The Spectator

THE SPECTATOR

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’S student newspaper since 1923

Vol. 92, NO. 17

NEWS Pages 1-5

spring 2014

Thursday, Jan. 30

SPORTS

OP / ED

CURRENTS

Pages 7-9

Pages 13-15

Pages 10-12

STUDENT LIFE Page 16

Frost finds home in Eau Claire Extensive Robert Frost collection donated; collection to be housed in university archives

Emily Albrent News Editor

Poet Robert Frost recently made his mark on the UW-Eau Claire campus.

Last week, a large, rare collection of Frost’s work including manuscripts, poems written by Frost, Christmas cards as well as books

about the poet himself were donated to the university. The materials have found a home in the McIntyre Library’s special collections and archives department.

Eau Claire acquired this collection by the donation of Joan Schmidt, whose husband, Frederick Schmidt, studied Frost’s work and also was a “dear friend” of Frost’s.

SWINGER OF BIRCHES: The Robert Frost collection at McIntyre Library is open to UW-Eau Claire staff, faculty, students and the community.

Joan Schmidt said her husband was a lover of nature and books and spent much of his time at the library.

“One day the librarian said, ‘Fritz there is somebody I would like you to meet up in my study,’ and there sitting in a rocking chair facing the other way was Robert Frost,” Joan Schmidt said.

The friendship started from there and soon grew. When Frederick Schmidt came back from SCHMIDT fighting in the war, Frost had a surprise for him.

Frost wrote a poem about him and his troubles in the war called “One Step Backward Taken.”

Joan Schmidt said she loves Frost’s poetry for his simplicity.

“I always had trouble in school when teachers dissected the reading, and some people follow a different drummer, some people don’t see it that way,” she said.

Greg Kocken, head of McIntyre Library’s special collections and ar-

PHOTOS BY EMILY ALBRENT / The Spectator

MILES TO GO: Joan Schmidt, holding book, displays a work of Robert Frost’s writing in his own penmanship.

chives department said he wanted to make sure the Frost collection would be beneficial to the student body. He said the overall consensus was the collection would not only add to the education of students, but to the university as a whole.

“It really is a wonderful collection, it is one of our gems.” Kocken said. “It raises the profile of the library and also helps instructors to think a little more critically of the library resources.”

He said it puts Eau Claire on the map for researchers and since announcing the collection, three Robert Frost scholars as well as the granddaughter of Frost himself have contacted him. Kocken said the materials are open for anyone to view, not just scholars.

“Everything within the special collection and archives department

Exclusively this week on spectatornews.com

in the library is open to the public,” Kocken said. “That includes students, staff, faculty and even members of the Eau Claire community.”

He said many English instructors are planning on using the Frost collection in their classes.

Max Garland, English professor at Eau Claire and 2013-2014 Wisconsin poet laureate said this collection would add a lot to the university. He said outside of the east coast at places like Dartmouth College (N.H.), Eau Claire has the biggest collection of these kinds of Frost manuscripts.

“To me it’s so easy to access poetry online, but to me it humanizes it to actually hold the book that he held, it makes it seem more real,” Garland said.

>> FROST page 2

NEWS: Meet your professor features UW-Eau Claire math professor Ursula Whitcher; find out what inspired her to be a mathematician SPORTS: Men’s hoops continues struggles in the conference; drops two games over weekend to UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stout OP/ED: Spectator Editorial Board disagrees with dismissal of homosexual teacher at Washington Catholic private school

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News editorS: Emily Albrent and Katie Bast

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The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire student newspaper since 1923

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Thursday, Jan. 30

The Goat gets a new house Local coffee shop moves one block closer to campus

Courtney Kueppers copy Editor

Kaldi, a goat herder in Ethiopia, lost his herd. He found them in a field prancing around a bush eating the berries. And that’s how coffee was discovered, or so the legend goes.

A local coffee shop, which recently moved up a block, based its name on the legend.

“When we researched names for the shop and everything was cliché and you take a chance on something strange like the goat and it worked,” Ryan Bembnister, The Goat House co-owner, said.

The Goat Coffee House first opened its doors at 408 Water St. in 2005. After nine years of success, the lease was up. Co-owners Ryan Bembnister and wife Laura Bembnister moved their coffee shop to 336 Water St. in early December. The location formerly housed Ralph’s Boot & Shoe.

“The move has been great,” Ryan Bembnister said. “We are

almost two months in now and it has been nothing but great feedback.”

The husband-wife duo had a party when the new location opened on Dec. 6, but saved the large grand opening celebration for last week when college students returned to town.

Although the weather was not ideal, Bembnister said the party went well. It was a chance to show off the space to students and community members while giving out free samples and various giveaways.

Recent UW- Eau Claire graduate Sarah Zais said she likes the new location of one of her favorite coffee shops, but she hasn’t forgotten the original.

“I am a very sentimental person so I was like ‘Wait it’s not the same,’” Zais said. “If I had never been to the old one and didn’t have expectations I think it would be great. But I’m sentimental.”

The Goat’s new digs are 500 square feet smaller, the ceilings are 8 feet high in contrast to the

After

BUSINESS staff Business Manager Asst. Business Manager

Conor Rafferty Katherine O’Halloran

The Spectator is a 100 percent student-run university publication published under the authority granted to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

CORRECTION POLICY:

While The Spectator continually strives for excellence and accuracy, we resign the fact that we will occasionally make errors. When these errors are made, The Spectator will take responsibility for correcting the error and will maintain a high level of transparency to be sure all parties are confident that the incorrect information does not spread.

Before

KATIE BAST / The Spectator

OUT WITH THE OLD: The Goat, a Water Street coffee shop, opened a new location on Dec. 6. The lease ran up on the old location, pictured above, according to the owners.

old 12-foot ceilings and the shop is 20 feet wide instead of 22, but it’s working out, Ryan Bembnister said.

“We came up with the best layout possible to make it more comfy, more cozy, more clean, neat and new for people,” Ryan Bembnister said.

Nichelle Jennings, an Eau Claire junior and Goat regular, said she likes the new atmosphere.

“I think it’s really great,” Jennings said. “It’s more like coming to hang out at a friends house.”

The Bembnisters started by running an A&W franchise in the Shopko plaza they inherited from a family member. They enjoyed running the business, but were not pleased with the franchise aspect, Ryan Bembnister said.

“Just looking through a magazine we saw there was a coffee

FROST/ Work ranges from poetry to letters

corrections:

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2

ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

IN WITH THE NEW: The Goat, 336 Water St., is smaller than its previous location. The owners balanced the size decrease with a cozier feel.

Using the collection in some of his classes and to stress to them that not only was he a poet, but a public figure, he was someone you could rely on to talk about war and peace.

The collection could benefit any university, but Joan Schmidt said she originally did not want to give the collection away. She said there were some strings attached. The university would work to have a Frost day every year focusing on “Fritz, Frost and nature.”

She said the excellent condition in which the books in

house for sale down on Water Street,” Ryan Bembnister said.

“It was Seattle Pride at the time.

We came down, looked at it and about 30 days later we had that.

And we were able to dissolve our contracts with the franchise within a year and get out of that space and focus mostly on here.”

Besides a laundry list of “little things,” Ryan Bembnister said they are feeling settled into their new home.

In the 500-square-foot downsize, Ryan Bembnister said finding storage space was the biggest challenge.

In the spring, Ryan Bembnister said there will be outdoor patio seating behind the store with speakers to offer the same cozy Kueppers can be reached at kueppecm@uwec.edu or @cmkueppers.

the archives are kept was also a factor of why she wanted to place Frost’s collection in Eau Claire’s care. The books are kept in a temperature and humidity controlled room, which not many universities have.

But even then, she said it was hard to let go.

“When I was signing my name, I can’t even talk about it still without welling up,” Joan Schmidt said. “It was just as if Fritz and Frost were walking away for the last time. But I knew of any place, this university is the best home.”

Albrent can be reached at albrenec@uwec.edu or @emilyalbrent.

News editorS: Emily Albrent and Katie Bast

NEWS 3

Thursday, Jan. 30

Transportation conversations

CAMPUS CALENDAR

Forum gives people a chance to offer input on transportation and commuter issues Nick Erickson MANAGING EDITOR

In December, University Senate chair Mitchell Freymiller and others received inquiries about solving parking issues on campus.

Tuesday in the Dakota Ballroom of the Davies Center, Freymiller and employees of the administration and parking department held an open forum for students, faculty and community members to discuss parking and transportation issues on campus.

After an hour of presentations and another 45 minutes of audience conversation and question-and-answer session, Freymiller said he was pleased with the progress.

“The discussion was incredibly rich, we had a lot of positive comments, suggestions, and I think some good things are going to come out of it,” Freymiller said.

Parking department employee Christina Hupy began conversation by talking about the master plan on campus for bikes. The plan is to make UW-Eau Claire more of a bike friendly campus by offering incentives such as food and other prizes. Bike usership would be measured by zapp machines at locations where bikers on campus would scan a bike membership, and a certain amount of zapps would be rewarded.

