No. 13 - UNF Spinnaker
Transcription
No. 13 - UNF Spinnaker
Volume 30, Issue 14 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA November 15 2006 Wednesday THIS WEEK NEWS Good morning, commissioner Gov. Bush appointed former University of North Florida President Dr. Anne Hopkins to the Florida Commission on Human Relations. See APPOINTMENT, page 4 EXPRESSIONS Anything but gravy Thanksgiving isn’t all about turkey and gravy. Your preconceived notions may be squashed when you read how this holiday isn’t all about giving thanks. See FEAST, page 11 JACKSONVILLE Leadership discusses Master Plan UNDER FIRE BY LAURA BRITTON CONTRIBUTING WRITER The number of homicides in Jacksonville is on the rise in comparison to last year, and community members, city officials and the University of North Florida are joining together to fight this growing trend. As of Nov. 7, there have been 125 homicides, 100 of which have been murders. At this time last year, the number of homicides was at 95 with 71 murders. There is not one clear answer to why the numbers are so high this year, according to Ken Jefferson, Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office public information officer. Most of the violent crimes are taking place on the Northside of the city where residents live in transitional housing and have lower incomes, Jefferson said. Many arguments start as domestic disputes and escalate to physical confrontations, which typically lead to a shooting or stabbing, he said. Overall, a large portion of the violent crimes committed are drugrelated, and involve males ages 1630, according to Roy Fabila, a Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office patrol officer. The tipping point for the Jacksonville community came on July 26 of this year, when 8-year-old DreShawna Davis was killed by a stray bullet in her family’s home. The shooting was intended as a retaliatory act against her uncle, according to chief of communica- tions and special initiatives for the mayor’s office, Susan Wiles. Wiles said the Jacksonville community and city leaders found a need to come together to put an end to the violence. Numerous programs stemmed from Davis’ murder in hopes of offsetting the violence that had already been done. The University of North Florida also took part in making its own contributions to the city’s growing homicide issue. Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton came to UNF’s campus in October to discuss the importance of literacy education at a young age to city officials, volunteers and the UNF Community Outreach Council. and individuals that delay reproduction tend to live a little bit longer,” Hatle said. “So there’s a clear link between reproduction and aging.” Hatle said that through precedent research, it is thought that individuals who delay reproduction store the energy that would have been committed to reproduction and use it to take care of themselves instead. But what makes Hatle’s research differ from those experiments that rely on fat storage for energy is his study of protein storage. See AGING, page 9 See LEARNUNF, page 9 See MURDER, page 4 SPORTS as of Nov. 7 See FALL, page 17 Friday Nov. 17 67/42 M-Sunny Saturday Nov. 18 69/45 M-Sunny Sunday Nov. 19 68/45 M-Sunny 7-day forecast, page 5 SOURCE: NOAA Discourse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Police Beat. . . . . . . . . . . .7 Squawk Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Expressions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Zan on the Street. . . . . . . . . 12 Comics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Horoscopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Crossword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ONLINE eSpinnaker.com Grasshoppers growing up John Hatle is examining what these critters can teach science about aging BY SHEENA PEGARIDO CONTRIBUTING WRITER In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon was said to be searching for the fabled fountain of youth in St. Augustine. Almost 500 years later, the key to the mystery may be found hopping in the University of North Florida biology labs. John Hatle, assistant professor of biology at UNF, is conducting experimental research on grasshopper to understand how aging is controlled. “Almost all organisms age, and the results of aging are well-known in humans,” Hatle said. “We lose elasticity, our skin gets crinkly, our arteries don’t expand and recoil as easily, our hair turns gray, and our hormones get weaker. But how that’s controlled is not understood.” So he turned to grasshoppers – insects that, unlike the more commonly studied fruit flies, are large enough to follow and to collect blood samples from one individual, Hatle said. Aside from being less expensive than mice, another common experimental model for aging, grasshoppers also live shorter, about three to six months, allowing for an ample amount of time to study its lifespan, he said. COURTESY OF SXC.HU INDEX ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT K. PIETRZYK Farewell to fall sports WEEKEND WEATHER Dr. John Hatle of the University of North Florida is using grasshoppers to conduct research about aging. Hatle said he hopes the results of his work will ultimately benefit human health research. “These grasshoppers are very common around Jacksonville,” Hatle said. “Those are the kinds that are pests in people’s gardens, so a lot of people around here are familiar with them.” Funded by the National Institute on Aging, a branch of the National Institute of Health, Hatle is studying how body storage affects longevity. According to Hatle, going on in his fourth year at UNF, the standard theory for animals is that aging is a result of reproduction. He said this theory has been proven in studied organisms such as flies, worms and mice. “Individuals that make a lot of offspring in a young age die young, MANAGING EDITOR The University of North Florida will undergo major changes in its campus structure and layout over the next 10 years, according to speakers at a LEARNUNF presentation Nov. 9. Among the planned developments are several new buildings, expansions to existing structures and a new philosophy regarding how space on campus will be used, said Richard Crosby, associate vice president for administration and finance. Crosby said the UNF Master Plan calls for a series of new projects that will eventually phase out parking in the core of campus, opening that space up for more student and faculty working space. Crosby addressed the student union building, which is due to break ground in May 2007. He said it will occupy the space where Lot 4 currently sits, displacing 752 parking spaces. To counteract the loss of parking, Crosby said the university plans to expand Lot 18 from 1,000 to 1,800 spaces by next fall. The proposed “eastern ridge” housing complex and a possible sanctuary on the south end of campus are among other ideas attached to the Master Plan, Crosby said, along with the conversion of the State Road 9A-Butler Boulevard intersection to an interchange. “I think we’re probably about another year or so on the interchange,” he said. Director of Facilities Planning Zak Ovadia also gave a presentation outlining some of the newer developments of the Master Plan. He said a new Parking Services building has been designed and should begin construction in the next few weeks. Ovadia also said an expansion to the Brooks College of Health building is in the works, and may be the next big project to receive attention because of its need. The idea is to construct a new four-story wing that mirrors the existing building, creating a courtyard in between, Ovadia said. He added that classes will occupy the first floor and Student Health Services will move from its current location to the second floor. “There is synergy between that program Number of murders: All good things must come to an end, and December means some of the University of North Florida teams’ seasons are drawing to a close. See how the Ospreys fared. BY ACE STRYKER PAGE 2 QUOTE WEEK of the WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 “Pride is a powerful narcotic, but it doesn't do much for the auto-immune system. ” Awarded first place for Best of Show at the 2005 National College Media Convention by the Associated Collegiate Press. ❖ ❖ ❖ - Stuart Stevens Northern Exposure, Brains, Know-How, and Native Intelligence, 1990 Spinnaker Staff Editor in Chief Art Director Jenna Strom Robert K. Pietrzyk Business Manager Adina Daar Managing Editor Ace Stryker Advertising Manager Adviser News Editor Kristen Montalto Tami Livingston Features Editor Zan Gonano Sports Editor Holli Welch Copy Editor Emily Bruce Photo Editor Rebecca Daly Web Editor Graphic Designer Discourse Editor Meghan Dornbrock Jen Quinn Chelsey Wacha Asst. News Editor Matt Coleman Asst. Features Editor Sarah Houston Asst. Sports Editor Production Assistant Distributor Printer ❖ ❖ ❖ Joshua Stewart Natalie Nguyen Sarah Houston Jenna Strom Florida Sun Printing ❖ Robinson Student Center, room 2627 4567 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S. Jacksonville, FL 32224 Phone: 904.620.2727 Fax: 904.620.3924 www.eSpinnaker.com S PINNAKER ’ S BEST Nancy Pelosi, former senior minority leader, became the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. A woman is now third in line to the presidency. S PINNAKER ’ S WORST The Athletics Department couldn’t raise the last $2,000 for a big screen to put into the Arena for students and the public to watch the Ospreys take on the Gators in the men’s basketball season opener. The event was moved to Wackadoo’s on campus. S PINNAKER ’ S FIX More participation on the part of students might have allowed for more funding to be raised to host the screen in the gym, contributing to school spirit. A ❖ ❖ Editorials ❖ ❖ ❖ LA Times’ editor firing important to all n incident occurred in Los Angeles last week that much of this country’s population probably doesn’t care too much about: Los Angeles Times Editor Dean Baquet stepped down from his position. Many in the industry aren’t surprised by the development. For months Baquet had been publicly outspoken about his refusal to adhere to editorial staff cuts proposed by the Times’ parent company, Tribune Co. So why should people around here care really? A replacement is lined up. The paper still comes out every day. Most people in Northeast Florida don’t read the LA Times anyway. But in reality, Baquet’s removal is a morsel of the ongoing struggle that has been within the newspaper industry for years. Newspapers are a business, and they need to make money. Money comes from ads, which are only sold if advertisers believe people are reading a publication. Newspaper circulation has been on steady decline for decades. So as ad revenue decreases, companies compensate by cutting writing staff. Since Tribune took over The Times in 2006, 2,500 staff members have been B cut, and the paper has seen a 20 percent increase in profit margins each year. But once again, who cares? Since people aren’t reading newspapers as much, why should they need as big a staff as they used to when they had more readers? People want to know the news, because people are curious beings by nature. And news never stops happening. When a major newspaper like the LA Times is forced to cut down to the bare bones, with only a few writers to cover the same, if not more stories, things get lost. Only the “big” stories get covered, the same ones being covered in every other newspaper. Local or investigative reporting, which takes more time and resources to accomplish properly, gets kicked to the curb. What reporter has time to spend months investigating a sleazy official’s spending habits of government money, when he or she is also in charge of covering the same government’s new public works program? Getting the facts straight takes time, especially when the facts are potentially damaging to a public official. Woodward and Bernstein took weeks to crack the Watergate story, but they worked in a newsroom with a big enough staff to give them the time they needed to get to the bottom of it. It’s true that many people catch up on current events through television or the Internet. But the 23-second sound bite on the nightly news gives a brief snippet of information, and much of the good sources of Internet news come from stories that were written originally for a newspaper. The point is that not everyone writes and reports the news, but everyone consumes the news in one form or another. Newspapers should be the place people go to find out more about something, not some glorified ad booklet. News isn’t going anywhere. People aren’t going to stop robbing banks or shooting each other or getting married. Movie stars aren’t going to stop getting into trouble. Politicians aren’t going to stop being tempted by the potential fruits of their position, whatever their fruit of choice may be. But it will be hard to know about it if the people who have been entrusted to dig up the truth are all sent packing. Choose privacy over free lunch promises argain hunters beware: it turns out there is, in fact, no such thing as a free lunch, no matter how good it may look on a coupon. There’s a good chance that many University of North Florida students have encountered the offending literature before. It comes in the form of small, brightly colored squares of paper happily handed out by other young people on campus, innocuously inviting the recipient to this or that restaurant for free pizza, free sub sandwiches, free whatever else the kids are eating these days. In one case, it was a small flier for Subway with a printed promise for a free sub, chips and a drink just for stopping by the restaurant. It declared the offer was a limited engagement of only-so-long-so-youbetter-hurry-up-and-get-it. Upon follow-up, though, the business running the operation expected much more than hungry college students showing up at the door; instead, they—in this case, Discover Bank, progenitor of the Discover credit card—were looking for students with an appetite for debt. Before students can get anywhere near the counter where mouth-watering slices of turkey and provolone cheese await, they are subjected to an extensive process wherein they must supply all their personal information—social security number, employment information, bank account balance—to company representatives before receiving the little blue lunch ticket. The question becomes one of priorities. To some, the answer is easy: who cares? Maybe they’ll send a card, maybe they won’t, but the sub ingredients beckoning from just a few feet away are a guarantee. Yet another group, and one would hope these peo- ple are out there somewhere, may discover the rouse and decline to participate on sheer principle. Or perhaps they opt to “stick it to the man,” falsifying their information and walking out with a free sandwich with no more than scantly-tarnished integrity and their personal privacy intact. Whatever personal feelings on the matter may be, every UNF student should be aware of what they’re getting into before they make the drive out to these promise-making businesses. One would hope that these businesses’ deceitful tactics would only engender animosity toward themselves as students realize the ploy, but far too few that are aware of it seem to be aware of it. So next time the call for “free lunch” comes around, be aware that what’s a paltry meal to a student may really be an information smorgasbord to some money-hungry corporation out there. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 PAGE 3 DISCOURSE Democrats’ Iraq plans could help enemy I STUDENT ’m scared to live in a world where Democrats are in power. After all, higher taxes, socialized medicine and redeployment plans are enough to make any conservative a bit uneasy. But as much as I disagree with the liberal philosophy of government, I can accept paying a few extra dollars from my paycheck. I can learn to deal with illegal immigration. What’s frightening, however, is that the Democrats in this country have the same war mindset as the enemies we are fighting. Although they are not even in power yet, the liberals are already making plans for a withdrawal date in Iraq. They say the war is too hard and has taken too long. They say the troops are fighting a pointless battle devised by the simpleminded, uneducated President Bush, and A OPINION Raquel Manning, Senior, Journalism that the recent elections only proved that the majority of Americans agree. Unfortunately for them, though, the leader of Al-Qaeda also shares the postelection joy. Abu Ayyub al-Masri allegedly praised the American people for taking “a step in the correct way” by eliminating the power of the Republicans. And in the same speech, he threatened and vowed to blow up the White House. So let me get this straight. The group that wants nothing more than to see Americans dead is the same group that supports a Democratic leadership in America. I am not implying that liberals are terrorists. It’s apparent, however, that our enemies know that their perverted plans will be much easier to accomplish with Democrats in power. Pulling out of Iraq will only prove that America is weaker than it was immediately after Sept. 11 when the nation rallied behind the president to defeat those who came against us. But now, politics have replaced protection and the hatred for the president has overshadowed the hunger to defeat terrorism. I can only hope Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) can see the dangers America would face if the military was forced to leave Iraq before the job is done. The terrorists would claim victory, but the war would not be over. The only difference would be the location. President Ronald Reagan once said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” And I’m terrified that generation will come quicker than we ever imagined. E-mail Raquel Manning at [email protected]. Students: Don’t ignore Student Gov. spending lmost $3 million of student money is controlled by your classmates, and in theory, the entire student body. Approximately $2.8 million of student tuition is controlled by the University of North Florida Student Government each year. Student Government is responsible for the allocation of the activity and service budget that comes out of the fees that students pay per credit hour. The officials in SG control this money because we elect them to do so. We are the ones responsible for voting these individuals into office and entrusting them to serve our interests. We are part of the process. Considering that the record voterturnout in the recent fall SG elections involved less than one-seventh of the student body – we’re not a big part of the process are we? Only 2,148 students out of 16,084 students voted. Basically, 13,936 students decided not to have any say in how their A and S fee money is being spent. The SG members serve as the students’ voice on numerous university committees that make decisions that directly affect us. The Board of Trustees, the Parking Council, the University Technology Committee, the Faculty Association, the Student Conduct Board: these are just a few university policy-making boards that have at least one member of SG serving on them. Student Government represents the interests of the student body not only on campus, but on a local, state and national level as well. But are they really representing the interests and concerns of the student body? By not participating in the SG process or following what SG is doing, the student body is shirking its responsibility and thereby not only failing ourselves but those who represent us, and all those who follow after us. Fee-paying students at the university not only have a responsibility to educate and inform ourselves about SG and the decisions our elected leaders make, but to also hold them accountable for those that they do. You cannot complain about something that you have in no way tried to influence, just as you can’t take credit for ❖ ❖ ❖ STAFF OPINION Tami Livingston, News Editor something that you had nothing to do with. If you don’t vote in the SG elections, then you have no basis for complaint. If you don’t attend any of the Senate meetings or talk to the SG Senators, you have no basis for complaint. If you don’t read the SG newsletter or visit the SG Web site, then you have no basis for complaint. You’ve just allowed other people to make decisions for you. And if you disagree with an SG policy or recent vote, how can you fault them if Across the Nation ❖ ❖ they’ve heard neither support nor opposition of a policy, bill or action, from the student body? As students, we are paying the university thousands of dollars in fees and not even asking who is spending it, why they are spending it and what they are spending it on. That’s like throwing money away. Student Government members take part in discussion about student fees, parking permit rates, parking appeals, tuition increases and more. But how can they be expected to serve the needs of the student body well if the student body refuses to take part? Student government not only serves as the liason between students and university, they also strive to address student concerns and satisfy student wants and interests. But how can the governing body of our students be expected to do a good job when we as students don’t participate in the process? E-mail Tami Livingston at [email protected]. ❖ Rumsfeld boot shows Bush ready for real change in Iraq T PETER A. BROWN MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE INFORMATION SERVICES he big winner Election Day wasn't even on the ballot. As screwy as it might seem, the Democratic takeover makes it much more likely Republican John McCain will be the next president of the United States. That popping noise you might have heard early Wednesday morning wasn't just Democratic champagne corks; it was the starter's pistol kicking off the 2008 White House campaign. For McCain, the perfect political storm Iraq, corruption and the Foley scandal that handed Congress to the Democrats was far from an ill wind. The results mean the Arizona senator's maverick ways that irk some of his own party's most conservative members will become a political asset if he wins the Republican presidential nomination. It is his past ability to appeal across party lines that makes him the candidate whom Democrats fear, and have not so privately hoped would be unable to win the GOP nomination. They acknowledge that as the Republican presidential nominee McCain would be competitive in many states – Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon and perhaps even California, Pennsylvania and Illinois that Democrats count as their base. And that's not to mention the ultimate battlegrounds, Ohio and Florida. The election returns provide incentive for Republicans to quickly put aside their intramural differences and unite for 2008, and seem to help McCain's standing as the front-runner for the GOP nomination. It likely will mean money and endorsements will begin to move more quickly to him than would be the case had the 2006 election continued the status quo. The election has removed George Allen as McCain's rival for the 2008 nomination. When the year began, Allen was the one around whom party conservatives were expected to rally. Mitt Romney is likely to inherit that mantle, but the former governor of Massachusetts, a Mormon, has a formidable task winning the nomination of a Republican Party firmly anchored in the evangelical Sun Belt. Of course there is former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who runs as well as McCain in trial heats against Democrats. But the smart money says that when GOP primary voters focus on his support for abortion rights, gay rights, gun control and a messy personal life, his stock will fall sharply. There is nothing like defeat to make political partisans put aside their differences and focus on what they have in common. GOP conservatives who had the luxury of trying to make sure their nominee was pure enough may be much less picky now. Simply put, the prospect of Hillary Clinton, John Kerry or Barack Obama in the White House come 2008, with the Congress already in Democratic hands, is likely to be a motivating factor for Republicans. The Republicans are a hierarchical party. For the last half century, their nominee has been the pre-primary front-runner, usually the vice president or a big state governor. But Vice President Dick Cheney isn't running; neither is the president's brother Jeb, the governor of Florida. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is ineligible because he is not a native-born citizen. All this left the party without a clear 2008 front-runner. But the congressional and gubernatorial losses will force the party to focus immediately on 2008, and electability will become a much more immediate concern. That will push McCain to the fore. He has a strong network around the country, and despite the residual bad feelings from the 2000 GOP primary fight between McCain and George W. Bush, many of the president's men have been signaling their support for the Arizonan Do you have an opinion on current events? Submit your column to the Spinnaker. Please keep all columns near 500 words. Columns will be edited for grammar, spelling and libel. Submit columns to [email protected]. in 2008. During the past congressional campaign McCain was the politician most in demand by GOP candidates. It was no accident that on the day before the election, Charlie Crist, the new governor of Florida, passed up the opportunity to campaign with the president in order to appear with McCain. Of course, nothing is certain, and McCain's age and health he would be 72 when inaugurated will remain unknown factors. Yet, for at least one Republican, 2006 was a very good year. etters to the editor are encouraged and L accepted, but all letters must include the author’s name as well as the academic Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. classification and major for students, working title and department for faculty members, or company name or home address for people outside of UNF. No anonymous letters will be published. Letters will be verified for authenticity before publication. Letters may be edited for content, grammar, word length and libel. Letters should not exceed 300 words in length. The ideas expressed in letters published in the Spinnaker do not reflect the opinions of Spinnaker staff or the university. Submit letters to [email protected]. PAGE 4 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 NEWS THE SPINNAKER WILL NOT PUBLISH NEXT WEEK DUE TO Gov. Bush appoints professor to state commission BY ACE STRYKER MANAGING EDITOR THE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE. IT WILL RESUME WEEKLY PUBLICATION NOV. 29. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Anne Hopkins, professor of Political Science and former University of North Florida president, was recently appointed to the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida appointed Hopkins to serve on the commission Oct. 11. “I hope it will be fun,” Hopkins said. The commission meets four times a year to review complaints about civil rights violations, according to Hopkins. Each case may address discrimination of any sort—sex, age, race, religion or a number of other issues—in specific instances ranging from employment practices to housing, she said. Hopkins said she will primarily focus on making sure state civil rights laws are adhered to across the state. “I have strong and passionate feelings about this [mission of the FCHR],” she said. “I absolutely believe that Dr. Hopkins is the right person for the job,” said Dr. Mark Workman, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who worked closely with Hopkins during her tenure as president of the university. “She is passionate about justice and equity and civility and utterly fair in her judgment,” he said. Hopkins received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Syracuse University in New York. She served as the president of UNF from 1998 to 2002, when she resigned and became a political science professor. While Hopkins has been officially appointed to the position by Bush, the Senate still must approve her appointment. Until that time, she cannot review cases, she said. If the Florida Senate approves the appointment, Hopkins will serve as a commissioner for a four-year term to end in 2010. Hopkins said she plans to travel to Tallahassee after Thanksgiving, where she’ll be officially oriented in the tasks her job entails. From there, she says she’ll begin reviewing cases. E-mail Ace Stryker at [email protected]. MURDER: City responds with faith, gun-control programs from page 1 “UNF’s Community Outreach Council is spearheading several projects in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office and City Council,” said Michael Hallett, chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNF. The main project of the Outreach Council is H O M E W O R K Z O N E , which promotes literacy within elementary and middle school stuHallett d e n t s . Volunteers and UNF Student Presidential Community Ambassadors are able to work one-on-one with the students. Peyton held an immediate meeting in response to the murder of Davis with city council members, Sheriff John Rutherford and local pastors to plan “A Day of Faith,” for all those who lost their lives to homicide or murder, said Wiles. More than 8,000 Jacksonville residents came to show their support, Wiles said. “This city has reached its boiling point-it will no longer tolerate violence.” Another program in the Jacksonville community is “Walking Wednesdays,” which started this fall. The purpose of the program is to increase the communication between residents and law enforcement. Getting residents of high-crime areas involved could be a strong deterrent, Wiles said. “The program grew out of desperation to involve concerned and law-abiding citizens where murder and crime were unacceptably high,” Wiles said. The Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce have partnered in another new program, “Operation Safe Streets.” This program puts roughly 72 extra police officers in high crime areas 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to Jefferson. The program is meant to make contacts with residents, discuss any issues they may have, and build communication within the city. “The goal of the program is to convey to people to not be afraid to report a crime,” Fabila said. The “Gun Bounty Program” is an opportunity for citizens to report people who own guns and intend to use them for illegal activity. If police locate a person with a gun and make an arrest, the individual who called in and gave the information will receive $1,000, Jefferson said. The “Gun Buy-Back Program” sponsored by the AME Ministerial Alliance and supported by the JSO, allows people to sell their guns to the JSO and receive $50. Law-abiding citizens can worry less about their homes being broken into for their guns if they no longer have any in their homes, Jefferson said. Mayor Peyton’s Review Committee approved spending $2 million for police officer overtime and programs on crime prevention from the last budget year, which ended Sept. 30. Another $3 million was allocated for the current budget year to pay police officers overtime for patrolling high-crime areas, according to Wiles. “Homicide affects everybody when one person takes the life of another, Jefferson said, “so we all must do our part in helping to prevent those sorts of acts.” Jefferson advised residents on ways to improve communication among themselves and police. “Always report suspicious activity, follow your instincts and never be afraid to report a crime.” E-mail Laura Britton at [email protected]. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 PAGE 5 NEWS Poppy talk: Students calling home more often Locals address water usage BY MATT COLEMAN ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR BY NORMAN DRAPER STAR TRIBUNE (c) 2006, Star Tribune. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. The use and consumption of water was discussed Nov. 10 during a Regional Water Conference co-sponsored by the University of North Florida’s Environmental Center. Entitled “Water Matters???,” the conference featured lectures about the sustainability of water and the current problems plaguing North Florida and the St. Johns River Basin. Representatives from the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Duval Audubon Society, Florida Sea Grant, the St. Johns River Management District and others provided pamphlets detailing ways to effectively use and conserve water. The event was also sponsored by the District IV Branch of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. Mary Miller, the director of the District IV branch, helped organize the conference with Event Chairman Sarah Bailey. “She [Sarah] decided on the location for the event because she has worked closely with the university in the past,” Miller said. “They [UNF and the Environmental Center] worked with us to help organize the conference and they were instrumental to the event.” Dr. Joseph Delfino, a professor of Environmental Engineering Services at the University of Florida, lectured about the challenges to the sustainability of water resources in Florida. During his speech, he advised the audience to get into the practice of conserving, reclaiming, reusing and educating children about the conservation of water. He also highlighted a number of unsettling trends in water consumption. “The UN has predicted that the ILLUSTRATION: SPINNAKER Today’s college kids can’t seem to cut the cord with mom and dad. Great score on a test? Flip open the cell phone and give mom the good news. Roommate bugging you? Zip an e-mail to dad to get some solace. Going home next weekend? Alert the folks to stock up on laundry soap. Recent studies nationwide show that the so-called “millennial generation” is calling home at a rate that would boggle the mind of past generations. Strolling through a busy college campus, one might assume all those students busily yakking on their cell phones are talking to boyfriends, girlfriends, buddies. Not so. Marjorie Savage was walking across the University of Minnesota campus recently when she overheard a brief cell phone conversation. It could serve as a model for modern times: “I heard a student say, ‘OK, mom, test was fine, talk to you later.’ That was the entire conversation,” Savage said. Savage, who heads up the U’s parent program, practiced the ancient arts of letter writing and calling collect as a college student in the ‘60s. At the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., the orientation skit for incoming freshmen includes a plea that parents get text messaging. In Fond du Lac, Wis., insurance agent Beth Ciriacks had two cell phone conversations with her daughter Amanda Berg, a University of Minnesota senior, by the time she got a midday call via the oldfashioned land line from a newspaper reporter. Aided by the instant communications revolution, college students contact home for any reason these days. This is a twoway street that involves full participation of the parents. A parent survey conducted by Savage earlier this year, found that one-fifth are in touch with their kids at college one or more times a day. More than two-thirds said they’re in touch with their kids at least twice a week. A members survey by the College Parents of America found that three-quarters of those who responded contacted their college children at least two-to-three times a week. “I probably call my mom two to four times a week,” said University of St. Thomas junior Carl Mickman from Otsego, Minn. “I just talked to her about a half-hour ago. ... I might have insignificant reasons for calling, I might need some money for groceries, and that might evolve into a conversation where we discuss what’s going on in our lives.” Meanwhile, the conventional telephone and hand-written letter appear to be going the way of carrier pigeons. Savage’s survey found that only 9 percent of respondents used a land line frequently. Eight percent take pen in hand with any frequency. “I’ve had one letter from my [University of St. Thomas senior] son since he left for college and none from my [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh sophomore] daughter,” said Faye Rasmussen of Stoughton, Wis. And regular long-distance conversations simply don’t happen. “We’re talking about cell phones, so these are free calls,” Rasmussen said. They converse by e-mail, too. Rasmussen said her son, Ricky, calls if he’s having problems, while daughter, Clarlie “will talk to me about the dorm, what kids are doing, when she’s coming home and what she needs.” For Rasmussen, the frequent contact is an extension of her heavy involvement in activities in the K-12 years. It’s not easy to give that up. “I truly went through withdrawal when they went to college,” she said. “I had to consciously not contact my son every day when he went to college.” Not everyone’s on the same wavelength. “We have students here whose folks call them every day, or who call their folks every day, or they call them a couple of times a day,” said Geraldine Rockett, director of personal counseling at the University of St. Thomas. “Then, we have people who call their folks every Sunday afternoon from the phone booths in the halls.” Ciriacks figured her daughter, Amanda, “might still get on the computer and say, ‘hi’ to me again,” before the day ended. “I don’t know; maybe we’re excessive. She needs that though; she’s very lonely.” But not everyone wants to be instantly reachable via parent phone. “I dated a guy who was from St. Paul,” Amanda said. “I noticed every time his dad would call, he would press the ‘ignore’ button. His dad called a lot.” The Regional Water Conference at the University of North Florida Nov. 10 brought local authorities together to discuss water usage and conservation. water supply will be a third smaller per person worldwide in the year 2020,” Delfino said during his presentation. “Water usage is tied directly to the population growth rate and the more people there are, the less water we will have.” A Gainesville resident, Delfino related his findings to Florida in particular. “The sustainability of water is a global problem,” Delfino said. “Even in Florida, where we have 50 to 70 inches of rain every year, there are still regional water supply challenges.” Delfino mentioned a number of ways UNF students can become educated in their use of water. “It needs to be understood that water is a limited resource,” Delfino said. “Take advantage of a few classes at UNF’s Environmental Center when you have free electives. Develop a conservation ethic when it comes to water, as well as energy.” Felicia Boyd, a representative from the St Johns River Management District, effectively summed up the goal of the conference and the organizations in attendance. “We are here to protect water quality and to preserve water resources,” Boyd said. “We are trying to encourage individual responsibility when it comes to using water.” E-mail Matt Coleman at [email protected]. WATER-SAVING TIPS l Wash hands efficiently – turn off water while you soap. l Brush teeth wisely – likewise, turn off water when you brush. l Flush only when necessary. l Don’t waste drinking water – keep a pitcher in the fridge. l Use less water for dishes. l Take half-full baths. l Shorten your showers. l Stop leaks. l Wash clothes wisely – only wash dirty clothes. l Don’t overwater – three to five days in the summer is fine. l Sweep to save – use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean. l Wash cars wisely – turn the hose nozzle off when soaping. Source: JEA Wednesday Nov. 15 Thursday Nov. 16 Friday Nov. 17 Saturday Nov. 18 Sunday Nov. 19 Monday Nov. 20 Tuesday Nov. 21 Mostly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny 7-DAY FORECAST For updated weather, visit eSpinnaker.com. SOURCE: NOAA 82/61 Rain: 70% 70/45 Rain: 40% 67/42 Rain: 0% 69/45 Rain: 0% 68/45 Rain: 0% 66/45 Rain: 0% 66/77 Rain: 0% PAGE 6 SPINNAKER Advertisement WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 In Brief NEWS Workshop helps students chose majors An Explore-a-Major workshop will be presented Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. in Building 2, Room 2140. The Academic Center for Excellence and Career Services is sponsoring the event, which will allow students to become familiar with the process of choosing a major and a career. The workshop is open to all students, but reservations must be made by Nov. 15. Students may register for the class by going to www.unf.edu/es/ace and clicking on Tutor Trac. Survey to ask campus about shuttle needs The Office of Auxiliary Services will conduct a web-survey to determine what students, faculty and staff think of the shuttle system, scheduled to be available by Fall of 2007. More information about the web-survey will be available in the student update on Nov. 17. Broadway parody coming to campus “Forbidden Broadway,” a par- PAGE 7 NEWS ody of Broadway theater, is coming to the University of North Florida’s Fine Arts Center Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The longest running comedy revue in New York, “Forbidden Broadway” is