April 30, 2012 issue

OutLook

STUDENT PRESS

Vol. 44 Issue 15 April 30, 2012 Facebook.com/Outlookpress

Features 6 “Perhaps the extra personal attention, small classes, and dedicated teachers nurture the student and instill the confidence it takes to pursue lofty career goals.”

Miriam Hoffman, Student

Outlook file photo

Debunking some myths and misconceptions about community colleges.

At last year’s Spring Fest, students gathered to relax and enjoy the sun on the campus lawn near the Ampitheatre.

Spring Fest to Mark End of Term Opinion 13 “It seems that Ireland has once

again become a place from where inhabitants are emigrating much like a scene from the 1980s.”

Sarah Ganly, Student

Many Irish fear the boom times of the Celtic Tiger may be gone forever.

An afternoon of games, planned events, and lots of fun

Elan Weinberger News Editor

Spring Fest and Dr. Woodstock, the Spring semester’s biggest events that take place at the close of every term, are happening again this year on Thursday, May 3, 2012.

There will be a lot of fun activities, including a mechanical bull, jousting, and a repertoire of local bands to

perform in concert.

Both events, which are organized by the Student Activities Board, are annual events, taking place in the Amphitheater Quad. Spring Fest is scheduled from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Dr. Woodstock from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM. The theme of this year’s Fest is Legends of the Hidden Treasure, a spinoff of the famous television show “Legends of

the Hidden Temple.”

There will be numerous activities to participate in, such as fake tattoos, inflatables, treasure hunts, a bungee run, photo booth, a DJ, and an obstacle course. There will also be grilled lunch available for $6 per plate, snow cones, cotton candy, and funnel cakes.

Past Spring Fests have been a huge success because of the sheer number of people that come out for the campus-wide

event.

Jeremy Kano, a second semester sophomore here at the College, said of last year’s Spring Fest, “The organizers of the event do a really good job of making sure that everyone is having fun.” He went on to say, “Not everyone comes to the event, but they really should.”

Dr. Woodstock is a multiband concert that is in its third SEE SPRING FEST PAGE 4

Commencement Day Caps Student Achievements Elan Weinberger

Sports 21 “As a diehard baseball fan, my dream is to visit all 30 baseball parks across the country.”

Devon Keane, Student

Here are 10 baseball parks a fan should visit and experience.

For many SUNY Rockland students, the end is almost near.

Yes, it is that ever-anticipated graduation ceremony, where students will complete one chapter of their lives while at the same time move on to the next. This year’s ceremony is taking place on May 20, 2012 in the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse.

“There is going to be a flurry of emotions,” says Rachel Ballard, a second year student at the College. “I am excited, but I know a lot of people who are just scared,” says Ballard, who resides in Pearl River. Ballard is

Megan Nevins, who transferred to Cornell, receives her degree in 2010.

planning to transfer to Fordham University in the Fall.

Over half of American college students are in community

Collette Fournier / RCC Campus Communications

News Editor

colleges, and upon graduation, RCC students will be joining thousands of other students in transferring to colleges across

the country.

RCC is seen as one of the best community colleges in the country, as many of our students end up transferring to Ivy League and tier one schools such as Harvard, NYU, and Stamford.

The keynote address for this year’s commencement will be delivered by veteran Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D NY-18). Lowey, who is a resident of Westchester, is looking to be reelected to Congress for the 12th time.

Due to the redistricting process that occurs every ten years, Lowey will be running for the Congressional seat that SEE COMMENCEMENT PAGE 4

News

April 30, 2012

Holocaust Survivor Recounts His Ordeal Amanda Marshall & David Brustein-Cotler Special to Outlook

On April 24th, 2012, Holocaust Survivor, Leibel “Leo” Zisman, paid a visit to Rockland Community College.

Crowded into the faculty lounge, Zisman told his story to an enthusiastic crowd of students, faculty members, local citizens, and even his own nephew.

He was only 11 years old when his native country of Lithuania was invaded and subsequently occupied by the Germans. His father was a wealthy business man and Zisman emphasized how horrible the conditions of the ghettos were, especially for a child from a prominent family who was accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle.

To protect his family, Leo’s father, along with a neighbor, built the family a bunker to hide them from the Nazis.

Regretfully, when the time came to hide away in this bunker, the family was quickly discovered by the Gestapo and carted away.

They were separated rather quickly, with Leo being forced to stay with his father and brother. When an opportunity arose, Leo’s father instructed him to run away from the soldiers guarding them.

Miraculously, Leo was able to outrun the German Shepherds who were sent after him. When these beasts eventually caught up, Zisman found the strength to fight them off and hide.

The Germans looked everywhere, but never found young Leo, who was carefully seeking refuge in an attic.

Zisman then solemnly stated that later that evening, after hiding in the dark attic, he discovered that his father and siblings were shot and buried on a hill in a shallow grave with many other Jews.

Soon after receiving this news, Zisman was reunited with his mother, brother, and sister. However, this happy reunion didn’t last long for young Leo. Much to his dismay, on the next Passover, Leo was forced into a cattle-car with nearly five

thousand other Jews.

This train stopped at Stutthof, where his mother and sister were taken. He then ended up in Landsberg, when his brother and the men were taken from the train. However, the Germans took notice of the large amount of children present, and rounded up over one hundred boys, including Leo. Separated from his brother, Leo was taken to Dachau for five days.

Following this, he was whisked away to the infamous concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Soon after arriving at Auschwitz, Leo organized a group of boys to sing, “Ani Amen” and march through the camp. This brave act caught the German soldiers off-guard. They scrambled to find information on this unruly boy.

When the the Germans failed to find his file, Leo was brought to work, rather than being sent to his death in the gas chambers. The soldiers feared that the infamous Dr. Mengele may have had plans for him. After being liberated by the American soldiers, Leo realized that he was one of six boys who survived the camps out of the one-hundred thirty one that originally accompanied him in the train.

Following the war, Zisman wished to return to his hometown of Kovno, Lithuania (currently known as Kaunas), as part of a dire attempt to find surviving family members. However, returning to Lithuania turned out to be another challenge for Leo. Zisman started out in an American DP (Displaced Persons) camp. However, to return to his native country, Zisman needed to enter Soviet controlled territory.

In the Soviet DP camp that he ended up in, Zisman was confronted by a Russian officer who was suspicious of the nature of his ordeal.

Leo Zisman was suspected of being a German sympathizer due to the fact that he survived so many Concentration Camps.

Following an intense confrontation that nearly lead to his demise, the Russian officer was finally convinced of his

Gen Rollins / Outlook Student Press

Leo Zisman was only 11 years old when the Nazis invaded his country

Holocaust survivor Leo Zisman addresses a College audience.

story.

Following this ordeal, Leo confirmed that most of his family perished in the Holocaust. Fortunately, in Budapest, he was reunited with his brother. Together, the two emigrated to the United States, where they both became successful businessmen. Zisman worked in the banking sector, particularly for CHASE Manhattan, and as a mathematics professor.

Today, Leo Zisman is a proud father,

grandfather, and great grandfather.

Zisman ended his visit with one statement in memory of the Grand Rebbe of his native country.

He said, “life is a journey. It takes you from point A to point B. Point A is your birth, and point B is when they put you six feet in the ground. Life is a journey.

Whenever there is darkness, if you light a candle, you bring light to the darkness, and [this light] can illuminate any dark room, no matter how big it truly is.”

Large Attendance at Holocaust Memorial Ceremony Elan Weinberger News Editor

The Holocaust is considered to be one of the most tragic and atrocious genocides ever committed against mankind.

Some six million Jews and five million Gypsies, homosexuals, blacks, political prisoners, and disabled people were murdered at the hands of the evil Nazi regime that ruled Germany from 1933 until 1945.

On Sunday, April 22, these perished souls were remembered and honored at the Annual Holocaust Memorial Commemoration, located at SUNY Rockland’s Performing Arts Center.

Around 450 people attended the memorial service. The ceremony attracted members from all Jewish movements including Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews, all of which have some sort of connection to the Holocaust.

Numerous Elected officials were also in attendance, including Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee(D- Monsey), Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D-New City), and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY 18).

There was an emphasis on the presence of these officials, because the public officials of the Nazi era either supported or idly stood by to watch the slaughter of millions of innocent people.

The ceremony, which was created

by The Holocaust Museum and Study Center of Rockland County, was opened with remarks from Dr. Wood, President of RCC, who spoke about the importance of remembering the victims and honoring their memory.

The keynote address was given by award winning filmmaker, Menachem Daum, who spoke of his travels to Dzialoszyce, Poland and the Christianled revival of Jewish cemeteries in the once war torn country.

He showed the audience numerous clips

from his new film, “Common Ground”, which is a movie about the rebuilding of Jewish Cemeteries in Poland during the post-war era.

Six Jewish Memorial candles were lit, each in the memory of one million Jews that perished. Various Synagogues from around the county were asked to sponsor a candle, each of which was lit by either a survivor, or a relative of a survivor.

A seventh candle was lit by RCC’s Hillel Rabbi, Dov Oliver, who was accompanied by Dan Sokolsky, a former Hillel board member. Rabbi Oliver spoke about community and remembering the communities that were destroyed.

Tanja Sarett, who is the Executive Director of the museum spoke about the living survivors, saying “You are the reason you are here today.”

“I hope you will know we will never stop sharing your stories from generation to generation,” he noted.

According to the University of South

Florida, there were about 350,000 Holocaust survivors still alive in 2005.

Today, that number has greatly dwindled to less than 100,000. In the audience alone, there were no more than 15 survivors.

Other parts of the ceremony included performances by Trey Kaley, a Jewish A-Capella group that sang Jewish songs of hope and survival; readings from the book Night by Ellie Wiesel, which is perhaps one of the most famous accounts of the Holocaust; and a presentation of the Color Guard by the Rockland and Orange District Council of Jewish War Veterans, which is commanded by Alan Moskin, a liberator of subcamps of Mauthausen, one of the Nazi’s largest concentration camps.

The closing remarks were given by Paul Galan, who is the current president of the Museum. He spoke about the importance of never forgetting and donating to the Museum as a testament to always remember.

