THE BG NEWS
ESTABLISHED 1920 | A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Volume 90, Issue 75
www.bgviews.com
driving in a winter
wonderland Drivers should prepare for dangerous travel on snowy roads Winter is well on its way, and the snowfall can bring more than just chilly temperatures. Here are some tips from the National Weather Service for safety on the wintry roadways.
ROAD RULES ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ANDREA FEHL | THE BG NEWS
PANTRY: Bags of donated foods line the shelves of the St. Thomas More food pantry. So far, the food pantry has helped 2,000 people with their grocery needs this year.
CAR KIT
Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal. Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season. Plan long trips carefully. Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions. Always travel during daylight and, if possible, take at least one other person. Dress warmly. Wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, light weight clothing. Store a supply of high energy “munchies” and several bottles of water.
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25
percent of all auto accidents in the U.S. are caused by adverse weather
Local pantries seek donations during holidays
Flashlights with extra batteries First aid kit with pocket knife Blankets and sleeping bags Extra newspapers for insulation Matches Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels Small shovel Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver) Booster cables
By Max Filby Reporter
The University sophomore works two jobs and volunteers at the food pantry twice a week while taking Rachel Trobe did not realize how classes. Trobe’s experiences volunteerlucky she was to have a job until she ing at the food pantry have caused her met someone without one. to re-evaluate what she and others While working at the St. Thomas sometimes take for granted, she said. More food pantry, Trobe helped a dis“I always take for granted that I still abled client before heading off to one have a body that works and that I can make money for a family,” Trobe said. of her jobs. For her volunteer duties, she “I apologized for being all dressed up because of work,” Trobe said. “The helps clients with their food and lady [at the pantry] said ‘well you sorts items. Trobe, who is majoring in dietetics, should be fortunate you can even go would also like to start a program to work;’ it really made me think.” With the holidays approach- at the St. Thomas More food pantry ing, local food pantries expect an to offer a wider variety of healthier increase of clients, and Trobe is one of the volunteers who assists the See FOOD | Page 2 additional visitors.
114 people die each day in car crashes in the U.S.
Nonprofit organization assists unemployed
SEASON OF GIVING
ExperienceWorks helps participants gain job experience, become more marketable By Alissa O’Neill News Editor
Jan Agler knows firsthand that ExperienceWorks works. The employment and training coordinator at the Bowling Green office was once a participant herself. ExperienceWorks is a federally-funded, nonprofit organization that finds job placement for people who are 55-years-old or older, unemployed and on limited household income. When Agler was 57, she found herself meeting all three of those criteria. “I sent out 120 resumes and applications and did not get the first interview,” Agler said. After applying with a temp agency, she enrolled in a computer training class, and one day her instructor started talking about an organization he worked for called ExperienceWorks. When
CITY Poised for performance
Agler showed up for an interview, she found out their administrative assistant had left two days earlier and Agler landed a new job. “I lucked out,” she said. “I was in the right place at the right time.” When someone is hired by ExperienceWorks, he or she is placed with a host agency within the community. The host agencies are typically nonprofit, according to Agler, and allow participants to gain job experience. ExperienceWorks then pays their participants minimum wage for the 18 to 20 hours per week they work at the host agency. “A lot of it is about learning or refreshing skills, looking fresher to employers,” Agler said. “You have to make yourself look as employable as possible.” ExperienceWorks also prepares its participants by hosting
Dancers at Julie’s Dance Studio prepared for this weekend’s “The Nutcracker Ballet ... All Jazzed Up!” performance Monday night. See photos | Page 3
See WORK | Page 2
Food items needed at the BG Christian food pantry and the St. Thomas More food pantry for the holidays:
WORK IN PROGRESS Here are some quick facts about the national organization ExperienceWorks and its Bowling Green office:
ExperienceWorks provides services for those who are at least 55years-old and are determined eligible for the Senior Community Employment Program to assist them in locating jobs and supplementing their income. ■ The national organization serves more than 50,000 people every year and has more than 300 employees, operating in 30 states and Puerto Rico. ■ ExperienceWorks is funded by grants, foundations, sponsorships, and contributions from companies and individuals. ■ The ExperienceWorks’ Bowling Green office is located at 500 Lehman Ave., Suite 222. ■ For more information, contact Jan Agler at 419-353-2600.
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Peanut butter Jelly Soup Beef stew Macaroni noodles All canned goods
JUST DANCE
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FORUM Wikileaks critics uninformed Columnist Kevin Murphy argues that the Wikileaks is being wrongfully accused of terrorist-like behavior by critics because it is “new media” | Page 4
ANDREA FEHL | THE BG NEWS
LINED UP: Dancers at Julie’s Dance Studio prepare for their performance of “The Nutcracker Ballet ... All Jazzed Up!” Monday night. The show will take place this Friday and Saturday in Kobacker Hall.
SPORTS Taking a look back at 2010
From Chris Bergeron taking over the hockey program to the football team suffering its worst season in school history, 2010 was a busy year for the Falcons | Page 6
PEOPLE ON THE STREET What gifts to you wish to receive this holiday season? JOHN SUBTIRELU Freshman, Telecommunications
“A Red Ryder BB gun.” | Page 4
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