November 2010 by Bailey Dunning

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what’s coming up... Snow Ball Dance

Saturday December 4th, 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm at the Upper School

Strings Concert

Monday December 6th, 7:30 pm at the Middle School

Band Concert

Wednesday December 8th, 7:30 pm at the Middle School

Open Mic Night

Friday December 17th, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm in room 115 at the Upper School

No School

Winter break is from December 18th to January 2nd

what’s going on... Blake Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Senior boys Pat Swearingen, Alex Gersovitz, George Ordway and Peter Fisher raised $1,933 by selling pink t-shirts (to be worn at the Girls’ Soccer game at the Dome) promoting breast cancer awareness on Friday, October 29th.

Senior boys and Ms. Graybeal holding up their final product in the printmaking studio.

So Long! Many of Blake’s beloved faculty members will be leaving next fall including Joe and Joan Seivold, Lukie Wells, Adaline Shinkle and Marilyn Kelley. All will be greatly missed.

Congrats to Korczak and all of his children!

Blake thespians performed beautifully at the play last weekend (11/18 - 11/21). photo credit: Moodle (above)

Issue

The

Spectrum check out our archives @

Please Recycle

Newspaper

November 23rd, 2010 Blake Upper School

www.blakespectrum.com

511 Kenwood Pkwy Minneapolis, MN 55304

School News Opinion Sports Variety

Marble Blast:

November 2010

graphic credit: Hannah Page and Kevin Hayes (above)

More Important Than Homework?

Illegally Downloaded Games Distract Students During Class

ing courses, collecting gems and power-ups and dodging obstacles in their path. The game entered the network of students (and their schoolissued laptops) early on in the school year and spread like a pandemic of a deadly virus. The popular game began issuing its wrath when one 9th grader uploaded Marble Blast to graphic credit: Kevin Hayes his public folder on the Blake file server, making it simple and ith the progression convenient for other students of the 2010-11 school to get the game for themselves year, two words have come without any work or payment. to define distraction, obses The game caught on sion and even the entire ninth as dozens of 9th graders and grade class: Marble Blast. even students from other What started out as innocent grades discovered this simple fun has evolved into a saga of and amusing source of fun. illegal programs, the break Meanwhile, the stuing of school policies and a dent took it down from his file lot of homework avoidance. server, realizing that it may The freshman have have not been appropriate become literally addicted to put on the school’s server. to a computer game called Instead, he created a simple Marble Blast Gold in which website for game downloads they navigate a small mulcalled MacApps 14, posting ticolored marble through the link on his Facebook page. dozens of complex float-

Jonah Sandy Staff Writer

INSIDE:

Girls Place Third:

Upper school students and faculty supported the Girls’ Soccer team at their game at the Metrodome on November 1st, 2010.

pg. 8

Mr. Teslow shows his spirit at the dome

After agreeing to a simple list of terms and conditions, visitors are given access to free downloads of two hot games: Marble Blast and Plants vs. Zombies, in which gamers use their green thumbs to defeat bloodthirsty corpses. The website’s description reads, “This site was made for you to enjoy all of the popular games at school! Just remember that you agreed to the terms of service, and will not play the games at school.” The website has since been deleted. The game was uploaded again to the Blake file server soon after the previous copy was taken down, along with another popular game, Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Despite the website’s policies, almost every student who agreed to the conditions has disobeyed them and played the games while at school, most often in class. The games add another layer of technological distraction to school and alongside cell phones, Facebook, and websites like AddictingGames. com provide a definite interruption of learning in class. Teachers have made it a habit to remind kids, “This isn’t the time to be playing

Faith at Blake: Students’ personal belief statements demonstrate the wide range of diversity of faith and religion at Blake.

pgs. 6-7

Marble Blast.” When students play the games so much during school, “It’s kind of annoying,” says the creator of the MacApps14 site. “[Students] can use [the games] how they want, but the main use of terms of agreement is so I don’t get blamed for it. It’s really the kids’ choice if they want to not pay attention in class and [they can] blame themselves that they are going to fail.” One may wonder, what is the big attraction to these two games? Why do most who play Marble Blast become compulsively addicted? A ninth grader explains, “The makers of the games that are heavy on Facebook, like Farmville, [say the games] are so addictive because you are trying to do better than your friends and you have to beat one level to get to the next level. [People] always want to be able to keep doing better - those are the key elements that makes it so addicting.” Another agrees, “It’s a competition to see who can ‘win’. I haven’t gotten homework done in study hall...

continued on pg. 3

From The Island School: Jack DeVries ‘12 writes to us about his adventures at The Island School in the Bahamas.

The Basilica in Minneapolis

pg. 2

Jack next to an aquaculture cobia cage

photo credit: Bailey Dunning (far left) & Jack DeVries (above)

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School News Sept 10 Physics Goes Underground

Blake Student Turns Elf

9th Grader Performs in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Yassaman Moazami Contributing Writer

M Hannah Page ‘11 and Stacy Ni ‘12 learn about the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment.

Students from AP Physics C and Modern Physics classes tour the Soudan Underground Lab in northern Minnesota. photo credits (above): Karen Phillips

ore than 3.5 million people view the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City live along the parade route, and more than 50 million viewers tune in to the television broadcast. This year, Blake student Jonah Sandy ‘14 will be performing as part of the new Office Max float “The Elves Raise the Roof.” Sandy flew to New York right after the closing of Korzcak’s Children for his next theatrical endeavor on the streets of NYC. Jonah will have a rigorous few days to learn choreography and lyrics that normally would take about two weeks to master. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m on Thursday, November 25th on 77th Street and Central Park West. Every year people put on warm layers of clothing and arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. to get a great view of the parade. NBC broadcasts the parade nationwide, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in each time zone across the nation. The Macy’s parade tradition all started in the 1920s. Many of the Macy’s department store employees were firstgeneration immigrants. They were proud of their new American heritage, and they wanted to celebrate the United States holiday of Thanksgiving with the type of festival their parents had loved in Europe. In

1924, the inaugural parade was staged by the store. Employees and professional entertainers marched from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. The parade was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event. In 1927, large animal-shaped balloons, produced by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, replaced the live animals. The balloons for the parade are inflated the day before Thanksgiving on both sides of the American Museum of Natural History. But ever wonder who inflates the balloons? The inflation team consists of various volunteers from Macy’s as well as students from Stevens Institute of Technology, a local university in Hoboken, NJ where the balloons and floats are designed and built. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade concludes with the arrival of Santa Claus at the parade’s finale, which marks the start of the Christmas season. Sandy’s group is part of the talent that will be performing live on the Macy’s star for NBC as well. Watch for his elfish image on Thursday morning.

