The Lumberjack — Issue 7 — Spring 2013

LUMBERJACK The

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT

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INSIDE Life: University Safety Aides p. 12 A&E: Nations Beat p. 26 Sports: Special Olympics p. 20

VOICE SINCE 1914 • VOL 100 • ISSUE 7 • FEB. 28 , 2013 - MAR. 6 , 2013

FARM spreads animal rights awareness on campus

BY MITCH KULLOS

Among the bustle of students hurrying to their next class on Feb. 19, a sign stood above the crowd offering $1 to watch a simple fourminute video. The vehicle had rows of screens and headphones as many curious students wandered over to the truck to discover the source of this new payday. Yet many were surprised to find this was no marketing sample being taken but rather a new way to spread information about animal right abuses.

Farm Animal Rights Movement, (FARM) in combination with the 10 Billion Lives movement, which references the ten billion animals killed to satisfy the meat industry, have been traveling around the country to spread messages of animal rights and encourage veganism.

10 Billion Lives coordinator Ryan Frazier explained what the movement is about.

“In recent years, activists have been strategically acquiring footage from factory farms because it’s the only way the general public will ever get to see what these animals’ lives and deaths are really like. The idea of doing video outreach from a vehicle is very new,” Frazier said. “The concept of using a vehicle was developed as a way to spread awareness on a large scale across the country, particularly to college students and other youth. Since launching the truck in May of 2012, 65,000 people have seen the 10 Billion Lives video.”

While this method may not be conventional, it has been effective in spreading the message of FARM and see FARM page 5

C

BY DANIEL DAW

onsciousness and activism were alive at the Green Room, with hot beats and soulful rhymes taking the venue by force. While their name sounds much like today’s chart-topping band, The Lumineers, there was no mistaking this 3-piece rap group — Luminaries — for anything other than rap with a cause.

Local band Dub and Jefferson Washington opened for Luminaries in the early moments of the show. The group’s sound was a pleasant mix of old bluesy rock and hip hop, creating an air of excitement in the room. Washington’s guitar and vocals blended well with the Dub Jerry’s raps. see LUMINARIES page 23 TOP: The Luminaries, a Santa Monica based hip-hop group take the stage at the Green Room on Feb 22. They use their music to inspire audiences by promoting unity, love and peace, and also give help to homeless youth. LEFT: Vocalist, Amore One head bangs during the performance at the Green Room.

(Photos by Jing Wang)

Luminaries

Go to Jackcentral.com for daily updates, multimedia packages, extra content and stories before the issue hits the stands.

PoliceBeat Feb. 24 At 12:16 a.m., Northern Arizona University Police Department (NAUPD) received a call for assistance regarding gunshots fired around the Skydome practice fields from Flagstaff Police Department (FPD).

Investigating officers were unable to locate any suspects.

Later it was discovered fireworks were being set off at the Hilltop Townhouses that created the noise.

Feb. 23 At 3:42 a.m., a call from staff at Cowden Hall was received reporting an intoxicated subject.

NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) responded to the scene. The result of this incident was a suspect being booked into the Coconino County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) jail for underage consumption, assault on a police officer and assault on a detention officer.

At 11:40 a.m., the parents of a Wilson Hall resident called NAUPD and inform that their child’s roommate was involved in drug activity.

Responding officers dealt with the matter by declining to charge the suspect and referred the matter to the administration for handling.

At 3:08 p.m., a campus blue phone was activated from the San Francisco Parking Garage.

Officers arrived on the scene and located a couple on the fifth floor.

The male, who was not

CommunitySpot

BY GARY COLLINS

an NAU student, was interviewed and advised about trespassing. He left. The female, who is a student, began making suicidal comments. She was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) for an involuntary mental health evaluation.

Feb. 22 At 8:56 p.m., a resident of Gabaldon Hall called to report threats made against her by her roommate.

Officers responding to the call and after investigation turned the matter over to the Office of Student Life.

Feb. 21 At 10:15 a.m., staff of the Performing and Fine Arts Center called in to report a student who had lost consciousness.

FFD and GMT responded to the scene and attended to the student.

The student declined transport to FMC and was given a public assist ride home.

Feb. 20 At 7:21 p.m., staff at Gabaldon Hall called to report the suspicious odor of marijuana emanating from one of the rooms.

Responding officers determined that these suspicions were unfounded.

Feb. 19 At 9:31 a.m., an officer on patrol witnessed a skateboarder at San Francisco Street and McConnell Drive.

After conducting a field interview with the subject, the officer advised them skateboarding was

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not allowed in the roadway.

At 8:24 p.m., two women flagged down an officer on patrol to report that an intoxicated individual was walking on McConnell Drive. They indicated that the subject was behaving suspiciously.

The officer engaged the subject, who was determined to be a juvenile.

The matter was closed when the juvenile was placed in the custody of their mother.

Feb. 18 At 12:29 a.m., NAUPD radioed in to request assistance regarding a subject who was reported sleeping on the third floor of the High Country Conference Center.

The assisting officer located a woman asleep on the first floor. Upon request she left the building.

At 6:23 p.m., a call was received from Cline Library to report that two female subjects were fighting in one of the lavatories.

Officers arrived on the scene. They located one of the subjects. She declined treatment and did not wish to file a report. That being the case the officers took no further action. The assault had taken place at Cline Library. A report was filed.

SEE MORE POLICE BEAT ENTRIES FROM THIS PAST WEEK AT JACKCENTRAL.COM

Events Calendar Calendar Events THURSDAY, FEB. 28

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

NAU Men’s Basketballl [6:35 p.m./Walkup Skydome]

Garden Seed Swap [10 a.m./Fort Tuthill]

MONDAY, MARCH 4 Mickey Hart Band [8 p.m./Orpheum Theater]

The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later [7 p.m./Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy]

5th Annual Viola Awards [5 p.m./High Country Conference Center]

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

Natural Vibrations [9 p.m./Green Room]

Evening Contra Dance [7:30 p.m./Ashurst]

College of Arts and Letters Film Series: “Tommy” [7 p.m./Cline]

Jelly Jam w/Spafford [9 p.m./Green Room]

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

First Friday Artwalk [6 p.m./Downtown Flagstaff] Hot Buttered Rum feat.

Allie Kral of Cornmeal [8 p.m./Orpheum Theater] Northern Arizona Orchestra Winter Concert [7 p.m./Coconino Center for the Arts]

Dead Man’s Cell Phone [2 p.m./NAU Studio Theatre]

Taco Tuesday [5 p.m/Green Room]

Dark Time Sunshine w/ Void Pedl and Moodie Black [9 p.m./Green Room]

Chimney Choir [2 p.m./Flagstaff Brew]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

NAU Latin Dance Sunday Social [6 p.m./Tranzend Studio]

Get Down [8 p.m./Flagstaff Green Room]

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FromTheEditors

CLASSIFIED

T

his week in The Lumberjack we have featured several people who are making a difference. Whether it be a rap group from Santa Monica, CA that breaks social norms by helping to spread the message of world peace and traveling the world to do so or our University Safety Aides who work throughout the night every night to ensure our students get home safe or even the renaming of a city party to celebrate a man who devoted his life to philanthropy and helping others in the city of Flagstaff. These are the ordinary people who are going above and beyond to be extraordinary. With all the depressing news that is broadcast and printed everyday, we hope when you’re reading this issue you are touched by the people we have featured who are doing what they can to make a difference in the world. We hope these stories will, in turn, inspire you to “be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Kierstin Turnock, Editor-in-Chief

Bree Purdy, Managing Editor Thank you for reading,

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CORRECTIONS In the Flagstaff fights fossil fuels article from the Feb. 21-27 issue, The Lumberjack incorrectly used the term “protest” instead of press conference to explain the Divest Campaign. We regret the error.

LUMBERJACK The

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Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 E-mail: lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Editor-in-Chief Kierstin Turnock

Creative Directors Jessie Mansur Jessica Bruce

Faculty Adviser Rory Faust

Managing Editor Bree Purdy

Sales Director Colton Mastro

Sales Manager Marsha Simon

Student Media Center Editorial Board Photo Editor Sean Ryan Assoc. Photo Editor Holly Mandarich

News Editor Dani Tamcsin Assoc. News Editors Abigail O’Brien

Copy Chief Maddie Friend Assoc. Copy Chiefs Caitlyn Rogers Sara Weber

Sports Editor Cody Bashore Assoc. Sports Editor Alli Jenney

A&E Editor Opinion Editor Mykel Vernon-Sembach Tom Blanton Assoc. A&E Editor Assoc. Opinion Editor Laura Thompson Amanda Horner Life Editor Maddy Santos Assoc. Life Editor Alyssa Tilley

Comic Editor Brian Regan

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 3

4 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

InTheNews

from FARM page 1

10 Billion Lives, which creates a cultural shift in the way people think of their food. Yet another aspect is the 10 Billion Lives vehicle has been offering students $1 to watch the video.

“It’s simply an incentive for people to stop and be curious. In our society you have to have some kind of hook if you want people’s attention. The $1 incentive is just right for a 4-minute video,” Frazier said in regard to the monetary offer.

Such an incentive is especially popular among college students, but, more than the money, the information often turns out to be the reward for many as Andy Tabar, 10 Billion Lives tour operator, expressed when discussing his time spent interacting with the NAU students.

Tabar said of the students’ reaction to the video, “At the end of the video, we ask viewers to take a pledge to eat more animal-free meals. We are happy to say over 80 percent of the people who watch pledge to turn their compassion into action and do just that.”

