Commentary: “Unliking” social media. See PG. 33 Check out deals of the day on our Facebook page. Visit ColumbiaChronicle.com to find out more.
WEEKS REMAINING FALL 2012
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION Chipotle workers fight back
September 24, 2012
12 weeks left
VOLUME 48, ISSUE 4
Acclaimed alumni to visit Columbia
by Ivana Hester
Assistant Campus Editor Celebrity speakers will highlight grad weekend with writing panel WITH THE FIFTH annual Alumni
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Alumni Dino Stamatopoulos ‘87 (left) and Mark Protosevich ‘83 (right) will be joined by Art Baltazar ‘92 for an Alumni Weekend writing panel Sept. 29.
Housing deception Residents of Chicago public housing seek answers to CHA ruling by Austin Montgomery Assistant Metro Editor
EVEN AS THE housing market slow-
ly revives throughout the country, Chicago’s publicly funded housing developments continue to struggle. Members of the city’s public housing community came together to speak out against the Chicago Housing Authority’s redevelopment plan at a Sept. 12 board meeting at CHA headquarters, 60 E. Van Buren St. The Far South Side housing complex Altgeld Gardens has become a shell of its former self, and
CAMPUS
its homes have fallen into disrepair, according to Cheryl Johnson, executive director of People for Community Recovery, an organization that seeks to ensure proper environmental conditions for Altgeld residents. “The CHA is talking about drastically changing our community’s quality of life,” Johnson said. “As a resident and as a community activist, we need to take the initiative to create our own plan to present to the CHA because it is time to have our own voice.” According to Johnson, 648 housing units are scheduled to be demolished by 2014, and the CHA has yet to inform the 1,300 current residents of their relocation. A 2011 report issued by the CHA claimed the housing units destined for demolition are vacant because they’re in disrepair and would fall into legal dispute if sold to a xx SEE HOUSING, PG. 39
SPORTS & HEALTH
Weekend right around the corner Sept. 27–30, students and parents’ will have the opportunity to meet some of Columbia’s successful graduates and former students. Highlighted events include a Sept. 29 writing panel featuring some of Columbia’s most accomplished alumni. Dino Stamatopoulos, Art Baltazar and Mark Protosevich are all working in careers they dreamt of as kids. Stamatopoulos, known for his role as Starburns in NBC’s sitcom “Community,” which he also wrote for, began his career while attending Columbia in 1987. During those early years, he wrote and starred in
a comedy act with Andy Dick, also an alumnus. He later had a hand in writing and producing a number of shows, including “The Ben Stiller Show,” “TV Funhouse” and “Moral Orel.” Baltazar is a comic guru and two-time Eisner Award winner for comics, who graduated in 1992. He is most known for the comic “Tiny Titans,” which he creates in his art studio, Electric Milk Creations. He currently produces work for DC Comics, Disney and Mattel. Protosevich is a Hollywood screenwriter and producer who has worked on “The Cell,” “I Am Legend” and “Thor.” After graduating in 1983, he taught at the college for four years. The Chronicle talked with these alumni to find out how their time at Columbia helped prepare them for their careers and what advice they have for current students. xx SEE ALUMNI, PG. 10
Acro-Cat-ics dazzle Chicago by Trevor Ballanger
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor CIRCUSES OFTEN BRING to mind bears, lions and elephants, but Chicago’s own Acro-Cats is proving pussy performers can be just as captivating. Ringleader and trainer Samantha Martin’s unique troupe of 13 housecats has been jumping through hoops, pretending to play musical instruments and ringing bells around the country for the past seven years. The feline stars have been trained to perform tasks in exchange for treats. When the sound of a clicker is paired with a treat, the cats understand they’ve done something that warrants a reward. Martin said the method is often used for training dogs but has proven
ARTS & CULTURE
useful in getting the troupe to perform tricks, which is why she had the idea to take them on tour five years ago. Many of her shows are held in 500-seat theaters and often sold out. Martin attributes her success to her humane method of training. Because the cats are crate trained, they will run to their crates at the sound of a whistle, which can be useful in emergencies, she said. The cats take time during performances to interact and become familiar with the audience. Martin said her cats have individual personalities that respond dif-
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ferently to each audience. One cat has a habit of entering the audience and sniffing people, while another prefers to be petted after the show. xx SEE CATS, PG. 24
Courtesy SAMANTHA MARTIN
Campus................................................3 Sports & Health...................................13 Arts & Culture......................................19 Commentary........................................32 Metro...................................................35
US of CC votes on contract • page 3
NHL lockout becomes reality • page 16
Chicago punk scene lives • page 19
Chicagoan faces terrorism charges • page 35