Features Editor Four wheels and a team of dedicated engineering students from the Wilkes' Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) brought success home after a competition in Florida. At the University of Florida on April 13-16, 75 teams from all over the nation competed in designing and building 4-wheeled all-terrain Baja cars that were tested in a variety of events. Wilkes ' SAE placed 3rd in the Mud Bog competition and 30th in the overall competition. Acceleration, strength, water maneuverability, suspension and land maneuverability were among the criteria that were tested. Paul Benulis, team captain and sophomore mechanical engineering major, saw the competition as both exhilarating and challenging. "It was fun just watching the car competing because we worked so hard to get it there . Mud bog was tough. We watched a lot of cars get stuck when were we in line, but our car did great. When we received the trophy at the awards banquet on Sunday, I think we surprised a lot of people," he said. During the endurance race, the car had a close call after taking a turn too E N fast and hitting a tree. Luckily no one was hmt in the crash and the car was ~ u towed and fixed very quickly. "I hit the tree at top speed and I was fine . After it hit, the car spun around and slid about 20 feet down the track, but it's fun c0 u and would've been great to watch," said Benulis. ro Q) Benulis addsed that the team used a safety harness belt system, helmet, aJ Q) neck collar and wrist straps in order to prevent any injuries. ..r:: ..........,_._..........................~-"""'--..__, IMary Opalka, sophomore mechanical engineering major and Baja team member, was in charge of the cost and design reports that each team had to Wilkes students who are a part of the SAE organization travelled to Florida in April to comsubmit in order to gain points for the total score. She was surprised at the pete in the Baja car competition. The team placed 3rd in the Mud Bog competition and 30th in the overall competition. size of the competition. "The competition was so much bigger than I had expected; there were over 70 teams that attended, but it wasn't just them, they also brought spectators. One team had almost 20 members, most of whom were just there to watch. It was astounding," said Opalka. Opalka is the only female member of Wilkes Baja team, but noted that a team from Alabama was entirely female . There were opporunities to meet other teams in between technical inspections. "We met the most people through the borrowing and lending of tools. You had to bring all yours with you, but of course you forget something," said Opalka. Designing and crafting the vehicle to meet competition requirements was a long process but enjoyable, said Benulis. As captain, his responsibilities included purchasing parts, tools, safety gear and anything else needed throughout the year. "Specifically, I built body panels, floatation, water propulsion fenders and safety equipment mounts. I kept a close eye on the rules and design requirements to make sure what we were doing was right," said Benulis. Benulis added that the team learned a lot from the national competition. Members of the team learned they were able to successfully compete with the best schools!. Mr. Mitch Adams served as technical advisor and "helped out the students in every way," said Benulis. Both Benulis and Opalka are excited for next year's competition and are close to finishing the final design of the new vehicle. "We worked great together under pressure. All my expectations were exceeded at the competition and I am proud of our team and am proud to represent the Wilkes Engineering program," said Benulis. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Members of the Baja team continue to work on the car in a room near the machine shop in the basement of Stark Learning Center. Some members are also working with technical advisor Mitch Adams to design a car for next year's competition z �MAY 1, 2007 FEATURES 11 *NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME. 1NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. MAKING APURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO ENTER YOU MUST BE ALEGAL U.S. RESIDENT AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND YOU MUST HAVE AVALID DRIVER'S LICENSE. VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER OR WINAYARISONLINE.COM FOR COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SWEEPSTAKES RULES. �A&E MAY 1, 2007 12 CD Review Summer Movies Crossword This Week in History 13 14 15 15 Wilkes chorus joins forces with NEPA Philharmonic seem just as psyched about it as I am is absolutely priceless." Of course, Taber-Miller is not without After experiencing rock show benefits some apprehension about performing with for both SPAFapalooza and Get Loud for the Philharmonic. "Having the opportuLupus, students may find themselves in the nity to work and perform with Maestro mood for a different musical enjoyLoh is, well, exciting and somewhat ment experience. intimidating all at the same time. It is Luckily, Friday, May 4 and Saturday challenging to join so many individuMay 5 will offer an escape back to als together, especially because we all classical music as the Wilkes Universihave our various interpretations of the ty Chorus will be one of several choral piece, but that's half the fun. That's groups joining forces with the Norththe point of participating in an event eastern Pennsylvania Philhaimonic in like this- watching a bunch of people a perfonnance of Beethoven's Symcome together to perform an absophony No. 9. lutely tremendous piece and perform Wilkes University Chorus, as well it well," she said. as the College Misericordia Choral As the members of the Wilkes chorus Society, and the Bloomsburg Univerready themselves for a once in a lifesity Concert Choir, will have the optime performance opportunity, what portunity to sing this famous piece can their audience expect from such with the Northeastern Pennsylvania an interesting orchestral and choral Philharmonic and the Choral Society performance? Taber-Miller promised of Northeast Pennsylvania, thanks in "a lot of sound! There's a ton ofus up large part to the coordination efforts there, plus the NEPA Philharmonic." of Wilkes University's own Dr. Steven And Thomas concurred, Thomas. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski "Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is one Dr. T_homas, the Director of Choral The Wilkes University Chorus, seen here rehearsing with director Dr. Steven Thomas, will be of the great masterworks of westem Activities and th e Coo rd mator of Mu- performing with the NEPA Philharmonic, along with other area choirs this weekend. music. Hearing it live is an experience sic at Wilkes is also the Chorus Master not to be missed!" for this performance. As Chorus MasFriday's performance will be held at ter, Thomas is responsible for a variety cians hold dear. pects." However, the Wilkes singers have the Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, while of activities including recruiting the parCombine the performance of a we! I-loved been working on this piece since the be- Saturday's performance will occur at the ticipating choirs, organizing the rehearsal piece of music with the opportunity to ginning of the spring semester and Thomas Scranton Cultural Center. Both perforschedule and serving as a liaison between work with the Pennsylvania Philharmonic insisted they are "ready to put on a great mances will begin at 8:00 p.m. and ticket the singers and the perfo1mance's conduc- and the event takes on an even greater im- performance." prices range from $18-$55 dollars. Students tor Lawrence Loh, the Music Director of portance to the participants, both students Kaitlin Taber-Miller, a senior musical will receive a 50% discount. Tickets are the Philhannonic. According to Thomas, and faculty alike. As Thomas noted, "It is theatre major who serves as both manager available from the Philharmonic website at "Each of the participating choirs prepared a terrific and rare opportunity for college of the chorus and the president of the cho- www.nephaphil.org or from Philharmonic the work separately, and then I and Maestro singers to be able to perform with a pro- ral club, has her own reasons to be excited box office at 457-830 l. Interested parties Loh worked with the combined choirs to fessional orchestra of this caliber and I'm about the upcoming performance. "I've are encouraged to buy tickets early. Both create a unified conception of the piece." very happy to have been able to provide grown up listening to this piece," said shows are anticipated to sell out. More inThe performance includes the notable that experience for my students." And, as Taber-Miller, "and having the opportunity formation about the concert is available at work of Ludwig Van Beethoven's 9th can be expected with a performance of this to perform it with other individuals who http://www.nepaphil.org. BY SHANNON CURTIN Beacon Staff Writer symphony. Beethoven's No. 9 Symphony, dated 1824, was the composer's final complete symphony and composed when he was completely deaf. It has since become one of the best known pieces of classical music of all time, and one that many musi- magnitude there are undoubtedly multiple challenges as well as benefits. With respect to working with a professional orchestra Thomas acknowledged that the greatest challenge is "reaching the high artistic level that the Philharmonic ex- Schedule of Events Tuesday, May l - Jazz Orchestra Concert in the Darte Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2 - Tibetan Monk will be talking in SLC at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3 - Comic Book Club unveiling in the Old Bookstore at 11 a.m. Friday, May 4 - Northeaster PA Philharmonic at the Kirby Center ay 8 p.m. - Lewis and Clarke and Strand of Oaks performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8p.m. - Chorus Concert: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in the Kirby Center at 8p.m. Center at 1 p.m. - Urban Cowboy at the Kirby Center at 9p.m. - Slightly Askew, Aww James and Backflip Journeyman pe1forming at Cafe Metropolis at 8 p.m. - Chorus Concert: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in the Kirby Center at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5 - Flute Ensemble concert in the Darte Sunday, May 6 - Live to Laugh event at ArtsYouniverse at 2 p.m. - The Independents and the Von HoJTibles performing at Backstage Enterprises at 6 p.m. - The Slackers, the Phenomenauts and the Menzingers performing at Cafe Metropolis at 7 p.m. Monday, May 7 - Karaoke with Scott Stevens at Slainte �MAY 1, 2007 - - ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 CD Review: Bucky Covington BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Kellie Picklei;, Josh Gracin and Carrie Underwood have all enjoyed a great deal of success in the country music industry after stints on the FOX series American Idol. With his first full-length, self-titled album, it seems like Bucky Covington is trying to get a piece of that action as well. Covington's current single, "A Different World," has already experienced some radio airplay, as anyone purchasing the album can plainly see. And yes folks, in case there was any doubt, "He's the Bucky you've seen on national television!" Apparently there has been some past confusion, and media execs felt it necessary to inform potential buyers via the cover. Uttering the name "Bucky" amongst a group of friends usually causes at least a few snickers. And maybe he isn't the next Alan Jackson, but there are many people (including one editor) who actually enjoyed his Idol performances and are rooting for this album to be decent. The verdict? Overall, without really !is- tening to the lyrics, the songs are pretty catchy tune, its sentiment is quite strange. catchy and could easily hold their own on Covington basically waxes poetic about country radio. And Covington definitely the good old days, where pregnant mothhas a certain tone to his voice that lends . ers drank and smoked and kids didn't wear well to the style of today's country mu- seatbelts or bicycle helmets. That may sic. Unfortunately, explain why his though, he really parents named him seems to be prone Bucky. to cliches. And the cynics "American Friin this town who day Night," a song can't wait to break dedicated to the free probably Friday night footwon't appreciate "Hometown," in ball game, is laden with them. "I'll which the chorus Walk" is not much declares, "Lord, I better, as it dehope Heaven's a lot like my homescribes the plight of a girlfriend who town." Again, this decided to walk song also pays home after a fight homage to those The Beacon/N ick Zmijewski and ended up incliches of which jured and-surprisingly- unable to walk. Covington (or his songwriters) are so inAnd he really seems to be a fan of the credibly fond. Pledge of Allegiance, which is mentioned The most radio-worthy of the bunch might just be "Ain't No Thing" or "It's in at least two different songs. While "A Different World" is certainly a Good To Be Us." Both songs are fast and punchy and are lacking the feeling of forced sentiment some of the other songs have . Based on title alone, one would probably expect "The Bible and the Belt" to be, if not the worst, then at least the strangest song on the album. In actuality, it's one of best offerings Covington makes here, and is definitely worth a second listen. Even though plenty of the lyrics on this album are a bit corny, it's hard to ignore Covington's talent. In fact, it's his voice and authenticity on most songs that make up for the cliches sprinkled across the board. One has to hand it to Covington for finding his niche in the music industrf. Country is definitely the genre for him, and the grittiness that often shines through in his voice hints at some potential for future success, when he is better able to develop his personal style. Considering this is really his first attempt at defining himself musically, Covington could have done a lot worse. Grade: B- �14\ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MAY 1, 2007 Top 10 can't-miss summer 2007 movies BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer It's almost summertime! And we all know what that means: Fun, sun and huge box office blockbusters. Unfortunately, The Beacon won't be publishing again until September, so we can't tell you which films to see, which to skip, and which ones to wait until they come out on DVD. However, in order to help you make informed summer movie selections, here's a quick overview of this summer's can't miss flick picks. The Condemned- It's Most Dangerous meets Survivor as professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and a cast of other very large scary men, play a group of IO death row convicts forced to battle to the death on a remote island in front of a live audience viewing via the internet. Ten will fight. Nine will die. One will walk away a free man. (Our money is on the former heavyweight champ.) Spiderman Ill - Old Spidey is back and this time he faces his greatest challenge yet. As Peter Parker's (Toby Maguire) struggle to find a peaceful balance between his life as mild-mannered photojournalist and web-slinging superhero seems to be coming to an end, his world is turned upside down when he comes in contact a strange black substance from another world. While dealing with the substance's ability to bring out his dark side, Spiderman must face three new enemies: New Golin (James Franco), The Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and the long-awaited Venom (Topher Grace). 28 Weeks Later - Six months after the rage virus decimated England, the horrible disease and its victims have been all but eliminated from the face of the Earth. In an land, the U.S. m iiitary be- gins to bring civilians back to "safe" sectors of the island, while they mop up any problems outside the designated living areas. But, wouldn't you just know it, the virus still lives, and quicker than you can yell "Aim For The Brain!" the nightmare begins all over again. Pirates Of The Carribean: At World's us Benefit Show End - In an alliance formed at the conclusion of Dead Man's Chest, Will (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth (Keira Knightly) and Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) go in search of Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), attempting to rescue him from the diabolical, squid faced Davey Jones (Bill Nighy). Oceans 13 - Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his gang return to Las Vegas to pull yet another high-profile score. Working for their old nemesis, casino tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), the crew plans to take down a rival casino owner, played by Al Pacino. Hostel II -A group of young female college students backpacking through Europe are lured into a hostel by a mysterious young man, where they are promptly mutilated by sickos and sadists. Hey, that sounds a lot like the first Hostel! Live Free or Die Hard- Det. John Maclane (Bruce Willis) returns to take on a group of internet based terrorists who are attempting to destroy the computer and technological mainframe that supports the U.S. economy. Some people would attempt to discretely deal with a situation of this magnitude, but Maclane has his own brand of dealing with those who threaten our country: shooting people, jumping away from explosions in slow-motion and spouting one liners. AWESOME! Transformers - Giant robots from outer space bring their war to Earth. Based on the 1980s 1 television show, this o n e promises big budgets, big explosions, big robots and tons of computer generated mayhem. The Simpsons Movie - Besides a short 30-second teaser trailer, nothing is known about this long awaited jump from small screen to the theater for America's favorite animated family. The suspense is unbearable. The Bourne Ultimatum-As Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), the super-spy who can do anything except remember his own name, digs deeper into the Treadstone project, a government spy training program that may hold the secret to his identity, he finds himself the target of a deadly assassin (Edgar Ramirez). If the gun fights, fist fights and car chases of the first two installments of the series are any sort of indication for what number three has in store, this one should leave all espionage/adventure/action fans' heads spinning (and maybe bleeding). Photo courtesy of www.iwatchstuff.com 2 M E A M I& N A 13 A K y A L C E B E L OS s w N 71 T O D A Sound the Alarm, Enbloc and Last Conviction all performed at the Lupus Benefit show, Friday, April 27, where proceeds went to the Lupus Foundation. Answers 5.1 T A T N A �7 15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kudracross BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondent 1 5 8 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 28 31 33 36 38 39 41 43 44 45 47 48 50 52 53 55 59 62 63 66 67 68 ACROSS High plateau Mom's partner Having a likeness to something Electric current units Frosty Hospital workers Builder's fastener Not he Crew boats Ceramic square Fix up DNA sequence Squid secretion Cooking abbreviation Internet Annoyances Insecure Beer vessel Happy hour establishments By mouth 4840 square yards Completely Head towards Robert Frost, for example Prom transportation, for short X Appeals Spreads Abet Confucian principle Technique Certificate for graduation Preakness stakes, for example C2H6 H.S. exam Adam's son Playground equipment 69 70 71 72 73 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 21 23 25 26 27 29 30 32 33 34 35 37 40 42 46 49 50 51 54 56 MAY 1, 2007 Caustic substance Italian car At the present Crew necessity Italian volcano DOWN Large ray Postal service foe Overflow Unconscious Neglected Advil target Pigments Mannerisms Compel Wood for baseball bats Tennis unit Orbiting research facility, for short Bright sign "My country_ of thee" Throw Fortunetelling card Emulate Gretzky Egyptian gateway Large decorative vase Sacred song Large, heavy motorcycle Tenth letter of the Greek alphabet Intestinal bacteria Midas' undoing Wilkes to graduates Seventh letter for the Greek alpha bet False statement Miner's find Penny-pinching Peruvian currency "Nuevo _ _" Attack by airplanes with machinegun fire Imitates Behavior pattern 57 58 59 60 61 63 64 65 Arctic, for example Fourth letter of the Greek alpha-bet Actor _ _ Carvey Norway's largest city Yucatan Indian New York time (abbr.) Answers 4.23 II Concealed This Week In History BY MICHAEL GIONFRIDDO Beacon Correspondent Brought to you by the History Club. April 30 1945: Holed up in a bunker under his headquarters in Berlin, Adolf Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head. Soon after, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces, ending Hitler's dreams of a "1,000-year" Reich. Mayl 1898: At Manila Bay in the Philippines, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the first battle of the Spanish-American War. Nearly 400 Spanish sailors were killed and 10 Spanish warships wrecked or captured at the cost of only six Americans wounded. May2 1933: Although accounts of an aquatic beast living in Scotland's Loch Ness date back 1,500 years, the modem legend of the Loch Ness Monster is born when a sight- ing makes local news on May 2, 1933. The newspaper Inverness Courier related an account of a local couple who claimed to have seen "an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface." The story of the "monster" (a moniker chosen by the Courier editor) became a media phenomenon, with London newspapers sending correspondents to Scotland and a circus offering a 20,000 pound sterling reward for capture of the beast. May3 1952: A ski-modified U .S. Air Force C-47 piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph 0 . Fletcher of Oklahoma and Lieutenant Colonel William P. Benedict of California becomes the first aircraft to land on the North Pole. A moment later, Fletcher climbed out of the plane and walked to the exact geographic North Pole, probably the first person in history to do so. Oxford-educated chemist and lawyer was sworn in the day after the Conservatives won a 44-seat majority in general parliamentary elections. Mays 1821: Napoleon Bonaparte, the former French ruler who once ruled an empire that stretched across Europe, dies as a British prisoner on the remote island of Saint Helena in the southern Atlantic Ocean. May6 1937: The airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built and the pride of Nazi Germany, bursts into flames upon touching its mooring mast in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 passengers and crewmembers. Note: All information is provided by the History Channel and can be found at http://www.history.com/tdih.do May4 1979: Margaret Thatcher, leader of the Conservative Party, is sworn in as Britain's first female prime minister. The Picture courtesy www.lochnessaccommodation.co.uk. �SPORTS 16 Cumberland APARTMENTS -i; nl 1/1,d MAY 1 2007 ~ e, ~ 1/1,ew LIA.X. IA. v~ e,o 1/1,Stvw~t Lo 1/1, LVi, ll Vi, hLsto vLe, !ll 1/1,d VvLll vt bIA. LL dL1/1,g "- . ) - 48 Efficiency Apartments $475./mo.* , - 12 Efficiency Suites $675./mo.* *double occupancy add $150./mo. <ii) Ci> - Brand New - Kitchen on truction with appliij1ces - Full Bath with shower - Secure Entry - Elevator - Laundry - Wi-Fi Internet - Free Water, Sewer, Trash Cumberland Apartments 17 West Ross Street . Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-687-2220 www.cumberlandliving.com �MAY 1, 2007 SPORTS 17 Team addresses issue of public communication on Facebook BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor In February 2004, cyber communities were revolutionized by two Harvard sophomores, Mark Zuckerberg and Chris Hughes, who brought to life the world of Facebook. On April 19, 2007 Ashli Rentzel, a member of the Wilkes women's soccer team, was dismissed for marerial she posted on Face book. Eighty-five percent of college students have a Facebook profile, and nationwide the line between appropriate and inappropriate material has become blurred as employers, professors, coaches, and other authorities have acknowledged that they not only scan Facebook posts, but make judgments about the content they view. Should there be an ethical standard Wilkes athletes have to meet? Head women's soccer coach John Sumoski adopted the "no alcohol policy" for his team in spring 2005. But the "dry" policy was just the beginning for an overall public behavior standard set for women's soccer players, a team that has maintained the highest grade point average among athletic teams at Wilkes. During the fall 2006 season Sumoski sent an e-mail to his players recommending they delete any "questionable material" from their profiles. Questionable material included references to alcohol use and abuse, sexually explicit references, foul language and provocative photographs. The second e-mail was sent in January directed to specific individuals who had not yet complied with Sumoski's request. The third, and final e-mail, was sent in mid-April explaining that the material gave the team a bad name and was inappropriate. "I sent an e-mail in the fall and then I talked to the captains and said, 'I would like you to go on Facebook and MySpace and talk to the individuals who are in jeopardy of getting in trouble,"' said Sumoski. "I was concerned about any inappropriate stuff that could possibly give our team a bad name." On top of a dry season, members of the women's soccer team co-creates a team policy, collectively, at the beginning of each season. They are required to sign the contract in agreement. Attendance, study hours, drug use, and foul language are among the issues addressed in the team team policies. As well, they have a team vision, "to be a cohesive, emotionally intelligent, and nationally ranked NCAA Division III women's soccer program." "On our team we believe in accountability, not just in athletics. Each player is held responsible and told upfront the team policy that we developed as a team," said team captain Briana Bertoni. "We developed our policy as a team, every part, even the consequences. We agree to these standards to make us a better team." It should be understood that Rentzel was not excused from the team because of Facebook alone. There were compounding variables that led to her dismissal. Rentzel 's exit took place just three days before the team's spring game day causing mixed emotions among players. Sophomore Lauren Cirilli commented, "I was upset and shocked and don't understand why it was done. I didn't comply [with] or meet some of the deadlines." Regardless of the exact reason for Rentzel leaving the team the issue of information an athlete has on Facebook continues to be a struggle between player and coach. Athletes walk a fine line as key figures representing the university. Prospective athletes who check team rosters and then search players' names on Facebook and MySpace are not the only ones searching. "There are employers out there hiring D 1 and D3 athletes and [they] now have the ability to go on to cyber communities and google someone's name and an array of information comes forward. Everyone needs to be forewarned, not just student athletes," said Addy Malatesta, Director of Athletics. Malatesta added that Wilkes athletes have an obligation to their teammates who do not support this particular behavior or do not want to be represented in such a way. "Taking that negative representation and expanding it creates dissension on teams. When it goes public you have an obligation to NCAA, future employers, alums, teammates, and the institution," she said. Wilkes athletics representatives and members of the Student Life and Media (SLAM) committee are working together to r~iew the guidelines for student conduct and address the issue of policy on cyber communities. "This is part of college life, but it does have effects in the long run," Rentzel said. "I learned my lesson." Changes in store for Wilkes football schedule BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer As fans of the Wilkes University football program begin discussing the team's outlook for the 2007 season, they may be quite surprised at the slate of opponents that are set to challenge the Colonels as they set out to repeat as Middle Atlantic Conference champions and make their third straight trip to the NCAA playoffs. Due to the off season exit of Juniata College, Moravian College and Susquehanna University from the MAC, each of the 8 teams left in the league needed to schedule 3 non-conference games to start their season. Wilkes will open their season with 3 non-conference games, all at home, against teams from the New Jersey Athletic Conference- William Paterson, Montclair State and Rowan. Following the Rowan game, the Colonels will enjoy a bye week before traveling to Lebanon Valley to begin competition against each of the 7 other MAC football programs. Entering his 12th season at the helm of the Colonels, head coach Frank Sheptock views the new schedule as an excellent opportunity to continue to build Wilkes football on a regional and national scale. "As our program continues to develop, we look to challenge our players to rise to those expectations," Sheptock said of the quality of opponents on this year's schedule. "New The Beacon/Todd Weibel Al Karaffa runs downs the field last season, but changes in the schedule will change what teams he and the rest of the team will face in the fall. Jersey is a prime recruiting ground for us, season-ending spot in week 10. The Colo- regular season finale. 'Tm good friends and the ability to play more teams from that nels will also be tested late in the season as with a lot of those guys- many ofus started area will be of great benefit to us in recruit- they close out their schedule against Dela- to play more last year, and I'll look forward ing." ware Valley and Widener, who have each to our game against them," Signora says of the match up with Widener. Wilkes fans who have followed the team been highly successful in recent seasons. While the road to defending the conferduring the past several years will see two When asked, many Wilkes players are familiar names a bit earlier in the schedule looking forward to this year's schedule. "A ence championship and returning to the this season. The Colonels have been elimi- rivalry is still a rivalry, no matter when it's NCAA playoffs will be more challenging nated from the NCAA playoffs each of the played," offensive lineman Mark Liberski this season, Wilkes players and coaches bepast two seasons by Rowan University, one said of the Mayor's Cup game. "The inten- lieve they are up to the challenge. And with six home games on the slate for 2007, the of the nation's premiere programs at the Di- sity will defiantly still be there." vision III level. This season, Rowan joins Other players are also looking forward to schedule also offers an outstanding opporthe schedule in week 3 as a non-conference the later weeks of the schedule. Fullback tunity for fans to catch some great action opponent. In addition, the annual Mayor's Paul Signora has numerous classmates from at Ralston Field. So make sure to swing by Cup game between Wilkes and rival King's high school who are playing for Widener, and catch a game at Ralston- you certainly College moves to week 7 from its normal and is exited to match up with them in the won't be disappointed. �- ~ - -- ·----- - -~--~ -~ ~ . - SPORTS 18 MAY 1, 2007 Commentary GAME OF TH E WEEK New York Mets v. Arizona Diamondbacks 1 National League hopefuls square off in the West Double Take BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The New York Mets have their work cut out for them this season. Coming off a season in which they were 97-65 and the heavy favorites to win the National League pennant, the Metropolitans have come into the current season with similar hopes. Those hopes were dashed, however, as the NL East rival Atlanta Braves have proven to be a tougher opponent than originally thought, and subsequently have risen to the top of the division. Things are only going to get more difficult for the Mets, however, as the young Florida Marlins and resurgent Philadelphia Phillies are making runs toward the top. One of the biggest liabilities for the Mets this season has been pitching, as their top gun, Pedro Martinez, will be sidelined for most of the first part of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. That leaves the brunt of the responsibility on Tom Glavine, the 41-year old veteran, to lead the pitching staff throughout the season. Glavine is backed by veteran Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, as well as youngsters John Maine and Oliver Perez. Maine has been stellar so far in this young season, going 3-0 with an ERA of 1.71. 1 erez, on the other hand, has been good, but not great, posting a 2-2 record with and ERA of 3.86. The biggest problem of Perez this season has been his inability to locate 01nmono BACHSoM the plate, often walking several batters a game. On the other side of the ball, the Mets have much less to worry about, as their offense is one of the most dynamic on all of baseball. One of the reasons for that, of course, is leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, considered by most to be the most exciting player in the game. In 21 games, Reyes has 5 triples and 13 stolen bases, both tops in the National League. The middle of the lineup is home to Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and David Wright, one of the best 3-4-5 tandems in baseball. One of the biggest surprises for the Mets this year is the offensive contribution of 40year old Moises Alou, an off-season pickup to fill a void in the outfield. Alou is leading the team in batting average with .397, and is contributing with 2 homeruns and 11 RBIs . The Mets are certainly going to need their offense as they head to Arizona for a four game senes. The Diamondbacks, considered early contenders to win the NL West, have not lived up to the expectations, as they are currently third in their division. A main reason for their success is a strong pitching staff that includes 2006 Cy Young winner Brandon Webb and multiple Cy Young winner and veteran pitcher Randy Johnson. Johnson, acquired in a trade from the New York Yankees, struggled in his first start this season, giving up six earned runs in five innings of work. Webb has faired much better, going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 34 strikeouts in five starts this season. The pitching of the D'Backs is solid, with veterans Doug Davis (2-2, 2.79) and Livan Hernandez (2-1 , 3.94) rounding out the rotation, but their real talent lies in their young offense. They are led by the offensive catalyst Eric Byrnes, whose bl end of power and speed makes him a great addition to an offense. Along with Byrnes, the infi eld duo of Orlando Hudson and Stephen Drew combine to form a great offensive and defensive combo for the club. Steph examines the stats that truly matter. .. BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor Offensively, the Diamondbacks don't win games with their power numbers, but more with speed and timely hitting, both of which they will need in taking on the power heavy New York Mets. Arizona's strength lies in its pitching staff, but don't count out the young offense, who can do a lot to disrupt opposing pitchers. The Pick: Game 1: New York 4, Arizona 2 Game 2: Arizona 9, New York 3 Game 3: Arizona 3, New York 0 Game 4: New York 8, Arizona 7 Probable Starters (as of 4/29) 5/03 Tom Glavine (3-1, 2.80 ERA) VS Edgar Gonzalez (1-2, 4.45 ERA) 5/04 John Maine (3-0, 1.71) vs Randy Johnson (0-1, 10.80 ERA) 5/05 Orlando Hernandez (2-1, 2.53 ERA) VS Brandon Webb (1-1, 3.60 Ji:RA) 5/06 Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.90 ERA) vs Livan Hernandez (2-1 , 3.94 ERA) I really don't understand how they name baseball teams. Ordinarily, I couldn't care less about the inner-workings of"baseball society" or whatever you want to call it. But when I have to analyze the Game of the Week using my spectacular problemsolving skills, these inner-workings directly affect my life. Ok, so I get where they got the Diamondbacks from-it's Arizona and there are snakes there I guess. But the New York Mets? What the heck is that about? Don't get me wrong, I love New York, but I'm thoroughly irritated by their choice of team name in this instance. So, for the purposes of this, my last Double Take, I am going to rename the Mets the Loch Ness Monsters and the Diamondbacks will be the Sasquatches. How could I possibly pit two amazingly fascinating creatures against one another and expect one of them to win, you ask? Well, I admit it won't be easy, but we're going to try. While the Sasquatches would have the on-land advantage, with the added benefit of being able to see over trees and stuff, I think the Loch Ness Monsters might end up taking it all in this case. Think about it-they have the opportunity to escape into the deep, murky waters and emerge when they so choose. And come on, the Sasquatches aren't going to be able to swim that fast, what with all that fur weighing them down. It pains me to have to choose between these two ma~Jous mystical (and real) creatures, but I think the Loch Ness Monsters are going to win. So that means I think the Mets will win. But if they don't at least their competitors (the Sasquatches) are a worthy match. �MAY 19 \ SPORTS 1, 2007 SOFTBALL from PAGE 20 will we get them in? Because in the playoffs every team goes up a notch so you have to take advantage of everything that you can possibly get," said Matthews. As the second seed in the playoffs, the Lady Colonels will maintain home field advantage until the championship round which could be a repeat of last season as the Lady Monarchs stand atop of the conference with an 11-1 record. The Lady Colonels finished with a solid 9-1 record at home this season making it tough on opponents to snatch a win in their backyard. If the Lady Colonels sweep Drew University in their last contest, they will be at home against FDU in the first round this Friday. Now is the time for the players to put on their hard hats, because it's time for battle with the seniors leading the pack. "As a senior, my ultimate goal is to win another championship; however, for now I just take it one game at a time," said Agresti. It's playoff time, softball fans , and the Lady Colonels are back again for another date with the Freedom Conference Playoffs. The playoffs will begin Friday at 11 AM, and Saturday at 9AM at Ralston Field. The Beacon/Todd Weibel A Wilkes baseball player slides safely into second base in a game against Scranton .. The Colonels won the games 8-2 and 15-4 to advance to the Freedom Conference Championships, which begin on Saturday. WEEKEND RECAPS . The Wilkes University golf team sits in sixth-place after the opening 27 holes of the 54hole Freedom Conference Championship being held at Shawnee-on-the-Delaware Golf Club. The Colonels finished the day with a team score of 507. Scranton holds the lead after the opening day with a team score of 473. FDU-Florham is just one stroke behind at 474, while King's is third with a 492. Men's Tennis The Wilkes University men's tennis team saw their season come to a close on Saturday as all of their players were eliminated from the MASCAC Individual Championships being hosted at the Ralston Complex and Kirby Park. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Wilkes senior Laurie Agresti is 30 strikeouts shy of becoming the fifth player in Division III history to reach the 1000 strikeout mark. "She is one of the best D-3 pitchers in the area and probably one of the best D-3 players in the country and she is on a level all by herself," said softball head coach Frank Matthews. ' 23 The combined number ofruns scored by the Colonels' baseball team in the twin bill against Scranton. Wilkes University needed just one win during Saturday's Freedom Conference baseball doubleheader against the University of Scranton to clinch a conference playoff berth. Instead, the Colonels won both ends of the twinbill by scores of 8-2 and 15-4. The two wins improved Wilkes to 20-10 overall and 10-8 in the conference and secured the number-four seed for the upcoming playoffs that will be held from May 4-6 in Quakertown. Scranton saw their records fall to 12-22 overall and 5-11 in the conference. NuMBERS OF THE WEEK -; 6 Place that the golf team was in after the.first 27 holes ofthe championships. 970 Number ofstrikeouts for senior softball pitcher, Laurie Agresti as the team heads into the playoffs. 8 Total wins for the mens tennis team this season before they were eliminated in the playoffs. ~ �SQgrts 0 20 Preview of the Week: Freedom Conference playoffs Lady Colonels softball back for another playoff run BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor When there are no more regular season games remaining on the schedule, you know what time it is. Some teams experience the excitement of advancing to the postseason, but for others, it's time to clean out the lockers. It's playoff time, ladies and gentleman, and now it's all about having the heart to separate the wheat from the chaff. As for the 2ndseeded Lady Colonels softball team, this Friday marks the beginning of the postseason. Tighten your seatbelts, because it's going to be a wild ride as the Lady Colonels look to become Freedom Conference champions for a second consecutive season. In the Lady Colonels playoff run last year, they swept through Lycoming in the first round beating the Lady Warriors 3-0. Freshman Samantha Evanich, also known as last season's playoff MVP, led the way for the Lady Colonels with solid allowing only four hits from 25 batters. Evanich also posted 7 K's on the team's way to face cross town rival King's College in the secor:-d round. As teams advance, the games are supposed to get tougher. But for the Lady Colonels last year, that wasn't the case. Wilkes smacked the lady Monarchs 7-1 at Ralston Field to secure a spot in the championship round. Centerfielder Nadine Taylor led the team piling up 2 RBIs on 3 hits, and also managed to step on home base twice for the Lady Colonels. Laurie Agresti led Wilkes on the mound with a monstrous 11 strikeouts, and frustrated a determined Lady Monarch team by giving up only 3 hits throughout the entire seven innings. After taking a beating from the Lady Colonels, King's regained its composure and won a 6-3 matchup with FDU just to lose it again in the championship round against the Lady Colonels. The reigning champs came out victorious by a small margin beating the Lady Monarchs 4-3. Head Coach Frank Matthews led his troops to the promised land last season, and afterward received Freedom Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts. Matthews will look to coach the Lady Colonels to another championship, and would truly cherish holding up that championship trophy, but he realizes that winning involves having an effective strategy. "We have to maintain our pitching, because we have been getting excellent pitching, and our defense has been playing well. The key to the playoffs is going to be when we get runners in scoring position, See BASEBAIL page 19 The Beaconffodd Weibel Last season's Freedom Conference Tournament MVP Samantha Evanich will look to help guide her team to another championhip. campus calendar, *Women's softball Freedom Conference Championships, Ralston Field - 11:00 AM *Alumni Event, RiverCrest Golf Club - 6:00 Tuesday 5/1 *Men's baseball vs. PSU PM *Chon1s Concert, Kirby Berks - 2:00 PM Center for the Perform*2007 Pennsylvania Partners m the Arts ing Arts - 8:00 PM Grant Program, HSC Saturday 5/5 Ballroom - 6:00 PM *Jazz Orchestra Con- *Finals *Women's softball Freecert, DDD - 7:30 PM dom Conference Championships, Ralston Field Wednesday 5/2 *Tibetan Monk speaker, - 9:00AM *Flute Ensemble ConSLC - 7:00 PM cert, DDD - 1:00 PM *Chorus Concert, ScranThursday 5/3 ton Cultural Center *No events scheduled 8:00 PM Friday 5/4 Sunday 5/6 *Finals All Week: *Wilkes University Factftty Exhibition, Sordoni Art Gallery *Finals Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH Monday 5/7 *Finals Tuesday 5/8 *Finals Wednesday 5/9 *Finals Thursday 5/10 *Finals Friday 5/11 *Little Women: The Musical, DDD - 7:00 AM Saturday 5/12 *2007 AcademicAwards Ceremony, HSC Ballroom - 6:00 PM *Parlor Games, DDD 8:00 PM This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" JlS the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming WILKES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD Board. - Congratulations to Pat Nardone who correctly identified last week's photo which was of a plaque outside of Stark closest to Evan Hall. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 May 1st Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 May 1 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f89f28370864656ecd947b4da3266c4c.pdf 0d300cf394237325168aa5224e81672d PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 In This Issue... Pepsi v. Coke www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 60 Issue 1 Investigation yields departure of Wilkes Financial Aid Specialist BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-Chief ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor page 7 Third Time’s a Charm... Hopefully page 20 Spotlight: Wilkes Students Bands page 12 Inside News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 On August 27, The Beacon questioned Wilkes University officials about allegations regarding the previous employment of Leo J. Danylak, Wilkes University Financial Aid Specialist, who came to work at the university in November 2006. The allegations were unrelated to his performance in his role at at Wilkes. Two days later, The Beacon learned that Danylak would not be returning to the employ of Wilkes University. Danylak, who was previously employed by Marywood University for nearly 30 years, the last last six years of which as the Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer, denied the allegations prior to his departure. “I heard these allegations, and I was very much surprised by them… I can certainly tell you, they are not true.” said Danylak. Because of confidentiality issues at both universities, sources could not and would not confirm the allegations on the record. When asked if he was previously aware of any allegations regarding Danylak, Mike Frantz, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Communications at Wilkes University stated, “Absolutely not.” He added that it is the administration’s obligation to investigate any allegations that concern the well being of Wilkes University students. “Everybody’s entitled to a full and fair investigation,” said Frantz. “If the allegations turn out to be unfounded, obviously there would be no impact. If the investigation turns up any issues of impropriety, for instance in the application process, that could lead to any number of disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment.” Danylak’s departure from Wilkes was “a result of [administration] listening very carefully to… questions and conducting our own internal investigation,” said Frantz. When The Beacon contacted Danylak for The Beacon/Cara Koster Wilkes officials are currently searching for a Financial Aid Specialist after Leo Danylak left the position August 29. The Financial Aid Office is located in the University Center on Main. comment, after learning of his departure from Wilkes, he said he was “very surprised the student newspaper would be interested in this… That’s an issue between the employee and the employer.” “People come to jobs and people leave jobs. It’s part of life.” said Danylak. “I left Marywood twice in my career. I left in 1999. I took a leave, and I left in August for personal reasons…. And I left Marywood. I was not terminated by Marywood, and HR cannot confirm or deny that.” When The Beacon attempted to contact several offices at Marywood University, including Human resources, Security, the President’s office, and members of the Board of Trustees, all calls were deferred to the Public Relations office. Representatives in the PR office at Marywood University stated that Danylak resigned from the institution on “good terms.” As Financial Aid Specialist for Wilkes University, Danylak helped to manage over $20 million in financial aid funds. Maggie Lund, Vice President for Human Re- sources and Organizational Development, told The Beacon that the application process is the best defense an institution has to protect itself. Administration cannot share information regarding any employee with any other person or organization. When asked how an administration could possibly investigate allegations regarding a previous employer of a prospective employee, and obtain information regarding their record, Lund answered, “I don’t know that you would.” “We do a background check,” said Lund. “And the background check is done as a condition of employment and the candidate has to sign a complete release form saying ‘I am allowing you to do this.’” The background check goes back seven years, is a two county search and includes the county of residence of the prospective employee. However, a prospective employer can only learn what a previous employer is willing and legally bound to share. See DEPARTURE page 3 �NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 2 Computer Woes Departure Masters of Fine Arts 3 3 4 Search planned for educator to lead law school development BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor Wilkes University plans to create a search committee to hire a legal educator, moving the university one step closer toward the establishment of a law school, said Dr. Reynold Verret, Wilkes University’s Provost. “We are now in the process of recruiting the leader to actually put together a plan and the program for this new law school.” said Verret. A search committee made up of a chair, members of the Board of Trustees, alumni and members of the local Bar Association, will endeavor to find the person who may lead the University to the creation of a law school. Verret added that an academic search firm would aid in the search for the legal educator. The educator will be vital in the creation of the law school right through the accreditation process which is handled by the American Bar Association (ABA). “Essentially the accreditation goes through the American Bar Association. Standards looked at include the number of faculty, the ratio of faculty to student, the library facilities, the LSAT scores of the class, whether the students are competitive, whether the studies say that there is a market where these students will be employable.” said Verret. He also added that the key element in accreditation is the school’s curriculum. The point at which the law school’s first class takes their seats determines when the school will receive accreditation. The ABA’s rules and regulations dictate that, “A law school is granted full approval if it establishes that it is in full compliance with the Standards and it has been provision- ally approved for not fewer than two years.” The ABA also requires a law school to be headed by a full-time dean that in most cases is a tenured member of the faculty. Verret said that the first students could attend class in 2009, but he added that it might take another year pushing the start date to 2010. According to the American Bar Association, Wilkes Univesity’s law school will be in competition with 196 other accredited institutions. Verret does not believe that the Wilkes community should worry though. “I think the admissions will be competitive not unlike our admissions to the pharmacy programs.” Verret said that it is still undecided whether current Wilkes students will receive preferential treatment during the admissions process, but he said that some students in the law school could certainly be Wilkes alumni. Verret estimates the first class would be comprised of no more than 80 students. As for the law school’s location, Verret dispelled rumors that the law school would be housed in the Max Roth Center. He acknowledged, “We have not made a commitment as to where the law school will be.” Wilkes University President, Dr. Tim Gilmour said that the law school would benefit the Wilkes community in many ways. “First it will add a significant professional education program to Wilkes’ array of programs and help us reach our enrollment growth goals in graduate and continuing studies. Second, it will enhance Wilkes prestige and over time develop an alumni base that will serve as a powerful advocate for Wilkes. And finally, it will continue our tradition of offering higher educa(BELOW) Students were able to sign up for various clubs and organizations at Wilkes University’s annual Club Day held on September 6, 2007. The Beacon/ Andrew Seaman tion programs Northeastern Pennsylvania needs to develop as a region.” (RIGHT) The Max Roth Center, located on the corner opposite the Farley Library, is under renovation but is not committed as the location of the new law school. The Beacon/ Jenna Stephens BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Andee Scarantino Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com Managin Editor: Nick Podolak Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Andrew Seaman Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Mark Congdon Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Lifestyles Editor: Alison Woody Email: beacon.lifestyles@gmail.com A&E Editor: Marissa Phillips Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Carlton Holmes Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Cara Koster Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 3 New location of computers signals shift in IT services BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Asst. News Editor Over the summer the Information Technology Services (IT) donated 33 of the 40 old computers from Breiseth 006 to Wilkes University’s Upward Bound program. Administrators of Upward Bound decided to utilize the donation by giving the computers directly to their students. Peggy Espada, Director of Upward Bound, said that the majority of the computers were going to be taken by UB students who recently graduated from both high school and the program and were headed off to college. Following their reconfiguration, students who had never before experienced having a computer in the comfort of their own homes, would indeed depart campus with the goal of setting them up in their dorms or bedrooms. The donation is just one more example of the sea change in technology that Wilkes has experienced in the past 18 months or so. Within the past year, 1150 new Apple computers have replaced the old, clunky Dells across campus. Approximately 220 of them are strictly for student use. “We switched over to these new Apple systems that have an Intel chip in them and they can run both Windows and Macintosh LS,” said Mike Salem, Chief Information Officer of IT. Having both systems on one computer allows the user to choose which platform they’re more comfortable with. Along with new student computers, all of the offices and also some classrooms were enhanced. “We upgraded a couple locations to one touch control systems so that it’s easier for faculty to set up their computers and save time,” Salem said. The new systems include computers, projectors, Smart Boards and also a couple of podiums. “I’m sure there will be times when professors will become frustrated with the equipment because they may not know exactly how to use it... But IT has made a reasonable effort to try to bring people up to speed on them,” Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services said. IT is offering training to students, faculty, and staff if there is confusion regarding any of the new equipment. Along with a directions on the new Wilkes portal, IT will also provide additional training for anyone who may require more assistance. While the computers on campus are new, their locations have also gone through some changes. Since Breiseth 006 is no longer being used as a 24-hour a computer lab, the new machines have been spread out across campus. Even though all of the computers have been replaced in the library and classrooms like Breiseth 105 and 108 and also in department labs, these rooms are not considered to be open access. The only remaining 24-hour open access labs on campus at the moment are Stark’s lobby and Breiseth 210. While Breiseth’s new miniature lab is comfortable and complete, Stark’s is still missing a few necessities; chairs that are high enough to reach the desk, for example. “The stools got ordered late in the summer and there was unfortunately a back order on that product. They’ll hopefully be in [soon],” Bailey explained. The lack of furniture in Stark isn’t the only concern about the new computer labs. “The basement Breiseth lab was convenient - people could meet for group work, and there were still numerous open computers for everyone else. Now, a group might conquer one of the new smaller labs and others will have to relocate. And when it’s colder, this could be really inconvenient... One bigger lab might still be the better option,” said Samantha Bartolomei, sophomore English major. In addition to the issue of lab location and the use of overturned tables and chairs for seating, there is also one more thing that may pose a problem in the future. According to Salem, despite the high number of new computers, the university is ten computers short of the total number on campus last year. Bailey remains optimistic about the loss. “The fact that we’re missing computers probably won’t have a major impact due to the fact that most students are coming to campus with their own machines... There are certain times of the year when students may have an issue with finding an open public machine, but I think that was the case years before and I think a lot of campuses have that same challenge.” “We’ll just have to wait and see,” Salem added. It’ll be another three years until the computers on campus now will be replaced, but there’s still more in The Beacon/Jenna Stephens store for the advancement of Wilkes’ tech- Students sit on tables in the Stark Lobby while they use the new nology. The MyWil- computers and await proper seating, which is back ordered. kes Web Portal is up and running and will now act as the new computers they’re seated at, but also the project for the IT department as they work main website they’re using the computers to get everyone used to not only the new to access. ' Ell IN S- URE . DEPARTURE from FRONT PAGE Lund also said that while Pennsylvania is an “at-will” state, and an employer or employee may terminate employment at any time with or without cause, any departure from the university must run through Human Resources. Lund added that Wilkes University takes departures very seriously, especially termination. When a person is terminated, if it is without cause, despite Pennsylvania’s “at-will” status, the person can seek legal action against the university. A good example of this would a person in a “protected age group,” meaning a person over forty years of age. According to Wilkes University officials, the investigation regarding the allegations against Danylak is closed. “As far as I am concerned, and Wilkes University is concerned, it’s over,” said Frantz. r mu ER s .RB.I. BEVE .