The Columbia Chronicle April 2, 2012

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Spring 2012

The official news source of Columbia College Chicago

April 2, 2012

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Volume 47, Issue 26

Photos Brent Lewis THE CHRONICLE

State of the College Address

Campus Editor IN HIS first appearance before the Colum-

bia community in several months, President Warrick L. Carter gave two State of the College addresses within two days, first to a small but sporadically hostile group of students, then to a larger but more subdued audience of faculty and staff.

The student address was hosted by the Student Government Association March 21 in The Loft, 916. S. Wabash Ave. Building.

Carter delivered his 30-minute speech

to approximately 100 students, faculty and staff members. He touched on topics including: •The uniqueness of the prioritization process at the college, as “no other institution” has prioritized itself based on criteria chosen by faculty and staff; •How the college is 97 percent tuition driven; •How the college previously cut $17 million; •The college’s recruitment plan for the West Coast, Southwest, South East and China;

•How the prioritization process is still in the recommendation phase.

“What is wonderful about our comunity is that we’re smart enough to know what the word ‘recommendations’ mean,” Carter said of the prioritization process. “But in some cases, people have begun to act as if a decision has been made. I know no decisions have been made because the Board [of Trustees] and I make them.”

Justifying the tuition hike, Carter explained that a $17 million cut had been made in 2010–2011 to pay off building and other expenses from projects that

were started in 2008, when the college was more financially stable. However, he said the academic side of the college was untouched.

“We had to cut, but none of it affected you,” Carter said. “None affected Academic Affairs. Business Affairs, Institutional Advancement, [Campus] Environment, they took the cuts—$17 million worth. We can’t continue to cut our way out of this.”

He also said that every decision the college makes is for the students, including the prioritization process. xx SEE ADDRESS, PG. 9

Final stages of prioritization

Academic Team releases recommendation reports

by Heather Schröering

ALC 9% VOL

APPLE CIDER

Campus Editor WITH THE final recommendations from the

Support and Operations and Academic teams submitted, the prioritization process is winding down to its final stages.

The Academic Team’s recommendations, which will affect student and faculty life most, are on their way to President Warrick L. Carter, who will discuss them with the Board of Trustees and have the final say on the fate of Columbia’s departments and programs.Though other documents have been part of the process, the Academic Team’s recommendations are the summation and will be the primary resource for Carter’s decisions.

These include such new ideas as making Columbia admissions more selective and turning The Chronicle into an exclusively online publication.

While each team has taken into consideration all of the recommendations from vice presidents, deans and the provost, according to Don Smith, associate professor in the Film & Video Department and a member of the Academic Team committee, the Academic Team’s

Sports & Health

» PG. 16

Sara Mays THE CHRONICLE

The Academic Team reviewed all recommendations from deans and the provost before making suggestions.

report reflected other significant discrepancies from Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Louise Love’s recommendations.

Most notably, the Academic Team suggested the Center for Black Music Research “combine/restructure” its resources, as opposed to Love’s recommendation to “phase out/eliminate” the program. However, the team did keep the recommendation to “phase out/elimi-

Arts & Culture

» PG. 20

nate” the Chicago Jazz Ensemble.

Another inconsistency between reports was in the Art & Design, Dance and Photography departments. Love suggested all “combine/restructure” while the Academic Team recommended maintaining resources. Where Love suggested the Arts, Entertainment and Media Management Department would “maintain

Punch drunk fly love

by Emily Fasold

Assistant Sports & Health HUMANS AREN’T the only ones who hit

the bottle to cope with sexual frustration. According to new research from the

xx SEE PRIORITIZATION, PG. 10

Metro

Ed Kang THE CHRONICLE

by Heather Schröering

» PG. 35

xx SEE FLIES, PG. 13

Index Campus 2 Sports & Health 13

Backhand advantage Ultimate Frisbee

In the kitchen with ‘Top Chef’

CTA begins Loop construction in April

Arts & Culture 19 Commentary 32 Metro 35

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

EDITOR’S NOTE

In defense of The Chronicle IT’S BEEN no

secret that the prioritization process would rattle a few cages.

