WSN120213

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 101

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

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Metro-North train derails on way to Grand Central

By MICHAEL DOMANICO

Floats, Balloons ring in holiday season with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Macy’s continued its annual tradition by marking the beginning of the holiday season with the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Balloons included Sonic the hedgehog, Ronald McDonald and Snoopy the dog.

WARD PETTIBONE FOR WSN

Men’s wrestling spars at Madison Square Garden

By MICHELLE TRAN

Normally the site of the biggest games in professional sports, Madison Square Garden recently transformed into the wrestling stage for the NYU Men’s team on Sunday, Dec. 1, as they competed in the second annual “Grapple at the Garden” event against the Stevens Institute of Technology. For the Violets, the contest against Stevens marked their first Centennial Conference match.

NYU’s top two guns, CAS juniors Brandon Jones and Patrick Sheehan, pulled through with victories for the team.

Jones won in a 17-6 major decision against Stevens’ Frederick Perrine. From the Nov. 27 rankings released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), Jones currently ranks as No. 1 in his 141-pound weight class.

Sheehan grabbed a 4-0 win over Stevens’ opponent, Tristan Hollenbaug.

In his 184-pound weight class, Sheehan ranks No. 10 in the NWCA rankings released Nov. 27.

Their performances were not enough to pull the Violets to an overall victory, facing an

WRESTLING continued on PG. 8

A train from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., heading toward Grand Central Terminal derailed at about 7:20 a.m. on Dec. 1, leaving at least four people dead and 11 critically injured.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner could not confirm the number of injuries, but an FDNY spokesman said 63 people were injured on the train, which was carrying approximately 120 passengers.

“If there is a lesson to learn from this tragedy, we want to make sure that we learn it,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference Sunday evening.

In a press release issued by the MTA, the agency encouraged the 26,000 people who depend on the Hudson Line to use the Harlem

Line instead.

The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency that investigates the security of transportation systems, will conduct inspections of the Hudson Line crash.

NTSB board member Earl Weener said the agency’s efforts will focus on the perishable evidence, and he estimated the examination will last 10 days. After the investigation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will work on repairing the damage to the railway.

“Our mission is to understand not just what happened but why it happened, with the intent of preventing it from happening again,” Weener said at the press conference.

Cuomo said further

TRAIN cont’d on PG. 3

Stern junior builds buzz with website

By NICOLE DEL MAURO

Stern junior Michael Lisovetsky is still technically a college student, but he can also be classified as a businessman. The full-time student is the co-founder of start-up company BuilderBuzz, a website that allows homeowners to easily connect with contractors when seeking home renovations.

The website, which Lisovetsky describes as the “eBay for home improvement,” is a place for homeowners to post renovation projects. Contractors approved

by BuilderBuzz reply to posts with a bid that consists of a time frame of the project’s completion and its estimated cost.

Contractors must undergo a screening process before they can use the site. Public records are searched for complaints about past services, and previous em-

ployers are called and questioned about the quality of workers’ finished projects. If the contractor meets BuilderBuzz standards, they can bid on posts, a method intended to ensure high-quality work for homeowners.

“Homeowners have actually been pretty skeptical in general because they’ve had a lot of bad luck in the past with contractors,” Lisovetsky said. “Our major hurdle right now is … how do we convince homeowners that we’re more reliable than everybody else?”

After a job is completed, homeowners are encouraged to write feedback about the finished project.

The website is intended to assist contractors in expanding business as much as it is to connect homeowners with reliable workers. Exposure online makes contractors better able to expand their business to new clients.

COURTESY OF BUILDERBUZZ

BuilderBuzz aims to make contracting work easier.

BuilderBuzz is throwing the charity event Chanukah on Wheels Extravaganza on Dec. 4 at RollerJam USA skating rink in Staten Island. The company will cover the cost for any kids affected by Hurricane Sandy.

This past May, BuilderBuzz reached a milestone when it became officially incorporated. While the site is fully functional, the company plans to improve its service based on user feedback. Homeow-

BUZZ continued on PG. 5

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM

ON THE SIDE

COMPILED BY THE

WSN STAFF

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

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Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH

Christmas Movies That Are Not Really About Christmas

BY JONATHON DORNBUSH

Managing Editor

JORDAN MELENDREZ

‘DIE HARD’

Web Managing Editor

HANQING CHEN One of the quintessential action films, it’s easy to forget that, in “Die Hard,” John McClane saves the day during an office Christmas party. While visiting his estranged wife, New York cop McClane accidentally becomes embroiled in a hostage situation at the fictional Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles, Calif. With the authorities unable to enter the building, McClane takes it upon himself to rescue the hostages in several thrilling action sequences. With Alan Rickman’s performance as the primary antagonist, Die Hard is replete with action, suspense and a healthy dose of comedy to make for the perfect non-Christmas Christmas film.

