Got caffeine? - UMKC WordPress (info.umkc.edu)
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Got caffeine? - UMKC WordPress (info.umkc.edu)
www.unews.com INSIDE February 22,2010 Courtwarming calendar page 7 Alexia Stout-Lang Ghost hunters page 2 Got caffeine? News Editor Nikki Bomgardner I Vol. 77, Issue 22 Staff Writer t’s the night before your big test. You would have studied earlier, but “things” just got in the way. You have eight hours and counting to cram this knowledge into your head, saving your scholarships and really the world when you think about it. (One of these days you might be in charge and that information could come in handy.) The only problem is you can’t keep your eyes open. What do you do? For most students, the answer is simple – reach for some caffeine. For some its energy drinks and for others soda pop or coffee does the trick when sleepiness has come knocking on the door. Chris Grey, Liberal Arts major, said he can vouch for the effectiveness of energy drinks. “They only work for a brief while,” Grey said. “But they work, they work.” He only reaches for energy drinks about once a month and often uses them as drink mixers. But Jenni Branhan, senior in Liberal Arts, noted other students rely on the containers full of energy a little too much. “People try to rely on them too much and then you may be- come dependent,” Branhan said. “Hurts more than it helps.” The possible effects of energy drinks are what keeps Jamie Walsh, senior in Communication Studies, from drinking them. “I don’t drink energy drinks,” Walsh said. “I am a little worried about what will happen to me. I don’t know why. I drink coffee.” For many of those who have not developed a taste for energy drinks, coffee seems to be the staple. “They only work for a brief while. But they work, they work.” Caffeine content of major energy drinks Name Ounces Caffeine (MG) 180 8.2 90 5-Hour Energy 2 138 6-Hour Power 2 125 AMP Black Tea 16 180 AMP Green Tea 16 155 AMP Lighting 16 160 AMP Overdrive 16 159 Brewed coffee 8 108 Coca-Cola 12 35 Expresso 1.5 77 Full Throttle Berry 16 144 Full Throttle Agave 16 144 Full Throttle Mocha 16 128 Full Throttle Citrus 16 144 Jolt Endurance 2 200 Monster 16 160 Red Bull 8.4 80 Rockstar Juiced 16 160 SoBe No Fear 16 174 Starbucks tall coffee 12 260 Stats from www.energyfiend.com . Melissa Oribhabor Assistant News. Editor Possible changes to scholarships for Missouri college students awarded through the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program went to a vote Feb. 11 in the Missouri Legislature and failed. Currently, students attending private colleges/universities can receive up to $4,600 a year while students attending public schools receive up to $2,150 per year. A new bill was introduced in the Missouri General Assembly for a second time proposing balancing the financial support for public and private colleges. Under the bill proposed by Sen. Kurt Shaefer, R-Columbia, and Rep. Gayle Kingery, RPoplar Bluff, the most Access Missouri could award would be set at $2,850 a year. “Students who attend private institutions are currently eligible for more than twice the funding of those who choose to attend public institutions” CHRIS GREY Student Brittany Rardin, senior in Communication Studies, said she lives off of it. Katie Kline, lecturer in the English department, always has coffee close at hand. “I drink coffee a lot – all the time,” Kline said. “If I went without it, I would have a raging headache.” Energy drinks, sodas and brewed favorites are available at locations around campus. Jesse Pisors, general manager of Sodexo/UMKC Dining Services, said brewed and espresso coffee creations sell better than energy drinks. “Red Bull is awesome and No change to scholarship distribution GARY FORSEE University of Missouri System President Photo NATHAN LANG AND ALEXIA STOUT-LANG AMP will get you going, but our customers more often prefer their favorite brewed drink or individualized espresso beverage,” Pisors said. “Justin Hofstetter, a graduate Education student and our star barista at the UMKC Café, has a customer who comes occasionally for a carmel macchiato with hazelnut and extra carmel. I think customers often enjoy the experience of a personalized drink made by a friendly, talented barista more than a bottled beverage – no matter how much energy is in that bottle.” ““I drink coffee a lot – all the time. If I went without it, I would have a raging headache.” KATIE KLINE Lecturer in the English department Starbucks coffee is brewed at the UMKC Café (University Center), Café à la cart (Miller Nichols Library) and the Hospital Hill Café (first floor of the Health Sciences Building). Einstein Bros. sells its branded “darn good” coffee blends in Royall Hall. And Roasterie Coffee, a Kansas City original, is served up at Smart Market in Oak Street Residence Hall, the Union Cafeteria in the U-Center and at catered events. “From mochas to macchiatos and from triple-shot espressos (yikes!) to vanilla lattes, espresso-based beverages, both hot and cold, are created by talented baristas at the UMKC Café, Einstein Bros. Bagel and the Hospital Hill Café,” Pisors added. Not to leave the energy drinkers out, a variety of canned and bottled options can be found at the UMKC Café/Frëshens in the U-Center, Smart Market, Café à la cart and the Hospital Hill Café. Pisors said he has not measured specifically, but there is a slight increase in coffee and energy drink sales just before final exams. He offered a piece of advice for students. “I would add that energy drinks have an important place in the college student’s life – and I speak from personal experience,” Pisors said. “But there is no substitute for a balanced diet, sufficient rest and regular exercise.” For more information about the amount of caffeine in beverages, visit www.caffeinefiend.com. For a little fun, visit www. energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine, select your favorite energy drink, enter your weight and it will tell you exactly how many energy drinks you would have to consume before you “push up the daisies” – die that is. alang@unews.com nbomgardner@unews.com Governor Jay Nixon supported the bill saying since the money comes from taxpayers, it should be distributed evenly. University of Missouri System President Gary Forsee also supported the new bill. “Students who attend private institutions are currently eligible for more than twice the funding of those who choose to attend public institutions,” Forsee said. “The governor is on the right track to make this a fair and balanced financial aid program that will improve access to higher education for all students.” If the bill had passed it would have gone into effect in 2014, but many private universities, as well as Missouri’s higher education boards, spoke in opposition to the legislation. Gerald T. Brouder, president of Columbia College, a private college in Columbia, Mo., expressed his concerns with the proposal. “Lowering the amount of funds available to needy, but qualified students choosing to be educated at an independent college or university will put a significant hardship on them and squander a great opportunity for the state,” Brouder said. When this bill was proposed last year, it failed in the Missouri Senate and never made it out of the Chamber of Commerce to be voted on in the House of Representatives. This time the legislation was brought to a vote, Coordinating Board Chairman Lowell Kruse was the lone vote in favor. “Conditions have changed dramatically since the award amounts were established,” Kruse said in a statement posted on the Missouri Department of High Education’s Web site. “State support for public institutions is not at the level that was anticipated at the time and they are struggling. I know we’re all in favor of higher education, no matter where it takes place. The question is how to proceed deliberately and fairly.” The current terms of the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program are set to expire in 2013, leaving an opportunity for similar legislation in the future. Visit http://dhe.mo.gov for more information about the Access Missouri Program. moribhabor@unews.com 2 News February 22,2010 www.unews.com Ghost hunters: They exist Patrick Shami Staff Writer Most people don’t believe in ghosts, but many are still interested in the thrill associated with paranormal activity. Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption UMKC student Melissa McGrath is certainly not a skeptic when it comes to ghost hunting. “Ghost hunting became a hobby of mine when I started taking classes at Wentworth Junior College in my hometown of Lexington, Mo.,” McGrath said. “It’s a military academy that has been around for a long time and is pretty famous for its paranormal activity.” For her, any ghost hunt only involves “patience and a camera.” Like most hunters, she looks for haunted places or places with reported paranormal activity. “There’s so much activity that it feels alive when you’re there [at Wentworth],” she said. “The energy is unexplainable.” One specific account of paranormal activity came from that campus. “I think it was my first time working with this group at Wentworth when my friend purchased a brand new battery for her laptop and fully charged it before she set it up to capture video in Hickman Hall,” McGrath said. “We were going to let the video camera run while we were working in the high school building and we would retrieve it once we were done there. We only ended up being gone from the laptop about 30 minutes. And when we came back, the battery was dead and the laptop had shut.” She explained one of the military cadets had hung himself in that room and, of course, the dead zone is right at that spot. “Whenever you go in there and you stand right in front/below of where he was cut down, your camera will not work. Step to the left, it works. Step to the right, it works too. The first time I experienced this I had to leave the building.” McGrath said she has always been interested in paranormal activity since she was a kid. Many people wonder about life after death and she believes ghost hunting can offer answers to those kinds of questions. So, she loves to share her experiences with others. “It’s important for people to think of what waits for us beyond this life and to be aware of those who might still be lingering