Programs that people love and have poured their

by Brianna Wellen lives into have the potential to Editor-in-Chief be compromised, and though nothing has been “set in stone,” as is the mantra of the administration these days, there are still threats. As we come to the final stages of the process, the threats seem more real than ever.

With the Academic Team’s recommendations now on their way to President Warrick L. Carter, I have to defend one program to which I have dedicated the better part of my college career: The Columbia Chronicle. The Academic Team suggests a decrease in resources, with reasoning suggesting a transition to an online publication within two years.

By suggesting this at all, a flaw in the prioritization process is highlighted: Every report that has been released up until now has suggested The Chronicle maintain its resources. Now in the final round, Carter will only have the notes of those wishing to decrease The Chronicle’s resources instead of also referencing the committees who believed resources should be maintained.

The committee created to make the decision should have evenly represented every department in the college to ensure fairness in the blueprints. No one from the Journalism Department was represented on the team, and therefore no one could have truly understood what a col-

STAFF Management Brianna Wellen Editor-in-Chief Sam Charles Managing Editor Luke Wilusz Managing Editor Ren Lahvic Ad & Business Manager Projects Vanessa Morton Special Assignments Editor Campus Heather Schröering Campus Editor Alexandra Kukulka Assistant Campus Editor Lisa Schulz Assistant Campus Editor Arts & Culture Amanda Murphy Arts & Culture Editor Trevor Ballanger Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Sophia Coleman Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Metro Kaley Fowler Metro Editor Chris Loeber Assistant Metro Editor Sports & Health Lindsey Woods Sports & Health Editor Emily Fasold Assistant Sports & Health Editor Nader Ihmoud Assistant Sports & Health Editor Commentary Gabrielle Rosas Commentary Editor

lege newspaper needs to operate and how it should move forward.

The suggestion to transition completely online is supposedly to keep up with the industry.

While there is obviously a giant shift in journalism to the Internet and multimedia, physical publications still exist and a special skill set outside the realm of digital publishing is necessary to work a publication that has both physical and online components.

As an Academic Team, those writing the recommendations should have assessed the academic value of a school newspaper.

While my classes at Columbia have been valuable, I have learned the most through the real-world experience The Chronicle has given me.

The positions available at The Chronicle are already highly competitive, and with reduced resources, there would be even fewer chances for students to experience the educational and professional value the newspaper offers.

While this subject is obviously of personal importance to me, there are plenty of other programs just as important to others that have been unfairly affected by the Academic Team’s Prioritization Blueprints. The process, while a fine idea in theory, failed to prove itself as fair and worthwhile.

Now, after an arduous year of prioritizing, it all seems for naught as the fate of all of Columbia’s programs are ultimately in Carter’s hands. Here’s hoping, for the sake of the student journalists at Columbia, he realizes the importance of a student-run newspaper.

Fiction forward

by Monica Reida

ship with a transition to a creative writing department or some other entity,” Johnson said.

ON THE first day of the 16th annual Story Although there has been a recommenWeek Festival of Writers, Buddy Guy’s Leg- dation to create a new Creative Writing ends, 700 S. Wabash Ave., was packed with Department that will be composed of the people attending the kickoff. Megan Stiels- fiction writing, creative non-fiction and tra and Bobby Biedrzycki, part-time faculty poetry programs, the college is still waitmembers of the Fiction Writing Depart- ing for decisions to be made by President ment, read a tribute to department Chair Warrick L. Carter and the board of trustees.

“We’re still waiting for an outcome Randall Albers.

The piece touched on the idea of a gather- from what seems to be a broken system,” ing storm, which Biedrzycki suggested may Johnson said.

The statement said the Fiction Writing be a metaphor for the prioritization process.

Before he even said the word “prioritiza- Department has 400 students and “some of the top retention and growth rates, often tion,” Stielstra cut him off.

After Stielstra and Biedrzycki finished outpacing the growth of the college.” In the evaluations from Eliza Nichols, dean of their piece, Albers took the stage.

“I was very surprised and, of course, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, the pleased and really incredibly moved by it,” Fiction Writing Department was recomAlbers said about the introduction. “It was mended to be reorganized or restructured.

