TECHNICIAN
monday november
25 2013
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Fossil Free impacts Duke, turns sights toward ASG
Arts, athletics event taxes to start in January
Joseph Havey
Joseph Havey
Deputy News Editor
Duke Energy Carolinas filed a new renewable-energy program with the N.C. Utilities Commission earlier this month, after the company was partly influenced by Fossil Free N.C. State. Fossil Free is an environmental activist group that seeks to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels in the UNC-System, and earlier this semester, two members met with representatives from Duke Energy to discuss the renewable-energy program. The Green Source Rider is an experimental program designed to give energyintensive customers, such as manufacturers, data centers, college campuses
and big-box retailers, the option of offsetting some or all of their energy consumption with renewable energy, according to a Duke Energy press release. Jaclyn Mills, a junior in plant and soil science, said she, and other members of Fossil Free, initially decided to pursue a meeting with Duke after they read about requests from large tech companies, such as Google, for greener energy in North Carolina. “We heard about [the requests from Google] and thought: ‘Hey, the UNCSystem is a very good customer of Duke Energy, and we also want more renewable energy, so it seems like this could be something that could work for both of us,’” Mills said. “That’s why we were meeting to see what the tariff entailed
and to see if it would be beneficial to the University.” Ultimately, though, Mills said this was more of a step forward than a win. “It’s not exactly what will be the best solution for the university system,” Mills said. This is largely due to the expensive nature of the program. Duke will charge a $500 monthly fee to participate, plus .02 cents per kilowatt hour of renewable energy produced or procured. According to WiseGeek.com, using a 100 watt light-bulb for 10 hours would equal 1 kilowatt hour. “It’s awesome that these tech companies have the money to get more renew-
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Deputy News Editor
ARTS N.C. State and N.C. State Athletics will begin to feel the effects of a new tax code passed by the North Carolina General Assembly this summer on Jan. 1. As part of the overhaul, all but a few types of live events will be taxed. A huge swath of events, which were previously untaxed and include festivals, agricultural affairs and state attractions, will now be subject to sales tax across the state. ARTS N.C. State and N.C. State athletic events will be subject to a sales tax of 6.75 percent. “It raises lots of logistical issues,” said Alex Miller III, ARTS N.C. State vice provost. “When the law passed, our first reaction was to figure out how we needed to comply. Our first response was ‘Okay, let’s understand what we need to do.’” Miller said Arts N.C. State
has been making progress, but he thinks the tax is “unfortunate.” “I understand the state must find a way to get things financially in order, but I can tell you, folks across North Carolina in the nonprofit arts community do not think this is a good idea,” Miller said. Miller said taxing nonprofit arts institutions seems to go against the social good these organizations can contribute. However, students in particular will keep paying the same prices for ARTS N.C. State events, which include those hosted by the Dance Program, Music at N.C. State and University Theater. Miller said that several years ago, ARTS N.C. State pledged to provide $5 student tickets, and he has made a commitment to continue that price in the 2014 and 2015 years. ARTS N.C. State will reduce the “actual” stu-
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N.C. State Bagpipe band keeps Celtic traditions alive with performance Sarah Ray Correspondent
KATHERINE HOKE/TECHNICIAN
Hilary Smith, a sophomore in industrial design, demonstrates wood turning at the Crafts Center’s 29th annual Crafts Fair Saturday.
NCSU Craft Center hosts Holiday Fair to showcase Raleigh-based art talent Madeline Safrit Staff Writer
N.C. State’s Crafts Center hosted the 29th-Annual Holiday Fair and Sale in Thompson Hall Saturday to showcase artists from the campus community and the Raleigh area. Artists and volunteers worked to create unique displays of craftsmanship using a variety of techniques, including woodworking, pottery, jewelry making and quilting. Attendees entered the Crafts Center and were immediately surrounded by holiday décor, and Zuska Dieck, a senior in food science, greeted the visitors. Dieck usually works at the Crafts Center front desk and
volunteered as a greeter for the fair. As a third-year veteran of the event, Dieck said she cares deeply about each of the exhibits. “The Crafts Fair is an opportunity for all of our local artists, people who come to the Crafts Center or are affiliated with any guild in the area, like the Triangle Potters Guild, to come show their wares,” Dieck said. The vendors set up their tables throughout the classroom, which was full of Christmas trees and holiday decorations. “It’s a great place to get your Christmas shopping done, it supports local artists, and the local economy and it’s a lot of fun,” Dieck said. Barbara McGeachy, a Raleigh resident, began basket
weaving in 1997 and has been selling her artwork at the Crafts Fair since 2000. “From a cra f tsperson point of view, I feel like the customers who come here know what they’re going to see, and they’re interested in local, handmade crafts,” McGeachy said. Like many other artists involved in the event, McGeachy has a true appreciation for the crafting community on campus. “I’ve been to other sales, like at the fairgrounds and at the State Farmers Market,” McGeachy said. “The people there are not aware that the products are handmade locally… they are more interested in the price. The customers here appreciate the crafts.”
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Some of the artists featured at the Craft Fair also currently teach at N.C. State’s Crafts Center. Danene Groenke teaches a fused glass class on campus and has been working on her craft for eight years. “I do this as a hobby,” Groenke said. “It’s primarily a stress reliever for me. I work in a very technical field for my day job, and it’s a nice outlet.” Groenke said the Crafts Fair is always a great opportunity to communicate with customers and fellow artists. “I enjoy getting feedback on pieces and finding out what people like and what there is interest in,” Groenke said. “It’s also great because I
NCSU Pipes and Drums, a traditional bagpipe band, treated students and members of the N.C. State community to a unique outdoor show outside of Talley Student Union on Saturday. The show, which included bagpipes and Celtic drum performances, attracted a mix of Raleigh community members and passing students who wanted a glimpse into authentic Celtic culture. The group members played traditional songs as well as a few newer compositions. In addition to group concert pieces, the drum line and three select pipers gave solo performances. “We’re playing ancient instruments and trying to play them to the highest standard that we can in this area,” said Ken Hanson, pipe major. Susan and Joe Erhart, a couple new to Raleigh, attended the event after returning from a trip to Scotland. “It was wonderful and very moving,” Erhart said. “We saw one in Scotland, and this one definitely compares.” According to Hansen, the band implements tradi-
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tional practices to maintain the Celtic culture for anyone seeking to honor his or her Scottish heritage. “Another way that the pipes support the community is the pipe service is a focus for some of the Celtic culture and Scottish community in the area,” Hanson said. “There are a number of people who have joined the band that are very interested in their Scottish heritage, and this gives them an opportunity to connect with that.” Band Director Darrell Thompson led the group. NCSU Pipes and Drums consists of both N.C. State students and members of the surrounding community. “It started as a club back in the ‘60s or ‘70s and gradually grew into a class here at State,” Thompson said. “Students take the class, and it really helps to blend student and community members.” Because it is considered a learning experience and anyone who wishes can get involved, the members are all at different stages of mastery, Thompson said. “Part of what we do is try to teach the instrument in all
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