Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pulse
Activist Katie Alvord to speak at MTU ZACHARY PAGE Lode Writer Michigan Tech will be hosting environmentalist and author Katie Alvord this Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m., as guest speaker for the upcoming Earth Week in the Materials Science and Engineering Building room U115. Entitled “The Greenest Routes from A to B,” this free lecture will discuss topics and ideas from one of Alvord’s most recent and well-received books “Divorce Your Car: Ending the Love Affair with the Automobile.” The book gives light-hearted and sidesplitting insight into the caveats of current trends in society. Alvord attempts to mingle historical and contemporary facts to vindicate the problems connected with
automobiles such as pollution, noise, death and congestion. “The story is a telling indication of the love affair that’s raged in the U.S. for over 100 years,” said Alvord. “Now the affair is globalizing, spreading more autos around the world – even to places like China, where the din of traffic consisted largely of bicycle bells.” Alvord noted that she has lived car-free or “car-lite,” frequently relying on her bicycle, since 1992. Her inspiration came primarily from activists within her community that were undertaking similar endeavors. “They inspired me to embark on a trial separation,” commentsed Alvord. “I parked my car in the garage, deciding to let myself use it in a pinch, then took out my bicycle instead.” Aside from her book, Alvord
MTU Jazz presents Don Keranen memorial NICK BLECHA Pulse Editor
Michigan Technological University’s jazz ensembles will celebrate the legacy of one of its greatest musicians in the annual Don Keranen memorial concert in the Rozsa Center this Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature Michigan Tech’s two large jazz ensembles, the Research and Development Big Band and the Jazz Lab Band. The music will include classic and modern jazz, Latin jazz, blues, funk, rock, and original arrangements. Don Keranen was born in Baraga and studied music at Northern Michigan University, with graduate work done at the University of Oregon. His experience was wide, including experience as a composer/arranger, key-
boardist, sax and flute performer, bassist, and vocalist. Although he was experienced with all genres, he was best known for jazz. While at Tech, he developed many programs and traditions, among them the jazz studies program, which today features two big bands, three combos and three academic courses. He also developed what is now known as Superior Winds. Furthermore, he originated the Husky Pep Band’s “scramble band” concept and first put them in their iconic striped uniform. Tickets to the event are $10 for the general public and $5 for students. Tickets are free for Michigan Tech students with I.D. Tickets can be purchased through the Rozsa box office at (906) 4873200, the central ticket office at 487-2073, or online at tickets. mtu.edu. No refunds, exchanges, or late seating will be permitted.
“The Darkness” sequel offers more gore, new art KAYLA HERARRA Lode Writer Four years ago, Starbreeze Studios released the comic-book based game “The Darkness” and Italian-American hitman for the mafia, Jackie Estacado, introduced his darkened story to us. Upon turning 21-years old, The Darkness exposed itself from within to Jackie. Brawling with The Darkness’s manipulative ways, Jackie pursues his enemy, Paulie, and the rest of his ratty mob to avenge his girlfriend’s death and obliterate their sadistic ways. In the end, he kills Paulie, accepts The Darkness as part of him and looks on to a future with the sinister portion of himself. In Digital Extreme’s “The Darkness 2”, the events take place two years after the first game. Jackie is now the don of the Estacado family, which allows him prime transportation (sayonara to the good ol’ subway from the first game) and guys who answer to only him. “The Darkness 2” promises elevated amounts of gore, including a scene where an enemy leaves Jackie’s foot mangled and bloodied, and a graphic-noir art style to bestow the game with that comic book temperament.
Besides using The Darkness’s demon arms to impale enemies and suck them into black holes, the demon arms can now impale enemies with parking meters and use car doors as shields; these were just a couple of the many latest powers showcased in the demo, according to the Game Developers Conference. The short and squat Darklings spawned from The Darkness to aid Jackie in combat will return in the sequel, but changes will be applied. Developer Digital Extremes says they want to make the Darklings a more central part of the narrative than they were in the first game. Information has also been leaked that one of the new powers will include urinating acid to better defend against enemies. Jackie’s late girlfriend serves as a recurring psychological nuisance in the second game, disrupting his sanity; her images irk his character throughout the game. With an awfully poignant murder scene from the first game, no doubt the gruesome experience still stays with Jackie. Will it be as good as the first? Many hardcore fans hope it to be better, with improvements in defense, art-style and narrative. The Darkness 2 is set for a Fall 2011 release on PS3, PC, and Xbox 360.
Upcoming Events March 26
7:30 p.m., Rozsa Center: Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Concert 9:00 p.m., MUB Ballroom: MUB Board presents Sarah Haze
March 27-April 29
Rozsa Center Art Gallery: Great Lakes Showcase
March 29
7:30 p.m., Rozsa Center: Peking Acrobats
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has written numerous articles in publications such as Wild Earth and E Magazine that explain both the sociological and environmental implications due to our current behavior. She also works with many non-profit organizations that educate both young and old on how to practice greener living habits. Alvord hopes to continue her practices in the future by writing and otherwise spreading the word about environmental responsibility. For more information about Katie Alvord or the upcoming lecture you may visit her blog at http://divorceyourcar.blogspot. com/2011/03/greenest-routesfrom-to-b-324-at-mtu.html
This week at Film Board:
Tron Legacy in 3D
Sam Flynn a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn, a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn’s Arcade -- a signal that could only come from his father-he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra, father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a cyber universe -- a universe created by Kevin himself that has become far more advanced with vehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape. Written by Walt Disney Pictures
Friday and Saturday Showtimes 5:30, 8:30, 11:30 p.m. Tickets $3.00 + Tech ID swipe or other collateral for 3D Glasses Runtime 125 minutes
Tickets available at the door. Limited seating, arrive early. Concessions available before each showing. Fisher 135 | (906) 487-2704
Football game producers offer tournament for cover honors NICK BLECHA Pulse Editor Labor problems may be putting the 2011 NFL season into question, but that isn’t stopping Electronic Arts (EA) from releasing the new edition of their annual series, Madden NFL. And, of course, a new edition of Madden means a new NFL player to put on the cover. The tradition of the “cover athlete” began with the 2001 edition of the game, and since then every Madden
cover has featured an NFL player on the cover, generally one that has had a career year. In the past EA determined the cover athlete, and for the most recent version of the game, Madden NFL 2011, fans voted for Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees out of a selection of players. For the 2012 game, EA is taking the fan selection to a new level via a March Madness-style tournament bracket for the cover athlete, revealed Monday. Each NFL team has one player in the tournament (except for the
Seattle Seahawks, which has its fans as its entry), including Packers quarterback and Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers; San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers, and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Petersen. Fans can vote for their favorite players on ESPN’s website, with each “round” of voting lasting a week. Fans can also enter a bracket with predictions for each matchup, with Super Bowl tickets offered as the top prize.