here with us.” pshami@unews.com Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption Confronting terrorism Kate Lawler Staff Photographer Terrorism was the topic of discussion at the UMKC School of Law last Monday. In conjunction with the International Relations Council, Alliance Fancaise and the Edward A. Smith Brian K. Fletcher Fund, the Law School hosted guest speaker Judge JeanLouis Bruguiere, chief Counter-Terrorism Investigative Judge in France. Bruguiere also works with the United States in counter terrorism efforts. “I represent Europe and England to the United States concerning very sensitive programs – namely terrorist finance programs,” Brugiere said. “The goal of this program is to use and expose all financial messages.” Jeffery Thomas, the Law School’s associate dean for International Affairs, shed light on some of Bruguiere’s accomplishments and qualifications. “One of the most interesting things for me was to learn that he was actually involved in the capture of Carlos the Jackal, a notorious terrorist,” Thomas said. “He was the judge in the case of UTA flight 772 which was lost in an attack over the Sahara desert in 1989. He Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption also prepared a controversial and important report on the 1994 assassination of the Rwandan president.” Bruguiere examined the difference between his title as an investigative judge and a judge in the United States. As an investigative judge in France, he has more involvement in cases. “I have two capabilities,” he said. “I can conduct the cases and control the police, but as a judge I can issue on my own all the warrants. It is a very flexible system. With national and international relations, as the chief investigative judge, I can give orders directly, even by cell phone and say to the police, ‘You have to search,’ just as an example.” During the lecture, Bruguiere commented on the Dec. 25 attempted attack by Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. “The last incident, the Christmas day incident, brought light on the fact that the threat coming from Al Qaeda is not behind us but always, unfortunately, before us,” he said. In addition to this comment, Bruguiere also touched upon political cooperation needed within the United States. “The Christmas day incident has been used as a political dispute in this country,” he said. “But, I consider, personally, that it is very, very dangerous to use and manipulate such a sensitive issue as a terrorist threat in a political dispute. The political issue should always be separate.” Attendee Walt Clements, director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center at UMKC’s Bloch School of Business, said he learned from Bruguiere’s lecture. “One of the most important parts was how vast that terrorism has spread in the subtle fashions throughout Internet and everything else,” Clements said. “How widespread it really is.” Bruguiere concluded the lecture on a more personal note, re-instilling a point he raised early on. “I know that in this very fine country, in the state of Missouri, maybe you are not very aware of what could be dangerous for you in a terrorist threat,” he said, “But as a matter of fact, Al Qaeda is increasing its pressure and it poses vital and critical threats. And that is the reason why in this state and others we need to have the same consciousness of threats. We should share, we have to share what we consider a very big threat for all of us.” klawler@unews.com Get turned on ... Become a fan on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! @UNewsScoop Visit www.unews.com to the U-News! www.unews.com 3 News February 22,2010 Ultra light bicycle coming to life Jason Patterson Photos JASON PATTERSON Top: Joe Terrqieuz, Brian Richman and Sean Robertson Middle: Bottom: Staff Writer In the Old Maintenance Building on the north side of Flarsheim Hall, a team of engineering students are designing and building a cutting-edge bicycle. This is no ordinary bicycle though. It is for the American Society of Mechanical Engineer’s Human Powered Vehicle Challenge. Each year, engineering students from universities across America design, analyze and build a human powered vehicle. These competitions allow students to apply the solid engineering practices they learn in school to build efficient, reliable and sustainable modes of transportation. Each entry is judged based on four areas — a design event, a drag race event, a utility endurance event and a speed endurance event. Scores from each event are totaled to obtain the overall score for each vehicle class and a winner is named. The team from UMKC has entered this competition for the last several years using a variety of designs. But this year, the team has taken a radically different approach to building its entry. Previously, the teams have built a bicycle with a frame build out of chromoly steel or aluminum tubing. This year, the students are experimenting with the use of hand-laid carbon fiber sheets over a ridged foam core. “The use of this technology can be found in most racing applications so it was only natural that the team use it,” said Joe Terriquez, senior in Mechanical Engineering and team project manager. “Because of the use of strong, lightweight materials, the team should be able to travel faster and for greater distances using the same amount of energy as before.” A lot of thought has gone into improving the efficiency of the bicycle. Each part has been designed in the 3-D modeling software Solidworks. This allows the team to test its designs on the computer and make adjustments before building. Senior Jerry Duru designed the fairing to cover the bicycle during the event. He then was able to create a scaled-down version out of ABS plastic using the university’s recently-purchased Rapid Prototyping Machine. By making a prototype, Duru was able to put his design in a wind tunnel to verify its aerodynamic characteristics without building a full-size version, saving time and money. The team recently finished its first frame using the new material and has begun the assembly process of the bicycle. The students want to get in as much testing time here at UMKC as possible, working out all the kinks in their design to ensure there are no issues at the competition. The team will travel to the University of Central Connecticut May 5-7 for the competition. For more information, visit http:// sce.umkc.edu/cme/students/hpv/. jpatterson@unews.com 4 News February 22,2010 www.unews.com ERNEST HEMINGWAY’S SIGNATURE by ALEXIA STOUT-LANG Tr e a s u r e s a r c h i v e d f o r d i s c o v e r y Could i please have a deck to fill this space Ernest Hemingway is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century. The American author and journalist lived a troubled life, from July 21, 1899 to July 2, 1961. During his life, he published seven novels, two works of non-fiction and six collections of short stories. Among his more famous works is “A Farewell to Arms,” a semi-autobiographical novel about an American serving as an ambulance driver in the Italian army during World War I. A signed copy of “A Farewell to Arms” can be found at the Miller Nichols Library. The book is believed to have been a gift to the doctor who delivered one of Hemingway’s children. An inscription in the front reads, “To Dr. Don Carlos Guffy with much admiration and grateful remembrance of a caesarian that was beautifully done and turned out splendidly. Ernest H.” The writing is quite sloppy. A note below the inscription explains the slovenly handwriting. “Written with the left hand due to fracture to the right humerus with open deduction,” it reads. The date on the page is 1929. To view the signature of the famous author, visit the LaBudde Special Collections on the fourth f loor of the Miller Nichols Library. Or go online to http://library.umkc.edu/speccol-home. alang@unews.com A&S seeks ombudsperson Beatriz Velasco Contributing Writer The School of Arts & Sciences is currently looking for a faculty ombudsperson, a person who investigates concerns. Dr. Ronald A. MacQuarrie, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and vice provost for Academic Affairs, said the person who fills the position will serve as advisor to faculty members who have concerns about policy applications and implementations. MacQuerrie said the ombudsperson will also help faculty resolve personnel, workload and other issues that affect them directly in a more informal way. UMKC currently has a formal grievance processes to help faculty members deal with these kinds of concerns. MacQuerrie said the grievance policy involves a committee that reviews the information of concern, meets with faculty members, does an investigation and finally makes a recommendation. “This is someone who will work on behalf of the faculty member.” DR. RONALD A. MACQUARRIE Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and vice provost for Academic Affairs “The ombudsperson will be a trusted faculty member who is very knowledgeable about the university’s procedures and process- es, about university offices and administrative structure and who will be able to provide the faculty member with guidance, with information and recommendations as to how address the concerns,” MacQuerrie said. “This is someone who will work on behalf of the faculty member.” UMKC has never had an ombudsperson in the past. MacQuerrie said the ombudsperson will have access to administrative information to which faculty members may not normally have access. He or she will be able to see files and personnel information and will be able to access the administrative structure more freely than faculty members can, MacQuerrie said. bvelasco@unews.com SIFE Financial Corner Jason Slieter, a Spanish and Nursing major, asked, ”How does graduate school funding differ from undergraduate funding?” As an undergraduate student you are eligible for many funding options. They include Pell Grants, scholarships, government-sponsored subsidized and unsubsidized student loans and private student loans. Subsidized loans are where the government pays the interest on the loans while you are in school. On the other hand, unsubsidized loans have the option to have the accrued interest added to the principal of the loan during school or you can pay the interest as you go. Currently, the maximum you can receive a year in Pell Grant