“Marble Blast: More Important Than Homework?” continued ...for a week because we just sit there playing Marble Blast and Plants vs. Zombies.” Upper School math teacher, Christina Colvin understands the appeal. She explains she doesn’t generally approve of computer games as a relaxation outlet, but she understands that Marble Blast can be a good de-stressor. However, she does object to illegal file sharing. In today’s decidedly technological world, there is really no way of avoiding the problem of illegally duplicating or sharing copyrighted programs and files. Friends burn CDs for each other, illegally sharing music without thinking twice, and countless young Americans download files illegally using programs like LimeWire, which is currently under “a court-ordered injunction to stop distributing and supporting its [illegal] filesharing software.” According to the UK Times, “Illegal copying in some form is undertaken by 96 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed, falling to 89 per cent of those aged 14-17. Nearly two thirds copy CDs from friends, and similar proportions share songs by e-mail and copy all the music held on another person’s hard drive.”

Spectrum

In the grand scheme of things, doesn’t this colorful little computer game seem too innocent to be getting into legalities? It isn’t. Although perpetrators do not always get punished for these for these seemingly harmless crimes, if it were to be discovered that Blake students had illegal material on their school laptops the situation would become very serious indeed. Copyright laws are created “to honor the people who created [the software]… and people are not taking [them] as seriously as they should,” says Lizz Buchanan, the assistant librarian who also works with technology. Recently, administrators have become aware of the problem. Assistant Director ISS for Learning Technology Dan Trockman sent numerous messages regarding illegal downloads to the four grade conferences. They clearly remind all students, “It is a violation of Blake’s technology acceptable use policy and against the law for you to put any software or other files onto a school owned laptop that you do not own or have a legal license for… Distributing or accepting a stolen piece of software and then putting [it] onto the school laptop does break rules and will

A freshman plays Marble Blast in Study Hall photo credit: Jonah Sandy

put you and the school into a great deal of jeopardy.” The announcements clearly refer to Marble Blast Gold (or Platinum) as an example of a download that is illegal for students to be using on their computer. Illegal, that is, if the student did not directly purchase the game themselves. “Please remove any software you do not have a license for immediately. Failure to comply with this request will result in school consequences,” such as detention and/or suspension. To clarify, it is fine to have games or music on your computer as long as you purchased them yourself and therefore are respecting the copyright laws that protect the software.

Jack Fitzmaurice ‘12 wades during his semester abroad at the High Mountain Institute (HMI) in Leadville, CO. photo credit: Jack Fitzmaurice

The Spectrum staff acknowledges these mistakes in the last issue: -Sanjana Srivastava’s name was spelled incorrectly in the last issue. Congratulations to her on moving from contributing writer to staff writer. -The Spectrum omitted the number of students included in the percentages on the front page of the last issue. 372 students took the Safe@Blake survey . -In the article about athletic budgets, The Spectrum reported that the Blake Athletic Department pays for the lift tickets used by the ski team. Blake does not pay for these lift tickets, only the transportation to the ski hill. The Spectrum apologizes for this misinformation.

It seems that students have willingly complied with these demands, but many were and are having difficulties deleting the games by themselves. If faced with this dilemma, Buchanan says that students should “come to the tech center, no questions asked.” Because this is the first year that every Upper School student has been given a laptop, this is the first time this sort of problem has occurred. The school still wants students to be able to have access to all the helpful programs on the laptops and don’t want to have to lock the computers because of the possibility of misuse. Buchanan says that in the future, “We will be more up front with what you can and can’t do, and laying out the consequences so people can make decisions on what they are using the laptops for.” Students must delete the games from their laptops as soon as possible, however heartbreaking it may be. With the eradication of Marble Blast it is likely that a lot more work will be accomplished in ninth grade study halls, but maybe not at home – Call of Duty: Black Ops was recently released.

Opinions Nov 10

ImPACT Testing Can Make an Impact Karl Lovaas Contributing Writer

n 2008, 17 year old, Joy Conradt received multiple concussions in the course of two weeks, one day he collapsed to the ground, blood pooling in his brain after he had foolishly decided to go back into his football game after receiving a concussion. His father said, “He was just a 17-year-old kid playing football. Up until then, I never heard of anyone ever dying in a football game.” Occurrences like this can be prevented with greater coach and player awareness, and with a program of neurocognitive exams, such as ImPACT testing, in place. Concussion, also known as Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI), is an injury to brain tissue as a result of a violent blow, shaking, or spinning. According to Dr. Eric Coris, 300,000 athletes each year under the age 18 suffer from a concussion. One in four athletes under the age of 18 have had a concussion. As a group, teenagers are the most vulnerable to the prolonged effects of a concussion. Nationally, locally, and at Blake

the “shake it off” culture of players, parents and coaches needs to change. It should no longer be looked upon as intrepid, brave, or heroic to go back into a game after an injury. Sports Concussion Management writes, “It is these additional injuries that occur before the initial concussion is resolved that

ImPACT testing was developed in the early 1990s. graphic credit: Ellie Alldredge

seem to do the most severe damage.” A good place to start changing the culture is by implementing mandatory imPACT testing (Immediate PostConcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) for all athletes. The test is virtually free when done through the school and takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes. Following a concussion, both the baseline test and post-injury test are analyzed by a neurologist to determine whether the athlete is fit to return to play. It greatly reduces the estimation involved in the decision of when it is safe to return to play.

Some school administrators and athletic departments argue that imPACT testing is impractical and a waste of the school’s effort. It is also argued that the test is unreliable because students can easily cheat on the test. We should remember, however, that student athletes are required to get a physical every two years, which on average take one hour and costs $215. Most physicians agree that the cost to benefit ratio of imPACT testing is much higher than a standard physical. In the last two years, the use of ImPACT testing for contact sport athletes has snowballed. ImPACT testing is currently used by all NFL teams, all MLB teams and all NHL teams. In Minnesota, Holy Angels Academy, Hill Murray, Providence Academy, Saint Thomas Academy and at least 35 other high schools currently use imPACT testing. Now, it is time for Blake to step forward. The imPACT test may not be perfect, but it is a valuable tool in helping physicians and coaches protect their athletes from repeat concussions. If Blake is serious about keeping their athletes safe, ImPACT testing should become a mandatory step that every injured athlete must complete before returning to play.

Muslim Community Center Promotes Progress Fawaz Mohiuddin Staff Writer

lthough I had hoped that the over dramatization of the announcement that a Muslim community center was going to be built near Ground Zero would blow over, I have realized that it would be in the best interest of my fellow Muslims to address all of the misinformation floating about regarding this issue

Quick Facts

• 68 percent of the US population says that they do not support the construction of the community center because of its proximity to Ground Zero. • Plans to build the community center have already been set in motion. • The Lower Manhattan Community Board voted 29 to 1 in favor of building the community center. * information from http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100913/thousands-rallyagainst-park51-mosque-on-9-11-anniversary/

First of all, I would like to clarify that a ‘mega-mosque’ is not going to be built in New York, but rather an Islamic community center. This community center plans to house a culinary school, an auditorium, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and yes, space for prayer. But,

it is not a mosque, and it is inaccurate to say that it is; doing so is similar to calling a YMCA a church. Furthermore, this center will be built two blocks away from Ground Zero at a former Burlington Coat Factory that members of the Muslim community have owned for over a year. The major argument against the construction of this Muslim center is that emotional tensions are still running high from the 9/11 attacks, and that it would be disrespectful to those who were affected by the attacks. However, the Muslim community that supports the construction of this community center are moderates who encourage dialogue between religions and condemns the 9/11 attacks. The community center will be used to combat the skewed ideology that all Muslims are at fault for the terrorist attacks. Not all Muslims are radicals. It is important to understand that in the eyes of most moderate Muslims, the men who brought down the Twin Towers were not Muslims. People who park their cars packed with explosives and abandon them in Times Square in the name of Islam are not accurately representing Islam. I am not trying to imply that the feelings of victims of 9/11 are not relevant to this debate, as the feelings about 9/11 are most certainly raw and real. Many people, including families who lost loved ones that day, find the prospect of a mosque near Ground Zero upsetting. But emotions aren’t reason enough to prevent the Muslim community from asserting their 1st Amendment right.