April 30, 2012

News

Haitian Heritage Week Celebrated at College

Elan Weinberger News Editor

The week of April 23-27 was Haitian Heritage Week, a celebration of Haitian heritage and culture. The week was celebrated with numerous activities and art. The RCC Haitian Club showcased the food, culture and music of Haiti at its best.

In collaboration with the Hospitality Club, there was a cooking demonstration of Haitian delicacies.

Nader Haitian Art showcased the acclaimed Haitian-American artist, Patricia Brintle. Born in Haiti, Brintle immigrated to the US in 1964. She is a self-taught artist, and paints with a vibrant, colorful palette. Many of her works of art were put on display in the Technology Building, showing the rich Haitian art that depicts young women and their children. There was also a reception held in her honor.

Photos by Gen Rollins

News Briefs Elan Weinberger News Editor

Westchester Exec Delivers State of the County Address Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino (R), delivered his State of the County address on Wednesday April

a total shut down, due to a lack of Town-contributed police officers. The Sherriff’s Department controls the Intelligence Unit, while the District Attorney’s office heads the Drug Task Force. The Towns of Rockland are supposed to contribute officers to each unit, and in turn receive money from the county to pay the salaries and benefits of the officers used. The dispute is between the amount of money requested for each officer by the towns and the amount the county is willing to pay for each officer.

military canine who helped in sniffing out improvised explosive devices (IED), a popular bomb used by terrorists in Afghanistan. Both Leavey and Rex were badly injured after an IED exploded near them in 2006. She had to go through a long process in order to gain ownership of the dog, and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for Rex’s immediate release to the Corporal. Leavey is a resident of Valley Cottage, NY.

which includes phone conversations and loud music. The MTA says the inspiration for this project came from commuters themselves, who want to have a quiet commute. The MTA has also reported a lot of success with the new project.

Marine and Dog Finally Reunited After Long Battle with Military Over Ownership Marine Corporal Megan Leavey has finally been reunited with Rex, a 25. He spoke about the 7 percent budget cuts that he has implemented since he has taken office in 2009. He also spoke about the withholding of funds from the Federal and State level, which has greatly impacted the county.

County Intel Unit, Drug Task Force Face Closings The Rockland County intelligence unit and Drug Task Force are facing

Redistricting Changes County’s Federal and State Representation MTA introduces “Quiet Cars” for Commuter Trains The Metropolitan Transit Authority has introduced “Quiet Cars” to their commuter trains leaving at peak times in the morning and evening. These cars require that all riders be quiet in the cars,

Rockland County will no longer be divided in Congressional representation.

After the next Congressional election in November, one Member of the House of Representatives will represent Rockland.

Currently, three different Congress members represent it: Nita Lowey (D NY-18), Eliot Engel (D NY-17), and Nan Hayworth (R NY-19).

news

April 30, 2012

Hundreds Attend Job Fair, Biggest in Years News Editor

Amidst all of the current economic turmoil that is plaguing our Nation, a beacon of hope was seen on April 3, at SUNY Rockland’s Job Fair.

The Fair was sponsored by State Senator David Carlucci (D- Rockland County), RCC’s Career Services, and the Workforce Investment Board of Rockland County.

Hundreds of people attended the Fair, which attracted 61 employers. The event, in its 14th year, was filled with people dressed in suits and laden with resumes, cover letters, and references, hoping to be hired on the spot.

Elle Volel, a student here at the College, wanted to work in social work, but after attending the fair, thought that her decision might change. “I really want to work in my field, but I’m pretty flexible,” said Volel, a resident of Spring Valley.

The national unemployment rate is a whopping 8.3 percent in the month of February, which has been steadily declining over the past few months. The unemployment rate sharply rose after the economic recession of 2008 and is now on its way to recovery.

Many people blame President Obama for the high rate, saying that his regulations are hurting businesses and not letting them expand, which in turn would give more opportunities for hiring.

No president has ever been reelected to office with an unemployment rate above 7.2 percent but the next election could prove to go against that statistic.

Shauna Camile, who is a resident of Pearl River, believes the president is doing the best job that he can.

“In truth, the president has very little control over the economy, because our economic system was made to collapse and reinvent itself every 20 to 30 years,” she said.

Rockland County has some of the lowest unemployment rates in the state,

a mere 7.2 percent. Even though this number seems low when compared to the national average, it is actually up from 6.9 percent in February, 2011.

According to Johnny Nelson, a State Labor Department analyst, counties in the Lower Hudson Valley have the lowest unemployment rates in the state.

Westchester is at 7.4 percent, Putnam is at 7 percent and Rockland is at 7.2 percent.

The county with the lowest unemployment rate is Tompkins County, which comes in with a low 6.5 percent unemployment rate. The county with the highest unemployment rate is Bronx County, which has 14.1 percent unemployment, well above the national average.

Other statistics show that the labor force in these three counties is at its lowest number since 2003, with a mere 674,000 people, of which 624,500 are employed, which is the lowest number of people employed since 1998.

While the Job Fair was made with the purpose of helping the unemployed find work, numerous employers found the fair helped them as well.

“It is going better than I had anticipated,” said Cindy Darcy, who is the branch vice president for Coldwell Banker Real Estate Company located in New City. “There are a lot of qualified candidates.”

The event was opened by State Senator David Carlucci who felt that the main purpose was to help employers find better and more qualified candidates for open positions and believed that the applicants at the fair were extremely qualified.

While some issues being spoken about in the presidential election do not affect most Americans, the economy is certainly one of the most important issues facing the candidates because it affects every single American.

According to the Gallup poll, the economy is the biggest deciding factor in the 2012 Presidential election with 92 percent of Americans thinking that it is “extremely important.”

Gen Rollins / Outlook Student Press

Elan Weinberger

Spring Fest Marks End of Semester SPRING FEST FROM PAGE 1 year here at RCC. This year, all of the bands that are playing are in some way or other, affiliated with the College.

The bands playing this year are: Mind Explosion, Equinox, Admit One, Dakota McCormick, Kolor With A K, Sultans of Sound, DJ Sally Caps, and Bergo ‘45.

The cost for this event is free and will be running for the majority of the afternoon. Light refreshments will be served during the concert.

A lot of people loved last year’s event, including David Woodhouse, who said “Dr. Woodstock was a fun and relaxing venue to enjoy local artists honing their craft.”

Usually the two events are done

separately, but this year the Student Activities Board Planning Committee has decided to combine the two events on the same day.

Many students are very excited for the event including Stephanie Nelson, a freshman here in the College’s Honors program, who said, “I love live music, and Legends of the Hidden Temple, so I feel like this event was made especially

for me.”

The heads of the Spring Fest planning committee are Rafael Martinez and Lea Manitarus and the heads of the Dr. Woodstock planning committee are Rafael Martinez and Amanda Marshall.

Rafael Martinez is the head of both committees because he holds the position of Student Activities Board Executive Chairperson.

Commencement Ceremony Caps Achievements COMMENCEMENT FROM PAGE 1 covers all of Rockland County. Currently, she holds only a small chunk of the county, with the other parts being represented by Congressman Eliot Engel (D NY-17) and Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (R NY19).

Numerous elected officials have graduated from RCC, including New York State Senator David Carlucci (DRockland), who is the youngest member of the legislative body.

The Fieldhouse is named after the late New York State Senator Eugene Levy, who died in 1990 after a long battle with Leukemia. It was named for the Senator

in 1975 prior to his death.

The first commencement ceremony held by the College was in 1961 and only had 39 graduates.

Approximately 139 students started in that class two years before. In 2010, approximately 350 people received their Associates degree.

This year, approximately 700 students

will be eligible to graduate in May, while this past December, approximately 245 students graduated. During this past August, 171 students graduated from the College.

The statistics cannot be complete until closer to commencement due to the fact that the College is still accepting applications for graduation.

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Features

April 30, 2012

COMMUNITY COLLEGE MYTHS Miriam Hoffman Staff Writer

There are a handful of misconceptions about community colleges because of their passed-down reputation.

Community colleges have evolved from a “back-up plan” for those who did not get accepted by the four-year college of choice.

Recent statistics show that these two-year colleges actually pave the way for future Ivy-Leaguers, business executives, doctors, and lawyers, and have become stepping-stones to graduate with impressive credentials. Perhaps the extra personal attention, small classes, and dedicated teachers nurture the student and instill in the students the confidence it takes to pursue lofty career goals. If any place will provide this opportunity, a community college will.

year colleges are so huge that hundreds of people may be in one lecture class.

This can be very overwhelming for some people. It all depends on the ability a person has to focus in such a crowded environment. I found that community colleges offer a more personal experience w h i c h allows the students to feel more

comfortable and not as though they are just another number in the classroom.

all without the peer pressure of joining a fraternity or sorority.

Myth 4: There are no social scenes at a community college.

Fact: Our

Myth 5: If community colleges cost so much less than four-year school, then the education must be compromised.

Fact: Some of the most qualified and experienced teachers work in community colleges, and with the advantages of smaller classes and personal attention, students can enjoy and benefit from the high quality of education offered. These small classroom situations allow teachers to give all students the opportunity to voice their opinion and participate in debates and classroom discussions.

This situation also prevents students from taking opportunities to ‘nap’ in the middle of class.

Subjects suddenly become more interesting when all students in the class take part. During one of my conversations with an MIT graduate (who is now an anesthesiologist), I learned that even the IV League colleges have bad teachers. He mentioned that classes are nearly identical. In fact, many community college faculty members also hold teaching positions at other fouryear colleges in the area.

Myth 1: Obtaining a degree from a community college will not get you into a good work field or high position.

Fact: Many famous people attended a community college including: Calvin Klein, Sarah Palin, Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Eileen Collins, Pete Rozel, Melvin Salveson (creator of Mastercard), Fred Hais (Apollo 13 astronaut), Walt Disney, Daniel Hayes (transplant surgeon) and many more.

A member of the New York State

Senate, David Carlucci, graduated from Rockland Community College in 2000!

Myth 2: Students learning at community colleges failed to get into a four-year college.

Fact: I found that most students who attend community college are returning adult students, teenagers obtaining their GED, people who have financial difficulties, or those who want to maintain a close family life. Some students have also just needed a couple of extra years to mature and prep for what’s to come.

Myth 3: Community college is easier than a four-year college.

Fact: Community college is not easier and provides the same challenges as any four-year school. In many ways, a twoyear school can be less stressful because of its nurturing environment. When the classroom is smaller, the teachers have a chance to focus on everybody, which fulfils the students’ needs for some personal attention. Many four-

college grounds would say otherwise.