Creative Director

LYANNE NATIVIDAD Blog Editor

AMY ZHANG Special Issues Director

KALEEL MUNROE

SENIOR STAFF

‘KISS KISS BANG BANG’ Before director Shane Black and actor Robert Downey Jr. collaborated on “Iron Man 3,” the two worked together on “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Taking place during the Christmas season, Downey Jr.’s Harry Lockhart recounts a series of crimes he witnessed, took part in and of which he was the victim. A darkly hilarious thriller, “Bang’s” best moments come from Downey Jr.’s natural charm, as well as Val Kilmer’s amusing turn as private investigator Perry van Shrike. The film mixes detective, crime, comedy and several other genres and creates a promising, if overlooked gem.

news EMILY BELL, NICOLE BROWN,

MICHAEL DOMANICO arts JEREMY GROSSMAN features JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia JONATHAN TAN copy CASEY DALRYMPLE social media GENTRY BROWN senior editors VERONICA CARCHEDI, TONY CHAU, DAN HINTON, MICHELLE LIM, STEFAN MELNYK, SAM RULLO, WICY WANG

DEPUTY STAFF

news KEVIN BURNS, NEELA QADIR,

BILLY RICHLING books/theater DYLAN JARRETT film ALEX GREENBERGER entertainment ISABEL JONES music JAKE FOLSOM the highlighter blog VALERIE NELSON features MARINA ZHENG beauty & style ARIANA DIVALENTINO dining DANIEL YEOM sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia RACHEL KAPLAN, JOON LEE video ALEX LINZMEIER copy THOMAS DEVLIN social media SYMONE WILLIAMS

‘TRADING PLACES’ Using the holiday season as a backdrop rather than a major plot point, “Trading Places” delivers Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd during the height of their comedic prowesses. Murphy plays a New York City bum and Akroyd a wealthy commodities broker who, through a bet made by Aykroyd’s bosses, are forced to switch social standings. What follows is a hilarious sequence of events that force the comedy duo to adapt to their new and unexpected environments, until they eventually team up to teach Akroyd’s superiors a lesson. With a climax that includes a gorilla, Aykroyd speaking with a Jamaican accent and other crazy shenanigans, “Trading Places” showcases two comedy greats bouncing wonderfully off of one another.

OPINION PAGE opinion editor

RAQUEL WOODRUFF

‘IN BRUGES’

deputy opinion editors

Thanks to the leading duo of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, with assistance from Ralph Fiennes, “In Bruges” presents one of the sharpest dark comedies in years. And while the focus is on murders, romance and whether the characters love or hate the city of Bruges, the film’s Christmastime setting is a perfect excuse to revisit or check out this film for the first time. The film deftly jumps from brilliant comedic moments to surprisingly authentic emotional scenes with aplomb, and the brilliant script is served by a trio of amazing performances.

While not for everyone, you may just find yourself a new favorite film on this visit to Bruges.

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ELLEN MCQUEEN

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SNAPSHOT

Another ’80s action film classic, “Lethal Weapon” offers one of the best mismatched buddy cop films from its era.

Mel Gibson — before he made a public fool of himself — stars as the erratic Sgt. Martin Riggs, who is transferred to the homicide department because of his dangerous behavior. This switch teams him up with the aging Sgt. Robert Murtagh (Danny Glover), forcing the wildly different duo to work with each other while on the case.

Although Christmas doesn’t enter the picture in a larger way until the end of the film, “Lethal Weapon” is still a thrill ride action film that set the tone for many of its successors. And if you’ve ever heard anyone say, “I’m getting too old for this shit,” watching the film will show you the genesis of the line’s popularity.

‘LETHAL WEAPON’

Lissie performs for a packed crowd at Webster Hall on Nov. 25, 2013.

PHOTO CREDITS: DIE HARD - COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE ZHENG FOR WSN

PLACES - COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES | IN BRUGES - COURTESY OF FOCUS

CORPORATION | KISS KISS BANG BANG - COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. | TRADING FEATURES | LETHAL WEAPON - COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.

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CLAIRE MAHANY

SALES REPRESENTATIVES

ARIANA DIVALENTINO, ETHAN JACOBS

ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE

JAEWON KANG, DAVID LIN, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG

About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.

Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Jordan Melendrez at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.

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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

Brooklyn bar, restaurant raises drinking age to twenty-five

By ANN SCHMIDT

Phil’s Crummy Corner, a bar in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, recently raised its drinking age to 25 in response to local residents’ complaints about barhoppers’ rowdiness.

Tory Delany, owner of the Half Pint on West Third Street, said the way a bar presents itself to the public determines the crowd it attracts.

“Whatever message that you’re trying to portray from your business is the type of people you will get,” Delany said.

“Like-minded people drink in the same place.”

Craig Hammerman, district manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6, which serves Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Columbia street District Gowanus, Parkslope and Redhook, said the board is reassured by the bar’s decision to raise the drinking age as a solution to the problem.

“Time will tell if this is an effective solution,” Hammerman said. “[Phil’s] clearly wants to be part of the solution, not part

of the problem.”