Bike safety classes would be offered as part of the plan to incorporate more bike use on campus.

Next, Becky Shannon of the parking department addressed student transit and vehicle op-

tions for students on campus. She said there is about a 33 percent ridership on student transits, and they want to increase those numbers.

Shannon said money is always going to be a factor when trying to bring in new ideas.

There have been talks and proposals of building a parking ramp on campus, but it is expensive.

UW-La Crosse just built about a 600-space lot for more than $11 million, and UW-Oshkosh built a 450-space one for $6.5 million.

“A parking ramp has been discussed, but we do not have the support at this time,” Shannon said.

Shannon broke down the current parking situation for motorized vehicles on campus. Most of the money is made through purchased permits, which makes on-campus parking crucial for revenue. New this year is the Schneider Hall lot’s two-hour parking meters, as well as an open Zorn Arena lot for visitors, which will open this spring.

Shannon also outlined empty spaces in parking lots all throughout campus. According to Freymiller, there are about 3,400 empty spots throughout campus that are waiting to be claimed.

“The perception is that UWEau Claire has a parking problem,” Freymiller said. “But as we saw today, UW-Eau Claire doesn’t have a parking problem, it has a parking convenience problem.”

Jason Mathwig of the admissions department showed a chart displaying what other universi-

Notable events happening both on and off campus

•

•

At the age of 14 UWEau Claire senior Rachael Korinek’s health began to take a turn.

Korinek developed shin splints, but she didn’t think too much of them at first. Korinek’s shin splints lasted for five years. At the age of 18 she was diagnosed with her first chronic illness.

“I have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, chemical sensitivities and Lyme disease,”

Korinek said.

The diagnosis of a chronic disease, or multiple chronic diseases, can put a toll on an individual’s mental or emotional state of mind and Korinek said she was lucky to have the support of her family through every day.

“My family is my rock,” Korinek said.

Korinek said she has been fortunate enough to work out a way to keep up with her classes while attending only one day a week.

Christine Gabel, a Clinical Assistant Professor and one of Korinek’s

8 p.m. — Bad Bad Hats, The Cabin

SATURday, FEB. 1 NICK ERICKSON / The Spectator

UP FOR THE TAKING: UW-Eau Claire has 3,400 unclaimed parking stalls and numerous amounts of meters around campus for student and faculty drivers.

ties do to incorporate visitor parking for high school students and their families.

Currently, Mathwig said the distance from the visitor parking lot that sits across the river in the Haas Fine Arts Center to the admissions building is a bit farther than other universities surveyed.

“Typically, most campuses have less than a five-minute walk from parking to the building,” Mathwig said.

The forum then became an open discussion, where the group made of mostly faculty and community members talked about options for parking, transportation and commuting.

People discussed distributing one-day permits and putting up a weather protection on the foot-bridge to encourage people to

walk or bike across it on blustery days.

Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, professor of history, said a big problem with biking to the university is the lack of adequate plowing, which makes it difficult and dangerous for people to get to campus.

“The city isn’t enforcing snow-shoveling, which is a problem for bikers,” Ducksworth-Lawton said.

Questions were then asked and proposals were made to the parking department and administration members presenting.

Freymiller said the University Senate will take all of these into consideration before a spring meeting.

Erickson can be reached at ericksna@uwec.edu or @NickErickson8.

UW-Eau Claire student partners with chronic iIlness website

STAFF WRITER

4–7 p.m. — Ladies Night, Cottage Winery & Vineyard

FRIday, JAN. 31

HealClick website launches Nationwide Courtney Roszak

Thursday, JAN. 30

instructors, worked with Korinek and other department members to adapt to Korinek’s disability.

Professors are able to record lectures and Skype with Korinek so she can stay on track with classwork.

“She is a good student, and we knew that she would work hard at this,” Gabel said. “Technology has made a big difference.

We are able to record and send things to her on days she is not here.”

Last spring Korinek partnered with a website called HealClick.com. The website is designed for pa-

tients of chronic illnesses to interact and share their personal stories. She said the website was created by patients for patients.

The website launched on Jan. 14.

Co-founder Joey Tuan was diagnosed with myalgia encephalomyelitis in 2006. He was later also diagnosed with Lyme disease and POTS. After discovering there was no FDA-approved treatments for his diseases, Tuan decided to take matters into his own hands.

Tuan partnered with Cari Allshouse, and together they found Heal-

Click.com. The confidential website is designed for patients diagnosed with a chronic illness. It allows people to look for treatments that worked for others with similar symptoms.

“I had to jump from forum to forum, and saw that patients with the same diagnosis often have different symptoms, treatments, labs and genetics,” Tuan said. “Through sheer luck, I learned of a treatment from another patient which ultimately helped me.”

>> WEBSITE page 4

• •

8 p.m. — Bad Bad Hats, The Cabin 8 p.m. ­— Elvis & Orbison: The Voices of Rock, State Theatre

Sunday, FEB. 2 •

•

1–4 p.m. ­— Come Slide With Us, Pinehurst Park

monday, FEB. 3 5–9 p.m. — Six String Circle Guitar Club, Pizza Plus

tuesday, FEB. 4 •

7–8 p.m. — Top Ten Celestial Objects, Planetarium

WEDNESday, FEB. 5 •

10 a.m.–3 p.m. — Spring Career Conference, Davies Center

Foster Gallery “Art + Tech” Runs from Jan. 23 - Feb.13 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Mon. - Fri. 1 - 4:30 p.m. — Sat. - Sun. Haas Fine Arts Center

UAC Film: “Shutter Island” Drama set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby.

Runs from Jan. 31 - Feb. 2 7 p.m. — Fri. - Sat. 2 p.m. — Sat.- Sun. Woodland Theater, Davies Center

NEWS

News editorS: Emily Albrent and Katie Bast

Scanning the past

Connecting coasts Tesla Supercharger stations allow long-distance electric car travel Glen Olson staff writer

UW-Eau Claire researchers talk about findings in Israel Katy Macek staff writer

On Thursday afternoon the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association’s Let’s Do Lunch series, a monthly lunch at Fanny Hill Restaurant in Eau Claire, hosted professor Harry Jol and his colleague Martin Goettl, who both work in the Geology department in Eau Claire, as well as Tom Gugel, a sophomore nursing major at Eau Claire.

Jol has been doing research at an excavation site in Bethsaida, Israel and Goettl has been aiding him in the geospatial data aspects of the research.

“We use a system called Ground Penetrating Radar and that uses FM radio waves,”Jol said. “We put that into the ground and we can image the subsurface in a non-destructive, non-evasive way.”

Basically, they use this technology to collect images below the surface and find the best areas to dig without actually interrupting the land.

“We provide the background and the JOL archaeologists make the decisions,” Jol said. “We can help show them the places and they decide where to dig.”

Though Goettl has not actually been to Israel himself, he uses the geospatial data and Unmanned Ariel System imagery to create one mosaic of the whole site.

“Instead of just trying to explain where it is, these types of geospatial activities allow them to sit down and view an up-to-date image of where they might want to dig or where they have been digging or where they plan to,” Goettl said.

One aspect of this technology is that with the use of a point cloud generation system, they could potentially create a 3D image of the site, making it more accessible to anyone who wants to be involved.

“They can use that for promotion, for being able to have people walk through it in a visual sense,” Goettl said. “The people that can’t exactly go there can potentially have 3D visual tours of it.”

With the use of this technology they have discovered older cities underground, Jol said, including a road, bodies and an Egyptian scarab, which furthers research questions about the area.

This summer, Jol plans to hold a VIP tour, in which participants would get to see the sites they have done research at in addition to the major sites of Israel.

While Gugel was not part of the research, he was born in Ukraine but moved to Israel in the 1990s. His portion of the presentation included what it is like to be from Israel, and he was available to answer questions about traveling to the country.

“Every time we talk to someone about Israel, the first thing that comes up is like, ‘Is there war there?’” Gugel said.

“No, there’s no war there. There is conflict, and there are security issues like in every other country in the world. We’re trying to work towards a more peaceful region.”

In reality, Gugel said that Israel is the best of both worlds.

“You can experience the ancient history on one side, and

4

Thursday, Jan. 30

SUBMITTED

CULTURE COLLAGE: After combining all the images together, Martin Goettl created a mosaic of the Bethsaida excavation site, making it easier to see the area.

then on the other side you can experience the modern and the thriving life that every American youth can experience here,” Gugel said.

He also said he hopes to return to his homeland this summer, and even if he isn’t a part of the tour Jol does, he can catch up with them while they are in Israel.

As for other upcoming projects, Jol said he hopes for opportunities through other universities in Israel in doing follow-up work and some potential coastal work, which is his area of expertise.

“There’s always potential, it is a matter of fitting those together in both their schedules and my own,” Jol said. “And funding. Funding is always the key to all of this.”

Macek can be reached at macekkn@uwec.edu or @KatherineMacek.

