Friday, November 15, 2013 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Friday, November 15, 2013

The Collegiate Times’ comprehensive guide to Virginia Tech Football

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FINDING HIS VOICE BY ALEX KOMA | sports editor

fter piling up 278 yards over the Hokies’ last two games, Josh Stanford knows he’s the flavor of the month at receiver. But despite the sudden deluge of accolades, the soft-spoken redshirt freshman refuses to get carried away in his newfound success. “You guys are interviewing me now, but if I go out there and have a bad game, I’ll be in the locker room and you’ll be interviewing someone else,” Stanford said. “It’s just the nature of the business, so I try to stay level so I don’t get too high or too low.” Yet, coaches warn that it would be unwise to mistake this humility for a lack of confidence. Instead, wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead attributes Stanford’s recent success to a burgeoning sense of poise in the receiver. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Moorehead said. “He wants to put his name in that hat. We have a really big competition in our (meeting) room all the time and he’s feeling like ‘Hey, I’m part of this deal too,’ and he’s gone out and proved it the last couple weeks. He’s going to be a heck of player in this conference.” Thanks to this newfound confidence, Stanford has even been able to reveal some of his personality around the rest of the team. The receiver might be primarily focused on football now, but music is another one of his passions. “He’s actually pretty quiet. You’ve got to bring it out of him a little bit, but when he’s playing with confidence and everything’s going right with him, off the field, you’ll see (him rapping) coming out of it a little bit,” Moorehead said. “It’s fun, Josh is a good kid and it’s a passion of his, the music, and he’s pretty good at it.” The grind of the season hasn’t allowed much time for Stanford’s other interests, but he’s still committed to music, even freestyling in his appearance on the Tech Talk Live radio show. “I have a SoundCloud account, YouTube and I’m planning on putting out some other musical endeavors later on,” Stanford said. “I’m really focused on football, but that’s definitely one of my passions.” But Stanford is hardly the only player with musical inclinations. Cornerback Antone Exum has already posted some of his efforts on YouTube, and Stanford has discussed working with the senior

see STANFORD / page 2 BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS

RUN GAME REVITALIZED

AFTER HEARING THE CRITICISM, THOMAS RESPONDS IN HUGE WAY

MIKE PLATANIA sports media manager

The Hokies’ ground game, which had been dormant for over two months, finally came back to life in Miami. In what was Tech’s biggest win of the year, the Hokies controlled the clock, moved the ball at will and finished drives in the end zone. All of that was made possible by winning the battle in the trenches. “I give the guys a lot of credit for continuing to work through a frustrating couple of weeks,” offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said of his unit. “You don’t just go out there and all of sudden decide you’re gonna play better on a Saturday and play better. It only comes because you work hard and keep working to get better at the details and fundamentals.” Obviously, the run game goes as the offensive line does, but some of the finer details were executed with greater proficiency last week. Nearly an exact calendar year after Marcus Davis was embarrassed nationally for his apathetic blocking efforts in

PLAYER TWEETS OF THE WEEK

BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS

The Hokies are 15-0 with Logan Thomas as a starter when he does not throw an interception.

Logan Thomas threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns last week against Miami. JAMES O’HARA contributing sports reporter KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

Trey Edmunds (14) runs the ball through the line scrimmage. Tech’s game against Florida State, the entire Hokies receiving corps put on a clinic on how to block downfield. “All those guys, to quote my dad, were ‘gettin’ after people,’” said running backs coach Shane Beamer, laughing. “D.J.

(Coles) was getting after people. Willie (Byrn) was, Josh (Stanford) was. You could kinda see everybody gaining confidence. It was a physical

see RUNNING / page 2

STOPPING THE RUN

No player heard more criticism leading up to the Virginia Tech game against Miami last weekend than quarterback Logan Thomas. Thomas, who had eight turnovers in consecutive losses to Duke and Boston College, bounced back in a big way against the Hurricanes, lead-

SECONDARY DEPTH Virginia Tech’s defensive tackles have led the team’s fourth-ranked run defense.

Curious about what players have to say on Twitter? see page 2

see page 2

ing the Hokies to a 42-24 upset of the then-No. 11 Hurricanes. “I told the team we can all learn from Logan,” said head coach Frank Beamer. “The flak and what he went through the last week, he didn’t panic, he kept his focus straight ahead and came back and played a really great football game. I’m really proud of him.” Thomas had perhaps the best game of his career against the Hurricanes, passing for 366

see THOMAS / page 2

ONLINE Detrick Bonner and Der’Woun Greene have been called on to step up in the absence of injured seniors Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum.

see page 8

yards and two touchdowns while adding another 42 yards on the ground. It was just the third time he has thrown for over 300 yards in a game, but what really stood out were his zero turnovers on the day. The Hokies’ offense as a whole scored the most points against an FBS opponent since 2010 and captured its first win over a top 15 opponent since 2009. After the game, Thomas

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Friday, November 15, 2013

COLLEGIATETIMES 110th year, issue 54 News, page 4

Lifestyles, page 7

Opinions, page 5

Sports, page 8

Study Break, page 6

Va. Tech police chief Flinchum to step down in 2014 CAMERON AUSTIN news editor

After almost 29 years of service, Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum will step down in 2014. Flinchum began working at Virginia Tech as a student in 1983 and worked his way up the ranks through patrolman, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and then chief in

2006. “There comes a point in our life when we find it is time to transition to a new phase,” Flinchum said in a note to his department. “I have been blessed with a wonderful career, great opportunities and the privilege of working with great people.” Flinchum lead the force through some of the school’s monumental events, includ-

ing the April 16 shootings and the loss of VTPD officer Deriek Crouse. Also under Flinchum’s leadership, VTPD received accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators in 2010, as well as its fift h consecutive re-accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.

During his tenure, Flinchum added 11 officer positions and supporting staff to the force, and oversaw a behavioral threat assessment program and other initiatives that affect the safety of the Tech campus. Flinchum also worked with the New River Valley Drug Task Force. He has formed close relationships with members and leaders

of the Virginia State Police, as well as the local police departments of Blacksburg, Christ ia nsburg a nd Montgomery County. “I am proud of all of you and the work you have done to make [the Virginia Tech Police Department] one of the premier university law enforcement agencies in the country,” Flinchum said in his note.

Huckleberry Band crosses genres Trail receives extension

Maj. Kevin Foust will become acting chief on Feb. 1, 2014 while the university conducts a FLINCHUM national search to fi nd Flinchum’s permanent replacement.

National grants fund soil research LESLIE MCCREA news reporter

National innovation grants totaling nearly $750,000 were recently awarded to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to fund research and new technologies for improving the health of local water and soil. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service gave the grants to Virginia Tech through the Conservation Innovation Grants Program. These grants are in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University, the University of Delaware and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. “It’s a competitive grant process,” said Eric Bendfeldt, the principle investigator on one of the state-based portions of the grant. “We had to develop a grant proposal and budget, and specifically set priorities for what objectives we are trying to achieve.” The grant and project that Bendfeldt is working on, The Healthy Farms from the Soil Up: Finding Common Ground Program, was awarded in the amount of $74,102.