a satirical take on musical theater and movie stars. Student tickets are $10. This presentation is a part of the 2006-2007 Fine Arts Center Performance Series. Thanksgiving food drive taking donations The “I Care, Therefore I Give” Thanksgiving food drive is being sponsored by the Vietnamese Student Association. The food will be donated to families at the First Coast Family Center throughout the holiday season. Drop-off boxes are available around campus until Nov 17. More information is available by contacting Tra Nguyen at [email protected]. Flu shots available again Seat-loser attacks stranger Nov. 4 – Possession – Two UPD officers were conducting covert surveillance in a university parking lot when they witnessed a male student go to his car and remove an item he then put in his pocket. The officers moved to intercept the student as he walked away and got into the truck of another male student. The officers motioned the truck to pull over. It didn’t respond at first, but then complied and contact was made with both students. One student was determined to be 18 years old. After observing a nearly-full open bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey on the floor of the driver’s seat, the officers asked the driver if he had any other illegal substances in the vehicle. The student replied that the center console of his vehicle contained three pipes in it. Upon inspection, the officers found three marijuana pipes that tested positive for marijuana residue. Another bottle of whiskey, Jim Beam, was found in a golf bag in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. The 18-year-old student was issued a notice to appear on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of an alcoholic beverage by persons under 21 years of age. Both students were referred to Student Conduct. Nov. 6 – Simple Battery – A UPD officer was dispatched to Building 14 in response to a battery. On arrival the officer was met by the victim, who stated that he was seated and talking to some friends when the suspect approached him and stated that he was in his seat. The victim stated that no words were exchanged before the suspect struck him in the face with his fist. The victim and suspect were separated by a bystander, and the suspect fled. The victim wasn’t injured and stated that he did not wish to press charges against the suspect, which he was able to identify to UPD. The victim signed a Prosecution Declaration and requested that the incident be referred to Student Conduct. Compiled by Tami Livingston. SQUAWK BOX Student Medical Services is now offering flu shots again, after receiving a new shipment. The shots are available during clinic hours by appointment and on a first-come, first-come basis to faculty, staff and students. The cost for employees is $25 and $20 for students. “I only wish Bob Woodward was as hot as the person who plays him in the movie.” Compiled by Matt Coleman and Tami Livingston. — Chelsey Wacha, senior majoring in communications JENNA STROM Squawk Box Quotes of the Week in no way reflect the opinions of the Spinnaker editors or staff. Submit your Photo of the Week to the Spinnaker Squawk Box by e-mailing it to [email protected] or dropping it by the Spinnaker office in the Robinson Student Center, room 2627. PAGE 8 SPINNAKER Advertisement WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 LEARNUNF: New buildings on campus will be ‘green’ from page 1 [Student Health Services] and the nursing program,” Ovadia said. Every new building will be built according to the same “green” environmental-friendly standards that the new Social Sciences building was, Ovadia said. University of North Florida President John Delaney said the new designs will focus on energy efficiency, adding that he hopes they will represent a stylistic departure from the older buildings. “We’ve got a lot of ugly buildings here,” Delaney said. This opinion seemed to represent consensus among administration involved with carrying out the Master Plan, as Ovadia gave a potential solution to the same problem in his presentation. “We’re trying to improve the environment by introducing a lot of glass [in the new designs],” he said. Delaney gave the final address as the keynote speaker, offering his view of the most grievous problems facing UNF and their potential solutions. No. 1 on the list, he said, was the lack of a student union. Understaffing and low employee salaries are also focuses of the administration, Delaney said. He added that since his term began he’s fought for changes and has seen some results, but he plans to continue until the issues are resolved. Delaney also said overcrowding has become a problem, citing the “trailers” that some classes or offices currently reside in. He said the purchase of the AOL building south of campus could help, but may not completely resolve the situation. “We could fill up that building tomorrow [if offices were moved in],” he said. Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Tom Serwatka also spoke at the LEARNUNF presentation, giving a brief overview of how the university makes decisions and where its money comes from. LEARNUNF is a product of the university’s 2006 LeadershipUNF class, said Pam Niemczyk, administrative assistant for the Brooks College of Health. LeadershipUNF is a program instituted by Delaney with the aim to further educate UNF faculty and bring together ideas about how to connect to the community, she said. There are a total of four such presentations planned for the academic year, she said. E-mail Ace Stryker at [email protected]. Schools cash in on students’ urge to buy BY NOAH BIERMAN THE MIAMI HERALD Students bunking in the newest residence halls at the University of Central Florida will soon be tripping over Maggie Moo’s ice cream, Subway sandwiches, Starbucks, Red Brick Oven Pizza, Barnes & Noble and other chain stores on the way out of their dorms. At UCF and elsewhere, it’s getting harder to tell the difference between the university and the mall. Once content to sell sweatshirts from a generic campus store and meals from a mess hall, universities are entering into increasingly sophisticated arrangements with national retailers, allowing more franchises directly on campus. At UCF, many of the stores set to open in the coming weeks are attached directly to the dorms, across from a basketball arena under construction with its own set of chain stores. “This much impulse buying on the way to class could be hurtful,” said Boston Russell, a 20year-old sophomore from Longwood, who is among the first living in the new dorms on the edge of a pine forest in suburban Orlando. The design, he said, is “letting these companies have a free shot at us when we walk by three times a day for class.” But Cheryl Adams, a senior from Daytona Beach, said most students are less skeptical: “Who doesn’t like to shop?” The University of Central Florida isn’t alone. Though nearby college towns with quirky health food and rare book stores have long been a staple at traditional universities, many schools are placing retail on campus and collecting rents to subsidize operations and attract students. At UCF, money from the dorms, shops and a pair of parking garages is subsidizing the 10,000seat basketball arena. “We’re a public university, but we want to adopt some of the best practices of the private sector,” said Bill Merck, vice president for administration and finance at UCF. Florida Atlantic University’s board of trustees began moving in the same direction this month. PAGE 9 NEWS Trustees discussed “Innovation Village,” a proposed complex of dorms and retail stores designed around a proposed football stadium at the Boca Raton campus. Urban schools have a longer tradition of integrating their campuses into downtown retail environments. But even that model has changed. The University of Pennsylvania began aggressively developing the depressed West Philadelphia neighborhood around its campus a decade ago, starting with a $100 million project opened in 1998 that converted a parking lot into a hotel, sporting goods store, Barnes & Noble, Cosi coffee bar and Urban Outfitters, among other stores. “At the time there was probably not a lot of enthusiasm among developers for the site,” said Paul Sehnert, Penn’s director of real estate development. “We needed to prime the pump.” Penn added another project four blocks away – including a grocery and multiplex movie theater. Outside developers have since started their own projects, leaving a mix of retail and academic buildings on almost every block. “I think they’ve done remarkable things,” said Jeff Speck, director of design for the National Endowment for the Arts. Speck is a former planner with the Miami firm Duany Plater-Zyberk, one of the pioneers for the so-called New Urbanist movement that advocates building traditional communities by intermingling homes, offices and apartments so people can walk everywhere. With a combination of 2,000 more student beds, local residents and customers at the arena, Merck figured he could add retail. A pair of 700-car garages – with $450-a-year reserved spaces – weren’t far behind. Now, UCF can afford the basketball arena. Asked if he would consider building chain stores in classrooms, Merck paused. “Well that’s an interesting thought,” he said sarcastically. “Maybe I ought to think about that.” (c) 2006, The Miami Herald. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. AGING: Research may help humans from page 1 “Humans and vertebrates can’t store protein, but insects can,” Hatle said. “Protein is what insects need to make eggs. Grasshoppers are vegetarians, of course. They’re protein-limited just like any human vegetarian. So, we examine how much protein the grasshopper stores and how that affects their longevity. And to our surprise, we found that protein storage was not related to how long an individual grasshopper lives.” The research, however, does not end there. “We use grasshoppers for our research, but it’s just an experimental system,” Hatle said. “In any research like that, you’re trying to deter- mine general principles that apply to as many different organisms as possible.” The ultimate goal is to have those principles applied to human health. “We hope to find some general principles and then let other labs that do more directly medically related research take it up and go from there,” Hatle said. “Labs at medical schools often use mice and organisms that are more closely related to humans. At a school like this, we can find some general principles of simple animals like grasshoppers and the next step up would be live mice and then the next step up would be live humans.” E-mail Sheena Pegarido at [email protected]. PAGE 10 SPINNAKER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 PAGE 11 Thanksgiving: Feast of harvest, famine of humanity BY ROSS BROOKS AND JENNA STROM CONTRIBUTING WRITER AND EDITOR IN CHIEF Thanksgiving isn’t about being thankful. It’s not about spending time with loved ones, and it’s not about eating turkey and watching football. Children are given the traditional Thanksgiving story in grade school — that the Indians taught the starving Puritans how to grow and harvest crops, that they grew them together, ate plentifully and lived happily ever after. It’s a nice story. But it’s just that — a story. Many Americans eat turkey and corn on Thanksgiving Day because they are honoring what they believe was the peaceful feast between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. However, the union between the two groups was nothing more than civil, as the meeting did not foster friendship. The Pilgrims relied solely on the Native Americans to provide the food for the meal, and did not lift fingers to return the favor. In fact, as more Englishmen came to the states, they gave the Native Americans anything but thanks. “Today Native Americans do not celebrate Thanksgiving Day because it’s not part of their culture,” said Dr. Brad Biglow, visiting assistant professor of anthropology at the University of North Florida. Instead, Native Americans choose to celebrate fall harvests and various inductions for men and women into the society. Here’s the scoop on the lack of enthusiasm Native Americans feel for the popular holiday. The Puritans left England to escape religious intolerance, but many among them were as bigoted as the very people they abhorred. They left England in the early 1600s to set up a new world based on their own religious laws. The Puritans not only viewed the Indians as savages, but went as far as to call them heathens — beings of the devil, according to an account published by a Sioux Indian in the Independent Media Institute. The Puritans viewed Squanto, a Native American Englishman John Weymouth brought to England, as an instrument sent by God to help his chosen people, the Puritans. The Puritans’ general hate and distrust of the Indians is best illustrated by a sermon delivered by Mather the Elder in 162, published on www.etribe.com. In this Sermon, Mather praised God for a wave of Small Pox that effectively killed the majority of Indians surrounding Plymouth, “chiefly young men and children, the very seeds of increase, thus clearing the forests to make way for a better growth.” While the Puritans continued to show disdain for the Indians, they also realized they needed their help to survive in their new homes. A harsh winter killed half of the original European settlers, and it was only through the teaching of Squanto, who showed the Puritans how to plant corn, dig for clams, use fish as fertilizer, and dozens of other essential skills, that the Puritans were able to keep themselves fed. It wasn’t until after the Indians educated the Puritans on proper survival techniques that a steady number of English settlers began to pour into the country. Within a generation, the children of the original Pilgrims and Indians who sat together at the first Thanksgiving broke into strife, which would later become King Philip’s War. The traditional Thanksgiving story, when compared with more historical accounts, is arguably the more cheerful and guilt-free version. This is probably why Americans prefer to remember and pass on this version to children. But in a world where children inevitably discover the truth, should Americans continue to tell inaccurate renditions? To most, the idea of eating turkey and pie and falling asleep on the couch may sound much more appealing than mulling over the unhappy truth of the birth of one of America’s oldest holidays. E-mail Ross Brooks and Jenna Strom at [email protected]. ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT K. PIETRZYK AND REBECCA DALY PAGE 12 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 EXPRESSIONS Sugarcult brings the spice MATT COLEMAN ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR ZAN GONANO Here we go again with another week of happenings and goings-on around Jacksonville. Things are looking up a bit this week with a variety of events and shows, and particularly some worthwhile shows around Thanksgiving. This week at Freebird, the North Mississippi Allstars rock out Thursday night. The show is $20 and doors open at 8 p.m. Friday night, Ralph Stanley plays with tickets costing $20 before the day of the show and $25 the day of the show and again, doors open at 8 p.m. Friday night at Plush, Folio Weekly throws the annual Martinifest featuring 40 different martinis and live music. The event begins at 7 p.m. Also on Friday night, Surgarcult and Cartel play here at University of North Florida in the Arena. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are only $10 for students with a school ID. Saturday, Planetfest 7 goes down in Metropolitan Park. The festival is an annual gathering of rock musicians for a day of music in the sun. Tickets for the event start at $20 and the festival begins at 11 a.m. On Sunday, the Blue Man Group performs at Veterans Memorial Arena. This is quite a spectacle as I saw these guys perform over the summer. It is an interestingly funny performance and something that I certainly enjoyed. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets range from $39.50 - $85. At the Florida Theatre on Sunday, Comedy Central funnyman Carlos Mencia performs his offensively humorous act. The show starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $40.50. Are you ready for some football? The Jaguars host a Monday night party at Alltel Stadium against Eli Manning and the New York Giants. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. For tickets, check with the box office or Jaguars.com. Since we don’t print an issue right before Thanksgiving, I’ll give you guys a heads up for a few shows that week. November 22, Ziggy Marley comes to town on his Love is My Religion Tour. The son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Ziggy stops at Freebird Live. Tickets are $27 before or $30 the day of the show. Friday November 24, the Jagermeister tour comes to Plush with Slightly Stoopid and Pepper. This is always a good show when these two bands tour together, so if you are in town this is definitely worth checking out. Tickets for the show are $20 and the doors open at 8 p.m. That will do it for the next few weeks. Go out and enjoy a show or two. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and we will be back with an issue on the 29th. E-mail Zan Gonano at [email protected]. COURTESY OF SUGARCULT FEATURES EDITOR Sugarcult, a pop-punk band from California, will be coming to the University of North Florida arena with Cartel and the Summer Obsession Nov. 17 thanks to Osprey Productions. The Spinnaker got the chance to speak with lead guitarist Marco DeSantis about the progression of his band throughout the years. Growing up in Santa Barbara, Cali., a small town 100 miles north of Los Angeles, DeSantis said his hometown was isolated from the capriciousness of the Los Angeles music scene. “It [Santa Barbara] was a little off the radar and it had kind of an innocence to it,” DeSantis said. “People in LA are always trying to find the new hot topic of the moment, and things weren’t as contrived in Santa Barbara.” DeSantis met his future band mates through their mutual involvement in the local music scene. “Tim [vocals] and Airin [bass] were in a three-piece that used to play locally,” DeSantis said. “At the time, I was trying to do stuff in the scene like working at a record store and writing for a music magazine. I saw their first show and we gradually became friends. When they told me they were looking to add another guitarist, I was there.” After joining up, DeSantis found himself compatible with his new band members and their strong work ethic. “It was awesome to find other guys that had this same kind of militaristic devotion to the music that I did,” DeSantis said. “I’d been in bands before and I would get criticized for being too into it. With these guys, everybody put in everything they had. We would practice ‘til four in the morning if we had to.” After filling out its lineup with another guitarist, Sugarcult toured relentlessly to get their So-Cal pop-punk band Sugarcult will stop by the University of North Florida Arena Nov. 17 to perform with Cartel and the Summer Obsession. name out to the public. “We created this band gradually, brick by brick,” DeSantis said. “It started out in a small room in Santa Barbara and now we’ve had the opportunity to become established and tour around the world.” Before getting the chance to travel around the globe, Sugarcult started out like many young up-and-coming bands, driving themselves to shows that few people would attend. DeSantis said that even though they played shows where the only audience members would be the people that work at the venue, they still tried to put their all into their performance. “It never mattered if there wasn’t a crowd, we took every opportunity we could to play.” On their latest release, Lights Out, DeSantis said that Sugarcult tried to move beyond their comfort zone. Instead of traversing the same musical and lyrical landscapes, they tried to break new ground and provide listeners with a new perspective. “With the lyrics, we didn’t want to write songs just about being broken-hearted and relationships,” DeSantis said. “There is too much shit going on in the world right now to write about relationships. Plenty of bands out there can write those songs. Right now, everything we grew up feeling secure about is gone, and we were either going to write about a revolution or write about some form of fucking escapism.” Sugarcult also tried to expand on their patented pop-punk sound and move into different and varied directions. “Sonically, this record takes you to places we haven’t been before,” DeSantis said. “It has a diverse range of sounds that really surprised me. We kind of let ourselves drift out into the deep end. It’s such a waste to play it safe. Sometimes you have to throw yourself into the unknown, take off the fucking safety net and let your instincts guide you.” During the recording of the album, DeSantis said that even he couldn’t pinpoint the direction of their latest release. “On Palm Trees and Power Lines [Sugarcult’s last release], I knew how it would turn out when we were making it,” DeSantis said. “With Lights Out, I had no idea what we were creating. I couldn’t get a good picture of how it turned out until it was mastered and I listened to the final product. It blew me away.” E-mail Matt Coleman at [email protected]. ‘Cocaine’ newest energy drink entry BY LAURA BAUER AND JOYCE SMITH THE KANSAS CITY STAR Nov. 15 – OP presents “21Grams” – 14/1700 – 8 p.m. Nov. 15 – Night Hike – Nature Trails lot 100 – 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Nov. 16 – Great American Smokeout – the Green – 11 a.m. Nov. 17 – Sugarcult and Cartel – Arena– 8 p.m. Nov. 21 – “Union Made” – Bldg. 14, room 1700 – 12:00 p.m. Nov. 21 – Percussion Ensemble – Robinson Theatre – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 – Free Movie: “Click” – 14/1700 – 8 p.m. Up all night studying? Throw back an energy drink and get through that early-morning statistics class. Need a little pick-me-up in the middle of boring work or at the end of a long day? Drink one and you’ll instantly have more fun. Throw back a couple, and it’s fun times two. This is how some companies are selling energy drinks, those cans of sugary-sweet, high-caffeine drinks with names like Red Bull, Rockstar and even Whoop Ass. Costing more than $2 a pop, energy drinks are raking in $3.4 billion a year for an industry that grew by 80 percent last year. Lured by promises of high energy, possible weight loss and greater sports endurance, young people are consuming these drinks at a growing rate. According to an Associated Press report, 31 percent of U.S. teenagers say they drink them, and some say they down several in a row to get a buzz. While many say they’re a harmless jolt of energy, doctors and nutritionist fear the medical side effects of these drinks, which aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Others worry that drink makers will resort to anything includ- ing pumping up caffeine levels to lure the young. Take one of the newest brands. It caused quite a shakeup recently, and not for its level of caffeine, believed to be among the highest. The drink: Cocaine. Because of the name alone, convenience-store operator 7Eleven Inc. is asking a handful of San Jose, Calif., franchise stores to stop carrying the high-caffeine drink. And the company is considering making it a nationwide request. “Our merchandising team believes the product’s name promotes an image which we didn’t want to be associated with,” said Margaret Chabris, a spokeswoman for 7-Eleven. “What is it, a legal alternative to an illegal substance?” Cocaine the drink is not sold in all areas but could be everywhere by the end of the year. It comes in bright red and white cans, similar to Coca-Cola. But the Cocaine name is spelled out in a powdery white font intended to resemble lines of white cocaine powder. “(The name) is a slap in the face to the prevention we try to do,” said Janine Gracy of the Regional Prevention Center. “Yeah, it’s not the drug itself, but what about those who say, I drink this, what’s the difference, maybe I’ll try that.” It’s marketed as the “legal alternative” and described by creators as tasting like a carbonated atomic fireball. Each can has 280 milligrams of caffeine, twice the amount in a regular cup of coffee. Most health-care professionals recommend a daily dose of no more than 250 to 300 milligrams of caffeine. Beyond that, the side effects can set in: the jitteriness, possible dehydration, the jump in heart rate, increased blood pressure. Energy drinks, with caffeine levels from 75 milligrams and up, likely aren’t harmful if used sparingly. But it’s the repeated use, the two or three cans at a time, that can wear on a body. After the initial jolt, people crash. “And once they fall, they fall pretty hard,” said pediatrician Sarah Hampl, who works at Children’s Mercy Hospital in the department of general pediatrics. “Their blood sugar drops, the caffeine wears off and they feel really bad.” Cardiologist Brian Weiford, from the University of Kansas Hospital, said people react to high levels of caffeine differently. And without knowing what’s in each of the drinks, there’s a risk in consuming any. (c) 2006, The Kansas City Star. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 PAGE 13 EXPRESSIONS Gamers rejoice over new consoles BY JOE KIRBY AND BENJAMIN LESSER MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE PLAYSTATION 3 To imagine the PS3, think a gaming console designed by the Wachowski brothers, the makers of “The Matrix.” The PS3 is supersleek and sexy. It cuts a fine figure with luminescent black skin and a skinny, angular shape that will look right at home next to flatscreen TVs and stylish home theaters. The premium model will even feature chrome trim, like a tricked-out Cadillac Escalade. The PS3 is one part gaming console, one part home entertainment system, a cutting-edge gadget designed to infiltrate a consumer’s home and prove indispensable on numerous fronts. Sony is unapologetic about its hefty $499 price tag ($599 for the premium silver edition with a 60gigabyte hard drive), which happens to be right in line with the aspricey Xbox 360. The name of the game for Sony BY MIKE PINGREE MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE I DIDN’T USE ENOUGH EYE OF NEWT A woman in Munich, distraught that her boyfriend left her, went to a “love witch,” who said she would cast a spell over the man to make him return to her. She performed a ritual under the full moon, but it didn’t work. When the boyfriend did not take her back, the woman sued the witch to return the $1,300 fee. The court ordered the witch to pay. DIDN’T THINK I’D MAKE IT, DID, YOU? ... CRAAASH! After completing the test to get her driver’s license, a woman in Portage, Ind., started to park her car but hit the gas instead of the brake and crashed into the license examiner’s office. UH, THIS? OH, IT’S NOTHING, WHY? I HAVE TO GO NOW As a man was about to enter City Hall in Wichita, Kan., officers at the security checkpoint asked him what was in the small black pouch he was carrying. He became nervous, said there was no need for them to check it, claimed it was just his medication, and then decided he had an urgent need to leave. Turns out, it contained three bags of cocaine. One officer said that people “don’t think we’re going to check them.” OH HI, BOB, WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU A man