· Im! ·. BEEN PiRINllNB EMBROm ·.Y PIil . Dffllll . A'L, T 1 ~ . · ,...,.,,. M �SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 NEWS 4 Wilkes receives approval for MFA in creative writing BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Asst. News Editor In 2005, Wilkes University began a graduate program for a Masters of Arts in creative writing. Two classes have graduated since and from those classes came published short stories, articles, and even books from Jim Warner, Marlon James, Donora Hillard. According to Dr. Bonnie Culver, Director of Graduate Programs in Creative Writing, due to the proven success of the MA program, the State of Pennsylvania granted full approval this summer for the new Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing at Wilkes University. “The MFA is considered a terminal degree equivalent to a PhD in writing programs or in arts programs,” Culver explained. It’s considered to be the final degree in areas in fine arts such as dancing, sculpting, writing, or theatre. The new program will prepare graduate students to either pursue a career in teaching or work in publishing. Before applying for admission into the MFA program, students need to complete thirty credit hours for the MA. “In the first thirty hours, they study the life, business, and craft of writing. We include editors and agents in all of our on-campus activities. We actually make the students talk to them as they would approach them in a business way,” said Culver. While still in the MA progam, students also need to pick a concentration area which is similar to a picking a major for a Bachelor’s degree. Concentrations offered include poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, play writing, and screenwriting. “We’re one of the few in the country that do that,” Culver noted. If accepted into the MFA, the students attend one more year worth eighteen credits. All together, the MA and MFA can be completed in two and a half years with five residencies and five online semesters. The first semester of the MFA is a literature semester and the second consists of either a publishing internship with publishers, agents, and editors or an arts and education internship which includes adjuncting at a college level, working in a high school, or working in a library. Though many schools offer a Masters of Arts in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, there are very few that offer the MA in Creative Writing nationally. Because of the new program, Wilkes already stood out to aspiring writers from 22 different states and the MFA Courtesy Creative Writing Office brings in many more qualities that The second class of the Masters of Fine Arts program graduated on Sunday, September 9. First row: make the program Aleksander Djordjevic, Lauren Kwaitkowski, Sarah Traver, Stephen Wignot, Gary Frisch, Colin Gaunique. bler, Nancy Slowikowski, Laurie Moyer. Second row: Nicole DePolo, Erin Delaney, Cindy Taren, Albert “The neat thing Difilippantonio, Judy Shandler. Wignot and DePolo will return to Wilkes for their MFA (missing: David about the program Blum) is that you don’t have to have your undergraduate degree on-one relationships between students and meeting with the director and in the audience are producers and at least one agent in English or Creative Writing. The admis- faculty mentors. “All of them are working writers, not aca- there to hear it and respond to them.” sion to the program is based on the writing Screenwriters also go through a simisamples you provide,” Nicole DePolo said. demics,” Culver explained. “It brings about DePolo, who has already had a short story a very different way to look at literature. lar process. For those in the fiction, crepublished and is currently working on a They have to turn in what they’re working ative nonfiction, and poetry areas, the capstone is not unlike a book signing. A novel through the program, graduated with on each year.” A total of eleven books are scheduled to twenty minute reading of their work is her Masters of Arts in Creative Writing on Sunday and expects to attain her MFA in come out between both faculty and students followed by a question and answer period. this coming year. June of 2008. Jim Warner, the Assistant Director of Finally, the capstone for the MA that leads A writing related undergraduate degree is not necessary because both the MA and into the MFA makes the program stand out the Creative Writing Programs and authe MFA are “not English degrees,” Culver among the rest. “Our capstones are thesis thor of an upcoming collection of poetry stressed. “It’s [about] learning how to be a projects. They actually have to go through entitled Too Bad It’s Poetry, graduated professional writer.” the experience of what it would be like in with his MA in 2006 and plans to start The department’s faculty also add some their area. For example, if they are play- his MFA work in January of 2008. “For me, the most important part is the individuality to the program. The program writing, they get a play read in New York… places a high level of importance on one- They go to New York and hear it read after sense of community that’s established. Bringing the [low residency] program to campus twice a year gives the program some soul… You spend six months interfacing with email and discussion boards and any kind of writing that you do is a lonely process. It’s just you and your work at the end of the day… To have the ability to come here and talk to people about writing who understand that and all the distractions that go with it - you don’t get that from day to day.” He added, “Coming to a program like this is emotional.” There are currently 92 active students in both the MA and the MFA. Listen to The Beacon online ... �NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 5 Beacon News Briefs Local (Kirby Park) Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault that happened on Tuesday August 28, 2007, in the afternoon at Kirby Park near the tennis courts. The victim was a King’s College student who was jogging in the park at approximately 4:30 p.m. Following the report, Wilkes University officials posted fliers around campus urging students to be cautious and walk in groups. In addition, Wilkes activated its emergency notification system sending cell phone text messages to those who had signed up for the service. The assault Courtesy of Marketing Communications is one of several in the Wilkes-Barre in Former Mexican President Vincente Fox the past two months and police continue to search for the man fitting the victim’s (Wilkes University) Wilkes University description in this case. announced that former Mexican president, Vincente Fox, will be the guest (Wilkes University) Fifty-four people speaker at the Outstanding Leaders Forecieved citations for underage drink- rum. Fox, who will speak about “Bringing on Friday, September 7, 2006. The ing the New Economy to Latin Amerbusts were managed by the Wilkes- ica” will be at the F.M. Kirby Center Barre Police Department’s Underage on November 5, 2007. Tickets for the Drinking Deterrence Patrol. The patrol event are $25 and can be purchased at spotted several people walking around the F.M. Kirby Center Box Office or with open beverage countainers at two through Ticketmaster. addresses on Ross and Main Street. A (Wilkes University) Bells will ring out group of 16 students recieved citations over Wilkes University on September at 11:04pm at 248 North Main Street, 11, 2007 to commemorate the victims of while another 38 people were cited at the nation’s worst terrorist attacks that 11:16pm at 110 West Ross Street. occurred on the same date in 2001. The bells will chime for one minute, at each of the times of the four plane crashes that occurred in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. There will also be a service to commemorate September 11, 2001 at the bell tower, near Kirby Hall. The program is at 12:15. National (Washington, DC.) On September 8, 2007, First Lady Laura Bush went through a successful surgery to relieve pinched nerves, which caused pain in her neck. The surgery lasted about two and a half hours and she was allowed to return home that afternoon. She was said to be resting comfortably. (Durham, NC) The former Prosecutor for Durham County, Mike Nifong, completed a 24-hour jail sentence for lying about evidence during the Duke lacrosse rape case. Nifong earned national headlines when he brought rape charges against Duke lacrosse players, only for the court to find no crime was commited. Nifong, was also disbarred for his actions during the trial. who have been asking exemption from the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, allowing them to kill five whales a year. International (Modena, Italy) On Saturday September 8, 2007, Luciano Pavaratti, the famous Italian tenor was laid to rest in his hometown in Modena, Italy. Attending the service were heads of state, music icons and thousands of loyal fans. Pavaratti was 71, and died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. (Tel Aviv, Israel) Syria accused Israel of invading its airspace on Thursday September 6, 2007. Syria’s military said they fired on the aircraft, and added that they reserve the right to retaliate. (Geneva, Switzerland) The United States has agreed to take North Korea off its list of “terrorist” countries as long as North Korea agrees to completely give up their nuclear weapons program. The Unites States will also remove sanctions against North Korea. (Neah Bay, WA) A California gray whale was shot with a .50-caliber machine gun in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The whale was seen heading back to sea and the coast guard has created a 1,000yard safety zone around the injured animal. The Coast Guard says, the whale was shot by members of Makah Tribe, SG Notes September 5, 2007 Treasurer’s Report results will be taken into consideration when determining giveaways. Club Day - Club Day will be September 6, 2007 and SG will have a table Fall Elections - Fall elections will be held on September 19, 2007 Homecoming - The theme for this years homecoming will be Harvest Ball Party on the Square - Wilkes is trying to organize the area colleges to march into Public Square with their college to show school spirit All College: $23,700 General: $7,648.75 Special Projects: $3,500 Spirit: $2,000 Leadership: $5,000 Conferences: $12,500 Start-Up: $1,500 SG Pepsi Products: $500 Events Club Reports Programing Board - first event went well, and many more events planned for future New Business (I! - . -H1LKtS llNtvtRSITY- SG Committee Binders - members to update after committee meeting Publicity - SG concerned students don’t know much about Student Government Pepsi Activities - SG took hand votes on possible Pepsi giveaways for the year and those Club Day - September 6, 2007, 11am - 1pm SG Interest Day - September 11, 2007, 11:30am - 12:15pm 9/11 Memorial Service - September 11, 2007, 12:15pm - 1pm PPD Scavenger Hunt - September 11, 2007, 11am - 1pm Fall Elections - September 19 - 21, 2007 Council of Clubs - September 20, 2007, 11am - 2pm Party on the Square - September 20, 2007, 5pm - 9pm Homecoming - October 4 - 7, 2007 �Opinion Cafeteria too small? Pepsi v. Coke Backpack Justice? SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 7 7 8 6 ‘Family values’ no longer strong argument for Republicans The risk of discovered hypocrisy not worth it in the end BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD The concept of “family values” has been an important element of the political landscape in the United States over the past few decades. But is it possible that the 1950s understanding of “family values” just doesn’t quite fit Americans in the 21st century? With the recent scandal of Senator Larry Craig from Idaho, who was charged with soliciting men for sex in a bathroom, the issue of family values has been brought into the forefront again. Craig, a Republican, campaigned and voted on issues that represented and supported more “traditional” family values, in keeping with his party. In a June 21, 2001 Time magazine column, Lance Morrow wrote: “The Republican meaning of family values tends to point toward a cultural ideal (two-parent heterosexual households, hard work, no pornography, a minimal tolerance of the aberrant). Says David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values: ‘Republicans really do want to argue about the culture. They want to argue about morality, what’s right and wrong, standards of private behavior. They really do want to argue about sexuality, procreation and marriage.’” However, the recent charges that the married Idaho Senator attempted to solicit sex in a bathroom suggest that his behavior may not reflect his campaign rhetoric. In other words, if the allegations are true, Craig didn’t always practice what he preached. Media attention to the incident led to public backlash, which ultimately forced his resignation, though at this writing, he is waffling on that resignation saying he may have been too hasty. But is this as important as we make it out to be, or as important as other issues such as the environment, the war in Iraq, social security, education, the economy, taxes and so on? Will knowing and prying into our political leaders’ private lives help get issues like these voted on and passed? Most likely not. By focusing on and expecting our leaders to be perfect or near perfect family-oriented people, we place unrealistic expectations on them. Experience tells most educated people that that there is no such thing as the perfect family. Every family has hardships, dysfunctions and struggles. Why then is “family values” even an issue for those campaigning for office? The former mayor of NYC, and current Republican candidate for President, Rudy Giuliani, is twice divorced. He has taken some heat from those within his own political party arguing that he isn’t as family oriented or morally responsible as those who haven’t been divorced. Will his being divorced make him any less of a president if elected? At the least, it may offer him better insight to the majority of Americans who have endured that same pain. Americans need to reevaluate what issues they rely upon to elect our political leaders. We need to have more practical expectations for them. We also need to look at and better prioritize what issues are important to improving our country’s communities. It is not for the American people to judge the morality or immorality of Craig’s alleged behavior. If he is to be judged, perhaps the more relevant criticism is the fact that he, like so many of his colleagues, relied too heavily on the party-line advocacy of family values that can no longer serve as a reasonable guide for electing leaders. It is reasonable to hold our leaders accountable for taking stances on issues that they don’t actually understand or live. Americans should elect leaders on issues that focus on improving the country. Let’s re-prioritize. ?\ e,o. Q_ •.. ~e" a-.\or (;~o-.•J ? ( ~o,• · '°Jjj I ii' A Sight for Sore Eyes by: Aleksander Lapinski YOUR VOICES Dear Editor, The extent of the hypocrisy permeating the Wilkes University campus this semester is nauseating. In previous years, the beginning of the semester speech concerning alcohol was, seemingly, mostly for show. This semester, the rules have changed, and that speech now means something serious. Many students are wishing they had a warning that the rules would actually be enforced this time around. Drinking underage has been part and parcel of the college experience here at Wilkes since most of the upperclassman enrolled. In previous semesters, student to-do lists included such items as study, drink booze, eat, sleep, and maybe not in that order. This semester, however, the people that many students have seen drunk and been drunk with, are the students who J are now writing people up for being in possession of alcohol. Most traditional students on campus grew up with MTV, cable television, and a president that smoked pot, but ‘did not inhale.’ The idea of drugs, alcohol and sex are not new and are not taboo for a great majority of college students. This generation grew up with people such as Keith Richards and Whitney Houston spouting antidrug sentiments! The hypocrisy continues now as college students, previously drunk and newly on the bandwagon of sobriety and power abuse, are telling their peers not to drink, and punishing them when they do. The so-called ‘underaged’ people were never consulted when the drinking age law was written and put into effect. Somehow, it was deemed logical to allow persons of 18 years of age to go to war, get married, have babies, go to college, get full-time jobs, buy homes, rent apartments, and generally have all of the responsibilities of living as an adult human being, but not to be able to have a beer after a rough week. Putting the ridiculousness of this law aside, and focusing only on Wilkes University and its representatives, it has to be said that it is an abomination to human decency how some of the underage drinking situations have been handled. Power hungry people who will actually brag about how many people they will write up in a given weekend are allowed to enter a private dwelling and take down names in order to punish everyone present, regardless of whether or not all the people present have consumed alcohol. Last year, a warning to quiet down and a good amount of re- spect for your RA could accomplish the same thing as a trip to Resident Life and hefty fine. This year, RAs look for trouble; they don’t wait for it to be reported. And the places where most students actually end up in trouble are the places that the RAs will not venture. So, from now on, students will have to go off campus to wind down and have a beer and hope and pray it isn’t spiked with something that will later leave them without memories or underwear. Drinking with a few friends in the confines of a dorm room or apartment is now more difficult, and in some ways more dangerous, than drinking in off campus, uncontrolled environments. And that is a true shame. Sincerely, Tabitha Hapeman junior, nursing major �OPINION SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 7 It’s getting HOT in here: cafeteria becomes overcrowded Is Wilkes outgrowing its public spaces? BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Opinion Editor Imagine standing in the sandwich line at the cafeteria for 20 minutes. The line is all the way backed up to the registers. You are ravenously hungry and you have class in 40 minutes. Now, once you have your food, imagine not being able to find a place to sit, and when you eventually do, you only have 15 minutes to eat your food before class starts. Well, if the first two weeks of school are any indication, this is very much the situation at our Wilkes cafeteria. For those who have eaten lunch in the cafeteria around noon, there is no denying how packed full of students it is. In fact, it almost seems like the numbers of bodies exceed its capacity. According to Zena Miller, Catering Director, the cafeteria can hold between 575-600 people. With the number of freshmen climbing each year (632 this year!) and a potential law school, it will not be long before the cafeteria will not be able to sustain the students, faculty and staff. Considering only the boom in freshmen, and that most The Beacon/Mark Congdon Jr. Students stand shoulder to shoulder during the noon hour. live on campus and are required to obtain a meal plan, there isn’t even enough room for all the freshmen, let alone the upperclassmen, graduate students and faculty and staff as it is. Currently, the lines are very long, the tables are very crowded and compact and it’s hard to find a place to sit at the hub hours. There isn’t much room to move The Beacon/Mark Congdon Jr. around when finding a seat and the conveyer belt Trays pack the conveyor belt at peak hours in the Henry where diners put their Student Center cafeteria. control over the seating arrangements or the trays is almost always number of tables that are available. They overflowing. My friends and I have eaten at the cafeteria can’t help that there are many more students every weekday since school has started, and eating in the café, but the administration it seems like the busiest time is on Mondays, of Wilkes is eventually going to have to Wednesdays and Fridays around noon. We address this issue soon, especially if the have waited for almost 20 minutes in line student body population is continuously to get a deli sandwich, and we only have growing, and if a law school is instituted. Officials on campus need to discuss this an hour to eat lunch. I am sure that there matter and consider alternate policies or are many more students, faculty and staff space. In spite of the addition to the cafeteria, who have experienced the same problem as it makes sense to begin planning now for I have. other spaces and/or a liberal carry-out I am not saying the cafeteria staff is doing policy. It’s defi nitely something that needs anything wrong. The cafeteria staff keeps to be discussed and worth considering. up with the food supply, but they have no Pepsi v. Coke: Wilkes makes the switch BY STEPHANIE GERCHMAN Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor As most on campus may have noticed, this year Wilkes University underwent a major change. This change is evident in the cafeteria, the first floor of the Student Center, the UCOM, dorm buildings, and in Stark Learning Center, to name just a few heavy traffic areas. Over the summer, Wilkes made the switch from the old empty Coke machines across campus to bright, new (and yes, filled) Pepsi dispensers. The switch is indicative and one more chapter in the seemingly endless American dispute over which soda is better. Pepsi cola and Coca-cola are undeniably similar. They are both dark in color, fizzy and both come in diet or regular. Personally, I like Coke better, but that’s all based on preference. But, one could say that cola is cola no matter what the label. Though at first glance one could be led to believe that the switch offers many new beverage choices, they are just versions of the same drinks we had last year with different names. This year we have Wild Cherry Pepsi, Sierra Mist, and Twister Orange Soda. Last year, when Wilkes was still with Coke, we had Cherry Coke, Sprite, and Minute Maid Orange Soda. The only new options as a result of the switch to Pepsi products are Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper. This is exciting to me because as a diet soda drinker it is nice to have a calorie free option other than a straight diet cola. The addition of Mountain Dew is another reason is why Pepsi products are better than Coke products. For college students caffeine makes procrastinating possible. Without it many papers would go either unfinished or actually be completed early…what a novel idea. Mountain Dew is a great new alternative on campus to plain old coffee or the mediocre amount caffeine in our old beverage selection. Pepsi is also a better choice because the company has historically had far better commercials. While no one could resist the whole “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” song, Pepsi commercials have not only had songs about Pepsi but celebrities singing songs about Pepsi or dancing around to songs about it. Pepsi commercials have starred such celebrities as Pink, Jimmy Fallon, Parker Posey, Shakira, The Spice Girls, Britney Spears and that cute little Pepsi girl. Okay, I used the term celebrities very loosely. Nonetheless, the Pepsi commercials have upstaged Coke’s commercials starring Elton John, Paula Abdul, and The White Stripes. Pepsi also has more modern can designs. With a contest to design the new Pepsi can, the company put the creativity into the hands of the people who drink Pepsi. The outcome is a more aesthetically appealing can to people our age. The Coke can still looks like a traditional Coke can. There hasn’t been much updating to the label at all. The new Pepsi can looks like a page out of a notebook that has been doodled all over with pen. Personally, even though I am a fan of the taste of Coca-cola, I’d be more likely to pick up a Pepsi because of the cool looking can. The addition of a high caffeine beverage, another diet soda option, better commercials and more aesthetic packaging make Pepsi products a better choice than Coke. �SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 OPINION 8 Date rape a serious concern in first few weeks of semester BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-chief I said, “Watch my drink, while I go to the bathroom.” I am always very cautious about such things. A friend of mine was slipped some type of date rape drug, and I went with her to the hospital as she reacted to it. I’ve had friends who have been victims of acquaintance rapes. I’m not stupid. So, I was careful to make sure someone was babysitting my drink when I left the table. But, the friend who was supposedly watching the drink was distracted, so at some point something happened. Three hours later, I was waking up dizzy, nauseous, and completely disoriented in my friend’s car outside of the Mohegan Sun casino! Well, I suppose I got my summer dose of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a common date-rape drug that makes a person feel lethargic, lose consciousness, and suffer amnesia. In the worst case scanarios, victims of GHB wake up in unfamiliar settings, having been raped by their attacker. Thankfully, I was not one of those. However, I began this piece that way because I think it’s essential for everyone to understand that yes, it can happen to you. Date rape and acquaintance rape are quite common on college campuses. According to an article “Acquaintance Rape on College and University Campuses” by Felicia F. Romeo in College Student Journal, “A survey from the United States Bureau of Justice reported that in three-quarters of all rapes and sexual assaults against women, the perpetrator is known to the victim.” A college survey conducted by the National Victim Center reported that one in four college women have been raped or suffered attempted rape (Bureau of Justice). In another college survey, half of the college men reported that they engaged in some form of sexual aggression on a date (Bureau of Justice). These reports indicate that young people are at considerable risk of becoming a victim of an acquaintance rapist. An acquaintance rape occurs when the rapist is known to the victim. So, why college campuses? Well, for starters, college students often leave their families and the lives they’ve known previously for 17 to 18 years. Often they’re seeking social inclusion, and without the confines of the “parents’ approval,” students, often because they think it is the “right” thing to do, will engage in sexual intercourse with someone with whom they do not feel comfortable. Alcohol also has a lot to do with it. Parties are breeding grounds for sexual predators, as young people regularly consume too much alcohol and lose inhibition and even awareness of actions. Sometimes, when an acquaintance says, “Oh, come on, come on,” someone under the influence of alcohol will willingly go along with the sex, as they are too intoxicated to firmly resist the rapist. But what many do not realize is that when an individual is drunk he or she is no longer able to offer legal consent. I had a friend call me once, wondering if she was raped. She gave the rapist her consent to sexual intercourse, but she was so heavily under the influence, that she attested she would not have done so were she sober. Another place to find these offenders is the bar, also often a hyper-sexual environment. Because bars tend to be loud, and their spaces are limited, people often need to become very close in proximity to have a conversation. Also, if someone is trying to touch you, it’s quite difficult to just get up and run away. I work at a bar, so often I get the opportunity to watch people who are heavily under the influence, while I remain sober. Their mannerisms completely change, and often they are more affectionate, even with people that seem to just be platonic friends. I have been the person that the “drunk guy” will come up to and eye lasciviously or try to touch. Often it’s hard as a sober individual to shake off the “drunk guy” with five or six “no’s,” so for someone heavily under the influence of alcohol, it would be extremely difficult. Acquaintance and date rape are very serious things, especially within the first eight weeks of the semester, when the stress and pressure of the semester is still manageable. Protect yourself by using the buddy system. Always have a friend with you, preferably two. Ideally, one should stay sober Bags pose a threat to Movies 14? BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon A&E Editor As I recently discovered, it’s sometimes all about fashion over function. During my last trip to the movie theater, my backpack was confiscated, and surprisingly, the situation left me pretty upset. There are just some instances enforced rules really have no solid explanation, and you just have to wonder whether anyone actually stops and thinks about why the policy is in place. Maybe my complaint seems a bit juvenile, but just hear me out for a moment and see if you can understand where I’m coming from. As I was handing in my ticket for the movie, the theater’s manager pulled me aside and told me that the backpack I was wearing wasn’t allowed in the theater. Of course, I had nowhere to put it. I had walked to the theater from campus, and unfortunately for me I didn’t happen to have a personal lockbox right outside, so I wasn’t quite sure what he expected. “Well, how about if you just search it?” I suggested. Of course, the answer was no. And of course, he offered no explanation. The thing that bothers me isn’t that they have a no bag policy, because they don’t. I go there with a huge pocketbook weekly, and no one searches it, and no one cares. I’m bothered by the fact that they don’t mention this specifically anti-backpack policy anywhere. I’m also confused by the notion that only one specific style of bag is a threat . I can understand the logic of a no bag policy. Obviously, I could conceal a weapon, or some sort of illegal candy stash. But the thing is, I can stash just as many, if not more, illegal items in a women’s handbag as in any backpack. Pocketbooks come in all shapes and sizes, and the only difference between them and a backpack is the fact that pocketbooks are not carried on the back, throughout the night, either to be a designated driver, or simply to have unaltered perceptions about the characteristics of others. Watch your drinks. Don’t leave them. Don’t let anyone near them. If your drink magically changes color, it isn’t a sign from God. Chuck the thing. Try to drink from bottles as opposed to glasses, as they are harder to tamper with. Also, if you go to a party with a group of friends, make certain that you know the location of everyone and how they are to safely arrive home, before you decide to leave the party. And please, never leave a drink on a bar and ask a friend who happens to be addicted to Photohunt to watch it. You may end up barely conscious in a car outside of Mohegan Sun as well. GHB and Rohypnol, the drugs of choice most common among date-rapists, may lead to loss of consciousness, and in some cases, amnesia. and they are probably a heck of a lot more stylish. So, sue me for being a sucker for function. And what about messenger bags? Surely that must blow the manager’s mind, as he tries to gauge the level of threat that they deliver. So the bottom line is, while I realize this isn’t a truly significant issue, the logic behind this “no backpack” rule really has no basis. And if I’m going to have a manager approach me and make me appear like a shady character to onlookers, I’d like to know he at least has a sound argument. It needs to be all or nothing; no bags or all bags. Stop picking on the girl with a binder and a sweater in her bag which she willingly offers up to be searched, and start singling out the mother with her five children smuggling the five canisters of Pringles in her pleather Gucci ripoff. �LIFESTYLES SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 9 Student Jobs Student of the Week Energy Drinks 10 11 11 ‘Connecting the Dots’ to bring successful alumni back to Wilkes BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Lifestyles Editor “On paper a degree is a degree, but a reputable education is what truly matters. That’s the value of being a Wilkes graduate.” - Gabrielle Lamb, ‘04 Economic Development, Wilkes-Barre Chamber “I could never say enough about the communications department at Wilkes... it allowed me to be fully prepared for a real public relations job.” - Bridget O’Connor, ‘07 Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, The Lion Brewery “Earning a degree from Wilkes University was a springboard to pursuing graduate studies in history... the history department had a small, dedicated faculty from which I received a good deal of personal attention.” - Brian Kaschak, ‘98 History Instructor, Wyoming Seminary “A degree from Wilkes University tells me that I received an excellent education. My degree has proved beneficial in both graduate school and my career.” - Richard Albrecht ‘95 Correctional Treatment Specialist, Franklin County Jail On September 13, the Wilkes University Alumni Association, along with Career Services, will host “Connecting the Dots: From Student to Professional the Wilkes Way”. Lauren Pluskey, manager of alumni relations and annual giving, explained, “The idea originally came from Career Services. They wanted to have an event where students could talk to someone in the field that they are majoring in... [the alumni office] came up with a way to connect students with successful people in their field and with past students who are now successful alumni.” The event will begin at 6 p.m., where students will receive a t-shirt and a folder of information on each alumni in attendence. “After each alumni introduces themselves, the students will have the opportunity to speak with them on a one on one level. Each alum will be seated at a separate table where the students can sit with them and chat about their Wilkes experience and how they transitioned into the working world,” said Pluskey. There will be alumni from a wide variety of fields. Some include a TV news reporter, public relations executive, small business owner, caseworker, nurse and more. Carol Bosak, director of Career Services, said, “We chose people from a wide range of careers... They are really friendly, bright, and fun people. Many are fairly recent grads, so the students will find them easy to relate to.” “This event is great for all students. First year students clarifying their career goals can see what they can do with a specific major, older students can get advice on the activities, classes and intern opportunities alumni found really helpful and seniors can even talk about what the hiring picture looks like for their profession or organization,” said Bosak. “My degree has given me the education to conquer obstacles in both my personal and professional growth.” - Cara Cacioppo, ‘07 Regional Account Manager, The Lion Brewery “Along with the knowledge gained from my four years of higher education, the Wilkes name brings a lot of credibility.” - Andy Mehalshick, ‘83 TV News Anchor, WBRE “My four years at Wilkes thoroughly prepared me for my current career in communications. This support didn’t stop after graduation, either - many of my closest professional connections have resulted from my background there.” - Bridget Giunta, ‘05 Administrative Coordinator, The City of Wilkes-Barre “My degree from Wilkes University means that I am prepared for the challenges ahead.” - Kristen Hake, ‘04 Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Students weigh environment, hours and wages among job options BY CHRISTINE ZAVASKAS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor With the price of college tuition constantly rising, more and more students are looking for employment in order to help pay the bills. In fact, as of 2006, 79% of undergraduate students were employed and working an average of 25 hours per week, according to the journal Review of Educational Research. However, when it comes to finding work, not all jobs are created equal. While there is no universal “best job,” certain kinds of work may be more suited to your specific lifestyle. With that thought in mind, this article rates four common jobs held by college students. The first job is from the world of retail and is the position of cashier. “It’s not bad. It’s really enjoyable when customers treat you well,” said Matt Watkins, a freshman earth and environmental sciences major, about his cashier job at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Representatives from Target, Sears, and JC Penney confirmed that the responsibilities of cashiers include ringing up customer sales, providing customer assistance, and helping to organize/clean the sales floor. The length of shifts at these three stores ranged from 4-8 hours, and the average salary paid to this position in Pennsylvania in 2006 was $7.92 per hour according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics website. The restaurant industry is another common choice for students who need some extra money. Specifically, managers were asked about the position of servers at Januzzi’s Pizza & Subs, Olive Garden, and Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill. “Providing a great guest experience,” is the main responsibility of a server according to Bob Flannery, the General Manager of Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill. More specifically, the tasks assigned to this job can include waiting on tables, cleaning duties, and filling condiments. The average shift length varies from about 4-6 hours among these three restaurants. Wilfredo Mercado, a senior communications studies major, works as a waiter at Logan’s Roadhouse. When asked how he liked his job, Mercado answered, “I don’t exactly like my job, but out of the three I’ve had it’s my favorite.” Mercado’s other jobs were at Blockbuster and Target. The Bureau of Labor Statistics website lists the average salary for a server in 2006 as $7.34 per hour in Pennsylvania. It is important to note, however, that some server positions offer a below minimum wage salary with the guarantee of gratuity, which could push the overall wage higher. Another employment opportunity that students can take advantage of is the work-study program. “It is a really nice job; everyone there is very friendly,” says James Welch, a senior history major, who does work-study at the library. According to Pam Hoffman, Director of Student Services, the duties for this job vary widely depending . N S edalt:3 . ' . on which department students work for, but those in the position of student aid typically perform office-type work. Scheduling and length of shifts also vary from department to department, and salary ranges from $7.50-$10.00 per hour depending on a department’s budget. Some students choose to earn money by working in factories, especially over the summer. Ken Getz, the Personnel Manager of Offset Paperback Manufacturers in Dallas, explained that Offset only hires full-time employees at its factory in Dallas so college students work there mainly in the summer. Students do a variety of work ranging from packing cartons of books, takings things off the press, and even some cleaning and maintenance. Shifts are 7 1/2 hours long, and schedules are set from week to week. Heather Chulick, a junior communications studies major, works at Offset during school breaks and says about her job, “Generally the job stinks because it’s a lot of hard labor.” However this job does have other benefits including a salary that starts at $9.65 per hour, paid vacation, and health insurance. Although many college students find employment in one of these four areas, plenty of other options exist. Lisa Mulvey, Career Development Coordinator at Wilkes advises that students looking for employment log on to the career services website at www.collegecentral.com/wilkesu. E 2 :Large Pizzas + iu.cket 30 Wmgs $24.99 2 La.rge,P 'zzu $ 5_99 ~~ l · :e Pizza ,.. l Dozen Wit 1g5., .· t 95 (ibl~ ~t<t! t · ty md I Larg¢ Pizza ~ 16 Wmgs 1 2 Liter . ··· da ~,7_99 ~ i~edl) In-House Specials llcp n up to nt 665 t a B (570 82~- ma · dy+ nt ! In . 9 Monday Tu sd ry 35 umt Wmgs . t .a $] sllec t a pw-cli. R . oh, 5oda pw;ma.se f ,5od:a: \\1'edne3d . uy bW',g ertdti6~ .· cl ·m .$4J)5 w/ a purcms ' of ::Ii sou ~ �LIFESTYLES BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Lifestyles Editor In her words: Excerpt from Zuckero’s journal Thursday, August 16 5:25 p.m. “Today we had a Children’s Day at Kilometer 16... Me and Scott (who plays the guitar) sang two Spanish hymns, and the band from my church played a couple of songs. The people there really enjoyed it, most of them had never seen or heard instruments like that before... There were many songs and a game with the kids. Myself and a few others did a short puppet show. Clothes and groceries were given out to the people there, who were extremely grateful. The children were really great and very responsive, though a bit shy of our group... The ride there and back was a lot of fun. It is a journey of about an hour on a highway (one of the few paved roads). I was in the back of a pickup truck along with six other people and a lot of stuff. There were 10 or 11 people in the truck altogether...” The Beacon/Cara Koster Student of the Week: Laura Zuckero Laura Zuckero, senior history and Spanish double major, recently spent three and a half weeks of August in Concepcion, Paraguay, with a group from the Grace Reformed Episcopal Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania, teaching children and youth ministry. At Wilkes, Zuckero serves as the President of Communter Council and also is heavily involved in community service, previously helping with organizations such as the Red Cross and PennSERVE. The Beacon sat down with Zuckero to discuss her experience and has named her the Student of the Week. The Beacon: Explain a daily routine in Paraguay for you. Zuckero: We got up in the morning around 7. And then we had a devotional time at 8, where we sang songs and prayed. We then split up into groups where some were doing painting, building or children and youth ministry... which is where I did most of my work with the kids. The Beacon: What was the culture and environment of Paraguay like? Zuckero: The one really big difference is that in America everything had to be done last week. In Paraguay, it’ll get done when it gets done. Every day stores closed from 12 until 2 because they had their lunch break the siesta... There is a lot of poverty there and the economy is very poor. Most of the people live around the capital city... There is also a lot of corruption in the government and things haven’t been getting done. Most have clothing, shoes and food, but live in really small houses. There is one set of traffic lights and a few paved streets. There was garbage everywhere and ditches that had open sewage in them and animals just running around. The Beacon: What do you feel you learned from your experience in Paraguay? Zuckero: One of the things that struck me the most was just seeing all the poverty and the need. It made me kind of really look at my own life. The people were also really friendly and welcoming and within a couple days I had a whole new family. The Beacon: Why do you think other students should go abroad and outside of what they know? Zuckero: You test yourself and it helps you to find out something you’d like to do on a regular basis. I know for me that I want to join the Peace Corps and eventually do missionary work. Also, there’s a lot of need out there and it is really rewarding to go and help. Whether you see your accomplishments or not, it’s just good to know you’re doing something for the sake of helping. If you would like to nominate someone for Student of the Week, please e-mail beacon.lifestyles@gmail.com. 11 All bottled up: the hidden effects of energy drinks BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Wouldn’t it be great if you could buy energy in a bottle? Over the last few years, numerous bigname companies have begun to market just that. Coca-Cola and Pepsi, among other brands, rolled out energy drinks packed with caffeine and other legal stimulants to a young-adult audience. But how safe is that over-the-counter jolt? “I wouldn’t recommend daily use of it,” said Diane O’Brien, the Director of Health Services at Wilkes University and a licensed nurse practitioner. “It’s almost like an adrenaline rush. You become more awake and jittery, more restless.” Sophomore Adam Burke, a secondary education major, started drinking energy drinks when he started college a year ago. Now, he drinks one every day before class. “It makes you feel a little more alert,” Burke said. “If I drink one on my way to school, I won’t fall asleep.” Popular energy drinks Monster and Full Throttle contain 160 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounce bottle. That’s double the amount of caffeine found in a cup of brewed coffee. The high dose of caffeine can cause effects other than just a quick energy boost. According to O’Brien, that amount of caffeine can elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate, and may even cause palpitations in some individuals. Those most vulnerable to the adverse effects are students with hypertension or cardiac problems. Even healthy students run the risk of severe health problems when they mix energy drinks with alcohol. Over the last few years, energy drinks mixed with vodka or other types of alcohol have soared in popularity because they make the drinkers feel more energetic. “It’s not safe to mix alcohol with drinks like that,” said O’Brien. “The alcohol content of what you drank is the same. But with energy drinks, you get the sense that you’re more awake and less drunk.” The false feeling of sobriety can be harmful because it can encourage students to keep drinking, since the caffeine masks how drunk they really are. It can also affect the way they behave, making them overconfident or aggressive. “You think you can get behind the wheel of a car, or make logical decisions,” O’Brien explained. “But your decision-making ability is already impaired.” Energy drinks are a booming business, and are marketed to appeal to everyone from the frazzled, overworked student to the talente athlete looking for an edge. According to Consumerreports.org, Americans spent $744 million on energy drinks last year, up 34% from the previous year. In order to appeal to athletes, energy drinks often tout their natural ingredients, including ginseng and amino acids, as well as their added vitamins. But O’Brien cautions athletes from depending on them for refueling. She says their high sugar content leaves athletes in an unhealthy peak-andcrash cycle. Many students experience the mid-afternoon crash, and reach for an energy drink to stave off the drowsiness. Instead, proper planning throughout the day can help students feel awake and alert. O’Brien suggests a regular sleep schedule with seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night. She believes regular exercise and a balanced diet, emphasizing small meals throughout the day with lots of protein, can help as well. “Kids will skip breakfast and have a candy bar at lunch, and their blood sugar fluctuates,” she said. “Their energy goes up and down in peaks and valleys.” For Burke, the lack of time in the morning is one reason why energy drinks are so attractive: they provide a quick wake-me-up. However, Burke plans on cutting energy drinks and soda from his diet and replacing them with more healthful choices. “Eating breakfast gives me more energy than an energy drink does,” he said. While a balanced diet and adequate sleep provide the best sources of energy, O’Brien believes that an occasional energy drink won’t hurt if the student is in good health and is not dependent on the beverage. “Use them infrequently and in a minimal amount,” she recommended. “Moderation is key.” The Beacon/Cara Koster SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 �A&E SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 12 Listen Up A sampling of Wilkes student talent Band Feature Band Feature Cont. West Side Story Q&A 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon A&E Editor Wilkes-Barre residents and those living in the surrounding areas have the opportunity to boast about a fairly lively and diverse music scene. Depending on the venue of choice, residents can spend nights downing a couple of beers while listening to a Guns N’ Roses cover band, tapping their toes to some dancey pop, or spin kicking and floor punching to their hearts content. The fact is, a good number of bands originate from, or at least pass through this area, so it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them all. Because of this, Wilkes students may not realize that they sit next to the vocalist of a thrash punk band in English class, or that two fellow students currently have their hopes set high in terms of having their band picked up by a record label in the near future. Here’s an introduction to just some of the musical projects certain Wilkes students are involved in, in case you’ve managed to stay out of the loop this long… The Dinosores Whether you’d call them thrash punk, screamo, or as vocalist Patrick Austin puts it, “aggressively charged energetic punk,” one thing’s for sure: the Dinosores have a rather distinctive and memorable stage presence. “We’re all kind of dorky guys who have some sort of anger inside of us. Everyone has some sort of anger in them, but we just let ours out at shows. It ends up being a kind of intense experience,” said Austin, who is an English graduate student. The band is comprised of Austin on bass and vocals, Lee Ellis on guitar and vocals, Joshua Wysocki on keyboard, and Corey Ciresi on drums. The band was formed after Austin left his previous band, Manaconda, and ran into Ellis (who split from Monarch) at a Sheetz, and simply asked if he would be interested in starting a new musical project. Then they picked up the two other members and the Dinosores were formed. When they were originally trying to come up with band names, one of the possibilities was Molly Ringworm, except that the person who had thought of it wouldn’t allow them to take it. They then decided to go with a play on words, and finally crafted their name. A dinosaur plus a sore on the body…get it? The band has played a number of shows in the area, and on October 19 they’ll host a record release show at Café Metropolis. Before that, the Dinosores have a September 30 show at Metro, as well as a show on October 12 at the Tucson Café in Warwick, New York. You can also give them a listen by going to their site at www.myspace.com/dinosoresmusic. Torment Ridden Carl Grunwald, fifth year biology major describes his band as experimental and technical metal. He said, “There’s a lot of metal to it, not just chunk, chunk, chunk, but there is some good chunk, chunk, you know, because you need that.” While that may not mean much to everyone, it’s a good summation for any fans of the genre. Torment Ridden was formed in 2003 after Grunwald graduated from high school and it inclues Eric Reiter on bass, Ethan Reiter on rhythm guitar, Mike McClintok on lead guitar, and Phil McClintok on drums. Some of the members met through high school, while the rest came together through church. This is turns out to be rather fitting considering that their music is Christ-centered. “All the songs we’ve made so far are worship songs,” says Grunwald who writes all of their lyrics. Not every member has the exact same beliefs, but each one was at least brought up in a Christian household. And unlike numerous other bands who mask their Christian undertones to retain neutrality, Grunwald keeps the lyrics straightforward and says that “It’s not very convoluted in any way.” The band recently finished recording a demo, which you can get directly through them at www.myspace.com/tormentridden. While they have only played one show at this point, they are currently looking to get some performances under their belt. Grunwald sends out a request saying, “We’re currently looking for shows to play, so if people can help us out, that would be pretty nice.” �SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 The SilenTreatment On the first of January, 2007, The SilenTreatment dropped a “T” (thus making them the SilenTreatment), a drummer, a bass player, and picked up a keyboardist, and transitioned from a technical modern rock band to a new and improved “sex rock” band. Senior English major Sam Chiarelli was involved with the band since the original lineup and plays lead guitar and contributed back vocals. Senior elementary education major Mike Sharkey recently joined to contribute his keyboarding skills and backing vocals as well. Other members include Anthony Giamusso on vocals, rhythm guitar, Joe Consagra on drums and Donald Montini on bass. With the new lineup and sound The SilenTreatment is striving to get audiences dancing to their “dancey, groovey, Maroon 5” type sound, as Sharkey described it. Chiarelli noted that there was a definite need for a change and explained that they “were just sick of playing what everyone else was playing. There was just not enough variation to it. We were like, ‘let’s have fun, and let’s make people have fun.’” Chiarelli and Sharkey take their music seriously and want to make it their lives. They’re currently working on a CD to send out to record labels but those curious about their sound can check out their Myspace at www. myspace.com/thesilentreatment. The only show lined up at the moment is on April 23, at Concert for a Cause, but they are looking to get more dates set up. They’d like to eventually have themed shows, with one example being a prom theme, where everyone would come decked out in formalwear. Sharkey ended the interview by stating that “It’s like we’re giving this area the silent treatment because no one knows who we are, but I just have this feeling we’re just going to come out of nowhere and be somewhere, and people are going to be like ‘wow, where did they come from’ and that to me is almost like the silent treatment; coming out of nowhere, being silent, and all of a sudden being at the top.” Astorian Stigmata Yr ' ·co~ . I (\Q~ ', \\ V ss ~r£i\ ~ ~\ --... AU\OA <ri. ' (' . , Dennis Condusta, a junior communication studies major, has broken numerous bones and pulled ligaments in both of his legs due to two BMX-related incidents, but in a way, the injuries turned out to be beneficial. While recovering from the first injury he picked up the drums, and during the second injury, he picked up a guitar and started writing songs. Now he’s the vocalist and rhythm guitar player in the band Astorian Stigmata. His other band members include Maximilian Aladar on finger-picked guitar, Mini Maximilian Aladar on drums, Alexia Navataria on pitch-shifting, and Antalayna Salamandarian on bass guitar, all of whom happen to be dolls. And if you ask him what’s with the dolls he’ll tell you that “they replied to my classified ad.” Condusta came up with the band name by putting together his two favorite words. “I’m really big into letters in certain orders and pronunciations of certain syllables. I like Arabic and Spanish pronunciations.” In terms of sound, Condusta says he’s influenced by Middle Eastern sounds and “straight American rock and roll.” He also explains that “I just happen to sing with a country style, though I don’t consider that an influence. So it sounds like a country boy hanging out in the Middle East.” There are currently three Astorian Stigmata CDs out, Antalayna, Antraliana, and his most recent Black Dye On White Sheep. All of his CDs are available through his website at www.astorianstigmata.net or myspace.com/astorianstigmata. Being the only human member in his band, he doesn’t perform live, but you can check out some of his songs on his Myspace. . t-4-\~'t.L All photos courtesy of the bands �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 West Side Story to feature 2007 alumn, Adam Orseck Wilkes and Little Theater partner to offer free student tickets BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Students planning a first date, or even just wanting to get off campus for something a little different this weekend may want to look north on Main Street for their entertainment. Wilkes University is offering free admission to performances of West Side Story at Little Theater on North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. The classic musical opened on September 8 and future performances will be held on September 14 and 15 at 8:00 p.m. and September 16 at 3:00 p.m. The tragedy is full of exciting dancing, acrobatics, music according to Director David Baloga, and also features 2007 Wilkes alumnus, Adam Orseck. West Side Story was first opened in 1961. Baloga explained, “The show is unique in that it is a modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is the timeless story of love versus hate.” West Side Story features a conflict between two rival gangs, one of Puerto Rican immigrants and one of white Americans, similar to the conflict within our local community. Baloga said, “We have the same tension between different races and ethnicity in the show as we do in our local community.” The live performance of West Side Story at Little Theater allows the passion and excitement of the show to come through. Orseck explained, “With real people on stage, you seem to get more of a connection.” The show is also male-oriented because of the street gangs, acrobatics and the fighting according to Baloga. Orseck believes all performances at Little Theater and any community theater are different from other forms of entertainment. “It’s entertainment at a very pure level. It is local people doing what they love and there is a lot of passion on stage because these people aren’t getting paid. We are here because we love to do it.” According to Phil Ruthkosky, Director of Student Development at Wilkes, university officials decided to offer Wilkes students free admission to shows at Little Theater . AT YOUR . THIS'\ .. •· "'.Sen'bMo-nightlli ~Tm::~tug'.E11t from i :00--8:30r · . ~o. tic !k11o ~ WC'lin.egy · ·!Jlll' io om c~! ~ wc:i=k 4nwtin Swi~ 6:;J.0-S.3.0pm .. Wyom:ing·Vallcy. 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Frcqm:nt B. yer Card." at, too ; Doll!