“Based on retention and growth, stua wonderful thing for Megan and Bobby to bwellen@chroniclemail.com do … it was really thoughtful and generous.” dents come to Columbia for fiction writing based on our studentThe Fiction Writcentered reputation,” ing Department was Johnson said. “And besieged by the sudden decision that Albers’

If anything, this will that’s word of mouth, Photo high school counselcontract would not be Sara Mays Senior Photo Editor Tiela Halpin Photo Editor renewed. But March unify the faculty and students ors, college advisors Ting Shen Photo Editor 13, Louise Love, inter- even more, and we were already and faculty members Brent Lewis Photo Editor/Multimedia Editor at other colleges. We im provost and Vice pretty unified.” want to keep that posiPresident of Academic Graphics -Randall Albers Zach Stemerick Senior Graphic Designer tive buzz going.”

Affairs, reversed the Edward Kang Graphic Designer Although Story Week decision after critiDamaly Keo Graphic Designer has passed, the Fiction Writing Department cism that it seemed too much like impleHeidi Unkefer Graphic Designer mentation, as previously reported by The plans to maintain business as usual,as do the Multimedia/Web rest of the college departments threatened Chronicle on March 19.

Estefania Martinez Assistant Multimedia Editor “I have a sense that people are very happy by prioritization.

Dennis Valera Assistant Multimedia Editor “In this messy process, we revert back about the provost’s decision and also very Chris Cummings Webmaster unified,” Albers said. “If anything, this will to our strengths,” Johnson said. “We want Advertising unify the faculty and students even more, to maintain our quality and successes.

Sean Campbell Sr. Ad Account Executive Student satisfaction is at an all-time high. and we were already pretty unified.”

Sylvia Leak Ad Account Executive They really identify with the Fiction WritBut Fiction Writing Department AssociNicholas Lobberecht Ad Account Executive ate Chair Gary Johnson said the changes ing Department. We have a very strong Operations community here.” have been an emotional rollercoaster.

Allyson Abelman Operations Manager “With Randy back as chair, there’s staDrew Hunt Operations Manager chronicle@colum.edu bility moving forward with proven leaderErik Rodriguez Production Manager Senior Staff Chris Richert General Manager Jeff Lyon Faculty Adviser Stephanie Goldberg Assistant Faculty Adviser

Copy Amber Meade Copy Chief Brian Dukerschein Copy Editor Lauryn Smith Copy Editor

Contributing Writer

Correction from the March 19 issue In the story “Faculty strives for, hides transparency” it is incorrectly asserted that the Faculty Senate closed part of its March 16 meeting to discuss prioritization.

The Faculty Senate did hold a closed-door session, but it was to discuss the Senate’s response to President Warrick L. Carter’s request for feedback regarding the timetable of the provost search. The reporting error was subsequently compounded during the editing process so that the story read as though the Senate was disregarding its own commitment to transparency. The article further stated that Carter had requested Faculty Senate approval before advancing prioritization recommendations. Carter has made no such request. The Chronicle regrets these errors.

The Chronicle is a student-produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of college administrators, faculty or students.

Views expressed in this publication are those of the writer and are not the opinions of The Chronicle, Columbia’s Journalism Department or Columbia College Chicago.

The Chronicle 33 E. Congress Parkway, Suite 224 Chicago, IL. 60605-1996

All text, photos and graphics are the property of The Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission.

Letters to the editor must include full name, year, major and phone number. All letters are edited for grammar and may be cut due to a limit of space. The Chronicle holds the right to limit any one person’s submissions to three per semester.

Letters can be faxed to (312) 369-8430, emailed to Chronicle@colum.edu or mailed to The Chronicle, 33 E. Congress Parkway, Suite 224 Chicago, IL. 60605-1996.

Main line: (312) 369-8999 Advertising: (312) 369-8984 Newsroom Fax: (312) 369-8430 www.columbiachronicle.com

Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The Chronicle.

Columns are the opinions of the author(s).

Sara Mays THE CHRONICLE

Rick Kogan, senior writer and columnist at the Chicago Tribune, spoke as part of Story Week, an event introdced to Columbia by Randal Albers 16 years ago.