Rockland Community College has plenty of social gatherings during breaks, such as clubs, meetings in the cafeteria, speakers, religious groups, music, drama, professional performing arts shows, and much more. During common hour, clubs meet widespread, and students gather in the Student Union where there is a lounge for relaxing and socializing—

Myth 6: There is no diversity at a community college.

Fact: RCC, for example, has a huge diverse international population of students with people coming from China, Japan, England, Poland, Russia, Brazil, Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico, Africa, Haiti amongst other countries.

Community colleges attract a huge number of foreign students. In fact, RCC is built on “a heritage of excellence and diversity”, celebrating these different heritages throughout the academic year, including, but not limited to, Hispanic Heritage Month, African Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, International Thanksgiving Day, and numerous others.

These are some of the most popular myths and facts about community colleges. Keeping this information in mind, it is not uncommon to nowadays be considered ‘savvy’ when taking advantage of the money saved while attending a two year school.

April 30, 2012

Features

PET OWNERSHIP Anna Berent

Staff Writer

Everywhere you look there are people that have some sort of animal living in their household. Pet ownership is extremely exciting, and brings unimaginable rewards to people.

There are approximately 73 million dogs and 90 millions cats that live in U.S. households. We are one of the most petloving countries in the world, but along with the fun part of owning an animal, there also comes great responsibility.

There is no doubt that pets instantly become part of the family member and even play the role of a child to some people. The bond between a human and a dog is like no other. They really do give you unconditional love.

In order to give your dog the proper attention and care, you need to set time aside each day for the animal’s needs.

Walk and exercise are necessary for most breeds, so it is recommended you hire a dog walker if you will be out of the house for the majority of the day. If you are getting a puppy, time will need

to be set aside to train it. The best way to find a dog that will best fit your lifestyle is to do some in-depth research on the breed you are interested in so there will be no issues or “surprises� in the future.

No two dogs are alike, though; each dog personality is completely different from every other.

Cats are very interesting pets to own.

They are unbelievably smart, and most are very independent. They are easier to own since they do not require walking and can be left home alone all day with the right amount of food, water, and litter. It is highly recommended that if you are getting a kitten to get two at a time so they can learn proper social behaviors from each other as well as have companionship. Some cats may suffer from a wide variety of diseases, but the fortunate thing is that there are vaccines available that can prevent these diseases. When given to them as a kitten, cats normally live long lives that range from 12-15 years. Some cats even live until 20! They are smart, quiet, and lovable. With the proper care, you can have your loving cat around for many

years to come.

The rabbit is also a fun pet. There is a wide variety of breeds to choose from and many are available for a low

adoption fee at shelters nationwide.

Rabbits are very sweet and cuddly, but they are also independent. A large cage is recommended for them, and cleaning their bedding about every other day is essential to maintain proper sanitary conditions. It is a good idea to read up on proper nutrition as well because a mistake in feeding patterns or diet may cause health problems to rise. They are social creatures and like being around people, but at the same time if you go to school or work for long hours during the day, most rabbits are okay to be left alone in their cages. At least an hour daily of exercise outside the cage is recommended to keep the little critter healthy, and routine nail clipping is a must.

Remember that before investing in the life of a pet, do research, and make sure you have the time and resources to own the pet of your choosing. Animals are amazing in their own special ways, and it really is a privilege when you adopt one. When the time comes to add a furry friend to the family, be sure to visit your local shelters and pet adoption agencies.

FEATURES

April 30, 2012

HOROSCOPES Tina Pace

Staff Writer

As fake or vague as horoscopes appear to be, there is bit of truth to them. In ancient times, people believed that the movement of the planets reflected the sun and moon god.

This concept is better known as modern day astrology. Some people believe that based on the planets’ alignment, when a person is born their future and their personalities are already written in the stars. Believers use horoscopes to make every day decisions, such as who they are going to be friends with, potential dates, and even future events.

Aries is from March 21st to April 19th. Aries is ruled by the planet of Mars and the god of war. The people who are represented by Aries are known to be great friends because of their generosity, caring, and enthusiastic attributes, but they often tend to be hubristic people. Aries aren’t afraid to show compassion in a relationship but usually fear admitting failure and looking weak.

For the month of May, spirited Aries need to remember to think before speaking and that even though they are born leaders, they should never act as a dictator.

Taurus is from April 20th to May 20th. Happy Birthday to all Tauruses! Usually a Taurus is calm, composed, and secure in their own skin. Tauruses are not push-overs, and they don’t take crap from other people. They are naturally persistent and independent.

Even though usually calm, they are easily pushed over the edge and aren’t afraid to fire back. In the upcoming month, budgets will be tough. Keep your cool and remember how to manage your money until a new and better job comes your way. Luckily, jobs need the driven traits of a Taurus in order to survive in the tough economic times.

Gemini is from May 21st to June 20th. Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury. Geminis are known as on-the-go people; they can never be in one place for too long and they are always on the hunt for intelligence and new experiences. They are good at multitasking but can sometimes be judgmental. For the month of May, this sign needs a change, which is no surprise. Take a look at people around you and use this to judge whether or not these people are helping or hurting you. If the opportunity comes for a fresh start, take it.

Cancer is from June 21st to July 22nd. Cancers are full of mystery just like their ruling planet, the moon. They are very indecisive and unpredictable; they never know when to hide or when to fight. Regardless of their unpredictable characteristics, Cancers are usually motherly towards other people, but they also are easily offended and hurt.

Leo is from July 23rd to August 22nd. Leos take after the traits of a lion; they are ambitious, natural leaders, and very protective of their own pride. They are great in relationships because they hate being alone. While they are loyal and loving in a relationship, they also handle break ups well because they are capable of moving on quickly. Leos get along the best with Aries and Sagittarius. During this month, if you are in a long committed relationship, make sure this person is just as honest with you as you are with them.

Virgo is from August 23rd to September 22nd. Virgo tends to have the traits of the stereotypical female. Virgos are sensitive, shy, and delicate people, but they are the most trustworthy of friends and will always be there to give advice. As kind-hearted as Virgos are, they can be easily taken advantage of. This month, balancing work, home life, and school is becoming increasingly difficult and overwhelming, but be sure to take time for yourself, and don’t allow your schedule to run your life.

Horoscopes are the most accurate when the astrologist has a person’s specific date, time, and location of birth. Through referencing this in-depth information, the person should be able to predict the high and low points throughout their life. The most common type of horoscope goes by month simply because it’s easier.

Sometimes horoscopes are dead-on accurate, and other times they are not completely true but aren’t far off, either.

This is because horoscopes group a whole bunch of personality traits and future predictions together in order to get one prediction that reaches a large number people.

Libra is from September 23rd to October 22nd. Libras are very hospitable by nature. Being diplomats, they analyze anything and everything, especially others’ points of view. They are easy to please and are charming and captivating. They are naturally creative, diverse, and love to socialize. They can suffer from insecurity and sometimes lack self-confidence and their other drawbacks include being thoughtless, too self-absorbed, and flirtatious. They find their match in Aquarius and Gemini. This May, love is in the air for Libras; open your eyes because a great love might be right under your nose. Libras are known for being indecisive, but this month, take a leap of faith.

Scorpio is from October 23rd to November 21st. Scorpios are fierce, stubborn, and independent. If a Scorpio is mad, it’s best to just let them be because they are known for confrontation. Their trust is hard to gain, but once a person achieves it, it’s worthwhile.

The hardheaded Scorpios can sometimes be moody and selfcentered, but overall Scorpio’s are driven people.

Sagittarius is from November 22nd to December 22nd.

Sagittariuses are independent and optimistic even when things look dismal. They have a great sense of humor and make friends easily.

They are very straight forward and say how it is even though it may be harsh sometimes. This May, a relationship change might be necessary. You and your partner are changing in the opposite ways, and even though you’re usually straight forward, this situation leaves you hesitant on how to go about it. Remember to be yourself no matter what, and if someone doesn’t fit into your life anymore, then being honest with both yourself and the other individual is necessary.

Capricorn is from December 23rd to January 19th.

People belonging to the Capricorn sign are of two different types.

The mountain goat represents one type, which is known for its determined spirit and always pursuing until it gets to the top. The other one is the garden goat, which is quite amiable and is content, budging only when pushed. However, both the types are persevering and patient in nature.

Aquarius is from January 20th to February 18th. Aquariuses are extremely friendly and get along with almost all personality types, but underneath that social butterfly exterior lays hidden insecurities. They are enthusiastic and good-hearted people, but sometimes they come across rude or aloof to others. During the next month, Aquariuses are questioning their own looks and personality.

Don’t be self-conscious, because the people who love you will love you beyond your flaws.

Pisces is from February 19th to March 20th. Pisces are spiritual, mystical and emotional. They easily adapt to new things and hate being criticized. During the month of May, your problem is balancing work and luxury. Don’t let career and job worries spoil the chance for an unlikely romance to blossom, which is just what you may need to carry you through life’s current challenges.

FEATURES

April 30, 2012

RELATIONSHIP THAT ARE TOO CLOSE Elizabeth Maze

Managing Editor

Spring is in the air, and with this lively season comes a scourge of ridiculously happy couples all groping, touching, and making eyes at each other. Now, it’s not that being single makes you some vindictive banshee, but being clear-headed and not obsessively consumed with ridiculous details, like the way the sunlight hits your significant other’s hair, makes you realize that sometimes close is too close.

Obviously, you should love who you’re with and genuinely care about them, but the coordinating of outfits, having a “couple” song, and gripping to each other like the Zombie Apocalypse is coming and you’re the only two left is just, well, absurd.

The key to a relationship is boundaries and a little bit of what the locals call “personal space.” Instead of falling into the trap of couples everywhere, take a breath, look at the no no’s, and for goodness sake, check yourself before you wreck yourself.

1. Overdone PDA With any dating relationship, physical

contact is inevitable. Whether you like to play it cool and leave it at a quick kiss or you decide you would like to look as if you are auditioning for an adult film is completely up to you when you’re out in public. There is a very clear line between affection and mounting someone in public, though. It seems that many couples don’t get the memo that caring for someone doesn’t mean making out in public, butt slaps, resting your hand under their shirt, and clinging hardcore. Not only do you look absolutely, out-of-this-world crazy, but you make everyone else pull back in fear and, honestly, disgust. It’s natural, everyone knows that, but if there is some common decency left in this pre-teen moral world, pull back a bit and maybe trade in a messy make out for a quick kiss when you’re out.