is $5,500 and the maximum amount of governmentsponsored student loans you can accumulate is $57,500. Although there is no limit to the amount of private student loans you can accrue. As a graduate student, you are no longer eligible for the Pell Grant. But the limit for government student loans is raised to $138,500, with no more than $65,500 being subsidized. One method for graduate students to pay for college is to work at a university assisting in research, grading papers or teaching a lab. Usually these positions waive a portion of your tuition plus pay you a monthly stipend. Please e-mail your financial questions to UMKCSIFE@yahoo.com. Newshound? University News Employment Perks: • • • • Earn cold hard cash Enhance your resume Improve your writing skills Opportunity for job advancement All UMKC students welcome! University News • (816) 235-1393 • info@unews.com 5 News www.unews.com February 22,2010 Students capture work of code officer Lydia Strong Staff Writer Ryan Kasper-Cushman doesn’t usually get much attention for his job as a city code officer with the Kansas City Neighborhood Preservation Office. But last semester, four UMKC students captured the essence of his work in a short documentary. “You know, they had to make a five-minute film,” Kasper-Cushman said. “And I think, in five minutes they got, in a nutshell, what a city code officer does.” Kasper-Cushman inspects houses and lands for possible violations of the city code for public safety. “I go in, photograph everything and then send the owner a big ‘laundry list’ of things that need to be fixed,” he said. What makes Kasper-Cushman’s job interesting is the area he covers. He works in the poorest part of Kansas City. The zip code is the title of the film, “64130.” “There are more homicides in that zip code than in any other zip code in the whole city,” Kasper-Cushman said. “It’s not that safe of a place. I think in the last month, there have been five homicides. People kill each other over there regularly.” Paul Cholewa, a Communication Studies junior at UMKC, met Kasper- Cushman at a party. When he heard about Kasper-Cushman’s job, he found it interesting. “He goes into houses that are abandoned, into which people sometimes break-in,” Cholewa said. “There might be gang members or homeless people. It is usually a really bad scenario and he goes in with a clipboard and a flashlight. I thought it was amazing.” “There are more homicides in that zip code than in any other zip code in the whole city.” RYAN KASPER-CUSHMAN City code officer, Kansas City Neighborhood Preservation Office There is often tension between Kasper-Cushman and the residents. Some people might think the inspector is in the neighborhood to cause trouble, to give them problems. “When in fact, someone complained about the condition of another person’s house, so the inspector has to go, look at it and find out what’s wrong with it,” Cholewa said. When Professor Caitlin Horsmon, of Communication Studies, assigned a five-minute documentary film in one of Cholewa’s classes, he knew immediately what he wanted to do. “I wanted to get the cameras out and follow him,” Cholewa said. “I wanted to talk about what it’s like being this guy, going into a house (and) walking around the neighborhood.” Cholewa found his inspiration in Studs Terkel’s book, “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do.” “Terkel interviewed people from different professions – garbage collectors, prostitutes and city council members,” Cholewa said. “There (in the book) is nothing but the job description and someone’s opinion of what it’s like having the job. I always wanted to do something along that line.” So Cholewa and his classmates Spencer Davison, Brittany Fossey and James Barnard took three cameras and followed Kasper-Cushman around. They rolled all three cameras at the same time and filmed an hour of his daily routine. Then the team had to edit three hours of footage into five minutes. “All four of us wanted to take part in the editing because none of us have ever edited a documentary before,” Cholewa said. “So instead of saying, ‘This is my project,’ or ‘Hey, I shot it,’ and bickering about who edits, everyone just did their Day in the life: Film Studies student Nikki Bongardner Staff Writer Filmmaking is a passion for UMKC senior Dion Laws. A non-traditional student, Laws joined the workforce before going to college. He worked for Ford Motor Company for four years before deciding to pursue a career in filmmaking. He said he is determined to succeed. “Dig in and do whatever it takes to become successful,” Laws said. “If that includes stepping out of my element, do something I wouldn’t normally do, then so be it. I’m on a mission.” He chose the film program at UMKC because he thought it seemed pretty wellknown. Laws is currently enrolled in 19 credit hours at UMKC and plans to graduate in May 2010. He said the 19-hour course load sounds bad, but this is probably the easiest semester of his college career. Laws has written, directed, produced and edited 10 videos with the help of his life-long friend, Frederick Nunley II (Freddy). A few of those videos have starred Nunley, Laws’ wife Rachel and even his dog Raphi. Nunley is credited with helping Laws edit four of his videos including “Raphi,” “TBS We Be Rockin,” “Black Walt Drama” and “Bike Ride.” Nine of the 10 videos can be found on YouTube. (Search “jlaws81” at www.youtube. com.) “My favorite piece of work is the video I just completed for an alternative band, Ama- dius,” Laws said. “The look and the color represented the style of work I want to continue doing.” One of his more recent projects, “Isaac’s Time,” was presented at the UMKC Student Showcase in December 2009 at the Tivoli Theatre. The story is about a young man who is finally getting his life back on track when tragedy strikes and his past catches up with him. The short film features Nunley, Rachel Laws and two other friends. Learning more and experiencing different types of filmmaking is something Laws is eager to do. Aside from filmmaking, politics is also one of Laws’ interests. “I love politics, not because we have a black president, but because not knowing what’s going on in the world,” he said. “I feel you are giving your freedom away, the freedom of knowing the truth.” He doesn’t necessarily want to be a politician, but perhaps an activist. Laws has met many people along the way, but he points to two people as being influential in his life. “One of the best teachers I have had was my Spanish teacher, Mrs. Collins,” he said. “She had a lot of patience with me. But the person I’ve learned the most from is my wife, Rachel, who inspired me to pursue my goals and career.” Laws’ short-term goals are to continue what he loves and find a job in filmmaking. nbomgardner@unews.com To view the film, visit www.unews.com and click on this story. Photo LYDIA STRONG From Left: Paul Cholewa, Ryan Kasper-Cushman own edit and we pieced together what we got.” To fuse together four different ideas and different styles of editing was not easy, Cholewa said. “We all made sacrifices and allowed another person’s ideas to be shown. We were learning how to do this together. So for four people who never made a documentary before, we have a good film.” The film captures the more humorous side of a city code officer’s work. The homeowners often have a good sense of humor, Kasper-Cushman said. “They are usually kinda humorous,” Kasper-Cushman said. “You’ll see somebody who didn’t want to have anything to do with me in his bathrobe. But if you rode around with me for a week, or a month, you would see all kinds of other stuff, the drunks and the gang members.” lstrong@unews.com To view the film, visit www.unews. com and click on this story. 6 News February 22,2010 briefly mentioned Campus by MELISSA ORIBHABOR LGBTQIA Resource Center hosts ‘Safe Space Training’ On Tuesday, LGBTQIA (gay, genderqueer, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, questioning, queer, intersex, ally and asexual) Resource Center hosted “Safe Space Training.” “[We want to] help participants understand the experience of LGBTQIA persons,” said Luke Gorham, interim coordinator for LGBTQIA Programs. “Hopefully [to] provide resources for the LGBTQIA individuals who come into their office and if they can’t provide help, they can promote awareness of safe locations on campus.” Attendees were given an opportunity to hear statistics and learn more about the LG- BTQIA community. They then decided if they were comfortable taking a “safe space sign” to hang on the outside of their door. “The sign signifies where students can come in and feel safe and share,” Gorham said. “[We want them to] feel comfortable with who they are and feel comfortable with the person who displays the safe sign.” For those who missed this training day, there is another opportunity at 8 p.m. April 6 in the Oak Street Residence Hall classroom. It is open to all students, faculty and staff. For more information, please contact the LGBTQIA Resource Center at lgbtqia@umkc. edu. Members of ACT Inc. to speak at UMKC ACT Inc, the not-for-profit organization that created the ACT college entrance exam, has teamed up with UMKC to discuss student success. At 8:30 a.m. Feb. 24 Dr. Steven Robbins, vice president of Research for ACT, Dr. Wes Habley, coordinator of ACT’s State Organizations and principal associate in Educational Services, and Mr. Charles Ramos, director of P-16/Outreach Services for ACT, will be speaking to students, faculty and staff in Pierson Auditorium. Each presentation will be followed by a 15-minute question and answer segment. When the presentations are finished at 11:30 a.m., the floor will be opened up for a discussion between the presenters and the audience about ACT’s work with UMKC. For more information, visit www.umkc. edu/provost/events/. Novelist Margot Livesey to visit Kansas City Author of “The House on Front Street” and UMKC’s 2010 Cockefair Chair Writerin-Residence, Margot Livesey, will visit Kansas City March 22-26. She will meet with local writers and high school students and hold a conference with students in UMKC’s department of Arts and Science as well as those in the MFA Creative Writing Program. Livesey, who also wrote “The Missing World” and “Eva Moves the Furniture,” will also host a reading at 7 p.m. March 22 in Pierson Auditorium where her books will be for sale and she will be available to sign books. UMKC professor and New Letters radio host, Angela Elam, will interview Livesey in front of a live audience 6:30 p.m. March 24 at the Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch on Main Street. Admission to both events is free, but it is recommended that those interested in attending the New Letters interview make reservations by calling 816-701-3407. www.unews.com Police Blotter Feb. 12 11:59 a.m. Illness – Officers responded to a reported seizure in the Dental School. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital. 12:03 p.m. Vehicular Accident – A driver backed into another vehicle in the Oak Place Apartments parking lot. Feb. 13 10:46 p.m. Check the Welfare – Officers responded on a call from KCPD about a possible suicidal party in Oak Place Apartments. The call was unfounded. Feb. 15 12:01 p.m. Common Assault – A student in Oak Place Apartments was pushed against the wall. The suspect was arrested. 3:02 p.m. Attempted Burglary – A student heard noises at the back door on the 5300 block of Harrison Road and scared away the burglary suspect. 8:27 p.m. Larceny – A student left her car unlocked on the Hospital Hill campus and returned to find property missing. Feb. 16 12:33 p.m. Hit & Run – Can we fill this plz? by ALEXIA STOUT-LANG A driver observed damage to her vehicle while washing it. 12:46 p.m. Information – A reporting party observed a door jamb pulled apart at the 51st Street Annex. . 6:57 p.m. Injury – A student injured her knee playing basketball in Swinney Recreation Center. Feb. 17 9:25 a.m. Misc. Investigation – An officer responded to a faculty member’s report of a possible identity theft. 10:52 a.m. Information – Officers received information on a pending order of protection. 11:58 p.m. Warrant Arrest – The driver stopped for a traffic violation at Cleaver II Boulevard and Troost Avenue was arrested on outstanding warrants. Feb. 18 9:02 a.m. Vehicular Accident – A driver struck another vehicle while attempting to exit the Oak Street Parking Structure. 9:52 a.m. Violation of University Rules and Regulations – A party was found to be using a parking hang tag in the Block School parking area that had been reported lost. Campus Crimes as of Feb. 19 CRIMES BURGLARY* ROBBERY MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT* LARCENY AGGRAVATED ASSAULT COMMON ASSAULT FORCIBLE SEX OFFENSES DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS Online shopping safety tips 2009 YTD 2010 YTD 3 10 0 0 0 1 14 14 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 * MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS AND BURGLARIES INCLUDE ATTEMPTS Courtesy the Torrance Police Department Shop only at well-known and trusted sites you can access directly by typing the address into a Web browser. Do not click on links or advertisements from unsolicited e-mails because unauthorized online retail pages that appear identical to a reputable site can be made. Always look for the security icon – a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol – in the window or check to see if the Web site begins with https. You can research a company through the Better Business Bureau. Only shop with companies that offer a guarantee and/or warranty. Read and understand the shipping, return and privacy policies before making any purchase. These policies will provide information on what the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used and how you can stop the process. If a site does not have a privacy policy posted, you may want to avoid any transactions. Print a copy of each receipt or confirmation email you receive. Do not save your credit card information online. Although it seems much more convenient to save your credit card information online with your favorite Web sites, it puts you at greater risk of having your account compromised. It is safer to type in your credit card number every time you make a purchase. V i s i t www.unews.com Become a fan on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @ UNewsScoop www.unews.com Culture 7 February 22,2010 ‘Slammed!’ by the recession Alexia Stout-Lang T News Editor he recession has hit home. The protective bubble that once guarded the Midwest has been popped. “Slammed! KC Speaks out on the Recession” is a snapshot of how Kansas Citians of all walks of life have been affected by the current economic downturn. A UMKC Theatre production, “Slammed!” was written and directed by Stephanie Roberts, assistant professor of Theatre. But the words are really yours, Kansas City. During the fall semester, Roberts taught a class about developing plays. The students went out into the city and talked with everyday people about the recession. The interviews were recorded and combined to form the backbone of this play. Roberts worked over the holiday break to bring these comments to life on the stage. A company of 15 actors – some of the same students who did the research – came together to represent more than 40 people who have faced layoffs and pay cuts. All of the students played their parts with a passion. They said that’s because they actually met and talked with the people they portrayed. A few actors stood out as the shining stars, although they all deserve good reviews. Dina Kirschenbaum played three parts perfectly. She was funny, serious and bold. But then she sang. Kirschenbaum’s voice rang out sweet and clear in “Hard Times,” a song about making it when it’s tough. When her cast mates joined in, I was completely blown away. These kids can sing. As David Jewell, a self-employed man who hit hard times and lost his home and wife, Zachary Andrews could not have been funnier. He brought a laugh to even the most serious moments. Jewell constantly conspires to get revenge on the bank that repossessed his home. One of his more entertaining ideas was to torch the house, buy hot dogs and marshmallows, invite the press and enjoy the flames. Later, he conceded to thinking of legal ways to get justice. Grant Fletcher Prewitt has a great singing voice. But I adored Prewitt’s character, Stew- Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption art Langer, a small business owner who has an explosive, opinionated, completely hysterical demeanor. You really never knew what he was going to say or do next. It was priceless. Greg Brostrom, Noel Collins, Andrea Morales and Amy Urbina all deserve props for great delivery. It’s amazing how this group of artists was able to take such a serious, depressing topic and make it something we can all talk about. Roberts said at least one person represented in the play showed up at each performance. “Sometimes [actors] walk through the revolving door [on the set] and see them right there in the front,” she said. Kirschenbaum said this play has a very important purpose. “It gives a voice where voices need to be heard,” she said. The cast members agree they could just be in school and ignore the recession, but this play would not allow them to do so. This play will change how everyone looks at the recession. It brings hope to the hopeless and awareness to those mostly untouched. The final performance of “Slammed!” was Sunday. However, after urging from many of the people who have seen the show, Roberts is going to look into taking the play further. For now, the Theatre students are preparing for their next performances in “La Bete,” which opens Feb. 26. alang@unews.com Courtwarming Roos unite ... at these events by ALEXIA STOUT-LANG Monday, Feb. 22 Create Your Black Tie: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit the APC office to make a black tie that will be put to good use later in the week at the Courtwarming Dance. Ballroom Dance Classes: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., stop by Swinney Recreation Center to learn a few smooth dance steps. Classes will be held every 30 minutes in the north lobby. Tuesday, Feb. 23 Caught in the Action: The APC street team will be scouring campus all day looking for Roos wearing black ties for Courtwarming. Anyone caught with a tie gets a gift card. p.m. in Pierson Auditorium. Roos will gather to display team spirit with skits, dances and more. Thursday, Feb. 25 Trivia Night: Are you a UMKC genius? It’s time to test your knowledge at the APC Trivia Night. The event is from 7-9 p.m. in Pierson Auditorium. Winners will receive prizes. Friday, Feb. 26 Courtwarming Dance: Dance the night away while dressed in your finest. The dance is from 7-11 p.m. in Pierson Auditorium. Desserts will be provided and formal attire is suggested. But the dress code is flexible. Wednesday, Feb. 24 Saturday, Feb. 27 Yell Like Hell: It’s pep rally time from 7-9 Stuff the Bus and Coronation Game: APC is stuffing a bus full of students and Roo spirit. Sign up in the Student Life office to catch the ride to Municipal Auditorium for the game. Mr. and Mrs. UMKC will be crowned at the game. Sunday, Feb. 28 Green Day Festival: The APC and fellow students are giving back to the community by volunteering at Green Day Festival, an event aimed at bringing awareness to environmental issues in the Kansas City area and providing realistic opportunities for change and involvement. Participants will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the University Center and carpool to the festival. Volunteers will work from 12-4 p.m. at the Westport Community Center, 3601 Roanoke Road. For more information about any of these events, go to www.apcactivities.com. Candidates for Mrs. UMKC • Lea Mrosak, Alpha Delta Pi • Diana Dhjana, Chi Omega • Danielle Dwier, Delta Zeta • Markie Greenway, Gamma Alpha Lambda Candidates for Mr. UMKC • Derik “Swoosh” Neuner, Lambda Chi Alpha • Aaron Grey, Sigma Alpha Epsilon • Kyle Sanders, Sigma Phi Epsilon • Max Pecina, Lambda Theta Phi • Jay Devineni, Beta Theta Pi 8 Culture February 22,2010 Artist Profile: Stephanie Coulter Nila Hall Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption Staff Writer Stephanie Coulter has loved photography since high school. She has a bachelor’s degree in music and is now a graduate student pursuing a degree in photography with an emphasis in multimedia. Coulter finds inspiration in music and other photographers’ pieces. The majority of Coulter’s work deals with an illness she faced. Currently, she is working on her thesis, which also addresses her illness. Coulter likes when