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

The Blacksburg portion of the trail runs for 3000 feet. ZACK WAJSGRAS

BY MEGAN VAZQUEZ | lifestyles staff writer

news staff writer

The town of Blacksburg is assisting in the creation of a comprehensive expansion to the Huckleberry Trail. The continuation of the trail will be one of three that are currently being created by each of the three jurisdictions that own sections of the trail — Blacksburg, Montgomery County and Christiansburg. Dean Crane, the director of Parks and Recreation in Blacksburg, explained that the local government received a $371,700 grant from the federal government (80 percent of which is reimbursed by the federal government) to extend the path. “The goal was always to connect the two towns (of Blacksburg and Christiansburg) through the trail but things (like this) always take a long time,” Crane said. The towns have been working on this extension for “probably the last 15 years or so,” but the funding and organization of the projects have only been actualized recently, Crane said. The extension that the Blacksburg Town Council is in charge of is a part of the trail that runs behind the fire station near Prices Fork Road. That section is “roughly 3000 feet long and runs through several private properties” Crane explained, which means the town must first gain the easements of the owners before private companies can begin to bid on the construction of it. Two significant parts of the Blacksburg extension are the continuation of a water pipe under the trail that originally reached its terminus at Moore Farm and a boardwalk that will stretch across the lowest section of the path, which runs through a marshy piece of terrain. A major group that has assisted in all facets of the trail’s completion has been the Friends of the Huckleberry. The group was created in 1992 and is led by Bill Ellenbogen. Friends of the Huckleberry has acted as an “intergovernmental coordinator,” Ellenbogen explained, between the three jurisdictions to help with communication and the raising of funds for the Huckleberry. “I’d like to say we were the catalyst to helping the two towns and county expand the trail from (its original length) of one mile to six,” Ellenbogen said.

Bombadil is touring the nation and will stop in Blacksburg tonight for a free show.

he chance to see a nationally-touring band for free does not come around very often. This weekend, however, that window of opportunity will open for Blacksburg. Bombadil will be playing Nov. 15 at Gillie’s Vegetarian Restaurant free of charge. The band, founded in 2005, got their name from Lord of the Rings character Tom Bombadil because he represents the spirit of the

forest. Though the band’s name doesn’t relate to their sound, it would be hard to find something that did, since it crosses so many genres. “A reviewer once called the band, ‘obtuse but melodic indie folk pop with a flair for the fantastic,’” said James Abbott of Ramseur Records. “I think that’s an excellent description of their sound.” The band, managed by Ramseur Records, is based in Durham,

N.C. Bombadil consists of three original members — Stuart Robinson, Daniel Michalak, Bryan Rahija and the latest addition, James Phillips. Phillips, a multi-instrumentalist, has played the drums for 16 years. He mainly helps the band with production and in recording the band’s songs, but he also collaborates with other band members to write songs.

see SOIL / page four

Raffle winner will fire game day cannon MAURA MAZUROWSKI news staff writer

CHEN JIANG / SPPS see TRAIL / page four

NEWS

The Corps of Cadets’ rafﬂe fundraiser will beneﬁt the Wounded Warrior Project.

LIFESTYLES

see page 8

“[Last year] people would throw in $5 or even $20, which only helped improve their chances,” said the Skipper Crew Gun Captain Jeremy Boone. “Firing Skipper is a once in a lifetime experience and everyone wants to do it.” The fundraiser’s success in the previous year is what encouraged the cadets to turn it into an annual event, raising about $2,500 for the Wounded Warrior Project in just three days. Inspired by the tragedy of Sept. 11, The Wounded Warrior project serves both families, veterans or current service members with physical or mental injury, wound or illness. see FIRE / page four

ONLINE The volleyball team pulled off a pair of big ACC home wins against Florida State and Miami. Find out how.

Read up on another new bike repair station, the fourth to come to Blacksburg. see page 4 see page 7

The sound of a cannon rumbling throughout Lane Stadium at the beginning of every game and for every touchdown is a familiar noise to all Virginia Tech fans. Yet, for this season’s final home game, one student will be able to experience this blast directly on the field. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will be holding their second annual raffle fundraiser benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. The winner will have the opportunity to fi re the cannon, Skipper, at next Saturday’s game. Tickets, which were sold by the cadets Monday through Wednesday on the Drillfield, were $1 a piece.

SPORTS See where tattoo artist Chris Toler is now.

Find out what our weather man James Marrow has to say about this weekend. see page 4

see BOMBADIL / page seven

For updates throughout the day. www.collegiatetimes.com

ctlifestyles CollegiateTimes @collegiatetimes

newseditor@collegiatetimes.com

November 15, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

NEWS

Bike repair stations continue to be added “Anything that has a nut or a bolt on your bike — you can adjust it,” Zeringue said. “I find that most people will be putting air in their tires or adjusting their breaks. That’s probably the most use it gets.” The first three were placed near the Graduate Life Center, Randolph Hall and Dietrick Hall. “They have great locations for them, so they are well distributed,” said Adam Eagle, a former Tech student and frequent biker. “It’s definitely convenient to go over and pump your bike up while you’re walking out of D2.” The recent stand was installed at the library in order to accommodate the cyclists on the Huckleberry Trail — another high traffic biking area. According to Zeringue, the stands have been wellreceived; she noted that during the warmer months she frequently saw lines of people

KYLE BARGER news staff writer

Earlier this semester, Virginia Tech installed three bicycle repair stands called “Fixit” stations around campus. Recently, a fourth was added next to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. The latest addition was from a joint partnership between the library and the New River Valley Bicycle Association, created to spread access to the town of Blacksburg. The stand was installed and will be maintained by the Blacksburg Public Works Department. “It has all the basic tools that you would need for minor repairs,” said Kathryn Zeringue, president of the NRVBA. Allen wrenches, screwdrivers and a multi-tool kit are among the equipment available to fi x a flat, pump air in a tire and adjust breaks and derailleurs.

waiting to use them. The stations are user-friendly — particularly for those who have smart phones. Each stand has a QR code reader that allows users to scan the code in order to receive tips and tutorials about how to fi x their bikes. Fixit stations cost around $1,000 each, though the newest one is a little higher in cost because of its more durable air pump. “From what the university is doing and from what the town is doing, (bicycling is) definitely getting better,” Zeringue said. “You definitely see more cyclists on the streets. A lot more students are asking for additional facilities.” Potential future amenities include more bike lanes, sharrows, parking and Fixit stations. Another idea in the works is to establish a bike loan program. According to Zeringue, the university would take the

weather watch JAMES MORROW @WxBONE

fter the first bitter cold streak of the season, temperatures are slowly on the rebound today and will continue into the weekend. As the temperatures continue to warm, rain chances will also make a comeback. Another cooldown lies ahead as a strong cold front moves through early next week. Clouds return this afternoon, ruining a streak of beautifully clear conditions. High temperatures will top out around 55 degrees with only a light southerly breeze. Rain chances arrive overnight, keeping the low temperature around 40. The warm-up continues into Senior day on Saturday. By game-time, the temperatures will be in the mid-50s under partly sunny skies. A few sprinkles may be possible, but the majority of the game will remain dry. Conditions will begin dete-

riorating in the evening as rain chances pick up again overnight. Low temperatures will be held to a mild 50 degrees. The remainder of the weekend will consist of numerous showers. The heaviest rain enters into the New River Valley late Sunday night and Monday, before being swept through by a strong cold front Monday afternoon. Temperatures will enter the 60s prior to the front’s arrival, but will quickly drop into the 40s by Tuesday. JAMES MORROW James Morrow is CT’s news weather correspondent. He is a senior Meteorology major and a Hokie Storm Chaser. He currently serves as the Meteorology Club President and is the Chief Meteorologist at WUVT 90.7 FM Blacksburg.