2. Couple’s Songs It was a nice summer day, and I was out with a few friends and a very affectionate couple. I was able to smile politely and just let them do their own couple thing until the dreaded moment of fate. As I was about to take a bite of my well-deserved sandwich, the girl in the couple loudly declared “Oh my God, this is our couple

song! Don’t you remember? Oh God, oh God.” Oh my God is right. Not only do I need to sit through an irrelevant Taylor Swift song, but I also need to watch this couple make out and talk about the course of their sure to be successful relationship.

Seriously, knock it off with the couple songs. I’m sure it would be romantic if your significant other wrote the song for you and performed it with his band of travelling minstrels, but he didn’t. Taylor Swift did, and for the love of all that’s holy, it’s not talking about your first eye contact as drunken prom dates.

3. Coordinating Outfits Accidental coordination happens; I understand that. Sometimes I come in to class with a pair of red jeans, and one of my friend’s has them on, too. We have a laugh and then move on. However, some couples think that matching Ed Hardy shirts or little coordinated outfits are an extension of their in sync love. It’s an extension of your craziness. There is one time in your life where you will ever coordinate intentionally-on prom when a guy is forced to wear a neon pink tie to match your blinding dress. There is nothing wrong

having your own bit of fashion flair when you’re dating, and there is no reason why both of you should feel the need to pick days of the week to wear the same colors.

4. Obsessive Texting/Calling Sending a quick text or call to let your boyfriend or girlfriend know something important is normal. Texting them or calling them to let them know you saw a squirrel in a forest or that you ate a burrito is not. Oftentimes, couples get caught up in each other and they feel the need to over-communicate to prove their feelings.

It’s just something that you need to keep in check. Don’t be afraid to send a nice text every so often just to say hey or something funny, but do not under any circumstance send texts or make calls constantly to tell them the sky is blue and the grass is green.

Couples will be couples, and no matter how much we wished everyone could interact the way we want, that’s just not reality. Hopefully by avoiding a few no no’s, couples everywhere can avoid being overly clingy and will create a much more comfortable environment for everyone around.

FEATURES

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April 30, 2012

HOW MUSEUMS WORK

the past significance of artifacts in order to decipher what it is and what the label should say. The end result is very gratifying.

Anna Berent

Staff Writer

Everyone can agree that museums are fascinating places that house items pertaining to culture, science, and history. What most of us don’t know is the role of each person in a museum setting and what exactly it takes to put together a fabulous exhibit.

The whole system in a museum is a little more complicated than most of us realize.

Most museums are made up of individuals serving as directors, curators, a preparatory (buildings director), as well as other volunteers and interns. Museums are very important to our culture, so I hope to shed some light on what these individuals do: 1. The Director of the museum needs to know how to multitask, because he or she is the one that is in charge of all the operations going on in the museum. They need to keep a watchful eye and make sure everything runs smoothly in every department. The director also represents the museum when it comes to the public, so they need to keep good contacts and represent themselves well. Since they are in charge of so many things, organization is definitely key for the museum director.

2. A Museum Curator is a very important person in the system. This person researches the objects being shown in an exhibit and writes a label for the artifact.

They oversee the information about the object and how it will be displayed. The job is a very exciting part of working in museum because it involves research into

3. The Museum Registrar is also important because they need to archive and keep track of all objects in the museum as well as those on loan to other museums. It is very important to stay organized in this position to prevent any lost or stolen valuables.

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4. The Museum Preparatory is more physically demanding than the others mentioned above they are required to install the equipment that will house the exhibitions; for example, they may be asked to hang and frame objects, put together display cases, paint, etc. This job is also very significant because of the job in creating a visual spectacle that all visitors will enjoy.

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5. Volunteers and Interns are also great for any museum to have. College students have the opportunity of gaining experience for a small wage, and the museum may benefit through teaching a person its history as well as conserving its funds. The volunteer can help out in mostly areas of the museum facility as long as the curator and director approve

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Museums are important to the livelihood as well as historical preservation of any society. The people who contribute to any museum are extremely appreciated, and hopefully we can continue to expand our museums in order to enrich ourselves with more knowledge.

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To be eligible as a T.O.P. Scholar, a student must: • Have an Associate’s degree from another college.

• Be enrolled as a full-time student at Berkeley College.

• Remain continuously enrolled for his/her first academic year (three quarters). After that, the student may take one quarter off without losing the scholarship.

Scan to view a short video that could help you make one of the most important decisions of your life.

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OPINIONS

April 30, 2012

Farewell from the Editor-in-Chief

Outlook has become my flagship accomplishment during my time at SUNY Rockland. Many people couldn’t understand why, as a nursing student, I devote so much of my time to journalism and the school newspaper.

But that’s the beauty of Outlook; you can find your n i c h e , maintain your other passions a n d interests, a n d befriend amazing people who make your school days just a little brighter.

Before I enrolled in the Early Admit and M/TS Honors program, I attended a private Jewish high school where I was an average student and participated in average extracurricular activities. Not only was I able to improve tremendously in my academics, but RCC provided me with opportunities that encouraged me to get involved on campus and become a leader.

Outlook is not like any other club.

Being a member of the editorial staff is a demanding position, which requires initiative and charisma. I was beyond fortunate throughout my two years as the Features Editor, Managing Editor, and eventually Editor-in-Chief to have worked with diligent, wonderful people who I am more than grateful for. With the support and collaboration of the entire Outlook

staff, we have successfully taken home national and regional awards from the Associated Collegiate Press and the Society for Professional Journalism.

This year alone we have beaten one of our own records, producing a record number of pages in one semester. Our collective striving for excellence has brought SUNY Rockland a consistent, award-winning newspaper.

“From the outside looking in you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out you can’t explain it.” The Outlook office became more than just a place of work.

Familiar and new faces of students with an opinion, creative piece, or photo eager to express themselves are what solidified the liveliness of what would be an ordinary room in the Student Union. The long, tiresome hours spent on production nights ended with not just an issue to be proud of, but laughter and memories that cannot be replaced.

The success of our newspaper could not have been achieved without each writer, editor, and photographer’s contribution.

I must also credit and extend a big thank you to our advisor, Professor Robert Fuentes, whose guidance and caring attitude allowed our creative freedom to flourish. Not only have I improved in my writing and learned new skills, but I have also gained a valuable friend along the way.

And last but certainly not least, I would like to wish a wholehearted “good luck” to the new leaders, Kristen Loretoni and Amanda Van Ryn, who I know will continue to make the RCC community proud next year.

11

Outlook Student Press Sari Ugell, Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Pastorelli, Production Manager Elizabeth Maze, Managing Editor Amanda Van Ryn, Asst. Managing Editor Elan Weinberger, News Editor

Kristen Loretoni, Opinions Editor Shara Beitch, Features Editor Gen Rollins, Photohgraphy Editor Monica Powell, Science & Health Editor Devon Keane, Sports Editor

Outlook Student Press is published every other week except during exam periods and summer. It is an independent newspaper and public forum produced by students and paid for by advertising revenue and student activities fees.

Outlook Student Press invites you to submit your opinions and ideas for publication. We strongly encourage letters to the editor.

Content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Outlook editors or staff. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, style, and taste. Outlook does not accept anonymous submissions.

On the web: Outlookpress.org Facebook.com/outlookpress Email: Outlookstudentpress@gmail. com Office: Student Union Room 3200 Phone: (845) 574-4389 Fax: (845) 356-6261

Staff: Gina Duncan, Nicole Arzooma-

nian, Gabriella Gonzalez, Tina Pace, Anna Berent, Miriam Hoffman Contributors: Eric McKearnin, Sarah Ganly, Michael Rosa, Georgie Casazza, Erin O’Brien

Snail mail:Outlook Student Press Rockland Community College 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901 Professor Fuentes, Advisor

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U O Y O D WHAT R E F S N A R T E H T . . .

T U O B A K THIN PROCESS? Monica Powell

Elan Weinberger

Devon Keane

Shara Beitch

The transferring process this past semester was a first experience for me, and initially approaching what appeared as a lofty responsibility, I was a bit overwhelmed. Realizing the numerous elements required along with the basic Transfer Application, I spent additional hours on the Personal Statement, Curricular Transcripts, and requesting the essential Recommendation Letters from my professors. Although the procedure was a multifaceted one, providing me with extra work in addition to my already busy schedule, the result of being well-represented on paper and, in turn, being considered as an attendee at the universities of choice is worth the effort. For ultimately, investing time in transferring is an investment in my educational future and is therefore an extension of what I have begun here at RCC.

The transferring process can be very rewarding, but it all depends on what you want to do with your life. If you believe that you have received the right amount of education from RCC, then you do not need to have a four year bachelor’s degree. But if you are planning on recieving a bachelor’s degree, then transferring is a must. The big worry about transferring is whether or not you will be able to become friends with anyone in your new school. My biggest worry is becoming ingrained in the social atmosphere of my new college, and if a person can get past that, then you are set for life.

I think I can speak for everyone when I say that every student dreams of the day they graduate from RCC with their associates degree so they can move on to a four-year college. The transferring process can be stressful for students, especially when it comes to getting all of your forms together.

Completing applications are very tedious because they seem never ending. The time that you spend waiting for that acceptance letter from your favorite college may feel like a lifetime, but once it comes, you can wave goodbye to RCC and move on to bigger and better things.

I applied to a handful of schools my senior year of high school and the transfer process was much more oppressive. We needed essays, recommendations, and multiple applications that caused an unnecessary amount of stress. I dreaded the thought of going through the process again once I decided to come to RCC. I was pleasantly surprised to find that many schools, especially SUNYs, only require an official transcript from the community college.

There are, however, some private schools that I recently applied to that demanded legion essays, applications, and irrelevant paperwork. Despite this, my teachers were very available when I needed letters and guidance, making it more manageable. Overall, I found the transfer process from RCC to a four year university to be smooth.