Read the interview online this week at spectatornews.com!

Tesla Motors, a California-based electric car company, just installed a new Supercharger station in Eau Claire.

The station is located off I-94 behind Noodles and Co. and Panera Bread on Keystone Crossing.

A charging time of 30 minutes can give a driver 170 miles worth of battery life. Using the station is free, but only works for Tesla Model S cars.

The chargers deliver a higher wattage while charging, which makes them much more efficient for drivers than most public chargers, or high wattage outlets, which would give about 15 miles for the same 30 minutes of charging.

Ashley Vaness, a sales representative at the Tesla dealership in Eden Prairie, Minn., said the emphasis for the company is allowing longer trips for their drivers.

“They’re installed

on major routes for convenience,” Vaness said, “because that’s where people are already going.”

According to Tesla’s website, the company has installed 71 Supercharger stations throughout North America so far, enabling cross-country travel in the United States along certain routes. The company has plans to increase the amount of stations to 80 percent of the populated areas in the U.S. in 2014, and 98 percent in 2015.

The company says they position the charging stations near food and shopping for the benefit of their drivers.

Emy Polodna, General Manager of Noodles and Co., said they were told about the station a few weeks after they had started building it and that they hadn’t seen anyone using it.

She didn’t know if people would pull off the interstate that often to charge their cars, but if they did, it

would be nice for the businesses.

“I hope they do come in to the businesses,” Polodna said, “since they have to wait there anyway.”

There are currently Supercharger stations in La Crosse, Madison, and Mauston.

According to consumerreports.org, the ability for Tesla drivers to travel longer distances sets the brand apart from other electric cars, which have about half or a quarter as long of the range of the Tesla Model S’s 240 miles.

Vaness said that makes all the difference for their car owners, because they don’t have to choose between driving an electric car and traveling.

“The Superchargers work with all Tesla Model S, so cross-country travel is possible,” Vaness said, “and it’s free.”

Olson can be reached at olsongp@uwec.edu or @ GlenPOlson.

WEBSITE/ Healclick.com helps create

communities of chronically ill people Tuan partnered with Cari Allshouse, and together they founded HealClick.com. The confidential website is designed for patients diagnosed with a chronic illness to turn to. It allows people to look for treatments that worked for others with their similar symptoms.

“After I got better, I set two goals: to help patients share treatment experience in a smarter way and then turn all these experiences into medical research,” Tuan said.

Users can make an account on the website and list what diseases they have and the symptoms they have experienced. From there, users can post on a treatment board, participate in group chats and talk to people who have the same diseases and symptoms.

“We take pride in offering a different patient experience,” Tuan said.

“Warm, user-friendly and personalized are all experiences that we had trouble finding on other websites.”

HealClick is a project the co-founders had been working on for a couple of years. The team went full force last year to finish the project.

When the website launched on Jan. 14, it had about 900 users. This past week the site had more than 1,900 users with more than 1,400 treatment reviews.

“It’s a website made by patients for patients,” Korinek said.

Roszak can be reached at roszakcm@ uwec.edu or @CRoszak22.

News editorS: Emily Albrent and Katie Bast

Water Street pizza joint up for sale

COMMUNITY NEWS 5

Thursday, Jan. 30

for years,” Lorentzen said. “My wife has been friends with one of his daughters for 20 years.”

Nate Moquin, the ReMax realtor that Jim’s Pizza is listed through, said the shop does half a million dollars in sales per year. The shop was originally listed at $175,000 but is now listed at $149,900.

When Lorentzen bought Jim’s Pizza he had in-

vestors supporting him.

Moquin said he is trying to get a hold of the business professors at the university because he thinks it would be a great opportunity for a junior or senior who is finishing with business school to take over the shop.

“The investors that backed up Rob are willing to

Owner selling to spend more time with family Jessie Tremmel STAFF WRITER

Jim’s Pizza on Water Street is looking for a new owner.

Current owner Rob Lorentzen has worked his way up in the business. He started as a delivery driver, was the store manager when the shop changed from Jeff & Jim’s Pizza to Jim’s Pizza, bought the shop from Jim’s family and now wants to sell.

Lorentzen said he has been thinking about selling the business for the past six months.

“The main reason is I’m here seven days a week and I have five kids and I never get to see my wife or my kids and it’s just too much,” Lorentzen said.

Jim’s Pizza is listed through an agent and Lorentzen hopes someone buys the business to keep it going, whether it operates as Jim’s Pizza or takes on a different name.

“The reason I kept it as Jim’s Pizza is because Jim was a good family friend and he took care of me

ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

A FAMILY MATTER: Jim’s Pizza, located at 412 Water St., in search of a new owner. Current owner Rob Lorentzen is selling the shop to spend more time with his family. He said he hopes it stays a pizza place.

back up the right person,” Moquin said.

There will be an interview process, but if the investors find the right person they will invest in them.

“Even though there is someone new from out of town, someone who might not have a lot of money but they know how to run a business, that’s what they are looking for,” Moquin said. “There are actually investors that are looking to back somebody and I thought a university student would be perfect for that.”

Chris Dahlberg, a Jim’s Pizza employee who has worked at the shop for two years, said he would like to keep his job but knows it depends on who buys the shop.

“I’d like to stay, I enjoy working here,” Dahlberg said.

Dahlberg said working at the shop is different because it is not like working at a chain store.

Sophomore Jon Dintzner, who orders Jim’s Pizza a couple times a semester, hopes he can continue to get the great deals Jim’s offers, such as the $5.99 two-topping pizza.

“I hope it stays as a pizza place because a college town can’t have enough of those,” Dintzner said.

While Lorentzen does not have any plans for his future, he knows he wants to do something that makes it easier to spend time with his family.

“I get to see my kids in the afternoon when I get home, but it’s just not enough,” Lorentzen said. “I’m missing their lives and I don’t want to do that.”

Tremmel can be reached at tremmejr@uwec.edu or @JessieTremmel.

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SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR: Steve Fruehauf

8

Thursday, Jan. 30

Blugolds break record, end streak Men’s hockey finishes 1-1 against UW-River Falls, breaks NCAA consecutive minutes record Austin Mai Staff writer

The UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team began their double-header weekend against UW-River Falls with a few different things on the line: a consecutive-game winning streak and two NCAA records up for grabs. After Friday night, they had claimed one of the three in an 8-3 win over the Falcons.

They needed 17:55 minutes to break the record for most consecutive game time without allowing a goal. With a rowdy crowd and NCAA records on the line, Hobbs Ice Center was electric.

“We’re just moving ahead here and sticking to our game plans, sticking to our season plans,” head coach Matt Loen said. “Hopefully we can continue to get better as the season continues.”

At the top of the first period, both teams came out bruising. Even after Eau Claire junior defenseman Chris Heineman’s stick snapped, senior forward Jon Waggoner sped down the rink and scored Eau Claire’s first goal of the night, his eighth this season. Seniors Jared Williams, forward, and David Donnellan, defenseman, were both credited with assists.

With goalie Tyler Green making vital ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator ONE FOR THE BOOKS: Junior Ross Anderson carries the puck up saves, the Blugolds lasted 17:55 to break the the ice against UW-River Falls on Jan. 24 at Hobbs Ice Center. NCAA record. Every second after that would

become another rung on a difficult ladder to climb.

At 5:29 into the second period, freshman forward Patrick Moore brought the puck to the Falcons’ goal for the team’s second goal.

Not long after, with 6:45 left, sophomore forward Charles Thauwald went ahead and scored to help put the Blugolds up DONNELLAN 3-0.

Junior defenseman Jack Callahan and freshman forward Adam Knochenmus were credited with assists.

The Blugolds’ game time streak ended at 354:26 minutes total when the Falcons took control of the remaining time in the period.

In the third period, Eau Claire responded in a big way. Senior forward Niko Kapetanovic, Donnellan and Moore all scored. Junior forward Ross Anderson also scored twice in the period. “(Team scoring) definitely was a big confidence booster for everyone,” Thauwald said. “It shows the hard work and determination everyone has on the team.”

The Falcons would go on to score twice in the third period as well but all too late, as Eau Claire came out with the 8-3 victory.

Coming off the win Friday, the No. 7-ranked Blugolds prepared for their second game of the weekend against the No.13-ranked Falcons at

Hobbs Ice Center.

Donnellan started the Blugolds off with a goal at 7:03 into the first period. Sophomore defenseman Jeff Pauluk and freshman forward David Henry had the assists.

The Falcons would strike back after taking advantage of a power play to tie the game at 1-1.

Eau Claire would not score again for the rest of the night as River Falls went on to score two more times to win 3-1.

“I think scoring was the biggest difference from Friday to Saturday, we were not able to score,” Thauwald said. “We missed a couple open nets that we probably should’ve buried and did bury the night before.”

The Blugolds are 12-4-1 overall on the season as their WIAC record drops to 1-2-1. River Falls are now 11-5-2 while their WIAC record of 4-2 has them leading the conference.