Fire: Raffle benefits troops from page three

“This is definitely an organization that we would like the students to help us support since we too will eventually be going into the military,” Boone said. Not only will the winner of the raffle be firing Skipper at the start of the football game, they will also get all of the benefits of a junior-level cadet on game day, including the chance to escort Skipper across campus and be on Worsham Field prior to the start of the game. “Usually [Skipper] is fired by a junior cadet…who has

spent two years on Skipper Crew, allowing them to actually fire the cannon in the stadium,” Boone explained. “So having the chance to fire Skipper is a pretty big deal.” Following the fi ring of Skipper, the winner will have the option of staying on the practice field with the cannon and the Crew during the game, or to re-enter the stadium. Beginning 50 years ago, Skipper was created by Alton “Butch” Harper, Homer “Sonny” Hickam and George Fox, three cadets of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadet’s class of 1964. Since

then, Skipper has become one of the most renowned symbols of the Corps of Cadets. Any member of the Corps of Cadets is eligible to become a member of Skipper Crew. “Currently we have 13 members… there are 5 juniorcadets on Crew. We all take turns [firing the cannon]… we have six home games, so the game on Saturday allows some else to try it out,” Boone said, “This is a great experience and the money is going to a great cause.”

@MauraMazurowski

Soil: Grant promotes health from page three

Funding for the grants comes from The Environmental Qualities Incentives Program, which provides financial and technical assistance toward the implementation of conservation practices. “As part of the grant, one of the things we’re really focusing in on is the promotion of soil health and trying to encourage soil health,” Bendfeldt said. “We’ll be developing intermediate

level soil health curriculum that would be appropriate both for farmers and technical service providers who are involved with soil and water conservation around the state.” The three-year grant will allow Bendfeldt and others to develop on-farm demonstrations, educational workshops, and other activities to increase the knowledge of cover crops, pollutants, erosion and conservation of resources in the Shenandoah Valley area.

“Soil health is a major initiative in thrust of the USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Services,” Bendfeldt said. “As you may know, [the Shenandoah Valley] is part of the Chesapeake by watershed, so conserving soil resources if really important because otherwise it becomes a major pollutant of the watershed.”

@LeslieMcCrea

bikes that they impound at the end of the spring semesters, refurbish the ones in good condition and allow students to have semesterly rentals. Eagle attributes the recent increase in cyclists — both nationwide and in Blacksburg — to higher gas prices, the desire to exercise and an increase of bicycle accommodations. “The infrastructure has started to get better for bikers,” Zeringue said. “You’re not really that worried about getting run over by a car because there are bike lanes all around campus.” Zeringue sees the future of bicycling optimistically. “As long as we provide more amenities for cyclists and we provide the infrastructure, then there will be a lot more cyclists,” she said.

@KyleB_VT

BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS

Alexander and Emily Crawford use the Fixit bike station in Blacksburg.

Trail: Partners make change from page three

In terms of the group’s involvement in Blacksburg’s expansion on the trail, Friends of the Huckleberry was the one to originally gain the easement from the Obenshain family — one of the families who owned private property that the town wished to expand the trail through. “We gained the original permission to the property (from the Obenshain’s) but after that, Dean Crane and the town of Blacksburg did the heavy lift-

ing to go through all of the legal requirements to finalize the agreement,” Ellenbogen said. The end result of the trail will create a straight line from the National Forest to Christiansburg, which will be 10 miles in length. “We’ve brought together a much larger group of people who can now use the trail. People who want to ride and walk much farther on the trail will now be able to do so,” Ellenbogen said. All users of the trail will

now have a much more versatile and enjoyable trail after almost two decades of work and planning from all three of the trail’s owners. “It has taken the cooperation of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, Montgomery County and Christiansburg, along with Friends of the Huckleberry, all working together to turn the completed Huckleberry trail into a reality,” Ellenbogen said.

@ZackWajsCT

health. ealtth. eemployment. mpl crime. music. sports. art. dorms. education. duc cation. housing. government. world politics. sales. travel. raveel. traffic. tr construction. business. relationships. entertainment. ntertainmen virginia tech. ut prosim. construction. We share your concerns Check us out in the paper or online at collegiatetimes.com

OPINIONS

opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com

November 15, 2013

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The Collegiate Times is an independent studentrun newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Priscilla Alvarez Managing Editor: Danielle Buynak Art Director: Kevin Dickel Design Editors: Brad Klodowski, Andrea Ledesma Public Editor: Andrew Kulak Web Editor: James O’Hara Multimedia Editor: Nick Smirniotopoulos News Editors: Cameron Austin, Dean Seal News Reporters: Melissa Draudt, Leslie McCrea News Staff Writers: Kelly Cline, Josh Higgins, Matt Minor Lifestyles Editors: Chelsea Giles, Madeline Gordon Opinions Editors: David Levitt, Sharath Reddy Sports Editors: Jacob Emert, Alex Koma Sports Media Manager: Mike Platania Assistant Photo Editor: Ben Weidlich Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: James Dean Seal Circulation Manager: Keith Bardsley

MCT CAMPUS

Facebook is slowly losing its appeal A

lthough having a Facebook account is taken for granted these days, how many students are actually pleased with and find enjoyment in Facebook? Data has shown that Facebook’s popularity is declining, especially among young people. In October, The Huffington Post reported a 19 percent decline in Facebook’s popularity with teens over the span of a year. Advertising clients and parents joining Facebook are one factor in its decline. Users have noticed and are responding to increased usage of cookies and smart ads which are encroaching on their privacy. Additionally, the slow movement of older generations onto Facebook has diminished its appeal to young users. Even more so than excessive advertising or losing its hip factor, our way of using Facebook has turned many away from it. By posting use-

less information, we often create a swamp of status updates that are a pain to wade through. Whenever I log in to my account, it seems as though everyone is competing in a self-centered popularity contest for who can get the most “likes.” Personally, Facebook enables me to keep up with friends and family by viewing their pictures more so than posting content. This feature, along with the fact that almost everyone has a Facebook account, are the only redeeming qualities of the social media site. Twitter and Instagram are better tools than Facebook for sharing pictures and information in a concise manner. Facebook, for many users, has become an outlet for remaking their life. It allows them to selectively post only what they want others to see, giving them a way to create an identity they want. Instances of people posting their interests and accomplishments and sharing sto-

ries of dubious truthfulness abound on Facebook.

“

For some people, Facebook is an outlet to another life. It allows them to selectively post only what they want others to see.”

On my newsfeed, I often see friends and acquaintances from high school and my previous college post pictures only when they have something to gloat about, such as their new car or a new designer purse they were given by their significant other. Superficiality is almost encouraged when the user gets positive feedback in the form of “likes.”

The original intent of social media was for maintaining meaningful connections with others, not using it as a tool to fuel one’s ego. Though it might have started out that way, the “connecting with others” aspect has slowly devolved into a transparent ploy for social acceptance. The backlash to this misuse of social media is apparent in Facebook’s declining popularity. Although many do not take the time to analyze why they are displeased with Facebook, the superficiality and triviality they see on a daily basis is a huge factor. Where these displeased users are taking their business is anyone’s guess, but the rise of Twitter and Instagram are good indicators. PEYTON WATKINS - regular columnist - junior - communication

share Debate over Redskins name your should consider history of team views G rowing up 10 minutes from the nation’s capital, the Washington Redskins have been my home team since day one. On Sundays, across the D.C. metropolitan area, rest is a foreign concept as fans huddle around televisions and the lucky ones make the pilgrimage to our holy land – FedEx field. The Washington Redskins have been receiving pleas for decades to change their team name, which is viewed as a racist slur against Native Americans. Recently, the controversy over the name has increased and the team has garnered national attention from high profi le media outlets such as The Colbert Report, The New York Times and sports anchor Bob Costas. These media outlets and activist groups are calling for a change in the name, while many fans are opposed to such a change.