OPINIONS

12

April 30, 2012

From Jungle Gyms to the Catwalk Why “Toddlers & Tiaras” is exploiting children

Gabriela Gonzalez staff Writer

The TLC show “Toddlers and Tiaras” has sparked never-ending controversy since its debut it 2009. The show follows the families of young beauty pageant contestants as they prepare to compete for the crowns, the money, and the title of grand supreme. While some find this cute and innocent, many are outraged by the superficiality of the contests and accuse everyone involved of “sexualizing” young girls.

It is easy to see why the show has faced so much criticism. It has proven that there is little a pageant mom won’t do to her child all in the name of a trophy.

If you’ve ever watched the show, you’ve probably felt pity for the little girls kicking and screaming through the long hours of tanning, waxing, and “beautifying” for the competition. The girls are not only showered in makeup but are also forced to wear fake nails, fake teeth, fake eyelashes, fake hair, fake-you get the point.

The show reveals some of the ridiculous and shocking behavior that pageant moms are capable of. They simply take things too far! In one episode, viewers witnessed pageant moms giving their daughters “gogo-juice”, which is a drink mixture of part Mountain Dew and part Red Bull, or pixie sticks, known as “pageant crack”, to keep them up and energized on long pageant days. In a different episode, I was horrified as I watched a mom brush her daughter’s teeth with bleach. One mom even put her eight-year-old daughter on a calorie counting diet that eventually led her to

lose 10 pounds. How could anyone not agree that this is downright child abuse?

Other moms have been especially criticized for what they make their daughters wear on stage. Lindsay Jackson dressed her daughter in a Dolly Parton

costume with fake breasts and a fake butt.

Wendy Dickey dressed her three-year-old as Julia Roberts’ prostitute character from Pretty Woman. Both the moms and the TLC network came under fire as the public expressed their outrage and disapproval.

The moms defended themselves by saying that it’s all innocent and harmless.

They claim that it’s just a fun dress up game that boosts the girl’s confidence in a competitive setting. In response to all the criticism Wendy Dickey said “It’s actually been pretty crazy. I had no idea that it would go that far, that it would be blown that far out of proportion” She claims that it was supposed to be funny and nothing more. “The outfit was not sexy, it was tacky and hideous. It was comical. Nothing more than a costume.”

What these moms don’t seem to care about is how these competitions are

affecting their children. They assume that the sexual content will go over their kids’ heads, but they are teaching their kids the behavior that will get them noticed. These girls are learning to be superficial and are receiving the wrong message about the true meaning of beauty. All the makeup and fake things confuse the girls as to why they are not okay without them. The moms are basically teaching their daughters that people only value their bodies and their appearance, which is something to teach your children.

With all the public opposition and controversy surrounding the show, it’s comes as a surprise to me that they launched a fifth season this January. TLC executives claim that they only document the events and do not take part in them and so they can’t take the blame for anything. However, millions of parents, grandparents, and myself are tired of seeing children exploited by a greedy entertaining industry that does anything for money. I think the TLC network and the pageant

parents should be ashamed. They need to let children be children! There are plenty of other ways to teach self-confidence, presence, and public speaking. Parents across the country should teach their kids to love who they are, not how to be sexy.

GAS PRICES Eric McKearnin

Contributing Writer

For the past couple of years, gas prices continue to rise. In the midst of a recession this has been a major issue that is currently being addressed by politicians and economists. For students, paying for gas becomes a burden when commuting to school every day.

New York is in the top five most gasoline taxed states in the entire nation.

While we, in Rockland County, are lucky enough to be in close proximity to New Jersey, which has some of the lowest gas taxes in the country, others dispersed throughout the state are not so lucky.

Political figures are trying to figure out what can be done to dramatically lower gas prices. This is a very heated political issue that has divided the country, including our elected officials.

There are a number of reasons why oil prices have skyrocketed. One example is because of speculation. When speculators start bidding on the price of oil, it goes up.

Another example would be government regulations on oil companies. For his 2012 fiscal year budget, President Obama requested over 60 billion dollars in taxes and fees from American energy producers over the next 10 years. Many of these hikes are targeted at smaller firms, which are

responsible for 95 percent of the domestic energy production in the United States.

When businesses are forced to pay more of their own revenue to the government in taxes or fees, they often raise prices in order to make up for the money that the government took from them. For example, if oil companies were forced to pay an extra 10 percent tax on their revenue, Exxon Mobil might raise gas prices by about 10 percent in order to make up for the tax. This is very frustrating for me as

the consumer because I am now forced to spend money on gas that I could be saving for a number of different things.

The fighting going on between oil companies and the federal government should not be the reason why I cannot afford to fill up my tank.

Other things like the blends of gasoline formulas and the weak dollar are also contributing factors to the rise of gasoline prices. The blends of gasoline formulas that the Federal Government mandates

such as winter blends, summer blends, and regional blends, put a financial strain on refineries. If government regulations mandate this businesses might feel like they won’t make as much money. This could result in encouraging them to drive up prices, which again is an inconvenience to the consumer.

Several things could be done in order to dramatically reduce gas prices. In my opinion, increasing production would help.

We can do this by opening up more federal land for drilling in places such as North Dakota. I believe that this would bring down the price of oil because the value of the U.S. currency does not determine the price of goods that are domestically produced and sold in the United States.

According to consumerenergyreport. com, the United States imported about 58 percent of the petroleum, which includes crude oil and refined petroleum, products that we consumed during 2007. I also think that another way to go about this would be to repeal costly regulations so that oil companies would have more revenue coming in. This will encourage them to lower their prices.

As we gear up for the election season, we must ask ourselves: Do we want to fall victim to rising gas prices and a failing economy? The outcome is up to you.

April 30, 2012

OPINIONS

IRELAND -

, GONE TOMORROW Sarah Ganly

Contributing Writer

It seems that Ireland has once again become a place from where inhabitants are emigrating much like a scene from the 1980s. The driving factors behind this mass exodus are rooted in the corruption of the government. One only has to look at the likes of the ‘Irish Times’ to get a sense of the types of individuals that have led to Ireland’s demise.

Not only is Ireland politically, socially, and economically crippled, but its people are having to reevaluate the ways in which they manage their money; that is what little of it they have left. I spoke to a good friend of mine, Cliodhna Carthy, a thirtysomething career girl residing in Dublin, and she had this to say: “Ireland is a better place to like these days. The obsession with buying property, cars, new clothes, going on 3-4 holidays a year, getting a spray tan, having lavish hen/stag parties and weddings and dropping €100 at the bar without blinking an eye has calmed down and become a thing of the past, for me anyway…It’s amazing how you can get so caught up in what is going on around you without even realizing it. For me it was normal to spend €25 on a blow dry and €30 on a new piece of clothing every time I went out on a Saturday night, and I went out regularly. I often came home feeling like I hadn’t had a really great night and that I’d spent a lot of money. It was also normal to go away for weekends on regular basis and spend a small fortune on petrol, accommodation, food, drink, and the rest and come home with a raging hangover.”

The former Celtic Tiger created an illusion that it was “ok” for people to throw their earnings away on impractical things, yet it has now come to light that such financial carelessness has left the citizens of Ireland ‘in the red.’

It hasn’t helped that the politically corrupt forces in Ireland have only become richer in stark contrast to the ‘working poor’ lay people. For instance,

Bertie Ahern, the once Taoiseach, has now been removed from his position as a result of taking bribes. He is not alone in this.

Several prominent political figures have been exposed as proponents of cronyism and they too have been expelled from Finna Fail following the publication of The Mahon Tribunal’s findings. Speaking to my own mother who works as a civil servant and whose salary, as well as benefits are always being cut, it seems the higher-up civil servants, bankers, farmers, and upper class aren’t penalized, and that is a grave injustice. The working class people of Ireland have never been more vulnerable given the many different issues they face.

Emigration rates are mirroring those of the 1980s. According to the Irish Times, most Irish emigrants are heading to Australia, followed by the UK, and Canada. My aforementioned friend, Cliodhna, had more to say about this issue:

“For me, it took going to live in another city (Vancouver) to realize that there is a less materialistic way to live, and a better way to live! In Vancouver I was practically on minimum wage for the year I lived there. I was able to do everything I wanted. Hiking in the mountains was free as was running along sea wall. I went to parties in people’s houses where we brought our own drinks and did pot luck (everyone brings one dish and you have a lovely dinner together).

Now that I’m back in Ireland I’m trying to live the way I did when I was traveling and I definitely think it’s made me a happier person.” There are only positive aspects associated with emigrating from Ireland nowadays it seems. I personally feel that coming to America from Ireland myself has positively shaped me into the person that I am today.

A more physically noticeable issue in Ireland is the major housing crisis problem.

During the boom time of the Celtic Tiger, houses were being built haphazardly which has resulted in so called ‘Ghost Estates.’ These are housing estates that have been left desolate and cannot be sold.

Irish people who did buy property during the boom time, for the most part, are in ‘negative equity’ and they cannot resell their properties. Faulty properties that were built quickly to meet demand during the boom time have now been exposed as uninhabitable. The property dwellers are much like cattle being shuffled to hotels while remedial works are being carried out on their former abodes. Overall, I find it to be a very grim picture in Ireland and it seems as if there is a lack of accountability and blame for what was once known as the ‘Celtic Tiger.’ According to the an article in the New York Times, ‘Ghost Estates’ are “Communities in Ireland where more than half of homes are vacant or incomplete... the emptiness symbolizes the country’s degrading economic situation. But it goes beyond visual representation. The estates have had a very physical effect on the face of the open landscape.”

In what looks to be a post apocalyptic scene the corruption and greed of Ireland’s elite has merely manifested itself, which is the main problem this country currently faces. It is sadly interesting to note that death of young people, in particular, from suicide is at an all time high.

Emigration seems like the only option for many. My friend Cliodhna sums it up pretty well: “In terms of the bigger picture and how people in Ireland in general are feeling, I think those in their 20s will keep leaving, they’ll go for a year or two anyway. Michael Noonan the minister for finance said young people were leaving due to lifestyle choices, it’s not all driven by unemployment, I think he’s totally right. Irish people have a huge appetite for travel which is a wonderful thing.

However I think it’s also sad but true that we’ll have a better lifestyle abroad. I think I’ve become one of those people who spent a year living away from Ireland and now I just feel disappointed about so much about this country.”