So, why can’t this community center be built somewhere else if it has already caused so much tension? The problem with changing the location of the community center at this point in time is that it has garnered so much attention that moving it would simply fan the flames of hatred toward America. Islamic fundamentalists are using this debate to perpetuate the claim that Islam is under attack; moving the community center will provoke Islamic extremists even further. This becomes apparent when Newsweek quoted a Taliban operative, Zabihullah, about opposition to the community center near Ground Zero. Zabihullah says, “By preventing this mosque from being built, America is doing us a big favor. It’s providing us with more recruits, donations and popular support.” He added, “The more mosques you stop, the more jihadists we will get.” This shows that refusing to accept the construction of this community center will only serve to heighten the tensions between some Americans and the religion of Islam. I hope that America will ultimately accept this community center as a symbol of peace between the Muslim community and the American population. The emotions of the 9/11 attacks will always be in our hearts, but hard feelings against the Muslim community will not get us anywhere. The construction of this community center will open a new path for the American people to begin to undo the stereotypes of Islam that have been a product of the terrorist attacks.

Spectrum

Media Blitz Clare Flanagan

Staff Writer

spend most of my car rides to school in a sleepy haze, but one October morning, I became mesmerized by signs with compelling fonts and big names sprouted upon lawns like odd fungi after a weekend of rain. Mark Dayton glowered down at me from a billboard, his brows furrowed and his hands thrown skyward. Evidently, “Dayton’s Plan” involved “more taxes and fewer jobs”. And then I remembered: midterm elections were coming along, accompanied by the latest overwhelming media blitz. Political advertisements and messages are not always credible; nonetheless, many people base their opinions on what they see and hear on TV, billboards, and talk radio. Opinions and decisions must not be based on information skimmed off of the media’s surface. A discerning attitude is difficult to adopt in today’s emotionally charged political environment, but in these times, it is gravely necessary to see beyond party affiliations, emotions, and sentiment. Recent advertisements have been rife with blanket terms such as “JobKilling Taxes”, “Big Government,” and “No more politics as usual.” These phrases stir the emotions of many voters, but what legitimate information do they convey? Terms such as these lead to votes cast without any serious basis. Politicians also manipulate voters using tools such as rosy images and populist sentiments. Consider Tom Emmer, a gubernatorial candidate who issued messages portraying himself as a family man. Many voted for him due to their enchantment with his wholesome image. Do a little research, it is apparent that Emmer’s conscience is not completely clear: when one regards the two DUI violations and attempts to pass legislation weakening existing DUI laws, it is obvious that information below the surface clashes with the images displayed. Hopefully, this midterm season, those of us who are of voting age avoided choosing their candidates based on slogans and sentiment. If Americans continue to base decisions on emotional reactions to advertisements, then the officials elected will reflect the confusion of their people. This ideology was evident in the manipulative images shown by the media this past election season, and it will continue to appear in the future. Consequently, we must question what we see. If we don’t, we dishonor our privileges as citizens of a democracy. Two years from now, the presential elections will bring a whole new round of skewed political advertisements. Many current Blake students will be of age to vote, and hopefully, they will choose to look beyond dogma and sentiment when making their decisions.

Opinions Nov 10

Spectrum

Rants and Raves Cheers to Fermented Algae

Eliza Coogan When I select a beverage to purchase from the grocery store I aim for two things: taste, if I’m going to spend my hard earned cash it better be delicious, and visual appeal. Kombucha possesses none of these fine qualities. For starters, Kombucha tastes disgusting. Imagine drinking the liquid that seeps to the bottom of your garbage bag, add a little carbonation and fermented mushrooms, and you’ve got it. Upon first sip one might be foolish enough to think Kombucha is worthy of your taste buds. Then comes the after taste. The Kombucha bottle only serves to brag about the drink’s health benefits, touting it as the “wonder drink” which is both “organic” and “raw”. Health benefits? Who cares. I’d rather be unhealthy and happy drinking a Coke, rather than trying to rinse the taste of Kombucha out of my mouth any day.

Love Story?

Eliza Coogan Most people think I’m over dramatic (see the Kombucha rant for reference) but Taylor Swift is on a whole new level. It isn’t even possible that someone’s love life, let alone Taylor Swift’s, could be as important as she makes it out to be. I’m sure John Mayer is ashamed enough already that he went out with Taylor Swift, who could practically be his daughter. But really thank you, Taylor, “Dear John” was a subtle way to get back at him.

Bumpy Ride

Annie DeMane Honestly? When are our parking lot roads going to get fixed? The potholes in both the Sculpture Garden and Parade parking lots are enough to swallow a wheel, or even pop it out, as Abra Owens 11’ experienced just last year. The roads slowly wear out the shocks in our cars, and soon bumpy ride will begin to wear out our patience as well.

Fresh Annie Experience DeMane

At first glance, TeaGarden appears to be just one of the many trendy cafés in Uptown. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, and the shop offers free Wi-Fi, comfortable lounging, and friendly staff. Though it may seem like a turn off, the fact that TeaGarden does not serve coffee makes it unique and different from other Uptown cafés. The Asian-inspired teashop serves over 22 different flavored teas and 38 assorted shakes. The wide variety offered at TeaGarden encompasses sour, sweet, savory, etc.it is impossible to walk into TeaGarden and not find something that satisfies your craving. Tea aside, the atmosphere in TeaGarden is inviting, trendy and very, “Minneapolis.” Local artists’ works are displayed across the walls every month, reinforcing the intimate feel of TeaGarden. The tea is a must-taste if you live in Minnesota! A personal favorite? Taro chai tea latte

Mc’Lovin It

Elinor Mitchell Baseball, apple pie, fireworks, and white picket fences all embody the American spirit. But if you’re a real patriot, you have already noticed something’s missing from this list: McDonald’s. The yellow arch is essentially synonymous with the American flag, and for good reason. According to Nationmaster.com, there are exactly 12,804 McDonald’s restaurants in the country. However, there is only one that deserves real recognition. And luckily, the restaurant is in our own backyard: Eden Prairie. Forget your typical fast-food atmosphere, the EP McDonald’s has ambiance and class that rivals any sit-down place. Truly, nothing compares. What is more appealing than enjoying a 10-piece McNuggets in a comfortable booth? To answer my own question, nothing. So next time you’re considering taking the time and money to go to a “real” restaurant, think again. Look no further than Flying Cloud Drive for a quality meal, and a little slice of America.