LS sophomore Adriel Chang, who frequents bars around NYU, said he is impressed by the bar’s decision to raise the drinking age.

“What matters most is that the residents in the area are taken into consideration, and I’m glad that the bar is doing so,” Chang said.

However, the business’s decision has been met with some criticism. Alex Alex, manager of Reservoir Bar on University Place, said he did not agree with the idea of raising the drinking age.

“If everybody now has his own idea about when somebody’s mature enough to be able to drink responsibly, where does it end?” Alex said. “It’s ridiculous in my opinion.”

In addition to an issue with rowdy customers, Community Board 6 expressed the need for additional security to maintain the area’s safety in general.

“Increased police activity is necessary to bolster Phil’s efforts and the community’s desire to protect the area’s quality of life,” Hammerman said.

Chang said residents are the most

important people to consider.

“The residents in the area are in this case the victims by virtue of location,” Chang said. “It is far easier to make a group of young adults change their routine slightly than having a constant negative impact on the area to the extent that some residents may feel the need to switch locations.”

Delany said she is glad she does not have to worry about a rough crowd that might threaten the safety of her customers and neighbors.

“I see that crowd almost every weekend, and yes, it’s definitely more of a liability,” Delany said. “If I was faced with that type of crowd, then yes I would consider making a decision like that, but fortunately we’re not in that predicament here.”

Alex said he would not consider changing the drinking age at Reservoir.

“You have to trust that young people know right and wrong,” Alex said. “And the state, they say at 21 you are responsible enough.”

Ann Schmidt is a staff writer.

Email her at news@nyunews.com.

TRAIN continued from PG. 1

Metro-North train speeds off track in Bronx

action will depend on the results of the investigation.

University spokesman John Beckman said there have been no confirmed injuries or fatalities of members of the NYU community.

NYU journalism professor Ted Conover, who uses the line to commute to work, said he would continue to choose to take the train on his daily commute.

“Even though this is the second recent wreck near Spuyten Duyvil, the odds of being in-

volved in an accident like this seem quite low,” Conover said.

CAS sophomore Emily Koller said the train was the most convenient way to travel between NYU and her home in Westchester, N.Y. “I will continue to use Metro North because it is the quickest way into and out of the city from where I live,” Koller said. “But it’s definitely terrifying to know that the accident happened so close to home and on the train line that I use.”

Gallatin sophomore Chloe

Gbai said she has used the Hudson Line her entire life, including this past weekend to travel back home for Thanksgiving.

“As shocking and tragic as it is, [the accident] has at least reminded me to be thankful that I am healthy and am able to be with my family and friends to celebrate this time of love and fellowship,” Gbai said.

Michael Domanico is a news editor. Email him at mdomanico@nyunews.com.

METRO-NORTH RAILROAD: MAY TO PRESENT MAY 28, MAY 18, 2013 2013 Two Metro-North trains collide near Bridgeport, Conn. on the New Haven Line. Service is disrupted for five day and 60 people are injured.

Robert Luden, a 52-year-old MetroNorth track foreman, is struck and killed by a commuter train in West Haven, Conn. on the New Haven Line.

JUL 19, 2013 A freight train operated by CSX Transportation derails between Spuyten Duyvil and Marble Hill stations on the Hudson line. No one is injured, but service is disrupted for three days.

Midtown precinct puts SantaCon on naughty list

By VASILIKI GLIAGIAS

When city residents dress up as Santa Claus on Dec. 14 for the annual SantaCon, some bars may be closing their doors.

After numerous complaints about SantaCon in Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen, the New York Police Department’s Midtown North Police Precinct has handed out letters to approximately 30 bars in those communities asking them to consider the consequences of SantaCon. “Having thousands of intoxicated partygoers roam the streets urinating, littering, vomiting and vandalizing will not be tolerated in our neighborhood,” Lt. John Cocchi said to bar owners in the letter.

NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly has said at an NYPD event he supports SantaCon even though some members of the police department disagree, according to the New York Daily News.

A spokesperson from NYPD said opinions in the community vary about the event.

“Some people see it as bad quality of life conditions with drunk people laying in the street and urinating in public or some people see it as a festivity,” the spokesperson said. “It’s all subjective.”

However, the spokesperson said the decision to allow SantaCon goers into their pubs will ultimately be up to individual business owners.

Cock & Bull, a pub located in Midtown, supports the precinct’s campaign. The manager Rasa Hynes said the bar did not encourage the event last year.

“Even last year, we didn’t encourage it,” Hynes said. “We don’t encourage it. We like you to come in to have a meal and a drink.”

Meanwhile, Midtown bars were not willing to comment on their policies regarding SantaCon. However, bar owners in the Greenwich

SEPT 25, 2013 A Confederated Edison feeder cable in Mount Vernon, N.Y. fails, cutting off power to most of the New Haven line. Service is disrupted for nearly two weeks.

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Village disagreed with the campaign. Employees at Lelabar, The Wayland and Elsa Bar said they will not participate in SantaCon, while Common Ground and Keybar stated support for the event.