“For us to have a good shot to go to nationals I think we need to win our conference.”

Thauwald said. “The rest of the season is as important as it gets. The competition in the WIAC is intense. There’s more physical play and the rivalries are bigger.”

With this loss, the Blugolds snap an eight game undefeated streak and find themselves needing wins against the rest of their WIAC opponents for playoff contention.

Eau Claire has another double header as they take on UW-Stout at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday in Menomonie.

Mai can be reached at maiat@uwec.edu or @austinisfresh.

A stout effort from the 3-point line Midtlien and Sahr play well from the outside in blowout victory Nick Erickson Managing editor

In recent weeks, UW-Eau Claire women’s basketball coach Tonja Englund said she had been looking for one player to step up and take big shots in a game. But during Saturday’s game against UW-Stout, it wasn’t just one player who answered the coach’s call.

Freshman Abby Midtlien and junior Kristin Sahr combined for seven 3-pointers and 40 total points to shoot the Blue Devils out of Zorn Arena in a 76-50 Blugold win.

“The team needs to understand that Abby and Kristin are two of the best 3-point shooters in the league,” Englund said.

“We’ve got to have a couple of people who are willing to change MIDTLIEN

things for us, and credit to a freshman (Midtlien) the way she came out and credit to Kristin.”

Midtlien came out blazing to start both halves. She knocked down her first triple of the night 1:30 into the contest in the midst of an 8-0 run to start the game for Eau Claire. She also rattled home one to start a run at the beginning of the second half to help the Blugolds go on a 13-0 run to open up the game. She finished the night with 16 points and four 3-pointers.

Sahr came off the bench for a career night, netting 24 points, which is a season-high for any Blugold player in one game this season. She scored 16 of them in the second half and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

“We’ve been working in practice to get the ball to our shooters more like me and Kristin to hit us when we’re open,” Midtlien said. “I think we really executed that, and it really gave a spark to the rest of the offense.”

While it was Midtlien and

Sahr who lit up the scoreboard in Zorn Arena, they weren’t the only ones making contributions as Englund said it was one of the most complete games the team has played SAHR all year.

Sophomore guard Teenie Lichtfuss chipped in 12 points. All in all, 10 different Blugolds got in the scoring column of the box score.

Midtlien said hot shooting can become contagious and give confidence to the team, no matter who makes the first basket.

“I think it spreads throughout our team, the energy flows when one person starts and the rest of the team goes,” Midtlien said.

The Blugolds held an eightpoint halftime advantage at 34-26, but unlike previous games this season, Eau Claire dominated the second half to leave no doubt. Englund said it was great to see her team learn from previous games and play with the same intensity

and execution for both halves.

“It’s a big step for this team,” Englund said. “As an educator and a coach, that’s what it’s all about.”

Eau Claire was as efficient as they’ve been all year, finishing the night shooting almost 50 percent from the floor and committing only 11 turnovers. They also dished 19 assists in the contest and went 13for-17 on free throws.

“Stout’s always really scrappy,” Sahr said. “Our goal was to just make good passes, be super fundamental and not force it if we didn’t need to.”

Wednesday, the Blugolds dropped a 60-50 decision to No. 24 UW-Stevens Point, but they showed improvement. Lichtfuss led the team with 14 points in the game. Eau Claire dropped an 8545 contest at Stevens Point earlier this season.

Eau Claire will look to keep up the improved play Saturday at UW-La Crosse. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Mitchell Field House.

Erickson can be reached at ericksna@uwec.edu or @NickErickson8.

ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

IN THE PAINT: Freshman Ellen Blacklock goes up for a shot against three UW-Stout players on Jan. 25 at Zorn Arena.

sports editor: Steve Fruehauf

Thursday, Jan. 30.

SPORTS 9

Blugolds GO 1-2 at UW-W Border Brawl Three UW-Eau Claire wrestlers went 3-0 in competition over the weekend Austin Mai Staff writer

Eau Claire ended with a 13-33 loss.

Despite being down 0-2, Eau Claire's moral laid the groundwork for personal wins.

"Our team was happy," Behnke said. "We were doing well as a team and wrestling like

The UW-Eau Claire wrestling team went 1-2 in the 2013 UW-Whitewater Border Brawls on Saturday.

The Blugolds were defeated by Concordia University and North Central (Ill.) but ended their day with a win against Manchester (Ind.).

"I like competition outside of SEIDLER Wisconsin. We get to see kids that we can." we might see at nationals,” sophoThe Blugolds would conclude more Nathaniel Behnke said. "A lot their time at the 2013 UW-W Border of these teams have different styles."

Brawls by taking on Manchester.

Behnke said other states have Behnke won by major decision wrestlers at his weight who provide over Josh Juarez, 13-0. He was a pera tougher match in preparation for a fect 3-0 on the day. shot at Nationals.

"This tournament brought up "Those are the kids I want to see," my confidence," he said. "It set the Behnke said. "They only make me standard for how better."

I want to wrestle In the first brawl for the rest of this against Concordia, season." wrestling at 141 Behnke said pounds, Behnke won by he's been strugmajor decision over Josh gling with losses Cursio, 12-3. lately and last At 184 pounds, weekend provided senior Luke Ortscheid the reassurance of won by major decision his ability to conover Thomas Schmidt, LUKE ORTSCHEID tend with great 10-2.z Senior competition.

"Getting towards He said he this time of year, all looks forward to matchups are starting this weekend’s invitational after his to count," Ortscheid said. "Coming success at the UW-W Border Brawl. down to regionals, you want to get on Seidler defeated Manchester’s a roll."

Bryce Roberts by technical fall, 15To finish against Concordia, at 0. He was also perfect at the Border 285 pounds, freshman Justin KarkuBrawls, including a forfeit victory, la won by decision over Seth Kilkelly, going 3-0.

4-2.

Cormican won by fall against LoEau Claire was defeated 17-30 gan Floor, pinning his opponent at overall. Next for the Blugolds were 2:25. the North Central Cardinals.

Finishing the day perfect at 3-0 Behnke won by major decision as well, Ortscheid defeated Brian over Andrew Rodawold, 14-0.

Clark by fall at 1:46.

At 149 pounds, senior Ryan Se"I've been wrestling well and idler won by decision over Nathan went into it feeling pretty confident," Segal, 3-1.

Ortscheid said. "As a senior, you realAt 174 pounds, freshman Josh ize that your career for the most part Cormican defeated is coming to a close in the next month Eric Kirkman with or two. I think it makes you focus a decision of 7-2. harder on every match and every day The Blugolds in the practice room." last individual win Eau Claire will compete this against North Cenweekend at the Pete Willson Intral came courtesy vitational hosted by Wheaton of Ortscheid winCollege (Ill.). ning by decision over Vince Pizzo, 9-4.

Mai can be reached at maiat@uwec.edu But yet again, ORTSCHEID or @austinisfresh.

“Getting towards this time of year, all matchups are starting to count.”

Olivia Aschenbrenner Bars, Beam, Floor Gymnastics

GRAPHIC BY KARL ENGHOFER/ The Spectator

Aschenbrenner put up a season-high 9.500 on the balance beam and followed with a third place 9.000 score on the uneven bars to help her team clinch a win against Hamline University (Minn.) last weekend.

Getting to know Aschenbrenner: Major: Marketing Favorite Professor: Ingrid Ulstad Favorite non-gymnastics sport: Baseball (Go Brewers!)

Best Eau Claire restaurant: Fuji Sushi and Steak House

Senior Cedarberg, Wis. Grafton High School

Strange habit: “I enjoy a lot of morning leisure time so I like to get up early enough so I can relax (watch TV, read, browse the Internet) for at least an hour before I need to leave the house.”

Favorite musician/band: Mumford and Sons

CURRENTS CURRENTS editor: Zack Katz

Thursday, Jan. 30

Phil’s on the bill

Non-traditional student beginning work on screenplay Ellis Williams staff writer

On December 26, 1862, the largest mass execution in U.S. history occurred in Mankato Minnesota following the end of the U.S. - Dakota War. Thirty-eight Dakota Indians were hanged for their participation in the conflict.

The execution could have been far greater if it was not for the actions

of Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple.

A total of 303 Native Americans were sentenced to be hanged but due to the convincing words of Whipple, President Lincoln pardoned 265 of the 303 Native Americans.

In 2011, the story of Bishop Whipple caught the interest of Philip Kaveny, a non-traditional student with a collection of degrees from multiple Wisconsin universities, while he was attending Richard St. Germaine’s

SUBMITTED

PLAYWRIGHT: Non-traditional student Philip Kaveny, pictured above, has a new screenplay in the works.

Down on the Corner Girolamo’s Court N’ House could be reigning king of burgers in Eau Claire

Nate Beck

chief copy editor I know the “best burgers in town” title is tossed around lightly.

Everyone swears a different corner bar or restaurant has the perfect patty-cheese-bun combination.