Campus: (312) 369-8964 Metro: (312) 369-8966 Arts & Culture: (312) 369-8975 Commentary: (312) 369-8967 Copy: (312) 369-8925 Photo: (312) 369-8978 Sports & Health: (312) 369-8970 Permission/Reproductions: (312) 369-8955 General Manager: (312) 369-8955 Faculty Adviser: (312) 369-8903

CAMPUS I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

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Story Week tells another chapter

by Lisa Schulz

Assistant Campus Editor HUNDREDS OF people swarmed Columbia’s

campus and sponsors’ venues to sit back and listen to the fictional stories, conversations, concerts and advice from faculty and featured authors.

The 16th annual Story Week Festival of Writers encompassed 21 events from March 18–23 in locations throughout Chicago. Discussion topics ranged from gender differences in literature, Q-and-A sessions, music, publishing tips and more under the theme “Surviving the American Dream.”

We want to be part of a writer’s creative life. Writing books is hard. You need someone to be on your side.”

Sara Mays THE CHRONICLE

-Eleanor Jackson

“I just want to say again how much I love Story Week,” said Bonnie Jo Campbell, the festival’s 2012 artist-in-residence and author of “Once Upon a River” and “American Salvage,” at her March 19 reading. “It’s like nothing else anywhere. We get together for a week and tell stories, hear stories, share stories and figure out how the heck to write them.”

Campbell spoke at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., at a Q-and-A session and conversation with

Eli Horowitz, editor of McSweeney’s, speaks to a crowd March 21 during the “Beyond the Dream: What It Takes to Get Published” panel at Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. The event was held in conjunction with Columbia’s Story Week Festival for Writers. Horowitz spoke on his experiences in the publishing world.

hostess Donna Seaman, a reviewer and journalist from Booklist and Chicago Public Radio. Campbell thanked Fiction Writing Department Chair Randy Albers for bringing the program to life.

Albers founded Story Week to inspire artists and make Columbia’s fiction writing program known throughout the Chicago community, he said, as reported by The

Chronicle on March 19.

Chicago Amplified, one of Story Week’s many sponsors, recorded the presentations. Other sponsors also offered venues to host the readings, including Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S. Wabash Ave.; the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; and Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., in addition to the Library Center. Campbell also read at a panel titled “Portraits of the Ameri-

can Dream: The Female in Contemporary Fiction.” Patricia McNair, Fiction Writing Department acting chair, hosted the conversation held at the Library Center with Columbia faculty writers Nami Mun, assistant professor in the Fiction Writing Department (“Miles from Nowhere”), and Samuel Park, associate professor in the English Department (“This Burns My Heart”).

Christina Sneed, a creative writing professor at DePaul and Northwestern universities, also read from her novel “Portraits of a Few of the People I’ve Made Cry.” After each five-to 10-minutes reading, discussion progressed to the gender of characters and its effect in stories. McNair said more results were found in a Google search for advice on constructing fictional male characters than female characters.

However, Mun said she does not single out gender traits when she writes.

“It’s not like I think, ‘Oh, I’m going to write a female character today,’ and put a little bow on her,” she said. “I’m just grateful any time I get a character, male or female. I’m just waiting for a character I can find. It’s like speed dating, trying to go through as many characters as possible.”

Playwright Young Jean Lee (“The Shipment”) discussed the relevance of gender in her conversation hosted by Theatre Department Chair John Green. Her new silent play, “The Untitled Feminist Show,” consists of nude dancers with “female-type” bodies, although the genders of the performers xx SEE FICTION, PG. 10

Film, video professor retires after 33 years

by Lisa Schulz Assistant Campus Editor TRADITIONAL RETIREMENTS are often sad

occasions with teary send-off speeches. At Columbia, however, they involve a review of 33 years of accomplishments in a 45-minute film of award-winning clips ranging from 1970s documentaries to comedy sketches starring Stephen Colbert.

Dan Dinello, professor in the Film & Video Department, and a distinguished scholar, journalist and author, showcased his work March 22 for faculty, staff, students, friends, family and the public in “RetireSpective: 33 Years in 45 Minutes” at Film Row Cinema in the Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. “If you removed someone like Dan Dinello from our department, you can feel an

absence of a certain voice and a certain sensibility,” said Ted Hardin, an associate professor in the Film & Video Department who first met Dinello 14 years ago at an Arizona film festival. “It’s a mixture of his sense of humor and sense of exploration, physical comedy, other kinds of peculiar stories and points of view and characters.”