Starbucks Serves Alcohol Testing the Limit of the Hannah Tieszen Staff Writer

model is not marketed to high school students, it will most likely bring in a larger night crowd for Starbucks, instead sually when I order my grande capof cutting off their busy crowds after the puccino (which happens more ofundercaffinated 8 a.m. rush. ten than I’d like to admit) I say that they should at Starbucks, I expect to see go for it because out of all the regulars on the menu: the coffee shops out there; Frappucinos, steamers and Starbucks can pull off selling classic espresso. Their cool about any beverage possible. café vibe has catered to the Other chains such as Dunkin’ masses for years, including Doughnuts and Caribou Cofpoetic hipsters, high school fee have been restricted students studying for the geographically to the east ACT, and business people and Midwest, respectively, needing a quick fix. What I thus have not been able to would not expect to see at keep up with the masses Starbucks is any kind of alof Americans as efficiently cohol related product, but and as well as Starbucks. apparently that is the direc This is a win-win sitution that Starbucks is headed. ation for Starbucks: boost According to recent the revenue of the cofnews, trial Starbucks stores fee shop and cater to an will begin serving beer and after work and dinner wine, along with comple- Seattle and Washington crowd. While most canmentary wholesome treats, D.C. Starbucks will be the serve wine and beer. to Starbucks addicts after first tographic credit: Bennett Winton not justify spending $5 on a Peppermint Ho-Ho mo4 pm. While I am a little cha, many adults will seek shocked, this business move makes toout the $4 to 7 dollar selection of wine tal sense. In these economic times, it is and beer. I think it fits Starbucks imnot surprising to me that high profile age and will be immensely successchain companies are looking to expand ful in extending their business hours. their markets. While this new business

First Amendment Christopher Hofstader Staff Writer

ance Corporal Matthew Snyder’s coffin is surrounded by family and friends who are mourning the loss of their friend, son and brother to the war in Iraq. But, this military funeral is interrupted by the protesters across the street yelling and holding signs that say “God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers”. These protesters are members are of the Westboro Baptist Church located in Topeka, Kansas. Most of the members of this small church are relatives of its founder, Fred Phelps. The church is described as a hate group that promotes homophobia. But, why protest at military funerals? This church believes that God is punishing Americans for supporting GLBT people by killing U.S. troops abroad. In order words, non-homophobia is giving us bad karma. The beliefs of this church are obviously illegitimate and offensive to many Americans. The Snyder family felt the same way and decided to take their situation to trial, and their case has made its way to the Supreme Court who is expected to announce their verdict this spring.

The church claims that their right to freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment, and therefore they have the right to peacefully protest at a military funeral. Snyder’s family has pleaded to the court that their emotional distress trumps the church’s right to free speech. That raises the question, is freedom of speech limitable. If so, what are its limits? I believe that this church should retain its right to express their beliefs in a non-violent way, but what Phelps and his followers did at Snyder’s funeral is disgusting. The case of the Westboro Baptist Church raises the question, you can, but should you? The Firth Amendment’s right to freedom of speech is crucial to our nation’s existence as a democratic country. The Westboro Church has every legal right to protest the funerals, but it still morally wrong to do so. This church only inflicts unnecessary harm onto many U.S. citizens and they do not have much evidence to back up their claims. So, which is more important, legality or morality? It seems that the Supreme Court is prepared to make that decision for us come spring of 2011.

Feat

Spectrum

Nov

Brennan Delattre Contributing Writer

n regard to the span of a human life, I believe that humans should not inflict intentional pain. I believe that many conflicts can be solved with words and education, and if not, we should decide that maintaining differences and keeping our lives, each and every person’s, is more important than settling a conflict by harming or eliminating the opponent. Any conflict seems petty and insignificant when even one person loses their time on this earth—once you are dead, how the issue was resolved really doesn’t matter anymore. I believe that humans should not have the capacity to destroy. All existing bombs and information on how to make bombs should be eliminated. Nature and natural resources should be treated reverently and be conserved. I believe that life is short; one explore physically, intellectually, and emotionally, find out who he or she is, and live a life full of love. I believe that everyone should be able to look back on their lives when they are old and think, “I am happy with what I’ve accomplished.” I believe in challenging myself, in pushing boundaries just to see what happens, in continuously asking some form of Why?, in “until you stop trying, you cannot fail.” I believe in taking the time to create something beautiful as often as possible, in giving one’s ideas to the world but not forcing the world to accept them. I believe that I am lucky to have been born who I am, and I want to make a positive impact on this earth and my fellow inhabitants every day until I’m gone.

Patrick Dunphy

Staff Writer

hat is religion? Is it a constant search to find one’s purpose in the world? Is it a set of unnecessary superstitions practiced today because of a 2000-year-old book? Or is it a moral code by which one attempts to better society? As a Catholic, I struggle through these questions, attempting to apply Catholic dogma to my life in a way that is both relevant to modern times and equitable to all groups of people. I use religion as a general honor code rather than an absolute way of life. In describing my religious beliefs, I must first say that I hate Mass. It is difficult to get up on Sunday and spend the whole morning at church, especially with piles of homework waiting at home. I do not mind the priest commenting on how to apply the reading to daily life, nor the friends waiting to meet me afterward. These topics have relevance in my life; they often help me to become a more virtuous and honorable person. However, some Catholic traditions at Mass hold little relevance to my daily life. For example, the Eucharist, or communion, no longer brings the church together as Jesus intended. To me it is a ritual, only completed as tradition. I cannot connect it to my daily life, and neither can most other parishioners. I believe that Catholic traditions such as the Eucharist should be made more relevant to modern life to make them more meaningful. I also do not condone the offering basket at Mass because it praises wealth as a virtue. The more money one donates to the parish; the more he or she is praised as altruistic. I believe that someone’s worth should only be determined based on one’s deeds, as the church teaches, and not on his or her wealth. I believe asking God to solve a problem is useless if one does not take the initiative to solve it him or herself. Thus, I use prayer as a time of reflection, a time to look at what I have done well over the past day and what I could still fix.

Emily Moore

Staff Writer

believe that understanding one’s personal believe system serves to develop well-rounded morals. Often times, people link their stance on God with a specific religion. My ethics surrounding the principle of God do not correspond with an established religion; rather, they have become my own set of morals. I understand God to exist within each person, as a spirit. This spirit motivates each individual and influences them positively; each being possesses supportive and constructive intentions. If one’s behavior or actions reflect a positive energy, optimism and greater amounts of positivity will be generated. Dissimilarly, negative energy will only produce a more pessimistic and cynical vitality. I believe the way energy is conveyed significantly alters the general attitude of a community. Part of maintaining an encouraging consciousness lies within what one understands as “natural.” “Natural,” within my analysis, inspires me to let the unimportant conflicts go and focusing my energy on combating issues about which I feel passionately, thus relieving myself from interference with the outcome of minor discords. In this way, I can conserve my energy to defend critical liberties. My beliefs center on solitary people, but they pertain to entire societies. Through offering positivity, I promote a more supportive atmosphere while also creating a system of support for myself. If each individual interprets the positive spirit that streams through them by performing good deeds, the community becomes interconnected. Essentially, one can find serenity within one’s own being.