Those results were consistent during the outreach efforts at NAU as an overwhelming amount of NAU students who viewed the video were affected positively by its content and felt motivated to make a few simple dietary changes that will spare hundreds of animals a lifetime of misery.

Not only did many students take the time to view the video, but most reacted in support of FARM and the 10 Billion Lives movement.

“One of the most rewarding experiences about traveling with the 10 Billion Lives tour is getting to meet so many wonderful people in different communities. I found NAU students and staff to be a rather friendly and compassionate group of people who were very receptive to the information we were sharing with them,” Tabar said.

The presence of the FARM vehicle left an impression on the students despite only being able to stay for a limited amount of time due to snow.

FARM and the 10 Billion Lives movement will continue to visit campuses across the country spreading information about the treatment of animals raised for food, and while some will approach looking for a quick buck, many will leave with something much more fulfilling, a new perspective regarding the impact of what they eat.

To watch 10 Billon Lives visit: www.10billionlives.com and for more information on upcoming events go to www.10billiontour.org.

ASA lawsuit causes further division among state universities

ASNAU panel votes on a possible outcome concerning the lawsuit against ABOR. (Photo by Jeff Bucher)

BY GARY COLLINS

A

t the Feb. 21 ASNAU senate meeting, a resolution was passed 9–2 expressing opposition to the recent lawsuit filed by the Associated Students of Arizona (ASA) against the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).

“The Associated Students of Northern Arizona University has recognized that the money being spent on the lawsuit by student dollars does not align with the mission statement of access and affordability for Arizona students,” reads one portion of the resolution.

A similar resolution was defeated the previous day by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) senate by a 6–4 vote. The night before, the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) of UA voted unanimously to pass a resolution of support for the lawsuit filing.

This is the latest development taking place in a situation that began with the withdrawal of the student government leaders of three of the ASU campuses (Tempe, Polytechnic and Downtown) from ASA’s board of directors in September. ASU West campus’ student body president and vice president refused to join.

Following this, the ASU Tempe student senate voted 25–2 on a non-binding resolution that withdrew their support from ASA and to reject the body’s representation for its

students.

Mark Naufel, ASU Tempe student body president, and his senate, took issue with the structure of ASA. Their concern is ASA staff rather than the student leaders have too much say in the direction ASA takes.

“All year long, we haven’t been saying that this is an issue of getting rid of a statewide student voice,” Naufel said. “It’s an issue of restructuring, of creating a new organization that’s . . . using student money to support things that they disagree with.”

The support ASA gave for Proposition 204 — the proposition that would have extended the 1 percent sales tax to fund education — drew the most attention, coinciding with the stance of the ASU campuses’ actions.

The sum of these parts brought ABOR into the situation.

In December 2012, ABOR voted to suspend the non-mandatory $2 fee for this year’s spring semester. On Feb. 7, ABOR voted unanimously to change the fee model, allowing students to choose whether they wished to pay the fee. The old model collected the fee automatically but allowed students to opt out if they wished.

It was that decision that prompted ASA to file suit against ABOR. The suit alleges ABOR’s decision is predicated on ASA’s support of Proposition 204, which, according to the allegation, is an attempt to stifle ASA’s right to free speech. This decision to sue is what has brought the most recent division

among Arizona student governments and their leaders.

The ASNAU resolution reads, in part, “The lawsuit was filed despite the fact that there was contention among the student board members of the Arizona Students’ Association; including the majority of the Northern Arizona University board members.”

“The ASNAU senate has said that they do not believe that this is an appropriate use of the student dollars that funds the Arizona Students’ Association,” said Sammy Smart, president of ASNAU. While division now exists between ASNAU and the undergraduate and graduate student governments of UA regarding the litigation, all still express support for ASA. “I believe that the student board can continue to collectively and collaboratively work together for the students of Arizona,” Smart said.

The differences now existing, coming as they do with the current support all ASA directors have for the organization, is something they will have to work out.

Missing from the equation is the dissent and lack of support that exists from virtually all four ASU undergraduate campuses.

“It’s clear that this organization is not representing its student voice. My proof being that they are suing without the consent of ASU and NAU,” Naufel said.

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 5

InTheNews

13th Annual Peaks Conference endorses interdisciplinary studies

Paul Kei Matsuda, professor of English and director of second language writing at Arizona State University, presents his seminar to audiences at the 13th Annual Peaks Interdisciplinary Conference on Feb. 23. (Photo

by Napua Kalani)

I

BY HANNAH SANDERSON

n a push to bring a variety of intellects together, the College of Arts and Letters held the Annual Peaks Interdisciplinary Conference. This year’s, the 13th annual conference, was held Feb. 22 and 23 in the University Union. A variety of panels were presented on both days to give insight on individual aspects of language, writing and how they can be applied in many circumstances.

Sarah Snyder, Vice President of the Peaks Interdisciplinary Conference and a graduate student in both the teaching English as a second language program and rhetoric and the teaching of writing, is a firm supporter of broadening education.

“Interdisciplinary studies have always been in my life because I’ve never been able to decide on one thing,” Snyder said.

“There are many different ways to skin a cat basically, and more than one way works together.”

By applying one study to another, this creates new questions to be answered, allowing the study to thrive. If a certain study is running out of new ideas, introducing a second disciplinary field may just get them back on their feet.

Guest speaker Paul Kei Matsuda, professor of English and director of second language writing at Arizona State University, expounded on the positive effects of this kind of interdisciplinary studies.

“It’s like a knowledge surplus that’s created as a result of bringing all of these things together. We don’t know exactly where the knowledge is going to go...so there is an infinite possibility,” Matsuda said.

According to Matsuda, the nature of interdisciplinary studies is constantly shifting and individuals must be adept to

6 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

change; they must be willing to redefine themselves in response to new ideas. “[Interdisciplinary studies] is not a new phenomenon. It has been happening for many years; people just didn’t recognize it as such, and it’s surely and steadily coming to us. So we need to be prepared for that new shift,” Matsuda said.

By focusing on teaching English grammar to second language learners, second-year graduate student, Qiandi Liu is striving to help students improve their writing skills so they can better succeed in the professional world. “[My students] can express their meaning pretty well in speaking, and their meaning is comprehensible in writing, but for academic writing, their accuracy is just too low, and sometimes it interferes with the meaning . . . Finding ways or activities to improve their grammatical accuracy is really, really important,” Liu said.

Panel speaker Adam Hoffman, an adjunct faculty member and a recent NAU graduate with a M.A. in English literature, also gained something from the event.

“Just making the interpersonal connections with people is really good. Generally speaking, people at conferences like this are very supportive of one another in their work and so you get some encouragement,” Hoffman said.

Karen McCoy, a librarian at the Cline Library and the college contact for the College of Arts and Letters, expresses her passion for not giving up on new ideas.

“Always follow your creative pursuits, because life has a tendency to try to beat that out of you and just don’t let it. Just hold onto that, always, no matter what anybody says,” McCoy said.

ASNAU debates over funding events with alcohol kjfbgkdfbgkjdhfksjhdfgkdjfhgkdjfhgkjdhfgkjhdfkg

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BY MILES SCHNEIDERMAN

hat began as a simple funding request is now an examination of ASNAU standards and consistency when it comes to funding alcohol; it could lead to a permanent change in the senate’s bylaws.

Senator Oregon McDiarmid first brought up the matter for discussion at the ASNAU senate meeting on Jan. 24. The student group People Respecting Individuals and Sexual Minorities (PRISM) had requested funding from ASNAU for a drag show event to be held at the Orpheum Theater, where alcohol is served.

“It originally started with [PRISM] asking for funding for an event where they would cover the bar being open if we would cover for the venue being paid,” McDiarmid said. “Once our [legislative] committee met up and we looked into it, we realized that ASNAU as its current stance cannot fund any event which alcohol would be present at.”

PRISM President Tony Pena doesn’t understand the problem, particularly because ASNAU regularly provides funding for several other events where alcohol is included.

“I believe it is no different from tailgating,” Pena said. “We’re not purposefully buying alcohol with the money. Actually, it costs more money to have the bar closed.”

Vice President of Academic Affairs Ryan Lee, who also serves as senate chair, takes a similar position.

“That’s a double standard,” Lee said. “Alcohol is at our banquet, the ASNAU banquet, the senators pay for that. Alcohol is also at our tailgates, which I think is more pertinent to the student body...but our own bylaws say we can’t fund events with alcohol.”

The legislative committee met again on Feb. 17 to address the issue. The committee drafted a resolution that would alter the ASNAU bylaws, prohibiting funding for events that included alcohol on their invoice, but otherwise clearing ASNAU of responsibility for individual student decisions regarding alcohol consumption.

“Pretty much what that’s saying is, it’s protecting the minority of students that don’t want ASNAU money to be paid for alcohol,” Lee said. “At the same time, it’s allowing law-abiding citizens the opportunity to drink over the age of 21. So we will be able to pay for everything within an organization’s activity except for the alcohol.”

The resolution was supposed to go to a vote during the most recent senate meeting on Feb. 21. However, before voting on the issue, the senate was informed the Office of Student Life and the Dean of Students and the Arizona Board of Regents have their own guidelines regulating student clubs, event funding and alcohol. Right now, the alcohol question remains in a state of limbo. While many senators support the resolution to change the bylaws, there is still resistance to what is perceived by some as a radical action.

Senator Adam Fox says he remains hesitant.

“I don’t see the merit in funding an event with alcohol,” Fox said.

“If a club needs alcohol in order for an event to be successful, I don’t feel comfortable for that club to be funded.”