“SantaCon is a wonderful event,” Common Ground manager Dan Warren said. “We get a lot of business from SantaCon. I don’t think it’s bad for the community.”

Steinhardt sophomore Re’al Christian, who saw SantaCon last year, said he agreed with the Midtown North Police Precinct’s desire to cancel SantaCon. “SantaCon can be dangerous because some people use it as an excuse to go wild,” Christian said. “If there are kids present and there are drunken Santas running around, that’s kind of traumatizing.”

The SantaCon website, which lists participating locations in 42 countries, has humorous guidelines, but warns against excessive drinking that can lead to violence.

The website also includes a list called the “Four F’s” which advises participants not to interfere with children, bar staff, police officers and the city in general. The website is not involved in the organization, but acknowledges “Drunk Santas” through parodies of AntiSanta posters.

Despite the precinct’s efforts, SantaCon participators remain unmoved.

“I will always carry SantaCon memories with me,” said 29-yearold Albert Ngo, who has participated in SantaCon for three years.

“It’s not the million man march, it’s just good times with friends.”

The route for SantaCon will be announced Dec. 13. Bars volunteer to participate in SantaCon by providing their information on the website and donating to a charity sponsored by SantaCon. Vasiliki Gliagias is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.

NOV 7, 2013 Metro-North chief engineer Robert Puciloski says the railroad is “behind in several areas” at a National Transportation Safety Board hearing. Puciloski says maintenance had not been conducted in the area of the Bridgeport derailment since 2005.

DEC 1, 2013 A Metro-North train on the Hudson Line derails near Spuyten Duyvil station in the Bronx. Four people are killed and 63 are injured.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM

EDITED BY JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?

By AVERY CHANG Upon hearing the phrase Writing the Essay, a NYU student may be overcome with unpleasant thoughts. Most of these consist of late nights spent in Bobst Library and heaps of essays to read, among other one-sided generalizations that summarize the reputation of the university’s most well-known introductory class. Students may not consider the multidimensionality of the professors who teach this rigorous course.

Writing the Essay professor Dora Zhang is an example of how genuine a professor can be. A look at the contents of her bag highlights the various features of her vibrant character. In addition to her handy laptop, she carries a few idiosyncratic items.

Pencil case, wallet and Decomposition notebook Zhang’s pencil case is sleek and

[of essays] works particularly well because they’re self contained units,” Zhang said. “Eliot Weinberger is one of my recent discoveries. He combines a brilliant literary sensitivity with an equally attuned sense of political urgency.”

LAUREN KIM FOR WSN

black. In addition to its pleasing visual features, it holds an element of uniqueness, as it is made from abandoned tires. Her wallet and notebook display this same juxtaposition of aesthetics and quirk — both are made from practical materials including re-

inforced paper and soy ink. This contrast is also apparent in Zhang herself, thanks to her professional yet chic personality in the classroom environment.

“I’m always interested in both form and function,” Zhang said.

“Oranges & Peanuts for Sale” by Eliot Weinberger Zhang always tries to keep a book in her bag so she can read whenever she’s made to wait.

“If I’m doing anything that involves any waiting, I will always have a book with me. A collection

Theater tickets Zhang has two theater tickets lying at the bottom of her bag. One is for a production of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Good Person of Szechwan” at the Public Theater on Lafayette. The other is from an all-male production of “Richard III,” currently on Broadway, which presents the play as it would have been performed in Shakespeare’s day. Theater is one of the many art forms in which Zhang is interested. Because she lives in New York, where artistic opportunity is so rife, she is able to immerse herself in this love of hers.

Avery Chang is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

Student band Modern Diet blends genres on EP, in concert

By HANNAH TREASURE

For music lovers tired of bands who always play the same musical genre, NYU’s own Modern Diet offers a refreshing alternative.

Modern Diet, a band composed of Steinhardt sophomores Dan Hemerlein on bass, Jake Cheriff on vocals, guitar and piano, Lee Meadvin on guitar and Steinhardt junior Noah Hyams on drums, embodies the synergy of experimentation.

From their stage aesthetics to the story of how the band began, Modern Diet is a conglomeration of ideas and sounds meant to attract every type of listener.

Modern Diet’s songs originated from Cheriff’s solo projects, which were translated for performance by a band. Their music also

captures quintessential elements of the singer-songwriter style. The band’s focused and clear vocals illustrate the strength in connecting their lyrics and emotional arrangements with listeners.

Although the band formed at NYU, the four members previously knew each other through many degrees of separation and a few brief encounters throughout their high school years.

“Dan and I had met once or twice before coming [to NYU],” Cheriff said.

“We knew we both played music, but had never really known each other besides that. But, when we both ended up in the same school again, I messaged him asking to start a band together.”

The four released their first EP this past spring and are now making plans to record a second EP, set for release in early 2014. Both works will employ a number of different genres, as is integral to Modern Diet’s character, making it difficult to confine their songs to a single category.