Hardin said Dinello introduced courses into the Film & Video Department’s curriculum, such as “Horror Cinema,” “Music and Video,” “Zombies in Sci-Fi Cinema” and “Science Fiction Visions of Posthuman Technology,” which were instantly filled with students. Dinello also previously served as the chair of the Film & Video Department, a position in which courage is needed to ask hard questions, Hardin said.

Despite his responsibilities, Dinello also

THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS 4/2/12 4/3/12

Tiela Halpin THE CHRONICLE

Dan Dinello, retiring Film & Video Department professor and distinguished scholar, cuts cake March 22 at a reception following a show of clips of his work at Film Row Cinema in the Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave.

has a “wicked sense of humor,” Hardin Dan’s genius.” said. His son, Bryan Dinello, an editor on He had numerous projects in TV, film “The Colbert Report,” edited his retire- and writing. He directed two seasons of ment reel. The film session began with a Comedy Central’s “Strangers With Candy,” slideshow containing a hyperbole agenda with duties such as “Discuss the genesis of xx SEE RETIRE, PG. 10

4/4/12

4/5/12

4/6/12

Audio Arts & Acoustics 13th annual Edible Books Ann Silver: “One Way, City Wide Undergraduate presents: “The Matrix” & Tea Deaf Way” presentation Poetry Festival

Common Ground meeting

See “The Matrix” as part of the department’s weekly film screening. 6:30 p.m.

Create edible sculptures, sponsored by the Center For Book and Paper Arts. 6 p.m. $10

Participants will experience Ann Silver’s current deaf artwork and historical deaf art. 7 p.m.

This 13th annual festival brings writers together from 12 other colleges. 5 p.m.

Columbia’s gay-straight alliance has activities like political activism and movie nights. 2 p.m.

33 E. Congress Parkway Lower Level, Rm. 11

624 S. Michigan Ave. Columbia Library, 3rd floor

600 S. Michigan Ave. Ferguson Auditorium

600 S. Michigan Ave. Ferguson Auditorium

916 S. Michigan Ave. The Loft, 4th floor

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Three ‘EPIC’ events Environmental Protection Initiative at Columbia rescues Earth Day

by Heather Schröering Campus Editor BECAUSE THE Recycling Program will not

be hosting an Earth Day event on campus this year due to the prioritization process, the Environmental Protection Initiative at Columbia has stepped in with several plans for the week of Earth Day. According to sophomore fiction writing major and EPIC President Virginia Baker, the organization will focus during the week of April 16 on simple, everyday ways to be green and give tips on how to make these changes part of a daily routine.

“We mainly looked at what the average person does throughout the day, the main aspects of average living and what we can improve upon,” Baker said. “We wake up, we eat, we drink water, we put on clothes; things like that.”

The five topics EPIC has chosen are fashion, food, water, body care and plastic bags, according to Baker and Regina Dolza, junior film and video major. Members will distribute information on each theme to raise awareness or provide an activity to try.

Activities include a “veg pledge” that challenges participants to go vegetarian for seven days and a water taste test to raise awareness about the importance of choosing tap water over bottled water.

EPIC will also be offering tips on how to make thrift store clothing trendy and

reduce waste by using the fabric of old clothes for other purposes.

For the day devoted to plastic bags, Baker said members will give tutorials on making plastic bag crafts, such as wallets.

“We were thinking about how often people end up collecting bags,” she said.

“You run to CVS and pick up a bag, and a couple of hours later you run to Jewel and buy something. People just accumulate so many plastic bags throughout the day and throughout the week without even thinking about it.”

The group also plans to produce homemade deodorant from baking powder, essential oils and spearmint, among other natural ingredients. The group hopes to sell the product the event to draw attention to the harmful additives like aluminum that are found in antiperspirants and deodorants.

Baker and Dolza said all information, including a survival guide for those participating in the Veg Pledge, steps for creating plastic bag crafts and the recipe for the homemade deodorant, will be compiled in a zine.