Anonymous

belief in God and a belief in a religion can determine who you are and what your values m mitzvah, I went to Hebrew school, I went to synagogue and I celebrated all of the holiday tion did not mean I felt Jewish. Growing up, I would look forward to the holidays and special celebrations for the so cousins and other family members. Our holidays were not based specifically on religion or ho were an excuse for my family to be together. I have come to realize that my values are a resul ily believe that Moses parted the Red Sea, or that I must fast on Yom-Kipper in order for God Being Jewish is often about proving to others that you are “more Jewish than them” tions you are a “bad Jew.” In reality, many of the ways that the ultra orthodox practice Judaism Jewish in your own way, not the way preached by society. Although knowing me you would not guess this, being Jewish is a huge part of who I I would be a completely different person. My morals and values have been shaped by my reli reflection of our Judaism-based traditions. I do not necessarily believe in God, but I do believ whether we are religious or not.

ture

Spectrum

v 10

Faith faith l [feyth] noun belief that is not based on proof. belief in anything.

hat does it mean to have faith? Is there a God? Does religion determine who we are? Spectrum asked students to share their beliefs on God, religion, spirituality and above all, what it means to have faith in a modern world. Here are the answers of five Blake students.

may be. I was brought up as Jewish: I had a bat ys. However, being raised in the Jewish tradi-

ole reason that I would be able to see my ow closely we follow the traditions, but rather lt of my religion even though I do not necessarto forgive me for my sins. and if you don’t follow many of these tradim is hypocritical. To be Jewish you must feel

Mashal Sherzad Contributing Writer

ollowing Islam has been an experience full of learning. I learn more about my faith every time someone makes a comment that exploits it, every time I hear an issue regarding it on the news, and every time I sit at an elder’s feet as they try their best to educate me on what it means to be a Muslim. I believe that to be Muslim means to be good to all – not to lie, not to criticize others – because Allah sees everyone for their flaws as well as strengths; there is no need to ridicule one another. I am not a conformist, against other religions. In fact, Islam has a lot in common with other major religions. However, I find it terribly hard to keep my head up at times when people think that because I am Muslim, I am violent or angry, that I am doing wrong in worshipping Allah. I worry that phobia of Islam will one day be impossible to escape. My response to fear and prejudice like that of the pastor who had plans to burn the Holy Qu’ran is this – people should do more to find unity rather than differences, to not insult or impose their views upon one another in the face of them. Fear is most definitely not the answer.

I am. If I had been raised in any other religion igion and the close bonds in my family are a ve that religion shapes who we are as people,

photo credit: Sutton Higgins

Sports Nov 10

08 Spectrum

New Season, New Expectations Katie Emory Staff Writer

he Gophers, Vikings, Timberwolves, and Wild have not had great seasons thus far, but Blake athletics look promising. While fair-weather football fans are grumbling about the cold and impending snowfalls, the Alpine and Nordic ski teams are itching to tear up the hills, or lack thereof, respectively. Courtney Alpeter ’11 and Matt McFarland ’12 are co-captaining the Nordic team, and John Shelp is returning to coach this year with his classic motto “Make it work!” The cross-country team is comprised of both veteran skiers and newer faces, all working hard everyday. Their downhill counterparts are continuing their “program of legacy and tradition,” as declared by Coach Robert Teslow. With multiple State and Conference wins as evidence, the team is confident in their abilities and their long-time coach. Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball

coach Bill Arnold has great expectations for the Blake Girls Basketball team. He and head coach Dana Hayes are excited for them to “experience a lot of winning.” The captains, Rachel Hoops ’11 and Maria Brunette ‘11, and the team are all experienced and energetic players, described jokingly by Coach Arnold as “a little on the short side.” However, they make up for their height with their quickness and ability. The team finished last season with a record of 9-14, and are eager to improve upon this in the upcoming season. The Blake Boys’ Basketball Team, captained by Timmy Zellmer ’11, Benton Graham ’11, and Kebu Johnson ’13, has a few returning Varsity players, and many JV players stepping up to play on the Varsity level. Coach Nick Rathmann utilizes the 1% approach in his practices in order to improve players’ games. All members of the team are expected to strive to improve by 1% each day. It may start

Minnesota Sports Corner Chance Lillehei Staff Writer

fter nearly 5 years at the bottom of the NBA, the Timberwolves hope to solidify themselves this year into a contending team. The Wolves are stacked with youth and are one of the youngest, most talented teams in the NBA but have yet to see all of their talent pan out. Over the summer, the Wo lve s m a d e a few moves to try to improve the team. The bigg e s t acquisition was Michael Beasley, who two years ago was the 2nd overall pick in the NBA draft. Beasley is currently averaging 18 points per game and 5 rebounds and recently went off with a 42-point performance in a win against Sacramento Kings. The Wolves are currently sitting with a 3-9 record and much of their season left to prove themselves as contenders.

slow, but the improvement is drastic over the course of the season if the players work at it. Point guard Brandon McKinney ’12 said, “We’re gonna dominate.” The Bearstangs, Blake and Breck’s combined men’s swimming and diving team, is small but talented. Throughout the past few years, they have consistently placed in the top five teams in the state. “They are a powerhouse,” said Swimming Coach Kris Rosenberg. “We should still be top contenders at State,” said swimmer Will Erickson ’12. The divers and their coach John Daley are hoping to acquire a few new Breck teammates. Dive captain John Blake ‘12 aims to rank top 5 in state. The fencing team is serious about competition, adopting the football team’s conditioning regimen for training. Many of the veteran players have recently graduated, and captain Chris Bessette ’11 said that this season will be all about skill building. With help from Coach

Cliff Iverson, Chris is determined to raise the skills of less experienced players and compete hard the entire season. Both Boys and Girls Hockey promise to be stellar this season. Coached by John Hamre and Brano Stankovsky respectively, the teams have historically been solid. Both coaches place huge emphases on sportsmanship and personal development. The boys team has a game against University School of Milwaukee friday at 7:30 p.m. The girls play in a tournament friday at 8:00 p.m. at Braemar Ice Arena. “We are hopefully going to make a run at state,” said Ford Traff ’11. With a crop of experienced and dedicated players, Blake hockey will work hard to hold up its titles. With the winter season just under way, prospects only look good for our teams. Although the future is a mystery, if Blake spirit stays strong, there are no limits to our possibilities.

he Vikings are in midst of their second season with Brett Favre at quarterback. After an extremely successful first year and a near Super bowl visit, the Vikings haven’t quite looked the same. The Vikings started out the season with a record of 3-6. Brett Favre has been banged up most of the season and it has hurt his performance severely. He has thrown 16 interceptions, and has had 5 multiple interception games. The recently reacquired Randy Moss was surprisingly released after just 4 games. Coach Brad Childress released Moss without the consent or opinion of anyone else. This angered many of the other players, the fans and the front office. Many fans are pressing owner Zygi Wilf to fire Childress, but Wilf has yet to make a decision. With a tough loss the the bears and a struggling quarterback, its make or break for the Vikings.