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STYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

14

April 30, 2012

STEP INTO SPRING Nicole Arzoomanian Staff Writer

The best part about the emergence of Spring, besides the fantastic weather, is the obligatory shopping sprees. Once the chill of February and March has gone, you look through your closet and decide that none of the clothes or shoes that you already possess seem suitable for this upcoming season. The shoes truly do make the outfit and that’s something to keep in mind as you venture out to the mall to blow your latest paycheck on Spring trends. I’m going to fill you in on the chicest options

for your feet for this season.

To begin, I’ll introduce you to my personal favorite, Toms. This company began their One for One campaign in September 2010; for each pair of shoes they sell, they donate a pair to children in need around the world. Not only are these shoes adorable, but they’re lightweight and spring-appropriate. Coming in all different styles, you can choose a plain,

a solid color, or a lacy design. I recently bought my first pair and I love my Toms.

I played it safe and bought a plain black pair, so I could wear them with anything.

They cost about $50.00, but keep in mind you are essentially buying two pairs of shoes: one for yourself, and one for a child in need. I definitely recommend Toms for a cute spring shoe.

Next up, are moccasins: my go-to shoe for almost every occasion. My favorite brand is Minnetonka, although there are several brands that make the same kind of moccasins. Minnetonka has been in business since 1946, so clearly moccasins don’t seem to be going out of style any time soon. Like Toms, the Minnetonka moccasins range from super plain to more detailed with beading and strings. They’re comfortable and can be worn either casually with sweats or with a pair of jeans.

a purchase you won’t regret making.

You’d probably spend about $40.00 for the simplest Minnetonka moccasins.

If we’re going the athletic route, my favorite sneakers will always be Keds.

They’re completely plain, yet dainty and cute. Most of the time, I wear bright colors and patterns to celebrate the nice weather, so the simplicity of Keds work perfectly for Spring attire. Not only are they adorable, but they’re comfortable. Strappy sandals are also in this season. It seems like they’ll never go out of style. Steve Madden has such a wide variety of these flirty flats.

Target has a plethora of options as well for those shopping on a budget. Paired with a cute pair of cropped jeans or a sundress, a pair of sandals embellished with sparkly

rhinestones would complete your outfit.

Be careful not to go too strappy though; you might end up looking like a gladiator or warrior straight out of the movie 300.

There are lots of bright heels out in shoe stores now. I noticed there was a particularly wide selection in Steve Madden and DSW. A vibrant, funky wedge with a pattern or just a bunch of colors could transform your outfit from dull to extravagant instantly. There are so many great shoe styles to choose from and everyone is sure to get what they like best.

I hope everyone picks up some new pieces for the Spring and at least one pair of shoes to spice up your attire. I know any of the pairs I’ve mentioned will stop everyone dead in their tracks, pun intended!

I wear mine all the time. This is definitely

Flat Five in the Hard Rock Rising 2012 Competition Georgie Casazza

Contributing Writer

When most college students are worrying about midterms, how much money is in their bank accounts, and where the party is this weekend, a group of local guys are more fixated on writing more songs and playing more gigs.

Lead singer and bassist Andrew Romano, guitarists Chris Mizzi and Sean McIlhargy, drummer Matt Mone, and keyboardist Ricky Romano make up Flat Five, the alternative rock band from northern Rockland County. Having only come together in 2010, the band has had tremendous amount of success in a very short amount of time.

Already having played at many town and school functions, private parties, and the legendary Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, three times, Flat Five recently found themselves on the stage of The Hard Rock Café in Times Square, as a part of the Hard Rock Rising 2012 Global Battle of The Bands.

“We created band pages on all the different social media websites, like Facebook, Myspace and Reverbnation. com,” says lead singer, Romano, “From there we were introduced to many different playing opportunities. Ricky found the Hard Rock contest and signed us up and it just took off from there.”

However, it wasn’t as easy as just signing up. The first round was the initial voting, where over six hundred bands within one hundred miles of NYC submitted one song of theirs to be downloaded. Each time their

Flat Five, from left to right, Matt Mone, Ricky Romano, Chris Mizzi, Andrew Romano and Sean McIlhargy

song was downloaded, it would count as one vote. When voting ended, the top nine bands would move on to the next round.

Flat Five came in second.

“The top nine from that round got broken up into three qualifying groups, and we all had to compete in our groups of three for our chance to play in the final event,” stated Romano. “The winner of the final event gets to represent New York City in the international battle of the bands.

From there it goes to another Internet voting round with eighty-six total bands from around the world. The band to get the most votes gets to go to London and play at a venue with Bruce Springsteen.”

On March 5th, the boys competed against

Morningside Lane and Portmanteaux on the stage of the Hard Rock Café in Times Square, in front of an audience consisting of two hundred concert-goers, three judges, including Anthrax’s very own bassist, Frank Bello, and host Race Taylor, from New York’s station 95.5 PLJ. With a twenty minute set of four original songs, bracelets with their name and “We Love Our Fans!” being thrown from the stage, and enough screaming and cheering to convince anyone that Justin Beiber may be in town, it was clear of the immense talent that was unfolding. Flat Five walked out that night winning yet another round.

Friend, and faithful fan of the band, Erica Stamboulian, is not surprised at all

on how far the band has come in such a short period of time. “They’re really awesome. They are probably some of the most talented kids to come out of North Rockland High School,” she exclaims.

“I was away at school at the time, so I couldn’t be there at the concert, but we set up a UStream account, where Andrew’s younger brother filmed with his phone, and we had a live feed playing on a projector on the wall in our dorm building.”

On March 20th they competed against the two other qualifying acts, Odane Wilby and The Great Fraud, in Times Square for the ultimate prize of representing New York City in the contest. Flat Five put on an amazing 30 minute set, in front of over two hundred of their fans. They came in second in New York State, out of 640 bands. Although upset they didn’t win, Romano assured me this isn’t the end of Flat Five. “We’re writing some new tunes and trying to play as many places as possible. We just want to have fun.”

You would be shocked to learn that most of the year, the band isn’t even physically together. Four out of the five members are full time students; Andrew being away at University at Buffalo, Chris as Cornell University, Sean at St. Thomas Aquinas, and Matt at SUNY Rockland.

Ricky recently graduated from Potsdam and works at Frankel Green Theatrical Company.

“Everybody says that they want to do something to affect somebody else in a positive way, and when someone is singing along with you to a song you wrote, you know you’ve done that,” confesses Romano, “And that’s awesome.”

April 30, 2012

STYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

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WHY WE LOVE... just the easy application that sucked me in.

I absolutely loved the Union Jack design on my nails and it was a great conversation starter. One set will last you about ten days and cost you around $10. It was a great alternative to polish for a trend setter on the go with likes to change it up without the nail appointments.

Elizabeth Maze

Managing Editor

With the warmer weather coming and wardrobes shifting to get ready for the new Spring trends, it is time your beauty regimen updated as well. Wearing the right makeup and using the right products can make all the difference and give you that little boost of confidence that everyone needs and deserves.

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick As cliché as it may sound, a great lipstick makes a great woman. There is

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long-Wear Flawless Fluid Makeup with SPF 10 The one thing when it comes to makeup that always acts as a stressor is finding the right foundation. The right shade and the right type will help enhance your

Chanel Joues Contrast Powder Blush Sick of the drugstore blushes that went on chalky and left me looking like a clown, I decided to buy some new blush when I bought my foundation. Just after the first application in the makeup chair, I was sold. It went on perfectly, leaving me with a natural glow that left me looking healthy, not painted. Chanel’s makeup site says that its “unique powder blusher offers buildable coverage, from natural to dramatic, and imparts a flattering radiance to cheeks” and its “remarkably silky texture ensures easy application of seamless color. Applied high on the cheekbone, or near the eyes, it instantly ‘lifts’ and softens the face for a more youthful look.” It too is a bit on the pricy side but, like the foundation, it lasts a while and gives you consistently great results. This purchase is less of a splurge and more of an investment.

complexion and your look. Fearful of makeup lines and unwilling to settle, I took my chances and headed to the Chanel makeup counter in Lord and Taylors. The consultant quickly took in my complexion and asked a few simple questions before zoning in on this amazing foundation.

According to the Chanel makeup site, this foundation is “effortless to apply, with seamless blendability for a naturally flawless effect” and a “breakthrough foundation is the ideal all-day, everyday formula – suitable for all skin types in a diverse range of 20 shades.” Not only does it go on perfectly for smooth, overall coverage, it smells great. I would never think foundation would be able to smell so clean and, to be honest, better than half of the perfumes I’ve tried. It is a bit on the pricy side, but you are honestly paying for the great quality and even better results.

I would definitely recommend this if you are looking to find something worth the buy again and again.

London’s nail art in Union Jack. It presses something about finding that perfect shade and putting it on for that little boost to your day. Makeup Forever’s Rogue Artist Natural Lipstick is no exception. It has an ultra-creamy formula that leaves behind a soft and natural finish. According to the Sephora page, this lipstick is “enriched with nourishing properties” and “keeps lips hydrated for eight hours after application.

Its incredibly smooth texture glides on effortlessly for ultimate comfort while also leaving the lips supple and moisturized.

Formulated with mother-of-pearl and colorful pigments, Rouge Artist Natural’s translucent shine adds a natural sheen to the lips.” It is a great, simple lipstick when you want a little extra something without full color commitment.

Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil Regardless the season, it is absolutely essential to keep a great lip balm handy so your lips look smooth and healthy. For around $3 at most stores, this lip balm smells great and leaves your lips looking great. It isn’t a heavy duty formula, but rather light weight and natural. The site says the balm will, “give your thirsty lips a whole lot of love with our lip balm with antioxidant-rich Pomegranate Oil. 100% natural, it happily hydrates and revitalizes your lips with a hint of color for an even, beautifully toned appearance.” Your lips will thank you after this purchase, I promise.

Rimmel London Press On Nail Art in Union Jack Painting your nails or getting scheduled manicures can be bothersome. A new craze in this Spring’s fashion scene is the lovely and convenient press on nails. With all the options, it is so easy to get overwhelmed and just opt for the traditional polish.

A personal favorite of mine is Rimmel

on easily and you just neatly rub off the excess with a nail file. However, it wasn’t

STYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

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April 30, 2012

BAD MOVIE CASTING And the Razzie Goes to . . . . . . . the Worst Actors in Hollywood!