“

The ﬁerce loyalty and reverence displayed by supporters could not be further from disrespectful to the Native American citizens and their culture.”

A football game is filled with the unexpected; rookies completing plays that prove their worth,

while veterans crack and make novice mistakes. Even with all the unknown that comes along with the sport, the Redskins have the constant that after each victory (and unfortunately, the more frequent losses) the streets will be filled with people singing “Hail to the Redskins.”“Hail.” That word alone could put an end to this entire argument. The use of “Hail” as part of the notorious fight song is a sign of respect to the players, franchise and mascot. As owner Dan Snyder stated in his open letter to fans, the name is not a label but a “badge of honor.” Snyder reminds readers that multiple players and the head coach of the Redskins’ inaugural team were Native Americans, and that the team has been honored by Indian reservations. “It is a symbol of everything we stand for,” Snyder said, “strength, courage, pride, and respect – the same values we know guide Native Americans.”I understand that the word may be hurtful to some; however, the connotation underlying it is far from derogatory. The fierce loyalty and reverence displayed by supporters could not be further from disrespectful to the Native American citizens and their culture.When I initially heard of the call for a new mascot, I brushed it aside and thought that since it did not sound offensive to me, it must be alright. Upon further examination, how-

ever, I realized how simplistic this thought process was. I am not homosexual, African American or mentally handicapped, but I would never even entertain the thought of uttering the monstrous terms that are often used in reference to these groups.Every race has a degrading slang term cast on them that has been stricken from everyday vocabulary. Why do we cringe when those horrendous names are spoken, while the term “redskin” remains and some Native Americans find it to be offensive? As citizens of a nation founded on equality and free speech, we must ask ourselves whether it is worth more to stick to a sporting tradition than to respect the sensitivities of certain people. That being said, I will continue to call the team I grew up watching the Washington Redskins. Even if Snyder does concede and change the franchises mascot – which I do not believe he will do - they will still be the Redskins to me and a majority of the current fan base. Whichever way the franchise decides to take the name, I implore that the players continue to fight for old D.C.

ALEX HILL - regular columnist - sophomore - political science/english

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November 15, 2013

Today’s Birthday Horoscope: What if you could save the world just by doing what you really love? This is that kind of year. Productive documentation ful ills a long-term personal goal. Passion especially sparks in autumn and again in spring. Harness it for a launch or show next summer. Build partnership, and it lowers. Blast off together.

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day

“If you want to see the measure of a man, watch the way he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” FREE 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR Wonderful bike. Runs perfectly. I am giving it out for free due to my late son’s death. If interested, email chrishrollins862@gmail. com

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For Sale BOOKS: What will we become, years from now? Better or worse? Fools, victims, fortunate souls, survivors in dangerous times? Remembering the Future, science fiction stories by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon.com.

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listen up

11/15/13 25 "Paradise Lost" figure 28 Period in a sonnet 29 Without getting excited 31 Govt. benefits provider 32 Bleep 35 Sauté 36 Golfer's concern 37 Mexican salamander 39 The States, to Mexicans 41 Reunión attendees

42 Word of awe 44 Main arteries 45 Sudanese leader? 46 "Age before beauty!" 48 __-Julie: Montreal suburb 49 Media workers' org. 50 Employ against, as tear gas 54 Develop canines, say 56 Welcome site 58 Jacuzzi setting 59 Last Stuart monarch

DOWN 1 Toady? 2 Castle seen in "The Whirl of Life" 3 USAF E-6's 4 Apple core, briefly 5 Keep 6 Command 7 Idle 8 First half of an indirect course? 9 Antique French coin 10 Dylan hit originally written for "Midnight Cowboy" 11 Speck 12 Getaway that gives you a lift 13 Where Brooklyn Park is 14 Eel-like marine reptiles 22 Ethyl ending 24 Nobelist Bohr 26 Boxer's cry 27 Weary 30 Basketball formation with numerous play options 32 Office gadget

33 Ontologist's concern 34 Unfinished business 36 Falcon-headed god 38 Longtime Mississippi senator 40 Bad sign for one seeking a shortcut 43 Unnamed woman

46 "That feels great!" 47 Inn choice 51 These, in Tijuana 52 Bridget Riley genre 53 Nasal passages 55 Modern dialogue unit 57 One who's with you 61 Humanities degs. 62 Plugs 63 Helmsman's hdg.

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

11/14/13

WORDSEARCH: FEATHERED FRIENDS Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

WORD BANK

W C

W R

W H

W R

W K

W L

W Y

W O

1 Cardinal 2 Vulture 3 Turkey 4 Seagull 5 Robin 6 Junco 7 Goose 8 Hawk 9 Flamingo 10 Falcon 11 Raven 12 Emu 13 Crow 14 Duck 15 Parrot 16 Heron

W X

W K

Aries (March 21-April 19) An accident or misunderstanding could ruin a romantic moment. Move past it by crafting harmony. Shopping for household items becomes top priority. Make sure you know how much you have in savings. Then get what you need. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You have extra con idence. Get as much done as physically possible. Notice ways to cut expenses without sacri ice, for yourself and others. Express your thoughts clearly to avoid confusion. Savor the sunset. Gemini (May 21-June 20) A change at the top could throw you off balance momentarily. Focus on inishing up old business for the next couple of days. Technical breakdowns could tangle. If you don’t feel like going, maybe a friend can go get what you need. Rest up. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Your plans today go better with friends. Don’t get intimidated to invite people. They can choose for themselves. Compliment your circles on their contributions. Your network and partners move the game forward with maximum fun and style.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You’re discovering wonderful things. Shop later. Consider new opportunities, even ones that you may have dismissed earlier. Add a mysterious touch. Your status rises. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) One pleasant surprise leads to more. Resistance could be encountered. You can run or confront it. Add a touch of glamour and a dash of creativity. Above all, include humor. Your studies move ahead. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) It takes more study to igure costs. You have what it takes to make it work. Seek better tactics or convince others to try again. Make water part of the scenery, but keep it close to home. Support family. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Frustration entangles. Sharing the load makes things easier and more fun, not just now but tomorrow too. Have faith in your partner, and make sure you know what you’re supposed to be doing. Minimize risks with planning.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Your reputation precedes you. Share your future vision, venture farther out, and work smarter to make money. Save for a rainy day. Some temporary confusion could disrupt the calm. Restore peace with gentle music. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Love what you do; do what you love. Then focus on the game. Soon you can relax. Move quickly now and save money. Follow a hunch, and you’ll learn more that way. Discover hidden treasure in plain sight. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) There’s no need to spend what you don’t have. Use what’s at hand to improve your personal abode by cleverly repurposing something. Home and family take center stage now. Imagination lights up your writing. Fill it with love. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Schedule carefully. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, but your timing could be off. Don’t speculate ... calculate. Congestion or breakdown could delay your plan. Make a call. Get help building your dream.