who was out on parole robbed a bank in Clearwater, Fla., and police immediately identified him from the videotape, and knew he was due to visit his probation officer. Two days later, he reported as scheduled, still wearing the clothes he wore to the bank robbery. He was arrested. SIR, PLEASE PIROUTTE OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE A heavily intoxicated man smashed his car into a home in DeKalb, Ga. He was dressed as a ballerina at the time. ONLY KIDDING, OFFICER A 15-year-old boy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who later said he was “just playing around” and trying to scare people, stood on the sidewalk and pointed his BB pistol at passing cars. Unfortunately for them, one vehicle contained two undercover police officers armed with .40caliber Glock handguns, which they immediately drew from their holsters as they arrested According to Sony, more than 20 first- and third-party PS3 titles will be available, with most retailing for less than $60. Among the games being offered are industry standards: Call of Duty 3, Madden NFL 07, Unreal Tournament 2007, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas and NBA 07. WII The company that introduced the world to Mario and ushered in new eras of arcade and home gaming wants to take gamers in a new direction with the Wii (pronounced “we,” or “oui” for you Francophiles). Nintendo is resting its hopes for gaming domination on a console that stands in stark contrast to the PS3 and Xbox 360 and will challenge gamers to think and play differently. Even the machine’s name has furrowed some brows. Gamers thought well of the project’s original code name: Revolution. Then, Nintendo executives decided to attach a unique moniker to the console, the two i’s in Wii implying two players standing side by side and mirroring the machine’s innovative controllers. Nintendo heard crickets, then criticism from game makers, reviewers and the online gaming community: Confusing. Childish. Silly. Or inspired? If nothing else, Nintendo seems to have again succeeded in making its gaming machine look like nothing else on the market. Whether you stand it vertically or horizontally, the Wii is the smallest home gaming machine you’ll soon see, about the size of a thin, hardcover book. It’s as if someone the lad. HEH, HEH, THEY’LL NEVER CATC ... UH OH A man, resentful of cameras set up to catch speeders in Sarpsborg, Norway, removed the license plates from his car and sped down the E6 Highway and gave the camera the finger. He did it three times. Then police realized he always did it Sunday nights. When he did it a fourth time, they were waiting for him. YOU ARE ONE SMOOTH DUDE A man came to court in Jedburgh, Scotland, to answer theft charges wearing a T-shirt that featured the message, “Read this while I check out your tits.” The judge was not amused. He charged the man with contempt of court. YES, A CARTON OF SMOKES AND ... OF COURSE IT’S REAL MONEY A man in Batesville, Ark., tried to pass an obviously fake $100 bill to buy a carton of cigarettes. The ink was not dry, and there was no president’s face on it. (c) 2006, McClatchy-Tribune News Service Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. COURTESY OF NINTENDO Call it Gaming High Noon. Within weeks, Sony and Nintendo will unveil the latest versions of their next-generation video game consoles. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the new machines will do battle with the Xbox 360, Microsoft’s earlier entry in the gaming race, which now offers a high-definition DVD drive. The fight for the hearts, fingers and dollars of gamers everywhere begins in earnest later this month. Sony’s PlayStation 3 will be released Nov. 17. Nintendo’s Wii will be out Nov. 19. Here’s what to expect. seems to be flexibility. Not only will you be able to play your nextgen games on the PS3, but you’ll also be able to surf the Net and be one of the first to experience Bluray DVD technology, one of the two standards duking it out for next-generation DVD bragging rights. To nudge you in the direction of using the console to watch movies, the PlayStation 3 is being packaged with comic Will Ferrell’s “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” All PS3 games also will be published on Blu-ray discs. A remote will run you $30. Like the Xbox 360, the PS3 features a wireless controller that allows you to play up to 65 feet from the machine. There has been concern among some gamers that the new SIXAXIS controller’s non-removable batteries (like an iPod’s) will prove problematic. But Sony executives say their controllers (which, unlike previous versions, no longer vibrate) will enjoy a long battery life. A replacement or extra PS3 controller will run you $50. Up to seven PS3 controllers will be able to access the console simultaneously via Bluetooth. To help smooth the transition for users of other Sony products, the company designed the PS3 console to be backward compatible, capable of playing titles from the entire PlayStation catalog (PS and PS2 games). Moreover, you also will be able to transfer gamesave information for old PlayStation games via a $15 adapter. Even PlayStation Portable owners will be able to access the new gaming console through a feature dubbed “Remote Play.” Nintendo’s new game console Wii features controls unlike any other consoles on the market. The Wii is available Nov. 19 and costs $250. took a rolling pin to the GameCube. But what has everyone in the industry atwitter are the Wii’s remote controllers, which are thin and long and have been lauded endlessly by the gaming community. The wireless controllers detect motion, work as pointing devices, vibrate and connect with up to three other controllers, all of which may bring new twists to the gaming experience. Plus, each controller has a speaker. Shaking things up even further, Nintendo eventually will offer the Wii and its remote in a variety of colors, including red, silver and lime green, besides the standard white. The Wii also will be lighter on the wallet than its competitors, clocking in at $249 about half of what an Xbox 360 or basic PS3 (without the bells and whistles) will run you. Also, at least for now, online Wii play will be free. The Wii will be bundled with a sports game (Wii Sports), apparently to take advantage of the controller’s unique capabilities. The company also promises between 20 and 30 game titles available upon the Wii’s release. Expect many of the gaming world staples (the PS3 and Wii share some titles, as game makers are hedging their bets), as well as a Legend of Zelda game and eventually Metroid and Mario titles. The Wii, like the PS3, also will be backward compatible, capable of playing current Nintendo titles. Some news reports indicate that company executives are discussing remaking some of the Nintendo Gamecube titles for the Wii. And fans of the Nintendo DS will not be left out in the cold – they’ll be able to connect wirelessly with the Wii. XBOX 360 HD-DVD DRIVE The long-awaited high-definition DVD drive for the Xbox 360 also is forthcoming. Xbox manufacturer Microsoft announced the drive in January in order to compete with Sony’s inclusion of a Blu-ray DVD player with the PS3. So the two heavyweights of the gaming console world have chosen up sides in the coming Beta vs. VHS type battle for supremacy in the next-generation DVD market - Blu-ray or HD. If you decide to place an early bet on the eventual winner, the HD-DVD drive will set you back $199, significantly cheaper then other standalone HD-DVD drives now on the market. The drive connects to the Xbox 360 console with a USB 2.0 cable and will play current generation DVDs in addition to HD-DVDs. A universal remote also is included. (c) 2006, North Jersey Media Group Inc. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. PAGE 14 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 EXPRESSIONS Blue Man Group brings wild show Nov. 19 BY WALTER TUNIS MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE ments are very tribal sounding,” Buell said. “It’s like hollow bamboo hit on the edge to create these percussive tones. But at the same time, Blue Man utilizes this PVC material to link this ancient percussive element to modern technology.” Of course, having a full electric rock band on hand to support such mayhem onstage doesn’t hurt. When Blue Man Group reprised the “rock manual” idea with a tour of its own in 2003, it brought along a bona fide pop star, Tracy Bonham (of “Mother, Mother” fame). “One thing we try to bring to the show is this sense of connection and coming together one experiences at a rock concert,” Buell said. “Hopefully by the end of the night, the character, the audience, the singer, the drummers – everyone, really – are brought into a sort of unified moment.” In terms of pure pop idealism, that’s a grand notion. But isn’t it odd or at least a little ironic, that the character who initiates the music, the celebrity status and the American Idolgone-alien crowd involvement doesn’t speak, much less sing? “That, I think, is an amazing limitation,” Buell said. “It actually allows for a greater sense of communication. That fact that Roller derby rolls in Jax JENNY CLOCK (C BMP) You half expect to be greeted by silence. After all, there’s a Blue Man on the phone. And if you’ve seen him in action on TV or in commercials, you know this childlike creature with a fondness for percussive devices doesn’t speak – at least not with conventional language. You’re left imagining that on the other end of the line is a speechless, bright-eyed blue visage fascinated but stymied by the questions you pose. Luckily, Zack Buell is on the phone. He is one of about 50 actor-drummers who, with the help of some cobalt grease paint and a wardrobe that would make Johnny Cash beam with pride, bring Blue Man to life in a halfdozen cities around the world. A veteran of Blue Man Group’s Chicago residency, Buell also is one of the touring performers in How to Be a Megastar 2.0, an acted-out “how to” manual on the participatory rites for audiences and artists at rock concerts. You’re saying, “But we know how to act at a rock show. We cheer, scream, drink beer and lose our inhibitions.” Ah, yes. But does Blue Man realize that? “The Blue Man is insatiably curious,” Buell said. “He is willing to try almost anything. As such, there is this egolessness to the character. He doesn’t know what is wrong or inappropriate. Basically, he doesn’t know what the hell is going on. He certainly doesn’t understand these rockshow rituals.” Although Blue Man Group has been a creative entity for nearly 20 years, the Megastar program had its beginnings in the summer of 2002, when a touring version of the ensemble joined Moby and David Bowie on the Area2 Tour. In front of sold-out amphitheaters, Blue Man unveiled its performance manual of requisites of audience movements, such as the proper ways to bob your head or pump your fist. Though intrigued and slightly bewildered by the audience response, Blue Man added to the rock concert vibe by drumming on a series of hollow, cylindrical instruments made out of industrial PVC tubing. And in one of its wilder attempts at musicmaking, Blue Man slammed open-faced pianos with large hammer-shaped mallets - hence the group’s term for such a deployment: piano-smashing. “On one hand, these instru- The Blue Man Group stands in front of one of the percussionary instruments they created. The instrument glows under blacklight. Blue Man doesn’t speak allows for people to make their own connection with what’s happening onstage.” “We poke fun at some of the iconic stars of the day as Blue Man tries to figure out exactly what a rock star is. The character is so innocent that he doesn’t know how to be one. But by the end of the show, he realizes the audience is the true star of the show. That’s because everybody arrives at that same ecstatic place, the wonderful feeling that only comes when everybody is on their feet together, participating in the show and in the vibe.” Blue Man Group will be performing in Jacksonville at Veterans Memorial Stadium Nov 19. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Will Ferrell sinks in ‘Stranger than Fiction’ BY JORDAN NEWMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER BY ROSS BROOKS CONTRIBUTING WRITER After seven months of work, the all-female roller derby team, the First Coast Fatales, played in its first game Sept. 17. boost attendance. The following night, Derby returned to the track, ready to rumble. In the 1950s, television assisted roller derby into a national phenomenon, drawing thousands of fans and making legends out of women challengers like Midge “Toughie” Brasuhn and Gerry Murray, two of women’s roller derby legends. During roller derby’s elevation to the spotlight, both men’s and women’s teams punched it out on the skating rinks. Unfortunately, in 1973, high overhead costs and the gas shortage lead to the demise of roller derby because roller derby was mostly a traveling act, it was difficult for teams to travel and still be able to make a profit, leading to its downfall. With the demise of roller derby in the 1970s, it took a new era of vicious vixens and women’s interest to revive the old sport to what it once was so many years ago. “The First Coast Fatales is a diverse group of women: single moms, feminists, college-educated women and even high-school educated women,” said Rachel “Raemero” Phillips, a senior English major at UNF. “We respect each others’ views and differences, while still respecting each other. We have grown together as a sisterhood.” “Roller derby is amazing,” Vaesa said. “Everyone is so great. It’s like all roller girls are a part of a national sisterhood with all of these amazing women. It’s an honor.” The simplicity of the sport attracts the spectators who can understand the strategy and skill after one game. There are two teams, each have 10 players, with five on the track for each jam or play period. There are three positions: the jammer, or sprint skater, the pivot, and the blocker. The jammer scores points by lapping the other team’s players. The blockers open and close gaps within the pack of girls, which is where all the body contact comes in. There is one pivot on each team that coordinates the traffic. No competitor will let the jammer pass without a fight. Even though roller derby is seen as a rough and tumble sport, the women involved with the First Coast Fatales hope the sport is well received in Jacksonville. The sport relies heavily on volunteers for many jobs such as refereeing, coaches and sponsors. For people interested in volunteering, sponsoring, refereeing and playing in the league, come out or log on to www.myspace.com/firstcoastfatales for more information. E-mail Jordan Newman at [email protected]. If one were to sit down to “Stranger than Fiction” expecting the usual, and often outlandish, improvised comic shtick for which Will Ferrell has become so famous, that person would be greatly disappointed. Instead, the film leans much more towards a tragic comedy wherein Ferrell’s role as the funny man is greatly diminished, limiting him to more of a dead-pan style of comedy, resulting in only a few of the hilarious and unscripted outbursts for which Ferrell is so well known. The film centers around Harold Crick, an IRS auditor played by Ferrell, who lives a life run by routine and his wrist watch. Crick brushes each one of his teeth 78 times every morning, goes to work at 7:15 a.m., and retires to sleep alone every night by 11:13 p.m. Crick remains unflinching in his daily schedule, until he is surprised by a woman’s narrating voice describing his mundane actions to him in a voice that only he can hear. After Crick discovers the voice’s intention to kill him, the film’s pacing begins to slow down. The beginning was quickpaced, with multiple elements of Crick’s life presented to the audience in quick succession, but the middle of the film is comparatively slow. A love interest named Ana Pascal, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, gets introduced when Crick comes to audit her taxes. Pascal owns a bakery that caters to a very progressive, granola, anti-government clientele, and the unlikely couple soon falls in love. It is at this point that Crick also meets Professor Jules Hilbert, an English literature theorist who tries to help him uncover who the narrator is and why she would want COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES SAM GREENWOOD As she rolled up to her teammates drenched in sweat, exhausted and utterly exuberated, Angie “Sweet Revenge” Vaesa, a former reservationist for Student Life at University of North Florida, reminisced upon a time when she sat upon a friend’s crooked stoop discussing how she wanted to start an allgirl roller derby league in Jacksonville. A couple months down the road, she met with Katie “Auntie Venom” Penna, the local president of the First Coast Fatales, on Craig’s List, an online network of free classified advertisements. After numerous meetings, loads of research and countless hours of effort, roller derby in Jacksonville was finally on the map. Most roller derby leagues aspire to accomplish their first game within the first year. However, the First Coast Fatales accomplished this in only seven months; their first game was Sept. 17. “I was so nervous that day, that I barely ate anything,” Vaesa said. “But the moment I saw my friend from the stoop in the crowd, I thought to myself, I cannot believe this is really happening. This is really happening.” The First Coast Fatales is the latest rendition of a sport with more than seven decades of history and that, during the height of its popularity, had scores of teams across the nation. During the worst of the Great Depression, a Chicago promoter named Leo Seltzer came up with the idea of a skating spectacle to compete with the dance marathon craze that was sweeping the country. Legend has it, however, that the “true” Roller Derby surfaced in Miami in 1938, when famed New York sportswriter Damon Runyan saw a few of the skating contestants tangled up during the race. Runyan suggested to Seltzer that body contact and keeping score might Will Ferrell plays Harold Crick in Paramount Pictures’ new comedy. him dead. The film keeps on its meandering pace, slowly building up to Crick finally tracking down the elusive and recluse novelist and narrator, Kay Eiffel, played by Emma Thompson. In the scene where the two finally meet, Eiffel explains to Crick that she has already written out his death scene, and hands over the text to Crick. A very powerful and moving performance follows wherein Crick has to grapple with the very real portents of his future. The film slows down yet again after this point, to help build both suspense and remorse over Crick’s seemingly sealed fate. Unfortunately, the suspense and expectations that the film builds up only end up getting subverted and substituted for an ending all too often seen in modern tragic comedies. The concept for the film is both unique and ambitious. However, its often dawdling pace, along with its disappointing ending, make “Stranger than Fiction” a movie to be seen on video, if at all. E-mail Ross Brooks at [email protected]. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 Unexpected social advice may this week strain family relations. Loved ones are now March 21 - April 20 h i g h l y m o t ivat e d to offer their wisdom concerning complex emotional triangles. Remain patient and accept all comments as constructive: genuine affection is the underlying motive. After Wednesday, business relations may be briefly complicated with faulty financial information. Yesterday's documents and unreliable records are accented: carefully resolve all outstanding disputes. Authority figures will respond to creative suggestion. Openly discuss controversial ideas or recent policy changes and watch for April 21 - May 20 steady progress: key officials will ask for greater input, reverse unpopular decisions or reassign team leadership. Someone close may wish to explore a new level of emotional intimacy. Be receptive, long-term romantic relationships will need to deepen or include plans of relocation. Business routines will this week demand careful planning. New assignments and revised instructions will soon take precedence. Job opporMay 21 - June 21 tunities will dramatically expand in the coming weeks. Listen closely to the needs or opinions of authority figures: minor errors or vague requests may cause unnecessary tensions between colleagues. Social and romantic passions intensify. Serious commitments or renewed promises may be expected: don't hesitate. Financial promises or rare money proposals may trigger key decisions. Areas affected are private June 22 - July 22 business ventures, ownership, legal records or property agreements. Stay balanced and probe for detailed answers: all will work in your favor. Highlight fast social changes and new obligations. A friend or relative may require advice concerning strained home relationships. Offer fresh ideas: patience will prove invaluable. PAGE 15 remain quietly diplomatic. Lasha Seniuk’s Workplace gossip and romantic speculation are best avoided. At present, misinformation may lead to strained relations. Close colJuly 23 - Aug. 22 leagues will expect loyalty and continuing support. Rely on past promises and emotional agreements for guidance. After mid-week, loved ones may express a desire for social excitement or new home routines. Several weeks of isolation and low self-esteem need to end. Offer creativity and wisdom: your advice will be appreciated. Long-term relationships will now experience a brief but intense phase of questioning and social discussion. Loved ones Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 ask may for more time, consideration or patience. Set firm boundaries and expect honest reactions: your emotional cues will be respected. A complex business problem may be quickly resolved. Study past documents for controversial dates, deadlines and legal obligations. Remain focused: vital mistakes may soon be uncovered. Physical intimacy will help move relationships forward. Passionate encounters and seduction are Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 now a key theme. Some Libras will soon redefine key friendships and greatly expand long-term romantic obligations. Expect fast proposals and renewed vitality: friends and lovers are now dedicated to a rekindled faith in love and reliable social promises. A roommate or close relative may discuss potential career changes: Romantic attraction is now unavoidable. Expect new colleagues or friends to offer coy flirtations and Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 s e d u c t iv e invitations. Stay calm. Social complications will increase: ask for added time and closely examine all consequences. Minor workplace disputes may quickly escalate. Key officials or trusted clients may soon demand a written account of past decisions or recent events. Younger relatives may this week ask for continued financial or emotional support. Educational planning, job Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 creation or lifestyle choices may all be accented. Offer concrete suggestions: practical duties, regulations and official requirements will soon help clarify difficult decisions. Love relationships may experience a brief but intense phase of public discussion. Family obligations, social triangles and complex home plans are accented: stay open to fast proposals. Social or family decisions will now be proven accurate. Watch for loved ones to offer unique insights into their private activities, hopes or longDec. 22 - Jan. 20 term goals. Discuss all complex issues and allow extra time for emotional expression. Passions may be high. Business obligations and daily routines will require pub- lic debate. Colleagues and officials may demand unusual policy changes: don't hesitate to challenge unrealistic proposals. Family gatherings will this week provide new opportunities for inclusion. Isolated or distrustful relatives may now opt for emotionJan. 21 - Feb. 19 al bonding, family progress or social acceptance. Respond with gentle acknowledgement: new habits and improved attitudes are best slowly explored. A long-term friend may reveal a new job offer or announce unexpected plans for relocation. Managers and colleagues may this week quickly criticize small mistakes. Take none of it personally. Minor business disputes Feb. 20 - March 20 may be unavoidable. Remain quietly determined: ongoing workplace tensions or power struggles will soon be resolved. Loved ones may propose unique travel ventures, extended leisure activities or rare social events. Go slow: a thorough discussion of short-term plans will soon reveal deeper issues. (c) 2006, Tribune Media Services, Inc. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. PAGE 16 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 EARN UP TO $5,000 A WK INCOME Sell magazine ad space and financial services part time from your home or office. For full details, No start-up investment, Call: Dr. Israel Fagbemi D.B.A., Ph.D 775-333-1125 or 702-430-9958 or 416-9035685. www.gate4deal.com RESTAURANT STAFF WANTED for new restaurant and bar opening at Beach and Kernan Blvds. F/T, P/T, evening, late night Hostesses, Servers, Bartenders, Cooks, Kitchen Help, Doorman. Contact Thomas 904-566-6538 HELP WANTED BARTENDERS WANTED! $250/day Potential. No experience necessary. Training provided. 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Spacious, quiet, gated community on St Johns River. Interested for immediate response. Call 850 982 0410 FOR SALE GMC JIMMY FOR SALE 1988, 4 WD, good condition. $1200 OBO For more information please call 904-725-6482 JOIN THE SPINNAKER STAFF, BUILD YOUR RESUME, GET PAID The Spinnaker is looking for a managing editor, discourse editor and distributor for the Spring semester. Please contact Jenna Strom at 620-2727 or stop by Bldg. 14, room 2627 for an application. The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow. In a 9 by 9 square Sudoku game: every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9. PAGE 17 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 BY HOLLI WELCH SPORTS EDITOR The University of North Florida’s fall sports season, according to the coaching staff, conference standings, and over all records, came together in one word: success. The men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women's cross country and volleyball teams completed their 2006 seasons, all finishing in the top eight of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The women’s cross country team ran to second place of the A-Sun Conference, and the men’s team finished fifth. The women’s soccer and volleyball squads finished third in the conference. “This season has been very successful,” said Carmen Watley, women’s soccer assistant coach. “The team played really well and showed that they can play with any team in the conference.” Volleyball head coach Bryan Bunn agreed. “I was very proud of the team’s performance and the resulting record,” he said. The team recorded its 16th winning record for the Ospreys, finishing the season 18-15. The season was also the best year with fans, according to the men’s soccer head coach Ray Bunch. “We were very fortunate to have lots of students come out to our games. The team really appreciated it.” Closing victories Each Osprey team recorded wins as the season came to a close, many finishing with back-to-back wins. The men’s soccer team defeated Palm Beach Atlantic University 5-0, followed by a final victory over Flagler College 3-1. “We came back from playing Duke and won every game,” Bunch said. “It was rewarding to see how they learned and improved. I’ve seen tremendous improvement from beginning to end.” The cross country team ended on a high note at the ASun Conference Championships, with the women finishing second, after taking first at the Furman Invitational. The men’s team recorded its second highest finish of the season, grabbing fifth at the race. Soaring through the rumble With the close of the fall seasons, UNF sits well ahead of cross town rival Jacksonville University in the River City Rumble, 5-1. For the volleyball team, this victory was at the top of its season goals. “We met many of our goals,” Bunn said.