he state of hockey is hungry for another contending NHL team and hopefully this year’s Wild will provide it. The Wild, in the their second year under coach Todd Richards, have seen Mikko Koivu develop into the first star that the team has had post Marian Gaborik era. With the season just under way, the Wild are in third place in the Northwest division, but only 5 points behind the leader Vancouver. With much left in the season, there are still major opportunities for the Wild to seize and hopefully propel themselves into the playoffs for the first time in two years. graphic credit: Kevin Hayes

Blake fans show thier spirit at the State Tournament Semifinals for Girls Soccer. The team lost this game, but went on to defeat Chisago Lakes in the consolation finals to take 3rd place overall. photo credit: Romy Ackerberg

Girls Soccer: 3rd Place Girls Cross Country: Jordan Chancellor ‘15: 4th Clare Flanagan ‘14: 8th

Boys Cross Country: Brandon Clark ‘12: 4th

Girls Swimming: Laine Higgins ‘13:

200 IM: 8th 100 Breast Stroke: 8th

Sutton Higgins ‘11:

100 Butterfly: 16th 50 Freestyle: 11th

Riley Short ‘15:

100 Butterfly: 15th

Sage Kelner ‘14, Laine Higgins ‘13, Sutton Higgins ‘11, Emma Demane ‘12: 400 Free Relay: 5th

Hannah Tieszen ‘11 and her dad, John Tieszen, finished the New York Marathon on November 7th, 2010. They beat both Jared Fogle, the Subway guy, and Edison Pena, one of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground. photo credit: Hannah Tieszen

Sports Nov 10

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Get To Know the Winter Captains 1. Do you have any rituals before playing? 2. Who is your athletic idol? 3. If you were a jellybean, what flavor would you be? 4. What is your most embarassing moment?

Vismay Modi Staff Writer

Girls Hockey: Abbie Lund 1. Magic and music. 2. Alexander Ovechkin. 3. Cherry. 4. Scored on my own goal.

Boys Basketball: Benton Graham 1. Before the coach comes in, we always have a 10-minute silent moment. 2. Michael Jordan. 3. Green apple and blueberry. 4. In my first varsity game warm up, I tripped and fell. Boys Fencing: Chris Bessette 1. I check my gear before every duel. 2. My dad. 3. Toasted marshmallow. 4. I was fencing and my pants ripped down the middle.

Alex Gersovitz Page Editor

wenty years from now historians, encyclopedists and the general population will look back upon this issue’s Mystery Athlete as the quintessence of his time. Mystery Athlete has lettered four times, in two sports, football and hockey. His favorite moment of his vaunted athletic career at the Blake School of Regulation was on the JV Football team sophomore year. Mystery Athlete reflected fondly saying, “my favorite moments as an athlete were JV football celebrations.” That year, Mystery Athlete explained, the JV defensive line was known as the “pain train.” They would often celebrate by doing call and responses threatening the opposing team with train noises. Mystery Athlete enjoys a steady stream of trash talk. So, be wary in the halls of Mystery Athlete, if you are so

Boys Alpine Skiing: Grant Laco 1. Listening to loud music. 2. Michael Phelps. 3. Peach. 4. Right out of the start, I missed the first gate. Boys Hockey: Boys Swimming: Ryan Bullock Austin Gromatzky 1. Do the howl, take it to the 1. I check goggles 3 times. house, sauce with 16, 14, 22, 2. Ryan Lochte. Phenomenal but humble spirit of Nick Brunette. and he’s chill. 2. George Ordway and Sch3. Lime. weinsteiger. 4. In my first race in 7th grade I was sup3. Mustang. posed to swim backstroke, but I swam it 4. Charlie Velie’s flashlights freestyle and I was disqualified. for Secret Santa. Girls Alpine Skiing: Girls Nordic Skiing: Perrin Burke Courtney Alpeter 1. Lean to both sides 1. Mobile dance parties. and clap poles. 2. Kara Goucher, a long distance 2. Christina Nikoznik. runner. 3. Cream soda. 3. Juicy pear. 4. Falling into the 4. I was looking at someone splits and being while skiing around Lake Harriet taken away by Tesand I did a face plant in the snow. low on a gurney. Girls Fencing: Girls Basketball: Nimisha Nagalia Maria Brunette 1. The night before, I prepare everything. 1. I just go with It’s calming and gets me prepared mentally. the flow. 2. Tom Bergan. Constant exuberance. One 2. Nick Brunette. day I want to be as tall as him. 3. French vanilla 3. Sour green apple. or Dr Pepper. 4. Last year, I was supposed to be demon4. I tried to touch strating something with our coach. I totally the net. forgot in front of everyone and didn’t do anything. Tom Commers for Boys Nordic Skiing was unavailable

Mystery Athlete lucky to guess his identity. It is not unlikely he will drop some major league chirps (a.k.a trash talk). On the subject of trash talking, Mystery Athlete has a huge beef with Fox Sports Network Hockey Night’s anchor and former NHL star, Darby Hendrickson. During a game broadcasted statewide on television, Mr. Hendrickson mispronounced Mystery Athlete’s last name. As a result, Mystery Athlete thinks he is “kinda mean.” A common theme among Mystery Athletes this year has been a strong passion for teammates. This issue’s Mystery Athlete is no exception. Mystery Athlete specifically named several guys in discussion of his favorite teammates. “Ford Traff ’11 and I are pretty good locker buddies,” he said, and “David Tearse ’11 would always have a lot of expensive supplements and food for me to take.” Finally, Mystery Athlete concluded, “all of the senior guys

are great!” It is truly refreshing to see a team with such unrivaled chemistry. After spending countless hours in the rink slapping the puck, Mystery Athlete likes to ride home in his 1999 Toyota 4runner, which he calls the “PoorRunner.” Many may not know it, but Mystery Athlete is an avid Pokemon trainer. When asked what his favorite Pokemon was, Mystery Athlete replied without pause, “Wobbuffet.” He elaborated later by saying, “Wobbuffet never attacks and kinda looks like he wouldn’t be good…at all. But, when used correctly, he is more or less unbeatable.” Sounds like a classic Blake Bear: more or less unbeatable. Aside from some mad button pressing skills on his Nintendo Gameboy, Mystery Athlete is an active Nerf warrior. In fact, Mystery Athlete is so dedicated to the Nerf lifestyle, he is even starting Blake’s first ever Nerf Club. Mystery

Athlete said his favorite Nerf Weapon is a “modified Titan Bazooka.” He has claimed, on some Internet forums, that he is “currently drafting contracts with some professional Nerf teams.” He may be the first ever Blake student to forgo college to go pro in Nerf. Some say Mystery Athlete truly lives the dream. Mystery Athlete said, with indescribable passion, that the one sport he wishes he could have played is “lax.” Of his lacrosse dreams, Mystery Athlete said, “If I played lax, I would find cheddar* all day. I could also put on my Common Application that I can play the organ because of all the pipes I would hit. It would be wonderful, potentially euphoric.” A brilliant description by a brilliant student, Nerf warrior and athlete. *Finding cheddar is the act of sniping ginos, ripping/slaying nets, or generally scoring goals.