Erin O’Brien

Contributing Writer

Every year, Hollywood spends billions, if not trillions, of dollars promoting films that include some of the worst actors and actresses in the entertainment industry.

However, the question that remains is “why?” Some of the most talented minds in the business can put together an amazing movie script filled with depth and excitement, spend a great deal of time and money on production, and find a prominent director, only to kill the project before it even begins with bizarre and dreadful actors who never give the story a chance to come to life.

It seems that those stars and starlets that have managed to garner the most media coverage over the last year end up with more high profile roles than other, higher

caliber, actors who have kept a low profile.

For instance, Blake Lively of Gossip Girl was cast as Krista Coughlin (bottom first picture) in Ben Affleck’s 2010 drama “The Town” over actress Taryn Manning (bottom forth picture) who has been nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.

The only advantage of casting Lively over Manning is her propensity to end up in the tabloids because she is dating yet another famous actor, musician, or even athlete. The only award that Lively has ever been nominated for in relation to her acting ability is a Golden Raspberry Award also known as a “Razzie”.

The Golden Raspberry “Razzie” Awards are awards given out annually as recognition for a motion picture that had a poor outcome due to poor writing, directing, acting, or production. Although this award ceremony is intended to celebrate the worst that the entertainment industry has to offer, the nominees are usually some of the most famous people in

Hollywood and appear in some of the most popular and highest grossing films of the previous year.

The Michael Bay trilogy “Transformers” seems to be extremely eager to follow this confusing casting trend. All three films have starred actresses who are better known for their looks than any role they have ever taken. First Megan Fox (bottom second picture), and later Rosie Huntington-Whitley (bottom third picture) played the role of the film series’ star Shia LaBeouf’s on-screen girlfriend.

The problem with these two casting choices is that neither one of these women are really actresses at all. In fact, they’re both extremely well known models and both Fox and Huntington-Whitley have made headlines for their high profile relationships with Brian Austin Green and Jason Statham respectively. Casting directors for the series could have gone with someone who was a real actress, had never been nominated for a Razzie, and was beautiful, but for Hollywood, one out

of three isn’t bad.

There is also the possibility that the casting process might be skewed in an attempt to please others who are involved in the project and would like a say. It’s clear that some directors and producers prefer to work with certain actors and actresses on a repeating basis, typically, of their own admission, due to the performer’s likeability and on set chemistry, as opposed to their actual acting talent and ability to carry a film.

It is possible that some of the lesser talented actors and actresses on Hollywood are better looking than the Academy Award worthy ones, but that still seems like an inadequate excuse. It’s possible that if the entertainment industry keeps looking than there will eventually be an end to horrible acting, but until then, when we go to the movies, we will just have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.

In the meantime, who do you think is the worst or simply most miscast actor in Hollywood today?

SCIENCE & HEALTH

April 30, 2012

17

SLEEP P ATTERNS Michael Rosa

Contributing Writer

Although the nature of people’s illnesses may be present in sleep patterns, researchers have concluded that health conditions may not be directly related to sleep patterns. Surrey research center in the U.K. concluded that age is the direct result of how people sleep. In addition, researchers have also found that as you get older the workload is a lot less strenuous as you age than it is when you are starting to begin your career. Additionally, it is interesting to know that elderly people are the ones that end up with the best sleep out of the spectrums of all ages. But in order to undercover this, we must look at the intricate details.

So in translation, this means that older people are likely to get more sleep than people who have worker’s syndrome, because the body’s internal clock has been activated to wake up at certain times.

While the internal clock of an older person is still active, it is just they show overall better sleep because of overall mood, as well less stress on their part upon other things. A professor from the university of Pennsylvania have found the opposite of what professor Derk-Jan Dijk saying that although sleep patterns have change in accordance to older age, he argued that even though sleep is worse in geriatrics , it is just that older people show a better mood for sleep than most other people.

While on the other hand Derk-jan Dijk believes that the position to sleep well is directly related to the mood at time. For example “If you are angry because your boss didn’t give you a pay rise, your perception of sleep quality may be very different from someone who is feeling generally content.” In addition we must also take into consideration the other effects of sleep deprivation, as well as causes that result in poor sleep or abnormal sleep patterns. People who have gastrointestinal tract problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, or even difficulty eating disorders, could prevent sleep from being more likely to be absent in these stages. Or even the unbalanced regulation of diabetes can be also a result of poor sleep because the body needs to process constant energy even while sleeping. And if the cells cannot receive insulin, they will ultimately die.

Even though this may be a life threatening

problem, it can be addressed simply by taking insulin.

In another study related to this topic, people who suffer from sleep deprivation, are the ones who can suffer from severe consequences such as type 2 diabetes.

Doctors believe that this is caused by since the body cannot repair itself as would do while sleeping. It becomes more receptive to losing the ability to obtain glucagon from the cells. It cannot receive the sugars it needs to runs the cells making it impossible for the body to create it’s own energy. In some extreme cases, the body could damage other tissues in the body for other sources of energy which can lead to lost limbs, or even organ failure.

That is why it is important to know that not only the mood of sleep is important, but how much sleep has to contribute to our everyday life. Some people may argue that people who do not exercise are at the highest risk of disorders. Although this may be true to an extent, the body system needs a balance of nutrients, water, sleep, and exercise to keep not only the mechanical action working, but also the chemical action.

And even though mood is the main reason why people find it difficult to sleep, if we keep a balance of this cycle it would be less likely to occur in people who balance their life out. But the study also argues that elderly people are the ones who are the highest amongst other people to receive the best sleep. Due to the fact that the workload and other contributing factors most of the time is off their hands and they focus more on their own sleep.

Age and condition average amount of sleep per day Newborn up to 18 hours 1–12 months 14–18 hours 1–3 years 12–15 hours 3–5 years 11–13 hours 5–12 years 9–11 hours Adolescents 9–10 hours[33] Adults, including elderly 7–8 hours Pregnant women 8(+) hours This chart shows the activity that occurs, in a healthy adult, however this factors may be induced by changed in environment, as well as the physical and mental health of the person. This is simply a diagram of how it functions, but consideration should be taken when using it as a representation.

SCIENCE & HEALTH

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April 30, 2012

Taking Control of Our Future The importance of today’s decisions for tomorrow

Lorinda Hill

Special to outlook

I was going to continue the theme of the last couple of articles, progressing from water to food, but a recent experience at a sustainability conference and the impending end of the school year, has led me in a different direction. Everyone should have an experience that shakes what they thought they knew to its core at least once in their life. It keeps you on your toes and opens up new avenues for thought.

I’d like you to take a look online at a show called Earth 2050. It shows what life will be like in the future if we don’t fix what we’re doing to the environment today.

Watch it in the context of environmental equality and justice and while you’re watching, think about where we are now, what we do, where and how we do it.

It has been said that no society can truly be sustainable until there is environmental equality and justice for all. I tend to believe there is some truth to that assertion. Look at where we site things like power plants, landfills, and waste or energy plants. Do all segments of a community have the same access to resources in the event of an emergency? Watch Earth 2050, and think about it in terms of how we develop communities.

We all know the basics - The 3 R’s, precycling, composting, etc.

We all now know restoring and preserving the planet for future generations is the job of every generation. Sustainability, in its identity crisis, now looks to the future of planetary stewardship and, in doing so, contemplates the beginning of the move from mitigation to adaptation. That means we as individuals and as communities need to begin rethinking where and how we develop our town and cities. It’s critical we consider how we distribute our natural

resources and whether we can continue to squander them in our quest for domination over food, water, power, and other necessary but finite resources.

So while you’re enjoying your summer, take a moment and find the film online called Earth 2050. It shows what can happen if we get it wrong and ways in which we can get it right. Think about rights and responsibilities: the rights of the individual today vs. the rights of a community and the rights of our children and grandchildren that we may be putting in jeopardy and the responsibilities each

group has to the future.

Do we have the right, based on income and political influence, to damage the lifestyle of one demographic over another because of the resources that group may not have available to them? Everyone is entitled to clean air, pure water, and healthy food that hasn’t had its DNA messed with.

We are at a crossroads. To borrow a line from a popular movie, soon everyone will have to choose between doing what’s right and what’s easy. Think about where you want to be now and in the future.

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ADELPHI.EDU/HUDSONVALLEY

April 30, 2012

SCIENCE & HEALTH

Ayurvedic Philosophy Mind + Body + Spirit = Health

Gina Duncan

STAFF WRITER

Ayurveda is a science devoted to balancing the mind in relation to the body. Thousands of years ago, Ayurveda was developed as a system for diagnosing imbalances in the body and mind in the form of illness, disease, and other symptoms of discomfort as well as treating those imbalances through the use of herbal medicine, treatments, and other natural remedies.

The traditions of Ayurveda, originating in the country of India, teach us that we must pursue health not just through attaining proper functioning of the body, but that we must combine physical health with mental health, a vocational contribution to society that fulfills our sense of purpose through relationships that enrich rather than encumber our lives, maintenance of a healthy environment/habitat, and a commitment to spiritual growth.

How is Ayurveda different from modern medicine?

In Ayurveda, every individual is unique and there is no diet or lifestyle routine that works for everyone.

Prevention is key: Ayurveda focuses on providing specific advice and guidance on how to maintain physical and emotional health.

Food and lifestyle routines are considered the most important medicine. If you come to an Ayurveda doctor with a complaint, you are more likely to leave with a recipe than with a prescription for pills.

How does Ayurveda work?

Ayurveda is based on the principles of three doshas. Doshas are the energies that make up every individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body: The 3 Dosha types: 1. Vata Dosha -- Energy that controls

bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking, and your heartbeat.

In balance: There is creativity and vitality.

Out of balance: Can produce fear and anxiety.

2. Pitta Dosha -- Energy that controls the body’s metabolic systems, including digestion, absorption, nutrition, and your body’s temperature.

In balance: Leads to contentment and intelligence.

Out of balance: Can cause ulcers and anger.

3. Kapha Dosha -- Energy that controls growth in the body. It supplies water to all body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system.

In balance: Expressed as love and forgiveness.

Out of balance: Can lead to insecurity and envy.

Figuring Out your Dosha . . .

The first step towards eating for your Ayurvedic constitution is to find out what your constitutional type, or dosha, is. Once you know your Ayurvedic dosha, you can balance it by learning what foods support you and what foods can further aggravate your dosha.