viewers individually interpret her work. She hopes her art brings awareness to what other people are going through. Her works portray emotion and grief. Coulter has participated in a student art exhibition for the last two years and has also competed in online competitions. While she enjoys the artistic aspect of photography, she is also a commercial photographer. Her ambitions include to one day have her own exhibition and to get her name out there. She would also like to do both commercial and artistic photography. nhall@unews.com www.unews.com Country crust bread Chelsea Soetaert Staff Writer This bread has been handed down through my family for decades. Country bread is a great substitute for store-bought loaves and a delicious treat any time of the day. Make it on the weekend and enjoy fresh bread every morning for breakfast. This recipe can be modified to make cinnamon bread or whole wheat bread for those health nuts. Ingredients: 2 package dry yeast 2 cups warm water 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon salt 2 eggs 1/4 cup shortening 6 to 6 1/2 cups bread flour knife. With hands, stretch and spread one half onto floured surface. Starting from one end of rectangle, roll very tightly using your fingers, until the dough is a cylinder. With a karate chop motion, crease the dough about 2 inches into each end of roll. Pull and stretch the end pieces under the loaf. Place loaf into a greased bread pan, set aside and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled. Repeat with other half. Heat oven and bake for 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees until golden brown and when tapped makes a hollow noise. Remove from pan and try really hard to resist cutting into it until it’s mostly cooled. This is the hardest part of the entire recipe. csoetaert@unews.com Directions: Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 3 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Mix enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Turn dough lightly onto floured board and kneed until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn side up. Cover, let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about one hour. After rising, punch down, remove from bowl and cut in half with a sharp dating 101 Sex at first sight I meet a lot of random people every week and it is my goal to be best friends with them all by the end of a typical Saturday night. Lately, my newest random best friends have asked my opinion on current dating issues. Last night the question was, “Should I sleep with someone on the first date?” Read this carefully and underline it if you feel I am being somehow vague in my statement. I do not advocate random hookups. There is no wiggle room in this. However, I feel I should point out that while there are no excuses, there might be an exceptions category. It is entirely unacceptable to pound back a few drinks and pick up the loser at the end of the bar before closing time and simply chalk it up the next day to feeling “emotionally vulnerable.” All the soap in the entire Metro area will not wash away that kind of shame and perhaps an S.T.D. So I beg you to understand multiple Jager bombs have a way of skewing the judgments of even the most pious among us. At this time, I think we should all say a small prayer of thankfulness if our lives do not parallel Tara Reid’s. If you have to pause due to a memory lapse over the course of last weekend, then I urge you to watch her riveting performances in “Taradise,” where she reviews trendy hotspots while attempting to not slur her speech or spill her drinks. Now ask yourself if you really want to be that girl. So picture this: It is a first date and Mr. Perfect is looking at you from across the table after an hour-long conversation about the need to save the dolphins or his weekly Photo CHELSEA SOETAERT by CHRISTIAN ROSE commitment to reading to blind and orphaned children while juggling a successful medical practice. Nickleback is playing in the background and the sexual tension is so thick the waiter asks if you need an extra knife when he drops off the pudding you ordered for dessert. Before you leave to follow him back to his eco-friendly, but professionally decorated downtown loft for what is sure to be a night of life-altering, carnal-yet–intimate, love-making pleasure, decide if it is worth it should this turn out to be just sex. For most women, sex happens between the ears. It is everything leading up to it that is most important. For most men, sex is the two and a half minutes right before he puts his clothes back on and promises to call the next day. There are those urban legends women tell one another where a one-night stand eventually ended in matrimony. But having never experienced this, I have to rely instead on the 150 years of collective dating wisdom from my friends and myself. There has never been a single one-nighter (with a pre-conceived expectation of any sort of longevity) that ended in anything other than harsh exfoliating, weeks of guilt, feelings of self-inadequacy, stalking or penicillin involved. Contrary to popular belief, I am not a prude with unresolved issues about childhood traumas. I love sex and would like to have it on a semi-regular basis if the opportunity should arise. On this issue, I’m going to leave it in your capable hands and, most importantly, your heart. If you find yourself asking if it’s OK to have sex at first sight, ask yourself if you’re OK if it’s just that. crose@unews.com 9 Culture www.unews.com February 22,2010 ViewSpace at Linda Hall Library Melissa Cowan Staff Writer The William N. Dermus III Cosmology Theater at Linda Hall Library has been home to ViewSpace since the library’s renovation in 2006. The exhibit is a self-updating, multimedia astronomy display of images and descriptions run by the Space Telescope Science Institute. The institute houses NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Linda Hall is one of more than 180 venues in the United States that shows ViewSpace. “The Cosmology Theater provides an opportunity to view Hubble images,” said Eric Ward, associate director of Communications/Marketing for Linda Hall Library. “The programs run anywhere from 10-15 minutes.” But he is not sure how many programs are in the exhibit. The institute automatically adds new images every couple weeks, he said. “We don’t have to do much. We turn it on in the morning and off in the evening.” ViewSpace is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the same hours as the library. “One strength we have is our History of Science rare book collection,” Wade said. “This (exhibit) compliments that collection.” Four wall-size images frame the theater’s entrance: two from Hubble and two from books in the library’s rare book collection. The theater is open to anyone and holds 20-30 people. There are no plans to replace the exhibit, so you can see ViewSpace any time. “(It will be here) as long as the library’s here,” Wade said. “It’s just one more way to draw people to the library and educate the public.” mcowan@unews.com Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Kansas City bites by CHRISTIAN ROSE Hamburger Mary’s It was bitter cold outside when my friends David and Sasha and I drove to the relatively new establishment downtown that it is easy to spot from about 10 blocks away. With a bright purple hue in stark contrast to all of the other businesses, Hamburger Mary’s, 101 Southwest Blvd., sticks out like a sore thumb. While I ran to the door trying to escape the wind chill, Sasha sashayed through the covered walkway into the restaurant with a strut only she, and ’80s supermodels or drag queens, can effectively master. This mental image was the perfect complement to what we saw next – a drag queen named Jayonce greeted us at the hostess stand. Yes, Hamburger Mary’s is not your typical restaurant chain. It is loud, tacky, garish and deliciously obnoxious. It is apparent the decorator had a definite flair for the histrionics. Beauty shop hairdryers have been re- wired and made into overhead lighting, plasma screens play “Mommy Dearest” and cross-dressing waiters who are covered in glitter take your order. “Beauty shop hairdryers have been re-wired and made into overhead lighting, plasma screens play “Mommy Dearest” and cross-dressing waiters who are covered in glitter take your order.” The menu is packed with themed drinks like The Fuzzy Tea Bag, appetizers with names like YMCA Macho Nachos and entrées such as The Ike and Tuna and When Harry Met Sally Pork Tenderloin. To start things off, we had one of their signature cocktails (which were a weak pour for the price) and the aptly-named “cala-mary” calamari. The appetizer lacked flavor and was rubbery, seeming like the chef’s afterthought. Feeling utterly dejected with our drinks, Sasha kept urging me not to throw the cold calamari at the drag queen hostess out of spite and insisted we order dessert so we all split The Deep Fried Twinkies. Being from Kentucky, I am accustomed to all things fried. Hell, we invented KFC. However, even in the south, this is one thing we do not marinate in hot grease. It somehow just seems wrong to do so. But covered in whip cream and raspberry sauce, I could literally feel my arteries clog with every mouthful. It was a decadent indulgence that cost me an extra hour on the treadmill the next day, but was worth every drop of sweat. Once Erik, our waiter, brought our ticket to the table (placed in a bright, ruby-colored pump), the gentlemen across the room received the Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption restaurant’s signature hamburgers. Although prepared to leave, my mouth fell open and I started to salivate. The hamburgers are enormous concoctions covered in provolone and blue cheese or garlic aioli and hummus sandwiched between brioche or a multi grain bun. The gentlemen agreed the hamburgers were “hands down, some of the best in town.” Having since been back twice, I would agree. But I suggest you visit during happy hour for the best deals. crose@unews.com 10 Culture February 22,2010 www.unews.com Top five good alternatives to bad food Melissa Oribhabor Assistant News. Editor A nutrition professor at Missouri State University once said there is no such thing as junk food, only “nutrient dense” food. Meaning, if you normally eat 2,000 calories a day and so far you’ve only eaten 1,800, you can eat a 200-calorie Snickers bar without being unhealthy, although the food itself offers no nutritional value. But as delicious and unhealthy as candy bars may be, it is usually better to either eat them in extreme moderation or not at all. Luckily, there are alternatives to these “nutrient dense” foods that are not so dense. 