“There’s definitely a lot of jazz influence, and Noah is actually a jazz major,” Cheriff said. “We’ve been calling our music Indie R&B, but it’s a fusion of a lot of different genres,” he said.

Their unique style has earned them praise from other students.

“The vocals have a really distinct quality,” Gallatin freshman Felix Chan said. “I love the contrast of the punk quality to the

singer’s voice with the calmness of the instrumental parts.”

Besides recording new music for their EP, Modern Diet is rehearsing for their upcoming show on Friday, Dec. 6. The band has performed many concerts in the past year at venues around both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Their upcoming concert’s lineup also consists of other NYUbased bands, including The Roofer’s Union, The Indecent, Nardomusic and With Snack, the winners of Ultra Violet Live in 2013.

“We’ve made friends with a lot of other NYU bands, and the talent here is incredible. So, coming into this semester we knew we wanted to plan a show involving some of their groups as well,” Hemerlein

COURTESY OF MADDY BROUT

Modern Diet performs a show at Webster Hall. said. “We’re really excited to perform on a night with all these other performers, it’ll be a completely different experience from our past shows.”

The show is scheduled

INFORMING YOU FIRST

to be at Muchmore’s in Brooklyn. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

Hannah Treasure is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

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FEATURES

5

BUZZ continued from PG. 1

BuzzBuilder connects contractors with homeowners

ner and contractor connections thus far have been made either through the website or

by BuilderBuzz workers via phone and email.

Homeowner Vadim Tsipenyuk used the website to find a contractor to work on his basement that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

“The job was done very well,” Tsipenyuk said. “It was actually very difficult to find anyone at the time to work on the basement, but it was easy through [BuilderBuzz].”

In addition to Lisovetsky, the BuilderBuzz team consists of co-founder David Khandrius, who is a Baruch College Zicklin Business School junior, Elizabeth Volk, a Columbia senior studying financial economics and Philip Santini, who has a masters degree in business administration.

Khandrius said tarting BuilderBuzz has helped him realize business experience outweighs formal business education.

“More and more every day our eyes are opened to the fact that college is a necessity but it is not enough,” Khandrius said.

“People want to know who you are and what you’re doing, not just what you know.”

From 2010 to 2011, Lisovetsky and long-time best friend Khandrius were working in a Staten Island home improvement retail store. It was there the basic idea for BuilderBuzz was born.

The two were hired to manage the company’s online solu-

tion, creating and building the store’s website.

They were constantly surrounded by homeowners who frequently complained about the contractors they were working with and vice versa.

The irritation of both parties inspired Lisovetsky and Khandrius to develop a company that would make business between homeowners and contractors result in satisfaction.

The idea solidified in the spring of 2013 when Lisovetsky was accepted to the Founders Institute, which is “an entrepreneur training and startup launch program” according to its website. Lisovetsky submitted the idea for BuilderBuzz and received an abundance of positive feedback. The reaction gave them the motivation and confidence to pursue their own business.

Lisovetsky attributed his early entrance to the business world as the source of his professional knowledge.

“Later in life when people start companies, they have a lot of biases … but for me everything was fresh,” Lisovetsky said. “In the past five months, I feel like I’ve learned more that I have in the past five years, and it’s because I’ve been around such motivated people: entrepreneurs, mentors and other students.”

Nicole Del Mauro is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

P TO

By HANNAH TREASURE

Opportunities to donate during holiday season

There’s something about December and the holidays that remind us of how fortunate we are. Dedicated volunteers have already begun organizing several services, food drives and clothing donations to help the less fortunate. Here are our top five suggestions for how you can become involved in the community.

New York Cares Coat Drive For the past 25 years, New York Cares has been supplying thousands of New Yorkers with winter coats. Coats are absolutely essential and necessary for the colder seasons. Whether for a family in need or the homeless without means of avoiding the harsh weather, New York Cares’ keep many warm. There are several locations to drop off an old coat or a jacket you’ve outgrown — one at Pinkberry on St. Marks Place (running from Nov. 12 to Feb. 7) and another location at NYU’s own Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (dates to be decided as stated on the New York Cares website).

Holiday Meals The Food Bank for New York City offers multiple volunteer opportunities, such as “meals on heels” in the Upper West Side, food preparation in Harlem, and a soup kitchen in Park Slope. With their holiday-specific programs, this month the Food Bank of New York City will be preparing and delivering meals throughout the city to feed the community.

COURTESY OF HEARTSHARE HUMAN SERVICES OF NEW YORK | VIA FACEBOOK.COM | VIA FLICKR.COM | COURTESY OF NEW YORK CARES

There are many options for donating during the holidays.

HeartShare Human Services On Dec. 19, this nonprofit organization will be partnering with the Surfside Garden Cornerstone Program to celebrate the newly-founded space for children affec-ted by Superstorm Sandy. After the storm damaged its former building, this after school program for kids aged 5 to 10 has had to relocate four times in the past year. The program fosters self-esteem in young kids and offers tutoring services and extracurricular activities. Volunteers will help run a welcome party for the event by working at arts and crafts tables, helping with games and assisting with refreshments and snacks.