Fox wants to maintain consistency between student clubs and ASNAU. He says that if the resolution is denied and the bylaws remain the same, ASNAU needs to have a discussion about excluding alcohol from ASNAU events such as tailgating.

“I don’t believe we’re above the standard,” Fox said. “It needs to be applicable to every club and organization, including ASNAU.” The situation is scheduled to be addressed again at the upcoming senate meeting on Feb. 28.

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 7

THE GREATEST SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE

CAMP PONTIAC Is coming to NAU! Located in NY State Camp Pontiac, a premier co-ed overnight camp in New York, is looking for fun, enthusiastic and mature individuals who can teach and assist is all areas of athletics, aquatics, the arts, or as a general bunk counselor.

Interview times: Tuesday, March 5th 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday, March 6th 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

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8 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

Editorial&Opinion Tempe City Council should follow Flagstaff’s LGBT example

T

STAFF EDITORIAL

he notoriously divided Flagstaff City Council recently passed a highly debated civil rights ordinance, a big step for the city in the direction of freedom for all. The passing of the new law secures legal backing against discrimination for sexual orientation, gender identity and military veterans in certain areas of employment and public accommodations.

Whether the person is gay, living the life of the opposite gender or a veteran of the American armed forces, this ordinance is meant to help these people legally battle those inclined to deny them a livelihood because of who they are or where they’ve been.

At that, a homosexual transvestite with military service on his or her belt can no longer be denied employment on such grounds; at least to an extent. Excluded from the LGBT bill in Flagstaff are religious-based organizations, expressive groups like the Boy Scouts, businesses of fewer than 15 employees and most government agencies, including Coconino County.

The ordinance is a big step, yes, but the limitations take away from its underlying message.

In much the same fashion as their northern counterparts, a similar ordinance is heading to the City Council of Tempe, where LGBT supporters are lobbying to achieve the same equality that Flagstaff has granted its citizens. However, it’s a rocky road for the ordinance down in the valley. Opponents of the bill have labeled it the “Bathroom Bill,” and rightfully so, according to City Councilman Sal Diciccio, who expressed his concerns with the fine print of the ordinance.

“I’ve got two small kids and I just would not feel comfortable having a man following them in the bathroom,” Diciccio said. Many like-minded opponents of the bill have also expressed their concerns with this proponent of the bill. It’s understandable parents might be concerned when a man who identifies as a female would be allowed to use the women’s bathroom under the law. If this were the case, should the bill pass, concerned individuals would merit the right to be infuriated by awkward situations in which urinals would be forsaken for stalls, and stalls be excessively occupied over urinals. So, why not simply revise this portion of the bill? The goal is as clear as the finest Russian vodka, and such a small roadblock in the ordinance should be dealt with swifter than Billy the Kid’s trigger finger.

The councilmember who made the motion to approve the ordinance in Flagstaff, Celia Barotz, spoke the following day of the long struggle leading up to its becoming law.

“The vote last night was the culmination of all of those measures previous Councils had adopted, and this meeting was where ‘the rubber meets the road,’” Barotz said. The council received hundreds of emails on the subject, most being overwhelmingly in favor of the bill’s adoption. It only makes sense, as those fighting for freedom will be more vocal than those trying to hinder the liberties of others.

Should the Tempe City Council block the ordinance, they’ll come off as more homophobic and conservative than Mother Teresa experiencing menopause while visiting Haight-Ashbury during the summer of ’67.

Stories of human beings fighting for freedom have been the focal point of historical dramas and the apologetic self-loathing of empires past. Regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation or aesthetic gender choices, humans are still humans, and it’s time Tempe’s City Council acknowledged that.

Editor’s note: Opinion Editor Tom Blanton wrote this editorial on behalf of the staff.

Political Cartoon by Brian Regan

ASA in the right, but court isn’t the answer

A

rizona Students’ Association (ASA) has been the subject of a lot of press coverage lately, not only here in The Lumberjack, but across the state. The latest developments have involved the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) voting to destroy ASA’s funding mechanism in retaliation for the group’s support of Proposition 204, the Quality Education and Jobs Act. ASA, in turn, has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against ABOR for punishing an act of political speech. While ABOR’s decision regarding the $2 ASA fee is wrong, and can be justifiably challenged in court, a lawsuit is the wrong way to respond.

In 2012, ASA helped get Proposition 204 on the ballot and donated money to the MILES “Yes on Prop 204” campaign. Had it passed, SCHNEIDERMAN Prop 204 would have made permanent a onecent sales tax increase for education; voters had approved in 2010, as opposed to letting the increase expire in 2013. University students had a vested interest in preventing the sales tax from going back down, because that would mean less money for their schools, which usually translates to a higher cost of attendance.

As a representative student body, ASA’s support of Prop 204 was nothing more than an attempt to serve its constituents. It did the same thing in 2010, when it worked to get the one-cent sales tax increase approved in the first place. This time, however, a group of disgruntled ASA directors at Arizona State University resigned in protest of ASA’s political work.

The students brought their concerns to the conservative Goldwater Institute, which published a damning, one-sided report on ASA and got the attention of ABOR. ASA has been funded by student referendum since 1998, when students voted to pay a small fee every semester to help fund the organization. The fee was mandatory, but refundable upon request, so if you did not like what ASA was doing,

you could get your money back. ABOR changed the funding mechanism to opt-in instead of opt-out; students now have to consciously donate $2 every semester for ASA to receive the money.

ABOR technically does not have the authority to change a fee enacted by student referendum. The regents are appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer, a historic enemy of ASA; this is one of the reasons it is important for ASA to get its funding independently of ABOR. Did ABOR illegally punish ASA for a legitimate form of political speech? Yes. That is exactly missing the point. In 2012, ASA helped defeat a bill that would have forced us to pay $2,000 of our tuition out of our own pockets. In 2011, ASA fought to make sure we can still get the Pell Grant. We need ASA. Unfortunately, since the summer of 2012, its resources have been almost totally consumed by Prop 204 and the subsequent fallout. For nine months, ASA has been swamped by legal issues and the labyrinth that is the state political system. How much more time and money will this lawsuit take?

ASA has more than enough reason to take ABOR to court, and their fears of being completely crushed by the new funding system are legitimate. I know ASA and the people who work for it here at NAU; I know, regardless of the status of the fee, those people will work for their constituents using whatever resources they can find. And they know every day spent trying to save funding is a day not spent on the ground, fighting for students’ rights.

In the face of the vicious, unfair and unwarranted attacks from within the organization as well as from outside, it’s natural to respond angrily with a middle finger and a court date.

Sometimes, however, it’s better to take your licks and come back stronger next time. Let those in opposition of ASA and Gov. Brewer think they’ve won, because the courtroom and the senate floor are home field for people like them. ASA plays at the grassroots level and that game is definitely not over.

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 9

Editorial&Opinion Obama’s minimum wage proposal to help working class

D

uring his annual State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called upon Congress to raise the minimum wage from its current level at $7.25 to $9. Along with this increase, the President has also asked that it correspond to inflation, so that political leaders won’t have to continuously develop legislation. The proposal has been met with fervent support from Americans on both sides of the aisle, with Republicans tending to be slightly less supportive. Opposition to the proposal is based significantly on the potential impact the raise could have on businesses or unemployment, and is completely baseless and inconsiderate of the plight of the working class.

Considering the U.S. has the highest gross domestic product in the world, it’s despicable that a COLTON working family should have to live below the povDARGER erty line. The U.S. is in dire need of legislation that will ensure inflation does not outpace the amount of money being made by workers across the nation. Despite what pro-business advocates purport about how this raise could influence employment levels, independent research has demonstrated that their fears are unfounded.

According to reports from 2012, the current poverty level in the U.S. is estimated to be approximately 15 percent, with the poverty line for a family of four at $23,000. As noted by The New York Times, current minimum wages levels translate to a salary of about $15,000 per year. This means that even if a person is employed fulltime at minimum wage, they will still be unable to adequately support their family. Unable to provide, many families will be forced to depend on government programs to sustain them, which inevitably leads to a subsequent rise in government spending. While a rise in minimum wage to $9 will still not be enough to bring a family of four above the poverty line, it will still result in a moderate reduction in government spending and help American workers provide for their families. This will also help working class citizens, while simultaneously reducing the federal deficit.

Central to opposition to the proposal is the notion that a rise in minimum wage will lead to more costs for businesses, therefore resulting in an increase in unemployment levels. A report release this month by the Center for Economic Policy and Research, an independent think tank, shows these beliefs are completely unsubstantiated. According to their report, raising the minimum wage has minimal, if any, effect on unemployment levels. Obviously, opponents of the president’s proposal aren’t actually concerned about unemployment levels and working families, but are more interested in protecting businesses’ profits. According to a survey done by The Wall Street Journal, opponents of the proposal are more likely to identify with Republicans and the Tea Party. This isn’t particularly shocking, considering they are willing to relegate lower class citizens to a life of poverty in order to protect the businesses funding their campaigns.

By announcing his intentions to raise the minimum wage, Obama made it clear he stands by the working class. With evidence indicating such a move will have almost no adverse impacts, drafting legislation to meet the president’s recommendations should be a bipartisan effort. If Congress is truly concerned about poverty in America, they should be willing to take this necessary step forward.

10 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

Political Cartoon by Brian Regan

Access to birth control vital for Arizona women

O

bamacare currently holds a mandated rule for providing birth control to American women.