\: fm:gct ta iW!iC yow: Fl.EX :OOLI.J\RS The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski anywhcn: in ,o ur stntil!! to allow students to “develop an appreciation for the fine arts.” He added, “There are a lot of cultural opportunities in this area.” Following West Side Story, the next performances at Little Theater will be The Diary of Anne Frank on November 10, 11, 16 and 18. Wilkes students must show Photo courtesy Cathy Alaimo their ID at the door, Orseck and fellow castmates rehearse for upcoming performance of but are encouraged West Side Story. The show will be running until September 16. to make reservations first. The university is willing to set October 13, “An Evening with Colin Moup a shuttle service to Little Theater if the chrie and Brad Sherwood” on October 26, and Julius Caesar on November 15. Visit need arises. Wilkes is also offering discounted tick- the information desk at the Henry Student ets to the Kirby Center. Upcoming perfor- Center for more information. mances include George Orwell’s 1984 on Schedule of Events Tuesday, September 11 - Scrabble night at the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 12 - Away from Her showing at the Kirby Theater at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - I Am the Avalanche, Four Year Strong, You Me and Everyone We Know, Dagger mouth and The Holy Mess performing at Café Metropolis at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 13 - “Connecting the Dots” Career Services program in the Henry Student Center Ball room--All Day - James Ellsworth book signing at Barnes & Noble College Bookstore at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 14 - West Side Story performance at the Little Theater - $3.00 Fun Show Weekend w/ Lost in Greenpoint, Wetwork Agenda, Under the Wave and TBA at Backstage at 6 p.m. - The Mother Daughter Team, Capillary Action, Stay Six and Bourse performing at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. - Dub is a Weapon performing at the River St. Jazz Cafe Saturday, September 15 -West Side Story performance at the Little Theater - $3 Fun Show Weekend w/ TPOR, General Zaroff, The Perks, Wings of Eros and TBA at Backstage at 6 p.m. - Bigger Thomas, The Big Greem, Spider Nick and the Maddogs and The Backflip Journeymen performing at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. - Mike Mizwinski Band performing at the River St. Jazz Café Sunday, September 16 -West Side Story performance at the Little Theater Monday, September 17 - “Dancing in the Mirror (a Latina play)” performance at King’s College at 6 p.m. �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Q&A with Lauren Weisberger, author of The Devil Wears Prada r rg e be We is r en Courtesy Lackawanna County Library System Lauren Weisberger, author of the now infamous novel The Devil Wears Prada returned to her hometown on September 6 to speak at the Scranton Cultural Center as part of the Lackawanna County Library System speaker series. Weisberger was born in Scranton and lived in the area until she was 11, when she eventually moved to Allentown. She attended Cornell University and, after graduation, took a job at Vogue as an assistant to Anna Wintour, the hard-headed, stern editor-in-chief of the magazine. In 2003, Weisberger authored The Devil Wears Prada, her first book, after an editor at Departures magazine sent her to a creative writing class. It was there that her professor encouraged her to submit her work as a novel and it was sold within two weeks. The Devils Wears Prada spent six months on The New York Times Bestseller list and was released as a feature film in 2006 starring Anne Hathoway and Meryl Streep. Weisberger chose an informal interview session rather than a standard speech for her visit. Below is a portion of the Q&A that occurred at the event. Q: Can you tell us what you remember about growing up here? A: It’s great to be back, but this has been my first trip back in a long time... I was a young child here and I have a lot of great memories. It’s the nicest place in the world to be from. Q: How much of The Devil Wears Prada was true and how much was exaggerated? A: I would say it’s skewed more towards the truth. I’m not supposed to admit that all the time... I definitely saw a lot [at Vogue] that inspired that novel. It was intense in a lot of ways. It was a really neat place for a first job, but a shocking place, also. There was a lot of craziness that went on there. I wrote a lot about it, but it was probably even more intense than that. To see all the girls walking around and they are six feet tall and 110 pounds, wearing fur bousties to work and six inch heels... It felt like the longest 11 months of my life. Q: We all know how Andy Sachs got the job, but how did you get the job? A: I may have gotten it in the exact same way. It was very similar. I had just graduated college... I sent out my resume to all the publishing houses in New York and the very first call I got was from Conde Nast... It unfolded in a very similar fashion where they asked if I read Vogue or knew the name of the editor-in-chief and we sort of went through that until I interviewed there. At the end of this very long day, I remember getting a phone call late that night saying we’re pleased to offer you the job as Anna [Wintour]’s assistant. I said, ‘Definitely, I’m on board,’ And they told me to be there at 7 on Monday. I was like, ‘That isn’t going to work for me...’ and they were like, ‘See you at 7,’ and hung up. That was my very first inkling of what was to come. Q: We certainly know that in the novel you had the boss from hell. How much of that was what you experienced? A: Anna was a great editor, but she was really, really tough. She demands the best and I think she produces the best as a result... Anna is similar in a lot of ways to the year’s time. One wants to be less monogamous, one wants character in the book. to find a husband, and the third, who appears to have evQ: What did your job actually entail? A: Absolutely anything that she asked me to do at any erything perfectly in line, is really having the worst time hour of the day. There was a lot of the usual assistant of all. Her life is a complete disaster. I haven’t written the things that aren’t so interesting such as the faxing, filing ending yet. It’s the same feel as the other two books, but a and Starbucks fetching six times a day. But, there was also little bit different. Q: Has success changed you? model lineups... everyday always felt different. It was reA: I don’t think so. I grew up in a small town and I think ally glamorous and exciting. The girls that worked there looked like the girls in the magazine. There’s something it was what I value most about my upbringing. To not have about working at Vogue that was such a once in a lifetime, grown up in New York and the crazy value that are associated with it was really nice. There’s a more hectic schedbizarre, weird, but really kind of cool experience. ule, neater chances for travel... things like that. I feel really Q: What did it do for your fashion sense? A: Not much. It made me more aware of how bad it lucky. Q: What is your advice for young journalists getting was... The main difference between myself and the character in the book is that she made this complete transforma- ready to enter the workforce, especially in New York tion and redid herself, looked phenomenal, like she lost a City? A: Find a friend with a couch first of all. There is no bet100 pounds and grew six inches, but that didn’t happen to me. There was the occassional swag floating around the ter place in the world to start your career than New York. magazine and I could pick up a lot of that... One of my It is filled with young people from all over. I would say favorite parts of the movie is when Anne Hathaway is on just get out there. It’s not revolutionary, but I find that a lot the phone and she says, ‘Can you spell Gabana?’ That was of people don’t take the time to actually write, not type, very similar to me. I still can’t pronounce names of a lot personal notes. I have had so many people comment on of the designers and that was not well tolerated... Overall that the only thing that gets read is hand-written note, raththough, it has certainly heightened my awareness of fash- er than just another computer-generated resume that gets tossed to the side. Anything that you can come up with that ion, but not remedied it. Q: How did you feel about the process and transfor- is a little bit clever, little bit different. The reason I think I got the call at Conde Nast, because I had no experience, mation of your book into a feature film? A: Considering I didn’t have to do it, I thought it was was that my resume was layed out as a magazine. I’m sure fantastic... I think [Fox] went through six screenwritiers. it offended some people, but some others liked it. Anything They tried five men, all of whom failed. Finally, it bril- you can do to distinguish yourself and not go by the book liantly occurred to someone to hire a female to do it and will get you noticed. that was the one that worked... [The first time I read the h er sp e e c h l ast T script] I literally laughed out loud and wished I would have llo w in g hurs o f s day fa n thought of some of it first. I watched the movie so many . r e h fo r times when it first came out and now it has been on HBO s ok and I find myself constantly stopping and rewinding it. The bo s part where Meryl Streep says, ‘I thought I would hire the ign s smart, fat girl’ really got it dead on. I loved the movie. Q: Since so much of what you have written is based on personal knowledge, do you spend alot of time doing research? A: The truthful answer is no. I spend a lot of time talking about doing research, but I really don’t do a lot of research. I read a ton of magazines and a lot of books... I’m not really a big people person. There are defintely times I’ll be out at night or at lunch with someone and you overhear something and it’s too good not to use somewhere. For the most part, though, it’s kind of what I think about. Q: Tell us about your third book. Where are you in the process and what can we expect? A: I am deadline late, but we have a tentative publication date set for October of next year. I am just submitting it now and we are about to start the edits. I don’t have a title yet... It’s the first book that I haven’t written in the first person. It’s equally about three characters and I switch every chapter. All are right around 30, still living in New York, but they make a pact... that everything is going to be different in one Lau BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Lifestyles Editor �SPORTS 16 FOOTBALL from PAGE 20 gling to get a win in their first two games against William Paterson and Montclair State. Both teams share the NJAC conference with Rowan. During the Colonels first home outing against William Paterson, the team came close but no cigar. The Colonels seemed to be in control prior to a controversial call on special teams in the second quarter that favored William Paterson. The referee kept a close eye on senior wide receiver Gil Flores and stated that he touched the ball after calling a fair catch. The ball rolled into the end zone. William Paterson’s Brian Stone fell on the ball for a touchdown during the closing minutes of the second half making the score 16-14 Colonels. William Paterson would score later in the game on a 27 yard field goal attempt by Ricky Krautman with 01:29 remaining in the third quarter to put them up 17-16. The Colonels could never respond after that. On Saturday, the Colonels were at home once again but fell short 14-7 to Montclair State. The Colonels were held scoreless until the fourth quarter after approxiametly an hour wait due to a lightning delay. The Colonels would return to the field at the Rowan’s 5 Everyone on the offense got set in their positions. Karaffa tucked his hands under the center’s bottom to snap the ball on the first play of the series. Fumble. Rowan’s Robert Niszczak would pick up the loose change and their offense would cash in a touchdown 22 yards later on only five plays in 01:23. The Colonels took the field with 00:59 remaining but only made it to their own 45 yard line before turning the ball over on downs to Rowan with 00:06 on the clock. Rowan’s quarterback Mike Orihel would take a knee. Game Over. The score, 21-14 Rowan. After that heart-breaking loss following an undefeated season, Coach Sheptock enjoyed every bit of last season despite such a sudden ending. “I had a group of players that really bought into our philosophy”, said Sheptock. “Our senior class last year was a special group. It was a bond there. I felt so proud to be the leader of that football team and to be able to interact with those players.” After going undefeated just a season ago, the Colonels have found themselves strug- SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 yard line and tied the game at seven on a 2yard run by Al Karaffa with 05:53 remaining. Three plays later, Montclair State drove 38 yards and ended the Colonels hope of winning with a touchdown putting them up 14-7. The Colonels held the ball for 04:17 before quarterback Al Karaffa threw an interception down field on Montclair’s 3 yard line. During the first two games the Colonels have scored a total of 23 points. At this point last season, they combined for 54 points. The first game was a blowout against William Paterson 31-3. Next stop for the Colonels is Rowan University. The Colonels take on Rowan at home this Saturday at 1 pm for their third shot at revenge against the team coach Sheptock believes is supposed to be “the beast of the east.” Let’s just hope this time there aren’t any fumbles. “All you do is try to keep your head out of last year”, said Karaffa. “You can’t think about the fumble. You just got to come out and think it’s a new season. We have a new team and we’re ready to play.” The Beacon/James Rosato Wilkes senior quarterback Al Karaffa takes snaps during practice. Their next game is at home on September 15 against Rowan. A E• -TION LKES NIVERSITY S .T .. DENTS! 1 • ai ·-•1 _·~es-Barre· 7 ·2 S ,o ·u c 1 • · m -8 - ~ Qu znos M - · -_ -- • · ay & SatJ , S nd.ay I. 2p (570) 2 .OaiDii-lOpl!D 1 8-SUBS �SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 SPORTS 17 Hahn brings Wilkes records, experience to volleyball team as coach BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor One of the greatest players in Wilkes University’s volleyball history returns to the floor this season for the Lady Colonels. Nicole Hahn, a huge athlete stuffed into a 5’4 frame, has proved to be an integral part of the Lady Colonels overall team performance in recent years leaving nothing small about her game except, well, her height. For the 2006 season, Hahn accounted for 770 of the team’s 852 assists. That’s 90.3% of the team’s assists at the setter position. Their opponents totaled 1,015 assists. With 3,671 career assists under her belt, Hahn holds the Lady Colonels all-time record in that department. But it doesn’t stop there. She also holds Wilkes University’s all-time record for digs with 1,232. Plus, in 2004 and 2005, Hahn was named to the All-Freedom Conference team. Hahn was also named to ESPN The Maga- zine College Division Academic All-American Second Team conducted by the College Sports Information Directors of America last season. She is a three-time member of the Middle Atlantic Conference’s Academic Honor Roll because of her flawless 4.0 grade point average. After starting all 30 games just a year ago, Hahn will be suiting up to help lift her team to victory at the Scranton Tournament this weekend. Except this time Hahn’s not serving as the team’s setter but rather as the assistant coach. “It’s different”, said Hahn. “It’s hard to know that you can’t go out there. You can’t help them and can’t do it [play] for them.” After playing on thin ice last season with a seven women roster in a sport that requires six players on the floor, head coach Alicia Orlowski’s squad features ten bodies for her second go-round as the team’s head coach. Orlowski, who played Division-I volleyball at Coastal Carolina, believes this time around should be better than the Lady Colonels 6-24 record of last season. “We have a lot of potential this year,” said Orlowski. “We definitely have potential to go into the playoffs for the Freedom Con- “It’s hard to know that you can’t go out there. You can’t help them and can’t do it [play] for them.”-Nicole Hahn ference. That’s our goal.” Last September, the short staffed Lady Colonels spent two days at the Scranton Tournament and lost all four of their contests against Montclair State (NJ) 3-2, St. Lawrence (NY) 3-2, York (PA) 3-0 and Mt. Aloysius (PA) 3-0. This year, the Lady Colonels return five players including seniors Katherine Simons and Kristen Linhart with the addition of five freshmen to help chip in this weekend. The Lady Colonels tip off the tournament against John Hopkins (MD) on Friday at 4 p.m. Later that evening they will face Rowan University (NJ). Depending on how the Lady Colonels perform in the first two games will determine who their opponents will be the following day. Conference rivals King’s College and Scranton University will also be in action. The Lady Colonels were fortunate to have a player of Hahn’s caliber for the past four years and now the torch has been passed to sophomore setter LeeAnn Searfoss. Searfoss has already dished out 174 assists during the initial six games for the lady Colonels in which they posted a 2-4 record “To follow Nikki (Hahn), it’s a big challenge because she was such a great player,” said Searfoss. “Then you got me. I’m the rookie. But, she’s still here as the assistant coach. We go in early and we work together. I’m filling her void by keeping her running and cheating off her a little bit.” Hahn won’t be handing out any assists this weekend, but rather handing out answers to the Lady Colonels on how to snatch some much needed victories this weekend. Tennis standout aims for sophomore year ace BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Last season, tennis standout Xiaoqiao Zhang dominated the Freedom Conference in her freshman campaign. This season, Zhang returns with hopes of dominating once again. As a freshman, Zhang came to Wilkes University with hopes of being one of the top three singles players on the team. She quickly emerged as the number one singles player and the number one doubles player with partner Alison McDonald. Throughout the 2006-07 season, Zhang dominated the court leading to a 19-2 first year record. She was also the MASCAC player of the year, the Freedom Conference Player of the Year and the number one Singles Champion in the Freedom Conference Tournament. However, Zhang’s tennis career began long before last year. Zhang was born and raised in China where she began playing tennis at 10-years old. She came by her skills naturally, though, as both of her parents are pro ping-pong players and Zhang learned that game before she picked up a tennis racket. For her senior year of high school, Zhang participated in an exchange program which sent her to Warren Hills Regional High School in New Jersey where she played tennis and was named 1st Team All Conference and All State Singles Team. Having only been in the United States for a year, Zhang chose a small Division-III university in Wilkes over a larger Division-I school. One may question if the Freedom Conference is too easy for a player at Zhang’s level. She disagrees. “They all have good players, and good teams.” Zhang said. “Last year I had hard matches, but I think I did good.” After a successful freshman season, there is a certain amount of pressure for Zhang to compete at an even higher level than last season. Head women’s tennis coach Chris Leicht explained, “She definitely has high expectations. I think a lot of people do for her. I don’t think it will affect her negatively. She is a very hard worker.” He also added Zhang is very competitive and gives 100% on the court, which makes her a dependable player. Although Zhang succeeds as an individual, she also puts a significant emphasis on the whole team’s success. She believes a single person can only succeed if the entire team works together and does well. Leicht agreed, “She knows how important it is for the team to do well and she contributes in as many ways as she can to help her teammates out.” He added Zhang is always cheering on teammates, always willing to work extra with teammates and enjoys the team aspect of tennis. Zhang knows the importance of practice, explaining practice makes perfect, and al- though you are not necessarily perfect, there is always the ability to get better. She also offered, “I think tennis depends on that day. Some days you have really bad days. It’s awful and you can’t really hit. But some days you put the ball wherever you want.” For now, Zhang is concentrating on working hard and doing her best. After suffering an injury over the summer, Zhang is back in action currently competing on the number one doubles team with McDonald and in the number one or two singles match. The Lady Colonels tennis team will be in action this week at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 13, at Bloomsburg University. The Beacon/Gino Troioni Xiaoqiao Zhang shut down Miscericordia University’s Mangabang and Marywood University’s Aubrey Klesh in two sets, 6-0, in Zhang’s return from last season’s conference championship appearance. �SPORTS 18 SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK New York Yankees v. Boston Red Sox American League Rivals Square off at Fenway Double Take BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It’s nearly the end of the baseball season again, so that must mean it’s time for a pivotal series between the Red Sox and the Yankees. Last August, the two teams played in a five game series at Fenway Park in Boston, a series which essentially ended the season for the Red Sox as the Yankees won all five games by a combined score of 49-26. The Yankees would go on to win the American League East division, while the Red Sox finished in third place; their lowest placing in nearly a decade. This season, however, things are much different: The Red Sox have a commanding lead in their division, while the Yankees are still far from being a lock to make the playoffs, despite their current lead in the American League Wild Card standings. Things could be much different next weekend, as the teams square off with a three game series at Fenway Park on Friday, September 13. So far this season, the Yankees are 8-7 against the Red Sox, including a three game sweep at Yankee Stadium last month. If New York is going to make a run at the AL East or stay in the lead in the Wild Card, the team will to need to have similar success in its last series of the season with Boston. The Yanks should have no problem on the offensive side of the ball. Their offense has been the most productive in the majors this season, due in part to the terrific season that Alex Rodriguez is having. A-Rod, who was much maligned last year by the fans for his inability to hit in the clutch in the playoffs, has exploded this season in a big way. In April, he had record-tying 14 home runs, including game-winners. On August 4, he became the youngest player in major league history to hit 500 homeruns, when he connected in the Bronx against the Kansas City Royals. That isn’t the only big story for the Bronx Bombers this season, as they have had their own share of problems with the rest of their team this season. After losing Jason Giambi for most of the first half, the Yankees have had to deal with the ineffectiveness of pitcher Mike Mussina, the recent struggles of Roger Clemens, while simultaneously having to groom two rookie pitchers, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, to be the starters of the future. Despite the shortcomings in their starting rotation, the Yankees have seen the emergence of Joba Chamberlain, a hard throwing relief pitcher who has yet to allow a run in 11 games, while striking out 18. On the other side, the Red Sox have had their own fair share of struggles this season, including an early visit to the disabled list by pitcher Curt Schilling, a struggling and injured Manny Ramirez and poor performance by shortstop Julio Lugo and right fielder J.D. Drew, both expensive off-season acquisitions. Even in the midst of those problems, the Red Sox have managed to put together a good season, while maintaining their lead in the AL East since early April. Credit has to be given to some of the lesser known Sox, including third baseman Mike Lowell, rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia and veteran pitcher Tim Wakefield, all three of whom are having great seasons. Lowell has turned into an offensive force for the team by leading the Red Sox with his .326 batting average and 101 RBIs while providing great defense at third base. Pedroia, in his first full season, has turned himself into a Rookie of the Year candidate with his .324 batting average, 45 RBIs and 75 runs. Not to be overlooked, however, is Tim Wakefield, the 41-year old knuckle-ball Steph examines the stats that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE GERCHMAN Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor pitcher who has been with the Sox since 1995. Wakefield is among the league leaders in wins with 16, while providing a veteran presence to an increasingly younger Red Sox rotation, including Josh Beckett, a strong candidate for the AL Cy Young. The strength of the Red Sox lies in its pitching, as they’ve assembled one of the best bullpens in the American League, leading in ERA(3.05) and saves(41). With a bullpen that includes set-up man Hideki Okajima, recently acquired Eric Gagne veteran reliever Mike Timlin, and closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox have proved to be one of the hardest bullpens to beat. Ultimately, it all comes down to starting pitching. Despite the Yankees recent struggles with their rotation, Andy Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang have proven to be clutch performers, especially late in the season. The Red Sox have clutch performers of their own, both with experience against New York: In the 2003 World Series, Josh Beckett mastered the Yankees when he was with the Florida Marlins. One year later, Curt Schilling would experience similar success in Yankee Stadium during the 2004 ALCS. While this series won’t make or break the playoff hopes of either of these teams, it will certainly provide the fans with yet another memorable Yankees and Red Sox series. The pick: Game 1: Yankees 5, Red Sox 3 Game 2: Red Sox 7, Yankees 2 Game 3: Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 I’ve been told that the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are rival baseball teams. But I find it hard to believe that the Red Sox could be considered to be on the same level as the Yankees. The Yankees clearly have the stronger team name. Why would anyone possibly name a team after an article of clothing in a particular hue? Let’s take a look back at history. During the American Civil War, Yankees supported the Union Soldiers. As anyone who has taken a history class should know, the Union Soldiers came out victorious. On the other hand, all that red sox are historically famous for is turning a load of white laundry pink. If a ridiculous team name isn’t enough to prove that the Red Sox will lose, how about an outfielder with a deliciously odd name? Try this name on for size, Coco Crisp. I kid you not. His name is Coco Crisp. Sorry, I had to say that twice to drive that point home. Honestly, who is cruel enough to name their son Coco, knowing that his last name would be Crisp? Maybe his parents were workers at the Post cereal company. I’m suprised that the Red Sox didn’t sign Cap’n Crunch or Count Chocula. The Yankees have no team players named after cereal. They have manly names like Roger and Doug. Coco is hardly intimidating. With a pathetic team name and a team player named after something children eat for breakfast, the Yankees should have this one in the bag. �SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Athlete of the Week: Corey Tucker BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor During the 03:27 mark of the fourth quarter, the Colonels were down 17-16 to William Paterson (NJ). The Colonels defense ran on the field knowing they needed a huge defensive series to give their desperate offense the ball back for one more shot at winning the first game of the season. The defense lined up and senior AllAmerican middle linebacker Kyle Follweiler looked over at first time junior starter Corey Tucker and said, “You want to be in this spot (OLB), you got to make a play.” He certainly did. “The first play was a sweep. I seen the hole open up, shot the hole and made a tackle in the backfield,” said Tucker. That tackle forced William Paterson into second down and fourteen yards. They never made it to see another first down during that series thanks to Corey Tucker and the Colonels defense. Although the Colonels lost 17-16, Tucker put on an outstanding defensive show flexing every time he sent a William Paterson player to the ground with one of his 7 tackles, 2.5 of which went for losses of 7 yards. At 5’7, 193 pounds, Tucker has bounced around positions on the Colonels roster throughout his career. He has suited up as a CB, RB and SS before finding a home at the OLB position. Although he finds taking on 300 pound lineman difficult, his speed and versatility allows him to read plays and react quicker to the ball. Plus, his parents were always in his ear giving him words of encouragement. “I always been a small dude my whole life,” said Tucker. “A small person playing big positions. Mom and Dad always told me ‘don’t let nobody tell you what you can and cannot do. If you want to do something make it happen yourself.’” Tucker looks to continue making it hap- 145 Number of passing yards by Wilkes senior Al Karaffa in the 14-7 loss to Montclair State on Saturday. SPORTS 19 pen at the OLB position and senior DE Jason Acquaye believes he will. “It’s a great time playing out there with Corey,” said Acquaye. “This year, with him finally getting the opportunity to start, he The Beacon/Gino Troioni Wilkes junior Alison McDonald gets ready to return a serve against Marywood University’s Samantha Miller on September 6. McDonald would go on to win in two sets; 6-0, 6-0. WEEKEND RECAPS Football The Wilkes University football team saw their season record go to 0-2 after a 14-7 loss to Montclair State on Saturday. Ryan McCoach rushed for 102 yards and scored both of The Red Hawks’ touchdowns to win their season debut. Wilkes senior Al Karaffa passed for 145 yards with 2 interceptions, while being sacked 4 times. The Beacon/Cara Koster took that opportunity and ran with it. I see big things happening with Corey Tucker.” Women’s Soccer Wilkes sophomore Julissa Reed scored her first collegiate goal after 5:36 seconds into the first overtime on Saturday to lead The Lady Colonels to a non-conference win over Lebanon Valley College to bring their record to 2-2. Wilkes senior goalie Liz Pauly had two saves on the day to earn her second shutout win of the season. Men’s Soccer The Wilkes Univerrsity men’s soccer team scored their first win of the season on Saturday aftertoon with a 3-2 win over Misericordia University. The win moved the Colonels record to 1-3, while dropping the Cougars to 2-2. The Colonels trailed 2-1 in the second stanza before scoring consecutive goals to gain the win. Bret Osswald tied the match at 2-2 with an unassisted goal. Wilkes senior Jimmy Thomas would provide Wilkes with the gamewinning tally when he struck net off an assist from Greg Miller. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 3 Number of goals scored by the men’s soccer team in the 3-2 win over Misericordia University on September 5. 2 Number of goals by Wilkes senior Lauren Risser in the 3-0 win over Goucher on September 8. 113 Total number of defensive digs by the Wilkes volleyball team in their 3-2 loss against Misericordia University on September 6. �Sports SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Colonel’s Schedule 20 9/15 vs. Rowan 9/29 @ Lebanon Valley 10/6 vs. FDU-Florham 10/13 @ Lycoming 10/20 vs. Albright 10/27 @ King’s 11/3 @ Del. Val. 11/10 vs. Widener The Beacon/James Rosato One More Shot at Revenge Al Karaffa and the Colonels look to make up for last year’s mishap BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor November 25, 2006 is a day the Colonels may never forget. It was a beautiful fall day at Ralston Field and the Colonels were fired up after beating Washington & Lee at home the weekend before 42-0. That game would mark the Colonels first postseason victory in the history of the program. The undefeated (11-0) Colonels were now ready to expand and add another game to the history books against Rowan University (NJ), the team that embarrassed them a year before in the first round at Glassboro, NJ 42-3. But this time it was the second round and the Colonels had one thing on their mind. Revenge. Both sides of the field were packed with fans rooting for their respective teams. Rowan’s entourage proudly wearing their brown and yellow apparel, while Wilkes fans were sporting navy and gold. Both crowds screaming inspirational chants hoping they will get a chance to cheer next weekend for the third round of the D3 national tournament. After scoring six touchdowns the year before to the Colonels none, both teams were dead even at one touchdown a piece entering the fourth quarter. The quarter would begin with a 33 yard punt by Rowan’s Charles Bupp from their on 7 yard line to the Colonels senior wide receiver Jim Jordan. Jordan returned the punt for 1 yard to Rowan’s 39 yard line putting junior quarterback Al Karaffa and his offense in position to take the lead and leave the rest to the Colonels stingy defense that allowed only 7.5 points a game prior to. The Colonels did just that. They scored. Karaffa completed two passes for 34 yards putting the Colonels at the 5 yard line. Senior running back Tom Andreopolous would pick up the garbage on a 5 yard run that put the Colonels up 14-7 with 13:52 left in the game. Now it was up to the Colonels defense to hold up and send their team into the next round and three games away from a shot at the national championship. The Colonels shut down Rowan for two series before giving up a touchdown with exactly 03:00 remaining. Eager to take the lead, Rowan went for a two point conversion that resulted in an incomplete pass leaving the score 14-13 Colonels. Revenge was now officially in the air and the ecstatic Colonel fans were breathing in every ounce. At this point, all the Colonels needed to do is run the ball to take time of the clock and begin dancing into the next round. Not so fast. Rowan’s Matias Spahn kicked the ball 50 yards to Jordan for a 7 yard gain putting the Colonels on their own 22 yard line. Karaffa and the rest of the Colonels anxious offense would take the field with 2:47 remaining on the clock. See Football page 16 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 September 11th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 September 11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/865f2882f350acb4785f51408c1ad847.pdf 05b2223d870f9b92b9907573e7c54a24 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW www.wilkesbeacon.com SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 In This Issue... Clothin_J Cfosef Volume 60 Issue 2 Two accused of furnishing alcohol to minors Senior class president and roommate to face charges BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor Page 9 Convenient Stores Page 7 Too Bad It's Page 13 Inside News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Lifestyles.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 According to a Wilkes-Barre police report, on Friday, September 7, Kevin J. Homa and Blaine P. Madara Jr. were accused of holding a party at their off campus apartment at 110 West Ross Street, where they allegedly charged $5 per person in attendance, and served alcohol to underage students. A representative of the underage drinking deterrence patrol said that many of the people attending were under the age of 21, the legal drinking age in Pennsylvania. Madara is Student Government (SG) senior class president. “There was a situation,” he acknowledged, “And when we asked what we were being cited for, they wouldn’t tell us.” Madara also commented on an article that appeared the next day in a local newspaper, “That article is not 100% accurate,” he said. Homa, also a senior, said he did not want to comment any further on the situation. There is no word yet if there will be any action taken against Madara in SG or if he will retain his seat. Matt Brown, SG President commented, “As everyone knows, the president does not have a vote on these matters. I do believe Blaine is an incredible SG member, whose positive actions far outweigh MADARA The Beacon/Gino Beacon/CaraTroiani Koster The his negatives, and that includes this Courtesy Marketing Comm See FURNISH page 4 past weekend’s incident.” 110 W. Ross St. was the scene of a party where underaged students were charged $5 for admission. Several Wilkes students were cited. Freshmen among 38 cited at Ross St. party BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Asst. News Editor The Wilkes-Barre Police Department’s Underage Drinking Deterrence Patrol broke up a party at 110 West Ross Street, Friday, September 7. Alcohol was indeed present at the party and of the 38 students cited for underage drinking that night, the majority of the group were Wilkes students. Michelle Taylor, a freshmen nursing student, was at the party. “My original plan for that night was to just stay in someone’s room and play Guitar Hero, but then we decided to go out. When we were going to the party I figured I’d stay for a little while then head back to my building. I also figured it was a good way to meet people,” she explained. As the night went on, the number of people in attendance grew as well as did the noise level. When the police showed up around 11:00 p.m., Taylor was startled. “To be honest, I didn’t even realize how many people were there because there were so many different rooms that I didn’t even know where they were…” she said. “When I realized what was happening it was too late for me to try and get out. The police came in and it immediately got quiet.” Freshman Alyssa Andruscavage and roommate Elaine Gennaria admityed to also being taken by surprise. “Well I didn’t know what was actually going on until I got shoved into a bedroom when I was waiting in line to use the bathroom,” Andruscavage, who is majoring in elementary education, said. Though she and Gennaria were caught off guard, neither of them were worried about getting into trouble. Both thought that they would be fine since neither of them claimed to have been drinking even though Andruscavage estimated that 85-90% of the people at the party were consuming alcohol. According to both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law and Wilkes University reg- ulations, just being at the party is enough for Gennaria, Andruscavage, and Taylor to receive citations from the city of Wilkes-Barre. “What upsets me the most about what happened was that I got in trouble not because I was or wasn’t drinking, but because I was there. I think the whole guilty by association law is unfair,” Taylor said. Gennaria and Andruscavage agreed. “All you have to do is be accessible to the alcohol and you can be charged with what is called constructive possession,” Gerald Rebo, Manager of Public Safety stressed. “If you’re in an uncontrolled environment where alcohol is being furnished to minors or is made available to minors, you can be cited,” Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services said. “Individually they may have not been doing anything wrong by being at the party, but they are still guilty by association… See PARTY page 4 �NEWS SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 2 New Faces SG Notes Wilkes Goes Green 3 4 5 Capital projects team leads effort to enhance campus BY CANDICE HALLIDAY Beacon Staff Writer The walls in some classrooms are much brighter and the grass is a little greener thanks to the efforts of the capital projects team this summer. While many were on vacation, the capital projects team, which consists of Wilkes facilities managers and specialist, was working hard to complete various projects on campus. The first and most difficult project was the renovation of Chesapeake and Delaware halls. These two buildings that used to look old, rickety, and out of place now stand as two of Wilkes most beautiful dormitories. Paul Kaspriskie, capital projects team manager, explained several of the changes that took place in these buildings. He said, “It was gutted from the inside out.” This project involved adding a three story addition, which increased the building’s occupancy level from 45 to 65. In addition, capital projects team members reconstructed all of the buildings’ electrical and plumbing systems. New carpets, windows, and furniture were also installed. Students can also enjoy the comfort of new heating and air conditioning systems. “The scope of the project was starting from scratch. Although it ate up a lot of time, it was needed and is something the University can be proud of,” said Kapriskie In addition to Chesapeake and Delaware, another project that took place this summer was the update and repair of Stark Learning Center. Kaspriskie explained, “The building got run down and with the anticipation of a new science building it is important to maintain what we have.” The team performed repairs to the exterior of the building including painting and sealing windows. Renovations also took place on the inside of the building. The lobby area was refurbished with couches and a new public computer station and all of the hallways and stairwells were painted. The team opted for a brighter white as opposed to the traditional off white in attempt to liven things up. Tile flooring was placed in some if the chemistry and biology classrooms. Four heavily used doors near the elevator in Stark were also replaced. In addition to several cosmetic repairs, the campus also underwent a series of technological updates. Kaspriskie explained that 18 classrooms received new IT equipment. These took place in buildings throughout campus including Stark, Breiseth, Capin, Dorthy Dickson Darte Center, Kirby, and the Marts Center -- all of which offer ‘smart classrooms’ with enhanced technological capability. These classrooms also received new audio visual equipment. The University Towers also underwent renovations this summer. The report explained that internet wiring was replaced along with new cabling to make the elevators more reliable. In addition to University Towers the McCole House, a home owned by the university on South River Street, also received upgrades. Jack Chielli, Executive Director of Marketing Communications, explained in a written report that updates were made to the home in preparation of the new Provost moving to campus. Chielli explained, “This facility needed repairs just like any home and it is important to stay on top of these types of routine maintenance issues.” The Provost’s family now lives in the McCole house. Another more noticeable change that was made on campus was the renovation of the old bookstore area on the first floor of Henry Student Center into a new student lounge. Student leadership director, Philip Ruthkosky, explained the project, “The middle wall was knocked down so there can be a larger area for students to socialize. We are hoping to have a place where students can meet for projects and other social activities. We are working on ordering combi- nations of different chairs and tables.” He added that the furniture should be in within the next few weeks. The greenway expansion project also took root this summer. Chielli’s report explained that capital projects team members planted new flower beds and shrubs and also made a significant upgrade to the sprinkler system. “Wilkes is moving to a more environmentally friendly campus and we are trying to grow native plant species that will provide food for birds and other animals while at the same time use less pesticides,” wrote Chielli. “Overall this area will be a place where the Wilkes community will be able to go and spend some quiet, contemplative time.” Unlike the internal changes that took place at Wilkes this past summer, the greenway expansion project is something that is more physically noticeable. Junior Wilkes student James Winterbottom noted, “These changes were immediately present. I think it has beautified the campus. Since I started here last spring, I have noticed a lot of what had been started was finished this summer.” Kasprikie said a few upcoming projects include the installation of a new fire alarm system and generator in the University Towers along with a fire protection sprinkler system. He also mentioned renovations to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Upgrades to the theater will include a new sound system and seating as well as making it handicapped accessible. He explained, “This is a well needed upgrade. The building hasn’t been touched since 30 some years ago.” He said theater department faculty and staff are already picking out fabrics. Kaspriskie said, “The best thing to come out of it, is not only our people, but the public will see that Wilkes is at a higher level in the community. They can say, ‘Hey this is a great place.’” The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Chesapeake and Delaware stands in the background of the strucThe Beacon/ Jenna Stephens ture outside of Evans Hall. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Andee Scarantino Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com Managin Editor: Nick Podolak Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Andrew Seaman Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Mark Congdon Jr. Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Lifestyles Editor: Alison Woody Email: beacon.lifestyles@gmail.com A&E Editor: Marissa Phillips Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Carlton Holmes Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Cara Koster Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NEWS SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 New faces in President’s cabinet offer individual expertise to team grow from their experiences. Suarez encourages students, faculty and staff to use her as a resource for any concerns regarding the Wilkes University climate and openness to diversity, or with ideas to make improvements with cultural diversity. Furthermore, she noted, “It’s a celebration of all heritagDr es,” and she highly recom. mends students or faculty from all backgrounds to bring ideas for diversity programs and to also participate in those programs. Dr. Paul S. Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs, echoed Frantz’s excitement about the summer’s additions to the President’s cabinet. “I’m delighted with their enthusiasm, their immediate dedication to Wilkes, and looking very forward to the new ideas that they’ll bring to the University, and I can only see them strengthening what I think is an already very forward looking University.” President Tim Gilmour also communicated enthusiasm. “Each [of the four new cabinet members] also brings significant professional experience from their previous roles and thus were able to begin leading their units from the time they arrived here. I truly look forward to working with each of them in the years ahead,” said Gilmour. M aS a ri z uare r rve . C. Dr R ey n o ld Verret ships.” While Carver has spent the bulk of her professional life in the United States, she is a native of Essen, Germany. Carver’s role oversees all financial and budgetary components of the university and manages all support services including Information Technology, Public Safety and Facilities, and the Campus Master Plan. Carver’s expertise and passion for environmental protection will likely aid in a number of initiatives including the development of environmentally friendly practices and recycling across campus. Carver stressed that she wants to hear the opinions of students. “They [the students] are intelligent and very engaged,” said Carver. “I find it extremely important to get student perspectives and input to see how we can Pe improve the learning experience, tra how we can improve our services and just provide better opportunities and services to the student body.” Dr. Maria Suarez, Special Assistant to the President for Multicultural and Community Affairs, fills a new position on the cabinet. Suarez previously held the title of Dean of Math and Science at Gloucester County Community College. She switched career paths in order to pursue what she was passionate about: diversity and cultural climate in communities. Despite her academic grounding in the sciences, Suarez has previously led a variety of diversity initiatives and projects at Rutgers University and Gloucester that made her a logical choice for the new role at Wilkes. Bilingual in both Spanish and English, Suarez notes one of her key goals is to “work towards inclusiveness and empowerment of people and their heritage.” Among other initiatives, she plans to program a variety of celebrations in heritage and bring people together to learn Ca several ambitious plans are already underway. Discussions and investigation into the viability of a Wilkes law school continue, plans for a new health sciences building are emerging, and ongoing development of the graduate programs at Wilkes will be just a few of the challenges to keep Verret focused in the coming academic year. Maggie Lund, new Vice PresiMa dent for Human Resources gg and Organizational Development, previously worked for Mercy Health Partners for the Human Resources office for three different hospitals. Lund joined the Wilkes family because of her love of education and the energy that exists within the educational settings. She believes that Wilkes has a “welcoming, friendly atmosphere with plenty of things going on.” Her position as Vice President allows her to “provide the best for staff and faculty,” which also plays a role for students. The Human Resources area manages all employment policy and training in areas such as sexual harrassment. Lund noted that the Wilkes University community members she’d met and had conversations with since her arrival were “bright, educated” people. Petra Carver, Vice President for Finance and Support Operations, is also new to the University. Her previous position was Vice President for Finance and Administration for Northland College in northern Wisconsin, a small private liberal arts college with specific focus on environment. Her passion for her position was clear when she described why she chose to interview for the position at Wilkes. “What stuck out to me about Wilkes is its unique location, position and size,” said Carver. “I found it very attractive to be located in the middle of Wilkes-Barre, because that lends itself to very nd Lu ie BY JAMIE GWYNN & AMY FUSCO Beacon Correspondents Wilkes recently welcomed four professionals with diverse backgrounds to fill voids in key administrative positions in the President’s cabinet. Dr. C. Reynold Verret, Provost; Petra Carver, Vice President for Finance and Support Operations; Maggie Lund, Vice President for Human Resources; and Dr. Maria Suarez, Special Assistant to the President for Multicultural and Community Affairs stepped into their respective positions this summer, and have spent the early part of the fall getting to know students, faculty, and staff. “They are a consummate group of fantastic professionals, who are on top of that extraordinary individuals. They each brought to Wilkes tremendous intellect, experience, and insight into how we can make this yet a better institution,” said Michael Frantz, Vice President for Enrollment Services. But what students might not know is how these four came to the University, their goals and views of the student body. Verret, Wilkes University’s Provost, comes to Wilkes from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia where he served as Dean and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Misher College of Arts and Sciences since 2002. Coming from a school with a known reputation for success roused the obvious question of “Why Wilkes?” “I think what attracted me was essentially the ability to help shape the logic programs at Wilkes,” explained Verret. “Wilkes University is about to take another major step and to be involved in [its] shaping is very important to me.” This shaping process may have something to do with Verret’s goal of national recognition for Wilkes as an academic leader in the northeast area. “It’s an important goal to be known in the northeast as a very excellent university; a place or destination that you would want to send your son or daughter,” an emphatic Verret noted. As Verret assumes his post as Provost, 3 All photos Courtesy of Marketing Communication. STSTRAVEL.COM Join America’s #1 Student Tour Operator Sell Trips, Earn Cash & Travel Free CANCUN, ACAPULCO, JAMAICA, BAHAMAS PUERTO VALLARTA, SOUTH PADRE FLORIDA, CRUISES www.ststravel.com STUDENT TRAVEL SERVICES 1-800-648-4849 / www.ststravel.com �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 FURNISH from FRONT PAGE “I do believe that Blaine has a great deal to offer this organization and the majority of the students do look up to him and respect him despite this...” Brown added, “From my personal experience working with [Madara], he puts a great deal of his own effort and his own time into everything he does for the organization and the organization benefits from his actions so much that it would be a shame to lose him.” In this case, the two hosts of the party allegedly charged $5 for admission which could constitute selling alcohol. Chris Bailey, Direc- PARTY from FRONT PAGE On top of the citations students who were at the party will receive in the mail from the city, Wilkes will also give out its own sanctions. “The first time offender has to do an AlcoholEdu, which is different from the one everyone has to take. [They will receive a] $150 fine payable at UCOM, a letter [will be] sent home to their parents, and [the student] is put on disciplinary probation for the remainder of the semester,” Barbara King, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, said. “The laws of the University are clearly spelled out in the handbook,” she added. The student handbook is available online for all students. Though many of the students who met with King last Thursday, September 13, confessed to being guilty, some are also pleading innocent. Those who are pleading not guilty will not be sanctioned by Wilkes until they meet with the magistrate who will then decide if they are indeed innocent. If then found guilty, students will face the same sanctions as the others. Taylor, Andruscavage, and Gennaria are all pleading not guilty. “The most aggravating thing is there is a chance that I will get charged with the same thing that a person who was completely drunk next to me will get. I know it’s the law, but it just seems completely unfair,” Gennaria, a nursing major, said. Since the night of the party, each of the fresh- NEWS tor of Campus Support Services, said that furnishing alcohol to minors is a more serious charge than underage drinking, but added, that charging for alcohol at parties without a liquor license compounds the trouble for students. “You have to have a liquor license and you actually have to charge special taxes and pay special taxes for that liquor license. It’s a criminal offense and it’s a criminal offense from the tax code standpoint.” Barbara King, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, said that in a situation where a student serves alcohol to an underage person, it is usually handled on an individual basis. She also added “In a case like that it usumen have had time to think about the incident and have come away from the situation with new perspectives about partying in college and drinking underage. Taylor recognized the seriousness of the charges and regrets what happened. “I should have left the party, or better yet, I shouldn’t have even gone. I can’t change what happened though. I don’t plan on going out to anymore college parties for a very long time… I have way too much to lose and I’m not losing anything over something stupid like this.” Andruscavage also plans on avoiding any parties she may hear about in the near future. “I don’t plan to go out anytime soon, just to keep myself away from any situation. And when I eventually do go out I will be very cautious of where I am, how many people are there and if there is alcohol,” she said. “If I could go back, I would have left the party when it started to get crowded,” Gennaria added. While Bailey, Rebo, and King all understand that students want to get together and have fun, each of them stressed that alcohol doesn’t always need to be involved, especially if you’re underage. “Just because you’re in college doesn’t give you any right to break the law. If you’re in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the law states that you have to be 21 or older to drink,” Bailey said. Listen to The Beacon online ... ,..........:---- -- ally calls for a disciplinary hearing. “The Student Affairs cabinet is the first disciplinary board. Student Affairs cabinet is…made up of staff members, but it is also made up of kind of a jury of your peers… Now if the student then goes through that process [and] the student is found not guilty fine. If the student is found guilty of whatever it happens to be, everybody has the right of appeal. And this is true in this case with the sanctions that will go out for this particular incident,” King said. Gerald Rebo, Manager of Public Safety at Wilkes University, said, “That incident that happened Friday night, the officer stumbled upon it...As I tell students, if you are going 4 to have a party, we can’t stop you from drinking. We can tell you the pitfalls of drinking but [if] there’s 40 - 50 people at a party, it’s going to draw attention. And that’s exactly what happened. People were outside yelling and screaming. The [undercover officer saw] that, called the other officers up, knocked at the door, went in. That’s history.” Homa and Madara are said to be charged in District Court 11-1-01 for selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors according to the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. SG Notes September 12, 2007 Treasurer’s Report All College: $23,620.72 General: $5,672.59 Special Projects: $3,500 Spirit: $2,000 Leadership: $5,000 Conferences: $12,500 Start-Up: $1,500 Club Reports Programing Board - Representatives commented that they had a very successful Club Day and will be having some comedians and other performers coming to campus in the next few months. New Business Alumni Donation - SG agreed to pay $10 for every student who would like to attend an alumni mixer during Homecoming Finance Club The Finance Club came to SG seeking club status (this is a two week process) Frisbee Club - SG heard revisions to the Frisbee Club’s constitution (this is a two week process) MyWilkes - Mike Salem demonstrated how to use the “Groups” function on MyWilkes Fall Elections - SG elections will be Spetember 19-21 and signature sheets are due by Monday, September 17. Homecoming - Tickets and shopping dates were discussed Party on the Square - Party on the Square will be held on Thursday, September 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. [see Arts & Entertainment section for more information.] Events Fall Elections - September 19 - 21 Council of Clubs - September 20, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Party on the Square - September 20, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Homecoming - October 4 - 7, 2007 On page 4 of the September 11 issue of The Beacon, the photo of the graduating class that accompanied the story “Wilkes receives approval for MFA in creative writing,” was mislabeled the “second class of the Masters of Fine Arts program.” The photo should have been labeled the third graduating class with a Masters in Creative Writing. The Beacon strives for accuracy and good sourcing in all of its stories and regrets the errors in the past issue. Editors are grateful for readers