Letters to Santa The United States Postal Ser-

vice on Eighth Avenue is sending children’s letters to Santa and providing a response written by volunteers. New York City boasts the largest contribution to the nationwide project with more than 500,000 response letters each year.

Virtual Food Bank The Food Bank for New York City makes donating easy. Its online donation system and interactive web design lets givers create personal food banks that are sendable to friends and family to encourage them to donate as well.

Hannah Treasure is a staff writer.

Email her at features@nyunews.com.

James McBride wins National Book Award in Fiction

By CHANDLER WEST

James McBride, a distinguished writer in residence at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, was presented the National Book Award in Fiction on Nov. 20.

His Civil War-era novel “The Good Lord Bird” was selected from five finalists for the award.

Other finalists were Rachel Kushner’s “The Flamethrowers,” Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Lowland,” Thomas Pynchon’s “Bleeding Edge” and George Saunders’ “Tenth of December.”

“I had no speech prepared,” McBride said. “My presiding thought was ‘Don’t make a fool of yourself.’”

McBride, an experienced author who has published other books including “The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White

Mother” and “Miracle at St. Anna,” gained fame in the past because they have been ranked on The New York Times Bestsellers list.

“Miracle at St. Anna” was also made into a film by Spike Lee. McBride has also written for numerous publications as a journalist and is an accomplished musician and composer.

In “The Good Lord Bird,” McBride combines the life of the real historical abolitionist John Brown with the fictive story of a young slave named Henry Shackleford.

“Getting to the actual truth of an event is like trying to pull a piece of eggshell out of egg yolk,” McBride said. “You try to stab the darn thing with your finger, pull your finger out, see the thing is still in there and now realize you’ve dropped a bunch of germs in your egg with your finger.”

McBride enjoys the freedom fiction grants. Preferring to keep the egg yolk clean, the author effectively tells the historical story by including bits and pieces from his own imagination.

“Journalism teaches you to see the facts,” McBride said.

“Fiction allows you to show what you believe happened behind the facts, without having to actually prove it.”

The National Book Awards recognizes authors of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people’s literature.

“Publishers submitted a total of 408 books for the 2013 National Book Award in Fiction,” The National Book Foundation said in a press release. “Five distinguished judges were given the charge of selecting what they deem to be the best books of the year.”

McBride wrote the Civil Warera novel “The Good Lord Bird.”

of congratulations.

“When I first heard he won the National Book Award ... I smiled ear-to-ear,” Berkowitz said. “I thought to myself ‘There’s a voice people nowadays could really gain from listening to.’”

McBride’s influence on his students has extended far outside of the classroom.

“I was ecstatic when I found out that Professor McBride won the National Book Award for Fiction,” CAS alumna Samantha Gonzales said. “I know of no one who is more deserving of this than him. He’s a great example of not only what a great writer entails, but such a great human being as well.”

Brian Berkowitz, who graduated from CAS in 2013, was among many of McBride’s former students who sent emails

Chandler West is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM

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CHECK OUT THIS SEMESTER’S ARTS ISSUE ABOUT EXTRAVAGANCE ON THURSDAY, DEC. 5.

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Crossword ACROSS

1 Concealed 4 It’s wide in

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a May-December romance Quaint words of worry “I love,” to Ovid Elaborate architectural style Mineral in thin sheets With 62-Across, question in a children’s song Seoul’s land Yoko who loved John Hellish suffering Yukon S.U.V. maker Justice Sotomayor Entertain in a festive manner *It’s a happening place *Sophocles tragedy Ram’s mate

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Rants Action before crying “You’re it!”

Full political assemblies Summer: Fr. *British luxury S.U.V. *Star-making title role for Mel Gibson Oozed ___ the Cow (Borden symbol) TV forensic series Old Olds model TiVo, for one Words often after the lowest-priced in a series of items See 17-Across Sorority’s counterpart, for short Infuse with oxygen Extra periods of play, in brief

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31 “Pet” annoyance 32 Possessed 33 Tiny bit of crying 34 City near Provo 35 Managed 36 Messy Halloween missiles

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Forewarns Cantering Doc’s written orders Common Market inits.

Scouts earn them Tons Aesop’s grasshopper, for one

51 53

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The “E” in EGBDF Having two bands, as most radios Apollo plucked it Airline to Israel Food label figs.

“Indiana Jones and the Temple of ___”

60

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64

Giant among baseball’s Giants

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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY RAQUEL WOODRUFF OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

STAFF EDITORIAL

U.S. must intervene in territory conflict

By HARRY BROWN

Last week, China issued an abrupt notice of a new Air Defense Identification Zone, airspace that requires the identification and control of a civil aircraft over land, in the East China Sea, covering the disputed islands China calls the Diaoyu and Japan calls Senkaku. In Cold Warlike responses, both Japan and the United States disregarded the ADIZ and flexed their military muscles, deploying jets over the newly contested airspace in recent days. China scrambled their fighter jets “to monitor” in response. This new, but unsurprising, diplomatic conflict follows years of contention that had been ratcheted up over an archipelago with vast geopolitical implications. A swift diplomatic response from the United States is required to extinguish this rapidly escalating diplomatic dispute.