LIFESTYLES

lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com

November 15, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

Genres: Band mixes Tattoo artist connects with community sounds on new album THEA STOLLER lifestyles staff writer

from page one

Phillips primarily classifies the band’s music as pop-rock. “[The music] is more of a focus on melody, harmony, singing and trying to write catchy songs,” Phillips said. Bombadil’s new record, “Metrics of Affection,” experiments with other genres including hip-hop and dance music. Phillips said the band likes using a variety of sounds. Since the band records their own music, they are able to collaborate and mix up sounds in the studio like they did on their most recent album. “It was more of an organic process where we decided on our favorite songs and worked on them together,” Phillips said. “Metrics of Affection,” released in July of 2013, consists of 13 tracks demonstrating Bombadil’s experimentation with other genres, featuring odes, harmonies, a collision of bluegrass and hip-hop, folk rock and even rap. Phillips described the record as a pizza that has interesting toppings like sausage and pepperoni with vegetables and something weird, like a fried egg, in the center. Bombadil has been touring extensively in support of their new record. The tour is planned to continue through 2014, but they are cautious of how much they perform. “We are careful not to play more than four shows in a row,” Abbott said. “And then take a couple days off to allow for vocal and physical rest.” The tour has consisted of all types of venues. They may play at an opera house, in someone’s backyard or at a vegetarian restaurant. Phillips especially has fun playing at home because of the supportive local audience, but he also enjoyed playing in New York City. “We’re happy to play anywhere,” Phillips said. As the tour slows down, the band prepares to take time off in December and January to work on recording a collaborative project in N.C. working with a puppeteer to create a multimedia puppet show based on their music. Then, they will get back on the road in February. They are also working on a new record they hope to fi nish this winter.

Overall, Phillips said they are very mellow. They enjoy going swimming and sightseeing. They have visited both Thomas Jefferson’s and Daniel Boone’s graves. Phillips also said that while in Oregon, the mayor of a small town gave Bombadil a firearms demonstration. The band has faced a few problems along the way and while on the road. Spending a lot of time around each other makes getting along a fun challenge, Phillips said.

“

[The music] is more of a focus on melody, harmony, singing and trying to write catchy songs.” James Phillips Bombadil member

The band also has difficulties maintaining a healthy balance in life. “It may sound trivial, but it’s not to be understated,” Phillips said. Despite facing a few problems along the way, Bombadil has become a family working together to create something unique. “My favorite part is just having a project that I’ve worked on for a large chunk of my life now that I’m proud of,” Phillips said. “We can make it what we want it to be.” Fans can expect the release of an older record on vinyl in 2014 and a brand new record in 2015. On Friday, doors open at 9 p.m. and the audience can expect an 80-minute set of music from all four of Bombadil’s records. In addition to attending the performance, fans can show support and receive up-to- date information about Bombadil, including news, music and performances, by visiting their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. “I love helping out and working for a band that I’m a huge fan of and believe in 110 percent,” Abbott said. “Bombadil has got it.” Which band is playing at Gillie’s Nov. 21? Get a taste of the Huckleberry Pie band.

@meganv_VT

Give the gift of memories!

Known for his exquisite detail and precision, tattoo artist Chris Toler has established himself as one of the best tattoo artists in Blacksburg. “I try to make sure my tattoos are highly detailed and very clean at the same time,” Toler said. In addition to working at Ancient Art Tattoo Studio in Blacksburg, Toler continues to leave his mark on the community through his new podcast, CHAToo. Toler and his public relations manager Zach Decker cohost the podcast in hopes of connecting with the tattoo community. Toler usually fi nds himself discussing various topics in the tattoo world while Decker typically tells an interesting story or talks about pop culture, this makes them a great team, Toler said. “We find a really good balance in the podcast; you know I’m just never going to have the amount of tattoo knowledge that Chris has, and I think it would be inappropriate on the

COURTESY OF CHRIS TOLER AND ZACH DECKER

Chris Toler and Zach Decker team up on their new podcast CHAToo. because they are so appreciative of all their encouragement. “The amount of love and support we’ve seen in the short time we’ve been doing this is just phenomenal,” Decker said. In the future, the duo hopes to feature many guest appearances from different tattoo artists. These guests could ultimately add some great variety to CHATtoo by lending their

own individual experiences and opinions to the show. “I just want to pick their brains a little bit,” Toler said. As friends and coworkers, Toler and Decker are making a name for themselves in the tattoo industry one podcast at a time.

@theajanis93

watch: The Counselor Heads roll and Cameron Diaz has sex with a car

idley Scott’s latest thriller opens between the sheets, with stilted but provocative flirting between Michael Fassbender and Penelope Cruz. It feels dark, primal and sexy — a primer for what you had come to expect from this movie based on its previews. But somewhere amidst Cruz’s awkward orgasmic screams dissolving into the intertitle, something feels… miscalibrated. “The Counselor,” by its merits, is a handsome-looking film — as intensely dark and bloody as sexual and animalistic. It’s the first screenplay from the Pulitzer-prize winning novelist Cormac McCarthy, and its director, Ridley Scott, has a well-earned reputation for crafting slick, thrilling pictures. It hosts a cast of two Oscar winners, Brad Pitt doing some sly character acting and an effervescent Cameron Diaz bringing herself to orgasm on a yellow Ferrari. So at the end of the day, what went wrong? Perhaps the plot was just a tad too simplistic and modern for McCarthy’s long-winded, discursive dialogue. “The Counselor” is, on its surface, a classic drug-runninggoes-awry story set against the backdrop of ultraviolence among drug cartels in a deteriorating Juarez, Mexico. Leading man Michael Fassbender is the eponymous Counselor, living luxuriously in Texas with his beautiful fiancé.

Every Friday Night

The Jordan Harman Duo

podcast to present myself as such,” Decker said. Toler and Decker often try to include responses from their fans in their podcasts. For one of their past podcasts, they posted a question on their Facebook page asking their fans about their first tattoo stories. “It’s kinda a good way for us to bond with our audience,” Decker said. Along with answering questions from the Facebook page, listeners can also send in their own personal questions, which could eventually be discussed in the podcast. “A viewer sent us a question that was really neat; it was, could Wolverine get a tattoo?” Decker said. Toler and Decker then went on to discuss this question on the show. They came to the conclusion that Wolverine’s powers to recover from virtually any wound may be a preventing factor. “He is unable to form scar tissue and that’s how a tattoo works,” Toler said. One of the reasons the duo works so hard to incorporate their fans into their podcast is