I’m no burger expert. I don’t have elaborate dreams where I square dance with a double bacon cheeseburger and a milkshake.

But Girolamo’s Court ‘N House on Thursday night is proof the burger crown fits the Court better than any other Eau Claire grease trap I’ve been to.

For three or four solid hours on Thurs-

day nights, standing-room-only crowds clutter the walls waiting for an open table.

It’s not just flavor lust that draws these folks, though. There’s a deal: 2-for-1 burgers.

The bar has a formula. And they’re not changing. Owner Jim Girolamo mans the bar’s old flat top grill every Thursday, Laura Girolamo, Jim Girolamo’s daughter, said.

Each employee knows how to cook a burger, but that’s not the point.

Laura Girolamo said she suspects years of seasonings soaking into the metal grill top gives their burgers flavor. Fresh-baked burger buns don’t hurt

either, she said.

“We don’t hate our jobs and that helps,” Girolamo said. “We don’t change our product. We’ve had the same burgers since the day we opened.”

The Court ‘N House has been stationed on West Grand Avenue, about a block from the Eau Claire County Courthouse for the last 12 years.

Inside, there are white icicle lights with hanging foil hearts spread along wood crossbeams. There are beer ads and neon signs hung on the walls, a jukebox and video games shoved into corners.

>> BURGERS page 12

Native American history class.

“Something very interesting happened to me while I was in class, it was sort of like a moment,” Kaveny said. “I thought Bishop Whipple did some amazing things, and people should know about him.”

Kaveny said he decided to gather additional information on Bishop Whipple then begin working on a fictional story that would still contain accurate historical information, and upon completion shop the story around as a screenplay.

Kaveny’s resume in artistic and academic productions includes multiple screenplays, films, television, radio and academic papers. He produced in both television and radio in Madison and received national awards for his work, and one of his film productions is even viewable in Mclntyre Library.

Janice Bogstad, Kaveny’s wife and a professor here at UW-Eau Claire, said she and Kaveny have collaborated on many different pieces of work, and all of them were thrilling.

“Part about what is exciting about working with him is he has an amazing memory,” Bogstad said. “ He is a good creative writer, and I am excited to see where he ends up going with his (newest play).”

Kaveny said he wants to tell Bishop Whipple’s story in a way where today’s students can learn to look up

10 to him. He said to do this his story will open with a college student who is enrolled at Valley State University.

“He is really rich, and used to getting everything he wants,” Kaveny said. “ He’s a character you won’t really like.”

While out at a local bar, the Valley State student is celebrating his 23rd birthday Kaveny said. He goes on to consume a few too many shots, and falls off the bar stool he is seated at, fracturing his skull which knocks him out.

“Something very interesting happened to me ... it was sort of like a moment.”

PHILIP KAVENY

Non-traditional student

“He then wakes up in 1862 at Fort Snelling Minnesota,” Kaveny said. “Suddenly he is Bishop Whipple’s assistant, and stuck between his time and past time. If he does not accomplish what he was sent back in time to do he will be stuck in Fort Snelling for the remainder of his living life.”

Kaveny said he drew inspiration for the beginning of his story from Mark Twain’s “A Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

“This detail allows me to put him in the proximity of the dialogue between Lincoln and Bishop Whipple, where Lincoln is convinced to pardon

the Indians,” Kaveny said.

For this part of the narrative, Kaveny said he will bring in facts from Lincoln and Whipple’s interactions.

“This is a way to use art to tell a story I want to tell,” Kaveny said.

Writing a screenplay is rarely a solo act, and Kaveny said he has several people who help him in the process. One of these people is UW-Eau Claire graduate Alissa Wulf, who majored in Religious Studies and Psychology.

“Working with Phillip has been going really well,” Wulf said. “ I look through his work and do a lot of the editing, also if he has ideas about where the story should go he usually runs them by me, and we figure out the best plan of action.”

Wulf said Kaveny is a wonderful writer, and she enjoys the way he brings historical aspects into his stories.

“I’m excited for the whole story to unfold in a creative way like I know he will do,” Wulf said.

Kaveny said he thinks through the artistry of language, you can touch people’s souls. He said with a fun, and insightful script, he can successfully tell Bishop Henry Whipple’s story.

“It is going to be a narrative about empowerment that I try to make interesting through a screenplay, Kaveny said. “I will have the play written by the end of the semester.”

Williams can be reached at williaml@ uwec.edu or @BookofEllis.

CURRENTS EDITOR: Zack Katz

SOUND ALL AROUND

Eau Claire music project pairs university musicians with local and touring artists each month Rachel Streich staff writer

Once a month, musicians will travel to Eau Claire and step off the stage to perform in a different setting. They will gather in a single room with a group of community members and students to transform a piece of their work.

And their audience is not in a theater or coffee shop, but on the Internet.

The Arco Sessions, a series of films featuring singer/songwriters and bands on tour as well as local musicians, began almost a year ago after Davy Sumner, UW-Eau Claire alumnus and composer, put the idea into action.

Since then, Sumner and a group of sound engineers, videographers and writers have collaborated to produce the five videos on the Arco Sessions’ website and more yet to be posted.

Artists ranging from Minneapolis to Tennessee have paired with the instruments and voices of many UW-Eau Claire students.

“It’s exciting for me to see it come to life,” Sumner said, “and also to see really positive things come out of it.”

The students involved gain a real-world experience in a recording studio with each performance, he said.

Laura Severson, a junior music education major who played viola in two of the films, said the Arco Sessions has given her an opportunity to get her

name out to the public and to become a better musician through practice. It has also allowed her to make new connections.

“Getting to meet other people that aren’t from Eau Claire and that are actual musicians making their way through life as performers is reassuring for a student to see,” she said.

“It’s exciting for me to see it come to life” DAVY SUMNER

Arco Sessions creator

Thursday, Jan. 30 CDs and they have recommended the Arco Sessions to other musicians, Sumner said.

Sumner said he didn’t need to seek out the next band to be featured on the website. They contacted him and made a special trip to Eau Claire to be a part of one of the films.

Local sponsorship is new factor in the making of the videos is. Businesses like the Eau Claire Music School financially supported the work and created more community involvement with the films.

As the Arco Sessions continue, the videos reach beyond Eau Claire through the Internet.

“We’ve had people watch from just about every continent…and it really does shine a positive light on Eau Claire, the Chippewa valley and UW-Eau Claire specifically as a really talented, creative place,” said Thom Fountain, coordinator of media and web design for the Arco Sessions and managing editor at Volume One Magazine.

Looking to the future, Sumner said the videos will venture in new creative directions. A film coming out in the next few months features a rapper with a flute, a saxophone and brass instruments.

Viewers can look forward to the next video appearing on the Arco Sessions website in early February featuring the Minneapolis band, The Farewell Circuit. With new videos coming out consistently, Sumner said he hopes the series keeps going indefinitely as a piece of the Eau Claire music community.

In the most recent video featuring Minneapolis singer/songwriter Haley Bonard, sophomore Hannah Hebl said her vocal performance with the musician will be something she can potentially post on a website to demonstrate her work.

Touring bands and singer/songwriters have responded in positive ways as well.

Artists have asked Eau Claire mu- Streich can be reached at streicrn@ sicians to make appearances on their uwec.edu or @RachelStreich17.

A NEW LOOK: Arco Sessions casts a host of local musicians in tandem with touring artists every month.

SUBMITTED

CURRENTS 11

DANIELLE PAHL / The Spectator

OUTSIDE THE BOX: The Foster Gallery’s “Art + Tech” show contains computer animation, graphic design, interactive pieces and more.

Technically Speaking Art and technology come together in new Foster Gallery showcase

Danielle Pahl

Multimedia editor UW-Eau Claire’s Foster Art Gallery is showcasing “Art + Tech,” an exhibit which combines both art and technology from local and international artists.

Although the presence of technology is not new for the gallery, gallery Director Tom Wagener said the way it’s incorporated sets this exhibit apart.

“This has a combination of very traditional artwork, such as ceramic pots,” Wagener said.

“We have some prints that are done in a very traditional sense and then we have some really cutting-edge things going on. So it’s a very broad spectrum of art mediums.”

According to Wagener, the exhibit’s theme stems from a collaboration between UWEau Claire professors Sooyun Im, an associate professor in graphic design, and Mike McMann, an associate professor of computer science.

Wagener also said the artists featured in the exhibit were acquaintances of the pair.

“Im got her master’s degree at Iowa State and a number of these artists are from that University,” Wagener said. “Mike knew some from former dealings with them on different projects. Some of them were from word of mouth. Someone said you should really check out this artist, they have really cool things going on.”

McMann, who is also a curator for the showcase, said the price of running the exhibit as with more technology is a concern.

“One of the issues with having digital artwork shows is the sheer expense of the equipment and technology,” McMann said. “So as the department and gallery have been building up inventory, it has allowed us to show more art.”

The exhibit features a number of videos, kinetic pieces that are motion-censored and various computers and tablets that encourage interaction. Many of which incorporate music and sound effects that filled the gallery.