Through the Affordable Care Act, employers are required to provide full health coverage for contraception, while religious institutions are exempt from the rule. The act is even currently working with other religious non-profits, such as Catholic or Christian universities, to ensure they provide contraceptive coverage without being forced to pay for it.

However, regardless of how contemporary this country might seem, and regardless of the modern day progress it’s making, contraception is still looked at by some as taboo. The Access to Birth Control (ABC) NAPUA Act is the next step to allowing women full KALANI rights to their reproductive systems.

The ABC Act is a necessity for America. According to The Washington Post, for every 1,000 live births, 227 abortions were performed in 2009. For what exact reason these women opted for an abortion, no one will know, but prominent factors that could possibly explain their choices are the lack of emphasis and accessibility this country has on birth control. The ABC Act would prevent any woman from being denied birth control at any pharmacy due to the personal or religious beliefs of a certain pharmacist. The act aims to protect the right of pharmacists to refuse to fill a prescription, but ensures women their birth control will be filled by a different pharmacist if need be. The bill mandates pharmacies to help women obtain contraception without any delay, regardless of the contraception preference. The legislation calls for guarantees of women’s contraceptive rights and has a zero tolerance to the personal beliefs of any pharmacist.

On May 11, Gov. Jan Brewer signed HB 2625 in Ari-

zona. This privacy-invading bill allows employers to drop coverage insurance on contraception for religious or personal reasons under the Affordable Care Act. HB 2625 requires women to show proof of a medical condition to gain access to birth control, with contraceptive reasons alone not being enough. With this bill already in place in Arizona, the ABC Act is crucial to combat it and gain birth control access every woman has a constitutional right to.

The U.S. came a long way from having hushed tones regarding birth control to putting an act in place demanding women’s access to the drug. Until 1916, birth control was deemed illegal in the U.S. and only those considered whores and tramps were the assumed users of contraception. However, women like Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, fought for women’s rights to safe and healthy contraception in order to reduce botched abortion and death-by-birth rates. This isn’t the Soviet Union or North Korea; the U.S. government should not reserve the right to dictate whether a woman has access to birth control. Women are no longer having sex purely for the purpose of reproducing, and have the freedom to have sexual relations on their personally decided terms.

A woman who makes smart decisions regarding her fertility control by using contraception should not be reprimanded or looked down upon for doing so.

Furthermore, the belief that a new human being comes into life during the process of fertilization is a religious one and should not be muddled with scientific facts against the contrary. However, this hasn’t stopped our own state from passing an intrusive bill against contraception.

The ABC Act is necessary for women in America to have the right to birth control, whether a pharmacist believes he or she should lock those whore pills up or not.

ComicSpot

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 11

Life

University Safety Aides protect and escort

BY JUSTIN REGAN

I

t’s 8 p.m. on a cold winter night. While most people are settling in to their dorms, apartments or favorite bar, there are a select group of people who are donning heavy jackets and radios before heading out into the darkness to do their job; these are the students who make up the University Safety Aides (USA). Whether it is the dark forest on south campus or the vast emptiness of the northern quad, they will walk with anyone in peace to a destination.

As their shifts begin at the NAU Police Department (NAUPD), the USA will start walking the campus while on call for escort service. Some nights, there is only one escort call while other times there are over a dozen.

“On our record nights, we have 13 escorts in six hours,” said USA Derrick Strosnider, a senior English secondary education major. “There are many escorts going from far north to far south, [so] we might walk 10 to 12 miles.”

Walking is a vital part of the job, because even when they are not on an escort mission, the USA remain mobile as an additional set of eyes and ears for the NAUPD, covering areas squad cars cannot — like the pedways and the quads. While USA are not police officers, they will report anything suspicious or illegal they see to NAUPD. USA are not authorized to physically confront someone unless in a dire situation.

“The reality of it is that this is a pretty safe campus,” Strosnider said. “We don’t have all of those problems. The reason we exist is for peace of mind of students. We don’t carry firearms; we don’t carry mace. The uniform alone will scare [people] away.”

While waiting for the call to action, there are more mundane yet vital roles the USA fill, including checking the school’s buildings to make sure they are all properly locked. They are also the ones who assist students if they get locked out of their buildings.

12 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

“It may seem from the outside like we have a job where a lot of the stuff is pretty trivial,” said Mark Weststeyn, a senior exercise science major. “But when you really look at it they trust us with a ton.

Locking a door might not seem like a big deal, but if we were to check a door and lock it, that could prevent a theft from happening later.”

USA act as escorts between 8 p.m. and midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Thursday through Saturday. The nights can get tiring for the USA, especially if they have early classes.

“It’s time management and it is definitely something you have to learn,” Weststeyn said. “You get used to it; there are definitely enough hours in the day.”

Another factor the USA deal with is the cold weather. When the temperature drops below 20 degrees, the USA will be issued a car to drive around in. Any warmer, however, and they will be pounding the ground.

“The nights that are toughest is when it’s 23, 21 degrees. By policy, we can’t have the car but it’s about that cold,” Strosnider explained.

In those situations, the USA only option is to bundle up and travel in and out of as many buildings as they can.

“You really get to learn your face and what freezes first,” Weststeyn joked. “I get the chin, then tip of the nose, then the jawline and the mouth.”

Besides being on call for escorts, USA must also be ready to assist NAUPD when necessary. Strosnider was once on the job until 6:30 a.m., because he was needed to divert traffic after a car accident.

Although the job comes with challenges, most USA find it to be rewarding.

“For me, I’m going to be a teacher, so I’m not going to be a cop,” Strosnider said. “But the people skills you can learn while working with police officers, also specifically getting to know people on campus is a big benefit for my future.”

If students are in need of an escort, call NAUPD at 928-523-3611.

Derrick Strosnider, a senior English and secondary education major, locks the Campus Postal Services’ door during an USA building check. (Photos by Andi Sanchez)

A name to remember Local park renamed in honor of citizen Jim Cullen

BY AMBER GEORGE

M

any Flagstaff citizens exchanged memories and shed tears as they gathered to remember the life of Jim Cullen, an avid volunteer and lifetime Flagstaff resident, at the city council meeting on Feb. 19. A group of loving family, friends and coworkers pulled together in hopes the city council members would change the name of Flagstaff Mountain View Park to Jim Cullen Memorial Park in honor of the former resident.

Cullen was a devoted husband, father and friend. After a vigorous battle with cancer, Cullen died on Sept. 26, 2010. Although he left the physical world behind, his memory holds strong through his well-known charity involvement and the many stories shared in the community.

“The renaming is based on Jim’s community involvement and generosity extended throughout several charities,” said Kelly Cullen, Jim Cullen’s son and one of the leaders of the motion.

During the council meeting, the story of Jim Cullen was shared by two of his sons, Kelly and Tony, and devoted Marine friends and even some of the councilmembers.

“I lived across the street from my father for eight years and almost every night I was able to go over and say, ‘Hello.’ Some people may say, ‘What were you thinking?’ but to me, it was an honor,” Tony Cullen said.

Jim Cullen partook in various charitable events through his life, including the Marines’ Toys for Tots drive. He also set up a myriad of youth programs in Flagstaff, which allow underprivileged kids to increase their community involvement. Those who knew him spoke highly of his actions and remembered all of the great things he did for youth. Residents shared stories of how Jim Cullen raised thousands of donations for children and how he devoted ample amounts of his time to helping those around him.

“Still today, I find guys my age coming to me saying, ‘Your dad bought me a jacket’ or ‘Your dad took me to the dentist,’” Tony Cullen continued.

“Finding these things out now is just a joy for me to discover.”

Although there were many of Jim Cullen’s friends and family speaking on his behalf, one Marine who served with him, Joe Ray, said the stories shared were only the “tip of the iceberg.”

“Jim was a man who did not know how to say, ‘No,’” Ray said.

Through the night, many people commented on Jim Cullen’s willingness to go above and beyond when asked for help. This is what his friends and family wanted to remember as they petitioned for Mountain View Park to be renamed after him.

Along with the public audience, many of the council members and even Mayor Jerry Nabours were moved by the motion and reflected on fond memories of Jim Cullen. Councilman Scott Overton was one of many to share his memories with the public.

“As a lifetime Flagstaff resident, my family knew Cullen’s family and I knew Jim later in life,” Overton said. “This park embodies Jim Cullen; it is the right place and the right time to name a beautiful park after a long, outstanding lifetime citizen.”

By the end of the presentation, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed without hesitation. Many grateful citizens were ecstatic the park’s name would soon be changing to represent an old friend.

Jim Cullen may be gone, but his life and generosity carries on through the lives and stories of his children and friends. The Jim Cullen Memorial Park will stand as a symbol of his caring and youthful personality, and through the memories he left behind, his legacy will forever remain in his hometown of Flagstaff.

Paolo Soleri:

Life

Think, Draw, Build, Sustain Educational differences

L

BY CARIN BENGSSTON

ike every student here, I received an email in the morning on Feb. 20: “NAU is closed due to severe weather.” I immediately rushed up from my chair and slightly parted the blinds, expecting the worst. However, as the outside view hit my eyes, like the Viking I am, I shook my head lightly and thought, “Only in America.”

I have been in school for 15 years and every winter I wish for a snow day. One day; that is all I asked for. In Sweden, there have been many severe snow days, but none bad enough to cancel classes.

Our parents forced us to go to school.

They let us bike on icy roads or would take us to school in tractors when the buses would not run. Before I turned eight, I gave up hope classes would ever be canceled due to snowfall — until this past Wednesday.

Who would have thought it would happen during the last semester of my lifelong education? I knew there was a reason for coming here.