9-12 pm, NO COVER! 922 Universtity City Blvd, 540.953.2700

But greed is pervasive. The counselor asks his eccentric friend Reiner (Javier Bardem) to help him allot some capital in the ever-fruitful market of drug trafficking. Reiner sets him up with a cartel-to-wealthy-guy middleman, Westray (Pitt), to orchestrate the deal, but Westray cautions him that the cartel is devoid of mercy or empathy in these kinds of dealings — especially to men like the Counselor. Let’s hope things go okay. *fingers crossed* But of course, they don’t. When a key figure in the trafficking is beheaded (at highspeed on a motorcycle no less — an unforgettable scene) and the cartel’s cocaine-laden sewage truck goes missing, hell is loosed on the Counselor and anyone else involved. In retrospect, there’s a lot that the film does right. Bardem hits his usual high notes as Reiner,

but the real scene-stealer here is Diaz as Reiner’s girlfriend and femme fatale Malkina. Adept in the art of manipulation and sexuality, this is Diaz’s most complex and compelling role to date. She is seductive and lustful but is subtly yet palpably predatory, with a cheetah print tattoo that plunges from her neck to her … well, I can only guess… Oh yeah, and seriously, she does a car. Like, actually brings herself to orgasm via a full leg split on the windshield of a Ferrari. It’s actually tastefully shot — tasteful enough to rest on a line between performance art and soft-core pornography. A later discussion of the “event” serves as the film’s only comedic relief, with comparisons being drawn between bottomfeeding catfish in a fish tank and… I just can’t. Outside of talented performances, the fi lm boasts a tan-

gible feeling of danger throughout its second half. Nobody is safe at the hands of an angry cartel, and heads will roll (literally). Scott employs Dariusz Wolski’s expert cinematography with grey-toned, low saturation to make every scene, even in sunny vistas, feel cold and lifeless. But the film’s downfall is its disconnect between its dialogue and story. Let’s face it, McCarthy is a novelist at heart — his prose reads well on the page, but in the arc of the story and the performances, it only comes off as cumbersome and convoluted. Even the actors seem unsettled at the meandering of their constant monologuing. It’s easy to appreciate a narrative that is insinuated rather than overstated, but as McCarthy opts for theatrics and style over naturalism, his complicated wordiness diminishes the edge that every other aspect of the fi lm strives to achieve. Nonetheless, with the mixture of McCarthy’s themes and symbolism (wait, is he going for literal auto-eroticism? Ooohh, McCarthy, you old bastard you), a skillful cast and Ridley Scott’s practiced hand at the helm, “The Counselor” may not be the most remarkable film of the year but is certainly one of the most striking. DEAN SEAL - news editor - senior - ﬁnance

sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com

November 15, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

SPORTS

Bonner, Greene add depth to secondary BROOKS AKER sports reporter

The talk of the first part of the season was the Virginia Tech defense, specifically the performance of two true freshmen and an outstanding senior in the defensive backfield. Courtesy of the injury bug, the defensive backs have had to do some shuffling and go deeper in the depth chart than the coaches may have liked. Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson, both true freshmen cornerbacks, burst onto the scene with outstanding play earlier this year. Facyson’s highlight reel interception against Georgia Tech and Fuller’s three interception performance against Duke have demonstrated just how well the two have played. When senior Antone Exum returned, there was supposed to be an embarrassment of riches, forcing a star to sit out. But after injuries to Facyson (concussion), senior Kyle Fuller (groin) and Exum (sprained ankle), the Hokies had to do some serious shuffling. Now one of the backup corners, freshman Chuck Clark, is also dealing with an ankle injury and the Hokies have had to adjust on the fly. Though he doesn’t receive as much of the attention in

the secondary, redshirt junior free safety Detrick Bonner earned the praise of his position coach for being able to play nearly anywhere. “Bonner’s a guy who it would be hard for us to function (without) because he’s a football intelligent, high IQ kid and he played in our 30 package — what we call our Bandit guy — in the nickel package he ended up playing nickel guy,” secondary coach Torrian Gray said. “He also played free safety during the (previous) game because we ended up having Kyle go out and Antone go out and then you’re still moving around parts. You didn’t have Chuck Clark as the backup nickel so he was very valuable from that standpoint, being able to do a lot of things.” Bonner played all over the field on Saturday, and his versatility was crucial in keeping the damage minimal by the Miami passing game. Virginia Tech allowed multiple touchdown passes of more than 80 yards for the first time ever in the Frank Beamer era. Fortunately, it didn’t cost them the game. Although the long pass plays look bad in the box score, the Hokies don’t think they are weaknesses. “(Other teams are) going to make plays — they’re a really

good team, have good athletes. One of them was just a break run. It wasn’t so much of them beating us. And the other one I think we misjudged the ball. We could have easily kept going and knocked it down. Those are just some adjustments we have to make and I think we’ll be good.” Gray didn’t seem too concerned with the long plays, but did note that he wants the guys to play within what they are taught. “(Facyson) is aggressive in nature and you like that part about him, but you’ve got to do it from a fundamental standpoint,” Gray said. “He’s got to see that on film and make sure he’s doing it from a fundamental standpoint and he’ll be fine.” With the injuries to Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum, guys like Clark and redshirtfreshman Der’Woun Greene have been called upon to step up. So far, their coaches think they have performed well given the circumstances. “I always thought (Greene) was a good player. I think he’s coming along very well at free safety,” Bonner said. “It’s his first time playing safety. It’s not an easy position, but he’s catching on very well. He’s a smart player.” Gray agrees with his utility man and starting free safety,

Volleyball wins a pair of home conference contests ALI BOWKER sports staff writer

Before the Virginia Tech volleyball team’s weekend matches, head coach Chris Riley challenged his squad to be more aggressive. The team answered Riley’s test, posting 122 kills in their wins against Miami and No. 18 Florida State. “I thought we responded great because we came out and played a better brand that we had talked about,” Riley said. “We were more assertive, aggressive, confident and played better defense. I thought we played great.” In the first game against Miami, the two teams kept things close. They were tied at eight and again at 14 before the Hokies went up 17-14. Tech was able to maintain their lead for the rest of the game, though Miami tried to make a late comeback. A kill by junior right side Kathryn Caine and a kill by senior middle blocker Victoria Hamsher gave Tech enough to seal the game at 25-22. “I think we played really consistently. We played low error and we played as a team,” Hamsher said. “We made those extra plays that we’ve been working on in practice and that really made a difference.” The second game was much like the first, with Tech and Miami trading points along the way before the Hokies were able to go on a 5-1 run to put them ahead at 21-16. Miami was not able to get any closer, and the Hokies sealed the deal with a 25-19 win. The third game was Tech’s only falter of the night as the Hurricanes were able to put together an early 6-1 and was

up 15-9 before Tech took its first timeout. Miami would eventually hang on to take the third game 25-19. “For some reason we came out a little flat and before we realized it the score was 6-1, so it was a little hard to come back from that,” Riley said. “They played better and used more players on the attack.” Tech rebounded in the fourth game as they hit .520 on the attack with 15 kills and just two errors. The Hokies took an early 10-4 lead and extended their lead to 18-12. Miami would not come back, and Tech would take the match 3-1. “We had a little pep talk and said that we need to play to win, and that every play counts. We needed to not take losing for an answer,” Caine said. “We came out stronger in the fourth game and focused on what each of us had to do individually.” The team returned to the court on Saturday to face nationally ranked Florida State. “Florida State is big, physical, they don’t get rattled,” Riley said. “They are the night and day opposite of Miami. Miami is light, fast, quick and explosive. Florida State is big, physical, they measure 6-foot-3 across the front row. They’re pretty good.” Tech had to be on the top of their attacking game when they matched up against the Seminoles. “Really good attacking, we are going to have to be sharp on our hitting and really good defense too,” Caine said. “Every point matters and we are going to have to work hard because FSU is a tough team.” Tech answered their challenge again on Saturday as they knocked down 63 kills and hit .316 against the Seminoles. Against FSU it

upcoming games Fri. Nov. 15, at North Carolina Sat. Nov. 16, at NC State was Hamsher who came up big for the Hokies as she had 19 kills and hit .484 on the night. In the first game the two teams kept things close. The Hokies were able to take a 15-13 lead and hang on to it the whole way to win the game 25-21. The second game saw as much action, but this time it was the Seminoles who were able to take the 25-20 win. Tech was able to take a 13-7 lead early in the third set, but the Seminoles threatened to come back into the game as they cut Tech’s lead to 22-20. The Hokies were able to close it out with a 25-21 win and 2-1 games advantage. In the fourth game it was all Tech as the Hokies dominated the court going up 15-6 early on. The Hokies would prove to be too much for FSU as they rolled to the 25-15 win. With the win, Tech improved to 20-8 on the season and 8-6 in the ACC. The Hokies head on the road for their next four games before returning home for their last two regular season games. “Mentally going on the road is really tough, but we have pull it from somewhere,” Caine said. “We have to go 4-2 for the rest of the season to make the tournament, so we are going to use that as our motivation to win.”