Variety Nov 10

Spectrum

The Coffee Quandary: Caribou vs. Starbucks Molly Apple Contributing Writer

wo businesses have dominated the Twin Cities coffee market and satisfied Blake’s coffee cravings. In fact, it is impossible to walk down the Blake hallways without seeing at least one student with a coffee cup in hand. However, according to Blake students and teachers, there is a difference between the two coffee giants. Each store sorts their drinks in similar categories: chocolate, espresso, kids, smoothies, and teas. In the end, the choice comes down to convenience, cost, quality, ambience and customer loyalty. The next time you have a coffee fix, where will you go: Caribou or Starbucks? With a Starbucks on just about every street corner in downtown Minneapolis, Caribou has tough competition. However, many Minnesotans prefer Caribou coffee because of its local origins. Not only was Caribou founded in Minnesota, it was created by Blake graduates Kimberly and John Puckett. With the holidays fast approaching, both stores have come out with delicious holiday flavors and exclusive themed cups. Some of the seasonal drinks include Caribou’s Spicy Milk Chocolate Mocha, Ho Ho Mint White Mocha and

Caribou Coffee and Starbucks Coffee offer similar drinks with comparable graphic credit: Laine Higgins prices.

Dark Chocolate Mocha. Caribou’s holiday lineup of beverages is a top pick at Blake. Alex DeVries ’14 states, “The Ho Ho Mint Mocha is my favorite drink of the holiday season!” Starbucks features limited time offers such as the Eggnog Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Peppermint Mocha. Blake students will get their caffeine wherever they can, and their coffee cravings have made them connoisseurs of local coffee shops. Claire Wilson ’11 sticks with the basics: “Hot cocoa is a definite favorite.” Kai Skallerud ’13 disagrees, “I like Starbucks better because it

A Midwinter Night’s Dream December Movie Preview

Natcher Pruett Staff Writer

plethora of highly-anticipated movie releases coupled with winter vacation makes December a prime month for movie viewing. The early winter theaters deliver everything from slap-stick humor to 3D adventures that transport moviegoers to far away lands. Here is a small selection of the films coming to cinemas near you in the last month of 2010. One of December’s first major is releases is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The third movie in the Chronicles of Narnia series is based off of the fantasy novels by C.S. Lewis. This installment is the series’ first in 3D. It follows a voyage around the coast of Narnia. While not all of the characters return, expect to see several familiar faces. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader opens on December 10, and is rated PG. The Tourist is also coming to theaters near you on December 10. The Italy-destined film stars Johnny Depp, as an American tourist, and Angelina Jolie, as an English woman Depp encounters. Things become complicated for Depp, as Jolie has a history with the law. The Tourist is rated PG-13.

If you are a fan of science-fiction movies, then check out Tron: Legacy. This not-yet-rated film is packed with 3D action. The film takes viewers inside a computer as a son seeks to rescue his father, played by Jeff Bridges. The characters have to contend with a dangerous computer program first featured in 1982’s Tron. Tron: Legacy will be released in theaters on December 17. Jeff Bridges will star alongside Matt Damon in True Grit, due out on December 22. The revenge saga takes place in the American West; where a 14-year-old girl enlists the help of Bridges to kill her father’s murderer. True Grit is not yet rated. December supplies movie buffs with plenty of laughs, as several comedies are scheduled for release later this month. Little Fockers, the sequel to Meet the Fockers, comes out on December 22. The film stars Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Owen Wilson and others as they attempt to raise the next generation of the Focker family. Regardless of personal movie taste, December has a movie for everyone. So grab a few friends and a dollar for popcorn and go to the movies. You’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love.

has more non-coffee options.” Teachers and students alike have strong opinions about the source of their coffee. “I prefer Caribou. I feel like Starbucks has bitter coffee,” Lizz Buchanan says confidently. When it comes down to pricing, Starbucks hot cocoa, mochas and and lattés are surprisingly cheaper. However, the difference in prices between the two corporations often comes down to a matter of nickels or dimes. This marginal price variation is often rendered irrelevant to coffee-seeking Blake students. The competitive corporations

serve us a variety of treats and snacks in addition to a plethora of coffee drinks. Natalie Sill ‘13 expresses her devotion to Caribou’s muffins: “Their muffins are definitely better than Starbucks.” Buchanan agrees Caribou’s food is better: “I recently tried a breakfast sandwich. It was delicious!” Both coffee shops sell oatmeal, scones, cookies, sandwiches and assorted chocolates. In addition to their own blends of smoothies, Caribou sells Odwalla smoothies by the bottle, and Starbucks vends Naked smoothies. Blake students flock to coffee shops all over the Twin Cities in search of a relaxing place to complete their homework. Caribou delivers a warm and cozy feeling, bolstered by comfortable couches and free Wi-Fi. On the other hand, the Starbucks look is sleek and clean. Where students end up often depends on the proximity of the coffee joint in addition to their personal preferences towards either Caribou or Starbucks. Some students say the difference between Caribou and Starbucks is too close to call. However, after thorough investigation, it appears the majority of the Blake community prefers Caribou Coffee to Starbucks Coffee. Whether you’re looking for a non-caffeinated drink or something to give you a buzz, just remember: “Life is short. Stay awake for it”.

Model United Nations Club Inner Weirds

Left: Alex Herket ‘13, Caroline Hunsicker ‘13, Emily Kahn ‘13, Erik Maritz ‘13, Adam Yunis ‘13 and Adam Johnson ‘13 at Millennium Park, Chicago. Right: Natalie Lee ‘11 discusses a resolution.

Natalie Lee Staff Writer

“I always make sure that I wear a suit coat with shoulder pads. As Sam Michel ‘10 once said, the bigger the shoulder pads, the more powerful the person.” -Tyler Leslie ‘11

“I have a different colored pair of crocs for every day of the week. I think Mr. Dicus aspires to share this Inner Weird.” - Randy Roberts

“Gotta Find You by Joe Jonas and Demi Levato from Camp Rock cheers me up every time I get an unsatisfactory test grade.” - Caroline Hunsicker ‘13

“When I’m frustrated I make strange animal noises.” - Shana Kagan ‘12

“I will start to gag if I taste ketchup, but I don’t have any issues with eating tomatoes.” - Leon Lee ‘11

photo credits (above): Emily Kahn and Randy Roberts

Variety Nov 10 Behind the Music Get to Know BubbleTeeth Sanjana Srivastava Staff Writer

ubbleTeeth, an up and coming band with Blake roots, is still in its infancy. For many students, the music of BubbleTeeth is still relatively unknown. Lead singer Mariel Bolger ‘12, and drummer Jake Barczak ‘12 gave us their insights on the band. BubbleTeeth formed when Mariel and Sam Tornio ‘07 opened for an Anima Panda concert, the band Jake and Javi Reyes ‘10 were in, and Sam brought the four of them together. BubbleTeeth started when “Sam Tornio was playing shows [alone] last fall,” says Jake. “[Sam] added Mariel Bolger on vocals, and asked Javi Reyes and [me] to play a show with them in the early winter of 2009.” Jake and Javi play drums and bass guitar, respectively. “We continued to play music after that first show at the Beat in uptown Minneapolis. We played multiple shows in January at venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and continued to play shows here and there throughout [the rest of the year].” When asked where the name came from, Mariel said, “After one of our shows at the Beat, someone asked if they wanted to get bubble tea. Someone then said it as “BubbleTeeth” and everyone liked it.” Though the band is currently on pause, they plan to record and release an EP in February and host a release event. Mariel says the band hopes to “broaden our horizons, and go out of state – maybe in the summer.”