In addition to this, I have made more observations about American education that have made me raise an eyebrow or two.

I have always been the youngest wherever I have walked in life, but that all changed when I came to America; all of a sudden, I am much older than most of the other students. When I reveal my age to people, the air gets thick and a blanket of discomfort makes it tough to continue with a casual conversation. I am 24 years old, turning 25 this year, but to be fair, there is no visible sign revealing I am past 20, so there might be sound reasoning behind the shocked reactions I receive.

It has also come to my attention that it’s common for American students to go straight from high school to college at age 17 or 18.

In contrast, it is not unusual for a 19-year-old Swede to take at least one year off after high school before continuing onto college. One year, five years or even ten — no one really cares when you go to college in Sweden, as long as you consider it eventually. I had a gap of three

years and what I learned during those three years is nothing I could ever learn in school: life experiences I would not trade for anything.

Being at NAU has also taught me much, but a few surprises caught my eye during just the first week of classes. The first being the following quote in one of my syllabi: “Guns, concealed or not, are not permitted in my classroom. Their presence interferes with my ability to teach.” I found this both funny and scary at the same time, when the other students didn’t seem to notice.

I was met by another shock when I was literally drowning in homework during my first few days at NAU. I have never experienced anything like this before. We have homework in Sweden, but not in this proportion. Instead of many little assignments due every night, we are assigned extensive projects and exams. We go from slow speed to high speed, from calm to pure panic depending on how ambitious you are, of course. Some classes last for 5 weeks and others last through the semester; regardless, only at the end of the class is when students study like it is a matter of life or death.

On a more positive note, I want to talk about the professors here. They possess something many of my professors in Sweden lack: enthusiasm. This is one of my favorite parts about American education. The 50-minute classes suit me perfectly and might be the reason one can stay enthusiastic; not only about the subject, but about life in general. For me, and for anyone else I suppose, a three-hour lecture is suffocating. It doesn’t really matter how interesting the subjects are; your brain will not maintain a solid form afterwards.

I am also fond of the extra points given for merely attending a class or for doing extra credit. If you want to go to a class in Sweden, great!

If not, suit yourself; it is your responsibility to pass the exam. I talked to my other Swedish friends studying at other colleges in America and we came to the conclusion that we do not stress too much about the extra credit opportunities. It seems lazy, but our grades from America will be transferred to Sweden as either pass or fail, so I say, why not blow off the extra credit and enjoy the time I have here.

95-year-old Paolo Soleri has been an architect for more than 40 years, and his work is now being displayed at NAU. Soleri’s exhibit, called “Paolo Soleri: Think, Draw, Build, Sustain,” which features three-dimensional models for viewers to admire. Each piece in the exhibit embodies and represents a different subject, including environmental studies, anthropology and natural sciences. Aside from architecture, Soleri has been awarded three honorary doctorates, has written six books and is a lecturer in the College of Architecture at ASU. The exhibit will be on display until April 13.

TOP: Aidan Sullivan, an 11-year-old interested in architecture, examines Soleri’s model of a bridge at the exhibit’s reception on Feb. 21.

LEFT: Rocky Luedeker, David Semanas and Kira Semanas discuss the Arcosanti model.

(Photos by Jing Wang)

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6 , 2013 | The Lumberjack 13

Identity and Opportunity:

An Evening of Poetry and Perspective with LeDerick Horne

â&#x20AC;&#x153;LeDerick Horne is a spoken-word poet, disability advocate, and entrepreneur. Using his gift for spoken word poetry as a teaching tool, LeDerick has been recognized across the country as a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. After graduating with honors from New Jersey City University in 2003 with a BA in Mathematics and a minor in Fine Art, LeDerick released Rhyme Reason and Song (2005), an album of his poetry set to music, and he co-created and performed in New Street Poets, a spoken word play addressing gentrificationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affect on urban culture.

Mr. Horne is the Board chair for Project Eye-to-Eye, a national nonprofit which provides mentoring programs for students labeled LD/ADHD. For more information on LeDerick Horne, please visit his website at lederick.com.

When: Wednesday, march 6, 2013; 6:30 to 8:30 (doors open at 6:00 pm) Where: Cline Library Assembly Hall Admission: Free and open to the public **If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate equitably in this event, please contact Disability Resources at (928) 523-8773 or dr@nau.edu.

CEFNS Career Fair Wednesday March 6th High Country Conference Center, 12-4 pm Register on Jobs 4 Jacks to win prizes for attending!

Jobs 4 Jacks Event #276

Questions? cefnscareerdev@nau.edu http://www4.nau.edu/ careerservices/jobsforjacks.htm

14 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

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best rental car deals in flagstaff Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 15

BEAT A BENGAL & WHITE OUT A WILDCAT!

SHOW SUPPORT FOR YOUR MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM & FELLOW LUMBERJACKS IN THEIR FINAL TWO HOME GAMES OF THE SEASON

Thursday, February 28 @ 6:35 p.m.

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Saturday, March 2 @ 2:05 p.m.

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16 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

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LASIK: The procedure that has brought a high The Implantable Contact Lens (ICL): Vision The Implantable Intraocular Lens: If you are

degree of vision correction to hundreds of thousands. Our doctors have performed LASIK with every platform available in the U.S., and currently use the Allegretto Wave Laser – the only laser available that maintains the natural shape of your cornea, reduces glare, and provides better night vision. The Allegretto was first available in Arizona at our center.

improvement some have called as dramatic as “high definition.” Our surgeons have implanted more ICL’s than any other clinic in the world, and we are one of a small number of eye centers in the U.S. where doctors have come to be certified for this procedure.

farsighted or have trouble reading, this may be a great option for you. The IOL replaces the natural lens in your eye with a lens tailored to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or enhance your ability to read without glasses.

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Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 17

SportsReport

LUMBERJACK RALLY COMES UP SHORT AGAINST SACRAMENTO ST. D

BY JASMYN WIMBISH

espite late second half efforts, NAU’s women’s basketball team fell short to Sacramento State University 68–78.

With the loss, the Lumberjacks are still only a game outside of the last spot to advance to the Big Sky Championship Tournament.

Having already faced the Hornets, and lost, the Jacks knew what to expect coming into this game with Sacramento State leading the Big Sky Conference (BSC) in scoring, assists, blocks, steals, and 3-pointers made.

The first half started out slow for the Jacks, allowing the Hornets to go on a 6–0 run at the start of the game. Sacramento State’s stifling defense led to consecutive NAU turnovers to limit its offensive possessions.

The Lumberjacks then went on a 6–0 run themselves tying the game back up at six apiece, before the Hornets ran away with the lead again.

“I don’t know what is wrong with us, if it’s our warm-ups or what, but I feel like we always come out so slow,” said junior guard Amanda Frost. “We’re not playing team basketball, and we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do and then anytime we want to kick it in it’s always too late to come back.”

NAU did not lead at all in the game and only tied the game once. Sophomore forward Erikka Banks scored 16 of her 25 points in the first half. Banks broke all of her career-best records on the night with 25 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals. This was her first double-double in her career, but she also fouled out for the first time, leaving the game with 1:52 left.

“Every time I step out on the court my mentality is to play as hard as I can and give it all I got,” Banks said.

After going scoreless in the first half, Frost scored 16 points in the second half to bring the Jacks close in contention to win.

Frost also recorded five rebounds and two steals, also going a perfect 4–4 from the line on the evening. In the first half, NAU only made one shot outside the paint, a three-pointer made by senior guard Amy Patton. The Jacks shot 27 percent from the field in the first half and shot 31 percent on the evening.

“It’s unfortunate because this happened the last time we played against this team, I thought we prepared really well throughout the week and I thought the team was ready, obviously we weren’t,” said head coach Sue Darling. “I still think that’s a team we can beat.”

A high point on the night was the celebration of National

Sophomore forward Erikka Banks draws a foul against Sacramento State on Feb. 23. (Photo by Jeff Bucher)

Girls and Women in Sports Day, where young female athletes were recognized at halftime for their participation in sports.

“Sports are incredibly important in the life of everybody, but for girls to have the ability to be on an equal playing field is fantastic,” Darling said. “I appreciate where we have been, and my dream is for girls to never have to realize that someone’s mom never got to play a sport.”

With this loss, the Lumberjacks, (7–18, 6–10 BSC) now

SportShorts Women’s Basketball

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• at WAC Championships

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18 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

Go online to JackCentral.com to read recaps of men’s tennis, men’s basketball at Hawaii and an update on the incoming freshman football class.

head on the road to face Idaho State University (ISU) and Weber State University (WSU). ISU (15–10, 6–10 BSC) currently sits in fourth place in the BSC, while Weber State has yet to win a game on the season sitting in last place.

“We have to bring energy, and we have to push each other,” Frost said. “I feel like we’re not pushing each other and I know other teams are going hard on each other and no one is going to take it easy on us so we have to go hard.”

Follow the Lumberjack Sports reporters on Twitter Lumberjack Sports: @LJ_Sports Cody Bashore: @CodyBashore Brian Gosset: @Gosset41 Alli Jenney: @allijenney

SportsReport

MEN’S HOOPS NEEDS TO SPLIT FINAL FOUR GAMES

W

ith only four games left in the inaugural season of head coach Jack Murphy’s NAU tenure, the chance at a Big Sky Conference tournament spot rests on the ability to simply repeat early season success.

The Lumberjacks face COMMENTARY the top two teams in the conference, the University of Montana and Weber State University, along with Big Sky bottom-dweller Idaho State University (ISU) in their final four games. These three games CODY have predictable results, with BASHORE NAU more than likely going 1–2 if the games follow where the teams sit in the conference standings.