@AlisonBowker_VT

but wants to see more from the Portsmouth native. “He’s come along,” Gray said. “From a communication standpoint I’m always challenging him, hoping he’s going to take another step and hopefully getting in the game and playing in that situation will help him in that process.” Defensive coordinator Bud Foster agreed and had plenty of praise for the work of the secondary against Miami. “Last week our guys did a great job,” Foster said. “We lost those two guys early and that messed up our whole package, as far as our nickel package, our 30 package, all of a sudden we’re scrambling. Bonner played that nickel last year and stepped right in and did it this year without any hesitation and then Greene came in and did a great job.” As for Saturday, the roles will be similar. According to the team’s injury report, Kyle Fuller and Exum will miss the upcoming game, so the pressure to step up will be put onto young players like Kendall Fuller, Facyson and Greene. Meanwhile, Kyle Fuller and Exum will settle for watching Senior Day from the sideline.

@BrooksAker

ALISON NEARY/ SPPS

Detrick Bonner (8) has been forced to play a variety of positions.

COLLEGIATE LIVING

november 15th, 2013

105th year issue 54 blacksburg, va.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Renting Is it for you? Or should you buy?

Reviews Of Blacksburg’s most popular apartment complexes

Advice On how to avoid hating your roommates after several weeks

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Foxridge’s large complex offers great amenities NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS multimedia editor

COLLEGIATE LIVING

There’s a reason Foxridge Apartments was voted the No. 1 place to live in Blacksburg. It’s the same reason that I’ve lived there for the past three years - economies of scale. Economies of scale refer to the increase in profits and resources available for a business as it increases in size, up to a certain point. Foxridge is one of the largest apartment complexes on the East Coast. Thus, they have a wealth of opportunity to provide good rates, sweet amenities and a whole host of things other apartment complexes in Blacksburg just can’t match. Let’s be real, Foxridge is practically a small town. It’s got running trails that connect to campus, a full service shopping center, a beautiful pond with a wide open field for sports and cookouts, tennis courts, basketball courts and other sports and fitness facilities, and not just one but

two swimming pools. Economies of scale allow Foxridge to provide all of these things at a lower cost. In addition, they serve thousands of tenants each year, so they just have more people to vote for things like Best of Blacksburg compared to other smaller apartment complexes. Yet, there is one key defining feature. There are plenty of big businesses out there that fail to capitalize on economies of scale. Foxridge sets itself apart by not only having low rates and plenty of available apartments, but also by providing good customer service. They are able to work with you on payment schedules and leasing, and for a large complex their employees are pretty down to earth. So, in this case, it’s not just their sheer size but their commitment to service that makes them No. 1.

@NSmirni

collegiatetimes.com november 15, 2012

Maple Ridge excels despite far location ABBEY WILLIAMS lifestyles staff writer

When the time came to look for housing freshman year, my resident advisor told me “Maple Ridge is where princesses live.” So naturally, it was the first place I looked. After being crammed into a hamster-cage-sized dorm for a year, Maple Ridge Townhomes did seem like a paradise. And for that reason, it’s where I’ve chosen to live for the past two years. UMI Communities, which also leases for Collegiate Suites and Hunters Ridge, offers a

variety of floorplans within Maple Ridge. Furnished or unfurnished two, three and four bedroom townhomes are available, with some variation based on “luxury,” “deluxe” or “premiere” styles. My roommate and I weren’t picky about which floorplan we would get; because we were a little late in signing our lease, we were forced to choose between the spots available. This landed us in a mediumrange “deluxe” two bedroom. We also didn’t want to bother with furniture, so decided to see MAPLE / page three

Maple: Townhome complex Terrace View gives provides spacious living area excellent value and convenient location from page two

do not mess around about towing, and, with the new detour in place, even fewer parking places are available for visiting friends. On a similar note, Maple Ridge is very picky about their rules and regulations. Don’t bother trying to sneak a pet in, because you’ll get fined even if a friend just brings theirs on the property. My roommate and I once left a trash bag on our porch for a few hours when we forgot to take it to the dumpster and were later fined $30. All in all, however, I feel fortunate to live somewhere as nice as Maple Ridge. I think the positives far outweigh the negatives and that, overall, it’s a great place to live, princess or not.

@AbbeyWilliamsVT

KEVIN TRAN lifestyles staff writer

For the past year and a half I’ve been a resident of Terrace View, and it’s been an awesome experience for the most part. The rent is fairly cheap, the staff workers are all respectful and maintenance is super quick. Earlier this semester, our stove and shower head stopped working. Within a day after putting in the work orders, both were replaced free of charge. Also, if you’re as forgetful as I am, it only costs $2 to replace your key if you ever lose it. Terrace View is one of the bigger apartment complexes in Blacksburg and is a popular living spot for students. As a

result, securing a lease with Terrace View can be a great gamble, especially if you don’t do your research beforehand. My apartment itself isn’t noticeably old or new. It’s on Patrick Henry Drive so I can take three different buses to and from campus, which is important to me since I don’t have a car. I live on the bottom floor, but if I had to do it over again, I would have definitely requested an apartment on the second floor. Other than creaking noises, I rarely ever hear my neighbors. I don’t know if our apartment walls are thick, or if I just got lucky. On the other hand, I know some friends who are

COLLEGIATE LIVING

go ahead and pay $25 extra each month for a furnished townhome. In the end, we each paid about $475 a month in rent, but this didn’t include utilities. Maple Ridge has many positives. The two-story townhouses offer a lot of room - a porch, spacious bedrooms, a large living area, kitchen, utility room and even walkin closets come standard in each townhome. Most models, including mine, also have a personal bathroom attached to every bedroom, which can be especially nice when transitioning from the community style of Pritchard Hall. In addition, Maple Ridge offers a nice, clean clubhouse, which features a fitness center, tanning bed and a pool that’s open during the warmer months. Sometimes the staff

even goes above and beyond, hosting free lunches or dinners for residents on occasions like reading day or resident appreciation week. Other advantages include a pretty amazing view, as well as a time-check Blacksburg Transit stop right out front of the complex. However, “The Ridge,” as some people call it, also has its drawbacks. For most people, the major ones are the location and the price. While I understand the cost issue and that it is a bit farther from campus than the other complexes, it’s really not that much of a strain. The bus comes every 20 minutes and the time-check ensures you won’t miss it. With mild traffic, you can easily make it to campus in under 10 minutes. In my opinion, the biggest issue in Maple Ridge is the lack of visitor parking spaces. They

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see TERRACE / page seven

collegiatetimes.com november 15, 2012

COLLEGIATE LIVING PAGE

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collegiatetimes.com november 15, 2012