The specific guidelines concerning diet that Ayurveda teaches takes notice of more than nutritional value but also those factors such as the kind of processing the food underwent, its temperature, how easily and quickly it is digested, among others. I encourage you to do your own research in order to discover what dosha type you are most like.

Remember that the quality of information you read is important, so be sure to attain the majority of your reading from credible sources in order to ensure the most accurate information.

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SPORTS

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April 30, 2012

Ozzie Guillen Loves Fidel Castro?

Controversial comments hit the Miami community hard

Devon Keane

Sports Editor

Imagine this: you or someone in your family is a Cuban native seeking refuge in Miami from Dictator Fidel Castro. Your favorite baseball team, the Miami Marlins, is entering a season full of hype because of an eventful off-season that led to a new name, new stadium, new manager, and new players.

You are looking forward to an exciting

the heart.

Ozzie Guillen, manager of the Miami Marlins, was quoted in Time magazine

season, but it suddenly hits a bump in the road during the first week. The new manager of your favorite team says he loves Fidel Castro. Talk about a blow to

saying, “I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that [SOB] is still here.”

This statement, days after Ozzie said he gets drunk after every game because it is part of his routine, shell shocked the Miami community. Miami is a predominantly Cuban community, so a remark like that really sent a feeling of betrayal throughout the community.

The Miami Marlins acknowledged how serious the statement was and took immediate action by suspending the manager for five games. Ozzie Guillen apologized to the city of Miami and his players, too. According to ESPN’s translation of his apology in Spanish, Guillen said, “I feel like I betrayed my Latin community. I am here to say I am sorry with my heart in my hands, and I

want to say I’m sorry to all those people who are hurt indirectly or directly.”

The Marlins organization also came out and stated, “There is nothing to respect about Fidel Castro. He is a brutal dictator who has caused unthinkable pain for more than 50 years. We live in a community filled with victims of this dictatorship, and the people in Cuba continue to suffer today.”

No matter how big or sincere the apology, the wound is still going to sting within the Miami community. They may be able to move on, but they certainly will not forget what Ozzie said. The only way to shadow these senseless comments is to win. The Marlins have to win so they can gain back their fans’ support.

THE ROCKLAND BOULDERS Jason Segall

Special to Outlook

The Rockland Boulders are Rockland County’s newest baseball team. The Boulders and Provident Bank Park staff are getting ready for their second season of baseball. Provident Bank Park is located off exit 10 of the Palisades Parkway in Pomona, New York.

Last season was both The Boulders and Provident Bank park’s first season. The Boulders are an independent baseball team that plays its games in the Can-Am league. The Can-Am league is an independent baseball league, which consists of five teams located throughout the Northeastern United States and Canada.

This season, The Boulders will also be playing several interleague games against teams from the American Association of Independent Baseball, which is a 13-team independent league with teams across the country.

This season’s roster will be announced via press release in the

coming weeks. Many of the players will remain the same, with some new free agents being brought in. If you would like to try-out for the Boulders, they are hosting open tryouts May 5 at Provident Bank Ballpark.

Provident Bank Park is an affordable and safe way to take a family for a night out. We like to make a night at the ballpark affordable for families in the lower Hudson valley and Bergen county,” said Seth Cantor, the corporate sales manager for The Boulders, as well as their radio broadcaster.”

According to Cantor, this season, The Boulders are having many promotional nights to help make you want to come back to the ballpark. They are giving away items such as minibats, backpacks, and baseball caps. After games on Thursday and Saturday, there will be a fireworks display. There will be different themes for different games

throughout the season this year. Kids under 12 will eat free on Monday nights, and the first 1000 fans on Thursdays will receive Provident Bank piggybanks with money inside of them. There will be dollar beers on Friday nights, and kids under 14 will have the opportunity to run the bases after games on Saturdays. They will also have many different heritage nights throughout the season.

Last season, The Boulders drew approximately 123,000 fans. This year, they are confident that they will draw over 150,000, according to Cantor. Part of the way they hope to do this is by drawing attention to the stadium through a summer concert series. On June 7, Colbie Caillat and Gavin Degraw are performing. “I think it’s great for the community that they are able to bring in such great stars for a concert,”

During games, they will continue having different races and competitions on the field with the opportunity to win prizes.

Caroline Trugman, a 20-year-old student from New City had the opportunity to participate in one last year. “It was so much fun!” she said. “Everyone that worked there was super friendly and made me feel very comfortable on the field. It was a great experience to get cheered by thousands of people and just have a great time.”

said Jordan Naft, an 18-year-old freshman at Delaware University from New City.”

Rather than having to drive an hour to see them in the Meadowlands or the city, I can just go five minutes down the road.”

The Boulders open Provident Bank Ballpark this year on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. against the Newark Bears. For tickets, visit the Provident Bank Ballpark or purchase them on the Boulders website, www.rocklandboulders.com.

April 30, 2012

SPORTS

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BASEBALLS PARKS 10 Ballparks a Baseball Fan Should Visit

Devon Keane

Sports Editor

As a diehard baseball fan, my dream is to visit all 30 baseball parks across the country. These following ten baseball parks are definitely must sees for any baseball fan who wants to travel the nation and visit the ballparks of America’s pastime. Although I have not visited most of these parks on my list, I’ve watched enough games and researched them to create a top ten just off of features and amenities.

The first on my list is the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park. Even as a Yankee fan, I would love to see a baseball game in the oldest park in the MLB. Fenway just celebrated its 100 year anniversary on April 20th and has also sold out every game since May 15th of 2003. Fenway Park is filled with tradition and passionate fans.

The Green Monster definitely stands out as one of the top features. The 37 foot wall offers the most distinct seats in baseball, as fans have a birds-eye view of the game.

Although criticized for being a rundown facility with cramped seating, Fenway Park will still be one of baseball’s most historic ballparks.

Number two on my list is definitely one of the most beautiful parks in baseball.

Home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park is a great place to watch a baseball game. The view of the Pittsburgh Skyline is arguably the best view in any MLB ballpark. The view also includes the Roberto Clemente Bridge where fans can walk across to get to the stadium. Although it is one of the best venues in baseball, it is home to one of the worst teams which dramatically hinders attendance.

Next on my list is AT&T Park of the San Francisco Giants. AT&T Park also has one of the best views, as it sits right on the San Francisco Bay. The Coca-Cola Fan Lot is located behind the left field bleachers. It features an 80-foot long Coca-Cola Bottle, an enormous baseball glove, and a mini ball park for little kids to play. The Coca-Cola bottle has many playground slides and also lights up and bubbles when a Giants player hits a homerun. The ballpark has a Wall

of Fame and a Willie Mays statue located outside the stadium.

Yankee Stadium is definitely a must see for baseball fans. The Yankees moved from “The House that Ruth Built” to the new Yankee Stadium in 2009. It cost roughly $1.6 billion to construct as the state-of-the-art structure looks identical from the outside to the old Yankee Stadium built in 1923. Baseball fans should definitely visit Monument Park and Yankee Museum where they can admire Yankee history. Fans certainly will not be disappointed visiting Yankee Stadium, except for the empty wallet they will have after the game.

Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs, is the second oldest baseball park, just after Fenway Park. It opened in 1914 and seats approximately 41,000. Wrigley holds a lot of tradition. It is one of the most old-fashioned ballparks in America.

In fact, Wrigley didn’t even install lights until the 1988 season. The most distinct feature is the ivy that grows in the outfield.

It’s famous for rooftop seats, which are buildings surrounding the outfield of Wrigley that can see games in action. The rooftop seats are not included in the seating capacity. I would love to see a game here against its cross-town rival, the Chicago White Sox. Wrigley Field defines baseball

as America’s pastime.

Opening the same year as the new Yankee Stadium, the Mets’ Citi Field is a ballpark that uses its retro design really well. Citi Field images the old Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Jackie Robinson rotunda is breathtaking as it is the first thing you see when you walk in the main entrance. Citi Field carried over the homerun apple, which was a distinct feature from Shea Stadium. The Mets Museum is also interesting to visit.

Although it is criticized for not feeling like the home of the Mets, it is still a great, new ballpark.

Camden Yards of the Baltimore Orioles is another ballpark with a great skyline view in the outfield. Celebrating the 20 year anniversary this year, Camden Yards is the first modern ballpark built that influenced many other future ballparks.

The 1898 B&O Warehouse in right field stands out and really sets the scene in Baltimore. Fans can enjoy the game, eat, and view plaques of Oriole hall of famers from Eutaw Street, which is also behind the right field stands. It is definitely worth

the trip to visit the Babe Ruth Museum, which is just three blocks from Camden Yards.

MLB’s newest ballpark, Marlins Park, is a modern day, metro facility. This ballpark features a retractable roof, which is extremely important due to Miami’s notorious heat and rain. What’s different is it has retractable glass panels in the outfield which allow spectators to view Miami’s skyline whether the roof is open or closed. There is a $2.5 million sculpture located in centerfield, which lights up and twirls whenever a Marlins player hits a homerun. The ballpark has a club with a pool called the Clevelander. There are also two huge aquariums on the backstop. This

ballpark is definitely extremely vibrant and was not going for the retro look like most new facilities.

The Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park is a unique type of ballpark. It also features a retractable roof that keeps out the heat during those hot summer days.

You can enter the ballpark through the Union Station that used to be there before the stadium was built. There’s a locomotive train that runs across the left field wall whenever an Astros player hits a homerun or the Astros win the game in honor of Union Station. Tal’s Hill, the incline located in centerfield with a flagpole in play, also adds a distinct feature to Minute Maid Park.

Busch Stadium, home to the St. Louis Cardinals, is the last ballpark on the list but certainly not least. It opened in 2006 and has a seating capacity of 46,700.

Busch Stadium is another ballpark with a remarkable skyline view, which displays downtown St. Louis beyond the outfield, and the renowned Gateway Arch. Statues of Stan “The Man” Musial and other Cardinal legends are located throughout the ballpark.

Although I’ve watched many games of these ballparks on TV, it is important to acknowledge that the atmosphere of the game has a large role towards a fan’s experience. My opinions of these ballparks may change if I get the chance to visit all of them and experience them in person.

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OPINIONS

FUNNY PAGES

April 30, 2012