NAU’s postseason dreams more than likely rest on a win at Montana State University (MSU). The Bobcats fell to the Lumberjacks, 87–80, in Flagstaff all the way back on Dec. 17, 2012. NAU would earn the tiebreaker against MSU with the win in Bozeman, Mont., and hypothetically finish the conference schedule at 9–11, most likely locking them into the conference tournament.

“Realistically, I think two games gets you in the conference tournament. I think nine wins gets you in for sure. You never know, eight could, but you don’t want to rely on that,” Murphy said. “That’s what I think we know as a staff and the players know that as well.”

While the two wins would probably clinch a postseason spot, simply going .500 the rest of the way isn’t the goal. Senior Night on March 2 against Weber State could provide the perfect finish of the senior class’ home careers.

“Man, I don’t know, I can’t even put it into words,” said senior guard Michael Dunn.

“I mean, they have a really great team and to

beat them at home on our last game here in the Dome, here in a Lumberjack jersey, would be great.”

NAU lost to Weber State 83–70 on Jan. 17, but led late in the first half before Weber went on a run to take a lead it would hold for the remainder of the game. The Lumberjacks shot 50 percent from the field and only turned it over seven times, but the Wildcats outscored them 29–8 from the free-throw line.

“You do have to play a perfect or nearly perfect game against a team like that to get an upset,” Dunn said. “It’s just focus and mental toughness playing against those guys. You can ill afford to make too many mistakes against them.”

The cluster in the middle of the Big Sky, where two games separate the six teams sitting third to eighth, has been ignored for the most part by the Lumberjack players.

“We’re taking it one game at a time; we know Thursday’s game is a big, very important game,” Murphy said. “The difference in this conference between eleventh and third place is minimal. I mean, literally, it’s a bounce here, a bounce there.”

MSU remains the wild card in the conference. Having lost five straight and six of its last seven, MSU awaits visits from NAU and Sacramento State University and also travels to Southern Utah University. These four schools specifically have one game separating them in the standings and more than likely, all four will not advance to the tournament.

Most importantly for NAU is to take care of business against ISU. Having already beat ISU on the road earlier this season, NAU should have no trouble winning at home. A loss to an inferior team would put a dent in the chance to pull out the required two wins in their final four.

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Lumberjack men’s basketball schedule vs. Idaho State, Feb. 28, 6:35 p.m. vs. Weber State, March 2, 2:05 p.m. at Montana State, March 7, 8:05 pm. at Montana, March 9, 7:05 p.m.

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Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 19

SportsReport

Flagstaff hosts myriad of sports IN Arizona Winter Special Olympics

BY VINCENT PEÑA

T

his past weekend, NAU had the opportunity to host a very unique group of athletes as the city of Flagstaff held the Arizona Winter Special Olympics for the 23rd time. A hotbed for professional athletes to train in high altitude, Flagstaff has hosted the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and a myriad of international athletes who represent a variety of sports and utilize the city’s 7,000-feet elevation to gain an athletic advantage.

From Feb. 22 to 24, more than 300 athletes from all over Arizona competed in a multitude of winter sports such as alpine and crosscountry skiing, snowboarding, speed skating, snowshoeing, figure skating and floor hockey.

In addition to NAU, which held the floor hockey competition in the University Fieldhouse, a number of other venues around Flagstaff were used. Arizona Snowbowl held the skiing and snowboarding events, Jay Lively Arena hosted the speed and figure skating competitions, and the Flagstaff Nordic Center held cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The opening and closing ceremonies were held at Sinagua Middle School.

“We really count on everyone donating their facilities. NAU was gracious enough to let us use two facilities plus the meal service, and almost 90 percent of the volunteers we had out this weekend all came from NAU,” said Sarah Haines, director of volunteers and human resources.

The Special Olympics hold events year-round and includes 22 different sports in addition to the ones involved in the winter games.

To qualify for the Special Olympics, teams and individuals compete in their respective areas for the chance to move on to the statewide competition.

“They have to train for eight weeks before they go to competition. We have six different areas in the state, so they’ll compete in

ABOVE: Collier Burns, Daniel Nemecek and Matthew Herbert pose for a photo after receiving their awards from the 500-meter speed skating race. Bruns, Nemecek and Herbert are Special Olympics competitors from Tempe.

(Photo by Courtney Martin) BELOW: Jackie Sager, 23, from Chandler, skis down a run at Arizona Snowbowl on Feb. 22. Sager, the lone competitor in Class One of the Special Olympics’ Alpine Skiing competition, has been skiing for 18 years. This is the sixth year Sager has been competing in the Special Olympics.

(Photo by Amanda Ray)

20 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

their area competitions and then move on to the state competitions. And they even have nationals, too. We have national games coming up next year in [New] Jersey,” said Special Olympics marketing coordinator Kali Knaack.

The Special Olympics works in conjunction with the Arizona Interscholastic Association to set up special education athletic programs throughout the high schools in Arizona. With no government funding, the Special Olympics rely heavily on fundraising and people donating their time, money or facilities.

“It’s all funded through individuals, corporate donations and a lot of times our athletes and coaches fundraise for their own delegations,” Haines said.

Working with more than just sports, the Special Olympics also has created programs to help promote healthy lifestyles, education and eliminate the use of the word retarded through their campaign called “Spread the Word to End the Word.” Some of their other programs include Special Smiles, which offers free dental care to the athletes, and Healthy Athletes, which works to encourage healthy living in a variety of ways.

“It’s crazy — the Special Olympics is huge, and it’s more than just sports,” Knaack said.

TOP LEFT: The Mesa and Chandler floor hockey teams scramble for the puck during the Winter Special Olympics in the Fieldhouse on Feb. 23. (Photo by Crystal Milner) BOTTOM LEFT: Collier Burnes, 17, skates during the Winter Special Olymics at Jay Lively Activity Center on Feb. 22. Burnes won his heat. (Photo by Andi Sanchez) TOP RIGHT: Delaine Toledo, 18, from St. Michael, AZ. skis toward the finish line at Snowbowl on Feb. 22. Toledo finished first in the Class Two of the Special Olympics’ Alpine Skiing competition.

For five years, Toledo has been training at Telluride, Colo. with St. Michaels Association for Special Education. (Photo by Amanda Ray) BOTTOM RIGHT: After winning in its tournament area, the Chandler floor hockey team travels to Flagstaff to compete at the Winter Special Olympics. (Photo by Crystal Milner)

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 21

Arts&Entertainment

Luminaries’ ((VIBES)) Illuminate Minds and Music at the Green Room

from FRONT page 1

The set got the crowd excited with impressive dance moves.

Based out of Venice Beach, Calif., Luminaries’ style comes from a background of social service and use their talents to help others.

Following a strong set from Dub and Jefferson Washington, the Luminaries took to the stage for a set full of energy and excitement. The trio is best described as conscious hiphop fused with electronic with pieces of rock, reggae and some funk elements. The conscious factor comes into play in the lyrics of the songs, with many in this sub-genre having political undertones and often acts as social commentary.

Their beats were strong and energetic at the show, and the three vocalists Javis “J Brave” Huggins, Felix “Free Will Luminous” Harris Jr. and Chris “Amore One” Devcich melded together perfectly. All three performers were completely in synch with each other, the backing beat and the audience.

During the set, a select few in the crowd danced with the most energy and skill; at one point, they brought out hula hoops and other props to illuminate the dance floor. Both Jennifer Knott and Josiah Fleishman explained their dancing is a way to unwind.

“My hoops live in my car. They go everywhere, if I need to unwind at work [or] a lunch break — hoops are in the car,” Knott said. “It’s like a center balance, that spinning. [It] just centers you.”

“Dancing and hooping, juggling and you know, all of this is a very spiritual experience for me, so any excuse I could find [I will go],” Fleishman said.

The substance of the songs was unexpected but a welcomed surprise. There was a certain purpose to what the songs meant. “Free Energy,” one of the strongest songs, urged the following of Nikola Tesla’s theories regarding energy and how, according to the song, nearly 5,000 patents are being hidden by the U.S. government. “Be The Change” is based on the ideas and philosophies of Mahatma Ghandi, who famously said “Be the change you wish to see in the world” and preached nonviolence.

Different from many rap groups, Luminaries have a background in activism, which largely influences what songs they write and how they perform.

“We’re basically social service workers on the microphone — we all do something; we’re artists in action, not just emcees just talking about it. Javis has been working with youth for a number of years now, Chris is an activist like standing on the front lines, the Occupy Movement, the South Central Farm movement,” Harris Jr. said.

“I met Javis when we were playing basketball somewhere, it kind of started out we made a deal to trade service and music and find a way to blend it and then all of these things started happening. It’s helping kids and helping people, it’s the same

The Luminaries’ vocalist and rapper, Amore One and Freewill perform their song about peace and unity at the Green Room on Feb 22. (Photo by Jing Wang) thing [but] we’re doing it with music.”

The group has had the opportunity to travel around the world. In 2011, they traveled through the Middle East performing in places, most notably Palestine and Israel and, in 2012, Luminaries traveled to perform at the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud, Indonesia. Traveling abroad gave the group a new perspective and inspiration.

“I think going anywhere in the world and feeling people’s energy and connecting with them on the most humble level . . . like some people [are] in a tough situation, like Palestine. [It’s] really challenging out there, being in that type of unrest and injustice and suppression.

And to see that it helps to fuel the fire [for] what we do,” Huggins said. “That’s definitely changed who we are for sure in every way.”