Contention over the sovereignty of the islands has been steadily growing over the last 40 years.

Currently controlled by Japan, the chain of islands has regularly been contested by China given the islands’ close proximity to vital ship-

ping lanes, fertile fishing grounds and, most importantly, vast oil reserves. To paraphrase James Carville’s truism — “It’s the oil, stupid.” This small archipelago, which is about 1/35 the size of Brooklyn, has the economic potential to escalate tensions between China and Japan into a war if there is no swift diplomatic intervention.

Both sides have done little to solve the latest conflict. In September 2012, in a geopolitical gambit, Japan nationalized three of the islands from a private owner to cement its claim on the islands. Furthermore in October, in a move that further frayed the lines of diplomacy, China repeatedly infringed upon Japanese airspace, forcing the Japanese to declare that any further transgression would elicit a military response.

The U.S. response to the ADIZ has been haphazard at best. On the one

hand, the White House has tested China’s resolve by sending B-52 bombers on unannounced flight runs through the ADIZ. On the other hand, the United States has urged diplomatic discourse. The lack of coherence in the response from the Obama administration is a telltale sign the administration has lost focus on the region. To complicate the situation, the five islets are covered under the mutual U.S.-Japan Defense Treaty, whereby the United States has an obligation to intervene militarily if the islands are seized by China.

In acknowledgement of the heightened volatility in the region, the U.S. State Department has urged all U.S. commercial airlines to comply with the new rules set forth in the ADIZ. These islets have the potential to trigger war. Wars have ignited over far more trivial matters than the islands in contest.

It’s the responsibility of the United States to act as the voice of reason before a diplomatic clash descends into military conflict.

Harry Brown is a staff columnist.

Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.

HEALTH CARE

States should increase focus on mental illness

By CHRISTINA COLEBURN

A tragic incident involving a Virginia politician has revitalized the national conversation about the prioritization of mental health care. On Nov. 19, state senator and former gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds was stabbed multiple times by his 24-year-old son Austin Deeds, who took his own life after the altercation.

A report from the Richmond TimesDispatch revealed the young man was taken to a community hospital for a mental health evaluation on Nov. 18 under an emergency custody order.

Although the son was evaluated, he was reportedly released hours later because of a shortage of psychiatric beds across a broad region of western Virginia. The state senator has since faulted the state agency for the lack of treatment of his son and vowed to work for positive change in the mental health care system.

The deadly altercation has brought the recurring psychiatric bed shortages back into the public consciousness, an issue mental health advocates say is responsible for many preventable violent acts. In 2010, the National Alliance on Mental Health

SUBMITTING TO

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estimated that about 262,000 adults and 82,000 children — out of Virginia’s approximately 7.8 million residents — have serious mental health conditions. NAMH also revealed that only 19 percent of adult Virginians with serious psychiatric conditions received mental health services from the state public system.

This problem is not specific to Virginia. Alarmingly, the Treatment Advocacy Center found that the number of state psychiatric beds decreased by 14 percent nationally from 2005 to 2010 because of state budget cuts.

While the recession undoubtedly took a toll on fiscal allocation, states should intensify their focus on improving mental health care systems by revisiting both budgets and laws.

Five states do not have assisted outpatient laws, while 42 states are estimated to have fewer than the bare minimum of psychiatric beds needed

to address acute mental health needs.

Although changing these fundamental numbers would be costly, it is in the best interest of states to make the investment. Untreated mental illness costs the American economy at least $105 billion in lost productivity each year. Complacency with mental health care shortcomings is not only economically detrimental, but can also reap deadly consequences, as evinced by Deeds’ case.

Although the subjects of psychiatric illness and its treatment are indeed sensitive, they are unquestionably important, and perhaps best suited to be addressed on a state level. By reallocating budgets and reassessing laws, states can have a powerful impact on improving mental health care systems nationwide. As state legislatures determine mental health budget details for the coming years, they should recall the devastating consequences of untreated and undertreated mental illness. States must protect the welfare, safety and health of their constituents — improving mental health care falls under this jurisdiction.

Christina Coleburn is a staff columnist.

Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.

Raising workers’ wages would benefit Wal-Mart

Last Friday, a number of protesters demanded an increase in the minimum wage outside Wal-Mart stores.

In July, the massive retailer dropped plans to build three stores in Washington, D.C. after the passage of a bill requiring a living wage of $12.50. Wal-Mart claimed a wage hike would drive up the prices of its products. However, the company reported in November a decrease in sales for the third consecutive quarter while still maintaining a median wage of $8.81 an hour. The multibillion dollar corporation fails to realize that a salary increase for its low-wage workers would be extremely profitable — not only for the company but for the American economy.

Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the world with 2.2 million employees. The economic benefits of a wage increases are apparent — the more money workers make, the more they spend, the more jobs created. Since Wal-Mart is the largest employer in America, it serves as a model for millions of other businesses employing lowwage workers. If Wal-Mart keeps its wages down, other employers will do the same. If Wal-Mart increased wages, the effects would be far reaching, dramatically widening the amount of disposable income for millions of Americans. More spending builds a stronger economy.

Moreover, Wal-Mart employees receive, while small, an employee discount — an incentive to shop at Wal-Mart.

If employee wages were raised, that would mean over 2 million people with more money to spend — at Wal-Mart.

This would put revenue back in Wal-Mart’s pocket. A wage increase would also lead to a decrease in employee turnover, which in turn decreases training costs and increases worker productivity.

Aside from an economic demand to raise the minimum wage, there is also a strong ethical case to be made. The company is making unprecedented profits of over $400 billion on the backs of its workers, but rewards them with barely livable wages. The Walton family, the major stockholders of the company, have a net worth of $93 billion.

Meanwhile, an annual salary for an average employee at Wal-Mart is $15,576, which is significantly below the federal poverty line for a family of four. The refusal to raise employee wages is not only evidence of poor economic policy but also unabashed greed. A wage hike would not mean a drastic spike in prices or a decrease in Wal-Mart sales. It would mean less money for billionaires.

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.

EDITORIAL BOARD: Raquel Woodruff (Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co-chair), Peter Keffer (Co-chair), Harry Brown, Marcelo Cicconet, Christina Coleburn, Omar Etman, Nina Golshan, Nickhil Sethi

Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.

WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.

8

NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

SPORTS

EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

After rocky beginning to season, Patriots seem poised for strong performance in playoffs

By CHARLES SURETTE

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially for the New England Patriots.

Since 2001, the Patriots have built a record of 46-6 in the month of December while also winning 10 of the last 12 AFC East division titles and making five Super Bowl appearances.

So far, this year appears no different. With a 34-31 win over the Houston Texans on Dec. 1, the Patriots improved to 9-3 on the 2013 campaign and ensured their 13th straight winning season.

After a shaky start to 2013, the Patriots are finding their form. The offense is now in rhythm with quarterback Tom Brady, much to the relief of the Patriot faithful, and Brady is finally sync-

ing up with his young receiving corps. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has returned from injury and is again a major factor in the offense, while veteran receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola have made valuable contributions as well. In addition to the return of the Patriots’ vaunted passing game, the rushing offense has found renewed life thanks to Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount.

This welcome change in fortune has come slowly to Foxborough, Mass. After the team fell to division rivals the New York Jets on a controversial last-second field goal on Oct. 20, the Patriots staged a come-from-behind victory the following week over the Miami Dolphins and a 55-31 blowout of

the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers to improve to 7-2.

Coming out of their bye week, New England suffered a controversial loss on the road against the Carolina Panthers because of the reversal of a potentially outcome-altering pass interference call on the Patriots’ last drive of the game.

The hangover from the loss, which drew the ire of Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, initially carried over to the following week against the mighty Denver Broncos, a team that jumped to a 24-0 first-half lead following three New England fumbles. The Patriots, however, reversed their luck and stormed back in the second half with 31 unanswered points, taking the lead and eventually shocking the Broncos in

overtime with a field goal

by Stephen Gostkowski to secure a 34-31 victory.

Although New England benefitted from a depleted Denver pass defense and a botched punt return by former-Patriot Wes Welker, the Patriots took advantage of every opportunity presented to them.

Hungry for a fourth Super Bowl victory, Brady called his team to arms and led the biggest comeback in Patriots history. It showed a clear cohesiveness and demonstrated how far this team has come.

With two consecutive, gutsy wins over Denver and Houston, the Patriots have shown they will again be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason. The Patriots are peaking at the right time, as the Super Bowl is now two months away.

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Tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates after a play.

Another playoff run looms large, and with the stakes high, the NFL has been put on notice that the Patriots will not end

the season quietly.

Charles Surette is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.

WRESTLING continued from PG. 1

Violets fall to Stevens Institute, enjoy thrill of competing at Madison Square Garden

all-team defeat against the Stevens Institute, 25-7.

The team entered “The Grapple” ranked 19 while Stevens Institute entered ranked 25.

Despite the loss, the NYU men’s team members expressed the thrilling experience of competing at the Garden.

“It was a great opportunity for us. Obviously, it wasn’t the result we wanted, but we will look to improve on our mistakes and get better while

keep working harder as the season progresses,” said Sean Billings, a LS sophomore in the 133 lb. weight class.

Currently, the NYU men’s team holds a 0-1 conference record and a 2-2 overall record.

The wrestlers will face off against Hunter College in an away match this Friday at 3:30 pm.

Michelle Tran is a staff writer.

Email her at sports@nyunews.com.

VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM

The Violets face the Ducks in Madison Square Garden.

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