EPIC is also planning a collaborative event April 3 with students from Loyola University Chicago and the University of Chicago at the Illinois Student Environmental Coalition, 35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1600. The event, called World Water Day, will raise awareness of water-related issues,

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including local situations that could affect public water systems, according to Baker.

She said private companies are pushing to gain control of water systems, which could raise water rates.

The event will also focus on water safety and water abundance, according to Dolza.

“This is an issue that’s going to be very important in just a matter of years,” Dolza said. “These are all issues we need to start thinking about now in order to plan, and something people really need to start xx SEE EPIC, PG. 12

CAMPUS I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD TAYLOR MALLORY

Alum talks music industry, gives advice Once a month, The Chronicle profiles people on campus who are doing interesting or important things.

We’re always watching for faculty, staff and students with a story to tell. Here’s someone you should know.

by Alexandra Kukulka Assistant Campus Editor TAYLOR MALLORY’S father noticed his son’s

musical talent when he was singing in the laundry room at 5 years old. Soon, it was evident to the Mallory family that their son had a unique ability no one else in the family had. Later on, Mallory decided to start a contemporary gospel band called The Boys with a few of his church friends.

Mallory graduated from Columbia in December 2009 with a degree in arts, entertainment and media management and has been busy in the entertainment industry with Level Next Music and Lily’s Talent Agency ever since. He has had the opportunity to write, produce and sing songs as well as a video jockey for Akoo TV, created his own music and food show and act in commercials.

The Chronicle sat down with him to talk about his start in music, his accomplishments and his advice to students.

The Chronicle: In what ways did your group, The Boys, help you get to where you are today?

ing about someone [who] really does it for you.The person [who] makes you smile.The person [who] motivates you. The person [who] makes you just want to get up in the morning and live your life. It is more than, “I love you.” There is a lyric in the song that says, “He who finds a wife shall find a good thing.” It is like he who finds that great quality in a person.That would be the person you would marry.

The Chronicle: How did you get the chance to be on Akoo TV? TM: I have been with Akoo TV for about a year now. I got that through my talent agency, Lily’s. It is the largest out-of-home television network in the country. It reaches about 44 million viewers, and it is really unique because they put it in shopping malls and universities. There is a station here at the University Center. Basically, I am a video jockey. I do introductions to music videos. I do scoops, news and information.

We give out really cool hookups and prizes.

I think they just gave out an iPad and a $100 gift card.

The Chronicle: How did your show “Music Burger” come about?

TM: “Music Burger” is a food and music entertainment show. I like to put food and entertainment all under one bun. I started that about two years [ago]. I really do love to cook.That is a part of my artistry, too. I said, “Why not teach people how to eat really great food while bringing on some local Chicago talent and presenting it to people?”

Taylor Mallory: That is really where I got my start, and I have never looked back.

We used to have intense rehearsals. Our management at that time really taught us The Chronicle: What do you do on discipline, which is really the key to my the show? artistry today.

TM: It is basically like a cooking tutorial.

The Chronicle: What inspired your latest One of the episodes I did a quesadilla burger. song, “You Do It”?

The second episode, I had Cajun style red beans and rice. With the whole mix of red TM: The song “You Do It” is really just talk- beans and rice, I brought in a disc jockey

Tiela Halpin THE CHRONCILE

Taylor Mallory began his singing career in a contemporary gospel group called The Boys with four of his church friends. The Boys stands for Believers of Yahweh Sing.

Tiela Halpin THE CHRONICLE

Columbia alumnus Taylor Mallory is a singer, actor and entertainer who recently released a new single, “You Do It.” He is also a video jockey for Akoo TV and created his own show called “Music Burger,” which teaches viewers to cook and introduces them to new artists.

who mixes. I just show them how to cook other outside of music. And if I did not have and then I bring on an artist to perform. the support system from my parents that would be very hard because I feel that in The Chronicle: How do you like being this type of industry, it is risky. They have in commercials? stuck with me and I feel like that is how I don’t lose myself.

TM: The first commercial I did with the American Forces Network was spoken The Chronicle: What advice can you give word. It is interesting because I incorporate students who are balancing different spoken word into my performances when art forms?

I sing. That piece was really cool. I got a chance to actually be myself on camera.