5. Hamburger You would be hard pressed to find anyone who actually thinks a Whopper is good for you. But if you’re on your way to class and you’re hungry, Burger King is a very convenient, inexpensive way to fill you up. The good folks at BK figured out a way to cater to those cautious hamburger lovers on the go – veggie burgers. BK now offers Morning Star brand veggie burgers on its menu. According to Burger King, the veggie burger is only 420 calories and 16 grams of fat, compared to the traditional Whopper that is 670 calories and 40 grams of fat. 4. Mexican food It’s pretty safe to say Taco Bell is amazing. It has incredibly low prices and it is just as fast as McDonald’s or Burger King. But it also has the same downside – nutrition. During the past few years, Taco Bell answered the call for more healthy food and it has since introduced the Fresco menu. According to its Web site, from this menu one can get a taco with only 150 calories and seven grams of fat. The best part? It’s only 99 cents. 3. Chips Doritos are fast, inexpensive and fit in your Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption backpack so you can eat them while walking to class. But, a standard-sized bag you can get in a vending machine has a whopping 13 grams of fat and 250 calories. And let’s be honest, no one really eats half a bag and puts the rest away for later. But luckily, Doritos brand also has a nice alternative. A bag of baked Doritos of the same size has only 120 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, which is 73 percent less fat than the original. And they still taste just as good. 2. Soda pop Everybody knows that carbonated beverages like Coke and Pepsi have a lot of sugar and calories. Therefore, many people exclusively drink diet sodas, like Diet Dr. Pepper and Coke Zero. But a study out of Perdue University in 2008 found artificial sugars, like those used in diet pop, can actually lead to weight gain. ABC reported a recent study with more than 18,000 people showed those who drank at least one diet drink a day were more likely to gain weight. Alternative? Green tea. Caffeine-free green tea is not only good for your body, but is good without added sugars. Skim milk and soy milk also promote a healthy lifestyle without any artificial sugar or flavoring. 1. Candy bar Hungry? Why wait? Go to the store, pass by the Snickers and the Milky Ways and head straight to the health food aisle where you can find 90-calorie Fiber One Chewy Bars. You might be thinking Fiber One sounds like something your grandmother would eat to help keep her regular. But it’s important to know getting sufficient fiber in your youth can potentially save you from terrible conditions later in life, such as Diverticulitis, which is a painful condition that affects your colon. Fiber One is low in calories, sugar and fat and very delicious. And fiber makes you feel full so it is a great snack to take on the go if you’re not going to be able to eat again for a while. moribhabor@unews.com movie review by LEANNA LIPPERT ‘Shutter Island’ As the lights dimmed in the movie theater and “Shutter Island” began, my eyes became glued to the screen, where they stayed for every moment of the entire movie. “Shutter Island” made me feel an array of emotions – sadness, fear, empathy, confusion and, at times, uncomfortable. But, what else can be expected from director Martin Scorsese? The movie takes place in 1954 at an insane asylum called Ashecliffe Hospital on Shutter Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts. We meet U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) on the ferry to Shutter Island. When they arrive, we realize the ferry is the only way on and off the island. Daniels and Aule are there to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando, a patient at the Ashecliffe Hospital who drowned her three children. As Daniels and Aule interview orderlies, doctors and patients, it is apparent Ashecliffe Hospital holds secrets. Scorsese strategically shoots scenes that are missing vital props to help create this effect. While searching Solando’s room, Daniels finds a piece of paper hidden under a piece of linoleum that says, “The rule of 4. Who is 67?” Further along in the movie, we learn Ashecliffe Hospital caters to 66 patients. The piece of paper, however, suggests there is another patient the doctors aren’t mentioning, which only adds to Daniels’ suspicions of the hospital. Throughout the movie, Daniels is consistently plagued with disturbing nightmares that recreate what he saw while liberating Dachau, a concentration camp, as a WWII soldier. Only Scorsese could capture the realism and ambience of a concentration camp. These images alone contribute to mixed emotions. Daniels also dreams about his wife, Dolores (Michelle Williams), who was killed in an apartment fire a few years before. We learn Daniels requested to take this job because of another patient, Andrew Laeddis, who was responsible for the apartment fire. The search for Solando quickly ends with her miraculously showing up a day later, even though a hurricane hit the island the day she was missing. Daniels decides to stay on the island to investigate the secrets the doctors are not telling him and to maybe get closure by talking to Laeddis. Daniels theorizes there must be medical experiments the doctors are performing on the patients. During his research, his nightmares become more vivid and he begins to wonder if Photo PHOTOGRAPHER Caption it’s the works of the doctors, making sure he’ll never leave the island. He questions everything – the doctors and their medical tactics, the orderlies, patients, his dreams, his new partner and even his own mind. There’s a reason why this movie is rated R. It’s mysterious and thrilling and throws you through twists around every corner. The acting DiCaprio exhibited was amazing. He has definitely come a long way since “Growing Pains” in 1992. This is another great film by director/actor duo Scorsese and DiCaprio. Could they be the next Spielberg and Hanks? Let’s hope. A+ llippert@unews.com Culture www.unews.com Tattoo of the week “Remember you are mortal,” is the translation for sophomore Tyler Fallon’s freshly inked arm. Fallon joined the Navy after high school and, in 2007, had a close call with death. He lost a lot of blood and his heart stopped for about four minutes. Luckily, they revived him. Ever since that experience, Fallon has wanted something to remind him death can come quicker than expected. Fallon’s left forearm says “Momento Mori,” which is the middle Latin variation of the phrase “memento mori.” They 11 by CASEY OSBURN have the same meaning, just a slight difference in spelling. “I think it is good advice,” Fallon said. The tattoo took a little under an hour to finish at Irezumi’s in Waldo. Fallon definitely plans to get more tattoos someday. He said he can look at his arm and it reminds himself he is mortal. “I’m not a sparkle-pire – it’s to show people I don’t sparkle in the sun,” Fallon said, joking about the hit movie and book series, “Twilight.” cosburn@unews.com Photo CASEY OSBURN February 22,2010 How to: Save money Melissa Cowan Staff Writer Money is tight for most college students. Most of us have other expenses in addition to school loans. And most of us work in entry-level, part-time jobs that pay enough to barely cover our needs. So how can we set aside money to save for our future when we’re continually paying off debt and bills in the present? It sounds impossible. I’m no expert either. But I’ve found a few ways to decrease (or avoid) some expenses, allowing me to save some money. Get a second job: Most of us have a difficult time balancing school, work and other activities as it is. But if you have some extra time, there are flexible jobs that will give you some extra money: Wait tables, bartend, baby sit, mow lawns, freelance. Whatever you can think of where you can pick your own hours is the most beneficial to you. Put this money aside and use your “regular” job as your source of income. It may not seem like much at first, but it adds up if you leave it alone! If you absolutely don’t have time, consider selling unwanted items in a garage sale or to a consignment store. You could also use eBay.com or Amazon.com. Stay living at home: Some of you may not have this as an option. Your parents may live too far away from school, etc. If you’ve moved out and are struggling, consider moving back. Sure, we all want that freedom and independence. But if you want to save money, this is huge – and acceptable as a college student. Take advantage of being able to still live with your parents without society thinking you’re a loser. All of that money you would be spending on rent and utilities you could save for a few more years. Stop partying: I know – how dare I even suggest such a thing! But have you ever sat down and thought about how much you’ve spent on going out? What about how much money you’ve spent on cigarettes? According to an MSN article, “The high cost of smoking,” a packa-day smoker spends roughly $1,638 per year on cigarettes. And according to pbs.org, college students spend more money on alcohol per year than they do textbooks. So, if you do both, you could save about $2,000 (or more depending on how much you drink and smoke) by quitting. Look out for freebies: The biggest freebie you can get is a scholarship since student loans will likely be one of your biggest expenses. Apply for as many as you can. But also enjoy the little things, like free food and t-shirts – without traveling far from campus. There are plenty of events and meetings right here on campus that offer free stuff. Check the calendar on the UMKC Web site for upcoming events. mcowan@unews.com save the date Compiled by SABRINA OSBORN Monday, Feb. 22 First 8-week classes: Last day for undergraduates to withdraw from first eight-week classes with assessment. “Love your bod”: Take advantage of the free “Love your bod” boot camp class. The free class starts at 10 a.m. at Swinney Recreation