At Monday’s viewing, senior Dustin Schipper took his time exploring various pieces and

their capabilities. Schipper said he likes how the exhibit joins old and new media in diverse forms.

He also said he enjoys the realistic composition of the pieces.

“I also really like some of the renderings where they make these naturalistic scenes through very artificial processes,” Schipper said. “It makes a dichotomy of materials and techniques.”

Wagener said he enjoys some pieces from a technological perspective and others from an aesthetic viewpoint. Unlike Wagener, McMann was less hesitant to pick a favorite.

“Don’t tell anybody else, but I think David Bowen’s piece reflects using the medium to its full advantage,” McMann said. “It doesn’t try to ape or mimic pre-existing medium and it really investigates the languages and the tools.”

The “Art + Tech” exhibit is open during gallery hours and will run until Feb. 13.

Pahl can be reached at pahldj@uwec.edu or @DaniellePahl.

CURRENTS CURRENTS editor: Zack Katz

Diverging Displays Art crawl displays works ranging from food to fine art Martha Landry Editor in Chief

On Feb. 7, the fifth annual Banbury Art Crawl throws its doors open to the public to local artists and vendors from almost all realms of the arts and crafts field.

The list of available items to purchase range from recycled bird houses to locally made wine, to wood carvings, jewelry products, pottery, fishing lures, and traditional art pieces as well.

Banbury Art Crawl Committee Chair, Jo Ellen Burke said this will be the biggest display the event has ever seen.

“Between the food and the wine and the music, it really is such a fun event for such a miserable time of year,” Burke said.

Located in Banbury Place, Building

10 and 13, the event is an opportunity for local and surrounding area artists to open their studios to the public to reveal their works in a unique setting.

Ray Kaselau, Eau Claire sculpture artist, is displaying around 20 items at the Banbury Art Crawl. He said the crawl is his favorite art show in Eau Claire.

“There is a lot of energy going on there,” Kaselau said.

With glass blowing next to interpretive dance routines and bustling visitors, Kaselau said it is an exciting time.

The event is open to people of all ages and caters to any price point. Burke said some of the food, trinkets and smaller photographs can be expected to run close to $5, but some of the bigger pieces are priced around $1,200.

“We have artists from all over who have really made a name for themselves as well as being here for this first time,” she said.

Last year, the event drew more than 3,000 people. Burke said they are expecting larger numbers at 2014’s event.

“Because it’s free admission, I think people like the chance to get out to see it all,” Burke said.

There are more than 70 artists displaying their work at the event and many more vendors.

“To have this many artists is really unique for Eau Claire because I don’t think we have had this many artists in any event,” Burke said.

Kaselau is displaying sculptures in Building 10, space 23. His sculptures are made from paper mache and

BURGERS/Court-N-House offers homey atmosphere Although the eats are good, don’t come here for unusual fare. They have six or seven burgers inside a foldout menu and none more exotic than the Mel Burger, a bacon mushroom Swiss burger with green olives folded under the cheese.

I won’t talk much about the restrooms. Or the words etched into the bright blue walls near the sink.

Three flatscreens blare SportsCenter or The Travel Channel. But another screen in the back of the bar over red diner booths plays a looped slideshow of historic photos from the Eau Claire area.

Girolamo said one of her dad’s

friends compiled photos from the Chippewa Valley dating from 1870 to 1940.

There are photos of everything from local landmarks to Old Abe, a civil war era eagle mascot.

The Court N’ House is a friendly bar.

Tables of college students collide with middle-aged colleagues.

“Everyone comes here, all ages,” Girolamo said. “We have the 80-year old and the 21, 22-year-olds. The young and the old makes for a good dynamic.”

Beck can be reached at becknc@uwec. edu or @NateBeck9.

NATE BECK / The Spectator

HOUSE SPECIAL: Court-N-House, a West Grand Ave. staple, attracts locals of all ages.

12

Thursday, Jan. 30 wood that range from $100 to $2,000.

He said he is hoping to sell some pieces, but also wants to get his name out to the community in the distinct gallery setting.

“The energy that the crowd brings in and the building itself is such a unique atmosphere,” Kaselau said.

“Even though the building is so large, it has a personal feeling.”

Landry can be reached at landrymm@uwec.edu or @MarthaLandryy.

What: The Banbury Art Crawl.

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Feb. 8 and 3 p.m. to 9 a.m. Feb. 9.

Where: Studio 10 and 13, Banbury Place, 800 Wisconsin St. For more information: banburyartcrawl.org or info@banburyartcrawl. org.

Twin Ports band returns to Mousetrap Duluth-based Saint Anyway set to play original music Steve Fruehauf Sports Editor

Local Eau Claire tavern The Mousetrap has housed a spread of music types. The Barstow Street staple has supplied genres ranging from rock and jazz to bluegrass and jam.

But one artist, Tony Petersen of Saint Anyway, said his band will be featuring something he thinks will be new to a lot of ears.

“We’ve always been in love with the Americana alternative country style and so we’ve been writing in a folk Americana rock world with these acoustic instruments and specifically a banjo,” Petersen said. “It sort of pushed us into this world of bluegrass and with those two elements combined, we call it stomp grass.”

The Duluth, Minn. band has traveled the country for the past six years playing shows not only locally but also stretching to areas like Colorado and the East Coast.

They will be performing at The Mousetrap from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 for their fourth or fifth time.

Petersen said they will be playing a mix of original and cover songs.

“We are going to be doing mainly originals at The Mousetrap and several covers that we put into our own style,” Petersen said. “We’ve taken some classic rock tunes that we love and made them sound a little more like us.”

Saint Anyway will perform covers from The White Stripes, Rolling Stones, The Who and Charlie Parr to name a few. But Petersen said they are also excited to play some of their more popular original songs, “Never There” and “Burnin’ Down the House.”

The Mousetrap’s manager Sarah Prock said the tavern has gone through a booking agent, Joe Gunderson, ever since they added musical performances. She said Gunderson has a wide range of connections which allows for the unique variety of music played there.

Prock said Gunderson is usually the only person who listens to artists’ music they’ve booked prior to performance date as well, so what employees hear live is largely their

first chance at being exposed to the music. While this may seem odd, she said their live acts are usually met with a variety of eager listeners.

“It’s anywhere from college students to the older people who just want to come in and listen to live music because we never have a cover charge so that helps with bringing people in too,” Prock said.

Petersen said Saint Anyway’s type of music provides a rowdy time and a good excuse for some dancing if people are still on the fence about coming out for the show. But after performing at The Mousetrap over the past few years, he said he has no doubt this Saturday will be just as entertaining as their last performance in Eau Claire.

“Every time that we get back there, the show is better and better,” Petersen said.

“The Mousetrap has never let us down. It’s always been growing steadily and more fun every time.”

Fruehauf can be reached at fruehasl@uwec.edu or @ Frue_Daddy.

OPINION / EDITORIAL Thursday, Jan. 30

OP/ED editor: Alex Zank

Richard Sherman far from a thug

13

America wasn’t ready for his candid interview and social media accusations are off-base Ellis Williams STAFF WRITER

GRAPHIC BY KARL ENGHOFER / The Spectator

This week: increasing the minimum wage is crucial for well-being of college students The first raise I received was in high school, when federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25 an hour. I was working at a fast food restaurant, in an industry at the center of the minimum wage political battle.

And I know I’m not the only UWEau Claire attendee who has worked or still works earning minimum wage.

A Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis of wage data from 2012 stated that workers under the age of 25, while representing only one fifth of all hourly paid workers in the U.S., made up about half of those paid at federal minimum wage.

And I know a lot of college students find part-time employment in the service industry, which makes up the largest proportion of hourly paid workers, according to the same report.

This is why I decided to start with this topic: minimum wage is an issue that (quite obviously) directly involves the young, including us college students. And we’re definitely not making enough money to support ourselves.

This is why we should have an active interest in seeing the minimum wage increase.

It’s a bit unorthodox to acknowledge an opponent’s views first but I will tell you upfront that, generally, people who argue against increasing the minimum wage are not doing it because they’re inherently evil. In fact, they have a strong argument.

Opponents can point to plenty of economic theory and research that suggests an increase in workers’ minimum wage leads to higher unemployment.

The minimum wage puts what some call a “price floor” on firms’ ability to hire workers. If they have to pay too much in wages, then they will just resort to hiring less.

It’s important to point out that some economic studies suggest this isn’t always the case. But my response to critics of the minimum wage is a two-

pronged one.

Firstly, minimum wage is just not enough for those living on it to support themselves or their dependents. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator — the living wage is what a person needs to make to meet normal standards of living — shows Eau Claire County’s living wage is $8.07 an hour for a single adult. Keep in mind this assumes the person works full time.

Eau Claire isn’t an expensive place to live. The living wage for Milwaukee County, for comparison, is $9.48 an hour. And for the Twin Cities area, the living wage is $9.69 per hour.