who take the time to point out inaccuracies. Andrea Breemer Frantz, Faculty Advisor Andee Scarantino, Editor-in-Chief Correction �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 NEWS Wilkes goes green: more energy-efficient campus the goal protecting the environment for future generations.” Also in the agreement, Wilkes must “establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or equivalent.” LEED, or “The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings,” according to the U.S. Green Building Council. While no Wilkes University buildings are yet LEED certified, improvements are underway to work toward that goal. The Science, Health, Engineering eacon/ Gino Troi a ni and use 6 watts less of electricity. They have a longer life,” said Kaspriskie. “The manufacturer says they have a five year warranty, where the conventional bulbs, the T12s, have an average life of one to two years, so between cost savings on replacement, savings on electricity, savings on labor to change them; it’s a huge benefit to the university.” Kaspriskie added that any buildings or structures being built or modified in the coming years will use as much natural light as possible. Skylights and larger windows are main features of new structures. Wilkes is also recycling older buildings instead of demolishing them. The renovation of Delaware and Chesapeake halls is a prime example of such renovation. Also, Wilkes University has made commitments to a more natural landscape. Not only have parking lots been eliminated to allow more green space, but university officials decided to stop using many artificial pesticides. “The university has made the commitment that we will reduce, although we cannot completely eliminate, the use of pesticides, manmade chemicals in the applications... landscaping grasses, as well as landscaping beds,” said Bailey. Mrs. Patty Gilmour is serving as a consultant on environmental initiatives to the university, and has worked closely with the staff at Wilkes to ensure the return of a more natural landscape. “Mrs. Gilmour brings a certain point of view, and certain energy. She is committed. She is a crusader on environmental issues. The university is very appreciative of what she does, in terms of the input she’s had towards natural landscaping and natural landscape management,” said Bailey. Section 2 of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment states that Wilkes must “adopt an energy efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exists.” According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “ENERGY STAR is a government program that offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions, making it easy to save money while B The BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-In-Chief Wilkes University has pronounced this the “Year of the Environment,” as President Tim Gilmour has signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. With this public declaration, Wilkes University has decided to “Go Green.” The agreement furthers a collaboration of colleges and universities across the nation to actively reduce their emission of greenhouse gases. It recognizes that by mid-century, human beings must actively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent in order to stabilize the Earth’s climate and avoid the worst impacts of global warming. “It’s pretty extensive in what they’re asking for, pretty aggressive. Basically, these college presidents are committing to make each of their campuses move toward a level of climate neutrality, so that the operations of the colleges have no impact of CO2 emissions, greenhouse gas emissions,” said Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services. “Until now, the university did not have a centralized effort. What this will really do is force us to think on a campus-wide level about what is our environmental impact. I know from an emission inventory approximately how many tons of CO2 this campus produces. That’s the main greenhouse gas that everyone’s worried about. What greenhouse gas does is, as this UV radiation comes in, it traps it in the environment. This causes... global warming,” said Bailey. The agreement states that Wilkes must “initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible.” Within a year of the signing, a complete inventory of Wilkes’ greenhouse gas emissions must be calculated, and updated every other year. Within two years, Wilkes must “develop an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral.” “We already implemented, before the signing of that agreement over the past couple years, some cost-saving measures. Some things that we’ve done construction wise have helped lead us toward a greener campus and when we say ‘green,’ we’re not necessarily meaning green grass, but saving our natural resources,” said Paul Kaspriskie, Project Manager of the Wilkes University Capitol Projects team. Within the past few years, Wilkes has replaced much of the single-pane glass in the older dormitory buildings to more energy efficient, insulated glass. Secondly, Wilkes switched its use of fluorescent bulbs, from T-12 conventional bulbs, to T-5 bulbs. “They’re thinner, they’re smaller in diameter, and yet they give off a lot more light 5 (SHE) building plans, for example, promise to be LEED certified, according to Petra Carver, Vice President of Finance and Support Operations at Wilkes. Carver, who is new to the university but comes from a very environmentally conscious campus, is currently overseeing Wilkes’ efforts to “Go Green.” Carver said that she is excited about the change to a greener Wilkes, and hopes to get many projects underway soon. “We definitely need to form a collaborative committee that is made of all constituents here at Wilkes University, students, faculty, staff, and then we will need to talk about the initiatives we will need to undertake for the President’s Climate Commitment. There are certain things we have to do in a certain timeline, so we will need this group and then we will need to work on short-term and long-term planning about the specific projects or initiatives that we want to undertake,” said Carver. “Everybody’s excited about it. Everybody has an open mind about it. I’m feeling really optimistic about the project,” said Carver. �Opinion SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 6 “It’s in the Blood” Grocery store downtown Student Government vote Angry Rant Rain rain go away Animal cruelty is wrongly defended by outdated cultural norms BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Americans have a lot to worry about. The ongoing Iraq war, stock market and housing investment instability, drug busts, AIDS, and environmental concerns dominate the nightly news reports. Is it any wonder that with such boldface headlines other issues fail to capture our attention? Seemingly “less important” social problems like homelessness, poverty, and the growing deficit tend to make inside pages, if that, because of the pressing nature of the other stories. One of those sidebar issues that only occasionally squeaks onto the public radar is animal cruelty. Recently animal cruelty has become a more mainstream issue with major corporations, football players, and even local people stirring up the issue. Animal cruelty involves anything from dog fighting, and shooting whales, to killing animals for fur and animal testing. The problem isn’t awareness; it is that more people appear to believe that it’s okay to hurt animals for personal benefit or enjoyment. Worse, there is a small contingent in the country who believe that the practice of animal cruelty can be excused because of age-old cul- tural practices. Just two weeks ago the Makah tribe made the wire over the issue of whaling. Years ago the Native American tribe legally killed whales as something of a sport. The tribe suspend its practice because the grey whale was placed on the endangered species list and federal government prohibited whaling. However, in 1994, the grey whale came off of the endangered list. The tribe obtained a permit in 1999 to kill a whale which outraged animal rights groups. After a court hearing it became necessary for the tribe to receive a waiver in order to hunt whales. Recently, members of the tribe shot a grey whale repeatedly with a rifle before they were due to receive their waiver. The five men involved are all facing fines of up to $20,000 and possible jail time. The part that is possibly the most disturbing is the fact that one of the men has been quoted as saying “”I’m not ashamed, I’m feeling kind of proud. ... I should have done it years ago. I come from a whaling family, on my grandmother’s side and my grandfather’s side. It’s in the blood.” We are saddened by the fact that he believes just because his ancestors killed animals he should be able to do the same in 2007. Celebrities are even making animal cruelty seem acceptable. Anyone who has caught a glimpse of the news lately or happened to be channel surfing past CNN and the other news stations would have an idea of the controversy surrounding Michael Vick. In brief Vick, an NFL player, was charged with illegal dog fighting and the killing of 6-8 dogs by hanging and drowning after they failed to perform to high enough standards. Vick pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in December. One would believe that the public take on what Vick was involved with would be that dog fighting and killing animals for sport or entertainment is wrong. This has largely been true. Vick’s admission of guilt has ensured some public ridicule and disgust. But Whoopi Goldberg didn’t seem to agree. On The View September 4, Goldberg said, “From his background, this is not an unusual thing for where he comes from. It’s like cock fighting in Puerto Rico. There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of the country.” Goldberg is speaking about the South, as this is where Vick hails from. Dog fighting dates back to 1750s but in this country it has been il- legal to hold dog fights since 1976 and in May of 2007 it became a felony in many states to hold animal fights of any sort. With such a cruel activity considered a felony in 48 states, it is preposterous to think that family history and cultural background are reason enough to excuse such inhumane behavior. After being called out by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other animal rights groups, Goldberg brought up the subject the next day on The View to say that she wasn’t “condoning” what Michael Vick did. However, the damage has been done. Just because something used to be legal doesn’t mean that it is right. It isn’t so much that certain things used to be legal as they were just overlooked. It took time, but plenty of things became illegal due to higher moral and ethical standards. The major problem is that people tend to think that because their ancestors did it or because it was part of their culture it’s okay to do these awful things to animals. As the old saying goes, two wrongs don’t make a right. People need to stop trying to use their family history to defer the blame that should be placed on them. Zero tolerance policy ignores those who aim for safety BY LAUREN SALEM Beacon Correspondent This semester approximately twenty alcohol related citations have been given, which does not include the off campus citations from the WBPD this past weekend. Although some students are under the impression that the rules concerning alcohol have changed, this may just be a sign that they have not yet cracked the binding of their student handbook. This semester is no different from last semester, or the one before, because Wilkes University’s policies on alcohol never changed. According to the student handbook, “Those under twenty-one years of age are not permitted to consume, possess or be in the presence of alcohol under any circumstances on University property or at any University event.” Since this is true, how was drinking ever a part of the college experience? The real experience is not about drinking, but about the thrill of making choices, taking risks, and dealing with consequences. If an RA crashes an underage drinking party on campus it wasn’t because they were looking for trouble, but because they we’re simply doing their job. After paying a fine of $150, being on disciplinary probation, receiving parental notification, and having to take yet another required alcohol education class, most students may realize that underage drinking is not a risk they want to take. If that is not convincing enough, then keep drinking, because that was only the first offense. Even if a student took the responsibility to choose not to drink, they receive an offense for just being present in a room that contains alcoholic beverages, which can be damaging for a student’s future. In many situations, people drink in groups, but there are a few students who attend an underage drinking party not to drink, but to make sure their friends don’t get so drunk that they die the next morning. With this said, I firmly believe that in order to better protect the students, Wilkes University’s policy on alcohol should be changed so that students are required to be tested before they are given a sanction and should only be given a sanction if the alcohol test shows that they have been drinking. This will allow for better safety of the students and their futures! 7 7 8 8 Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 104 responses. The Beacon asked: What is your favorite piece of chex mix? • • • • • • • • • • Wheat chex- 12% Window pane pretzels- 7% Pumpernickel bread slices- 21% Bread stix- 2% Cheez its- 18% Bagel chips- 12% Peanuts- 12% Corn chex- 9% Rye chips- 5% Round pretzels- 2% Next Week’s Question: Following graduation, how much debt will you be in for your college education? • • • • • • • • • • Nothing--I didn’t take out loans I don’t know--my parents took out the loans Less than $10,000 $10,001-$20,000 $20,001-$40,000 $40,001-$60,000 $60,001-$80,000 $80,001-$90,000 $90,001-100,000 More than $100,000 Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 OPINION Public square grocery could enhance downtown BY STEPHANIE GERCHMAN Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor As a college student living in an apartment, I go through a lot of groceries. On my last trip I easily spent over $80 on food items alone. Without a grocery store in walking distance, I tend to stock up on what I need so that I don’t have to make too many trips. If there were a closer grocery store, this wouldn’t have to be a concern. I do have a car at Wilkes, but like many other students I must park my car across the bridge at Ralston Field. I’m not complaining about the distance from campus that I have to park, but in terms of a grocery store outing, it is somewhat of a hassle to walk to the Henry Student Center, wait for the shuttle, sit on it for 15 minutes waiting for more people to fill it up then ride over to Ralston. This is easily a 30-45 minute ordeal just to drive to the grocery store of choice. Then, of course, on the return trip, students have to decide whether they can manage all of the bags on the shuttle or if they can risk parking illegally to dump off the purchases before they repark the car at Ralston. Wouldn’t it be easier if there were a grocery store within walking distance? With a grocery store on or near the square both Wilkes and King’s community members could take advantage of its convenience. It wouldn’t have to be a full grocery store, maybe a small family type of store with the essentials; milk, bread, eggs, snacks, you get the picture. Near the Square would be the perfect location for such a business with several empty buildings right on Main Street. The hypothetical store would likely be consistently filled with students and other Wilkes-Barre residents who have to rely on public transit. It would save them money on public transportation and it would allow college students to walk to the store whenever they need something. Walking downtown to grab a few groceries could also benefit other existing businesses with increased traffic. In addition to college students, the rest of the community would really benefit from a downtown grocery presence. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in January of 2002 suggests that urban communities that don’t have grocery stores but do have several places to consume alcohol tend to be poorer in culture and poorer economically. The area around the square and the square itself would look better with one less vacant building. A more developed downtown would bring in more people to the area which means more customers for preexisting businesses. So, if the problem is the lack of a grocery store in downtown Wilkes-Barre and the solution is to fill an empty building with a place for area people and students to 7 The Beacon/ Gino Troiani Students living on campus should be able to stock up on groceries within walking distance while helping the community. get food and other necessities, the next question becomes: how do we initiate this change? I found an innovative idea upon research. Chestercoop.com is a website that presents the idea of a co-op grocery store which is a food store run by the community that benefits the community. Such a store would create several jobs for area people. Students and residents of Wilkes-Barre would fill the job openings made by the store. Any profit made by the store would go back into the community to possibly aid in local development instead of going to big corporate hot shots. With such a proactive, community building solution it would be silly to not look into a community run co-op grocery store or other options for a grocery store in down town Wilkes-Barre. It’s our town; if you’d like to see a change you need to help make the change. to get the word out to students to vote and the students still decided not to. There were streamers and banners hanging in the Student Center, a meet and greet was offered with the candidates, and a debate was held between the presidential candidates. The debate, however, yielded only a handful of spectators beyond other SG members. I know in my heart, students can’t be that apathetic about politics or the way government is run to turn their backs on the system completely. The thing that really struck me over the summer was when I learned an equation used to figure out the cost of a vote. The system was literally an equation politicians use to determine how much it cost a person to vote. The elements in the equation include time, cost of casting the vote (traveling expenses), and other outside forces. When I did the calculation pertaining to an average student at Wilkes University there is practically no cost to the student. There is no reason people shouldn’t vote. And the reasons to vote include the fact that the representatives elected to represent us do so on all levels including spending our money, making decisions about how Wilkes will participate within the WilkesBarre community, asking questions of the President’s cabinet about policy, and a multitude of other things that do impact our daily lives. So, when SG elections come up at the beginning of this year and you get the email with the ballot, complete it. Otherwise, I am strong believer in the notion that if you are eligible to vote and you don’t, do not bother complaining. A vote is a person’s voice and by not voting a person is giving up his or her voice. A simple plea: vote for SG representatives BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor I come to the students of Wilkes University with a very simple plea: vote during Student Government (SG) elections. I say this as someone who sits at SG meetings, not as a member of the general board but as a member of the press. The members of SG, every year try to get a lot of attention focused on the elections through flyers and decorating the Henry Student Center, but unfortunately that work is usually in vain. Last year when I was writing the article and posting results about the winners, I had to say I was shocked at the percentage of students who voted. I recall it being somewhere in the 40% range. What was so shocking was the fact that the election was done online. The only thing the students had to do was logon, click on the circle next to the person’s name they wanted to win, and click “submit.” Not too tough. Never in my life, would I think that number would be less than 50%, given students had to physically go and vote at the Henry Student Center but they didn’t. To vote, students could have been in their dorm, the library, Stark, Breiseth, or in China as long as they had internet access. They could have been munching on Frosted Flakes in their pajamas. Why didn’t Wilkes students vote? Apathy? Ignorance? Distraction? A desire to make a statement that said the system is broken? To be honest, I have no idea. There is bound to be a student or two saying, “I don’t care” or “I don’t know enough about the people that are running.” Well, the answer to the first claim is that students should care. SG handles hundreds of thousands of dollars of student money and by voting, the student’s voice is heard. To those students who claim they do not know enough about the person running, go online and look on Facebook and see what they are like, find them and ask questions, or take a walk through the Student Center. There are bound to be fliers or some huge political cliché hanging from a wall. I don’t think the problem lies with SG. �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 OPINION 8 Rain, rain go away...come again some sheltered day Wilkes lacks shelter at Ralston parking lot As many of us know or soon will find out, Wilkes-Barre is notorious for its wacky weather. This past week’s rainstorm reminded me of something. As a commuter, and former resident, I noticed that there is no shelter from the wicked weather at the Ralston parking lot. There is a small shuttle shelter located off South Franklin on the Weckesser grounds and shuttle riders may stand inside the Henry Student Center building for protection from the rain, snow, wind and other weather conditions if they choose pick up there. But Ralston does not offer viable space for commuters who wait for the shuttles after parking their cars. For those who were here last year, we had many rain and snowstorms over the course of the year, and I am sure this year will be no exception. Having shelter is not only a matter of staying dry and safe, but it’s also a matter of health. While harsh weather conditions may not cause illness, exposure can certainly exacerbate the symptoms. In addition, how many have suffered wet clothes and shoes, hair dismantled or make-up ruined from standing in the rain or snow at the Ralston parking lot or any other places on campus? Because more and more of us ride the shuttles, administration and our student leaders should consider adding a shelter at Ralston. If the university doesn’t want the task of doing this, students should voice concerns to our Student Government (SG) members and ask that they provide the shelter that we deserve. Moreover, if SG doesn’t provide the funds directly, shelters could be provided by a senior class gift. The year has just begun, and I am sure we will have many more storms. If you’re busy with work, like myself, and can’t afford to miss class for catching the flu from getting wet, let’s not wait any longer to do this. I encourage you to contact your SG elected officials located on the 1st floor of the SUB or the Deans whose offices are located at Stark and Breiseth. Let those in charge know how you feel, so we can avoid standing in the rain, wind and snow in the future. The Beacon/Cara Koster BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Opinion Editor Due to the lack of shelter, students must face poor weather conditions when waiting outside their vehicles for shuttle services to campus. The Angry Rant: Britney Spears Edition BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor A Sight for Sore Eyes by: Aleksander Lapinski out for her; Madonna is one of the biggest selling artists of our time, America loves celebrity babies, and shaving your head is like Welcome back everybody! After being off the new pilates! for the summer without an appropriate way Britney was stacking the deck in her favor, to vent my anger, I feel relieved to be back but like in Vegas, the house always wins, ranting in the pages of The Beacon. especially when you double down on 12 This year I promised the editors (and my- and the King busts you and you lose your self) that I would spend less time on the money for the weekend, your first month’s celebrity goings-on and spend more time deposit, and the downpayment on that ring on topics that actuyou were going to buy your girlally have an impact friend, but instead you now need on ourselves and our to settle on a pendant with a unisociety. corn on it, even though you hate But, this being the unicorns but she insists on them, first rant of the seacalling them “God’s special horson, I thought I’d go sies…” back to the well one Sorry, I got sidetracked. more time. Back to Britney. I feel bad for BritLong story short: Her career ney. Really, I do. went down the toilet faster than She hit the pop drugs at Lindsay Lohan’s apartscene in the late 90s Courtesy of ment. portraits-caricatures.com like a comet dressed And last week, her much anticiin pigtails and a plaid pated return on the MTV VMAs skirt, and looked primed to be at the fore- turned out to be a bigger train wreck than an front of the music industry for at least…six- actual train wreck. Spears, performing her teen months. new single “Gimme More,” looked stunHer first three albums went number one, ning…ly bad in black lingerie, and looked she was ruling the pop world, she made out as if though she should have been singing with Madonna, married Kevin Federline, “Gimme More Cookie Dough.” had two kids, divorced Kevin Federline, Maybe I don’t feel so bad for her…but and then shaved her head. some cookie dough would be delicious Where did it all go wrong? right about now. I don’t understand how it didn’t work It’s good to be back. �LIFESTYLES SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 Rockin the Campus Student of the Week 10 11 9 Getting by with a little help from your community friends The‘Clothes Closet’ provides free apparel to needy families and college students BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-Chief If you journey to the bottom floor of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, just a block from campus, you’ll probably find Dawn Seidel and her staff eagerly awaiting and greeting women from the community. The women Seidel and her staff greet are there on their monthly visit to select clothing for themselves and their families, from the Clothes Closet, an organization that provides new or hardly worn clothing free of cost to people who might otherwise not be able to purchase it. “What we do is we provide clothing for low-income families. We try to target women that are going back to work. We get a lot of our donations from women that are in the county that are interested in helping other women out. They provide nice, almost new clothing that’s good for a career.” said Seidel, Director of the Luzerne County Commission for Women and Director of the Clothes Closet. In addition to private contributors, the Clothes Closet receives donations from corporate drives, clothing drives, and also from a distributor that provides new clothing in large quantities. The shipments of new clothing typically arrive once or twice a month. Walking into the small basement room, visitors will see racks of clothing, and shelves with various styles of jeans. There is a room for men’s clothing, and a new “career room” that has professional attire. Among the jeans, you’ll see everything, from Abercrombie to Express, to DKNY, to Levis. Much of the clothing is up-to-date with the latest fashion, and the professional clothing is of department store quality, perfect for those struggling to get back on their feet. Among the many who take advantage in the Clothes Closet is Nicole Wilson of Wilkes-Barre. She visits once a month, and finds the convenience and neatness of the space a great service. “It’s a really great resource, especially in the summer.” said Wilson. “I got some brand new T-shirts. Brand new!” Wilson prefers the Clothes Closet to other discounted and free clothing outlets for the quality of the clothes. “It doesn’t smell like mothballs!” she said. The Clothes Closet is also open to helping out needy college students. With the attractive name brand and designer clothing available, those students pinching pennies may find it a site not to miss. “We would like to supply clothing for college students because we understand, myself being a mother of a college student, how expensive it is. Some of the college students aren’t working. We know you’re a starving college student and we want to help you out,” said Seidel. On Wednesdays, persons who wish to receive clothing arrive in the morning, and select various articles. They are allowed one bag per each family member, once a month. Due to lack of volunteers, the Clothes Closet is no longer open on Thursday evenings. The Clothes Closet is currently staffed with three paid employees, anywhere from 2 to 4 from the Luzerne County Work Force Investment Development Agency Job Experience Program, and one senior citizen from the Area Agency on Aging Senior Aid Program. However, Seidel noted that the Clothes Closet is constantly needing and seeking volunteers, particularly college students interested in working with the community. “That would be wonderful if they (college students) would come and volunteer. They can also, while they’re here, pick out a couple pair of jeans that they might be interested in. [We] especially [need] Spanish-speaking college students; we could use someone to help us translate. We do have a problem, especially on Wednesdays…. We have a hard time, (with speaking Spanish) because… we don’t…. We can also use any students that are good with data entry so we could make a file of our clients. There’s a lot of opportunity for volunteers,” said Seidel. The Clothes Closet is located in the basement of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre across the street from Boscov’s. It is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and also takes appointments throughout the week. The Beacon/Cara Koster Two women browse through the racks of free clothing at the Clothes Closet in the basement of the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre. The Clothes Closet is operated by Dawn Seidel, Director of the Luzerne County Commission for Women. The facility is open from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Wednesdays. If you would like to volunteer please contact Seidel at (570) 970-9248. �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 Rockin’ the campus: new psychology class breaks the mold BY CHRISTINE ZAVASKAS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor On Thursday evenings in the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center, it is likely that passersby will hear the beat of rock and roll music coming from room 325. However, inside there is no concert or rave going on--just an innovative class offered for the first time at Wilkes University. The three-credit course, “The Psychology of Rock & Roll,” was developed and is taught by Dr. Dennis Gold, an adjunct professor at Wilkes University. Gold, who received his Ph.D in clinical psychology at the University of Missouri at Columbia, said about the class, “I’m looking at the loop between the culture affecting the music and the music affecting the culture, and that goes around and around…” Gold became interested in rock and roll while growing up in the sixties and seventies at a time when many classic rock bands were forming. Since he lived in New York City, he got to see many of them. “I’m passionate about rock and roll and I’m passionate about teaching. So I decided to combine the two,” he explained. Gold first taught this course for two semesters at Misericordia University. Later, he spoke to Dr. Carl Charnetski of the Wilkes psychology department and subsequently brought the class to the university for the first time this semester. “In thinking about a curriculum, it’s always nice to have something a little different,” said Charnetski about why he thought the class would make a positive addition to the department’s offerings. The course is broken up into the exploration of a few major themes found in rock music like love and relationships, protest and anti-war, sex, and drugs. For each theme students listen to songs and analyze lyrics that correspond to the subject matter. The lesson plan also delves into both the history of rock music and the economics of the industry. Stacy Fimmano, a senior psychology major, said, “I think the course is great. Very interesting.” In order to teach this unconventional class, Gold tries to use as many different types of media as possible. In addition to playing music, he employs videos, pictures, and books. A group presentation on a major influence of rock music and a paper about how rock and roll has affected a student’s life are the two major projects in the class. “It’s amazing what people write, how powerful it is…” commented Gold about the paper. A midterm and final are also part of each student’s grade, and Gold is trying to arrange for at least part of one of these tests to take place on the air. He has been in contact with a local radio station, 102.3 FM The Mountain, and wants the station to broadcast a section of the test where students will hear a song and then have to identify the title and artist. However, the station has not been as receptive to the concept initially as he hoped. While most teachers are concerned about how much knowledge of an academic topic students take away from a class, Gold has a somewhat different aspiration in mind for his students. “I would like them to walk away with a greater sense of who they are as a person as a result of the class, and have fun doing it.” Does this class sound intriguing? Then you may be in luck. When asked if he planned to teach the course again Gold replied, “I hope so. My goal is to make the class at least an annual feature, as long as the students respond to it.” The Beacon/Gino Troiani Dr. Dennis Gold teaches the innovative class he designed, “The Psychology of Rock & Roll.” ~ ~ q]Xi®llmfb(iJffl] 165 North Wilkes-Barre Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 825-8459 T DE TH FO H 2rst CENTURY Sunday Home-style dinner specials $1.50 Miller Lite cans Monday Dozen clams/ wings for $4.99 $1.50 Miller Lite cans Tuesday (College Night) $1 Yuengling Lager Drafts $3.95 Bar Pizza Wednesday (Mexican Night) $1 off Coronas & Corona Lights ½ Off Mexican Apps 5 p.m. - 9p.m. Thursday Dozen clams for $4.99 Featured Beer Night Friday Martini specials "After Work" Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5 - 7 p.m. $ 1.00 off all Mixers & Import Drafts $1.50 Domestic Drafts �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 LIFESTYLES 11 Student of the Week: Stacie Gogo BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Stacie Gogo, a senior musical theater major, spent the summer interning with the Weathervane Repertory Theater, a professional company in Whitefield, New Hampshire. After auditioning in New York City, Gogo was chosen as one of ten interns from around the country. From June 17-September 2, they performed seven mainstage shows and four children’s shows. Gogo, who has been performing since she was two years old, is actively involved with theatrical productions at Wilkes. She can be seen next as Carmen in the Wilkes production of “Sweet Charity,” opening in November. The Beacon recently had the opportunity to sit down and learn more about Gogo’s experiences and has named her “Student of the Week” as a result. “People say if you can survive at Weathervane, you can survive anywhere.” The Beacon: How were you chosen for the internship? Gogo: I applied to Strawhat auditions in New York City, where 50 theatre companies watched us audition. We had 90 seconds to sing part of a song and perform part of a monologue. If a specific company liked what they saw, they called you back the next day to dance. I was chosen by the Weathervane Repertory Theatre. The Beacon: What was a typical day for you during the internship? Gogo: If we had a children’s show that day, we’d get up around 6 a.m. to travel. Then we’d set up for it. We made the props ourselves. The shows were an hour long. Once we finished and returned to Whitefield, we rehearsed for mainstage shows until 6 p.m. Then we had a performance each night. We had 13-hour days. We worked our butts off. The Beacon: What was the most difficult part of working there? Gogo: The most stressful part was having five days to put up a full-length show. We have about a month to do that here. You learn a song one day, and the next, you’d have to be off-book. The Beacon: What was the best part of the internship? Gogo: The best part was being able to work with professional Equity actors. You got to see how these actors worked in the real world. The Beacon/Cara Koster The Beacon How did what you learned affect your future career plans? Gogo: Being there made me realize this is what I really want to do. People say if you can survive at Weathervane, you can survive anywhere. Courtesy of Stacie Gogo Stacie Gogo, as Tinkerbell, with other castmembers of Weathervane’s production of “Peter Pan”. If you would like to nominate someone for Student of the Week, please email beacon.lifestyles@ gmail.com. �A&E SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 12 Downtown Deli Showdown “Too Bad It’s Poetry” Movie Review Crossword/Website Tony Thomas Deli and Catering vs. Carol’s Deli and Bakery 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon A&E Editor Tony Thomas Deli and Catering courtesy dacharts.org In terms of dining, Wilkes-Barre offers plenty of choices and competition. Regardless of what you prefer, you can almost always find at least two businesses with the same offerings. Two chain sub shops are located right across the street from one another. The city is strewn with pizza places, and surprisingly, you can even find two restaurants offering Middle-eastern cuisine within a few blocks from one another. So with all of these businesses offering similar options, the question is, which ones fare better in comparison? Since Wilkes-Barre has more of them than you can keep track of, it seemed fitting to start of with two delis in the area, specifically Tony Thomas Deli and Catering and Carol’s Deli and Bakery. These are both businesses that open in the early morning hours and are closed by early afternoon; therefore, the expectations would be that they both must have something impressive to offer. After all, an eatery can’t be sustained by early-morning coffee drinkers alone. Whether or not it comes as a surprise, a lot of people are unaware that Tony Thomas’ even exists. This could be because it closes at 3 p.m. every day, and the exterior facade looks as though it hasn’t changed since the 1940s, which might lead people to believe that it’s another long-dead business on Main Street left be replaced. Despite the outward appearance, this business stays consistently busy during the early hours of the morning. While the sign states “deli,” it feels a lot more like a diner. Granted, Tony Thomas’ specializes in sandwiches, but the deli offer things that extend beyond hot and cold subs, for example, pizza (although only on Wednesdays and Fridays), entrée salads, soups, spaghetti, and even Middle-Eastern options, including spinach pie and hummus. The sandwich list is extensive, and offers them on sliced bread, hoagie rolls, and pita bread, a somewhat unusual option. The good thing is that mostly any sandwich on the menu will likely come in under $5 - even a steak sandwich is inexpensive. In terms of breakfast, all the meals are in the $3 range, and in addition to the standard meat and egg combo, Tony Thomas’ also offers pancakes and French toast. It would have been nice if the quality of the food matched the quality of the menu. Granted, I got an endless cup of coffee for only 95 cents and the bacon was, well, bacon (it’s hard to mess that up). But the second the pancakes were placed in front of me, the issue at hand was hard to ignore. To put it plainly, they smelled like everything else that had been fried on the grill that day and the day before, and they tasted a bit like it, too. When I took the first bite there were definite undertones of either French fries, pork, or fried egg. On the upside, the generous supply of syrup worked to counteract that. The deli does have a very welcoming atmosphere, though. The waitress was friendly enough that I wish I could overlook the aftertaste of my pancakes. So, in this case, taste took a backseat to everything else the business had to offer. Carol’s Deli and Bakery Tony Thomas Deli and Catering Food Quality = ~ Selection = ~ Atmosphere = ~ Service = ~ Prices = ~ Overall = ~ Carol’s Deli and Bakery Food Quality = ~ Selection =~ Atmosphere = ~ Service = ~ Prices = ~ Overall = -trl'rlt *AA = ■ all around <i$saPQintin~ deCMt, but lmprovemer11 need~d ~ = a d e quate, bul not impr95~lve ~; good qualily -little irnJ]rovement needed ~ = e, cellMt - no eom~lalnt~ The visit to this deli, located just footsteps away from Tony Thomas’ on Main Street, began with confusion. From the outside, it appeared like it was going to be an upgrade. The facade of Carol’s is bright, new looking, and inviting. Of course, then I stepped inside… The menu was taped down on the front counter. Looking at the number of choices, I assumed there was a backside to the menu, but I was wrong. While Carol’s offers breakfast, pizza, cold sandwiches, and hoagies, the menu selection is pretty meager. The breakfast selection includes a handful of options, each basically consist of eggs (eggs and bacon, eggs and toast, eggs and a roll…). The sandwich choices are a bit more extensive. But tuna and bologna sandwiches and vegetable and Italian subs, suggests that Carol’s makes little effort to offer anything beyond the standards. Basically, the deli doesn’t offer much of anything you couldn’t go home and cook up yourself in a matter of minutes. And then there’s the fact that the sign states “deli and bakery.” It’s worth noting that I went close to closing time, which could be an explanation, but the fact is, Carol’s selection of baked goods was less than impressive. A couple of danishes, one type of muffin, and one kind of cookie was all they offered, but as I said, they may just cater more to the early crowd. So, all in all, this place didn’t offer much that impressed, but it fared a bit better than Tony Thomas’ in terms of the food itself. The restaurant is not without its positive points, though. Like Tony Thomas’, Carol’s is quite affordable. With the exception of an entire pizza, absolutely nothing on the menu is above the $4 price range, which is a rarity. And while Carol’s menu selection feels rather meager, the food is well-made and served in a matter of minutes. Their vegetable hoagie was fresh and filling and was definitely worth the few dollars it cost. courtesy www.recipes4us.co.uk �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Jim Warner releases book of poetry BY SHANNON CURTIN Beacon Staff Writer The poetry world owes a lot to an escalator in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Assistant director of the creative writing program, Jim Warner started writing poetry after an escalator-related accident left his arm in a cast when he was twelve. Now, Warner is intensely involved in the local poetry scene, and more importantly, is anticipating the release of his first book of poetry, Too Bad It’s Poetry. Too Bad It’s Poetry received its intriguing title when Warner was pitching a separate book idea featuring a collection of works relating to autism. “Jack Scovil (an advisory board member) told me, ‘It’s a great idea. Too bad it’s poetry.’ Poetry doesn’t sell,” stated Warner. The remark stuck with Warner and when he recounted the story to publishers Jennifer HillKaucher and Dan Waber they suggested he make it the title for this collection. The poems featured in Warner’s book stem from two different influences, one of which can be observed from the format and cover art of the book. Too Bad It’s Poetry features a 45 record on the cover and requires the reader to flip the book over to continue to read the other half, or “side” of the book. “The first part of the book, side A, is influenced by music, especially (the band) The Hold Steady. The second part of the book, side B, is about exploring my personal identity as a Philipino American.” Side B of Warner’s book was written with his mentor, Toi Derricotte, during his last semester in the Wilkes MA program. The last poem in the collection, “East/West” is a “must read,” according to Derricotte, one in which Warner “fuses references to music, spirituality, psychology, pop culture and literature as he explores themes of exile and identity.” A few lines from the poem, “I/tore out the pages of my/ancestry, and chose black ink for blue feelings,” express Warner’s poetic journey of self exploration beautifully. Paper Kite Press, which published Too Bad It’s Poetry, worked closely with Warner throughout the process. Hill-Kaucher said the “publication of the work depends on the manuscript. We let the work inform the design of the book, and we work from there with various printers to make the final product, one that the author and editors are happy with.” The small, local printing company has released nine books thus far and though small press poetry books “fly well below the radar of big box bookstores,” authors get a voice in the design and form of the manuscript. Paper Kite Press works primarily with poets and the publication of poetry, “Poetry That Needs to Be Published” is its mission and any profits made from the sales of authors like Warner allow The Beacon/Cara Koster future poets to publish Warner’s book of poetry will be released on September 21 their work. “It’s great to at Paper Kite Press & Studio in Kingston. know that my book will let others in the genre be published. That’s continuing to revise his thesis. what it’s about, poetry and readings. I’m Too Bad It’s Poetry will be released on looking forward to being able to read from September 21 at 8:30 p.m. at Paper Kite my own book at and hopefully this will al- Press & Studio on 443 Main Street in Kingslow me more opportunity to do readings at ton and will be followed by an open mic. different venues.” The book can be purchased from Paper Kite Warner is currently involved in virtually Press studio or online at www.wordpaintevery poetry reading in the Wilkes-Barre ing.com and at the downtown Barnes and area. He will be hosting an open mic series Noble in Wilkes-Barre. Warner will also at the downtown Barnes and Noble in the be participating in a book reading/signing end of September, and is also scheduled session on October 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the to host the AWP Poetry Slam Series at the Barnes and Noble College Bookstore. 2008 Conference in Manhattan. He is currently working on a small chapbook and Front page photo courtesy of H.Caprari theme of Collegetown Carnival. Various carnival activities such as caricatures, tarot card readings and a fashion show sponsored by the Weekender will be offered for the college students. Bridget Giunta, Wilkes-Barre city administrator and coordinator for the Party on the Square explained, “The theme of Collegetown Carnival will set the event apart from previous years. We are offering the traditional favorites but also new events like the Weekender Walk-Off Fashion Show and more participation from area businesses.” Students must present their college ID from one of the five local universities, which include King’s Col- lege, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia University, Penn State WilkesBarre and Wilkes University. All students with a valid college ID will receive a free t-shirt, a student discount card for thirteen local businesses and tickets for food and amusements at Party on the Square. The student discount card can also be shown the night of the event at Movies 14 for a discounted ticket of $6. According to Guinta, the event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with all five schools participating in a student walk into Public Square. The idea of a student walk to Party on the Square was created during a joint student government meeting between Wilkes and King’s College, according to Guinta. Guinta then proposed the idea to the other three participating colleges, who all agreed to participate. The student walk to Party on the Square is open to as many students as would like to join. A kickoff ceremony will take place at 5:15 p.m. Present at the ceremony will be Marilyn Santarelli, Chair of Diamond City Partnership, Todd Vonderheid, CEO of Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, JJ Murphy, Wilkes-Barre City Administrator, Tom Leary, Interim President for Student Development at Lu- Party on the Square to create Collegetown carnival BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Asst. A&E Editor The fourth annual Party on the Square will take place on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square this Thursday, September 20, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The event offers student discounts and live entertainment to the students of five local colleges. This year, Party on the Square, offers a 09.20.01 Graphic courtesy of Bridget Guinta zerne County Community College and Matt Brown, Wilkes Student Government President, who will represent the student bodies of the five colleges. The entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. with live music from the local band The Five Percent. At 6:30 p.m. the traditional Domino’s Pizza eating contest will be held and at 7:15 p.m. Go Go Gadget will take the stage. New to the Party on the Square this year is the Weekender Walk-Off Fashion Show, which will be held at 8:00 p.m. The fashion show will feature styles from area boutiques, salons and college bookstores. The downtown Barnes & Noble store will stay open late the night of the event for more live music from “Middleport Wednesday” and to raffle off the apparel from Wilkes, King’s and Edun Live featured in the fashion show. Junior criminology major Vashty Vazquez plans to attend this year’s Party on the Square. She explained, “Me and a bunch of friends are going [to Party on the Square]. I am really looking forward to going since I haven’t been able to go in the past.” Vazquez continued, “I’m looking forward to everything from the music to Domino’s Pizza.” �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Movie Review: Halloween BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Staff Writer In 1978, director John Carpenter gave horror fans everywhere a reason to rush to the theater with the release of his classic Halloween. With it’s great cast, expert mix of horror and suspense and its incredibly memorable score (thanks to Carpenter), the film set the bar for slasher films, not to mention introducing us to Jamie Lee Curtis, and of course everyone’s favorite, white-faced, butcher-knife wielding killer, Michael Myers (the psychopath, not Austin Powers). Over the course of nearly 30 years, the franchise spawned eight sequels, some good, some bad, but none as magnificent as the first. Now, we find ourselves in 2007, and the film that started it all is back in theaters, with a new director, a new cast and a veritable army of fans with their fingers crossed, hoping that this remake will do the original justice. Stepping into Carpenter’s large, bloody shoes to retell this classic is rocker/director/horror fanatic Rob Zombie, creator of House of a Thousand Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects. As soon as fans heard about plans for the remake, the rumblings and questions began. “What if Zombie changes the story?” “What if he changes the characters?” “What if he turns a suspense-fest like Halloween into a bloodbath?” But as is with all remakes, the only way to see if it does the original justice/injustice is to see it yourself. But in case you still have some doubts and trepidations; here’s a quick overview of what Rob Zombie’s Halloween has to offer. Opening in similar fashion to the 1978 version, Zombie’s begins in the early 1960s, where we find a young Michael Myers, prepping for another year of trick-or-treating in Haddonfield, IL. However, unlike the original which spends only a few minutes with young Michael before jumping directly to his legendary All Hallows Eve massacre, this version spends over half the movie giving the viewer insight into what led the young Michael commit his first violent crimes, as well as his life inside the mental institution which housed him for seventeen years. It is this particular section of the film which separates the remake from the original, showing fans aspects of Myer’s life never touched by the original. The viewer gets to see Michael meeting and interacting with the film’s hero, Dr. Loomis, played by SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 Malcom McDowell (Gangster No.1), and Wallace (The Howling), and basically the also how exactly Myer’s escapes the insti- entire cast of House of A Thousand Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects. tutionalization. Rated R for strong, brutal violence along Once out, Myers heads straight back to his home town, and you can just guess what day with your run-of-the-mill slasher flick sexit is. It is here where we meet our heroine uality, Halloween certainly earns its rating, Laurie Strode, played by newcomer Scout making the blood and gore of the original Taylor-Compton, which is a nice touch by look tame by comparison. This is not a film Zombie, considering that the role of Laurie for kids or anyone who can’t get a kick was her predecessor, Curtis’, debut role as out of a good arterial spray every now and then. So be forewarned: this is a slasher well. As night falls over Haddonfield and the movie, people are going to die, and in this kiddies are filling the streets looking for a case, when they bite it, they don’t go out few Halloween treats, fans will begin to see pretty, clean, or quietly. several familiar happenings that seem to be When all is said and done, there are realtaken directly from the Carpenter’s 1978 ly only two ways to view this: an excellent version. However, it is the viewers’ knowl- retelling/companion piece of a classic or edge of the original that allows Zombie borderline cinematic sacrilege. Eventually to manipulate them, giving you one scare all horror fans will have to decide on which Photo courtesy Cathy Alaimo when you’re expecting another. side of the line they want to stand. RememOnce this pattern becomes apparent, it is ber, this is not a remake, it is a retelling. If clear to see that you can’t predict what is go- you want to see John Carpenter’s Hallowing to happen next, which may be the films een don’t go see this movie, stay home and greatest asset. On the other hand, for the watch the original. However, if you think real horror buffs, the biggest thrill may be you’re up for a good scare, a lot of blood, seeing the sheer number of cameos Zombie, and a new spin on a familiar story, head out a well known splatter hound, packed into to the theaters, because Rob Zombie’s Halhis film including, just to name a few, Ken loween is a flick just itching to satisfy all of Foree (Dawn Of The Dead), Brad Douriff your sick, bloodthirsty needs. (the voice of Child’s Play’s Chucky), Dee Grade: B + Schedule of Events Tuesday 18 -Alice Cooper performing at the Kirby Center at 7:30 p.m. •""SaabM-e oight .. /1VeJ!'f Tuesday night from 7:00-8;30(1.lDl Wednesday 19 • "',U.rv~ Acru.u,tic Ml!l.-s il' ~cy Wodm:~day .nigh.rt m OU!r caf.c~ - Film:Once showing at the Kirby Center at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Echoburn performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Tim week 4Dealers in ~ 6:30-8:;30pm Thursday 20 • "'Uw· A ous:tk: Mus:i.c"'· .featur.lng "'M:liddleport Wedne'Sday'" !liter -Party on the Square at Public Square at 5:30 p.m. ' tb.e .. th ADiluil P:uty on the: S.qu:u-e' 1hw:5da:y, Sept m:b .I 20th -Sham 69, Reisitance Culture, The Cutters and Cunnilingus performing at Backstage at from 8;00- H:OOpm in OtEr Surbu.cb cm, 6 p.m. • "'Third Frlday Art \Val - Fnda:y, Sepkmhcr 21:st funm -Write Now! Writer’s discussion group at the Tudor Book Shop at 7 p.m. Friday 21 5:00- &OOpm featuring Je111 Adams .a Wilk.es. Rive'l"Jity - Renoir Exhibit bus trip - bus leaves the Wymong Valley Mall at 7 a.m. p0ttt1"'f :IJ1uttu •ror, She will b-.e displaying rand Mlling - Strawberry Jam performing at the Jazz Cafe he'r hmd thr011m pott~IJ, - Third Friday Art Walk in downtown Wilkes-Barre from 5-8 p.m. Stm-y 'll'ime ev~.ry S: ru:mdaymorning from 11:00-1~00 - Municipal Waste, Skeleton Whitch, Toxic Holocauast and 1428 performing at Back stage at 6 p.m. -39 Mariner performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. SA:rn AND SPECIALS Saturday 22 - Raw Food class at Arts Youniverse at 3 p.m. "fMowe GMn Sptdd from 6:00pm to close -. c:ry evcmng... - Tripping on Nothing and Gongzilla performing at the Jazz Café pre.sen.it yotrr movie sruh from. ~ovi~:. 14"' aml gt:t·.Zs:% off all - Sordoni opening reception from 5-7 p.m. - The Sw!ms, Dr. Horsemachine and the Moneynotes, The New Motels and TBA per itemJ -in our Stadm ' call, forming at Café Metropolis at 7 p.m. Sunday 23 Dorlt ·forget tQ, pi,dl;: wp a .iFn;q_u_cnit: Hu~r Card,; today! -Xclisive & the Soul Revival performing at the Woodlands Streamside Bandstand. The area’s favorite show bands perform on stage from 10:00 " - 1&111\: ~ tu me yoo:r fl.EX DOLLARS :m: The -. here :in ,our. stclre! . Beacon/Nick Zmijewski p.m. to 2:00 a.m. �15 Kudracross BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Staff Writer ACROSS 1 Buzzing nuisances 6 Rear of a boat 9 Clumsy people 13 Best 14 Small version of 14 down 15 Left side of a boat 16 A daring bet 17 Read hastily 18 ABC, XYZ or 123 19 Theaters with many screens 22 X 23 People of common descent 24 Angry Speech 26 Cattle call* 29 Discontinue 30 Blackbeards milieu 31 Acorn producer 32 Crestfallen 33 Commence 37 Beale ____, Memphis 39 Music source 40 Common sedimentary rock 41 Airline schedule abbreviation 42 Bar account 43 Hallucinogenic drug (abbr.) 45 Quarter of four 46 Cunning 47 Miniature tree 50 Between microwave and gamma 52 ____ de Janeiro 53 Saying on the first day of school SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 59 Medicinal plant 61 Greenish blue 62 A flick 63 Common Vegas game 64 England nobility title 65 High society 66 Biblical garden 67 Harmful pesticide, for short 68 Belly button DOWN 1 Suds 2 Comic character “Little ____ Moppet” 3 “____ cost you” 4 Revise 5 Boom variety 6 Climb 7 Natural fiber 8 Beliefs 9 Choose 10 Main artery 11 The “F” in KFC 12 Excalibur holder 14 Gilligan’s home 20 Clothing fold 21 Afternoon nap 25 26 27 28 32 34 35 36 38 39 Degree of speed Bryophyte Hippocratic ____ Popular southern US pod Playground item Bachelor of ____ Authentic Country music star _____ Keith Pipe bends Type of boat 41 44 45 47 48 49 51 54 55 56 57 58 60 Join up Ate conservatively Bovine powered vehicle Decelerate Lubricated Lack of people Saudi Arabia neighbor Bullet metal Cattle catching device Tel-____ Refer to Hull part Long time BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-chief First of all, just starting this review was difficult. When I typed in “SugarDaddyForMe.com” into my Firefox browser, I felt dirty. I mean, who am I? I’m 21, female, single, editor of a newspaper… Wow… That fits (the stereotype of nerd, maybe.) What was even worse was when I had to tell the website what I was. My choices for “gender,” a drop down list, included: SugarDaddy, SugarBaby, SugarMomma, SugarBaby (male), Gay SugarDaddy, Woman for Extramarital, and Man for Extramarital. Yikes. Entering The Beacon’s email address and listing myself as a “SugarMomma,” I was on my way to experiencing the world of sugary goodness. I also listed myself as “very cuddly” under “Body Type,” just because I found the choice amusing. Following, I moved forward into the site. Deciding to browse who was online at 12:40 AM, I found an interesting selection… All right, I didn’t. I found a meat market. Who are these people?! Maybe I’m wrong, but I find the whole concept of the site to be sick. As far as I can tell it’s set up for people seeking sexual relationships, and pretty much redefining the notion of ‘dating.’ They don’t date. They list themselves as if they were a Craig’s List ad. Listen to this one. *** SugarBaby, 23, Single Looking for: 26 - 60 SugarDaddy Toronto, Ontario, Canada I am a 23yrs old Tasty Caramel Candy and very very adventurous and intelligent lady who has a great sense of humor. I am very out going and open-minded and knows exactly what I want. *** What the heck is that? How could anyone feel good about calling themselves a “tasty caramel candy?” Yes, I get itSUGARDADDY… But come on. Who are you? My inner feminist is screaming! Please… You’re 23 and you post that you want someone 26-60? I mean, I’ve dated older men, sweetheart, but you don’t need someone who is going to excrete evaporated milk! Here’s another one for the scrapbook: *** SugarDaddy, 42, Married but Looking Looking for: 18 - 30 SugarBaby Courtesy Lackawanna County Library System SugarDaddyForMe.com Manhattan, New York I am a tall, slim, fit, attractive, sensual professional,early 40s, financially secure, 5’11, 185 who is passionate, down to earth, somewhat kinky and looking for someone open minded. *** Yes, everyone, you read correctly. SugarDaddyForMe. com specifically aides the progression of extramarital affairs. These men and women purposely pitch their “’til death do us parts” and essentially place themselves on the market. In six months, after the onset of inevitable emotional attachment the “I want to slap him/her in the face” reality will set in, and the site’s goal of pleasure will turn to pain, sorrow, and possibly a nasty divorce and the dreaded “spousal support.” How can a site support and help aide something so awful? I just don’t understand what happened to dating. I don’t understand what happened to love and marriage. I mean, I guess I’m no better, because I just wasted a half hour of my life browsing these hyper-sexual beings’ profiles. I don’t support this site. I give it an “S,” for “S”hut it down before “S”omeone gets an “S”TD. �16 SPORTS SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 Field hockey team falls to Widener, but boosts numbers BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor The head coach who once led the Lady Royals from Scranton University to a conference championship bout is now back for another season--with the Lady Colonels. Sara Myers, 2005 Freedom Conference Coach of the Year, has begun her third season as the Lady Colonels head coach and believes this is the best team she’s had as a coach at Wilkes University. “We have a strong returning group that came back from last year,” said Myers. “We have 19 returners. We have a talented group and it’s a good group to work with. Game to game we’re making steps of improvement every time we step on the field.” The Lady Colonels went on the road to face Widener University for their fourth game of the season on September 13. They entered the game with a 2-1 record against Widener who was sitting on a record of 30 at the time. The clear 70-degree weather made it the perfect day for both teams to grab their sticks in front of an estimated 135 fans in Chester, PA. Widener’s Jaime Carr would strike first at the 05:08 mark hitting the ball past Lady Colonels goalie Julia Smith off an assist from teammate Erica Rose. It took Wilkes nearly forty minutes to respond to tie the game at one goal apiece. With 43:34 remaining on the clock, Wilkes sophomore Jennifer Keegan slammed one past goalie Katie Jensen who had five saves on the day for Widener. Unfortunately for the Lady Colonels, Widener only needed approximately twelve minutes before Carr would get her second goal putting the score at 2-1. Five minutes later, Widener’s Mallory Meyer would score off a pass from Colleen Guille putting the game out of the Lady Colonels reach. “[The game against Widener] was the most intense game we played all year,” said Myers. “I think people stepped up and had their best game against Widener.” Smith gathered 18 of her season total 47 saves against Widener. Unfortunately, the Lady Colonels were held in check offensively attempting only eight shots and scoring on two. If they’d had the opportunity at a couple more shots, they may have won. Junior Devan McKay scored the final goal of the game with eight minutes left in the game. The Lady Colonels are now 2-3 after losing two goals to one on the road Saturday against 13th-ranked Montclair State (NJ). Keegan tied the game at one during the 38:09 mark off a rebound, but Montclair’s Megan Pietrunti would score nearly ten minutes later. Both teams remained scoreless in the final twenty-two minutes leaving the final score 2-1 Montclair. Two of the Lady Colonels’ three losses have been on the road. With 14 games left on the schedule, the Lady Colonels still have a chance to improve on their 9-9 record from a season ago. The Lady Colonels go on the road to matchup against Elizabethtown Tuesday at 4:30 and another non-conference game will be played at home for the Lady Colonels against Marywood. Last season the Lady Colonels beat up on both Elizabethtown (5-1) and Marywood (4-0) within the first five games of the season. Senior Lindsay Thomas and the rest off the Wilkes team remembers the days of 2005 when they reached the semi-final playoff game against Kings and believes that they will make it back. “I think we have a lot of potential,” said Thomas. “We just need to work a little harder and practice. Couple more games, I’d say we’ll be one of the teams to look out for in the conference.” BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor Losing seven of his players after expecting to drop only two graduating seniors doesn’t seem to bother the sixth-year women’s soccer head coach, John Sumoski. Ultimately, if chemistry isn’t happening, changes, even unexpected ones, can be a gift. Last year, Lady Colonels bowed out of the playoffs in the first round. This was a surprise after being crowned conference champions in 2005, and some have speculated that the early departure happened because of a lack of team chemistry. Team chemistry may also be the reason why some Lady Colonels decided to retire their jerseys prematurely from last year. Whatever the case may be, Sumoski has set his sights on the kind of teamwork that builds championships for the 2007-08 season. With an even split of 11 veterans and 11 freshmen on his roster, Sumoski and the Lady Colonels believe they can return to the glorious days of the 2005 women’s conference championship soccer season. “Everyone is very confident that if we work hard and I do my job of putting the right team on the field, we have a very good shot at winning the conference,” said Sumoski. “But everything has to fall together nicely as far as organizing all the newcomers with the returning players.” Senior forward Rebecca Duttry also believes her team can return to the days of 2005 but possibly further. “This year I think we can go to the Sweet Sixteen,” said Duttry, “very easily.” ball down field completing a brilliant pass to sophomore forward Julissa Reed. Freshman Melissa Polchinski, finished the play kicking the ball through the net off a pass from Reed. Wilkes has won three of its last four games against Scranton. Now the team is 3-20 all- The Lady Colonels first conference game will be Saturday Oct. 6 against Mahattanville College. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Sophomore Jennifer Keegan leads the Lady Colonels in the scoring department with four goals on twelve attempts. Keegan has started all five games this season. Lady Colonels soccer looks to rebuild and develop “Everyone is very confident that if we work hard and I do my job of putting the right team on the field, we have a very good shot at winning the conference.” -John Sumoski So far, the Lady Colonels are one game above .500 with a 3-2 non-conference record. Their first conference battle will be at home against FDU-Florham (NJ) on Oct. 6. All of the Lady Colonels’ first five games have concluded in shutouts including their 1-0 “moral victory” over former conference rival Scranton University in overtime. Senior forward Georgina Robertson forced one of Scranton’s players to move backwards with the ball allowing Catherine Simone to apply pressure and strip it away. Simone, a junior forward, then kicked the time against the Lady Royals. The other two wins for the Wilkes women have also been 1-0 shutouts to both Cortland University (NY) and Lebanon Valley College (PA). The Lady Colonels last line of defense lies in the hands of senior goalie Liz Pauly. Pauly has caught a total of 14 saves, while giving up five goals in the initial five games. Junior Jessica Berkey has also filled in at the goalie position. Although the Lady Colonels have enjoyed holding their opponents scoreless, they have had their share being on the other side of the fence. On September 6, the Lady Colonels hosted nationally ranked (3rd) Messiah College. Messiah held the Lady Colonels to only one goal shot while scoring five goals on thirteen shots of their own. Wilkes gave up three goals during a nine minute span that began at the 26:53 mark. “Messiah plays a beautiful game of soccer and it really showed us where we are at compared to the best in the country,” said Sumoski. “It means a lot to the players just to have the opportunity to play them. Every year we can look at our progress based on how we do against them.” In 2006, the Lady Colonels lost to Messiah 6-0. This week, the Lady Colonels match up against two other prestigious soccer programs in New York University and Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ). Stevens is ranked 15th in the nation while N.Y.U. is 7th in their region. Today the Lady Colonels go on the road to square off against Stevens at 7 p.m. Both teams have a history that dates back to Nov. 12, 2005 when Stevens shut out the Lady Colonels in NJ 5-0 during the D3 women’s soccer national tournament. The Lady Colonels take on NYU Sunday at Ralston Field at 1 p.m. �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 FOOTBALL from PAGE 20 “This loss is hard for me and it’s hard for our football team,” said Sheptock. “When we started playing Rowan, we think, ‘they’re one of the premier programs in the east.’ And now on two consecutive occasions we’re toe-to-toe with one of the premier programs in the eastern half of the United States. We’re right there and to be so close stings a little bit.” “But (the team’s loss) also reveals how close we are to getting to that level and that’s the positive I take from this,” Sheptock added. The first three Wilkes games of the season have been home against teams from the NJAC conference including William Paterson (NJ) and Montclair State (NJ) for a combined total of three losses by a mere nine points. Despite being sent to the turf six times on sacks, Karaffa displayed his best offensive performance of the season against Rowan. Karaffa threw for two touchdowns after leaving the first two games empty handed against William Paterson and Montclair SPORTS State. He also put up a season-high 249 yards, 173 of those in the second half on a total of 25 completions to 11 different receivers. Zangardi led all receivers with 86 yards on six catches. Prushinsky followed with six catches of his own for a total of 60 yards. The Wilkes name who was called only six times for 14 rushing yards against William Paterson in the first game and zero against Montclair State. Against Rowan, sophomore Sean Madden led the Colonels in rushing with 30 yards on 15 attempts. Sophomore Corey Carter got only three touches against Rowan compared to 30 carries between the Colonels first two games. All four of the Colonels running backs including senior Ryan Gallagher and freshman Jamar Beverly, combined for only 39 rushing yards. Rowan’s running backs came away with 92 rushing yards. Senior All-American Kyle Follweiler was the beast on the defensive side of the pigskin for the Colonels at the middle linebacker position. Follweiler had a career-high 20 tackles, 14 of which were unassisted. He also grabbed an interception at Rowan’s 31- yard line in the beginning of the second quarter and a sack for a loss of four yards. Junior Corey Tucker followed with eight tackles and one forced fumble. Although the outcomes of games are not solely determined on either side of the ball, Sheptock believes his special teams unit needs to be solid in order to propel his team forward. “Our blackshirt (special teams) unit will determine how successful our season is,” said Sheptock. “Through the first three games you see that. That’s where we go to get better to start winning football games.” Not only could the Colonels have potentially gone into over-time in their game against Rowan on Saturday had they made the extra point on their first touchdown, but they also missed an extra point attempt in their first game of the season against William Paterson resulting in a 17-16 loss. The Colonels have a bye this week and get the chance to fix what has gone wrong before their seven game stretch in the MAC Freedom conference that begins with Lebanon Valley on Saturday, September 29 in Annville, PA. “Those first couple they were a great test and we had some great teams we played 17 against,” said Karaffa. “We fell a little short with that one point loss, but we’re all loooking up. We’re all getting fired up for the MAC now.” The Beacon/Gino Troiani Wilkes sophomore running back Corey Carter carries the ball during Saturday’s 14-13 loss against game against Rowan. ~Barioti(6) MOIDllfll'llaRtldla,(J) D:wr Qriidne1 PriPi lldlw ~Cal: ~Ollt 'R!flVs:z........ l2Cal:'IBJ' 110..Tre, 11!1rt. ..,,_, Mlnl'IKIDil(l2) Mini~ Pee 10! (12) Jmpn, Puwen 00 ftMobFffl!lll ~Na& On.laalta,p �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 SPORTS 18 Commentary American League MVP to be determined in final weeks Alex Rodriguez is primed to walk away with his third Most Valuable Player award BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor When it came to deciding the American League MVP for 2006, it was a close race between the Minnesota Twins’ Justin Morneau and the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter. This year the race is anything but. Alex Rodriguez, the third baseman for the New York Yankees, has all but won his third MVP award. All he needs now is to tally the votes. A-Rod, quite possibly the greatest player of this generation, is currently in the midst of the best year of his career, one year removed from a season in which he was booed by fans, moved down to the 7th spot in the lineup, and all but nearly run out of town by the notoriously tough New York media. What a difference a year makes. While the Yankees struggled in the first half of the season, Rodriguez was busy trying to keep the team afloat. In an April that saw the perennial contender Bronx Bombers play to a record of 9-14, A-Rod was hitting everything in sight, ending the month with a .355 batting average, 14 homeruns and 34 RBIs. While he was unable to keep pace with those numbers, he has still managed to put up the kind of numbers that one has come to expect from the youngest member of the 500 homerun club. Currently, A-Rod is sitting atop the AL with a comfortable lead in both homeruns (52) and RBIs (141), while maintaining a batting average of .315. More importantly, however, is how pivotal he has been in the clutch. In 2006, A-Rod wasn’t reliable in key situations or in the playoffs, a blemish on an otherwise storied career. This season, he is hitting .328 with 6 homeruns and 19 RBIs in the “close and as the Angels have an 8.5 game lead over the second place Seattle Mariners in the AL West. The next canidate lies in Magglio Ordonez, the Detroit Tigers’ right fielder. Ordonez, who is leading his team in home runs(27) and RBIs(132) is also leading the Americal League in batting average(.356.) Magglio has been key in the Tigers’ success this season, but his work is far from done. With only 13 games left in their season, Detroit is 2.5 games back in the wild card, and 5.5 games back in the AL Central. Also on board for MVP consideration is the most unlikely of players, Mike Lowell, the third basemen for the AL East leading Boston Red Sox. Lowell, a veteran player who was with the Florida Marlins during their 2003 World Series campaign, is having a terrific year for Boston in a season in which perennial slugger Manny Ramirez and newly acquired J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo Photo courtesy msnbc.com aren’t producing. Alex Rodriguez watches a homerun fly ay Yankee Stadium. He has been one of the most consistent players for the Red they are in his rearview mirror. His closest company is Vladimir Guer- Sox, leading the team in RBIs(106) and berero, a former MVP winner himself, and ing one of the team leaders in average(.326), resident right fielder for the Los Angeles while helping them maintain their lead in the AL East over the rival New York YanAngels of Anaheim. Guerrero is arguably one of the most over- kees. As the season winds down, it is going to looked players in the American League, become more and more apparent as to who simply because he has been one of the most will walk away with the MVP award. consistent hitters in recent memory. But, for the sake of things, let’s call it as it In his last ten seasons, Vlad hasn’t hit beis: Alex Rodriguez, your third MVP award low .300, while hitting at least 30 homeruns is waiting. with 100 RBIs 8 times. late”* situations. His monster season couldn’t come at a better time, as he has the choice to opt-out of his contract with the Yankees at season’s end, essentially making him a free agent. It doesn’t hurt that the Yankees have a 2 game lead in the American League Wild Card, either. Despite his numbers, A-Rod does have some company in the MVP race, even if This season is no different, as he leads the Angels in average(.327), homeruns(24), and RBIs(119), while simultaneously being the only power threat in their lineup. His presence is definitely felt, however, *Close and late results in the 7th inning or later with the batting team either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck. STATISTICS Thru 9/16 Alex Rodriguez, 3B New York Yankees Average: .315 HR: 52 RBI: 141 Magglio Ordonez, RF Detroit Tigers Average: .356 HR: 27 RBI: 132 Vladimir Guerrero, RF Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Average: .327 HR: 24 RBI: 119 Mike Lowell, 3B Boston Red Sox Average: .326 HR: 18 RBI: 106 AL Batting Title Race: 1. M. Ordonez(DET), .356 2. I. Suzuki(SEA), .350 3. P. Polanco(DET), 341 4. J. Posada(NYY), 338 5. V. Guerrero(LAA), .327 6. D. Ortiz(BOS), .326 7. M. Lowell(BOS), .326 8. D. Pedroia(BOS), .324 9. J. Vidro(SEA), .318 10. C. Crawford(TB), .315 �SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 Athlete of the Week: Alison McDonald BY MEGAN SMITH Beacon Staff Writer Last season, the women’s tennis team reached new levels of success. The team battled tirelessly to overcome some tough opponents and are working to maintain the same level of excellence this year. Last year, the Lady Colonels beat DeSales to gain a seat at the 2006 national tournament. A key component to that victory came from the then sophomore Alison McDonald. McDonald was named to both the MASCAC Academic Honor Roll as well as the All-Freedom Conference team. With her stunning doubles 8-1 win over the FDU-Florham first doubles team of Leslie Johnson and Jill Horn, and her equally commanding singles win 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday, McDonald’s steady leadership and athletic skill led to The Beacon’s naming her Athlete of the Week. McDonald, a junior, began playing tennis at the age of thirteen and always works to better herself. Because many established tennis players acknowledge they pick up a racket as soon as they can walk, it might appear that starting as late as the age of 13 could put a player at a disadvantage; this is not the case for McDonald. She possesses unmatched ambition. Her drive is evident in her individual participation in several United States Tennis Association tournaments. Even now she finds areas in her game that need tuning up. “Personally, I would like to become a little more consistent and also improve my net game,” said McDonald. This season has already proven to be prosperous for both McDonald and the Wilkes team. In addition to the Lady Colonels 90 sweep of FDU Florham this weekend, McDonald had striking victories against Marywood and Misericordia. In her match against Marywood’s Samantha Miller, McDonald was able to win easily in two sets 20 Number of tackles by senior middle linebacker Kyle Follweiller in the Wilkes home game against Rowan on Saturday. Twenty stands as his career-high. SPORTS both 6-0. In the team’s first game on August 31 against Misericordia, she was able to obtain two 6-2 victories over Sarah Golis. In doubles matches, the powerhouse combination of McDonald and Xiaoqiao Zhangbeat Marywood and Misericordia, 8-1, 8-3, respectively. The team holds a current 3-1 record with only one loss to the Division II team from Bloomsburg University. At this match McDonald lost 4-6, 3-6 and, with Zhang, fell short in a 6-8 set. With her self motivation and determination, McDonald will certainly continue to be a force on the courts. She maintains a goal of individual and team success. McDonald is looking ahead even in the earliest matches of this season. She said, “I would love for our team to make it further this year at the national level. I think we definitely have the ability.” McFacts * In 2006, McDonald posted a record of 17-3 before losing in the first round of the D3 national playoffs against Hunter College (NY). *In her sophomore season, McDonald was named to the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation Honor Roll, as well as being named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association’s All-Academic Team for 20062007 19 TheBeacon/James Rosato Wilkes junior Alison McDonald is one of the aces on head coach Chris Leicht’s roster. McDonald won three out of four tennis matches and was named Freedom Conference Player of the Week for the week of September 3. WEEKLY RECAPS Men’s Tennis Bloomsburg University notched an 8-1 win over Wilkes University in a men’s tennis match on Thursday night. The Division II Huskies and the Colonels were both playing their first dual match of the season. Women’s Soccer Tracy Fitzpatrick scored with just 6:40 remaining to provide Moravian College with a 1-0 non-conference women’s soccer win over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Greyhounds to 5-1 overall, while the Lady Colonels saw their record move to 3-3 overall. . Volleyball For the second straight day the Wilkes University volleyball team split two matches to finish 2-2 at the University of Scranton Invitational. The Lady Colonels posted a 30-18, 3019, 30-18 win over Centenary College, before falling to St. Lawrence University, 30-25, 30-18, 30-20. The Lady Colonels moved their record to 5-7 overall. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 9 84 Total number of assists Collectively, the Lady Colonels gathered by sophomore setter tennis team shut out FDU (NJ) LeeAnn Searfoss over a four on the road. Six different Lady Colonels won in singles matches. game stretch during the Scranton Tournament. Later they would pair for doubles and win all three matches. 3 Number of goals scored last week by senior Andy Curry in the Colonels soccer contests against Misericordia (2) on Sept. 8 and Widener (1) on Sept. 12. �Sports SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 20 Key Stats *Thirteen of the Colonels 16 first downs were off pass completions. *Rowan racked up 80 yards on the ground compared to the Colonels 8. The Colonels lost 33 yds on 6 sacks. *Both teams totaled 257 yds throughout the game. *Rowan coughed up the ball 3 times and recovered it each time. *The Colonels used 11:25 off the clock to score all of their 13 points in the third quarter. The Beacon/Gino Troiani Close, But No Cigar Colonels fall one point short in classic battle v. Rowan University BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor The Wilkes football team entered halftime tied at zero. The Colonels offense needed to find a breath of fresh air somewhere in a locker room filled with sweaty men. All were looking to avenge last year’s devastating 21-14 loss against Rowan University (NJ) in another classic home battle. But this time the conditions were a little more bearable for each team. It wasn’t a national tournament game as in 2006. Instead, this match-up served as the third in a series of pre-conference games for the Colonels aimed at warming them up for the season ahead. It was Rowan’s second game of the season. And something certainly must have happened in the locker room at the half. It would only take senior quarterback Al Karaffa and his offense four minutes to do in the second half what they couldn’t do in 13 minutes of possession in the first: put points on the board. “We went out there today in the third quarter with a simple game plan as you can have,” said head coach Frank Sheptock. “What you saw was that the offense, because they were out there for awhile together and there wasn’t a lot of personnel changes, they got into some rhythm.” Smelling Rowan’s territory from their own 40-yard line, Karaffa completed the first of two gamechanging passes to junior wide receiver Gennaro Zangardi for the thirteen yards. The very next play, Karaffa floated another one to Zangardi, but this time the pass was complete for a total of 40 yards down to Rowan’s seven yard line. Two plays later, on Rowan’s three yard line, Karaffa hit senior wideout Rocky D’Aconti on a fade to the left for six points. That gave D’Anconti his first touchdown reception of his college career. The Wilkes special team unit took the field and kicker Mario Della Fortuna missed the extra point that would come back and haunt the Colonels later in the game. On the ensuing offensive drive for the Colonels, the team snatched nearly six minutes off the clock before completing a fifteen yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jason Prushinsky from Karaffa. The Colonels made the extra point putting the game at 13-0. Later in the third quarter with 00:22 on the clock, Rowan freshman quarterback Tim Hagerty completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to sophomore quarterback Val Terebizh. After completing the extra point, Rowan closed their losing margin to just six points. Only a minute and 48 seconds into the fourth quarter, Karaffa was picked off by Kevin Bellamy to set Rowan up with the ball at the Colonels 37-yard line. Rowan would later score on a one yard run by Hagerty and complete the extra point to lead the game 14-13 with 10:17 remaining in the fourth. The Colonels had opportunities but none of them would prove to be a success and the score stood as the final for the game. After waiting nearly a whole year to beat a team that broke their hearts last year in the second round of the national tournament, the Colonels fell one point short of revenge and their first win of the season in front of 1,700 fans. See Football page 17 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon2007 September 18th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 September 18 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/1776df3c8dfffc7b386841b2280f75d4.pdf f0fc648d478796e1856b7be4665eeb6f PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 In This Issue... Rx’s Risky Side Effects Page 7 .&iilff fiJMtance !RJati.OJM fitp~ Page 9 ~Rl1PEcf Or u/Rl1T!I www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 60 Issue 3 Student shaken after Terrace Street shooting BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Managing Editor Melisa Bracone had just fallen asleep before being awakened by the startling ‘pop’ of a gunshot and cries of ‘bloody murder’ in the street below. Crouching down beside the window for ten minutes to observe the situation, she called 911. “I was scared,” the junior English major said. “My heart was beating so fast I did not know what to do.” According to a Wilkes-Barre police report, on September 13 at approximately 4 a.m., a victim stated that two men, whom he asked to leave his premises, returned for a cell phone. When the victim opened his door, one of the men greeted him with a black revolver and yelled, “This is the way you want to play,” before pulling the trigger twice, but the gun did not fire. The suspect then pointed the barrel towards the victim’s dog and killed it with one shot before screeching off in a black four-door sedan with tinted windows. The victim’s sister described the suspect as “a dark skinned black male, 5’8” with cornrows and a thin build; 19 years of age.” “These people that shot that dog the other day, they were people that they knew,” said Manager of Public Safety Gerald Rebo. “Basically, where Wilkes students are living is generally a good area, but like any other area you could have one or two persons in there who have guns.” The shooting, which occurred at 22 Terrace Street, was just one of such incidents to occur over the past few months involving illegal use The T Beacon/Cara Koster of firearms. This summer, a person was fatally wounded after sustaining gunshot wounds outside of the White House Café on Hazle Street. On September 3, a shooting on Madison Street left an 18-year old critically injured. And just last week, a man was reportedly walking at East Northhampton and South Hancock streets in broad daylight with what appeared to be a supposed rifle; however, no charges were expected to be filed after police learned he was simply hunting squirrels with a pellet gun. The Beacon/ Jenna Stephens But Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Gerald Dessoye does not necessarily see the illegal use of firearms as a major issue in the city. Workers at the APlus convenience store on Academy Street work from behind bullet proof glass to ensure their safety. See TERRACE page 5 Jersey natives bring Cooltura to downtown Page 13 , Inside News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Lifestyles.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 BY NICOLE FRAIL & Beacon Asst. News Editor PAT ZEIGLER Beacon Correspondent Two sisters recently relocated from New Jersey plan to open the door of their brand new business to the public this week. Cooltura, which is a play on the Spanish word for “culture,” is located on the second block of South Main Street near Flaming Star Tattoo, Café Metropolis, Top of the Slope, Inc., and the Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing Gym. Though the large sign above the main entrance reads “Cooltura: Accessorios, Musica, Phone Cards,” the Trelles sisters insist that the new store is not exclusively Spanish-based. “It’s open for everyone no matter who you are,” said Cooltura’s owner, Nancy Trelles. Along with the merchandise noted on the sign out front, Main Street’s newest addition will offer a wide variety of items. Walking into the store can easily be compared to entering six different stores in the Wyoming Valley Mall simultaneously. A majority of the space displays CDs and DVDs by Spanish artists, but the assortment of merchandise doesn’t stop there. Hair accessories, purses, and jewelry cover an entire wall while key chains, bumper stickers, stuffed animals, greeting cards, and other trinkets also fill the shelves. There’s even a gothic inspired collection towards the back of the store that consists of clothing and other accessories. Andréa Trelles will be helping her older sister get the business up and running and is excited about the opening this week. Because the store is “not for one specific type of person,” they hope to draw attention to a diverse crowd of both college students and Wilkes-Barre residents. See COOLTURA page 3 �NEWS SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 2 W-B Chamber’s patience Saving history Beacon News Briefs SG Notes 3 4 4 5 First Lady of Wilkes brings Midwest green thumb to campus BY LINDSEY WHITE Beacon Correspondent passion has translated to her influence across the campus. Gilmour grew up in a rural area where she developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Her love for nature and preserving the environment is reflected throughout the Wilkes university campus. She has been integral to the landscaping around the Darte Center and has also consulted on the greenway expansion project that was Mrs. Patty Gilmour, wife of Wilkes University president, Dr. Joseph Gilmour, is no shrinking violet. An avid reader, landscaper, and lover of the outdoors, Mrs. Gilmour is far from the typical first lady. After living in Kansas City for thirty years, she relocated to Wilkes-Barre with her husband when he was I went from working by hired as the university president. myself all of the time to living “It was a lot more of a transition than I thought in a fishbowl. it would be. I had just -Patty Gilmour entered a new marriage... and assumed a new public role. I went from working by myself all of the time started in the fall of 2006. As a volunteer, Gilmour is not to living in a fishbowl,” she said. She found that at times it was of- paid for her work in the landscapten difficult to take on the role that ing area. “I am not rewarded for the typical first lady assumes. She doing this, other than emotionally. acknowledged, “As the president’s I absolutely love to do it and I feel wife, I had this preconceived no- that it is my way to make a differtion that I should be the entertain- ence,” she explained. One of the biggest tasks she has er that is always perfectly dressed. I enjoy entertaining, although it is undertaken at the university is not my principle focus, but I do the greenway expansion project. not like dressing up. I realized Although she was not part of the that in order to be happy I had to Master Plan development, Gimour was asked to offer her input as to be true to myself.” As a rewhat should be included in the sult, she chose to devote greenway design. She chose her time and energy to a variety of native plants to something that she was create a habitat truly passionate about, for birds and landscaping. That butterflies, as well as something Photo Courtesy of Patty Gilmour that the community could enjoy. Gilmour also plans to have the Pergola, the structure made of columns donated by the Karambelas family located near Evans Hall, covered with different vines. The Pergola will be used as an outdoors theatre or gathering place for individuals. Gilmour explained that the last part of the expansion project will consist of a labyrinth, a place designed for spiritual reflection and meditation. The concept is based on balancing two sides of the brain and will incorporate grass and stone. Gilmour noted that she hopes it will be completed by the end of the school year. In addition to the landscaping she does for the university, Gilmour and her husband have participated in Wilkes community life on variety of levels. For example, after former Secretary of State Colin Powell delivered his speech to the Wilkes community last year, he and the Gilmours had dinner together. Gilmour said that Powell later wrote to them about how much fun he had. She added, “I think he even enjoyed the fact that I had the nerve to eat his dessert.” Along with this, the Gilmours host a holiday party each year for the faculty and staff, as well as a Wilkes Family Picnic over the summer. Interacting with the student body at the university is one thing Gilmour said she would like to become more comfortable with. Activities such as “a picnic to welcome the incoming freshmen, an environmental committee, movie nights, and chat sessions at her home” are some of the activities she would like to pursue with students as she becomes more comfortable at the university. Monica Turner, a sophomore communication studies major at (LEFT) Patty Gilmour stands with her husband Dr. Tim Gilmour, President of Wilkes University. Wilkes is one student who has become close with the president’s wife. “To me Wilkes-Barre is a big city because I’m from a very rural area. I feel like she understands how I feel when others don’t because she is also from the country. She’s definitely someone I can bond with on that level.” Executive members also believe that she has become an important part of the Wilkes community. Both Michael Frantz, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Communications, and Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs, believe that Mrs. Gilmour has become a goodwill ambas- sador for the university. Frantz stated, she is a “vibrant, energetic, and a gifted individual who has the university’s best interests at heart.” BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Andee Scarantino Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com Managing Editor: Nick Podolak Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Andrew Seaman Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Mark Congdon Jr. Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Lifestyles Editor: Alison Woody Email: beacon.lifestyles@gmail.com A&E Editor: Marissa Phillips Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Carlton Holmes Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Cara Koster Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Tuesdays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NEWS SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 3 Chamber urges patience while search to fill storefronts continues BY JAMIE GWYNN Beacon Staff Writer Representatives of the Greater WilkesBarre Chamber recently denied rumors it will need to cut jobs because of the drain on funds from ten empty storefronts surrounding Movies 14 on East Northampton and Main Street. In response to whether the rumors were accurate, Lawrence Newman, Vice President of Economic and Community Development for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, emphatically stated, “No, absolutely not.” He added that there is a misconception among the community that the ten remaining storefronts suffer from a lack of interest from businesses. “The foundations that we are building today have to be foundations that last for us to build long-term success for downtown, and you don’t do that by just sort of running out and grabbing the first places that [are interested],” Newman said. “We have to systematically get the right mix of business into the right places of downtown.” But the original plan, which was announced in 1996, only included a movie theatre. Due to various obstacles, the plan started to fizzle. This is when the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber decided to step in. In 2003 Mayor Leighton approached the Chamber about salvaging the original plan. When Newman sat down with officials from RC Theatres and discussed what the city could do in order to complete the project, the only solution was to revise the original plan to include other ideas which would become part of a larger revitalization plan for Wilkes-Barre. One of the ideas, named “The Northamp- mark two months ago. “In that first year of operations we’ve had over 540,000 people go to that movie theatre; that’s over 10,000 people a week,” said Newman. He added, “Those are real Courtesy Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry Over 10,000 people visit the RC Theatre 14 every week. Movies 14 is one of the downtown area’s greatest success stories, according to the W-B Chamber. ton & Main Theatre/Mixed Use Project,” numbers that demonstrate real demand that includes twelve storefronts, two of which we are now out and able to talk to the kinds are currently leased to Quizno’s and Jan- of tenants we want in that project and want in downtown.” nuzzi’s Pizza. Gabrielle Lamb, Economic DevelopNewman detailed how credited tenants want to see at least a years worth of full op- ment Specialist for the Chamber, explained erations before reaching a long-term com- that although the Chamber gets numerous mitment. The theatre passed the one year requests from businesses to lease out the empty storefronts, it’s about finding the right tenants. “We are just as eager as everyone else and want nothing more than to see downtown filled with a variety of new businesses; however, we need to take it one step at a time and focus on bringing the right tenants to this project.” Lamb added, “We want this to be a premier destination in downtown Wilkes-Barre and this is one part of the process.” President Gilmour, Chair of the Chamber of Business and Industry board, expressed the same concern. “I do believe that we want to be very careful in terms of who we ultimately have as tenants in the Northampton Project because you certainly don’t have want to have a tenant who doesn’t represent the kind of quality and perspective that you want [for downtown Wilkes-Barre]. What you want is the highest quality,” he said. And in order to have the highest quality, patience is the key. But how long can a city, which has endured much criticism for its lack of excitement, be patient? “This is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. This is not something that can be won overnight,” said Newman. “Realistically, we don’t expect to have full occupancy in these storefronts until 2009.” Gilmour has higher expectations for the project. “I think it’s going to come within the next year and if we’re lucky, maybe the next six months.” But Gilmour added, “Patience is the [key].” COOLTURA from FRONT PAGE After being in business for 36 years, Mike Miscavage, owner of Top of the Slope, Inc. and the Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing Gym, recognizes potential when he sees it. According to Miscavage, Wilkes and King’s students don’t frequently venture far enough from their respective college campuses to discover what the second block of Main Street has to offer. “People don’t even know that [Top of the Slope is] here.” Though he advertises in the colleges’ bulletins and even offers a ten percent discount to all college students with valid school identi- fication, Miscavage, along with other business owners in the area, still struggles to bring students in. While the Trelleses and Miscavage await Cooltura’s opening to see if it turns a profit, Wilkes students are also looking forward to it, it could be something really great. It’ll be good to have another [store that sells music] in Wilkes-Barre, especially so close to a venue like Café Metropolis,” said Wilkes freshman Matt Duffy. Though there is no grand opening planned for Cooltura, Nancy and Andréa Trelles do intend to rip down the brown t paper from their front windows this week. If everything goes well, they also plan to expand their selection of merchandise and provide The Beacon/Cara Koster jobs to those who finding out what the new store has to offer. may be interested in helping them run their “I think it’s awesome. If kids actually use new family business. ura,Jnc. acccso r Ios u.si ca bone €.arbs “If [Cooltura] will get kids to walk over here, it’d be great,” he said. �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 NEWS Beacon News Briefs Local (Wilkes University) According to an incident report from Public Safety, dated September 21, early Friday morning public safety officers were called to the second floor of University Towers for a noise complaint. When the officers arrived they found two students and another man fighting in the hallway. The Wilkes-Barre Police and a resident assistant were called after the public safety officers made several attempts to break up the fight with no success. The police cleared the scene, and one person suffered an abrasion to his head but refused treatment. The Wilkes-Barre Police did not file charges. (Wilkes University) Dr. Anthony Liuzzo, prepared his yearly Holiday Retail Forecast on September 13, 2007. This year Liuzzo predicts that technological goodies will be the popular item found under most trees this year. Liuzzo, who directs the MBA program at Wilkes University, has been featured in USA Today and the New York Times for his annual forecast. (Northeast Pennsylvania) The federal prosecutor for northeastern Pennsylvania announced his resignation effective October 12. U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Marino, said he will be moving into the private sector after his departure. Marino also noted that his resignation is not related to an ongoing investigation regarding local businessperson, Louis DeNaples. Marino and DeNaples are said to be acquaintances and DeNaples used Marino as a reference on an application for a slot machine casino currently under construction. 4 illegal aliens would soon be able to obtain a drivers license in his state. The new guidelines overturn a 2002 decision put in place after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, says that the new guidelines will decrease insurance cost and promote public safety. (New Orleans, LA) Episcopal National bishops are meet( Wa s h i n g ing in New Orleans ton, DC) As with the goal of the February 1, forming a response 2008 expiration to an ultimatum set date draws near by Anglican leaders. on the “Protect The ultimatum requires America Act,” Presthe Episcopal bishops to ident Bush is pushing o pledge that they will never to make the law permaz iuz again consecrate another honent. J. Michael McConD r. A n t h o n y L mosexual bishop or hold samenell, the United States director sex prayer services. The Archbishop of of national intelligence, said in a testimony before Congress that the law is not Canterbury says the goal is to compromise. only necessary but does and will continue International to save countless American lives. (New Delhi, India) A TV news channel (Albany, NY) On Friday, September 21, the governor of New York announced that has been taken off the air for a month af- ter the Indian government decided that the channel aired a misleading program. The program in question showed a sting operation where a teacher was accused of persuading her students into prostitution. (Tehran, Iran) One day before flying to the United States, the Iranian president said that economic sanctions imposed by the United States will not stop them from advancing technologically. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said this at a parade featuring fighter jets and radar-avoiding missiles on Saturday, September 22. Ahmandinejad will speak in front of the United Nations in New York. (Yangon, Myanmar) About 500 monks were permitted past police barricades to hold anti-government protests. The monks marched past the gate of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest for being an “opposition leader.” San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for the past 11 years greeted the monks at her gate. Photo Courtesy of Marketing Comm Campus building with historic treasures saved from demolition for now BY AMY FUSCO Beacon Correspondent Ever noticed a quaint house to the north of the Arnaud C. Marts Center, Wilkes University’s gym? The little brick house at 256 South Franklin Street occupies the property with a spacious yard filled with a variety of plants and a pathway leading to the white front door. Very few students are aware of the MinerMoat House, though it houses some important historical artifacts. Built in the 1950’s, the Miner-Moat house was donated in 1999 to Wilkes University as a gift from Mr. Harry Moat and Mrs. Stella Miner-Moat. Paul Kaspriskie, Project Manager, explained, “It was previously the Human Resource office, which worked at the time, but no longer is useful as an office because the use is limited,” such as handicap accessibility. The Human Resources offices were relocated to the University Center on Main (UCOM) last year. Currently, the house is temporarily occupied by Petra Carver, Vice President for Finance and Support Operations. Last year, Wilkes officials acknowledged that the plan was to tear the building down for other necessary uses of the property, such as expansion or a parking lot. Carver commented, “We [Wilkes University] have a master plan, a work in progress,” but this plan was Judge William Sterling Ross (1802-1868), put on hold in order to preserve the Miner- and Mrs. Charles Abbot Miner. After the death of Mrs. Miner in 1931, the house on Moat house for the time being. Additionally, Carver stated, “The location 130 South Main Street was torn down. Forof the building is very convenient, since it tunately, the mantelpiece was is right on campus.” She believes Wilkes removed before the demoliUniversity put the Miner-Moat House to tion. About thirty years later, good use by allowing her to temporarily in 1960, the mantelpiece was live there and she hopes in the future, the installed in the Miner-Moat house could be occupied by other profes- house. Along with the distinction sors. The Miner-Moat House is also significant of its historic mantelpiece, Dr. Anthony one of the rarest trees in as the home to a very old, historic mantel- Liuzzo piece. According to the plaque installed Pennsylvania has grown on next to the mantel, it is ‘elaborately and the property. A white chestnut beautifully decorated with urns in central tree is located on the left side, and corner panels, and festoons of roses near the fence closest to the in connecting panels.” The history of the road. Unfortunately, the tree mantelpiece dates back to the time period is slowly deteriorating, but of 1786-1788 when Colonel Timothy Pick- Wilkes has agreed to keep it ering owned it. In the past, the mantel was preserved until the end of its in Pickering’s house located at 130 South life. According to Kaspriskie, Main Street. Upon leaving Wilkes-Barre to reside in the Miner-Moat house is well Philadelphia when he became Postmaster built and requires little mainGeneral in President George Washington’s tenance and “as long as [tearcabinet, Pickering sold his house to General ing the building down] does William Ross in 1796, leaving the mantel not bother anyone,” Wilkes behind with it. Throughout the years, oth- University will demolish it er people have lived in the house, such as only if it is necessary. Fur- thermore, if there was a need to tear it down, Wilkes will certainly remove the historical mantelpiece before doing so. STSTRAVEL.COM Join America’s #1 Student Tour Operator Sell Trips, Earn Cash & Travel Free CANCUN, ACAPULCO, JAMAICA, BAHAMAS PUERTO VALLARTA, SOUTH PADRE FLORIDA, CRUISES www.ststravel.com STUDENT TRAVEL SERVICES 1-800-648-4849 / www.ststravel.com �NEWS SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 TERRACE from FRONT PAGE “It’s not a significant amount of numbers only because we don’t have a real lot of shootings compared to areas like Philadelphia or New York,” Dessoye said. “Yes, we occasionally see someone carrying a firearm who has a concealed weapon involved in illegal activity and we notify the Sherriff’s Department to pull the concealed weapon permit.” According to the Luzerne County Sherriff ’s Depart- ment, 2,974 concealed weapons permits were issued by the end of 2006, though Dessoye noted that while it occasionally does happen, having someone illegally use a weapon with a license to carry a firearm is a rarity. “Most people who have a concealed weapons permit are legitimate, law abiding 5 individuals who can stand up to the criteria that the Sherriff’s Deparment sets to issue that permit,” Dessoye said. “Our problem with firearms are illegal firearms illegally carried.” The chief explained that fire- said. “Quite honestly, that’s been going on forever.” Dessoye and Rebo both cautioned students living in the city to keep their wits about themselves, and not to stick their noses where they don’t belong. They urged students to stay away from areas that seem to be trouble, avoid groups or individuals who seem to be involved in illegal activity, check under (and inside) their cars before entering, and travel in groups, especially females, whenever poshens na Step n e J / sible. n aco The Be “ T h e world has changed,” arms are obtained Dessoye said. “It’s not the mom and pop of illegally through the 50’s. There are bad people out there and b u r g l a r y, drug trade, and they travel in all geographic areas and dewhat he referred to as a “straw purchase,” mographics.” in which a legitimate person will buy a gun So does Bracone still feel safe after her legitimately and trade it to somebody who traumatic experience? wants drugs. “Sometimes. When I’m on campus I “That’s pretty much old school,” Dessoye feel safe. This kind of stuff shouldn’t hap- pen. Everyone is so worried about underage drinking and, there’s people carrying around guns and shooting dogs at four o’clock in the morning, and everyone in the school is worried about people drinking underage. They’re not even sending anyone down here,” she said. Beacon Correction On page 3 of the September 18 issue of The Beacon, the story “New faces in President’s cabinet offer individual expertise to team” mistakenly lists Petra Carver as a native of Essen, Germany. Carver is a native of Worms, Germany The Beacon strives for accuracy and good sourcing in all of its stories and regrets the errors in the past issue. Editors are grateful for readers who take the time to point out inaccuracies. Andrea Breemer Frantz, Faculty Advisor Andee Scarantino, Editor-in-Chief SG Notes September 19, 2007 Treasurer’s Report All College: $23,620.72 General: $5,672.59 Special Projects: $3,500 Spirit: $2,000 Leadership: $5,000 Conferences: $12,500 Start-Up: $1,500 -l#lKfS llNIVfRSJTV- Club Reports Programing Board - Remarked that there was a comedian on Monday, September 17. Just over 100 people attended. New Business Personal Finance Club - The Personal Finance Club was granted club status Medieval Renaissance Club - The Medieval Renaissance Club came to SG seeking club status (this is a two week process) SPAN - The Student Peace Action Network (SPAN) came to SG seeking club status (this is a two week process) Frisbee Club - SG heard revisions to the Frisbee Club’s constitution Mascot Allocation - SG allocated money for a new mascot costume to be worn at various events. Fall Elections - Justin Balint, Student Government parliamentraian, gave an update on SG elections. He commented that all is going well, and there was a slight problem with the e-mail voting system, which was fixed quickly. Homecoming - The budget for homecoming was dicussed. Tickets sale are estimated to bring in about $2,700 bringing the cost of homecoming down to $12,293.26. Events Party on the Square - September 20, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Homecoming - October 4 - 7, 2007 IN I .P. n up I nt 665 .. C J fo - (570) 823 - ma ,· d y.. th! n .. , t 9 �Opinion RX drugs worth the effects? 