Center, Aerobic room 304. Pool party: Grab your arm-floaties and get ready for the dive-in movie, “Pride,” to celebrate Black History Month. The movie starts at 8 p.m. in the pool at Swinney Recreation Center. Tuesday, Feb. 23 Chess Club: Join the Chess Club at 7 p.m. at Westport Flea Market, 817 Westport Road. “Grey Gardens”: This is your last week to see “Grey Gardens,” a musical about a mother and daughter pair (aunt and first-cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) as they fall from their perch at the top of the social ladder. The show starts 7:30 p.m. at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St. Tickets start at $25, call 816-531-7529 for more information. Lunch and learn: Author Gill Robinson will lead a discussion about his book, “Not in my family: AIDS in the African American Community.” The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in University Center, room 147. Please RSVP to the Multicultural Student Affairs office at 816-235-1109 if you plan to attend. $20, call the box office for more information, 816-931-2232. The “F-word”: What is the “F-word” and how does it relate to women’s leadership? Join the Starr Women Leaders Program from 8-9:30 p.m. in University Center, room 147 to find out. Know your status: Free HIV/ STI testing from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the MindBody Connection, University Center, room 161. Wednesday, Feb. 24 Inconvenience yourself: Today is national Inconvenience Yourself Day. Go out of your way to do something nice for someone else today. “Money of the Olympiads”: Celebrate the last week of the Olympics by viewing the coins minted to commemorate the games throughout history. There are 30 coins, both ancient and modern-day, on display from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. in The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1 Memorial Dr. Nelson-Atkins: Celebrate 75 years of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with a walk-in tour. The guided tour starts at 1:30 p.m. at the information desk in the Bloch Building, or you can take an audioguided tour anytime by picking up an audio guide at in the Bloch Building lobby – whichever you choose, this tour is free. Thursday, Feb. 25 Ballet: The Kansas City Ballet’s 52nd Winter Season performance, Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena, opens at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre, 1029 Central. Tickets start at “Diary of a Tired Black Man”: Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and the Multicultural Student Affairs invite you to view the documentary “Diary of a Tired Black Man,” and take a look at romantic relationships in the African American community. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Johnson Hall Lounge. Friday, Feb. 26 Barbie: Come discuss Barbie and material culture. Bring your lunch and participate in a discussion with UMKC Professor of History, Miriam Forman-Brunell. The discussion starts at 12 p.m. in Miller Nichols Library, room 303. “La Bete”: UMKC Theatre presents the undergraduate spring performance of “La Bete” a period comedy, performed entirely in verse. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. at Grant Hall Theatre. There are additional performances Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students, call the Central Ticket Office to purchase, 816-235-6222. Saturday, Feb. 27 Healthcare discussion: UMKC and a distinguished panel of experts will lead a non-partisan, fact-based discussion for the community about the current state of Health Reform bills. The discussion will be from 9:30-11 a.m in the UMKC School of Law E.E. Thompson Courtroom. Roasterie tour: Get a free tour of Kansas City’s biggest independent coffee roaster. Tours start at 10 a.m. at The Roasterie, 1204 W. 27th St. Tours are free, call 816-931-4000 for more information. Sunday, Feb. 28 “Evil Dead The Musical”: This stage comedy takes on elements of cult-classic horror films “Evil Dead 1,” Evil Dead 2,” and “Army of Darkness.” If you’re really brave, you can buy a ticket in the “splatter zone.” The show is at 7 p.m. on the City Stage at Union Station. Tickets are $15, call 816-460-2020 to purchase. 12 February 22,2010 Sports www.unews.com winter olympics schedule Compiled by BRIAN SANDERS Monday, Feb. 22 Cross Country Skiing: Men’s team sprint, Women’s team sprint Figure Skating: Pairs ice dancing Ski Jumping: Large hill team Tuesday, Feb. 23 Alpine Skiing: Men’s giant slalom Biathlon: Women’s relay Figure Skating: Women’s short program Freestyle Skiing: Women’s ski cross Nordic Combined: Men’s team large hill Speed Skating: Men’s 10,000 meters Wednesday, Feb. 24 Alpine Skiing: Women’s giant slalom Bobsled: Two-woman sleigh Cross Country Skiing: Men’s 10 km relay Freestyle Skiing: Women’s aerials Short Track: Women’s 3,000 meter relay Speed Skating: Women’s 5,000 meters XMetro22 WC: 333 John Pfortmiller Sports Editor Thursday, Feb. 25 New channels for sports fans At 6 p.m. on March 1, Time Warner Cable will John Pfortmiller launch two new channels to its programming lineup, Metro Sports 2 and Metro Sports HD. Time Warner Cable says the changes will, “dramatically increase the network’s coverage of local sports and provide exclusive new viewing choices for Time Warner Cable Kansas City subscribers.” Metro Sports 2 will be available to digital cable subscribers on channel 222 and will highlight what Time Warner is calling the Sports Editor “Metro Retro” programming. This consists of rebroadcasts of significant games featuring local teams of all levels, youth sporting events and Metro Sports documentaries. Metro Sports HD will be available on channel 1030 and will provide a digital version of the programming that aired on the original Metro Sports on channel 30. “It’s thrilling to be able to bring Metro Sports 2 on 222 and Metro Sports HD to our local viewers,” Metro Sports General Manager John Denison said. “The expansion of local sports coverage and possibilities for high-definition broadcasts will continue to make Metro Sports the place to find the best local, professional, college and high school sports coverage.” Denison also mentioned that the new channels will allow the original Metro Sports network to focus on live sporting events Cross Country Skiing: Women’s 5 km relay Figure Skating: Women’s singles Freestyle Skiing: Men’s aerials Ice Hockey: Women’s final Nordic Combined: Men’s individual large hill 10 km Friday, Feb. 26 Alpine Skiing: Women’s slalom Biathlon: Men’s relay Curling: Women’s final Short Track: Men’s 500 meters, Women’s 1,000 meters, Men’s 5,000 meter relay Snowboarding: Women’s parallel giant slalom Saturday, Feb. 27 Alpine Skiing: Men’s slalom Bobsled: Men’s four-man Cross Country Skiing: Women’s 30 km Curling: Men’s final Snowboarding: Men’s parallel giant slalom Speed Skating: Men’s team pursuit, Women’s team pursuit Sunday, Feb. 28 Cross Country Skiing: Men’s 50 km Ice Hockey: Men’s Final Closing Ceremony www.unews.com 13 Sports February 22,2010 Sporting Events Men’s Basketball Date Event Place Time 2/25 Centenary Municipal Auditorium 7:05 p.m. 2/27 Oral Roberts Municipal Auditorium 7:05 p.m. Women’s Basketball 2/22 IUPUI 2/27 Oral Roberts 6 p.m. Municipal Auditorium Indianapolis, Ind. 7 p.m. All Day 2/28-3/1 2010 Islander Spring Corpus Christi, Texas All Day Classic Men’s Golf 2/22-23 Snowman Getaway Chandler, Ariz. (Whirlwind Golf Club) Women’s Golf Softball (Corpus Christi Country Club) 2/26 Texas State Tulsa, Okla. 10 a.m. 2/26 Creighton Tulsa, Okla. 2 p.m. 2/27 Tulsa Tulsa, Okla. 3 p.m. 2/27 Texas State Tulsa, Okla. 7 p.m. 2/28 Eastern Illinois Tulsa, Okla. 10 a.m. Kansas City, Mo. 1 p.m. Fayetteville, Ark. 12 p.m. Men’s Tennis 2/24 Cowley County Community College 2/27 Arkansas Women’s Tennis 2/27 Drake 2/28 Northern Iowa Des Moines, Iowa 6 p.m. Cedar Falls, Iowa 11 a.m. All Day Track and Field 2/28-3/1 The Summit League extra points by JOHN PFORTMILLER Pep-talk controversy Shaun White winning the gold medal last week in the halfpipe finals was marred by controversy over an exchange between him and his coach, Bud Keene. The reason for the marring was two grown men saying curse words. No, they did not walk up to a camera and drop the F-bomb. Keene gave a very pumped White a pep talk that included vulgar language. NBC announcers noticed Keene’s lips and the easily readable cursing and apologized immediately. Problem is, they apologized for the wrong reason. NBC apologized for Keene’s language and said “there was a lot of energy running through White and his coaches.” Yet, it is not Keene or White’s fault that two grown men said some foul words before a final run. It is NBC’s fault for showing the exchange. Keene and White had been working for that moment for four years. One would think that they would be nervous, agitated and anxious to see the whole thing through. Sure, a little swearing might be in order to loosen the tension. If Keene and White knew that a camera crew would be recording what they thought was a private conversation, then yes, their words would have been out of line. But Keene and White were under no obligation to clean up their words for the 25 million people watching at home. After the incident, which made White’s final run seem worthless in comparison, Keene realized he had been caught swearing, but said “usually there’s not a camera in my face” to reporters. NBC’s apology really only fueled the fire and probably created an even further rift between athletes, coaches and the media. Apologizing for someone saying swear words, who did not even know you were recording them, is ludicrous. NBC should have issued an apology for their apology (as redundant as that sounds). They should have informed everyone that the only reason anyone noticed the curses was because NBC was recording the interaction between Keene and White just before his run. Of course, there are those of you out there who will mention that Keene and White understood that cameras would be on them at all times and they needed to be on their best behavior. Think of it this way, if you were the last to go in a competition that pitted countries against each other to see who was the best in the world at a sport would you be able to control your emotions? It is highly doubtful that, unless you never curse, you wouldn’t let something slip. Sure, what Keene said may have been a bit