The trip abroad also informed the performers about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and according to Devcich,

the people contrasted what is put forth in the media.

“It changed my life overall; it changed my perspective, because I heard a lot about — like for example, the Palestine-Israel situation. I heard a lot about it secondhand but I’d never directly experienced it so it was so beautiful being in Palestine. We didn’t experience any ill will or any kind of negative sentiment from anybody over there, which is so contrary to what is pushed through the media,” Devcich said.

“People were beautiful there; people were beautiful in Israel. I do feel like Palestine is an open air prison, an occupied country; if anything, I tried to go in there objective and not take a side.”

The Luminaries are currently on tour and expect to be touring for much of this year. The group foresees a second album on the horizon.

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 23

Arts&Entertainment

DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE Gordon (Rob Barnes) argues with Jean (Charity Ormand) during the opening night of Dead Man's Cell Phone.

(Photo By Andi Sanchez)

Tech Heavy Show Puts Spin On Communication

I

BY KATHLEEN KOMOS

n a world where almost everyone has a cell phone of some kind, it is easy to wonder what sort of impact technology has on relationships. As cell phones become more and more necessary today, it is almost impossible to be outside the communication barrier — except maybe when they’re dead.

Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone explores the role of cell phones in communication and its impact on society. Although a stranger, the sudden death of Gordon Gottlieb has impacted Jean’s world; Jean is thrown from her everyday life when she answers his cell phone. In doing so, she resolves to answer his cell phone for the rest of her life if only to keep Gordon’s memory alive. As she weaves lies to comfort his family, she learns what it means to truly love another.

This technologically hefty show skillfully relied mostly on electronic music and lighting. On the back wall was an eerie sculpture made entirely of masks hung. Onto those masks were projected images to help put the audience into the scene.

Pools of light separated actors during conversations and only occasionally were they brought together. The distances between the actors were unnaturally large, but the stage structure helped the audience understand the disconnect between people. It was an effec-

24 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

tive use of stage placement to communicate dissonance.

The set was very minimal. Rather than being distracting, the lack of a set allowed the audience to focus on the story, and the actors could move around uninhibited by a cumbersome set.

While the technical elements of the show are interesting, it is the actors who really took this world Ruhl envisioned and brought it to life.

One actor in the play was Allison Ritter, who played the nagging and snobby mother, Mrs. Gottlieb. Ritter chose a turtle-like physicality for her character, which included a pinched face and small, slow steps which required the other characters to wait quite a bit before she reached them. As she spoke, she stroked a fur shawl around her neck and often said things in a much louder voice than was necessary. These physical characteristics were matched only by the actor’s addition of a gobble-like noise Mrs. Gottlieb made when she was really upset. Whenever Mrs. Gottlieb shuffled onstage, the audience could expect both hilarity and horror as she insulted the character closest to her.

Ritter was not the only actor who added quirks and ticks to her character. Jackson Rambler played his character, Dwight, as someone used to being trodden underfoot but does not let it affect him

anymore. Additionally, Charity Ormand allowed her character Jean to grow from a small quiet woman to a confident one in a convincing and natural way. Thematically, her growth was very important to the progress of the story.

A play centered on the trouble with cell phones might be scary to consider and such themes can be overdone quickly if not properly analyzed. Yet, Dead Man’s Cell Phone takes a different and more desirable spin, choosing instead to use humor, rather than disparity, to portray the disconnect between people today.

While honestly critiquing society’s communication today, Dead Man’s Cell Phone was certainly an unexpectedly funny play. Overall, all the elements came together to produce a play worthy of $2 and two hours. The actors’ interesting character choices combined with the unique technical aspects and the lighting meant to highlight theme created a humorous piece with a great message.

Dead Man’s Cell Phone appeared to ring true with the audience on its opening night with plenty of time to see it before it closes on March 3. More information about performance dates and times can be found on the Central Ticketing Office (CTO) website at www. nau.edu/cto. Tickets can also be purchased at the CTO for $2 with a student ID.

Class

Class Description

Class #

Instructor

1500 1503 1571 1962

Klesman,C Sommerness,M Minkler,S Mitchell,L

1470 1471 1472 1474 1475 1476 1477 2040 1479 1480 2054 1481 1483 1486 1488 1499 1420 1505 1510

Lei,R Lei,R Neumann,M Faust,R Long,C Schutten,J Umphrey,L Mahaffey,J Long,C Sommerness,M Staff (ends 6/28) Umphrey,L Hardy-Short,D Baker-Ohler,M Short,C Torn,J Sommerness,M Neumann,M Mitchell,K

1470 1475 1476 1477 2040 1481 1484 1487 1501 1502 1506 1544 1508

Sommerness,M Long,C Schutten,J Umphrey,L Mahaffey,J Umphrey,L Short,C Hardy-Short,D Torn,J Helford,P Russo,K Thull,J Sinaga,S

Pre-session - May 13 - May 31 EMF 129 JLS 104 PHO 181* VC 101

Introduction To Screenwriting Grammar & Style Communication Photography Communication Design

Summer Session I - June 3 - July 2 ADV 207 ADV 310 COM 101 COM 131 COM 200 COM 200 COM 200 COM 200 COM 301 COM 400 CST 111* CST 351 CST 424 CST 477 CST 572 EMF 122 JLS 105* JLS 106 VC 161

Introduction To Advertising Advertising Media Selection Communication Analysis Writing For Comm Channels Basic Communication Theory Basic Communication Theory Basic Communication Theory Basic Communication Theory Race, Gender, And Media Mass Comm Regulatn/responsblty Fundamentals of Public Speaking Interpersonal Comm Theory Gender And Communication Mediation And Conflict Mgt Organizational Communication Introduction To Media Studies Intro To Journalism Intro/documentary Studies History Of Visual Comm

Summer Session II - June 8 - August 6 COM 102 COM 200 COM 200 COM 200 COM 200 CST 315 CST 472 CST 524 EMF 328W EMF 382 JLS 131 PR 272 PR 371

Mass Media And Society Basic Communication Theory Basic Communication Theory Basic Communication Theory Basic Communication Theory Bus & Professional Speaking Organizational Communication Gender And Communication Writing/producers & Executives The Art Of Cinema Basic Reporting Intro To Public Relations Pr Case Studies & Research

* classes In-person

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 25

Arts&Entertainment

Nation Beat: Brazilian musicians meet Americana in seamless fusion

A

BY CALEB MCCLURE

fro-Brazilian rhythms, country twang, Creole horns and funky guitar were all woven together seamlessly in the crosscultural stew of sound that is Nation Beat.

The fusion of American and Brazilian music is not a new concept. In the ‘40s, jazz and Brazilian music came together to create bossa nova. The band Nation Beat has created a sound that is far from this fusion. Instead of exclusively jazz, Nation Beat seems to combine any and every genre of American roots music possible, with an incredible amount of Brazilian percussion instruments.

The concept of Nation Beat came after percussionist and bandleader Scott Kettner traveled abroad to study a different cultural rhythm.

“I moved to Brazil to study this music called maracatu, which comes from the northeast of Brazil,” Kettner said. “While I was living there, I noticed there was a lot of similarities between the music and culture of northeastern Brazil and the music and culture of the southern United States [Florida], where I grew up.”

Kettner was this semester’s Global Artist in Residence, a partnership between the School of Music, Center for International Education, College of Arts and Letters and the Center for Indigenous Music and Culture. He worked with the Introduction to World Music class (MUS 260),

teaching them to sing in Portuguese. Kettner also taught northeastern Brazilian rhythms to the NAU Percussion Ensemble.

“Scott Kettner is a very unique artist and the group Nation Beat, which he founded, bridges musical traditions, so we have a blend of American roots music and Brazilian music,” said Chad Hamill, co-founder of the Center for Indigenous Music and Culture.

“He has a lot to offer in that regard, and I heard he’s a very dynamic teacher as well as performer, so I was anxious to get him here and working with students. He’s been great,” Hamill said.

While combining numerous musical styles can often be unsuccessful, Nation Beat finds coherence in chaos. Slide guitars and Brazilian gonguês seem like a natural pairing when listening to the Beat’s fun, upbeat songs.

After learning much from Kettner, the students joined him on stage. The concert not only highlighted Kettner’s extreme talent, but also the talent found at NAU’s School of Music.

The concert was a high-powered, spirited display of musicianship. The first few songs went by with everyone sitting politely, fighting the urge to get up and dance to the intoxicating Brazilian rhythms. After the singer invited people to dance, it was obvious the audience was just waiting for the signal.

Nation Beat invited NAU’s World Music Ensemble to perform a song with the band onstage at Ashurst Hall on Feb 25. (Photo By Kelli Tresgallo) The concert concluded in an epic climax, with Kettner leading the NAU Percussion Ensemble in a fierce showcase of rhythmic talent.

The ensemble marched around the auditorium, taking audience members with them in their parade.

“It was really neat to be able to work with someone who has so much experience, and to

hear his stories and get his take with where he comes from with his music,” said Phoebe Hughes, a freshman percussion performance major and member of the NAU Percussion Ensemble.

The performance was a priceless opportunity for music students.; only talented and skillful musicians could create a thrilling and educational perfomance in Ardrey Auditorium.