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Roommates encounter mid-semester troubles MELISSA SKIRKANICH lifestyles staff writer

collegiatetimes.com november 15, 2012

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Dealing with roommates and the disputes that accompany them may seem simple, but as the semester draws to a close, relationships are put to the test. Diana Tung, who graduated from Virginia Tech last spring, saw the shift in resident problems during her two years as a resident advisor. “Usually there is a ‘honeymoon phase’ that people go through, and everything is great, you are going to a new school but around Thanksgiving, there are problems everywhere,” Tung said. In 2012, for example, there were 272 civilian room changes, many of which occurred over winter break, according to Kenneth Belcher, senior associate director for Housing Services. Changing rooms, however, should not be the first solution to a disagreement with a

roommate, Belcher said. “We expect all of our students to exhibit the qualities of civility, self-understanding and integrity in working through differences or concerns that come up,” Belcher said. As the semester progresses, students typically join more clubs and organizations. Residents begin to figure out their preferred friend groups, when the best time to study is and how to balance all of it. These changes can be one of the most common problems residents face, according to Tung. “Both [roommates] need to sit down and hash things out and start figuring out what is okay and what is not okay with each other and compromise,” Tung said. In one case, she recalls a roommate confl ict that was due to conflicting sleep schedules and daily routine. “They just weren’t very courteous of each other’s living

spaces,” Tung said. Ryan Schmidt, a junior mechanical engineering major and R.A., said there are ways to overcome the differences though and find the needed compromise. “The first step is to be honest – be straight up with the person. Tell them what you like and what you don’t like and see what they like and what they don’t like…[that way] you know their buttons and what not to push,” Schmidt said. If that doesn’t work, another step is talking to the R.A., who is trained and experienced in a variety of situations. “Look to R.A.’s for help because I feel like R.A.’s are a very under-used resource,” Tung said. “R.A.’s have been around the block, we know what’s up. We could really help you out.”

@CollegiateTimes

......radio for everyone

Terrace: Quiet, but occasionally loud from page three

I’m really disappointed. In the end though, it’s all about finding the perfect apartment that suits your personality and needs. You’re going to be living there for the next year, perhaps longer, so it’s best to get it right the first time. Do your research and stake out the place first. If you ask me, I would highly recommend living in Terrace View.

@CollegiateTimes

COLLEGIATE LIVING

stuck in loud apartment complexes where there’s constant partying, and they can’t wait to move out when their lease ends. One complaint I do have, however, is that most of the dog owners in Terrace View don’t ever clean up after their dogs. There are dog feces literally everywhere. It’s disgusting. This isn’t really Terrace View’s fault, per se, but I’ve brought it up to management at least twice already and have yet to see improvement. With that,

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The Edge to supply modern facilities ABBEY WILLIAMS lifestyles staff writer

@AbbeyWIlliamsVT

collegiatetimes.com november 15, 2012

Virginia Tech students who are bored by their current housing options now have an opportunity to live in a new complex - The Edge. Coming Fall 2014, CMG Leasing will open the doors to The Edge apartments and townhouses. Less than half a mile from the Drillfield, on Toms Creek Rd., The Edge will offer luxurious lodging in a convenient and desirable location. Starting from $630 a month, all units will come fully furnished, with utilities, such as water, power, cable and internet, included. The Edge’s additional amenities will include study rooms, tanning beds, a pool, a sand volleyball pit, fitness center, game room, internet café and coffee bar, among others. Two, three and four bedroom apartments and townhouses will be available to lease in the future, but only the two and four bedroom apartments are planned to be built in time for the 2014- 15 school year. Along with “urban style” furnishings, each unit will feature private bathrooms for every bedroom, along with walk-in closets.

The Edge will also feature the unique option of individual leases within units, which allows each renter to be responsible and liable for solely their share of the rent. Mary Lee Carter, a junior industrial design major, looks forward to living at The Edge next fall. “My roommate and I are so excited,” Carter said. “Everything about The Edge is perfect. It’s brand new, the amenities are great and the location is closer to studio than most of the dorms. The only downside is the price, as well as the fact that it hasn’t been built yet.” While construction of the complex is well under way, some are skeptical of the units being completed in time. In the past, CMG experienced building delays when constructing Knollwood Townhomes, and was forced to put residents up in hotels for about two weeks. Despite the incomplete nature of the complex, few units are still available so students desiring to live in The Edge should act soon.

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Students weigh options of home ownership CHELSEA GILES lifestlyes editor

collegiatetimes.com november 15, 2012

COLLEGIATE LIVING

Imagine if all the rent money off-campus students pay every month was going toward a loan to pay for home or property ownership. How many students would own Blacksburg real estate by now? Of course, renting is part of the college life, but students who stay in Blacksburg for grad school, or even a job, may need to consider paying mortgage instead of rent - an option most students don’t even know to consider. “Overall, most college students don’t really have much knowledge about it or the pros and cons of it,” said Peter Baron, a second year masters of architecture student. “Other than [certain majors], there’s no other forms to tell you whether to get a mortgage or not, unless you go to a bank.” Baron’s time in Blacksburg is temporary so he continues to rent instead of investing in a mortgage. Before going to grad school, however, he considered a mortgage - a daunting thought when reviewing the commitment and amount of money going into it. “It is a little overwhelming, more overwhelming than exciting,” Baron said. However, Ann Moore, a realtor for Blacksburg Real Estate Inc., said it’s cheaper to buy than to rent in Blacksburg, and it’s a town worth investing in. “It’s an investment town,” Moore said. “The town changes every year or every six months, just like a military town like Norfolk.” Baron, based on his own experience, recommended that students analyze how long they will reside in town when weighing the options. “If they decided to stay in town, then I would recommend mortgage, because then renting is just throwing away money pretty much,” Baron said. For students or graduates planning to pay a mortgage, there are some primary steps to take that are unique to the buying process. “Number one, shop loans,”

Moore said. “Shop loans. Shop rates. Don’t do Internet loans, have a relationship with the person you work with so that you’re in control.” Since college graduates rarely have abundant spending money at the ready for this kind of investment, Moore advised sorting through loan options to shop by what you can afford. After affordability, the next most important step to consider is the construction and stability of the house. “Make sure that your house is sound first, and the way you do that is by working with a professional, like a realtor,” she said. In addition to the guidance and resources a realtor can offer in the property investment process, using the knowledge of those who know the town well can be very useful, according to Moore. Blacksburg is small enough that local residents are familiar with the town’s houses and areas, they can give a home-seeker helpful knowledge as well. Joan Mitchell, a realtor for RE/MAX 8, said every situation is different, so it’s important to know as a homebuyer what one’s goals and preferred lifestyles are. As college students, it’s worth thinking of these when planning the next steps. “Overall, homeownership is a really important step and sometimes the first step for long-term fi nancial planning,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said, when in college, students don’t usually think about fi nancial or retirement planning, but it’s beneficial to start thinking that way. “If you do start early with some of these decisions and making these purchases, it can have huge benefits to you later in life that you’re just not necessarily going to anticipate,” Mitchell said. The key to working through these choices is researching thoroughly to make the most informed decision. “It’s really a matter like any research project: ask questions, Google, and then of course find a local real estate

agent or two and see what they say on the subject,” Mitchell said. “I think [homeownership] has enormous positive value for individuals and for our whole society, but buying a home is also a unique process for each person involved, and no two situations are ever alike,” Mitchell said. For this reason, every angle should be considered before buying a home. “You may think, ‘no this isn’t for me,’ but then at least you worked through the issues, or you may think ‘yes, this is the thing for me’ and you’ve launched yourself on your financial future and your independence,” Mitchell said.

@GilesReporting

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