excessive, but remember that he was not aware of the camera crew, he and White were ecstatic for the last run and they had trained like hell for four years. When things of this nature are brought to the attention of the public, in the way NBC brought them, all they do is create controversy that makes the athletes look like idiots. Hopefully, everyone understands that Keene and White are human and even professional athletes should be cut some slack, except Tiger Woods of course. jpfortmiller@unews.com Fargo, N.D. 14 February 22,2010 Forum It doesn’t take a ‘darn’ Einstein NICOLE BOMGARDNER I ’ve been attending this great institution – UMKC that is – since June 2009. My first class last summer was in Royall Hall. My first teacher here was Adela Collins. (Hola, mucho amor a usted!) And my first dining experience on campus was at Einstein Bros. Besides the save-my-ass-fromwalking, awesome location, I am struggling to come up with much else positive to say. And it’s not because I’m a Starbucks addict. It is baffling this chain has not figured out a more efficient way to accommodate the countless patrons each day. Purchasing your coffee, bagel or hot dog wrapped in some doughlooking thingy is only doable if you visit when there are fewer than five people already in line. Each and every time I have been to Einstein, which has been often in the past nine months since most of my classes are in the Quad, I wait. And wait. And wait. I stand in that dreaded python of a line wrapped around the already toocrowded, loud seating area and disgustedly huff, puff and roll my eyes to the front. Oh, but it gets worse. If the order taker has not jotted your name down along with your order, you will eventually get to the front of the line, pay, stand there and wait. And wait. And wait. You will wait in a tight, little, compacted space along with the five to 15 other people anxiously awaiting their food and/or drink to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Someone behind the counter shouts to the masses, “Everything bagel toasted with cream cheese only on half, egg on the side …Oh and a latte.” Dead silence. For the love of everything holy! “Of the 50 people standing here no one has ordered that ridiculous breakfast?” I’m screaming on the inside. Fifteen more orders are shouted out by the random bagel-fixers, half of them kinda standing around not doing much. Now how can 15 more orders be shouted out when there are about only 10 of us standing here? Some of the orders are going to the trash unclaimed. How is this happening?! Good “darn” question Einstein. An argument erupts among the employees behind the counter as orders are confused because the flustered order-taker didn’t find it necessary to take names with orders, even though the line was wrapped around the friggin’ building. “Cinnamon raisin bagel not toasted with cream cheese” (that’s my order) never makes its way out of an employee’s mouth. They didn’t even have to put it in the toaster! All they had to do was take the bagel, slap some cream cheese on it and throw it in a little bag. I had ordered a Cookies n’ Cream to go along with it. Unfortunately, the shake was handed to me as I was paying, without a straw. And that means for 15 minutes I’ve been standing there with a frozen drink in my hand, unable to drink it because I’m too terrified to walk away to get a straw thinking my food will be auctioned off to someone else who just got sick of waiting. So, we are at 20 minutes later. A whole 10 minutes late to class, melting drink in hand that is normally dee-lish when fresh and I’m ready to throw it back at them, demanding my money back. The heavens then part and God sends Patric (Patric with just a C according to his name tag) to my rescue. He must’ve seen the blood filling my face, the steam rolling out of my ears and heard the sirens dancing around my head. For Patric, so gently and quietly looked at me and asked, “What is it that you are waiting for ma’am?” And by the way, I’m only half tee’d off that he called me “ma’am.” I am older but not that old. The blood is draining from my face and all the poor schmucks standing with me are now staring at me as if to say, “How the hell did SHE get picked out of the group?” I manage to calmly sputter my order to this savior of time and a horrific scene. His eyes get wide and he rushes off. Twenty seconds later he appears with my precious little bagel order. Twenty seconds I tell you! “I apologize for the wait,” he said. I say thank you, ask him for his name, look at his name tag and rush off to class before my former waiting buddies get the chance to start throwing stuff at me. “It doesn’t take an Einstein” – or maybe it does in this case – to get some crap figured out. Step it up! Since this last “darn” incident, I’ve noticed a table has been placed in the little waiting area with a stack of comment sheets on it. First of all, they put a table in the already cramped “waiting room” of the Einstein joint? Second, someone actually cares what we think now? Too little too late Einstein Bros. nbomgardner@unews.com www.unews.com 15 Forum www.unews.com Ruling Democrats choke EVAN HELMUTH One year ago, Democrats seemed to have the world at their feet. With about as much power and popularity as is possible for any party in the American system, it looked as though nothing could stop their ambitious agenda to reshape the three pillars of domestic policy — health care, education and energy. Despite the best (often heroic) efforts of prominent Democrats and their many lackeys in the media establishment to dismiss opposition to their agenda as racist, ignorant, xenophobic and motivated by a few corporate “hate mongers” (Harry Reid came up with that one), their plans have been summarily rejected by voters in each of the three opportunities they have had this year to voice their displeasure. The most decisive political bloody nose for Democrats came last month when voters in deepblue Massachusetts made Scott Brown the first Republican the state has elected to the Senate since 1978. Brown ran on a pledge to be the 41st senator against Obamacare, which clearly belies the laughable claims of establishment liberals that the election was not an indictment of their agenda. Brown’s win also meant the first pillar of the Democratic agenda, the radical revamping of the health care system, went overnight from being a done deal to being dead on arrival. Since the January electoral uprising in Massachusetts, the choking sounds emanating from congressional Democrats that started last summer with the original failed attempts to foist Obamacare and Cap and Trade on the country, have only grown louder. So loud, in fact, and so pervasive has the Democrats’ choking become, last week it claimed yet another in a string of the party’s prominent members of Congress. Centrist Indiana Senator and perennial Democratic golden boy Evan Bayh announced last week he was retiring at ripe old age of 54. Bayh’s decision to exit the train wreck that is Democratic governance has everything to do with his wanting to salvage the considerable popularity he still has and not see it ruined by the incredibly “So loud, in fact, and so pervasive has the Democrats’ choking become, last week it claimed yet another in a string of the party’s prominent members of Congress.” unpopular policies Democratic leaders have made their members walk off a cliff to vote for. Bayh has been a leader of the centrist faction in his party, and has fought tooth and nail to moderate the radical agenda adopted by the party’s leadership (almost all of whom come from safe districts on the coasts). Having failed to do so, his decision to retire is a very public invitation to the Democratic congressional leadership to go take a flying leap. That Bayh is choosing to retire rather than wage a bitter reelection fight and associate himself with unpopular policies is not just an indication of the unraveling of democratic governance. It also illustrates the near impossibility of maintaining moderate positions in today’s ultra-polarized political climate. You can try to slough off the tea-partiers as wackos. You can dismiss election losses in Virginia and New Jersey as local contests. If you’re really good at disingenuous rhetoric, you can even try to claim that losing a Senate race in Massachusetts is not a judgment of your agenda. But when all of these things are followed by Bayh, who has never lost an election, quitting Congress in disgust, no feat of mental gymnastics is sufficient to avoid the conclusion your policies have been rejected by the people who voted for you. Nor is this choking without political consequences. As the months go on and Reid and Nancy Pelosi refuse to back off of their “progressive” agenda and continue to drive moderates to the political sidelines, the careers of their members of Congress are beginning to pile up on their leaders’ alters to health care “reform” and Cap and Trade. Look for much, much larger mass political sacrifices to characterize November’s elections. And almost all of the casualties will have the same letter after their names. ehelmuth@unews.com What do you think? February 22,2010 Word on Campus Interviewed by NILA HALL How do you feel about Access Missouri Grant being reviewed by Missouri Legislature? “I think it’s a good thing that they are reviewing it. I feel that all public universities should get the same amount of funding.” “I feel like it’s only fair because it’ll help students here who have a hard time paying and those who have work-study jobs.” BEN THOMPSON Junior Criminal Justice KENNISHA ROBINSON Junior Biology “If it’s giving us more money, I’m happy with it.” “It’s a good idea because, obviously, I’m in a public university so I will benefit from it.” SANDRA DUPREE Freshman Pre Med SEAN RIVERS Sophomore Mechanical Engineering “Maybe it would be good to help get more funding for public universities.” “Public universities are already underfunded. So if private universities are getting funding from the state, they should be held to the same standards as public universities.” RUTH ANN MILLER Sophomore Piano Performance EMILY VAN PELT Junior Urban Planning and Design How do you get your caffeine? A. Coffee or Tea B. Soda C. Energy Drinks D. Energy Pills E. I don’t use caffeine Go to www.unews.com and tell us your answer! 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