7 Angry Rant-Drinking 7 2008 election & troops 8 SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 6 Jena 6 case shows that roots of racism run deep BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Jena, Louisiana: Thousands of people on September 20 poured into the streets to participate in one of the largest civil rights marches since the 1960s, according to the Associated Press. Jesse Jackson was there. Al Sharpton was there. College students were there, and about 20,000 others were there, protesting for civil rights and equality, as six residents of this small southern town, often referred to as “The Jena 6,” face criminal charges. One of the accused, Mychal Bell, remains in jail awaiting an appeal by prosecutors. The events that led to Bell’s original conviction and charges filed against five others, trace back to 2006. Nearly a year ago a black student at the primarily white Jena High School asked a member of administration if he could sit under a tree. The tree was known as “The White Tree,” and all of the students who sat under it during recesses were exactly that: white. An administrator told the young man that there wasn’t a problem with his sitting under the tree, but it is telling that the black student felt compelled to ask permission at all. A few black students, reassured that sitting under the tree was acceptable, decided to do so. Much to their surprise, the next day three nooses were found hanging from the tree. The white students responsible were expelled, but quickly allowed to re-enter the school, after the superintendent dismissed the act as a “prank.” Following the noose incident, racial tensions among the students continued to escalate. A few days after the noose incident, a black student was assaulted by a few white students. Fights began to break out, climaxing with an attack on a white student, Justin Barker, allegedly by the accused six. Barker was knocked unconscious and treated at a local hos- remains in jail, is currently awaiting an appeal, and has been denied bail. The other five defendants are currently free on bail. Perhaps the most important issue with this case is the fact that the court that convicted Bell was all white in a county with history of racial disharmony. Who says justice is blind? How are these charges warranted? Some of the explanations given for Bell’s conviction were that his “shoes were a deadly weapon.” Conveniently, school officials overlooked the warning signals, such subtle statements as the nooses hanging from the tree and later, at the height of the tension, people setting the school on fire on November 30. According to CNN, the school handbook states that a fight in school yields a three-day suspension. Apparently, Courtesy of: weblogs.elearning.ubc.ca the injuries that Barker His charges were reduced to ag- has as a result of this fight were gravated second-degree battery, so severe, that during the school but he was still found guilty by function he attended that night, an all-white jury and judge. De- administrators determined that the spite the reduction in charges, Bell Jena 6 wanted to kill him. There is no other way to exstill faced 15-22 years in prison. On September 13, however, the plain the lack of justice in this case Third Circuit Court of Appeals other than racism. This incident overturned his conviction noting happened well over a year ago, that the young man should not and until the trials approached, the have been tried as an adult. Bell voices of the people were quiet pital for cuts and abrasions. However, he was released the same day and attended a school function that very night. The accused six students, all black, were arrested. Five were charged with attempted seconddegree murder. The sixth was charged as a juvenile, as he was only 14 at the time of the attack. Bell, who was 16 at the time of the attack, was first to be tried in court and was tried as an adult. from Jena, Louisiana. Clearly, any publicity always held the potential for public relations backlash for the community. It made sense from the Jena Chamber of Commerce point of view to keep this under wraps as long as it could. But cases like Bell’s are tough to keep quiet for long. To “make it go away,” after Bell’s charges had been modified, the school had “The White Tree” cut down. Unfortunately, the roots of the tree of racial inequality grow deep, as evidenced by the fact that the first young black student even felt he needed to ask permission to sit there to begin with. The nooses remain a symbol of racial threat, despite the many years since KKK-initiated public lynchings of the south. While it should not be surprising, given the division evidenced in Jena, we are shocked that there are some who side with the District Attorney in this case. While there are many groups supporting the Jena 6, as well as nationwide petitions, there are Facebook groups that actually state they support the convictions of the young men. When will justice be served on this case? When is America going to cut out its racist roots that through places like Jena? Apparently, we have already started to speak, once again, like we did in the 1960s and 1970s, as people marched through the streets for justice in the land of the free, and the home of the brave. A Sight for Sore Eyes by: Aleksander Lapinski Beacon Poll Results Americans have a lot to worry about. The ongoing Iraq war, stock market and housing investThe following are results of a ment instability, drug busts, AIDS, poll that The Beacon conducted and environmental concerns domonline this past week. The poll inate the nightly news reports. Is was unscientific, and does not it any wonder that with such boldclaim to reflect the overall atface headlines other issues fail to titudes of students on campus. capture our attention? Seemingly Results are based on 104 re“less important” social problems sponses. like homelessness, poverty, and the growing deficit tend to make inside pages, if that, because of The Beacon asked: the pressing nature of the other stories. Following graduation, how that One of those sidebar issues much debt will you be inonto for the only occasionally squeaks your radar college public is education? animal cruelty. Recently animal cruelty has become • mainstream $10,000-$20,00019% a more issue with ma• $20,001-$40,00015% jor corporations, football players, 13% and •even$40,001-$60,000local people stirring up • $60,001-$80,00011% the issue. Animal cruelty involves • Nothing-I take and anything from dogdidn’t fighting, loans to - 11% shooting out whales, killing aniMore mals• for fur andthan animal testing. $100,00011% The problem isn’t awareness; it • more $80,001-$90,0006% is that people appear to be6% lieve• that $90,001-$100,000it’s okay to hurt animals • I don’t know-my for personal benefi t or enjoyment. parents Worse, there is a took smallout contingent loans-who 4%believe that the in the country • of Less than cruelty $10,0004%be practice animal can excused because of age-old cultural practices. Next Week’s Question: Just two weeks ago the Makah tribe thethink wirewill over Whomade do you winthe theissue of whaling. ago the Nabaseball WorldYears Series? tive American tribe legally killed whales something of a sport. • asBoston Red Sox The •tribeNY suspend its practice beYankees cause• theNY grey whale was placed Mets on the species list and • endangered Philadelphia Phillies federal government prohibited • Cleveland Indians whaling. However, in 1994, the • San Diego Padres grey•whale came off Brewers of the endanMilwaukee gered• list.Chicago Cubs The• tribe obtained a permit in Arizona Diamondbacks 1999• to LA kill Angels a whale outof which Anaheim raged animal rights groups. After a court hearing it became necessary Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com for receive a waiver to the cast tribe your tovote. Results will in order to hunt in whales. Recently, be published next week’s members of of theThe tribeBeacon. shot a grey issue whale repeatedly with a rifle before they were due to receive their waiver. The five men involved are all facing fines of up to $20,000 �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 OPINION 7 Blindly addressing medical problems can lead to other issues BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Opinion Editor When you recall the fifth grade, what memories surface? The early stages of puberty and hormonedriven emotional highs and lows? An undying love for the Backstreet Boys, ‘NSYNC, Spice Girls or any other pop culture group you’re now too embarrassed to admit publicly? Trying nearly anything to fit in at school? All of the above? For some, fifth grade is a very forgettable year. For me, fifth grade was a life changing experience that I will never forget. When I was in fifth grade I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder. Though I outgrew the symptoms of these The Beacon/ Cara Koster disorders, and learned to deal with them in a more effective way, I was heavily medicated from 5th grade until the end of my sophomore year in college, a total of nine years. In an article published September 7 by the Medscape Medical News, the misuse of prescription drugs by young adults is on the rise, according to a new national survey. I learned the hard way that prescription drugs are also just a temporary fix, and can cause long-term health effects. Over-zealous prescriptions and a general attitude among the public that drugs can solve all issues is becoming problematic to the least powerful voices in our society: children. During the nine year period in which I attempted to deal with the diagnoses with drugs, doctors put me on many prescription medications including Risperdal, Clonazepam, and Adderall XR to name a few. Some of the side-effects that these medications caused included weight gain, depression, and diabetes. Because of the side-effects, doctors prescribed yet other medications to counterbalance them, like Metformin to help with the diabetes and Effexor XR to help with the depression. This resulted in very high prescription drug bills totaling almost $1,800 a month, and thank God we had insurance to pay for them. Because I didn’t like the way these drugs made me feel, and the doctors weren’t doing anything to help me get off of them, I gradually decreased my dosage, and ultimately stopped cold-turkey. Despite the fact that doctors and pharmacist argue that doing this isn’t the best course, something I believe is true for many, stopping these harmful drugs actually benefited me in ways I never imagined. While the first two weeks after stopping by meds were hell, I told myself that the end result would be worth it. Since I stopped the medications, I have been healthier physically and mentally. I no longer feel like a zombie, and can be myself. My confidence and vitality has gone up, and I have gone from the unhealthy weight of 286 lbs. to my now a very appropriate and healthy size of 170 lbs. Stopping these medications increased my energy level, and I had an easier time exercising. It was at this point that I learned how to deal with my emotions when I was upset. I no longer binged on food, but exercised instead when I was down. This approach did more than build my muscles. It helped with my mood tremendously. I went from a pant size 42 to a 32 paint size. I no longer have to take Metformin for my diabetes because it is controlled by The Angry Rant: Underage Drinking BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor In the past few weeks, there has been lots of talk surrounding the issue that is underage drinking, mostly coming on the heels of recent alcohol related busts that have involved students. First, the fact that there is even debate about this is laughable to me. Underage drinking is illegal, and it’s not exactly an elaborate secret that the Masons or the Illuminati have been keeping from everyone. It’s beaten into our heads from an early age that drinking is a no-no until you’re 21, and a lot of us probably signed a piece of paper in high school that said we wouldn’t drink on prom night. In other words, everyone knows that drinking at a young age is going to come with consequences. Despite that, there are still the drinking parties in high school at a friend’s house when his parents are gone, or the friend who had a flask on him when you are at the movies, or even the parents who let your close friends have a few beers at their house because it was under their supervision and that no one would be driving. Whatever the case may be, college is a completely different ballgame, seeing as how most students are 18 and therefore considered adults, along with the fact that there are no parents and the students no longer have a safety net. That said, I think it’s high time that college students start accepting responsibility for their actions, and for the blame to stop being placed on the laws and those who enforce the laws, whether it’s the University or the police. One complaint that I’ve heard from a number of students is that Wilkes has always had a policy regarding underage drinking; however, this year authorities are more stringent about its enforcement, and as a result, there are more busts on campus. My question is: what’s there to complain about? It’s been known that Wilkes has a policy in place, but it somehow turns into a problem when they enforce it? That’s like saying: “I’ll willingly break the law, but it’s not my fault when I get caught.” Along with that, there has been the argument that the legal drinking age should be lowered to 18. After all, you can join the military or get married without parental consent at that age. Honestly, that is the most overused excuse when it comes to the legal drinking age. Keep in mind that neither military service nor marriage are required by law. No one is forcing you to join the military or get married, just like no one forces you to go to a drinking party where you could get caught. If you want to have a few beers with your friends, fine. I’m not condemning that. However, you have to realize the danger that is inherent when it comes to alcohol. At the end of the day, college students need to start accepting responsibility for themselves. You’re adults, and you need to realize that no one is going to be holding your hand anymore. my exercising and eating healthier, and no longer need my Effexor, because I no longer suffer from depression. The fact of the matter is that although the doctors wanted to help me by giving me those medications, they actually caused much harm to my physical and mental wellbeing. I wish the doctors had offered me other options and alternatives to help with these disorders other than prescriptions, but the tendency to prescribe away the problem is far easier than the answers I finally came to on my own. I have chosen what I believe to be the healthier route and rely on natural remedies, exercise, talk out my problems or I learn to figure things out on my own. This has worked much better for me. Perhaps more importantly, I took control of my own health and began to assume the responsibility for research and decision-making. This is tough for a 5th grader, but when a young person is diagnosed with things like depression, ADHD, or other common ailments, parents need to take responsibility for asking tough questions and investigating all options. Side-effects can cause long-term harm. Check out webmd.com or other solid resources online and educate yourself! What do you think? -- ■ The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is the opportunity for students to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please contact The Beacon with the following information: 1 Contact information including your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year 3 Your opinion thebeacon.oped@ gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 OPINION 8 Predictions for 2008 all hinge on troops coming home John McCain… we can leave it at that. This election, I am sorry to say, is not about the Republican candidates. It is about the We are about 13 months away from the Democrats. This administration has obliter2008 presidential election and I think we ated any chance the Republican candidates should just give up know more about the candidates than we had; they really now and save themselves the could ever want. And we still have a year embarrassment. to go... T h e only true candiLast February, I wrote an editorial prodates for 2008 jecting Hillary Clinton as the winner are: Hillary, and I stand by that decision. HowObama, and I ever I think there are some factors will also throw in that have come into play that I did Edwards. not take into account before. Obama is an First of all, when I look at the Reinteresting charpublican pool of nominees, I just acter; I cannot shake my head. Rudy Giuliani’s really even 9/11 shtick is just old already, explain him. “9/11 this, 9/11 that.” The man has I think he nothing else to talk about. Then we would make have Mitt Romney, the Mormon. a great I truly believe that the Repubp r e s i d ent lican party would implode but I think if it nominated a Catholic, too many let alone a Mormon. Fred people are Thompson is also in there, saying that he but he missed his bandwagon is not ready, and by a few months, and as for Photo Courtesy www.jeremyinc.com that he will have BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor another shot in four or eight years. Then we have Edwards the Democrat’s “secret weapon.” I say that because he is going to be the last nail in the coffin for the Republican Party. Hillary or Obama on a ticket as president with Edwards as vice president is an election clincher. You have a non-traditional candidate paired with the most stereotypical candidate ever, and that is magic. Then there is Hillary. She played this election smarter than anyone else, she distanced herself from Bill the past few years while she has been in the Senate, and she went into this campaign with the attitude that “I am the candidate. If you don’t come with me now, you are going to be left behind.” People believed her and still do. Another thing that amplifies her sustainability as the leading candidate is the fact that her one backer has been accused of fraud, among other things and she hasn’t experienced too much backlash from that. But there is one thing the Democrats have to do before they can consider the election won (and as a result I would tell the Republicans to hold onto their towels a little longer). The Dems need to show some sign of progress that they are going to be bringing home troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. I consider this the “great race,” because we have the Bush administration saying that it will be bringing home some of the troops, while the Democratic majority is just sitting there saying they want to bring the troops home. It is simple. The person who brings the troops home first wins. How hard is that to understand? The Democrats were handed Congress for a reason and everyone knows what that reason was: to bring home the troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. So far the Democrats have done nothing, and yes, before you say anything… I know they have taken votes and pulled an “all nighter,” but those have been meaningless. They need to take action or the Republicans could very easily turn this situation around by bringing some troops home first. As the election stands now though, I see Hillary being called “Madame President” in 2009, but the Democrats really need to bring some of the troops home before they become the objects of the country’s anger. Because if the Republicans beat them to it, I may have to write another editorial evaluating the election again, and no body wants that. The Baghdad question becomes ‘what now’? decision to go to war with. We practically mopped the floor with the Iraqi army in the Gulf War, and after all, Saddam was still a bad guy, right? His government had provided aid to the terrorists in Afghanistan and was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. Or so we were told. I find myself now wondering whether or not our current war with Iraq was justified. ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner was proudly displayed on the USS Abraham Lincoln, yet we’ve witnessed a summer troop surge and day after day we still hear nothing but reports detailing sectarian violence in the ethnically divided country. As such, it is difficult to imagine a timely and happy ending for the American mission in Iraq. Recently, President Bush’s September low the comparison to Vietnam through to its logical conclusion, history shows that abandoning the Iraqi people could have disastrous consequences. Instead of reading about the fall of Saigon, we might be readAs a senior, I have now viewed over three ing about the fall of Baghdad. years of political twists and turns through If we, as a nation, are truly committed to the lens of a political science student inthe goal of ensuring the vitality of a demotent on studying the history and layout of cratic government in Iraq, we must stay the the contemporary American political landcourse and maintain some sort scape. In those three years, I’ve witof presence there, rather than nessed the first Presidential election completely abandoning the of my adult life, partisan scandals, and controversy erupting over every- My realist education in foreign policy leaves me contemplating the balance of Iraqi people. So I am truly torn. I am disthing from weapons of mass destruc- power in the Middle East following a dramatic American withdrawal from the tressed over the prospect of tion to immigration reform. war-torn state. seeing more American lives However, in the glow of the everlost, yet the rising threat of Iran shifting political spotlight, one issue and radical Islam in the Middle has remained constant and ever-present: the war in Iraq. While I’m confident I am truly torn because yes, I think it is ter- backing of a proposal for a limited troop East in general seems to dictate a need for we all have strong opinions on the war, it rific that the people of Iraq now have what withdrawal has given cause for celebration a strong counterweight aside from Israel in is evident that the nature of these opinions at least appears to be a functioning demo- to anti-war elements in America. I see this the region. I do believe that American solstems from the answers to two fundamen- cratic government, yet following the revela- as a good thing, but I have my own reasons diers should be headed back home to their tal questions. First, was it right to go to war tion that there were no WMDs in Iraq, the for not supporting an abrupt and total with- loved ones, but I also believe in the need for in Iraq? Second, what do we do next? Like question persists: did we have the ‘right’ to drawal of American troops from Iraq. My a stable Iraqi government in the power vacsome people, I find that my position on the dislodge Saddam from power in his own realist education in foreign policy leaves me uum which we created in dethroning Sadcontemplating the balance of power in the dam Hussein. With the Iraq War maintainIraq War has shifted over the past several sovereign state? Whether you believe we did or did not Middle East following a dramatic American ing its prominence as a front-running issue years in response to my personal answers to have a justification for going to war in Iraq, withdrawal from the war-torn state. Many in the 2008 Presidential election campaign, these questions. Still reeling from the devastation of the we must all now deal with our current di- have characterized the war in Iraq as our I suppose only time will tell us how we anattacks on September 11, 2001, I was a lemma: what do we do now? More than four generation’s Vietnam, and advocate a com- swer the question: what now? firm supporter of President Bush’s initial years have now passed since a triumphant plete American withdrawal. Yet if we folBY JUSTIN RICHARDS Beacon Correspondent �LIFESTYLES SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Blogging: everyone’s doin’ it 10 Student of the week 11 9 Long-distance bonds face social, practical challenges ship. How much or how little they contact each other depends on each unique relationship, but it should be an amount that is agreed on by both parties. For Bible, communication ranked high on the list of reasons why her relationship thrived. “Talk about everything,” she said. “Let them know why you’re stressed.” That’s a lesson Dehaut learned in the first few weeks of his long distance relationship. Before they both left for college, getting into little disagreements was no big dealit was easily fixed by a short visit or some flowers. “When you’re really close to someone, you get into petty fights,” he said. “Now you have to be careful with what you say, because she’s an hour away.” Strengthening the line of communication is only one benefit long distance relationships can bring to college students. The sacrifices and difficulties test the bond, and, if it survives, the couple becomes that much closer. “It makes you know if that truly is the person you want to be with,” said Bible. Courtesy of Krystal Bible on/C ara Kos te r Krystal and Jonathan Bible were married in December 2006. They have maintained their relationship through telephone calls and emails since February 2006 due to Jonathan’s deployment with the United States Coast Guard. Bea c Last year at this time, Russell Dehaut was just a 30-second walk down the block from seeing his girlfriend. Now, the pair is separated, each located at different schools, and face an hour long drive to see each other. Dehaut, a freshman electrical engineering major, is one of many college students involved in a long distance relationship. According to the Center for the Study of Long Distance Relationships, 20 to 40 percent of college students currently report being part of a long distance relationship. Leah Peters, a graduate intern at the campus counseling center, counsels a growing number of Wilkes students involved in long distance relationships. Although it is a common issue in college, this type of relationship can affect each person differently. “They can serve as a source of support for some, and a source of stress for others,” she said. “But most people fall somewhere in the middle.” Long distance relationships can become overwhelming when they take up all the students’ free time, or if they are constantly preoccupied by them. Focusing all of their attention on a relationship miles and miles away can force students to miss out on defining experiences of college life. “While you want to make your relationship a priority, you have to open yourself up to social and academic activities on campus,” Peters said. Dehaut admits that leaving the campus on weekends to visit his girlfriend, Jessica Drago, at Bloomsburg University, makes it difficult for him to foster friendships at his school. “It does affect your social life,” said Dehaut. “I’m shooting for visiting once a week. But I want her to spend as much time at school as she can so she can make friends, too.” Dehaut and Drago were dating for three years before they had to decide on their college choices. Drago was set on the education program at Bloomsburg, so Dehaut limited his choices to schools within a two hour radius of Wilkes-Barre. That way, they could visit each other more frequently. Although Dehaut is only a month into the long distance aspect of his relationship, he believes his relationship can survive the test of the miles. “From what I’ve heard, the biggest reason long distance relationships don’t work is because people cheat on each other,” he said. “I’m not going to cheat on her, and I know she’s not going to cheat on me.” Krystal Bible, a senior psychology major, has been involved in a long distance relationship since February 2006. She started dating Jonathan Bible when he was stationed in Virginia with the United States Coast Guard. They were married in December 2006. Like Dehaut, Bible believes that one of the reasons her relationship survived was trust. “Trust is key,” she said. “I know my husband would never do anything to hurt me.” Bible also agrees that her long distance relationship has affected her social life at Wilkes. “It changed who my friends were,” she said. “They understood when he’s here, I have to spend my time with him, because I don’t get to see him that often.” She said being part of a long distance relationship makes her more conscious about how she spends nights with her friends. “I’m not saying I feel like I’m 40,” she said, “but I do need to consider what he’s going to think. It is a marriage.” For Dehaut, the hardest part of maintaining a long distance relationship has been not being included in his girlfriend’s new experiences. Before college, Dehaut and his girlfriend spent time together every day. They went to the same high school, had the same classes, and saw each other after school. Now, they are each developing a new circle of friends unknown to the other. He tries to close the gap by staying involved in the everyday aspects of his girlfriend’s life. He e-mails and calls every chance he gets, and continues to act as her wake up call even though he is miles away. “I’ve always been her alarm clock,” he said. “It gives us a chance to talk a little before we go to our classes.” Peters, who is working toward her master’s degree in counseling, believes that communication between the two partners is vital to sustaining a long distance relation- The BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 everyone,s Slogging: BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-In-Chief In the past, the best way for non-journalists to get the word out about issues that were important to them was through a letter to the editor in a traditional newspaper or magazine. But letters to the editor are nearly always edited for length and sometimes content. These days, though, writers are gravitating to a less mediated means of connecting with others on pet issues and even personal experiences. They are blogging. First off, a “blog” is a fusion of the words “web log,” and can be used as either a noun (which names the actual site or column) or verb (to blog is to write and publish online). Blogging is quickly becoming a vibrant and growing part of media and culture. While not a particularly new thing, blogging is now part of all aspects of the media. For example, editors at newspapers often use blogs as an informal way to communicate about issues, and add a personal note to the paper. The New York Times supports several blogs. A few are opinion. Many are not, but it seems blogs are a bit easier to work through than fiddling through a 20-inch broadsheet. Often, editors also blog to offer a touch of humanity to the voices that speak the stories on each of their pages. Take Michael Lello, editor of The Weekender, for example. According to Lello, The Weekender is launching its new website, and blogging will be a key feature. “We plan to launch the blogs when we launch the new website... Each member of our editorial staff and our marketing associate will have a blog. It’ll be up to each individual how often they’d like to update their blogs... I think it’s also an important tool for us to interact with our readers on a more personal basis -- many blogs are written in the first person. Also, as a weekly paper, a lot of things happen between each issue,” explained Lello. Lello acknowledged that blog readership has increased over the years not only because of the personal voice the blog gives to the writer, but because they contain information that you can’t get in a traditional print format. Also, Lello said that blogs allow for newspapers to publish breaking news a bit faster than on their actual print website. However, he added that this can be dangerous. According to Lello, some publications will print information in blogs that cannot be verified, and then use the fact that it was printed in the blog, and not the paper, as a way to avoid liability. Lello strongly disagrees with this approach taken by some publications. Traditional publications aside, blogs have also emerged as a means of furthering personal growth. Take Donna Talarico, for example. A freelance writer and 2007 Wilkes graduate, Talarico is an avid blogger. She has worked in various areas of the media, from Froggy 101 to a correspondent for the Times Leader and The Weekender, Talarico knows what’s up and has personal blogs she updates regularly. “First, as someone who is trying to make a career out of doin, it! writing, blogging keeps me, well, writing. Even though it is casual and off the top of my head usually, blogging allows me to keep in the writing habit. Also, I guess it is a nice escape from the more structured writing of journalism and the material for my creative writing class,” said Talarico. “Second, I have more casual acquaintances than close friends, so blogging is kind of a way to share myself with more people, keeping them up to speed on my happenings and opinions.” Talarico also says she blogs for PR reasons. She keeps links for two of her books--an Amazon associate account, and a Google Adsense account--in her blog. Talarico acknowledges that she uses her blog to promote, sell, and keep readers up to date on them. There are many options for up and coming bloggers to get their material out there onto the web. Talarico particularly enjoys Blogger.com, which is owned by Google. In addition, there are other blog development sites like Livejournal, Xanga, and even MySpace. Each blog has a different feel and “scene” to it, if you will. Often, more artistic blogs will be displayed in the Xanga realm, whereas Blogger will give you more real faces and personal accounts. There are also sites like Deadjournal. com, but those sites require an invitation from an existing member, or a payment of a small fee. Talarico recommends blogging as a great tool for networking and displaying your writing and ideas. ecial t3 2 Large Piz7.:as Bue et 30 Wmg-iii $.24,.'99 ST DE T Ht)USI G FO ' TH 21st · .ENTURY -_ .eddl2 · rge Pizza + 1 Dozen W'1, igs. . 1: 95 {ib]lil.! ~~ ~t:f :1 ~nday S ttnt W:mg.s wt .a. . :soda: __ td} Jue~ · , . r, ·mcl i;,iD S l 114 ] L~ Piz7..a 6 Wmgs 2 Liter -•·oda ~-7-99 .· a p111n:ha~ of a :5oda Wedlnesday Affy bw- _: e r l ~ ::imdwim . 95 w/ pur~e of :31 :oru11 �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 LIFESTYLES Student of the week: Courtney Zawatski 11 BY CHRISTINE ZAVASKAS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Courtney Zawatski, a junior nursing major and Air Force Reserve Officers Training (AFROTC) cadet, had the unique opportunity to spend one month this summer shadowing nurses at the military hospital on Laflin Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She also spent one day working in the burn unit of Fort Sam Houston, an army base. Zawatski, along with just five other nursing majors from around the country, was able to experience the life of a military nurse firsthand during the month of June. Zawatski recently sat down with The Beacon to discuss the many ways in which she learned and served during her time in Texas, and it is because of this that she has been named “Student of the Week.” Courtney Zawatski, a junior nursing major and Air Force Reserve Officers Training (AFROTC) cadet, had the unique opportunity to spend one month this summer shadowing nurses at the military hospital on Laflin Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She also spent one day working in the burn unit of Fort Sam Houston, an army base. Zawatski, along with just five other nursing majors from around the country, was able to experience the life of a military nurse firsthand during the month of June. Zawatski recently sat down with The Beacon to discuss the many ways in which she learned and served during her time in Texas, and it is because of this that she has been named “Student of the Week.” The Beacon: What was a typical day like on the air force base? Zawatski: Basically I spent most of my days in the hospital. It was kind of laid back. It was a really nice environment and everybody was really helpful. They were willing to teach us. We got to do a lot of things in the military hospital that I can’t do when I’m on clinical here, like I got to start I.V.s and stuff like that. Sometimes, we’d get up at 4:45 a.m. and then we wouldn’t be done until like, 2 or 3 p.m. Then the rest of the day was ours. We’d have the weekend. That’s when we went and did stuff. The Beacon: What was the best part of this experience? Zawatski: I’d have to say the burn unit and we got to go see the flight school for flight nurses. They took us through the whole thing. That’s what I want to do, so for me that was one of the best parts. The Beacon: What was the hardest part of the experience? Zawatski: Probably the burn unit. The patient I helped take care of was nineteen years old and he had come straight from Iraq. They’re burned so badly. That was kind of hard to be able to see that. But at the same time, you knew you were helping them. That’s why it was one of the best parts, but it was one of the hardest parts, too. The Beacon: What did you learn from being at the base? Zawatski: I guess basically that there are so many different ways that you can help people. I’m looking at the nursing career in general. There’s so much you can do to help others. Also, I met new people. There were six nursing majors all together that went down from different states all over the place. There was one from Colorado, one from Virginia, one from Illinois. They were from all over the place and we all went and did the same thing. It was really nice to meet them. “The patient I helped take care of was nineteen years old and he had come straight from Iraq. They’re burned so badly. That was kind of hard to be able to see that. But at the same time, you knew you were helping them.” The Beacon/Cara Koster The Beacon: How did this experience affect your future plans? Zawatski: I’m so motivated and pumped to just go and do it now, because after doing this for a month I was so excited and so happy that this is what I’m going to be doing after I graduate. So I left really motivated. If you would like to nominate someone for student of the week, please e-mail beacon.lifestyles@ gmail.com. �A&E SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 12 Grapes of Wrath Comedian Q&A Crossword/Website 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 A, Beginner's Guide to [Z ines BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon A&E Editor September will soon draw to a close, and in addition to all of the horror, pumpkins, and candy corn we can anticipate with the new month, there’s also the arrival of the Philly ‘Zine Fest. Readers open to something a little different will be able to find table after table lined with a wide variety of ‘zines to peruse, compare and purchase October 7 at The Rotunda in Philadelphia. But, exactly what is a ‘zine? If you can’t answer that question, you’re not alone. While the definition varies according to the source, generally a ‘zine is an independently produced publication. While not a requirement, they’re usually created and sold inexpensively, have a small circulation, and readers would be hard-pressed to find one sitting on a rack next to Glamouror Newsweek. The question then might be, since ‘zines are more difficult to seek out, why not just settle for the books and magazines you can easily pick up at a chain bookstore? The quick answer is the variety. Readers who think there is already a wide array of magazines readily available can delight in the fact that the sheer volume and variety of ‘zines extends even further. For every topic or you can’t find on the local newsstands, chances are you can find at least one ‘zine on the subject. There are ‘zines ranging from the common (fashion, food, politics), to the controversial (anarchy, sexuality issues, activism), and the bizarre (spoon hatred, zombie punks, tampons). For those who have yet to pick one up, here’s a list that just begins to scratch the surface of what’s available out there. Cometbus Cometbus is indisputably one of the best ‘zines produced. From the 1980s issues, up to the most recent issue this year, the zine created by Aaron Cometbus continues to be an essential read. The ‘zine has multiple things to offer: comical reviews, off-the-wall vignettes, and highly personal letters to the author, but the strongest parts are the personal stories offered by the author and his friends. Most of the stories are written from the viewpoint of an inconsistent, self-effacing cynic, yet Cometbus is uncommonly perceptive, and offers brutally honest insight. While the subjects of the stories really run the gamut (from masquerading as a college student and being mistaken for a convict, to first loves and losing friends) the author pulls off an impressive feat, and somehow manages to make them relatable to any reader. Pick up any issue, and it’s certain to be a quality read. Better yet, pick up a Cometbus Omnibus, which is a collection of the best issues, as decided by Aaron Cometbus himself. The Inner Swine The defining points of this ‘zine are its wit, self-deprecation, and hilarity. The Inner Swine is written primarily by Jeff Somers, and he offers fiction, scathing social commentary, personal accounts, and brutal self-analysis. The visuals in the book basically consist of internet rip-offs and shoddy MS paint projects, but it purposely contrasts with the high quality of the Croq Croq is a craft ‘zine for people who don’t have endless amounts of money for supplies, and haven’t been blessed with the impeccable skills of Martha Stewart. It also tries to bridge the gap between male and female oriented craft magazines (a solid effort, though doesn’t entirely pull it off). Each issue offers a wide variety of content. They’ve offered “How Tos” on cooking, clothes altering, self-publishing, weaving and soap-making, to name a few. They also include beneficial articles on topics like preventing crafter’s block, finding inexpensive materials, converting a hobby into a business, and protecting creative works. It extends beyond hobby craft magazines, and approaches crafting as more of a lifestyle, which is puts a whole new spin on things. Brains Unlike the other ‘zines on the list, Brains consists of one fiction story, continued through each issue. The subject matter may not have universal appeal, but out of the many fiction ‘zines out there, it’s one of the more entertaining, and it’s a quick read. The story is well developed, and mixes humor, horror, subculture references, and irony. Think, a zombie attack happening at a rock venue, and the chaos that would ensue after hoards of spike clad, mohawked teens tear through the town in a search for, well…brains. It’s worth mentioning that the illustrations included are a definite plus. Stolen Sharpie Revolution This is a ‘zine about ‘zines. It may sound a bit redundant but it’s an indispensable tool for anyone looking to create their own ‘zine, or anyone who just wants to better understand ‘zine creation, distribution, and what it is that sets them apart from mainstream publications. It serves as a “how to,” a fact sheet, and it basically functions as the yellow pages of the ‘zine community. It offers websites and addresses of where to get ‘zines and related materials all around the globe. Local Zines Most people likes to read about what they know, or things that directly relate to them. Readers may not have come across them, but there are numerous ‘zines that are created and distributed right in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding towns. In Scranton there’s The Antenna, which highlights the local art scene and features poetry and personal stories. There’s also Catalyst, which has a few issues that can be found downtown. It’s a more politically motivated ‘zine, which promotes local activism. Stop into Gallery of Sound or Café Metropolis and more likely than not they’ll have one or two stacks of zines made in the area. Readers who have interest in seeing what other titles are out there, or picking some up, some of the more extensive ‘zine selections can be found at www.microcosmpublishing.com, www.eyecandyzine.com, and www.valiantdeath.com. The Beacon/Marissa Phillips Reglar Wiglar A fun alternative to mainstream music magazines, Reglar Wiglar offers loads of interviews, reviews, comic strips, and entertaining randomness in between. The great part about the music reviews is that they go on for pages, but the format periodically changes. In one issue they start off with standard reviews, then switch things up with one-word reviews, haiku reviews (damage has been done/with crunchy, distorted chords/control is not lost), fake celebrity reviews, and a guest reviewer. As for the randomness in between, one issue features an interview of the publisher, by the publisher, and two pages of screenshots of fruitless google searches (for example, “Friends of Snuffalaffagus”). writing, which just makes it all even funnier. The author is unashamedly silly, but offers impressively delivered, intelligent humor. �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 ‘Grapes of Wrath’ to recreate struggles of Depression era BY SHANNON CURTIN Beacon Staff Writer The first theatrical performance of the school year probably won’t leave viewers warm and fuzzy--maybe dry and thirsty, but definitely not warm and fuzzy. The Wilkes University department of visual and performance arts is kicking off the 2007-2008 year with the stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath. The Grapes of Wrath chronicles the plight of thousands of midwestern farmers in the 1930s when a severe drought caused huge agricultural failures throughout the Great Plains. Add to that the immense economic disaster of the Great Depression, which made it impossible for farmers to invest in industrial equipment or pay their mortgages. The result of such converging calamities led to the agricultural population of midwestern America being forced to leave the land. In hopes of finding employment in California, thousands of farmers packed up their families and moved. Unfortunately the farming lands of California didn’t prove to be an improvement for many families. The mass exodus of the dust bowl region caused California to quickly become overcrowded. There wasn’t enough food or jobs to go around and the newcomers were often treated with hostility from the locals. The Grapes of Wrath chronicles one family’s story as its members attempt to survive in the devastating conditions. The upcoming Wilkes production of The Grapes of Wrath will focus on the desperate conditions of the time period, not only in the content of the play, but in the setting and props used as well. The play is intended for a full size stage, but the Wilkes performance will be held in the Black Box Theatre in the Dorothy Dickinson Darte Center, a much smaller venue. Not only does this limit the size of the performance area but it also decreases the space available for backdrops and large props; thus, there won’t be many. Director and Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, Joseph Dawson said that the minimalist approach will “create an atmosphere where the audience fills in the environmental details.” Dawson hopes that the “original concept” of the production will generate a “positive response” from the campus community. Junior Greta Kleckner is also hoping for a good turnout. She’ll be playing the role of Ma Joad, the matriarch and glue of the Joad family, “I hope to bring out Ma’s character traits. She is so passionate about family and so full of love. My biggest challenge will be truly capturing her nature and bringing that to the stage.” Kleckner encourages the campus community to show their support via attendance. “The VPA department at Wilkes works extremely hard to be true to art, and the university as a whole should recognize, appreciate, and enjoy all of the blood, sweat, tears, and laughter that the department puts not only into this production, but every production. It is impossible to have theatre without an audience!” Of course, just because the space and setting is minimal, don’t expect the cast to be tiny. In fact Dawson noted that The Grapes Photo Courtesy of Marketing Communications of Wrath, the only drama of this season, includes “plenty of opportunities for about twenty cast members to play sixty one roles.” Additionally audience members can expect to be treated to what Kleckner deGrapes of Wrath is the tale of midwestern farmers through the scribed as the agricultural failures and the Great Depression of the 1930s. both the best and worst part of the production, the chal- in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Alterlenge of “learning the dialect.” Indeed, nate dates are September 28, 29, October 5, the trials and tribulations of a midwestern and 6 at 8:00 p.m. with afternoon shows on American family could not be complete September 30 and October 7 at 2:00 p.m. without the signature accent of the Dust Tickets are free for students, faculty, and staff with ID, non-Wilkes students and seBowl area. The show will open on Thursday, Septem- nior citizens are $7, and general admission ber 27 at 8:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theater is $15. The Beacon/James Rosato - RE - - HOl,Y : ER HOR. Il ~ AN I CORIA l!VI! · A.. SCHEIN P . 'I B EMEROm Y P IDDrrl . AL, n' Wilkes students rehearse for Grapes of Wrath. The show opens on September 27 at 8:00PM. It will be performed in the Darte Black Box Theater. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Comedian reflects on own brand of low-budget humor it and I just haven’t stopped. BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Last week, comedian Michelle Buteau tried to lighten the mood on campus with her own brand of ‘low-budget’ laughs. Buteau began performing in the comedy circuit six years ago, and has been featured on Comedy Central’s “Last Comic Standing,” VH1’s “Best Week Ever” and is currently featured in the October 2007 issue of Glamour magazine. She recently spent time in London and is presently performing on the national college circuit. Following her performance, Buteau sat down for a few questions with The Beacon. The Beacon: How did you get started in comedy? Buteau: I was like the funny friend, like the funny co-worker. I used to write really funny e-mails, people started to forward them to other people. I just basically started because people told me I should. They said, ‘You’re really funny, you should do comedy.’ I used to go to comedy clubs. I noticed there was no women at shows and I was like, ‘Where are all the women?’ So I tried The Beacon: What inspires your comedy? Buteau: People usually. It’s all about interacting with the audience. The Beacon: How would you describe your comedy? Buteau: I would describe my comedy as funny, but if I had to, I’d say ethnic, single girl, city humor. It’s like Sex in the City but low-budget and ethnic. The Beacon: Where is your favorite place to perform? Buteau: I think...Wilkes University. The Beacon: What kind of crowd do you prefer to perform in front of? Buteau: I just like people, usually ones that are alive. I have done shows where there is like over 500 people and it feels like there is 10. So if you have like 20 people it can feel like 100. I have done shows in hospitals, London, Dublin and Jamaica, people who barely speak English, but funny is funny, ya know? It think it’s like music, it’s a trend. . THIS'\ "the ftve percent" "live Acoustic.Mu iciW/ Wednesday~ Sept ember 26th nigbt in our cafe ! 1 •~able mpt"'' every Tlle'&M!f :night · rom 7i!0-8:30pm. ~ for· . dry & Ao(-m11'1ic: · wid Jltomd by )lim'Wamu every .,I.Mt Thesd;q of the montlf ~ g T~day, Sepk tr1ber 25th. from 'i'.00-sS:JOpm '(Movie GMrS Spedd from 6:00pm to close every evening ... pre-sent yom- movie sru.b f rom "'.M!ovicsi 14"' and. gd 25% off ill itemJ .in our S adm ' call. Dom:{ ·folfg« w pic'k wp a .. Fn:::q_umit Ru~r Cw"'wdar- .· 1iiii\: ~ tu me your The Beacon: Have you ever Beacon/Cara James Rosato performed in front of a crowd you knew would be very hostile? Buteau describes her comedy as “ethnic, single Buteau: You never know be- girl, city humor.” cause comedy is so hit or miss, you Buteau’s untitled CD will be available on Photo can courtesy Cathy Alaimo know what I mean? People not like you October 1. The CD can be found on CDfor any reason. It could be because they Baby.com, her MySpace page and her webdon’t like your shoes, your look, that you’re page. a female, that you’re not a female anything. Buteau often performs with fellow coI try and change people’s minds. median Eric Andre, also known as the Caveman in the Geico commercials. The The Beacon: What do you do to prepare Programming Board has booked Andre at for a comedy performance? Wilkes for October 22 at 9:00 p.m. in the Buteau: How do I prepare? I don’t really. old bookstore on the first floor of the Henry I just do it. The more shows the better. Student Center. Schedule of Events . AT YOUR •UO · ·. M 'C · . 6 - The Beacon: In your performance you mentioned attending college. Where and what did you study? Buteau: I went to Florida International University. I studied TV production and I minored in business advertising. I used to be an editor and I can make really cute flyers. That’s what a degree gets you. FLEX :DOI.LARS m The -- here in. ,u m stuff.! · i Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Tuesday, September 25 Open Mic Night at Mainstreet Barnes and Noble at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26 - So You Think You Can Dance tour at the Wachovia Arena at 8 p.m. - Film: Evening at the Kirby Center at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Go Go Gadjet performing at The Woodlands at 11 p.m. Thursday, September 27 - Marc Ford Band performing at the Jazz Cafe - “The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 8 pm - Go Go Gadjet performing at Slainte - Dance Gavin Dance, To Outlive the Beginning, Auxilia and Mayella performing at Café Metropolis at 7 p.m. Friday, September 28 -Billy Hector performing at the Jazz Café - The Northeaster PA Philharmonic performing at the Kirby Center 8 p.m. - “The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 8 pm - Lipservice performingn at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. - The Number Twelve Looks Like You, See You Next Thursday, At the Throne of Judgement and I Hate Sally performing at Backstage at 8 p.m. Saturday, September 29 -”The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 8 pm -Mayella, Trophy of Your Anatomy, Aesthetic, Murf and the Maggots and Monu mental Slaughter performing at Backstage at 7 p.m. - Lip Service performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. Sunday, September 30 -”The Art of Shredding” guitar clinic with Bill Hoffman at Backstage at 3 p.m. -Trophy Scars, The Finals and TBA performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Goodbye Soundscape, Dino-sores and 7 Story Farewell performing at Café Me tropolis at 7 p.m. �Kudracross SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 36 40 42 48 49 50 51 55 56 “Happily _____ after” Done to show reverence Allen Ginsberg, for example New Jersey basketball team DOWN Edgy “Men in Black” cat CPA’s sign What bullies do “Sleepless in Seattle” actress ____ Ryan Church symbol Monopoly piece Poisonous Pennsylvania snake Eyeglasses type Acknowledge boldly “All ___ Need is Love” “____ City,” starring Bruce Willis Abnormal possessive pronoun Bonnet, for example Bean type Fragrant conifer Exhaust Sacred song Handwriting What you do to plates Fleur-de-_____ Music exercise Maliciously start a fire Forever Tail motion Cooking activity Walk casually Neckwear Fishing devise Eden, for example Charming Eight singers 57 58 59 60 62 63 64 66 Approaches Child sound on a swing Type of list Part of a shoe Squid defense Wear Madison or Lexington (abbr.) Garfield to Jon Arbuckle DontDateHimGirl.com BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-chief Well, this week’s site got off to an odd start. As soon as I tried to log in (after the confirmation e-mail went to The Beacon’s spam folder,) my Trend Micro Internet Security gave me the ever so pleasant pop-up, “You have attempted to open a dangerous Web site.” Great. What was even better was that I got the pop-up approximately 60 times throughout my browsing of the site. This didn’t bode well in terms of my final verdict. It also listed the site as “Spyware,” and it made me regret I used my PC to view it. Moving on, DontDateHimGirl.com claims it is a “social networking site where women from around the world can share their dating experiences with each other.” That is listed under the “About Us” section of the site, but it took me about three full minutes to get that info into this paragraph, as I was interrupted six times; three times for a Wal-Mart ad with annoying music, and three additional times for an E-Harmony ad. Wow. E-Harmony. That is only furthering the advancement of blue-collar couples and poverty across the nation. (I may review it in upcoming weeks.) I’m so glad I know the demographic that utilizes this site. While I browsed through the tabs, with the Spyware warnings, EHarmony ads, and various other distractions worked their way in front of my mouse, I discovered that there was really nothing to this site. They have a section called “He said, she said” which is apparently a forum where people can have it out, so to speak. It only had two little blurbs from an alleged ex couple, and a way to vote for whom the user thinks is “right.” Now, here’s another thing: their search engine. I tried typing in names, and apparently, real people and real names came up. Check this one out. I won’t list the full name because I understand the meaning of libel. *** Billy He threw his wife and kids out to the curb and lied Courtesy Lackawanna County Library System BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Staff Writer ACROSS 1 Burial chamber 5 Random folder abbr. 9 “Why, because I _______”. 14 Port in NW Pennsylvania 15 Reflected sound 16 Keep away from 17 Pinta companion 18 Sticky wet viscous substance 19 Located 20 Civil war side 22 Pugsley to Fester (Adams Family) 24 Follows 26 Chew and swallow 27 “Tin ___,” starring Kevin Costner 30 Without belongings 34 “___ Antonio, TX” 37 Slang OK 38 Concept 39 Eaten when proven wrong 41 Adds to the pot 43 First king of Israel 44 Away from shore 45 Castle defense 46 Tach readout 47 Resilient 52 Discontinue 53 Tenth anniversary symbol 54 Explanation 58 Takes away by force 61 Armistice 62 Boise location 65 Basketball goal 67 Android officer on the Enterprise 68 1984, for example 69 Not active 70 71 72 73 Answers 9/18 15 compulsively about why. Well he got caught! He’s a homewrecker,COMPULSIVE liar, thief (stole my narcotic prescriptions) and an adulterer! He abondoned his family and left us homeless to have an affair and not feel guilty about it. His beautiful 5 yr old daughter and 3yr old son..... kicked them to the curb...left us with NOTHING~ Beware, he is a good liar...COMPULSIVE liar! (Reviewer’s Note: I left all spelling in tact.) *** OK, I can see girls who have not yet turned into women finding this a great novelty, but that’s <i>libel</i> any way you look at it. I hate to abandon the feminist that I deny I am, but men, you should go to the site, look yourself up, and sue them for defamation of character. Make sure you have great anti-virus protection, and a tolerance for E-Harmony ads. This site is terrible. I give this site an “L” for LAWSUIT. �16 SPORTS Aces High SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Lady Colonels looks to mimic last year’s performance v. Kings BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor It was September 12, 2006, and Katie Buckley was on the road for the Lady Colonels as the sixth and final player for the team to step onto the court in single match play. As they do before every game in an attempt to inspire their daughter, Buckley’s parents said, “Go get ‘em.” For an amateur tennis player, Buckley needed every ounce of encouragement she could get. Once she stepped on the court, that dreadful feeling of nervousness took over. It was just the second conference match in her freshman campaign and Katie Buckley was next up to play in one of the biggest matches of the season for the Lady Colonels tennis team. Standing on the other side of the net ready to squash the little freshman was King’s College four-year veteran Jaclyn Dunn. Prior to facing Buckley, Dunn had already cooked three of her first four opponents and was hungry to eat another, especially a newcomer to the Lady Colonels roster. Buckley, timid as she is before every match, would strike first, and as a result, the butterflies in her stomach eventually flew away. It wasn’t easy, but the first set would go in favor of Buckley by a score of 6-4. At this point, Buckley was in the driver’s seat and all she needed was to win one more set to pull away from King’s soil with an upset under her belt. The next set wasn’t even close. In only her fourth match as a Lady Colonel, Buckley spanked Dunn in the second set 6-2 and that was all she wrote. “It (winning) was a good feeling because I know it’s a rivalry,” said Buckley. “The whole team was happy since we won and I and two in the doubles competition leaving the final score at 6-3. Buckley and freshman Victoria Bybel won singles matches for the Lady Colonels. “We’ve beaten Division II schools before, but we know Bloomsburg is the top one in this whole region,” said Leicht. “We knew that would be a step up in competition. But it definitely helps with (other) competition to know that we could compete with that team.” The following game for the Lady Colonels would prove Leicht right when it comes to playing higher divisions to gain the upper hand against competition around Division III. The Lady Colonels matched-up against FDU-Florham Park on the road on Sept. 15 in Madison, NJ. This would be the first conference game of the season and the Lady Colonels went to town on the Lady Devils. None of the matches were forced into a third set. The Lady Colonels shut-out FDU in seven of the 12 sets to move to a record of 3-1. “It’s nice to win 9-0 when everybody contributes to the team win,” said Leicht. “It definitely gives us confidence. We’re strong but it’s still nice to get those kind of wins where not only the teams wins but when every individual part wins.” After clipping the Lady Monarchs last season in all nine games, the Lady Colonels will look to repeat that effort. But even though a whole season of tennis with the Lady Colonels is in the bag for Buckley, she still can’t shake the butterflies. “I still feel the pressure, but it goes away once I start playing. Once I feel the person out and how they play, then I feel better about myself,” said Buckley. Maybe the butterflies in her belly will prove to be positive once again for Buckley and the Lady Colonels as they go for their third consecutive victory against the Lady Monarchs at home tomorrow at 3:30pm. how we played.” doesn’t say much about it.” “I’m not remotely concerned with the Sumoski went on to make a goalie change The Lady Colonels played brilliant socafter 24 minutes into the game substituting cer after they weathered Clark’s storm, but loss, because we’re playing against regionBerkey for senior goalie Liz Pauly. Pauly needed to hold her to one less goal to poten- ally and nationally ranked teams that are caught four saves in 66:38 of play to hold tially force an overtime game; maybe even getting us ready for conference play,” added Sumoski. Stevens scoreless for the remainder of the another win. contest. After 35 minutes into the first half, senior Bethany Head scored the first goal of the game for the Lady Colonels off “I’m not remotely concerned with the loss, because we’re playing a pass from Georgina Robinson. Robin- against regionally and nationally ranked teams that are getting us son followed with a goal of her own at ready for conference play.” the 67:04 mark to close the Lady Colonels losing gap to just one goal. “We played our hearts out in that In the first round of the 2005 national game,” said Robinson. “We lost 3-2 but “One positive way of looking at it is that they scored all their goals in the beginning we had a lot of good soccer that game,” said playoffs, the Lady Colonels played on the and they were all on free kicks for them. We Sumoski. “We had 60 to 70 minutes of real- road against Stevens and lost 5-0 after beatplayed very well that game but the score ly good soccer that I was very pleased with ing Drew University (NJ) 1-0 in the MAC Freedom Conference Championship. Last year Wilkes played Stevens for a second time and lost at home 1-0. Robinson, senior forward from Kreamer, PA, tops the Lady Colonels in scoring with two goals on the season after improving multiple aspects of her game during the offseason. Julissa Reed, Melissa Polchinski and Bethany Head combine for the rest of the team’s goals with one apiece. The Lady Colonels take on Eastern University (PA)at home Wednesday at 4pm. Conference play begins for the Lady Colonels Saturday October 6 at home against FDU-Florham (NJ) at 4 pm. Soccer from PAGE 20 felt really good that I could contribute with a win and keep going from there.” Buckley wrapped up last year with an impressive record of 10-3. Last season, it took the Lady Colonels two hours and 35 minutes to complete a nine match sweep over King’s. Wilkes defeated the Lady Monarchs in all six singles games and won all three matches in the doubles competitions. That win put the Lady Colonels at 4-0 and King’s dropped to 1-3. Fast forward a year and two weeks from the day the Lady Colonels faced King’s College last season. They meet again tomorrow at Ralston Field. After being crowned MAC Freedom Conference champions last season with an 18-2 record, the Lady Colonels are currently 4-1 overall, most recently beating DeSales University on September 20. Wilkes has a 1-0 conference record start under the leadership of back-to-back Freedom Conference Coach of the Year Chris Leicht. If you were to ask the humble coach about his outstanding awards, he’ll tell you, “No comment; it’s about the girls.” Last season, Leicht led the Lady Colonels to a record breaking season in the win category with 18 and took the team to their first NCAA D3 national tournament bid before falling in the opening round to Hunter College (NY)in Amherst, MA. Five team competitions have been played and the Lady Colonels have fallen short only once to Bloomsburg University, a Division II program that was nationally ranked last year. The Lady Colonels went on the road to face Bloomsburg on Sept. 13, Leicht’s alma mater, and lost four of the six single matches The Beacon/James Rosato The Lady Colonels are currently 5-1 after beating Lebanon Valley 7-2 on Thursday in Annville, PA. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Men’s Soccer 17 from PAGE 20 One of the major problems for the Colonels has been consistent aggression in the first half on shot attempts. Prior to their game on Saturday against Elizabethtown College (PA), the Colonels racked up 39 goal attempts in the first half compared to 58 in the second. Team co-captain Andy Curry leads the team this season in goals with three. The Colonels squared off against Elizabethtown at home. Both teams showed their stingy side on defense in a game with only one goal scored. Luckily for the Colonels, it belonged to them. The sophomore from Mountaintop (PA), Arthur Jankowski would boot one in from 35 yards out after a whole 77 minutes was played. The Colonels had enough of being shut-out and dished out one of their own moving them to a record of 4-4. Senior goalkeeper TJ Baloga had four saves on the day as Elizabethtown dropped to 5-2. The Colonels take on Baptist Bible at home on Thursday at 4 p.m. as they continue their quest to make a dream out of a young team. “Our goal is definitely the Freedom Con- ference playoffs and to capture that”, said Wingert. “I don’t think we’re a nationally ranked caliber team but all you got to do is win your conference to make the NCAA (tournament). No soccer team at Wilkes has been able to do that in the past. It may be a young team but we would certainly have reached our identity as a NCAA team.” Who’s Next? * 9/ 27 vs. Baptist Bible *10/1 @ Lycoming *10/3 @ Rowan *10/6 vs. FDU *10/10 vs. DeSales *10/13 @ DelVal *10/16 vs. King’s *10/22 vs. Scranton The Beacon/Gino Troiani Wilkes senior Jimmy Thomas slides for the ball against Elizabethtown on Saturday, September 22. Wilkes defeated Elizabethtown 1-0. CHE.C K OUT Qu1znos~ DASTY. M M ■■ I■ 72 South .· -, ain St. Wilkes-Barr _·. or _ - onday-Thursday 10- lH- - Dil . iday - · Sa rday 1.0anI-lOpm. S . nd yl2•Dt1-Gp1a (570) 208-SUBS OUR FEATURED s ·_: B �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 SPORTS 18 Commentary National League MVP to be decided in final week of season National League East Rivals among the players in the hunt BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor This season, the National League MVP race might literally come down to the wire. With less than a week left to play in the regular season, there are four legitimate candidates, all of whom are on teams that have a shot at the playoffs. The New York Mets’ stranglehold on the NL East has loosened, allowing the resilient Philadelphia Phillies to sneak in, while they simultaneously keep pace in the Wild Card race. They trail the San Diego Padres, who have a tough remaining schedule, including games with the Colorado Rockies, as well as the Milwaukee Brewers, who are vying with the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central crown. Among the MVP contenders is Jimmy Rollins, the veteran shortstop on the Philadelphia Phillies, whose leadership on the team outweighs his statistics. During spring training, Rollins made a bold statement and said that the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East, a statement that didn’t go unnoticed in New York when fans showered Rollins with boos and catcalls when the Phillies made their first trip north for the season. Despite their 4-11 start, Rollins stood by his statement, and similarly showed it on the field, helping the Phillies regain their footing after a horrible start. It also didn’t hurt that he was putting up the best numbers of his career, either. Rollins, who has never been known for his power, had a breakout season last year in which he hit 25 homeruns, 11 more than his previous career high. This season is proving not to be a fluke, as he has 29 homers and 90 RBI, while having 202 hits and scoring 132 runs, all career highs. In spite of those numbers, Rollins has done more for the team than hit. In a season that saw the Phillies lose last years MVP Ryan Howard, All-Star second baseman Chase Utley and speedy Shane Victorino for long MVP, as he is leading the Mets in batting average (.320), and has been steady throughout the season, when teammates like Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado have gone through slumps. To be sure, Wright is a huge part of the Mets’ success this season, and will certainly be in the MVP talks in the future. Joining the ranks of the MLB youth movement is Prince Fielder, the 23-year old power hitting first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers. Fielder, in his second full season, is following in the footsteps of his father, Cecil, a tremendous power hitter in his own right. Prince Fielder is leading the NL in homeruns with in impressive 47, is leading the Brewers in RBI (112), and he is quickly turning into one of the best power threats in the National League, which no doubt has helped Photo courtesy reid.mlblogs.com Milwaukee sit atop Jimmy Rollins looks to win his first MVP award. the NL Central for stretches of time, Rollins has proved to be most of the season. the constant, playing in every game this Typically, there is one player each season season and being the unspoken leader of the that sneaks in the back door when no one is club. looking and very quietly turns into one of In addition to his offense, Rollins is also the best players in the league. having a great defensive season, and is a This season, that player is Matt Hollivery likely candidate to win his first Gold day, the left fielder for the Colorado RockGlove award. ies. Holliday, who has always been a good Rollins isn’t alone in his division, how- player, has gone unnoticed while playing in ever, as rival New York Mets third baseman Colorado, but is having a season that could David Wright is making his own strong case very well put his team in the playoffs. for the coveted title. Despite the Rockies having more than a Wright, in his third full season is proving four game deficit in the NL West, Holliday to be a leader both on and off the field for is leading the charge toward the postseason the New York Mets, as he is one of the best by leading his team in average (.337), home young players in the game. runs (36), and leading the league in RBIs He recently hit a milestone in his young (131). career by having both 30 homeruns and 30 Four candidates, four teams with a shot at steals in one season, joining the ranks of the post-season, and only one MVP award Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Alex Rodri- up for grabs. guez. It’s going to be a wild week. Wright is certainly making his case for STATISTICS Thru 9/22 Jimmy Rollins, SS Philadelphia Phillies Average: .294 HR: 29 RBI: 90 David Wright, 3B New York Mets Average: .320 HR: 30 RBI: 104 Matt Holliday, LF Colorado Rockies Average: .337 HR: 36 RBI: 131 Prince Fielder, 1B Milwaukee Brewers Average: .288 HR: 47 RBI: 112 AL Batting Title Race: 1.C. Jones(ATL), .341 2. M. Holliday(COL), .337 3. C. Utley(PHI), .335 4. Edgar Renteria(ATL), .333 5. H. Ramirez(FLA), .333 6. D. Young(WAS), .323 7. M. Cabrera(FLA), .323 8. Albert Pujols(STL), .322 9. D. Wright(NYM), .320 10. D. Lee(CHC), .317 �SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Athlete of the Week: Sean Vona SPORTS dously in his role with the team from his freshman year to this season., and we look When a team graduates a great deal of tal- to he and our other younger players to conent and leadership, many younger players tinue to play a large role in leading us in the are often looked upon to step up their roles right direction.” While the colonels started the year with to help bridge the gap. For the Wilkes uni3 straight losses, they subsequently turned versity men’s soccer program, sophomore things around with a three-game win streak midfielder and pre pharmacy major Sean that has Vona has exempligiven them fied that philosotremendous phy as a young but momenpromising Wilkes tum. “The squad continues to first goal establish it’s idenwe scored tity in the early part against Miof this season. sericordia, A native of Vestal, in the first NY, Vona is part of game of that a young, talented streak, has group of midfieldreally proers that looks to pelled us” control possession Vona said of of the ball and set the team’s up the Colonels recent sucoffense for mulcesses. tiple scoring op“That game portunities. While he Photo courtesy prosportsofficialteamsites.com gave us trehas already tallied one goal on mendous confi dence that we get quality the season, Vona is quick to put his role in perspective and credit his teammates with opportunities to score more goals than we stepping up their games to contribute to the had been getting.” With several more qualColonels recent three-game win streak. “As ity opponents on the upcoming schedule, a center midfielder, my main objective is to Vona and the colonels will be looking to get the ball and help get our offense in gear keep things rolling into the MAC freedom to score. We have multiple playmakers on conference portion of the schedule. Congratulations to Sean Vona on being this team, and when we are all clicking our named this week’s athlete of the week! potential is tremendous.” 19 BY GERARD HETMAN Beacon Staff Writer Head Coach Phil Wingert, who has just three seniors and no juniors on his roster for this season, has looked for Vona and his younger teammates to shoulder a heavier amount of responsibility than would normally be asked of a first or second-year player. “Sean has done a great job for us, both on the field and in the classroom.” Wingert said recently. “He’s grown tremen- 16 Number of aces by the Wilkes University volleyball team in a 3 set win over Manhattanville on Tuesday, September 18. The Beacon/Gino Troiani Wilkes sophomore, Sean Vona, has emerged as a leader on the men’s soccer team. Vona, a midfielder, was pivotal in helping the Colonels turn their season around with a three game winning streak. Congratulations on being named Athlete of the Week! WEEKLY RECAPS Men’s Soccer Dickinson College remained unbeaten and posted its sixth straight shutout win with a 5-0 victory over Wilkes University in a non-conference match on Wednesday afternoon. The victory improved the Red Devils to 7-0, while the Colonels saw their three-match winning streak come to an end and fell to 3-4. Women’s Volleyball The Wilkes University volleyball team copped their first Freedom Conference win of the season by scoring a 30-10, 30-11, 30-16 win at Manhattanville College on Tuesday night. The Lady Colonels improved to 6-7 overall and evened their conference mark at 1-1. Manhattanville fell to 1-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Women’s Soccer Stevens Institute of Technology raced out to a 3-0 lead less than 20 minutes into the match and then withstood a Wilkes University rally to earn a 3-2 non-conference women’s soccer win on Tuesday night. The Ducks ran their overall record to 5-1-1 with the win, while the Lady Colonels saw their overall mark fall to 3-4. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 1 Number of goals that Wilkes Sophomore Arthur Jankowski scored en route to a 1-0 victory over Elizabethtown on September 22. 2 Number of goals scored by Wilkes junior Devon McKay to lead the field hockey team to a 4-0 win over Marywood on September 20. 5 Number of goals scored by the Wilkes field hockey team in a 5-2 victory over Cabrini College on September 22. �Sports SEPTEMBER 25, 20 Young Colonels soccer team surges with senior leadership In the midst of 23 soccer players kicking balls around during last Friday’s practice just over the Market Street bridge at Ralston Field is a hardworking veteran that has quickly claimed his part of the spotlight. Jimmy Thomas, senior from Myerstown (PA), stood in one of the two lines during a soccer drill in which the objective was to sneak a goal in past the team’s goalie T.J. Baloga. Thomas waited patiently in line to get his turn from the right side as the scorching postnoon sun beat down onto the red hairs of his flamboyant goatee. He watched as a few of his teammates missed. Then it was Thomas’s turn to kick. Thomas passed the ball to his partner in the drill. His teammate returned it to him placing a soft pass to allow Thomas to kick one past the goalie. He made contact and Baloga couldn’t stop the ball from reaching the net. The drill came to an end and one of the players screamed in response to the goal as he ran back to the huddle “All right J-Bomb”, short for Jimmy Thomas. If you ever wondered if an athlete’s practice effort is demonstrated on the field during a game, it is, especially for “J-Bomb.” On September 8, the Colonels hopped on the bus to go on the road to face Misericordia University in front of an estimated 200 fans for their fourth game of the season. The first three opponents of the season were Montclair State University (NJ), William Paterson University (NJ) and Muhlenberg College (PA), and each team shut the Colonels out combining for a She is a 5’11 junior from George Bush’s old stomping grounds, and unfortunately for the Lady Colonels soccer team in the first 20 minutes of the game, the addage that ‘everything from Texas is big’ held true and they couldn’t stop her from scoring goals. On September 18 the Lady Colonels traveled to Hoboken, NJ, to face Audra Clark and the Stevens Institute of Technology, the team with the longest winning-streak at home in the country. Clark, a native of Dallas/Texas, has been blessed with a mountainous figure that stands out like colossal obstruction on the soccer field. The Lady Colonels felt every inch of this beast’s head. The reasons that the panel of judges from the Skyline Conference chose Clark to be part of the first all-conference team during her freshman and sophomore year, showed in just 02:18 of the game when she scored the first goal of the game off an assist by teammate Sara Roeder. Only a dozen minutes later, the enormous woman bolted down field as teammate Salme Cook dropped off a pass to her. Clark picked up the pass off her head for another goal to put the game at 2-0 in only 14:17 of the first half. For the Lady Colonels, who only scored one goal in each of their three wins before playing Stevens, down by two in the first 15 minutes, it began to look as if like the fat lady was getting ready to sing early in this one. But not before Clark blasted in one more. Before smokers could even put down their cigarettes, Clark would score again four minutes later from her second goal leaving her with three goals in the first 18:57 of the game. At this point, head coach John Sumoski could attribute Clark’s goals to a couple key things. “It kind of felt like marking tightly in the box is one of our downfalls so we can’t give up too many corners,” said Sumoski. “Our keepers need to improve at getting off their line punching and catching balls.” total of seven goals. After leaving all three games without putting goals on the board, senior Andy Curry managed to score the first goal of the season before halftime against Misericodia but the Colonels still trailed 2-1 leaving sour thoughts in their minds. “I was frustrated,” said Thomas. “I was scared, man.” Nine minutes after returning to the field for the second half sophomore Bret Osswald scored for the Colonels to tie the game at two goals apiece. A tie in this game wouldn’t help the Colonels in the win department after losing the first three games. They were in desperate need of another goal to give them their first win of the season and that opened the floor for someone to steal the spotlight for the Colonels. The goal would come at the 77:00 mark similar to the one scored by Thomas in practice. But this time, it was from the left side. “I looked up. Greg Miller gave me an amazing ball off a corner kick, after he had an amazing cross,” said Thomas. “The ball came right across the net right to my head and I literally had to take two steps (to score the goal).” That game-winning goal gave the Colonels their first win this season and would drive the team to a three-game win streak after beating Widener (PA) and Moravian (PA). “For the first time, everything we worked on in practice came to motion and it just clicked,” said Thomas. The leadership of this year’s young Colonels soccer team is in the hands of head coach Wingert, now in his 26th year. In the past 17 of those years, Wingert has taken 11 different Wilkes teams to the postseason. He has a 237-201-36 career record which leads the history of the Wilkes soccer program and looks to continue, developing on this year’s unique bunch of Colonels. “This team is so young that it’s just trying to find it’s identity,” said Wingert. “The seniors have been a good group, but it’s a small group so it’s almost impossible to compare this team with other ones just because it is such a young team. It’s talented, but it’s young.” See Young on PAGE 17 Women’s soccer makes positive out of Stevens loss The 5’2 junior goalkeeper from Johnstown/PA, Jessica Berkey, tried to protect the net to limit Stevens’s chances at beating the Lady Colonels for a third consecutive time but to no avail. After Clark’s final of her three-goal stretch, the Lady Colonels would go on to shut out the 15th ranked team in the nation for the rest of the game before dropping to a 3-4 record. Stevens improved to a record of 5-1-1. “Two years ago when we got beat up there pretty good 5-0 the same thing happened. We just got shelled early,” said Sumoski. “The difference between this team and that team is, this team is capable of fighting back a little better and that’s what we did.” See Soccer on PAGE 16 The Beacon/Gino Troiani Wilkes sophomore Ashley Deemie goes for the ball during the 2-0 loss to NYU on Sunday. The Lady Colonels saw their record fall to 3-5. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 September 25th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 September 25 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/cb7cb69c47ae24c63fa8441a22972c30.pdf 8d6ecb6a7c410439b3115d7fe7d32b00 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 60 www.wilkesbeacon.com OCTOBER 2, 2007 Brown exercises veto on SG club vote In This Issue... BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor VO TE!'·~ Matt Brown, Student Government (SG) President, shook up the organization’s regular weekly meeting last Wednesday, when he decided to exercise his presidential veto power after a motion to grant the Student Peace Action Network (S.P.A.N.) club status failed a general board vote. Brown said, “I never thought that I was actually going to have to veto, just because I have a lot of trust in all the members on my board.” A veto is a somewhat unusual move for SG presidents. He explained that in his opinion the board was split with 10 members favoring a motion to make S.P.A.N. a club, while 11 members opposed the motion and 12 abstained from voting. Brown explained, “The board was basically split because we had a lot of abstaining votes from freshmen who weren’t at the previous meetings.” Page 6 Freshmen and Senior SG members work together to solve the murder mystery exercise that is meant to build teamwork and leadership. Former SG President and the director of the Sidhu School of Business PPD program, Matt Sowcik. See VETO page 4 The Beacon/Andrew Seaman MyWilkes spelled out Offices Relocate T Page 9 1Ao· BB'4 h>lovo, ..;t· ' ; . ~ I The Beacon / Cara Koster Asking residents to recycle and clean up campus grounds helps Wilkes RAs meet Residence Life requirements. Page 14 , Inside News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Lifestyles.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 \. Issue 4 BY NICOLE FRAIL requirements Resident Assistants Beacon Asst. News Editor (RA) must meet every semester. Last April, Brenda Stanley as“Residence Life has always been sumed the leadership of the Wilin the business of having a strucCourtesy of Valerie Martinez kes residence life office as its new tured programming model of how director. She did so with a num- to get students involved. As the new ber of ideas to get students more director, I wanted to find a way to involved with the campus and the add my spin on getting the RAs on city of Wilkes-Barre. These ideas, board about what it truly means to which were also influenced by get students involved and be sucpast experiences from her time cessful while here at Wilkes,” Stanas Area Coordinator at Salisbury ley said. University in Maryland, have resulted in modification of the See MY WILKES page 4 h BY CANDICE HALLIDAY eBeacon Staff Writer The doors of Passan Hall are open once again. On Monday September 24, the office of Student Affairs began its move from Conyngham Hall across campus to the second floor of Passan Hall. This marked the beginning of Passan’s reopening after the Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid and Financial Services all relocated last academic year to the University Center on Main (UCOM) to become part of the consolidated student services. Dr. Mary Beth Mullen, Student Affairs Coordinator, explained that Barbara King, Associate Dean of Students; Mark Allen, Dean of Students; and Ms. Judy Wienckoski, Student Affairs Assistant, are the only three members of the student affairs staff moving from Conyngham to Passan. The remaining offices are part of University College and will remain in Conyngham. Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs moved to the UCOM last year at the time that all administrators relocated. Allen explained, “Student Affairs moving from Conyngham to Passan allows space for University College to consolidate its operation by, eventually, moving Career Services to Conyngham from Max Roth. All the moves are being initiated to improve the coordination of services for programs that significantly impact students.” The Student Affairs offices are not the only offices moving to Passan. Beginning Monday October 1, Residence Life will occupy the first floor of Passan. In addition, Allen also explained that Student Leadership Director Phil Ruthkosky will also move to the second floor of Passan and will work out of the Student Affairs office suite. Ruthkosky’s old office in the Henry Student Center will be occupied with the Coordinator of Student Development. �NEWS OCTOBER 2, 2007 2 Student Government My Wilkes SG Veto News Briefs 3 4 4 5 BY AMY FUSCO Beacon Correspondent Most students have seen the movie or read the book. The young woman--usually in a dimly lit space--begins to sense she’s being watched. Her skin prickles and she turns around to gaze into the murk. But the stalker expertly fades into the surroundings, biding his time until he makes contact and the plot takes off. Sound like a scene that could be replayed at Wilkes? Technically, according to Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services, the university has formally handled only two or three complaints of stalking in the past five years; however, college students across the nation should be aware of the issue. Last spring’s Virginia Tech shooting put the spotlight on stalking when it became public that the shooter, Seung Hui Cho, had previously been accused of stalking behavior. According to a survey of 223 college and university campuses conducted by the National Center for Victims of Crime, 13% of the college women surveyed reported having been stalked. Reflecting on the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bailey defined ‘stalking’ as the act of a person who initiates “continued unwanted contact or attention” with another person. Stalking can occur through various forms of communication, such as phone, email, text messaging, harassment in social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace, or being physically visible. Experts also note that the more personal information offered on social networking websites, such as posting schedules or social plans, the easier it is for a stalker to follow or harass. Although there has not been any major issue of stalking at Wilkes University, the most typical stalking has been caused by an ex-boyfriend or an ex-girlfriend, who could not accept that their relationships were over. Bailey notes that if any student-male or female--experiences unwanted attention and is made uncomfortable by it, the student should immediately report it to Public Safety. Public Safety only has control over Wilkes University’s campus, so if the stalking issue reaches beyond the campus, the student should report it to the Wilkes-Barre police department. Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President for Students Affairs, explained that students should also bring any problems related to stalking to the attention of family members, friends, RAs and anyone who they feel comfortable talking to about it. People who are being stalked may visit the Victims Resource Center for additional help. Adams also advised students to “terminate all contact with the stalker” in order to prevent being continually stalked. Furthermore, if a student is emotionally damaged from the stalking situation, he or she may utilize the counseling center and psychological services at Wilkes University to receive help. Neglecting to report a stalker could result in catastrophic consequences like those that occurred at Virginia Tech. The perpetrator, Cho, consistently communicated with a few people by e-mail, but Christopher Bailey believes that this “stalking was a symptom of a deeper issue for that individual.” Although stalking may have been a symptom, statistics indicate the students at universities and colleges are more likely to experience stalking that leads to violence. According to the Nationalk Center for Victims of Crime, 76% of women who are killed by their intimate partners were stalked by these partners before they were killed. There are support systems and networks to help identify students who are troubled and if this occurs, there is a way to intervene in order to make that student and others safe. David Lewis, a sophomore at Wilkes University, stated that, “Stalking emphasizes the fine line between love and obsession... stalkers are nothing but sadistic diplomats who take love and cripple its good name.” Many students are conscious of what stalking consists of and how it could affect people. Even though it is a rare occurrence at Wilkes, university officials advise that students, faculty and staff should still keep it in mind to ensure that this campus is a safe place. Watch Beacon News on Wilkes World LIVE at 12 p.m. on Tuesdays and again Wednesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. or at http://www.wilkesbeacon.com Photo Courtesy of Patty Gilmour The Beacon / Jenna Stephens Stalking sense: students urged to act on unwanted attention In the past five years, Wilkes University has formally handled few complaints of stalking on campus. Stalking can occur through many forms of communication including text messages and social netweorking sites. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Andee Scarantino Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com Managing Editor: Nick Podolak Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Andrew Seaman Email: news.beacon@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Mark Congdon Jr. Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Lifestyles Editor: Alison Woody Email: beacon.lifestyles@gmail.com A&E Editor: Marissa Phillips Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Carlton Holmes Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Cara Koster Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Tuesdays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �OCTOBER 2, 2007 NEWS SG Notes September 26, 2007 Homecoming Candidates Treasurer’s Report All College: $11,120.72 General: $2,672.59 Special Projects: $3,500 Spirit: $ Leadership: $815.00 Conferences: $11,000 Start-Up: $1,200 New Business New Members - New Members accepted their positions and received their SG binders (see winners on page #) Matt Sowcik - Matt Sowcik organized SG’s team bonding and leadership exercise, a murder mystery (see page 1) SPAN - The Student Peace Action Network (S.P.A.N.) came to SG seeking club status, after a motion to grant the students club status failed, SG President, Matt Brown vetoed and the item was tabled until next week (10/03/07) (see page 1) Medieval Renaissance Club - SG granted club status to the Medieval Renaissance Club. Homecoming Update/Charity Decision - 15% of students have already voted on a homecoming king/queen, the new mascot costume is on schedule, and the donation this year will go to St. Judes. SG Mentors - New SG members were assigned a mentor to help them understand the organization better. King Queen Mark Congdon Kate Baas Andrew Curry Meghan Badach Kevin Homa Angela Dellafortuna Michael Lewis Dana Lehman Blaine Madara Danielle Namiotka Events Homecoming - October 1 - 6, 2007 Casino Night - October 19, 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. SG members bond BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor Student Government (SG) members sought to bond and promote leadership with a unique exercise during the meeting. The exercise was led by a former SG president and the director of the Sidhu School of Business PPD program, Matt Sowcik. The exercise challenged members to solve a murder mystery by discovering the murder weapon, where the murder took place, motive, and the time of death, and of course the murderer. Matt Brown, SG President, explained that there is always a bonding exercise held by SG to introduce the new members to veterans. Last year’s bonding and leadership exercise was at the ropes course and rock wall. “This year I decided to stay in the Miller Room and bring in a guest,” said Brown. Brown also added that he decided to invite Sowcik to the Student Government (SG) members sought to bond and promote leadership with a unique exercise during the meeting. The exercise was led by a former SG president and the director of the Sidhu School of Business PPD program, Matt Sowcik. The exercise challenged members to solve a murder mystery by discovering the murder weapon, where the murder took place, motive, and the time of death, and of course the murderer. Brown explained that there is always a bonding exercise held by SG to introduce the new members to veterans. Last year’s bonding and leadership exercise was at the ropes course and rock wall. “This year I decided to stay in the Miller Room and bring in a guest,” said Brown. Brown also added that he decided to invite Sowcik to the meeting after he participated in the murder mystery exercise in class. Jeff Bauman, SG Vice President, said, “I felt that it was a unique opportunity to bond. Being a mentor and an Resident Assistant, I know how important it is to kick the feelings of anxiety out the door, and to make everyone realize how important team work is.” Bauman suggested that the exercise could have been done at another time though, “SG meetings are about business, and I feel that the activity would have been much more beneficial to the whole board at a different time,” he said. s n io so r e n n i W G S f t c e El Sophomores Representative Lacee Wagaman FreshmEn President Benjamin Beidel Vice President Megan Dickinson Secretary Jessica Gen Treasurer Laura Perkins Representatives Tiffany Andrews Brittany Burns Katherine Gallagher Stephen Gruver Thomas Markley Katherine Munchel Seniors Representatives Kevin Homa Jason Narcoonis Jordan Padams 3 �NEWS OCTOBER 2, 2007 MYWILKES from FRONT PAGE “There’s more than just going to class, and if we can provide [students] with those alternative social opportunities, then they are more connected to the university.” Stanley contends that a strong connection with the university will not only increase the retention rate, but it may even help with recruiting. Stanley’s spin on residence life has brought structure and creativity to the RA’s requirements and the My Wilkes Residence Life Programming Model was formed. Each letter of My Wilkes reflects a portion of programming for the RAs to focus on when they interact with their students: Multicultural (Diversity); You (Self Identity Development); Wellness (Health/Counseling Services); Involvement (Student Development); Life Skills (Career Services); Kindness (Community Service); Educational (Academic); and Social. “I personally like the model. I feel that it really helps RAs look and find programs to complete. Also, I think it is great to stress the programs that can go along with model really expand options, but can really show students the resources that we offer,” said Jessica McMahon, a sophomore secondary English education major and RA for Waller North, located on West River Street. To meet the requirements, RAs can choose to do a variety of different things like invite a guest speaker to lecture on an important topic like how to handle depression (W); show movies and hold discussions afterwards (M); or run a workshop to help students learn the do’s and don’ts of searching for an apartment if they are thinking of moving off campus in the future (L). Depending on the RA’s residency, a certain number of requirements must be met each semester. For example, a freshmen RA must meet four of the eight requirements and an apartment RA must meet five. However, no matter where an RA is located, the K (Community Service) and I the M (Diversity) requirements must be met. “Despite the differences that we try to see, we’re actually more the same than we are different. I want to challenge [the RAs] to think beyond what they would typically do for a diversity program,” Stanley noted. McMahon has all of her bases covered for her residents this semester. “I am currently holding a sem e s t e r- l o n g program that has the students recycling plastics and cans. I also asked the students to collect their soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. I feel that this program fit well into Wilkes’ theme of Sustainability. I also am currently planning a Halloween social with Waller South (the connecting residence hall) and I am hoping to do a mul- Join America’s #1 Student Tour Operator www.ststravel.com STUDENT TRAVEL SERVICES 1-800-648-4849 / www.ststravel.com at the national level. A member of S.P.A.N. assured SG members that the group is not interested in the political side of the organization. Another reason Brown said he exercised his power to veto was, “…I personally invested a great deal of my time investigating the differences and the similarities between S.P.A.F. and S.P.A.N. …I do believe that these groups are different. Fundamentally... they cannot work together as one unit on everything that they want to accomplish as club.” Jeff Bauman, SG Vice President, said “I applaud Matt on his use of power to veto. He, as President, has the power to employ the veto on a matter that he felt should have went another way. But also, the board did vote. In a close decision and I don’t see how the veto changed anyone’s opinions or ideas. We just indefinitely pushed off mak- ing a decision about S.P.A.N. becoming a club.” SG representatives decided to table the vote on whether or not S.P.A.N. would be made a club until the October 3 meeting, after the general board failed to overturn Brown’s veto by tw-thirds of the present members. You w eUn.eu I~ L!P~ K~ E~ Sodal VETO CANCUN, ACAPULCO, from FRONT PAGE JAMAICA, BAHAMAS Another factor contributing to split was the board’s confuPUERTO VALLARTA, the sion on whether or not S.P.A.N. SOUTH PADRE is any different from the Student Action Forum (S.P.A.F.), FLORIDA, CRUISES Political which was granted club status in Sell Trips, Earn Cash & Travel Free studios are,” said Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs. “There’s an awful lot of life that goes on in those residence halls and a lot of life lessons are learned. That’s why we treat them like any other educational environment on campus. It’s a place for students to learn about themselves and learn about others.” Though neither Stanley nor Adams anticipate this semester’s RAs to run into any problems while meeting their requirements, they still take into consideration the fact that they may need time to adjust to getting into the habit of planning. “As much as they are in my eyes an RA, I have to recognize that they are a student, as well, so sometimes I have to allow for their academic planning to come before that of the RA job. I completely understand that. That’s probably the only challenge that might come up, that paper work,” Stanley said. While Diehl notes that the most difficult part about being an RA is being available to his residents at all times, McMahon struggles with another issue. “Sometimes the hardest part of this job is the lack of privacy. As an RA, you are put out there, especially when you consider that we are doing rounds and students recognize us. However, I think students need to realize that we are here to protect them, not to hurt them and that can also be another hard boundary to juggle.” To some students who resided on campus last year, it may seem that there is more required of them this semester, but Stanley assured that that’s not the case. Beyond a bit of organization, the only thing that’s really been changed is the name. “The easiest way to capture an audience is semantics,” said Stanley. Mtdtiadtunu STSTRAVEL.COM September of 2004, and focuses on educating students about political issues while getting them involved in the process. Members of S.P.A.N., said that they are different from S.P.A.F., because they do not focus on politics. However, after reviewing documents handed out by S.P.A.N., SG members argued that S.P.A.N. does have a political bias 4 ticultural event that promotes students to research their heritage and come together and make something from their culture.” Junior pharmacy (P1) student Brian Diehl is an RA on the fourth floor of the YMCA and is also attempting to plan ahead. “So far, I have a pot luck dinner planned for October 2 and I would like to carve some pumpkins towards the end of October.” Through the programs the RAs plan and hold, their residents should become more involved with not only the people on campus, but also those with whome they live. “If you can convince your residents to become actively involved in what you do as an RA in those first [few] weeks, they’ll come to every other program you do thereafter,” Stanley believes. “It’s my hope that [residents will be] less likely to disrupt the community. We’ll see less judicial, less policy violations, and less misbehaviors than we’d like to see in our residence halls.” “You have to look at the residence halls as another learning environment on campus, just like the classrooms and labs and �NEWS OCTOBER 2, 2007 5 Beacon News Briefs Local (Wilkes University) About 15 students turned out for a self-defense workshop sponsored by the women’s studies program and the Women’s Interest Society Empowering the University Population (WISEUP). The students who attended the class were taught basic self-defense skills by Dr. Ed Schicatano, psychology professor and 2nd degree black belt. (Wilkes University) Wilkes University will be providing flu shots at the cost of $15. The vaccine will be given in the middle of October and they can be reserved by calling (570)408-4730. (Harrisburg) On Friday, a state judicial board heard its last testimony from witnesses testifying against Judge Ann Lokuta. Lokuta, a Luzerne County judge, risks losing her job after she was charged with judicial misconduct after witnesses chronicled a long list of interpersonal abuses. The trial will begin again in Philadelphia on December 10, when the defense will have a chance to call its witnesses. (Washington, DC) In the next 15 months, officials expect almost 30 applications for nuclear power plants. This past week, the first application in 30 years was filed and regulators say that they expect a boom in applications as the need for power increases. (Durham, NC) Duke University formally Dr. Ed Schicatano, Associate Professor of Psychology, apologized to the lateaches students how to defend themselves in a workshop crosse players and their spondered by WISEUP. families who were involved in the highly publicized rape scandal last year. The presiNational (Washington, DC) Newt Gingrich, former dent of Duke, Richard Brodhead, said that Speaker of the House, announced he would they should have reached out to the players not run for the presidency in the 2008 elec- and their families in their time of need. tions. This anouncment comes after GinInternational grich found that he could not legally explore (Madrid, Spain) A series of commercials the possiblitly of running and remain as the funded by the government of Spain, aims to head of his non-profit organization. Courtesy Marketing Communications dissuade immigrants from coming to Spain. Over the past year 31,000 immigrants from Africa have braved a 10 day journey on wooden rafts to seek opportunity in a new country. The government’s ad campaign which cost $1.4 million, encourages people to stay and be the future of Africa. (Wellington, New Zealand) An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit off the coast of New Zealand Sunday afternoon, in open water. No tsunami warnings were issued by the New Zealand government. (Yangon, Myanmar) An U.N. envoy in Myanmar was working with the militaristic government to reach a compromise after the military shot into crowds of peaceful protesters. The envoy was also meeting with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest for being an “opposition leader.” San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for the past 11 years was allowed out of house arrest to meet with the envoy. 02) ~ .f.QJ!l)CD - i liihl'£fo _-_~--inJI pi;r,- h-p 1!1F 4e'livt1')'' WWWrJ - ~-Bc11rn: S~· Ni -:- .- lt=J-i~ :::.iS.i~;f~fi~..:.l:.!!~;;.j . - .st. B ~PA.18'1lU 570\..825 5 6.6 I 125. 5037 2 11.1 - - 'J-'i ff" ~ lhu;;s 10:3l11A.M - i i PM ti S t 10: 39 ~ 12~ :O.AM' S -- P: P.M We Accept On Delivezy We Abo Ac~ept Debit Cards - i!i:i -- . D ~ Dm ,- ~76.-.U.B'...:36'7 I! �Opinion Paper questions free speech UN is a waste Angry Rant: MTV OCTOBER 2, 2007 6 DeVOTE yourself to voting in November BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD We are constantly told that as America’s young citizens, we should do our patriotic duty and vote. However, the 18-29 year old voting bracket has the lowest turnout rates, despite recent increases in the 2004 and 2006 elections. According to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 18-29 year olds only made up 13% of the voting electorate, and only had 24% of a turnout rate. Our age group is largely affected by the issues that are occurring within our local and federal governments like crime rates, revitalization of downtown Wilkes Barre, Iraq, social security, the deficit, and taxes to name a few, but we are not voting in large enough numbers to enact and effectively make change. This election is important, as all are, because change has to happen on a local level first in order to make effective alterations at the federal level. As we all know, November is approaching, and with it comes Election Day on the 6th. Since many A,J...,,,., 1.-J \',k.io ;..,lrr-o.i.,u.. H,"' ,_,."'~ <'rt-.:J.e,..-t of ~0 "" ) ¾,.._ Ll ,_ ;kl) ',\-..,\.e4 ,J A..,er:u.J, of us are not close to our homes, we may not be able to go home to vote, if we’re even registered. To fix this problem, what college students can do is change your voting address to that of your college address, or you can request an absentee ballot. For those who may not be registered to vote, there are many websites including rockthevote.com or justvote. org that illustrate how to register to vote or how to change your address or anything else, like your party affiliation. Also, rockthevote.com explains that when going to vote for the first time in your new district, make sure to bring a photo ID with your current mailing address or some type of bill that you can show proof of where you live. However, if you make a copy of your photo ID or bill and send it in with your voting registration, you do not need to bring these when going to the polls. If you are unaware of the stances the political parties take on issues, and you’re not sure which to support, there are many websites that offer a quiz to help you decide which political party you share similar views with such as people-press.org, ontheissues.org, or theadvocates.org. So, are you tired of the way our city, state, or country is being managed? Are you pleased with the continued progress of our downtown? Could our elected leaders do more to make us safer? Do you endorse the laws, policies, or issues that our elected officials are supporting and passing or not passing? Are you pleased with our country’s current situation in Iraq, the economy or even the government’s stance on social issues like civil unions or the decreased funding of college aid? Are you happy with our elected officials? Do you want things to change? If your answers to any of these questions show that you want change, then take action and register to vote and vote on Election Day on November 6. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” Take action and DeVOTE yourself on Election Day. A Sight for Sore Eyes by: Aleksander Lapinski Things that go bump in the night Keeping yourself safe while walking alone at night BY STEPHANIE GERCHMAN Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor After receiving the call from public safety about the girl who was raped near Kirby Park early in September, I was afraid to go anywhere alone at night. I have a job that generally doesn’t allow me to be back at Wilkes until approximately 9:30 p.m. You’re probably wondering what the problem is then, because the shuttle runs until 10. Well, I live in University Towers and that is quite a walk from any place that the shuttle could possibly drop me off. The shuttle stops 7 7 8 at the Henry Student Center and at Evans upon request. Both of these locations are just about equidistant from where I need to walk. In the dark, it feels like a long, scary walk back to my apartment. Most would prefer to avoid walking alone at night if possible, but if you have no choice, there are a few things that you could do to keep yourself safe. One thing would be to carry pepper spray. It tends to be hard to find in stores anymore but my mom got mine on Ebay, you can find it for $3 or less. If you can’t find pepper spray, you could hold your keys in between your fingers pointing out of a clenched fist. I also always make sure I have my cell phone on me. Perhaps most important, and what some do not know, is that anyone walking alone at night can also call Public Safety for a ride. They will pick you up or walk with you anytime between dusk and dawn. All you have to do is call 408-4999. You don’t have to feel silly calling them even for short distance walks; it’s their job. An even better solution would be to get another bus stop on campus. Since University Towers is on campus there should be a bus stop after dark at University Towers or at least in the parking lot behind the UCOM. It’s unnecessary to have a stop during the day because the walk from the Student Center isn’t very long during the day. The stop could be made upon request. The shuttle stops by Evans upon request and when it does it drives right past University Towers, it wouldn’t be that far out of the way. If the stop were behind the UCOM, the shuttle wouldn’t have to stop on Main Street and University Towers residents would only have to walk a short distance. I urge all of you to be careful. Try not to walk alone, but if you do, be very cautious of your surroundings or give Public Safety a call. Beacon Poll Results Americans have a lot to worry about. The ongoing Iraq war, stock market and housing investThe following are results of a ment instability, drug busts, AIDS, poll that The Beacon conducted and environmental concerns domonline this past week. The poll inate the nightly news reports. Is was unscientific, and does not it any wonder that with such boldclaim to reflect the overall atface headlines other issues fail to titudes of students on campus. capture our attention? Seemingly Results are based on 104 re“less important” social problems sponses. like homelessness, poverty, and the growing deficit tend to make inside pages, if that, because of The Beacon asked: the pressing nature of the other stories. Whoofdothose you think willissues win the One sidebar that baseball World squeaks Series? onto the only occasionally public radar is animal cruelty. Re• animal Boston Red Sox12% cently cruelty has become • mainstream NY Yankees28% a more issue with ma• NY Mets13% players, jor corporations, football and •evenPhiladelphia local people stirring up the issue.PhilliesAnimal 23% cruelty involves • Cleveland anything from dogIndiansfighting,7% and • San DiegotoPadresshooting whales, killing0% aniMilwaukee mals•for fur and animal testing. BrewersThe problem isn’t1% awareness; it • more Chicago Cubs2%to beis that people appear lieve• thatArizona it’s okay to hurt animals Diamondbacks12% for personal benefit or enjoyment. • there LA Angels of contingent Worse, is a small Anaheim2% in the country who believe that the practice of animal cruelty can be excused becauseQuestion: of age-old culNext Week’s tural practices. Just two weeks ago celebrity the Makah Who is your favorite tribe made the wire over the iscriminal? sue of whaling. Years ago the Native •American tribe legally killed Paris Hilton whales something of Jr. a sport. • asRobert Downey The •tribeLindsay suspendLohan its practice because• the50cent grey whale was placed on the species list and • endangered Hugh Grant federal government prohibited • Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee whaling.Herman) However, in 1994, the grey•whale Lilcame Kim off of the endangered• list.Johnny Cash The• tribe obtained Nicole Richiea permit in 1999• to Mike kill a Tyson whale which outraged animal rights groups. After a court hearing it became necessary Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com for receive a waiver to the cast tribe your tovote. Results will in order to hunt in whales. Recently, be published next week’s members of of theThe tribeBeacon. shot a grey issue whale repeatedly with a rifle before they were due to receive their waiver. The five men involved are all facing fines of up to $20,000 �OCTOBER 2, 2007 OPINION 7 You can’t spell ‘unhelpful’ without UN BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon News Editor I really can’t say that I completely understand the purpose of the United Nations (U.N.). Maybe at one time it was a useful body, but right now it is nothing more than an international annoyance. I have felt this way for awhile, but after reading about the protests in Myanmar over the past week, I am more convinced than ever. The Buddhist monks in Myanmar, who are revered by the locals, joined in on the protests over high fuel prices which later turned into protests over the militaristic government and the way it oppresses its citizens. Anger is actually the best way to describe what I felt after reading articles on how a U.N. envoy traveled to Myanmar looking to help solidify a compromise between the military rulers and the pro-democracy opposition. What would have happened during the revolutionary war if the U.N. had been around? Would they have stepped in and tried to get the mother country and colonies to “compromise?” Such a move by an outside entity such as the U.N. actually inhibits a pro-democracy push from the citizens of the country. I know that people will say that democracy at the U.N. they only see the United States. does not work everywhere, and once again, Last year when sanctions were placed on a I really can’t say that I know whether that is right or wrong, but if the people of a country are repressed by a junta, they deserve the chance to say, “No, I am not going to put up with this anymore.” The residents of Myanmar made a statement with their protest. They said they wanted to be able to talk and converse freely. They wanted to be able to live in peace without the fear of imminent death hanging over their heads. I just don’t see what business the U.N. has stopping that. The protesters were peaceful; it was the military that randomly shot into the crowd, and it was the military that arrested thousands of people. That sounds like an opposition that is at least looking for a diplomatic resolution to their problem. Another thing that is wrong with the U.N. is that it does not have its own identity. Instead, United Nations headquarters in NYC. Courtesy of when international bodies look http://sixu.wordpress.com/category/wales/ country, the leader threatened America, not the U.N., with nuclear war. In my mind the U.N. needs a gigantic overhaul if it wants to once again be a force in the world. This is rather interesting because the U.N. was originally created to replace the failed League of Nations. In general the U.N. tries to prevent the outbreak of wars. U.N. leaders need to leave the U.S. and find their own territory. Another thing that is crucial for the U.N. is to rethink their international system of law, because it is not effective if only three or four countries follow them. Yes, some people can find points to argue that the U.N. has been effective in the past, but I think the cons outweigh the pros in all of this, and the whole organization is as effective as its predecessor. If citizens of the world want to be free to live in a democratic society, the U.N. should not try to inhibit their actions by trying to find a compromise. They should be doing all they can to create a democratic government for those people.should not try to inhibit their actions by trying to find a compromise. They should be doing all they can to create a democratic government for those people. Rocky Mountain Collegian pushes at free speech limits Editor’s dismissal would be blow to 1st Amendment BY MARK CONGDON JR. Beacon Opinion Editor The United States Constitution guarantees all American citizens the right of free speech and freedom of the press. However, according to a CNN.com article published on September 25, a recent opinion piece published by The Rocky Mountain Collegian, the student newspaper at Colorado State University, is sparking much debate on the limits of the first amendment of free speech and press. The article, written by the student editorial board, contains only four words and reads “Taser this: F**k Bush,” but spells out the F-word. In response to the offensive editorial, the College Republicans at this University have started a petition calling for David McSwane, the editor-in-chief, to resign for allowing the opinion piece to be published. In addition, since the piece was published, The Rocky Mountain Collegian has reportedly lost over $30,000 in advertising. The newspaper is self-supporting through advertising revenue and does not receive financial support from the university or student fees. The four word editorial was in response to a highly publicized incident at the University of Florida where UF student Andrew Meyer was tasered by campus police at a forum with John Kerry for asking him the question, “Why has no one impeached Bush?” The student was arrested for trying to incite a riot. However, the videos on YouTube clearly show that no riot was about to take place. Moreover, the incidents at Florida and Colorado universities bring the first amendment right of free speech to the forefront yet again. Though I believe that it was poor professionalism of the newspaper to run this piece, as a registered Republican and co- founder of the Wilkes College Republicans, I do not at all support the Colorado State College Republicans’ petition to have McSwane resign as the editor-in-chief. Op-ed pieces are written to get the public and community to talk and bring to light issues that are of importance. This article clearly accomplished this goal of getting the conversation flowing about the limits and rights of free speech and the press, which most likely wouldn’t have been achieved if McSwane wrote a typical op-ed piece of 500 or so words. It appears that the College Republicans’ motives behind this petition seem to be more political because it targets President Bush. However, limiting the rights of free speech