For the members of BubbleTeeth, their experiences are personal. Mariel comments, “It’s definitely very different than any other activity you could do out of school. Not just performing, but getting the music to a point where it seems flawless to an audience, and performing it and having confidence that they will like it. You become close to band members. When we started playing together, it was harder to go on if we messed up in a show, but now we know what each other are doing so well that we can cover up each other’s mistakes. It happens as we’re playing. It’s so amazing to see our improvement in how we play and perform. It’s such a large part of my life... and it’s been amazing to live life with it.” Currently, BubbleTeeth is trying to balance practicing and academics. Instead of dealing with college applications and fretting about where to go, the band is worried about how quickly people can come back. Javi now attends college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, so practices are happening less frequently. Mariel feels that as they all leave for college, it will get harder, but their best bet right now is to keep coordinating and making sure scheduled dates go according to plan. BubbleTeeth is gaining popularity within the Blake community. An upcoming BubbleTeeth show is on December 30th at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Go show your support for BubbleTeeth and have a good time!

Spectrum

The Big Bang Theory: A Cosmic Hit Noah Abramovitz Contributing Writer

he Big Bang Theory has been called the Friends of the modern era. The show airs in 66 different countries, and receives about 14.2 million views per episode in the U.S. alone. The sitcom debuted on September 24, 2007. Chuck Lorre writes and produces the show, which stars a relatively unknown, but nonetheless talented cast. Why then, should you watch The Big Bang Theory? Because of its creative writing, hilarious jokes and stellar production. Jim Parsons, who just recently won an Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy Sitcom, portrays Sheldon Cooper, an awkward, OCD suffering, socially incompetent brainiac, who graduated college at the age of 12. Johnny Galecki portrays his roommate, Leonard Hofstadter. Leonard is equally incompetent, but a little more “normal.” Howard Wallowitz and Raj Koothrapali join the dynamic duo in their quest towards leading a “normal” life. Howard is a creepy womanizer wannabe, with a Masters Degree in Engineering. Raj is an Indian Particle Astrophysicist, who is funny and lovable, but is sadly

Turkey Day Traditions Kalpit Modi

Staff Writer

lake students have developed unique Thanksgiving traditions over the years. Some of what your peers do on Thanksgiving might make you giggle, but traditions bring families We together each year to give travel to thanks. New York every

“On Thanksgiving, my family friends come over and we play games, such as carrom and monopoly, and then we eat together.” -Ashan Jayasuriya ‘13

year during Thanksgiving and watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade.” -Alex Herkert ‘13

“On Thanksgiving, my family and I race lobsters before cooking them. We race the lobsters at my grandmother’s house.” -Nicole Kozlak ‘13

diagnosed with a disease called Selective Mutism, which renders him unable to speak to women unless he is drunk. Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar play them respectively. Lastly, Kayley Cuoco plays their attractive neighbor, Penny, a community-college dropout, whose intellect is not at all up to Sheldon’s standards. Each episode has usually features two different story lines involving the five main characters. The hilarity of the show is often due in part to the guys’ lack of social skills. A scenario that would normally be easy for you and I to solve, might baffle them for days on end. This is especially true for Sheldon, who has yet to “conform” to societal norms. Some of their past struggles include asking a girl on a date, driving to the hospital and understanding the joys of football. There have been recent additions to the cast. Bernadette, played by Melissa Rauch, is Howard’s awkward girlfriend; and Amy Farrah Fowler, portrayed by Mayim Bialik, is Sheldon’s neurotic, “friend who is a girl.” These actors have made the show more plot-oriented. The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom lover’s dream. It combines all of the elements of humor and creativity needed to create a show that people actually enjoy watching. So tune in Thursday nights at 7 PM on CBS. Lastly, my only suggestion to the makers of the show is to take out the cheesy laughing track; nobody hears it over the sound of their own laughter. Above: Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj are the fantastic four of The Big Bang Theory. graphic credit: Laine Higgins

“When I was younger, everyone took a nap after the Thanksgiving dinner while watching the football game. But more recently, I listen to Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant,” a twenty minute long song that radio stations play [on] Thanksgiving.” -Chris Robinson

“On Thanksgiving, we have families over and we make rum cake.” -Michael Palombo ‘11

photo credits: Laine Higgins

Back Page Nov 10

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Riddle Me This Hailey Bork ‘14 answers: 1. Mt. Fuji. 2. Just 1 month, every 4 years. 3. ‘Cause there’s 1 more penny. 4. ‘Cause he’s alive. 5. That’s a tough one. Who knows?

Mac Findlay ‘12 answers: 1. Mt. Kilimanjaro. 2. All of them. 3. 1 more penny. 4. ‘Cause he’s still alive. 5. Trick question. You can’t walk.

Cassie Ali ‘11 answers: 1. K2. 2. 1 month. 3. 2007 is 1 more than 2006. 4. Some freaky tribal law. 5. As far as you want, or until you’re lost.

QUESTIONS 1. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the tallest mountain in the world? 2. Some months have 30 days, others have 31, how many months have 28 days? 3. Why are 2007 pennies worth more than 2006 pennies? 4. Why is it against the law for a man living in North Carolina to be buried in South Carolina? 5. How far can you walk into the woods? Priyanka Thakrar ‘12 with help from Chloe Billadeau ‘11 answers: 1. Mt. Kilamanjaro. 2. 1. 3. It’s just 1 more. Duh. 4. He is alive. 5. Until you get lost and no one knows where you are.

Jim Mahoney answers: 1. Mt. Kilimanjaro. 2. All of them. 3. ‘Cause it’s one more, of course. 4. He is still alive. These questions are easy. 5. As far as you want to.

Caiti Petrocchi ‘13 answers: 1. Mt. Fiji. Is that even a mountain? 2. 1 every 4 years. 3. Different materials? 4. I just don’t know. 5. Really, really far.

Grant Krieger ‘13 answers: 1. Fuji. 2. They all have 28 days. 3. 2007 is just more than 2006. 4. I really just don’t know. 5. 34.5 steps exactly.

Karl Lovaas ‘14 answers: 1. Mt. Kilimanjaro. 2. 2. 3. They changed the percentage of copper inside the pennies... Boo ya! 4. Am I supposed to know this? 5. Unitl I get lost. photo credits: Mason Hinke & Alex Gersovitz

Answers: 1. Still Mount Everest, it just wasn/t discovered yet. 2. Every month has 28 days. 3. It is just 1 more penny. 4. He is still alive. 5. Halfcway. Once you walk half way into the woods, you are walking out of the woods.