“The team played really well against JU and we beat them twice.” For the women’s soccer team, the game was a highlight of the season. “The match against JU was one of the proudest moments all season,” Watley said. “They wanted it so bad and played hard till the end.” The team finished 3-1 to gain the second point of the rumble. The volleyball team took a 3-0 victory over Jacksonville University, followed by a 3-1 win to finish the season. Farewell seniors The end of the season brings the end of collegiate careers for many UNF athletes, a fact that the coaches are not looking forward to. “It will be tough to replace our seniors,” Bunn said. “Many of them were four-year or three-year starters. That’s experience that is hard to lose. We are going to miss them.” Watley agreed.“We had 10 seniors at the end of the season, It is a huge graduating class and a big loss; they provided a lot of leadership on and off the field.” Welcome spring training Though the season is over, the training continues. The athletes will hit the weights as soon as Winter break is over, if not earlier. For the teams, this will provide a great foundation for the future. The teams cannot participate in much weight training during the season, for fear of injury. The training season, however, allows time to build up stamina and endurance that will help on the field, according to Bunch. E-mail Holli Welch at [email protected]. IL LU ST RA TI ON : JE N QU IN N PAGE 18 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 SPORTS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Ospreys open new rivalry against Gators, fall in first attempt Nov. 9 Volleyball 3, Jacksonville University 0 Nov. 10 Women’s basketball 37, University of Florida 78 BY JEREMIE CANTON Men’s basketball 53, St. Johns University 74 CONTRIBUTING WRITER Nov. 11 Swimming and diving 91, College of Charleston 151; Swimming and diving 203, Florida A&M University 11 Volleyball 3, Stetson 1 Men’s basketball 50, Loyola College of Maryland 65 Nov. 14 COURTESY OF MEDIA RELATIONS Offensive struggles hindered the University of North Florida women’s basketball team in its season-opener against the Florida Gators. The Ospreys dropped to 0-1 by a final score of 78-37 before a crowd of 1,107 Nov. 10 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville. “We turned the ball over 30 times, shot 25 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from the foul line,” said Head Coach Mary Tappmeyer. “You’re not going to win many games playing like that.” The Gators allowed 14 turnovers, shot 45.2 percent from the field and nearly 70 percent from the foul line. North Florida, however, shot a better threepoint percentage than their opponents, recording 31.3 over Florida’s 27.3. Senior guard Tamara Hubbard hit the first three-pointer within the first minute of the game to give UNF a 3-0 lead. Hubbard finished the game 2-4 for three-pointers. Gators forward Marshae Dotson and guard Kim Dye, scored the next nine points for Florida to take an 11-3 lead over the Ospreys. Sophomore guard Jennifer Bowen answered back with another three-point shot with over 16 minutes remaining in the first half, closing the lead to 11-6. But they never fully recovered. The Gators took advantage of the Ospreys’ scoring struggles, and ended the first half with a 37-17 lead. The second half brought the same results and resulted in a 41-point lead for Florida. The team learned about the level of intensity that is needed to play on the Division 1 level, according to Tappmeyer. “We started out good for the first five minutes and played well for the last five minutes, but we have to maintain that same intensity for 40 minutes,” she said. Hubbard led the Ospreys in scoring with Head coach Mary Tappmeyer looks on as the women’s basketball team falls behind the University of Florida, 78-37. The Ospreys led the game with three point shots and rebounds. eight points, while Bowen and freshman guard Tiffany Williams followed with five points each. The Gators had four players with double figures in points, including Dye, who led all players with 13. North Florida sophomore center, Antoinette Reames, led the game in rebounds, with 11. Jennifer Guldager and freshman Shandrea Moore followed with four rebounds each. North Florida will suit up again Nov. 17 to compete in the Lancer Tournament against first-round opponent New Jersey Tech at 1 p.m. Men’s basketball 40, University of Florida 86 Nov. 17 Women’s basketball vs. New Jersey Tech at Lancer Invitational, 8 p.m. THE NUMBERS 76-37: Final score of Ospreys first match-up against Gators Swimming and diving at Davidson College 31.3%: Osprey’s Leading threepoint percentage for game Nov. 18 Women’s basketball vs. Longwood University / Norfolk State University at Lancer Invitational 8: Leading score for Ospreys by senior Tamara Hubbard 11: Leading rebounds by sophomore Antoinette Reames Swimming and diving at Davidson College E-mail Jeremie Canton at [email protected]. Nov. 19 Men’s basketball vs. Concordia College – New York, 1 p.m. SWIMMING & DIVING Freshman sets university record to lead home meet BY NATALIE NGUYEN ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR E-mail Natalie Nguyen at [email protected]. In Brief SPORTS Tennis completes fall schedule with wins at UNF Invitational COURTESY OF MEDIA RELATIONS The University of North Florida women’s swimming and diving team recorded split results in its first home meet of the season. The team took a win over Florida A&M University, 203-11, but fell to the College of Charleston, 151-91. The University of New Orleans was also scheduled to compete at the UNF meet, but canceled due to travel difficulties. For Head Coach Beth Harrell, the meet showcased the change and progress of the Osprey team. “The freshmen really stepped up,” Harrell said. “They did a better job here at home compared to the first meet because they were really nervous then.” Freshman Justine Kane swam into the UNF record books during the meet for the 200-yard butterfly. Kane placed eighth on the record standings with a time of 2:12.90. Freshman Maria Bianchi captured the win for the 200yard individual medley at 2:14.17, a finish she was very happy with. “I was really surprised with my time,” Bianchi said. “I dropped three seconds from last week.” Bianchi hopes to break 2:10 by the end of the season. She was followed in the event by freshman Krissy Harms in third with a time of 2:16.72. Junior Krysten Nemecek also finished in first, recording a time of 2:27.82 in the 200-yard breaststroke. Senior swimmer Lindsey McKelvey turned in a third place finish for the Ospreys in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 54.93, a close finish to her personal best time of 54.60 during the Pacific Coast Swimming Championship. “I knew I had to work on fast turns and breathing for this meet,” McKelvey said. “I’m really happy with my times and how close it came to breaking my personal best.” Senior Chelsea Lewis finished hundredths behind McKelvey, with a 54.96 in the event. As a team, UNF finished second in both relay races, following close behind Charleston in the 400-yard medley relay as well as the 400yard freestyle relay. UNF finished three seconds behind Charleston in both events. Although Coach Harrell was satisfied with the results, Harrell knew that the season is still early and that the team is still developing. “We spent the first month getting the kids in shape,” Harrell said. “We needed to create more front end speed for this meet and we had five swimmers who didn’t compete for various injuries and regulations. Next semester we should get those five swimmers back.” Swimming and diving at Davidson College Sophomore Katrina Johnson assisted the University of North Florida in the 500-yard freestyle. The team defeated Florida A&M University but was defeated by the College of Charleston. The University of North Florida finished its fall season with the UNF Invitational Nov. 10-12. Andres Monje defeated Colin van der Hil of Troy University to win the B consolation match, 6-1, 6-2. Matias Sigal fell to Irving Morales from Troy University in the final A match, 6-1, 6-2. Natalia Sanchez lost in the semifinals of the singles A match against Alison Adamski from St. John’s College, 7-5, 6-4. The women’s doubles teams fell in both the final A and B matches. There were over 10 universities competing in the Invitational. The women head back to the court Jan. 26, opening their spring season against Georgia Southern. Feb. 3 marks the beginning for the men, who will take on the College of Charleston. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 PAGE 19 SPORTS FROM THE CHEAP SEATS Drama of college football The “Bitter Cry of (No. 3 school) Scandal” has reared its ugly head again in college football. The annual soap opera drama of who deserves to play for the national championship, and who got hosed is about as predictable as professional wrestling. The obvious solution is to convert to a playoff format, but the stakeholders that make profits from the current system are hanging on for all they're worth. What's ironic is that if a playoff system were to occur, there would be more combined revenue than ever dreamed of. I'm inclined to think that an NCAA football tournament would eventually exceed the popularity of the current NCAA basketball tournament, which is simply outstanding. I love the fact that we have four undefeated teams this late in the season, for it emphasizes the need for a change. You can't convince me that Rutgers or even Boise State don't deserve a chance to compete with the big boys. George Mason proved last year that everyone deserves a shot. The "bigger and better" conferences have just as many "automatic" wins in the lower tiers as everyone else. Where was the outcry when Ohio State struggled against Illinois? What about Michigan being tested by Ball State, a team that's not even at the top of the MAC? The ACC has their Dukes, the SEC has their Mississippi schools; the Big 10, the Big 12 and the PAC 10 all have their warts. It's gotten to the point where a good program is better off being idle in a week rather than playing a lesser game. While the computer formulas used to rank teams are logical, they are flawed when comparing the intangibles and human element. “ Elliot Darkatsh Director, Marketing and Promotions There are simply some things in sports that cannot be quantified. Everyone disagrees, the BCS did not live up to expectations, and so we need a new system; a playoff format doesn't even have to be 64 teams, it could be simply 16. Take the six conference winners and 10 at-large bids, and everybody should be happy. Yes, some schools would still be left out, but it's better than what we have now. The current bowl sites would still be used as regional sites, very similar to basketball. The championship location can still rotate, as it does now. The computers and polls would still determine rankings through criteria such as record, strength of schedule, etc., and from the rankings seeding would be determined. Does this sound ridiculously easy to anyone else? Not only would this create more post-season excitement, it would also decrease the ever growing number of insignificant bowls. Most bowl opponents are not even picked based on the success of their season, but by which school's fans travel better (ensuring a full stadium). That just makes cents, but not sense. There is simply no valid rationale as to why there is not a playoff in Division I-A college football. All the arguments against it are contradicted by the fact that a successful playoff system works for Division II. For the good of the game, just “Git-R-Done!” Disclaimer: The opinions offered here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the university or its Athletics Dept. E-mail Elliot Darkatsh at [email protected]. ROBERT K. PIETRZYK “They are flawed when comparing the intangibles and human element.” Fans cheer blue and gray The University of North Florida played in a game of firsts Nov. 14 against the University of Florida. This was the first top-ranked team the Ospreys faced in Division I and their first Southeastern Conference opponent. The game was televised on channel 51 and fans gathered at local watch parties to show their spirit. The Ospreys went into the second half 20-38 and finished the game falling 86-40 to the Gators. COACH AND ATHLETE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK Lindsey McKelvey, Swimming "The 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay." Coach Beth Harrell, Swimming "Seeing the gain of confidence in our freshmen." Jen Bowen, Women’s Basketball “It [Florida game] was really cool because they have a big crowd and it was great playing an SEC team." Jaclyn Taricska, Women’s Basketball “The opportunity to play an SEC school and experience that competition level.” Maria Bianchi, Swimming "The 200 IM [individual medley], I've been really looking forward to it." PAGE 20 SPINNAKER Advertisement WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006