Secondly, those arguing against raising the minimum wage probably aren’t thinking about the benefits increasing peoples’ incomes can have on the economy.

The people making minimum wage are also consumers.

If they don’t have enough money to live, how can they spend anything on goods other than the essentials? When you increase the income level of these wage earners, it would stimulate the economy with more consumer spending.

Now that the worst of the recession is behind us, corporations are bouncing back, making huge profits.

At the same time, minimum wage isn’t even keeping up with inflation and people like us college students are barely getting by.

I think it’s time that our government acts and increases the federal minimum wage. Wouldn’t it be nice if we as students could earn enough to indulge on food other than Ramen noodles and bologna?

“Those arguing against raising the minimum wage probably aren’t thinking about the benefits increasing peoples’ incomes can have on the economy.”

Zank is a senior journalism and political science major and Op/Ed Editor of The Spectator. He can be reached at zankam@uwec.edu or @AlexZank.

If you have a Twitter account or have been on some form of news website in the past week, chances are you know who Richard Sherman is. More importantly you probably have heard about what he did.

On Jan. 19 in the NFC Championship game, Sherman, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, deflected what would have been a game-winning touchdown pass from 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Sherman swatted the ball right into one of his teammates hands for the game-sealing interception.

Moments after the game Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews caught up with Sherman to ask him about his thoughts on his NFC Championship-clinching play.

Sherman ignored the question, and instead went on his now infamous rant about how he is the best cornerback in the NFL and attacked Crabtree’s skills on the football field, calling him a mediocre receiver.

Sherman’s actions went viral. It

seemed like everyone in America had an opinion on the outspoken cornerback from Compton, Calif. Sherman was labeled as a thug by people across the nation. His actions were seen as classless.

America has unfairly judged Sherman based solely on his postgame actions. I don’t want to discuss the fact Sherman graduated second in his high school class from a district with a graduation rate of 57 percent. Or that Sherman graduated from Stanford University with a 3.9 grade point average.

Those facts have been overflowing social media since the event occurred.

Instead I want to hash out why Sherman’s rant became such a polarizing story, and also whom I blame for this all occurring in the first place.

Sherman’s actions took America

by storm because Sherman made the people watching at home feel uncomfortable. Sherman’s interview was one of high energy and raw emotion.

It was in your face, aggressive, and it was the first of its kind to be broadcast on national television.

It took most Americans by surprise. I updated my Twitter feed every 30 seconds or so to find a fresh reaction to Sherman’s response, and most of the negative responses on my feed came because people do not understand the mindset it takes to be a defensive player in the NFL. Former NFL defensive back Brian Dawkins said it takes defensive players hours to come down from their in-game emotional highs. He said to be a defensive player you must be

“Sherman’s interview was one of high energy and raw emotion. It was in your face, aggressive, and it was the first of its kind.”

>> SHERMAN page 15

OPINION / EDITORIAL OP/ED editor: Alex Zank

Thursday, Jan. 30

Recent cold weather no reason for school closure Take caution in extreme weather conditions, but there’s no reason to fall behind

Katie Bast NEWS EDITOR

As I bundled up for my walk to class early this week, I couldn’t help but be annoyed. After a long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, fleece jacket, down coat, fleecelined leggings, jeans, two pairs of wool socks, snow boots, mittens, a hat pulled down over my eyebrows, a scarf wrapped all the way around my nose and sunglasses, you could hardly tell there was a person underneath.

I know I wasn’t alone in my frustrations, particularly Monday and Tuesday morning, but now that I’ve thought about it, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal.

The walk Monday was unbearably cold. I had ice crystals on my eyelashes and eyebrows, the scarf covering my mouth froze to my face and the bus was late so I had to brave the bridge. But I made it to campus and thawed out before I headed to class.

It might seem like a cop-out for the university to put the decision of whether or not to come to class on students, but we’re adults. If we can decide we’re too sick to go to class, we can decide it’s too cold.

While it may seem unfair that public schools were closed, Vice Chancellor for Facilities and University Relations Mike Rindo said they have the luxury of adding days to the end of the year.

“Once our semester’s over, it’s over,” Rindo said.

We pay tuition and every class cancellation is money we don’t get back.

There’s a difference between not going to class because we choose not to and not going because we’re told not to. I would rather brave the cold than squeeze two classes worth of lecture into one.

When the university announced that classes would be held on Monday and Tuesday, many frustrated students and parents took to Facebook comments to voice their opinion. Many seemed concerned that administration wasn’t taking student safety into account.

“Our highest criteria is, is it safe to come to campus, to leave campus and to go back and forth within the facilities on campus,” Rindo said. “That is one of the criteria that we take into really serious consideration in fact, the most serious consideration, when making a decision whether to hold class or not.”

He said there are no hard-and-fast rules concerning school closures, but rather he and the chancellor evaluate the weather conditions as they happen

and make a decision that way.

“Even though weather forecasting has gotten more accurate, it still is not an exact science,” Rindo said.

He said while the cold was extreme, the area has been experiencing similar temperatures for the last few weeks.

Nineteen of the first 28 days in January have been below zero. Every day this semester has been below zero and five of the six days have had double digit below zero readings. If class was cancelled every time the mercury dipped below ten below zero, we wouldn’t have had class those five days and likely wouldn’t have them for a few days next week.

I thought it was interesting that there was backlash over having class this week when there was nothing last week. The entire month of January has been very unusual. As residents of Wisconsin, we’re used to the cold and know how to dress for the cold.

According to a chart released by the National Weather Service, being outside for ten minutes in the wind chill could cause frostbite. Student Health Service Clinic Manager Laura Chellman said it’s up to students to use common sense when dressing for the weather. The best way to avoid this is to decrease time spent outside by taking the bus or carpooling to campus.

Chellman said there is no link between having class and getting frostbite and this year SHS has only seen three cases presenting with frostbite-like symptoms. None of them were Monday or Tuesday.

I don’t like the idea of having to use one of my few absences because classes are still being held and I don’t like the idea of missing out on lectures, but I feel comfortable making decisions about my own well-being.

Professors have been understanding of the conditions and I think most of them would be more than willing to

work with students who chose to stay home this week.

It’s pretty patronizing to have administration tell us to dress warmly (duh), but I think having class this week really was the best option. There are so many ways to be safe in this weather and people just need to be wise.

Bast is a senior journalism major and News Editor of The Spectator. She can be reached at bastkv@uwec.edu or @Katie_Bast.

14 MARTHA LANDRY / The Spectator

STEP WITH CAUTION: On Jan. 8, campus stairs were slick with ice. Temperatures on Tuesday reached as low as 21 degrees below zero during the day, with a windchill of 34 below, according to the National Weather Service.

OPINION / EDITORIAL

OP/ED editor: Alex Zank

15

Thursday, Jan. 30

New California glove law unfairly holds hands of bartenders

Life support is not death support

New regulation forces bartenders to wear gloves while preparing drinks

Imagine watching your spouse’s unresponsive body deteriorate in a hospital bed right before your eyes, watching the life taken right out of them and not being able to do anything about it.

That’s what I imagine it was like for Erick Munoz, whose wife Marlise Munoz was admitted to the hospital after falling unconscious in her Texas home and suffering a possible blood clot on Nov. 26, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth News.

Munoz was 14 MACEK weeks pregnant and pronounced brain dead two days later by the Fort Worth hospital that admitted her.

While her husband and family asked the hospital to take her off life support, they were denied because the hospital said a Texas law prevented them from doing so.

According to the New York Times, a spokesman for the Tarrant County district attorney’s office, who represented the hospital, said the law “must convey legislative intent to protect the unborn child, otherwise the Legislature would have simply allowed a pregnant patient to decide to let her life, and the life of her unborn child, end.”

As Americans, we are granted many freedoms. As a person from anywhere in the world, the rights to our

Steve Fruehauf SPORTS EDITOR

Due to recent changes in California Retail Food Code, culinary workers have been banned, effective Jan. 1, from preparing food with their bare hands. But it’s looking like chefs aren’t the only people who have to abide by the new law.

Bartenders from the golden state are also included. They are now required to wear gloves even when performing simple tasks like scooping ice or putting limes in drinks.

FRUEHAUF While some may think this is a step towards greater public health, I think this regulation is only going to burden bars.

The first glaring problem is the unnecessary amount of time that will inevitably envelope the industry.

People already wait absurd amounts of time for drinks. Adding the hassle of putting on and taking off gloves every time someone wants ice is likely going to anger belligerent customers and ultimately affect how many drinks they purchase.

Fewer drinks ordered means bartenders will see their tips decline and eventually the bar’s overall profit may take a nosedive. Customer rejection or even a person bad-mouthing the staff of a popular bar can be catastrophic to business.

Legislators need to understand

while wearing gloves may be an effective tool for chefs handling food, it has the potential to be detrimental elsewhere. Besides, wearing different pairs of gloves throughout an entire night sounds like a great way to collect different germs in one place.