and press because you don’t agree with what someone publishes or says about a political leader or party, the First Amendment has clearly been violated. If trends like this continue, our rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution are in jeopardy of being restricted or becoming extinguished. The First Amendment states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” If the Colorado State College Republicans are successful with their petition, it will be a slap in the face to the First Amendment. Whether readers agree with McSwane’s article or not, should the rights of speech or press ever be limited based on political motives? Are we willing to lose some First Amendment rights because people don’t agree with what’s being published in the media? What has happened to our forefather’s dream of free speech and press and the American democracy? �OPINION OCTOBER 2, 2007 The Angry Rant: MTV is ruining America BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor MTV has done it again. And I don’t mean yet another show about rich, snobby kids from Southern California who are devoid of personality. No, they are instead unleashing another evil upon the world: a reality show starring Tila Tequila (real name Nguyen), a “celebrity” who has yet to do anything of note except parade herself around in varying states of undress on the cover of magazines, car shows, or while hosting a television show on some obscure cable network. Her biggest claim to fame comes from her having over 1 million friends on MySpace. Holy crap! You have a lot of friends on a website that hasn’t been popular in two years! But, anyhow, is having over 1 million “friends” really an accomplishment? Especially when over half of those people are horny 17-year-old guys from Connecticut who says things like “Hit me up if u wnt 2 chat, yo!” Of course, she has all the elements in place to be a model-turned pop star: Good looks, a nice body, songs with names such as “Suga Mama” and “Whattup,” and of course, the lack of any discernable talent, including a voice that sounds like someone is running sandpaper over a cheese grater. Seriously, she sounds like she smoked a pack of Lucky Strikes and chased it with a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Of course, in true MTV style, her mediocrity (that’s an understatement) is being rewarded with her very own TV show. And no, it’s not about people throwing batteries at her. Believe me, I looked it up. It’s called A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, and here’s the plot: Tila is looking for love, but she’s bisexual, so she doesn’t know if she wants her true love to be a man or a woman. She is introduced to ten men and women, one of whom she will choose at the end. Really, is the person she chooses truly a winner? Think about it: She’s going to be spending a lot of time(um, doing time?) with a lot of these people, so is the one she picks really getting a good deal? It’s like eating a ham sandwich after 19 other people have spit on it. But here is the kicker: The men and women don’t know about her bi-sexuality until the end! It’s like “The Crying Game,” ex- cept for finding out that a woman is really a man, you find out that a talentless girl with a myspace page is, in reality, a talentless girl with a myspace page who somehow managed to get her own television show. Of course, you have to hand it to MTV, who seems to always be at the forefront of pioneering a new genre of television shows. MTV was one of the first major networks to have a reality show when it debuted The Real World in 1992. With “A Shot at Love,” MTV sashays into an entirely new genre of television in which one person chooses between multiple people to find true love, a concept that hasn’t been done yet, except for The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Average Joe, Flavor of Love, Joe Millionaire, Boy Meets Boy, I Love New York or Rock of Love... In the end, Ms. Tequila is nothing more than a typical product of the “quasi-celebrity” scene; the type that offers nothing of substance or value to the entertainment industry (but then again, who really does), but who still manages to be famous anyway. It’s really a sad scene, MTV. I guess I’ll go check out her MySpace page. No turn on red! Weekend traffic faux pas in downtown Wilkes-Barre BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-Chief What do you think? ■ The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is the opportunity for students to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please contact The Beacon with the following information: 1 Contact information including your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year 3 Your opinion thebeacon.oped@ gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. ! Some interesting challenges arose this weekend for law abiding pedestrians and drivers in Wilkes-Barre. But sometimes it’s best to let pictures tell the story... Photos: The Beacon/Andee Scarantino 8 Some interesting challenges arose this weekend for law abiding pedestrians and drivers in Wilkes-Barre. But sometimes it’s best to let pictures tell the story... Don’t be an ass! At least, don’t be one if you’re moving along in traffic. In fairness, these donkeys were part of a promotion for the Kiwanis Club of Wilkes-Barre’s Heritage Festival & Coal Car Race. Still, what the heck? The donkeys did not move quickly (when they did move) and clearly caused a disturbance in traffic. Perhaps more disturbing, this car at the intersection of Northhampton and River St. was the source of some morning double takes and undoubtedly choice words Saturday. Notice how the car is trying to make a turn (a left-hand turn, if you were won- dering) from a ONE WAY street, going the wrong way! The car nearly caused nearly five accidents and contributed to some serious air pollution and it belched smoke from under its the hood (not visible in photo.) To all Wilkes-Barre pedestrians: look both ways. �LIFESTYLES OCTOBER 2, 2007 9 Dr. Redmond Oktoberfest Student of the Week 10 11 11 Shopping outside the box...of the mall, that is The Beacon/Gino Troiani BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Lifestyles Editor w For most students, shopping for new 1s clothing means a trip to the mall. Sure, it is easy and convienent, but for those who are re fashion forward, mall shopping oftens lacks -s the most up-to-date styles. Often people think that to find the latest st trends one has to travel to New York or Jr another big city, when in reality, there are numerous boutiques and apparel shops in and around Wilkes-Barre. Just over the Market Street Bridge, there are three very distinctive boutiques that bring New York shopping options closer to home. Panache, located at 503 Market Street, has been open for two years. While there may not be any widely recognized designer labels, owner Jennifer Rushton has successfully integrated high1 fashion with reasonable le prices. The options range ie from party dresses !S from n Monaco, Monaco, to to Plastic jeans and .stic jeans and button-up tton-up shirts shirts that perit are are per;t for fect for work. rk. The shop also offers varieties of hats, legg i n g s , shoes and h a n d bags. Rushton explained that she gets a shipment in once a week, thus lS allowing her her clothing collection ction to change constantly. stantly. She also only offers 1:ffers each each piece in a small, tall, medium medium and large and once once it it is is gone gone from the racks, not ks, she she does does not reorder it. Rushton said, “You cannot buy a shirt for less than $3040 at the mall. I try to keep price points good, but keep a line of nicer clothing.” rur lllU~t; students ~LUUC:lll~ For those Koster Cara / who think evevwho think n aco erything erything e Be Th at at aa boutique is 1s over over boutiaue $100, they need look no further than Rampel, located at 511 Pierce Street in Kingston. Rampel offers a very small selection, but the prices are afforable even to the student on u11 a i:1 tight ug1n budget. uuugc:L. There 111c;1c; is 1~ nothing in the ilie store store over over $70 $70 and and the majority ity of of clothing clothing is i between $20-30. $20-30. Also, Also, all shoes are $1 are only only $15. Carmen Jones, Carme owner of Rampel, said that she gets all of her clothes from Miami and New aJ y York and makes it a n ppoint to offer fi cheaper versions of Vt what wl is in the fashion magazines. According to Jones, sequins, Jones, metallics, metallics, jeweled necklines, sweater necklines, dresses pants dresses and and wide-leg wid, are what is are what is hot hot right right now. Rampel pel carries carries all all of of the the above, above as well as some some men’s men's clothing. cl For For those thos who can afford to Showroom 56 to splurge, splur at located in the at Prestige, Pres United Unite Penn Plaza in Kingston, provides a Kini wide selection of designer labels for both men and women. Showroom 56 at Prestige offers a variety of jeans, BCBG and William Rast clothing, as well as Sam Edelman and Charles David shoes. The majority of items are a $100 or above. In addition to these three boutiques, Tara’s Men’s Clothing is located in Midtown Village; Buka, an accessories cessories store, stor can be found in Shavertown; Shavertown; and and Envy, a locally run online-only online-only clothing clothing line that showcases aa more more edgy edgy look. look. While While Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barrenmay not be known as the fashion capital of the East, residents can rest assured that at least we can dress the part. �LIFESTYLES 10 Switching roles: from professor to student For Dr. Brian Redmond, college means giving lectures, assigning projects, and grading exams. It also means sitting at a desk and taking notes with the same students he teaches in his classes. Redmond, a professor in the environmental engineering and earth science department, has continued to further his education by taking college classes while teaching at Wilkes. For over 20 years, he has balanced being both a professor and a student. Throughout that time, he has completed three additional majors: physics, chemistry, and English. Wilkes University offers free tuition for all full-time faculty and staff members. There is no cap on the number of courses they can take per semester. “The University provides tuition remission benefits because of its strong belief in lifelong learning,” said Brigid Peet, the benefit coordinator at Wilkes. “This includes developing our faculty and staff to enrich their personal and professional lives. There is a positive correlation between employee satisfaction and the service provided to our students.” Redmond usually takes one course each semester. Over the years, he has taken a wide variety of classes, and has noticed similarities between seemingly different subject fields. For example, he noticed an overlap between an Eng- lish course he was taking and the astronomy class he was teaching. He thought it was interesting to read Edgar Allan Poe’s works on astronomy, though Poe’s scientific knowledge was found to be lacking. “There are surprising carryovers between some very different courses,” Redmond said. Making the transition from professor to classmate can be awkward, but Redmond says he doesn’t have a problem switching roles. “It’s not uncommon that I’ll be in a class with a student and have that same student in a class I’ve been teaching,” he said. “It’s never been a problem. They seem to like it.” Redmond says that student life has changed a great deal since he began working on his first bachelor’s degree over forty years ago at Michigan State University. Not only do students have the advantage of technological advances--computers and calculators weren’t available during Redmond’s Michigan State days--but they also enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere. “College life has become less formal,” he said. “In our dorms, we wouldn’t even eat dinner without a coat and tie.” He points out that students come to class wearing hats, sweatpants, and flip-flops. Even other professors don’t dress as formally as they once did. “It’s not necessarily better, not necessarily worse,” Redmond said. “It’s just different.” Redmond says that taking so many courses over the years has introduced to him many different teaching styles. Often, what he has experienced finds its way into his own classroom. “I’ve picked up some teaching tricks from my colleagues,” he said. Redmond describes his teaching style as grounded more in reality than in abstracts. He prepares his students for lives after graduation in which they will need to know how to utilize sources for information, not memorize facts. He teaches all his courses open-book. Although Redmond is not taking a class this semester because of a “teaching overload,” he plans on starting right up again in January. After earning his English degree last semester, he is unsure what his next major will be. “I might not know for a few years,” he said. “It could be anything--history, philosophy, mathematics, who knows?” Dr. Brian Redmond The Beacon/Cara Koster BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor OCTOBER 2, 2007 165 North Wilkes-Barre Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 825-8459 IN Sunday Home-style dinner specials $1 .50 Miller Lite ca ns Monday Dozen clams/ wings for $4.99 $1.50 Miller Lite cans lives! D n up to nt 665 sma t d Y+ non th! m In . c · .r· k, : - , , (570) 823- ·... 9' t Tuesday (College Night) $1 Yuengling Lager Drafts $3.95 Bar Pizza Wednesday (Mexican Night) $1 off Coronas & Corona Lights ½ Off Mexican Apps 5 p.m. - 9p.m. Thursday Dozen clams for $4.99 Featured Beer Night Friday Martini specials "After Work" Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5 - 7 p.m . $ 1.00 off all Mixers & Import Drafts $1 .50 Domestic Drafts �OCTOBER 2, 2007 LIFESTYLES Student of the week: Zachary Bremmer 11 BY CHRISTINE ZAVASKAS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Last year alone, Zachary Bremmer, a senior double major in international studies and philosophy, spent about 250 hours participating in community service. Bremmer became interested in working to help others when he became a community service coordinator through the work-study program at Wilkes University. Although Bremmer no longer does work-study, he has chosen to remain heavily involved on his own time with helping those who are less fortunate. Bremmer has participated in a wide variety of community service programs such as Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans; Habitat for Humanity; Reach; and Urban Plunge Weekend. This semester, Bremmer has already helped with beautification in Forty Fort through the Shady Trees Commission, and is currently assisting in the planning of Homelessness and Hunger Awareness week, which will take place in November. On campus Bremmer is also an active member of WISE-UP and S.A.V.E. For his hard work to benefit our community, Bremmer has been named “Student of the Week” and he recently sat down with The Beacon to share more about his experiences. The Beacon: What have you learned through your work helping the community? Bremmer: I learned kind of hope, I guess, because you never realize how many people are involved with it, or how many people are willing to give a whole big chunk of their time to help out other people. For example, the ASB [Alternative Spring Break] trip, there were 36 of us and I mean we had weekly meetings, we had a ton of fundraisers to just raise all the money to buy the airline tickets and everything else. Then everybody, you know, obviously had to give up their spring break...not go to Cancun or whatever, [but] go down there to actually work. So it’s just really hopeful when you realize how many people are actually willing to give part of themselves to helping other people. The Beacon: Why do you think community service is so important? Bremmer: I think it’s just a lot of people don’t have the ability to get out of the situations that they’re in...if we give a couple hours of our life, it’s not really going to hurt us…I think a country’s only as rich as its poorest people. If you have a lot of people who don’t have a lot of quality of life, then I think that’s a big reflection on the country as a whole. The Beacon/Cara Koster The Beacon: What is the most difficult thing you’ve seen or experienced in your work with community service? Bremmer: It would have to be New Orleans...When we would go through these houses…you’d have to take out all of the stuff from the people that was still there. One group...found wedding dresses, like two of them. Another group found a folded up American flag that we assume was from the funeral of a veteran. Just seeing these personal things really made it real…that this was actually somebody’s house and they didn’t even have enough time to grab photographs…Their whole lives were still here in this muddy, gross waste from the flood. So that was hard to deal with. The Beacon: What are your plans for the future and how has your work with community service affected them? Bremmer: I would like to work with economic development, but I’m having a hard time finding jobs in that area...so my job search is slowly turning into grad school search. Community service has directly affected that. I mean, my first semester I was a nuclear engineering major, and now I’m not anymore. I just really want to work with people, helping people, building people up. So I think if I wouldn’t have had the experiences that I’ve had with community service, I wouldn’t be looking in this field at all. IIf you go: The Lion Brewery’s Oktoberfest BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Lifestyles Editor B The Lion Brewery will celebrate its 3rd Annual Oktoberfest on October 5 and 6. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a “tapping of the keg” celebration. Friday night will also include live entertainment and fireworks. On Saturday, the brewery will open at 11 a.m. and will offer tours and beer samppling. Four different bands with perform throughout the day, and a wide selection of German food vendors will also be on hand. Caricature artists, magicians, rides and, of course,, beer for those of age g will highlight g g to festival. The tradition of Oktoberfest began in Germany in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese in Munich. As German immigrants began to enter America, small Oktoberfest celebrations began to emerge all over the country. Bridget O’Connor, public relations coordinator for The Lion Brewery and 2006 Wilkes alumna, said, “We are dedicated to holding an annual Oktoberfest in celebration of Charles Stegmaier’s German heritage and legacy... Last year’s celebration was close to 10,000 patrons.” What: The Lion Brewery’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Dates: Friday, October 5 & Saturday, October 6 Times: Friday from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Features: Live entertainment, fireworks, food, beer, rides, games, etc. The Beacon/Cara Koster �A&E OCTOBER 2, 2007 12 Black Deserts/Welsh Tips Local Band Spotlight Crossword/Website 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 Reading marathon planned for Banned Books Week BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Asst. A&E Editor The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee are all books commonly read in high schools across the nation. These three books, along with many more, have been banned or challenged in the United States during the 20th century according to the American Library Association. Banned Books Week runs from September 29 to October 6. Sponsored by the American Library Association, the week aims to create a public awareness of the censorship of books. Many books that have been banned or challenged are regularly read throughout the country. The Wilkes chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society, sponsors a marathon public reading during Banned Books Week. The aim of the public reading is to establish a presence in a heavily trafficked area to raise awareness in the college community of books which have been banned or challenged, according to Professor Thomas A. Hamill, Assistant Professor of English and Faculty Advisor to Sigma Tau Delta. This year, the reading marathon of banned or challenged books will take place throughout the day on October 5 on the first floor of the Henry Student Union. “We [Sigma Tau Delta] read books that are great classics, books you would be surprised at,” explained Kacy Muir, a senior English major and also a member of Sigma Tau Delta. Hamill added, “We want to create a ‘town crier effect’ where there is a very public presence of our reading.” Where the Sidewalk Ends, a collection of poetry by Shel Silverstein is one book on the list for this year’s marathon. Where the Sidewalk Ends is commonly read by young children but was challenged. “Silverstein...I read him and I am just so surprised. You read that as a child and you’re not even fazed by it. It’s funny but when you actually dissect it, you think this is very profound and very adult,” Muir explained. and magic.” Harry Potter topped the ALA’s list of most Books that have been banned or challenged are on dis- challenged books in 2002. play during the reading marathon. Many of the books read As Hamill explained, a lot of books that have been during the marathon are books familiar to students on the banned or challenged were commonly read books in high campus. school for many students. To Kill a Mockingbird, a book Hamill explained, “[In past readings]...a lot of students often read in junior high, was challenged in Oklahoma in recognize books they read in high school or as children… 2001 because of “racially charged words and innuendoes,” As students saw these books they were both shocked at according to an article by the Associated Press entitled the fact that these books had been banned and curious to “School systems across U.S. challenge books on reading know more.” lists” on freedomforum.org. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a book commonly “Our main objective is to raise awareness of the issue read by high school students, is another book that has been and get students on campus and community members to regularly censored. Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 is actually think about the importance of not only books but the freeabout censorship and book banning, according to Hamill. doms that books allow for, freedom of intellectual expresThe reading marathon tries to spark interest in what books sion, freedom of intellectual curiosity,” Hamill said. have been banned or challenged and why they have been Muir added of the marathon reading, “We are actually banned or challenged. Muir noted that most of the books expressing are freedom to read.” that are banned do not contain overtly sexual references, The marathon will run throughout the day this Friday, but offer themes or ideas that are shocking or unpopular. In October 5 on the first floor of the Henry Student Union. short, they take risks and deviate from the norm. Hamill explained that banning books not only shuts down ideas but also stops access to ideas. Part of Banned Books Week is to alert the community that First Amendment rights need to be protected. Both Hamill and Muir encourage the entire Wilkes campus to get involved in books Tuesday, October 2 banned week. Hamill mentioned other stu- The Morning of, Yearling and Livingston performing at dents show a notable amount of respect to the Backstage at 7 p.m. students who read during the reading maraWednesday, October 3 - Film: Dr. Strangelove in Stark 101 at 7 p.m. thon, but encourages all other students to par- Islamic Interest Society “Ramadan Iftar” in the Henry Student Center Grand ticipate by reading their favorite banned or Ballroom at 5 p.m. challenged book. Thursday, October 4 Surprisingly, the popular Harry Potter se- The Kinsey Report performing at the River Street Jazz Cafe ries has been challenged. According to the - Dr. Bernier book signing and reception at Barnes on Noble at 7 p.m. ALA, the entire Harry Potter series was chal- “The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 8 p.m. lenged because the book “drew complaints Friday, October 5 from parents and others concerned about the - Homecoming events all day: alumni golf tournament, wine tasting, BUJC La books’ focus dies Luncheon - Monacy and Wood Brown Project performing at the River Street Jazz Cafe on wizardry Schedule of Events - A Different Breed of Killer, Ghost of a Fallen Age, The Plague of Ruin and TOYA performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. - “The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 6 - Homecoming Events all day: football game, tailgate tent, 5th quarter at Fuse, George Ralston memorial event - Arts Madness at the Mansion at Arts YOUniverse - The Pietasters w/ King Django performing at the River Street Jazz Cafe - “The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 8 pm - River City Rebels, Three Man Cannon, Sleep Spent and Awkward Silence per forming at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 7 - Homecoming events all day: Hall of Fame reception and luncheon - “The Grapes of Wrath” theater production in the Black Box Theater at 2 p.m. - “The Art of Shredding” guitar clinic w/ Bill Hoffman at Backstage at 3 p.m. Monday, October 8 - Half price night karaoke w/ Scott Stevens at Slainte - The Black Dahlia Murder, Goatwhore, The Red Chord and the Absence per forming at Backstage at 6 p.m. The Beacon/Marissa Phillips �OCTOBER 2, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 ‘Black Deserts/Welsh Tips’ highlights landscape similairities Exhibit emphasizes mining impact on environment BY MATT GOGAS Beacon Correspondent Through the lens of one photographer, the Wyoming Valley and South Wales landscapes are strikingly similar for one very important reason: human abuse. Acclaimed photographer and Wilkes alumnus, Ray Klimek’s exhibit “Black Deserts/Welsh Tips” opened at the Sordoni Art Gallery September 22. The exhibit offers a collection of 25 photographs Klimek took from 2001 to 2005 that compare mining landscapes in both Northeastern Pennsylvania and South Wales. A reception and discussion with the artist opened the show. “It was really great having this here on a professional level because it is my work, but also on a personal level because it gave me a chance to come back and visit some old friends,” said Klimek. After graduating from Wilkes in 1987, he attended the International Center of Photography and received his Master’s degree in photography from Rutgers University. “Black Deserts/Welsh Tips,” depicts the similarities in both the coal banks of the Wyoming Valley and valleys in South Wales, United Kingdom. These areas have shown striking similarity in both history and geography. The 19th century saw many Welsh immigrants come into the WilkesBarre/ Scranton area. These Welsh immigrants left the mining areas in Wales for the mining industry in the Wyoming Valley. In the 20th century, both Pennsylvania and South Wales had similar mining disasters with the Knox Mine disaster locally and the Aberfan disaster in the Welsh valleys of Wales. Both of these disasters left the land and the industry destroyed. Klimek’s 25 photograph collection, fifteen in the Wyoming Valley and ten in South Wales, illustrates the desolate land that the mining industry has created in the areas and the global community. “These places have value because we use them. We see them everyday and it’s our historical background. There is a lot of history in this area and in Wales that people are just not aware of,” said Klimek. A native of Exeter, Pennsylvania, Klimek thought it would be a great idea to bring some of this area’s history and geography to light and connect them to other areas such as South Wales in an attempt to point out the international landscapes caused by industry. The exhibition was held in accordance with Wilkes University’s 20072008 theme, “The Year of the Environment.” The theme’s purpose is to educate the campus and community about environmental issues, such as global warming, the human impact on the environment, and other related issues in terms of the global and local environment. The Beacon/Nick Zmiejewski “We thought that this would be a great idea for our theme because it’s Klimek’s art shows the mining landscapes right on our doorstep. We hope that of Northeastern PA and South Wales. organize the event. the exhibition will open discussions about The exhibition is currently on display in these issues and Mr. Klimek is from this area which is really important to this project the Sordoni Art Gallery now through Sunas well,” said Dr. Ronald Bernier, the Direc- day, October 7, 2007. It is open to the Wiltor of the Sordoni Art Gallery, who helped kes campus and the general public. .- ' AT YOUR . THIS'\ day t. 6-30-&,~ Steve Husted from (' live · mk: : rich:, . . •ht Op· ti~ *MiddJl~ W"c:dnc& Ff 'Th11« r~n~· ff ,.~ 7~31 JfkJOpm &!Ill •!Opm STUDE -THOUSI ·cc; .H 2stCENTURY cvtty ~day mg t ··mm. ?:00-8:30pm • "'Poetry CmllJ· ,,,. b o • d111b di:scu.ssion 7. , 0-i.:O -_pm Jun Warn.en.book l'!'foo Bad. ~~s .P.41)m . ~ ~ ..--krabblc ~ .•IGm G~ Sp«id"' £ om 6.00pm to close ~.ry ¢Veru.ng ... p tteanit yC>W' movie: stub f:t-!:'.ml "'.Movies 14'" :and get 25'% u.H' ill itt::m in QUr · · arb -~ cafc:. ~ Do:n\·fwgct to, pit:'k u:p. a Fn::q~t Buyt:r Cud todarFLEX lDOLL.AR8 .. - he.re in ,o c· �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 OCTOBER 2, 2007 LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT: These Elk Forever BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon A&E Editor Gregory Gover is the one and only official member of These Elk Forever, formerly known as Gr. Glacier, Gregory Glacier, and Little Glaciers (never underestimate a good name change). At times he keeps it simple with just a keyboard and a guitar, but other times he’s been known to have a guest contributor, or two, or three. He employs a vast selection of instruments in his music, which makes it difficult to pin down an exact genre, but the band has definite folk roots. Recently The Beacon met up with him for an interview, right as the Friends theme song came onto the radio… Gover: Make sure you say that the Friends theme song is on right now, and Greg’s eyes lit up, and then he clapped along. The Beacon: I definitely will. So, describe what the band sounds like - give us the simple version, and then the more descriptive one. Gover: I guess it starts off as just folk songs, but I like noises a lot, so I add noises. Folk songs that sometimes have electronics and noises. And then sometimes they’re not at all like that. That’s what it’s like, but it’s not like that at all. That sounded pretentious… It’s hard to explain. The Beacon: So it’s mostly just you, right? Gover: Yeah, except live it’s more people. But with recording, up until this point, every other record that I made was just me. But now actually, the one I’m making there are a lot of people contributing. The Beacon: Why did you choose to be a one-man band? Gover: It’s easier that way. I’ve always recorded at home. I didn’t start performing my songs like until this year, but I always made CDs and recordings and I’ve always helped other friends out,. I figured, I’m not going to wait for somebody else to do something else for me to jump on, and best thing would be to go out and play shows because then I have complete control over it. The Beacon: So what are you working on now exactly? Gover: I’m working on an EP now, but it might be a full length, I don’t know. I’m working on that now, but I’m always recording. I write when I record and record when I write, so it’s the same thing always. The Beacon: So how long have you been doing this? Gover: I’ve been doing the same thing under different names for about eight years. The Beacon: So what’s with all of the glaciers in your past names? Gover: Actually, it was stupid. Do you want to know why? The Beacon: Yeah, I do. Gover: I was watching the Discovery Channel or something and there were all these dead fish in a big barrel that were used to feed sharks and their white heads were bobbing up and I thought they looked like little glaciers, so I thought that was real funny. But nobody else gets that that’s funny. So that was that, but then I didn’t like the word ‘little’ anymore, because that’s a weird adjective to use for anything. Then I changed it just to ‘glacier’ and my name, then I changed it to the ‘Gr.’ because I got sick of my first name but people wouldn’t know how to pronounce it. And then I was afraid someone was going to write ‘Dr.’ one day, and that’s terrifying to me. So then I changed this like two months ago because nobody could pronounce it and I wanted something people could pronounce. The Beacon: Are you planning to go to tour? Gover: Yeah, in February and March I did, but I was only out for a week with this project. I have two more shows lined up later in the month at Test Pattern on October 11, and Bennet St. in Kingston on October 20. The Beacon: Any good stories from the tour? Gover: I don’t know. Nothing that I can think of that’s good story-wise. I didn’t kill anybody or anything. I have better, funnier stories from other tours with other bands I was playing in. The Beacon: Like what? Gover: When I was in a band called Strand of Oaks. We were on tour with our friend Jason Anderson and we were leaving Wilkes-Barre and we were driving through upstate New York and we stopped at a gas station and we were getting ready to go and this guy came up to us and he was like, ‘Can you give me a ride to my car?’ And we said okay. And then he said ‘hold on a second,’ and he brought out two pails of gasoline, and we’re like ‘okay…’ So we’re driving him and he’s telling us all these stories and miles and miles are going by and there’s no car in sight. Then we dropped him off on the side of the road, and we were just kind of weirded out, because we were like ‘if there’s no car, why do you have gasoline?’ And as he was getting out of the car he said, ‘Alright fellas, if you can’t be good, be bad.’ That became the tour motto for the next week and a half. The Beacon: So describe your live performance. Gover: Sometimes I play by myself, but sometimes I have up to six people playing with me. It depends. Occasionally it’ll just be me and a guitar and a keyboard, and other times it’ll be me, guitar, keyboard, banjo, electric guitar, sometimes a cello, sometimes a violin, sometimes a saw, sometimes a marimba. There are many different ways the songs have been played. They’re all the same songs but sometimes they’re faster and sometimes they’re slower. The Beacon: And do you want to say anything about the lyrics you write? Gover: Well, I write lyrics for the songs because I don’t play cover songs - that’s weird. I write words about people The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski I knew a long time ago, and they’re usually bad, creepy stories about things people have done to them. That’s what’s hip, and that’s what gets the ladies, said the married guy with the cigarette and the beer, and the weird beard. Gregory Gover, of These Elk Forever, sends out an invitation to any and all musicians to contribute to his new album currently in the works. No, but really, I usually write the words first, and then I’ll write the music to it. They’re more important to me than the music because I’m not a very competent player musically, and I don’t have a very good singing voice. But I figure if I talk a little lower it’ll sound like I’m singing, and people sometimes get fooled by that. The Beacon: Do the people care that you write about them? Gover: They don’t know. I don’t know them anymore. I played at the Test Pattern in August and a friend came up to me, and he said to me that the whole time I was playing he kept looking over at my wife and feeling bad for her, that I was saying the things I was saying. And I was like, “No, they’re not about my wife.’ And then he was like, ‘Well, then I feel worse.’ And then I was like, ‘No, if they’re nice, then they’re about her.’ But they’re usually not nice, although they’re not cruel or misogynistic. I’m not mad at anybody, I just like telling other people’s stories and hope that they’re okay with it, but they’ll never know. It doesn’t matter; they’re my stories now. Isn’t that what people say? People say that, right? The Beacon: Any last words you want to throw in? Gover: I’m recording a record, and if anybody who reads this wants to play anything on it, get in touch with me and you can. Please do because that would be really neat, even if just one person wanted to do that. I’m accepting any people, even if they can’t really play instruments, just to do something. If they want to they can contact me at http://www.myspace.com/grglacier. Photo and art courtesy Greg Gover �Kudracross OCTOBER 2, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BY CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Staff Writer DOWN 1 Junk e-mail 2 Computer tune 3 Part of a school’s curriculum 4 VIP’s transport 5 Not as much 6 World power (abbr.) 7 Lightening attractors 8 Fast plane 9 Type of clock 10 Pre-existent 11 Type of tea 12 Southeast Asian 13 Type of natural fiber 19 Verbalize 21 Within 25 Junkie 56 Masticate 27 Wasn’t built in a day 28 2, 4, 6, 8….. 29 “The Divine Comedy” author 30 Given a hint 31 Post or support 33 Goodyear products 34 Avoid 35 Between bass and alto 39 Bright or promising 42 Boulder Dam lake 43 Motor bike 46 Type of synthetic fiber 50 Pertaining to nerves 52 Sun output 54 FTC part 56 Masticate 57 Butterfly in cocoon 58 In the middle of 60 Survey briefly IBILA BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Editor-in-chief Ever wonder how you could possibly pull off an impossible excuse to get out of doing one thing, so you could really do another? Imagine planning “an event” you’ll attend for work, when in reality, you may be sipping wine in a chateau with your mistress/mister for the weekend. Thought it was unrealistic, that you couldn’t slip away for fun without getting caught? That’s where my web site of the week comes in. Ibila, your generator of alibis, is located at www.alibila. com It’s a French service, but from my understanding, they provide services elsewhere. What you need to do is locate the site in Google, and have Google translate the page if you do not speak French. Upon doing so, you’ll see something truly extraordinary. This site claims to provide users with an alibi for everything. It will make phone calls to your boss, saying that you have urgent family problems. The service provides either a male or female voice, depending on the alibi you want to create. They claim to be able to create an alibi for every situation, and even serve as a means for making purchases, as to avoid a track record. They create professional documents, justifying that you were at conferences, meetings, lectures, etc. They even give you false e-confirmation of flights, as in, they say you’re flying to a certain destination when you aren’t. The site makes “products derived from an event to which you were supposed to assist: cap, tee-shirt, pen, etc.” Now, 62 Nat King ____ 63 On the Atlantic 64 Word with wear or room 65 Attention-getter 67 King topper Courtesy Lackawanna County Library System ACROSS 1 Scent 6 Astral bear 10 Accompanying 14 Fairy 15 Before long 16 Advil target 17 “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” author 18 To a sickening degree 20 Orange juice and champagne 22 Riverbed component 23 Brief swim 24 Large flightless bird 26 Camp bed 27 Humanitarian organization 32 Move towards 36 Racetrack shape 37 After taxes 38 Colorado, for example 40 PC list 41 Fairy tale publisher 44 Las Vegas’ rival 45 Type of key 47 August baby 48 Greek god of love 49 Automobile body type 51 Wall hanging 53 Up to now 55 Animal abode 56 Auditor 59 Yours and mine 61 Bus line 66 People collectively 69 Red flowers 70 Homer’s Iliad, for example 71 Abel’s father 72 Small valleys 73 Roe vs. ____ 74 Ocular part 75 Leavening agent Answers 9/25 15 that’s just cool. With the translated version, only some links are available. I looked at the actual site, and saw that there are price ranges for different services. They work closely with you, also, giving you a proposal for alibi before they act. Here’s my take on this: I don’t agree with lying. I despise lying, cheating, adulterous people. However, I think this site is just cool. I’m sorry. It goes against all of my ethics. It really does. I think that it’s a disgrace to the human race. However, I just love the concept. I think the person who created this service is seriously a genius. End of story. I give this site a “B” for Brilliant! �16 SPORTS OCTOBER 2, 2007 PREVIEW OF THE WEEK BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor Now that the Lady Colonels have successfully made improvements from a season ago when they posted 6-24 record to 8-11 midway through this season, the next question for the volleyball team is will it return to the Freedom Conference playoffs like the good ‘ol days of 2004? The Lady Colonels are boldly staring in the eyes of the postseason with an early 1-1 conference record leaving the team fourth in the MAC and two and a half games behind first place DeSales. But a home win tonight at 7p.m. against DeSales could possibly set the tone for their final three conference matches against King’s College, Delaware Valley College, and Arcadia University. The Lady Colonels are in control of their own playoff destiny and a performance facelift may be all this team needs. “I just think we need to play more consistently as a team,” said second year head coach Alicia Orlowski. “We’ve kind of been an up and down team where we will play really well and then we’ll fall apart alittle bit. But I think we need to get that consistency and that will put us over the .500 mark. When we’re playing well, we’re pretty unstoppable.” The last time the Lady Colonels saw the .500 mark was Sept. 1 after a tournament loss to King’s College. The Lady Colonels fell short to a three-game sweep by the Lady Monarchs and never could seem to balance the win and loss column since. In the Lady Colonels first conference outing against FDU-Florham (NJ) on Sept. 12, the team lost 3-0 in just their second home match after beating Lycoming College at home two days before. Wilkes has a 1-1 home record. Although the volleyball team has struggled to keep its head above the waters of the .500 sea, the players believe they have a fight that may have them swimming come postseason. On Sept. 22, the Lady Colonels went on the road to face Lycoming College for a second time this season at the Elizabethtown Tournament in Elizabethtown (PA). In one match, the referees appeared to be “picky” about the Lady Colonels ball control putting the team at an emotional disadvantage after Wilkes opened leading two games to none. Needing one more win to seal the deal, Lycoming would take the third game 30-25. The heated battle would end in the fourth game when the Lady Colonels wrapped up their night with a 33-31 win. “I’ve never seen them jump so high,” The Beacon/Gino Troiani said Orlowski. “The adrenaline was just there, that they were not going to let the refs take that game away from them.” That win would put the Lady Colonels at a 7-10 record. On Saturday, the Lady Colonels split two games on the road by winning against Brooklyn College (NY) 3-0 and losing by the same margin to Vassar College(NY). With 10 games left prior to the playoff picture the Lady Colonels need to start winning games if they wish to have a shot at being crowned conference champions. Freshman Marissa Harrison leads the Lady Colonels in kills (points) with 162. Junior Katherine Harrington follows with 158 and leads the team in blocking with a total of 34. Harrington, the lone junior, along with seniors Katherine Simone and Kristen Linhart will look to apply their veteran leadership to retain a spot in the postseason that begins with a pivotal game tonight against DeSales. “We are a young team but we are definitely coming together,” said Harrington. “The communication is really starting to click a lot more, so we’re are really starting to gel more as a team. It’s still early in the season so we’re definitely trying to make a run at the playoffs.” DeSales is 3-0 in the MAC Freedom Coonference and will be joining the Lady Colonels at the Marts Center tonight in a game where the end result may begin painting or possibly erasing a playoff picture for the Lady Colonels. Freshman Allison Kelleher prepares for clutch conference games during practice. The Lady Colonels have ten games remaining and will hope to be dancing into the MAC Freedom Conference playoffs that will tip off Wednesday Oct. 31. 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Limit 1 coupon per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer or sale. Offer effective Sun., Sept. 30 thru Sat., Nov. 3, 2007 in our In-Store Photo Labs Only. OFFERS EFFECTIVE SUN., SEPT. 30 THRU SAT., NOV. 3, 2007 IN ALL PRICE CHOPPER STORES. �OCTOBER 2, 2007 Seahawks v. Steelers SPORTS COMMENTARY Double Take Stepth examines the facts that truly matter... BY STEPHANIE GERCHMAN Opinion Asst. Editor BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Two seasons ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahwaks faced each other in the SuperBowl, with the Steelers being victorious, amid a sea of bad calls and questionable officiating. Last season, the Seahawks returned to the playoffs with a 9-7 record, but lost to the Bears in the divisional playoffs. The Steelers were not as successful following their championship season, as they were without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a portion of the season. Now both teams are making a run for the playoffs, and will be facing off against each other this weekend. Pittsburgh(30), is a m u c h d i ff e r e n t team than in 2005, as it is without running back Jerome Bettis, who retired after the SuperBowl, and head coach Bill Cowher, who resigned after last season. Despite this,the team is having a good season in their absence, due to success on both sides of the ball. The Steelers’ offense is averaging over 30 points and 350 yards during their first three games, while their defense has been stellar, holding their opponents to an average of 8.7 points. The offense has been the result of a solid passing game that is being engineered by Roethlisberger, whose 563 passing yards and 6 touchdowns have helped establish a solid running game by Najeh Davenport and Willie Parker. But the real reason for Pittsburgh’s success has been its defense, which is ranked number one in the AFC in points per game(8.7), and number two in yards per game (244.3). The defense is anchored by linebackers 18 James Farrior and James Harrison, who are leading the team with 17 total tackles. On the other side, the Seahawks(2-1) will be relying on their offense to get a win, as that has been their main method of attack so far in this young season, ranking 7th in the NFC with 21.3 points per game. Offensively, the Seahawks are led by running back Shaun Alexander, who has averaged just over 90 yards per game on the ground, with two touchdowns so far. Seattle’s quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, has been solid, throwing for 250.3 yards per game so far, with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. His favorite targets have been wide receivers Bobby Engram, who has 197 yards on 13 receptions with 1 touchdown, and newly acquired Deion Branch, who has 199 yards on 13 receptions and 1 touchdown. The Seahawks’ offense isn’t overpowering; however, their defense has been making up for it so far, allowing only 16.7 points per game on average, despite allowing 375.7 yards per game, which is ranked second worst in the NFC. Seattle’s defense is led by linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who leads the team in total tackles with 23 to go along with one interception, as well as linebacker Julian Petersen, who has 20 total tackles and two sacks. Offensively, the advantage goes to the Steelers, who have a number of offensive options to complement Ben Roethlisberger’s abilities. The determining factor in the game is the defense, however, as the Steelers have shut down the opposition so far this season, while the Seahawks have been less successful in stopping opposing offenses, especially their passing game. Expect to see Pittsburgh exploit Seattle’s defense, while shutting down their passing and running game. Da pick: Pittsburgh Steelers: 38 Seattle Seahawks: 13 As I sat down to write this I had already made up my mind. The Steelers are definitely going to win. I mean, I have never even heard of the Seahawks, and I think it’s kind of lame to name your team The SEAattle SEAhawks. On the other hand, there’s no way I wouldn’t have heard of the Steelers. They are the Pittsburgh Steelers, as in Pennsylvania. I have to support the home state. Plus if I didn’t pick the Steelers I think my dad might kill me. I came to the conclusion that I needed another factor to decide which team I wanted to win besides “my daddy told me so.” That’s when I went on their websites. I wanted to choose the team that had the cooler website. The Seahawks won that without a doubt. They have far better colors and a more creative layout. This left my decision up in the air. I have to pick a winner. That’s the whole point of this column. Well, it became clear to me who the winner would be with one scroll down a webpage. As I glanced over the Seahawk’s official website, I noticed something that was cheesier than their team name. The Seahawk’s cheerleaders are called the Sea Gals. While a play on words tends to work for some things, this is not one of them. I wonder if they teach their kids to write the alphabet A, B, SEA, D. Maybe they call their coaches and other sideline people the Sea Guys. Clearly, trying to use “sea” in all different ways doesn’t even work if you aren’t taking it seriously. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s pretty obvious that the Steelers are definitely going to take this one. They are from Pennsylvania, my dad likes them and they don’t have a cheesy name for their cheerleaders, they don’t even have cheerleaders. So, the Steelers can say SEA ya to the Seahawks Quick Hits... Who? Pittsburgh Steelers v. Seattle Seahawks When? Sunday, October 7th Tube? FOX56, 10:00 a.m. �SPORTS OCTOBER 2, 2007 Athlete of the Week BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor Before grabbing her stick to prepare for a Lady Colonels’ field hockey game, sophomore Jennifer Keegan, a farm girl from Shohola (PA), finds motivation in one thing: rap music. After the sounds of Soulja Boys’ famous hit “Superman” boost Keegans’ adrenaline to get her pumped up for the game, it’s time for her to put on an offensive show for the Lady Colonels. Now that she has started all ten games and is leading her team in the scoring category, it’s safe to say that Soluja Boys’ lyrics have Keegan wearing the “S” on her chest for the Lady Colonels. Ever since the first game of the season, Keegan has proved that she is a vital part of this year’s Lady Colonels squad. “Jen is a very aggressive forward and what’s great about her is that she is really scrappy in the circle (the only place on the field a player can score),” said head coach Sarah Miller. On Sept. 1, the Lady Colonels “cranked up” their sticks and took a trip to Bethlehem (PA) to face Moravian College in front of approximately 150 field hockey fans. With only 25 minutes left to play, Keegan and the Lady Colonels found themselves down two goals to none. Being down by two goals seemed to frustrate Keegan, but that same anger lit a much needed fire under her after a team huddle with one of the captains. “Kristina (Naveira) had given us a big pep talk and it really pumped everyone up, especially me, because when I get angry I guess I play better,” said Keegan. “I just took it down field and scored it. Three minutes later I scored again. Then, I set Alyssa (Koncelik) up because she was open and I 169 The Beacon/James Rosato wasn’t.” “It was just team worked, we all talked to each other and wanted it really bad and it just came together,” Keegan added. Keegans’ two unassisted goals in three minutes and a pass to Koncelik for the final goal of the game led the Lady Colonels to a 3-2 win in their first game of the season. Keegan tops the team in goals scored with five while accounting for three of the teams 12 assists. Keegan and senior Lindsay Thomas share the Lady Colonels lead in assists. After posting a team overall record of 99 record last season to go along with three goals in her freshman campaign, Keegan believes this year she and the 4-6 Lady Colonels can turn things around en route to a MAC Freedom Conference title. 19 Football from PAGE 20 defensive back Darius Harrison. Harrison took one of his interceptions to the house for the Colonels’ initial touchdown in the first quarter off an 85 yard return down the sideline leaving him gasping for air as he ran back to his teams side of the field. “I was dying at the end,” said Harrison. “I was tired, but I knew I had to score to help the team in whatever way I could to help win the game. It (the touchdown) gave the defense a little energy and a swagger to come out and play like we know we can.” Despite Harrisons’ early interception touchdown return to set the tone for the Colonels defense, the team managed to give up 304 passing yards of a total 426 yards by Lebanon Valley. Lebanon Valley had possession for 38:16 of the game on 87 total plays called. The Colonels rallied for 293 total yards of their own in which 178 of those were on the ground. Karaffa finished the day by completing 11 of 26 passes and two touchdowns passes, one to senior tight end Kyle Regner and sophomore tight end Drew Letcavage. The Colonels are currently 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the MAC Freedom Conference. The homecoming game this Saturday will feature FDU-Florham (NJ). FDU has lost two and won two games so far into the season including a win against William Paterson, a team that beat the Colonels at home. WEEKLY RECAPS Women’s Volleyball The Wilkes University volleyball team split a pair of matches at a tri-match hosted by Vassar College on Saturday. The Lady Colonels posted a 30-14, 30-12, 30-17 win over Brooklyn College in their first match of the day. Wilkes then dropped a 30-20, 30-19, 3021 decision to the host school in the nightcap. Men’s Tennnis The Wilkes University men’s tennis team cruised to a 9-0 win over Susquehanna University on Sunday afternoon at the Ralston Complex. The Colonels ran their record to 2-1, while the Crusaders slipped to 0-3. Women’s Tennis Wilkes University won a pair of matches on Saturday in a rare women’s tennis doubleheader at the Ralston Complex. The Lady Colonels fashioned a 9-0 triumph over Keystone College in their first match of the day, before scoring an 8-1 victory over Susquehanna University in the nightcap. The two wins improved Wilkes to 9-1 overall. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 9 25 19 Number of yards rushing yards Both women’s and men’s tennis Total number of attacks (points) Number of tackles by senior by freshman running back Alex sweep their opponents this past by junior Katherine Harrington All-American Kyle Follweiler on Pearson in the Colonels victory weekend. Six of the matches were in the Lady Colonels victory over the road against Lebanon Valley. over Lebanon Valley on SepBrooklyn College this past SaturTen of his tackles were unassingles competitions and the tember 29. day. The team won 3-0. sisted. other three were doubles. �Sports OCTOBER 2, 2007 20 Finally! Beacon Archives/Todd Weibel Freshmen help Colonels to first win of the season BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Sports Editor After a brutal three-game manhunt, the Colonels have finally found what they’ve been searching for during their fourth outing. Not only did they pick up their first win of the season in their conference debut against Lebanon Valley (PA), but the team has found themselves a shining new face in the backfield in running back Alex Pearson. Sophomore Corey Carter started the game against Lebanon Valley just as he did the first three games, but suffered an ankle injury after a seven yard run in the first quarter. “(Being injured) was crazy, because we worked so hard during our bye week and everybody stepped their game up,” said Carter. “Coach told us it’s finally time to start winning, the offensive line did better, and everyone went down for extra film so the feeling of being injured hurt me. But I’m happy that we won because that’s more important than my individuals stats.” Carter stated that even when he injured his ankle in practice and in previous games, he usually returns to the field after he shakes it off. Unfortunately, he couldn’t return to the field to finish the game and that’s when the stage opened up for Pearson. Two plays after Carter’s injury, on first down and 10 to go, Pearson took the handoff from senior quarterback Al Karaffa for a 12yard run and the rest was history. The Colonels opened the fourth quarter on Lebanon Valley’s four yard line and were close to pulling away from being deadlocked at 22 a piece. Karaffa and the Colonels would use all four downs before he missed the target on a pass to senior wide receiver Rocky D’Anconti from the two yard line leaving that offensive series scoreless. Just as Lebanon Valley’s defense shut down their offense, the Colonels defense would get a little payback of their own. During the seven minute mark of the fourth quarter, Karaffa completed one of his two interceptions to Russ Destafano for an 18-yard return at Lebanon Valley’s 30 yard line. Lebanon Valley used 17 plays in 06:43 to make it to the Colonels one yard line, but was stopped short after three attempts at punching in a touchdown. Senior All-American middle linebacker Kyle Follweiler stopped Lebanon Valley’s running back, Bryan Lynch, for a loss of four yards. Follweiler put on an phenomenal performance racking up 19 tackles after totaling 20 in the Colonels previous game against Rowan University (NJ). After getting seven shots to score inside the Colonels 10 yard line, Lebanon Valley sent their field goal unit to end the game with 01:13 but to no avail. The kick by Dan DiBona would miss off the left upright sending the Colonels to their first overtime game since September 16, 2006 when they beat Delaware Valley at Ralston Field. The Colonels struck first in overtime beginning with a 17 yard pass to junior wide receiver Jason Prushinski for. Three yards away from glory, Pearson would finish off Lebanon Valley with a touchdown leaving the final score at 29-22. The 5’9” freshman from Lawrence (NJ) carried the load for the Colonels rushing attack posting a team season high in yards with 169, the most rushing yards in a game by a running back since last year’s Tom Andrepoulos put up 186 against Susquehanna on November 4, 2006. Lebanon Valley had one more shot to tie the game during overtime from the Colonels 25 yard line, but Follweiler snatched away that opportunity with an interception of third down off a pass from freshman quarterback Caleb Fick. The Colonels defense capped Saturday with three total interceptions including two by freshman See Football on PAGE 19 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2007 October 2nd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 October 2 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University