Sedona band to kick off SXSW tour at Green Room

W

BY LAURA THOMPSON

ith a new album and a new tour, South by Southwest (SXSW) veterans decker. have a promising start for 2013. Hailing from Sedona, decker. is a unique blend of folk and psychedelic sounds. Over the four years since Brandon Decker started this project, the band has seen a varied lineup with different musicians filling in the gaps. This past year, after finishing off their first SXSW tour, decker. produced their new album, Slider, as a cohesive group of musicians. The release of Slider has been a tough year in the making. Brandon Decker found time to sit down with The Lumberjack via cell phone for a quick chat about Slider and the upcoming show.

Slider debuted on Feb. 26 and is available on Soundcloud.

The SXSW Kick Off show at the Green Room is March 9 at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at ticketfly.com The Lumberjack: What can people expect from your new album, Slider?

Brandon Decker: Well, we call it psychedelic desert folk; it’s desert music, it’s expansive, spacey and melodic. It’s authentic and I think that’s the whole thing we’ve ever wanted to convey in our music. It’s the thing that I’m most proud of. There are

26 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

a lot of powerful, make your hair stand up moments on the record.

LJ: What are the key elements that went into writing Slider?

BD: Well, the new record is the first time we’ve written musically as a band. We all kind of gelled musically . . . we got back from SXSW and wrote the album in two or three weeks . . . everyone was on the same page and kind of knew the way the music needed to be served. It’s musically stronger and emotionally more mature and authentic than anything we’ve put out before.

LJ: How long have you been writing music?

BD: I started writing songs in about 2006 and they sucked. The first album was written in 2009. Those first three years was just a lot of trial and error and learning the craft. The core members are me, Kelly, another vocalist, and Bryant, another guitarist; we’ve all been together over a year, the longest I’ve been involved with a group of people.

LJ: Can you talk about the car accident and why this tour and album have been a year in the making?

BD: As we were finishing off this album, we got in a massive rollover car accident and one of our members broke her neck.

We started writing [the new album] last March, recorded it in June and July, had the accident and that, of course, got us off track significantly. We finished off the record and began cultivating the team that was going to push this out to people so we’ve just been sitting on this record since October. We’re grateful, it could have been a lot worse; we actually thought our band mate was dead at the time.

LJ: Is the Green Room show your kick off for SXSW? BD: Well, we are marketing it as a preview for SXSW. Our new album comes out Feb. 26, and the timing of the album release is around SXSW so a lot of our efforts have been dually focused on the release itself and the series of shows. There were all these bands and friends of ours from the West that were heading that way so we tried to get as many of our band friends that were passing through to be able to get on one of these Arizona shows around SXSW so that we can, you know, share the love.

FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW, VISIT JACKCENTRAL.COM

Arts&Entertainment Beautiful Creatures

SoundCheck Artist: STRFKR Album: Miracle Mile Genre: Alternative Indie

S

BY MYKEL VERNON-SEMBACH

ince their performance at the Green Room, it has been an anticipatory wait to STRFKR’s latest release, Miracle Mile. Known for their melodramatic synthpop style reminiscent of Matt and Kim (with MGMT’s early psych influence), STRFKR has presented yet another composition, which sadly misses the mark. At 15 tracks, Miracle Mile is a rather extensive album — especially for one that is monotonous from start to finish.

Their single “While I’m Alive” is bright and punchy: strong vocals, minimal synth and clean guitar are what dominate this track. Yet, lyrically, Joshua Hodges brings down the mood with a pep talk: “To live my life alive.” While their acclaimed concept album Reptiles flirted with the ideas of death, “While I’m Alive” is simply a boring reiteration of previous mortality themes.

STRFKR loses most of their percussion to the thin rhythmic synthesizers in “Sazed.” If that is a clever combination of words, I wouldn’t have a clue.

For those looking for dance hits in “Malmo,” it’ll have to wait a bit longer. Vocalist Joshua Hodges moans and drones existential lyrics into the microphone over bass lines and inhuman whistling. It’s an uninteresting mess of words and meanings with what should be a relatively upbeat album. The beat itself, while reminiscent of one-hit wonders, The Virgins, leaves most dancers awkwardly swaying — drink in hand — drowning out the pointless melancholy with booze and lame

pickup lines. The only benefit of this track might be The Strokeesque bass line, feigning commonality between the innovative ‘90s rock band and the sleepy indie band from Oregon.

By “YAYAYA,” the album is barely tolerable and most listeners will have switched albums two tracks prior. Lyrically, this song is beyond any interpretation, but it almost sounds better as an instrumental anyway. At least they’re not talking about death or dying for once. With the synth toned down, the guitar and bass melodies have time to give a rather abstract, yet melodic, performance.

STRFKR maintains a slow pace for a good five songs, for once fitting properly in Miracle Mile with a low-key psychedelic haze. “Kahlil Gibran” certainly finds a nice medium of spacey and humble, a simple conversation — or lack thereof — about struggling to find the right words to say. The vocals are rather tame, choosing to remain in reasonable octaves for most of the 4-minutes. “Say to You” is much of the same formula, different story.

Unfortunately, STRFKR quickly returns to their awkward up-tempo tunes, fixing together dance and depressing thoughts by the time “Atlantis” comes to play.

Miracle Mile, for 15 tracks, is extremely uneventful. It is mindlessly easy to listen through most of the album without even noticing its passing. While it would make for good study music — or how to put students to bed — Miracle Mile is unexciting and unimpressive compared to their previous works.

Best Tracks: “YAYAYA” and “Say to You”

Directed by: Richard LaGravenese Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Emmy Rossum Running time: 124 minutes Rated: PG-13

BY PAUL BEIMERS

Y

ou know the story: Boy meets girl. Girl isn’t human. Boy loves girl who isn’t human.

Girl who isn’t human loves boy, but is afraid that she might hurt him. True love is able to conquer the dark forces that threaten to tear them apart, and boy and girl are reunited in the end.

Just in time to guarantee several sequels!

So begins Hollywood’s next big franchise of paranormal romance and teenage angst, quietly slipping in to fill the void left behind by the enormously successful Twilight series.

Richard LaGravenese’s adaptation of the teen thriller Beautiful Creatures is perhaps unsurprisingly lacking in plot, following closely to the clichés that have come to dominate teen fiction. Unlike most of the offerings in the genre, however, this one is actually quite good.

Our protagonist is Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich), who has just begun his junior year of high school in the small town of Gatlin, S.C. Insomnia has become a problem for him as of late, thanks to a reccurring night-

mare involving transfer student Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert). Having recently moved in with her reclusive, mysterious uncle Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons), Lena is shunned by the town’s highly religious community due to her troubled past and tendency for being involved in unexplained accidents. Though initially hostile to Ethan’s attempts at friendship, the two eventually kindle a romance, one that leads to the revelation that she is actually a witch. As a caster, her fate will be chosen for either the Light or the Dark on her next birthday. The date’s rapid approach throws the pair into a world of danger as outside forces work to decide Lena’s fate.

Despite its lack of originality (or truly intriguing storytelling), Beautiful Creatures is a surprisingly enjoyable ride, thanks largely to its strong cast. The centerpiece is the pivotal romance, which, despite feeling a bit too rushed, comes across as genuine and remarkably likeable. Ehrenreich and Englert seem to have real chemistry together, and the emotion conveyed between the two is lovely. The villains, consisting of head churchgoer Mrs. Lincoln (Emma Thompson) and

cousin Ridley Duchannes (Emmy Rossum), are just as good. Both actresses are delightful, simultaneously comical and sinister in their portrayals. They’re great fun to watch, and liven up every scene in which they appear.

Also favorable is the film’s stylistic flair — abundantly clear in the effects, costumes, and sets — which accentuate the story’s focus on magic.

Rather than overwhelm the on-screen action, these elements are employed carefully and with relative restraint.

The use is frequently creative and beautiful to watch, at times able to compensate for the story’s shortcomings, and keep unfolding both interesting and exciting events.

The story isn’t particularly memorable (not helped by a particularly lackluster finale) and the characters fall flat at times (the majority of the townsfolk, for instance, are so religiously fanatical that their portrayals border on the offensive), but Beautiful Creatures manages to work despite its flaws. It may not be revolutionary or deep-thinking in its ideas, but it’s good enough for the prospect of several more installments.

QuickFlick Warm Bodies

BY KATHLEEN KOMOS

R

omance has been intertwined into many of Hollywood’s latest hit productions, namely the Twilight saga with their vampire lovers, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Since the completion of the Twilight series, it is only natural the next teen romance fad would center on the world of zombies.

The film Warm Bodies takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where most of the human population has turned into zombies and the remaining humans struggle to stay

alive. R is one such zombie whose thoughts we listen to as he stumbles through his undead life in an airport. When he rescues a human girl named Julie, they develop an unlikely bond.

Warm Bodies is, first and foremost, a romance; the entire plot is centered on the power of love. While there are many moments of adorable interaction between Julie and R, there is still a reminder in the back of everyone’s mind he is not actually alive.

Warm Bodies is aesthetically pleasing. The cinematography makes

up for some of the plot’s failings. One example of these plot holes is the amount of speech the zombies gain back, which is inconsistent through the film. However, the soundtrack was fantastic, following along with R’s unusual hobby of collecting vinyl records. As can be expected, dialogue was rather one-sided because R tended to grunt or speak with one word, but there are several clever one-liners sprinkled through to keep the story moving.

Ultimately, if you are watching it for a cute love story, Warm Bodies will suit your purposes just fine.

Feb. 28, 2013 - Mar. 6, 2013 | The Lumberjack 27

OPEN HOUSE March 1 | 12-3pm

be entered to win an iPad Mini free food, tours & more

apply online @ studenthousingnau.com 1500 S. San Francisco St | 928.523 .1680 see office for details. subject to change.