Instead of pushing this new law, reinforcing the idea of being hygienic sounds more realistic for this fast paced business. Bartenders should be required to wash their hands every 15 to 20 minutes to ensure cleanliness.

Make sure preparation of added drink ingredients like limes or lemons are done in a clean manner.

Have these workers wear gloves during this phase earlier in the day.

This way, legislators are ensuring food and drink hygiene and bars aren’t losing money in the process.

If that isn’t enough, have bar managers push the importance of using an ice scoop instead of plucking cubes straight from the glass.

This would eliminate the possibility of bartenders touching ice with their bare hands.

I understand the importance of pushing hygiene in a society with germs and unclean people, but there needs to be a way where both sides can benefit. By reinforcing the idea rather than forcing unrealistic laws, both sides can coexist without the loss of business and money.

“I think this regulation is only going to burden bars from making a profit and being more hygienic.”

Fruehauf is a junior journalism major and Sports Editor of The Spectator.

He can be reached at fruehasl@uwec. edu or @Frue_Daddy.

Online exclusives this week: Sticking with that New Year’s resolution Editorial board: firing of gay teachers is wrong

A recent controversy in Texas calls into question our basic rights Katy Macek STAFF WRITER

body should be our own. The wording of this law bothers me because of the word “decide.”

Erick and Marlise Munoz were both paramedics and had talked about scenarios like this, deciding they didn’t want life support in this type of situation. This means it was Marlise Munoz’s choice to be taken off life support if a situation ever arose.

The attorney assigned to Erick Muñoz also released a statement regarding the condition of the fetus, describing it as “’distinctly abnormal’ with heart problems, deformed lower extremities and hydrocephalus, or wa-

“Forcing a braindead patient whose fetus is barely recognizable to stay alive ... should have never been an issue.” ter on the brain,” the statement said.

Not only that, but it was her husband and her family’s choice to remove both patient and fetus from life support after gathering all of this information.

So, the wife had previously consented to be taken off life support, the husband consented as well as her family. This should have concluded the case.

While we can never know for sure,

I sincerely doubt if there were any possibility for the child to have a healthy life, Erick Munoz, already the father of one child, would not have been so quick to disconnect the life that was left.

Dr. Sheila Chhutani, an OB-GYN at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, analyzed the case. “Knowing of these abnormalities this early in gestation, the likelihood of having a good outcome for the fetus is definitely decreased,” Chhutani said in an interview with NPR. While little information is available, she found a 2010 study on braindead pregnant women from Heidelberg University, which concluded that, in this difficult position, “A meeting of the neurosurgical, critical care … along with the patient’s family, should collectively make a decision about future treatment steps.”

All parties involved should work together collectively, including the family, whose voice in this case was left out.

But I do believe in personal choice, which is something all citizens in America have the right to, and forcing a brain-dead patient whose fetus is barely recognizable to stay alive against the family’s wishes, or her own, should have never been an issue.

Fortunately, Judge R. H. Wallace Jr. ruled Marlise Munoz’s body to be taken off life-support, and as of Monday morning her body was disconnected from the machines.

This issue is bigger than one family’s story. The fact that a woman and her family had to fight for the right to make their own decisions about a family member’s body makes me wonder what other rights we could be denied if the situation arose.

Macek is a junior journalism major and Staff Writer for The Spectator.

She can be reached at macekkn@uwec. edu and @KatherineMacek.

SHERMAN/ Media are to blame for unfair attention to NFL player’s outburst extremely animated and relentless.

This is why I blame the media for the post-game circus that was.

Take a moment and ask yourself, what do you expect a high-energy player like Sherman to say moments after he had just made the biggest play of his life on the grandest stage of his career? I’ll tell you: raw emotion is what you should expect.

Too many times in sports, individuals in the media will complain about the fact athletes give phony interviews, and they say very few pros give organic post-game responses.

Now sports fans everywhere finally receive what they have been asking for. A real, authentic, expressive interview and what do they do? Resent it.

Most Americans were not ready for Sherman’s passionate rant.

It made them feel uncomfortable and confused, but this all could

SUBMITTED

have been avoided had the media not driven a microphone into the outspoken Seattle defensive back’s face.

If you can’t handle raw emotion and real responses that come with

professional sports then don’t go looking for them.

Williams is a sophomore journalism major and staff writer for The Spectator. He can be reached at williaml@ uwec.edu or @BookofEllis.

STUDENT LIFE

STUDENT LIFE editor: Nick Erickson

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Thursday, Jan. 30 GRAPHIC BY KARL ENGHOFER

Members of the Healthy Living and Learning Community raising money to fund a school in Kenya Nick Erickson managing editor

UW-Eau Claire freshman Carlos Diaz had always lived through Mother Teresa’s philosophy “give ‘till it hurts.”

“Since I’ve been a kid, I’ve felt getting involved and giving back to your community is one of the most simple forms of kindness,” he said.

In May 2013, the then Arcadia High School senior got a platform to fulfill his philosophy even more.

Diaz was chosen as a youth delegate representative for the U.S. to the United Nations, and this October, he was chosen as a youth ambassador to the UN. Since May, he has had opportunities to travel abroad and meet leaders who share his same passion for serving.

Taylor Conroy of the Change of Heroes organization was one of those leaders. Change of Heroes has been working on building schools in third-world African countries.

Diaz became inspired, and he eventually

helped fund two schools in Uganda and Sierra Leone.

Back in Eau Claire, Diaz then needed another platform to continue his work, and as it turns out, there was one in plain sight.

Four years ago, kinesiology professor Tracy Yengo helped start the Healthy Living and Learning Community on campus. The goal of this organization is to not just live a healthy lifestyle, but promote it to others.

This fall, many of the freshmen involved were enrolled in her KINS 262 class, which centered around global health issues.

After a particular class discussion that turned into an energetic one about race relations, Yengo knew leaders were plentiful in this group.

“I remember saying to a colleague of mine, this class I have is special. They were dynamic, they were engaged,” Yengo said.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed. Diaz was one of those 12 members in the class, and he decided to bring his mission of building African schools local.

“What I saw from that community was a

KID WITH A VISION: UW-Eau Claire freshman Carlos Diaz, pictured in the brown sweater leading a group discussion, introduced the idea of funding a school in Africa to the Healthy LLC after already funding two schools in Uganda and Sierra Leone.

connection that everyone had in that class, so I thought ‘this is a perfect place to introduce it,’” Diaz said.

And so he did.

Although his classmates knew they had to do a service project to complete the course, raising $10,000 between 12 students was no small task. Diaz and Yengo met and mutually concluded $10,000 was daunting, so Diaz cut his classmates a deal. He lowered the goal to $2,000 and said he’d chip the rest in himself. The rest of the students followed Diaz’s enthusiasm and put all hands on deck.

“It just takes one person to light that,” Yengo said. “It’s Carlos’s idea, but it was the group. They all just add to that environment.”

The group is now at around $1,000 of fundraising and is hoping to reach its goal by Feb. 14.

Fellow freshman Nate Virnig was one student who was a little intimidated by the idea at first.

Now, he is all in, and he has even fundraised the most amount of money up to this point in the campaign.

“A little money might not be a big deal to us, but to them, it’s a big deal that could change their lives,” Virnig said.

The school, which would be built in Kenya, would not just be a place to learn about the academic basics, but also life skills.

Diaz has been to Africa to spend time at his other two schools he helped fundraise for and he said the lives people live in oppressed regions in that area of the world are unimaginable compared to middle class people in the United States.

“In some parts, over 80 percent of the population lives under $1.25 a day,” Diaz said. “Children are having to travel hundreds of miles just to get clean water that will kill them eventually.

They’re struggling to just live. That ties in with their education system.”

He also said infant mortality rates are much higher in Africa than other parts of the world in part because of inadequate education. He said the school the Healthy LLC will assist citizens in learning how to live healthier lives.

“They’re learning about sex education, they’re learning how to be somebody in life,” Diaz said.

“They’re learning life saving strategies. It’s more than just a school, it’s an education center.”

To Diaz’s knowledge, Eau Claire is the only university in the country that has a specific group of students helping with this project. Other institution’s have certain individuals lend a hand, but no group of students like the Healthy LLC. The Healthy LLC is taking donations up to

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

LEARNING LIFE SKILLS: Along with learning math, science and reading skills, students at schools funded through the Change of Heroes organization also learn sex education and wellness to become healthier people.

Feb. 14 or perhaps a later deadline if need be. If interested, Yengo said donations are being collected in the kinesiology department in the upper level of the McPhee Physical Education Center.

She also said the information desk right outside the department would accept donations for the project.

Diaz said giving back is something every person should think about doing, because you never know of someone else’s situation.

“I think charity is mostly important because we’re all human beings,” Diaz said. “We all need help sometimes. Treating others with respect is a simple form of kindness, so it’s truly important.”

For Diaz and the rest of his classmates and groupmates, there is no pain in “giving till it hurts.”

Erickson can be reached at ericksna@uwec.edu or @NickErickson8.