TM: I encourage any student who is having that struggle of, “Oh, I want to do this, I The Chronicle: How do you balance all of want to do that,” to [do] a self-evaluation these art forms? of what [they] really want to do and what is realistic. I always say, “Make your passion TM: I think that throughout this whole your profession.” Whatever you have pasexperience, the balance is my spirituality. sion for is what you should be doing. I know I feel like with me doing music and acting, that when you are in college, you are still that’s great. But if my spirit is not right, trying to figure it out, but I just encourage then all that stuff is imbalanced. Every any student to go through the journey and morning, before I do anything, I listen to experience the college life and the network Joyce Meyer, a Christian speaker, and I try here at Columbia and find [your] passion. to get into my world. I must say that my team, Level Next Music, all support each akukulka@chroniclemail.com

CAMPUS I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE 

Lead support for this exhibition is generously provided by Howard and Donna Stone.

Major support is provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Additional support is provided by the Neisser Family Fund, Jill and Peter Kraus, the Robert Lehman Foundation Inc., the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, and Greene Naftali, New York.

2012 15,

Leonor Antunes. walk around there. look through here, 2010. Installation view at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina SofĂ­a, Madrid. Photo: Joaquin Cortes

April Closes

Works from the MCA Collection

Official Airline of MCA Chicago

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Droppin’ $cience, then and now Columbia’s comedy troupe wins National College Improv Tournament, new opportunities

by Alexandra Kukulka Assistant Campus Editor “SCUBA DIVING!” yells someone in the audi-

ence. A member of Droppin’ $cience, Columbia’s improv troupe, steps onto center stage and acts like a crab at the bottom of the ocean. Another player recognizes this and becomes a scuba diver looking at the deepsea creature. Others respond as fishermen and other ocean animals.

performance,” said Kenny Metroff, one of the team’s coaches. “It was very nice to see them take everything we have been working on and apply it all on a competitive stage.”

According to Metroff, the team was thrilled with the reward, which capped four years of hard work and five months of playoffs.

After beating 16 teams at regionals last November, the 10-member troupe com-

really become a stronger team, and what I think it comes down to is we have become a closer team,” Davis said. “A lot of us have been on this team for three or four years, and we have become very close friends. So whenever we go on stage, we are playing with our best friends.”

The hard part is when the team has to say goodbye to graduating members, Davis added. But new members will be brought in to fill the open spots.

According to Jirak, the team normally looks for new recruits in the fall, but this year waited until the spring semester to hold auditions after realizing that

four members would be graduating.

“For the first time, we have had the opportunity to really work with a small, dedicated group that we knew would show up,” Metroff said. “We wanted to see how they would develop, given the opportunity for more stage time.”

The new members are freshmen Josh Decker and Terrence Carey, both theatre majors, along with transfer students Nick Jester, music major, and Mike Cullen, television major. According to Jirak, they did not participate in the national tournament xx SEE IMPROV, PG. 12

I was very pleased with [the team’s] performance. It was very nice to see them take everything we have been working on and apply it all on a competitive stage.”

—Kenny Metroff

peted against four teams in the semi-final round and won, said co-captain Tyler Davis, junior journalism major.

This is not the first time the team has made it to nationals. According to cocaptain Jamie Jirak, junior film and video major, the team won regionals and placed third in the national tournament last year. “[During] the past two years, we have

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By Jonathan Sherman

w e d n e s day, apr il 4 , 2 0 1 2 f ilm r o w cinema

1 1 0 4 s o ut h w abash, 8 t h floor

photo: Sarah FauSt

Sara Mays THE CHRONICLE

Jamie Jirak (left) and Harrison O’Neal of Droppin’ $cience, Columbia’s improv team, perform at a recent show. The troope performs Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. at Studio BE, 3110 N. Sheffield Ave.

F ILMFeStIVaL

This was the final scene Droppin’ $cience performed at the National College Improv Tournament held March 10 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., where they beat 126 competing college teams. The win presents the group with new opportunities and four new members who were brought on after the regional competition.

“I was very pleased with [the team’s]

r ecept ion 5 :3 0 pm

a wa rd s will b e pres ented

food and bever ages w ill b e s erved

free a d mis s ion

fest ival scr eening 6 :0 0 pm

CAMPUS I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

xx ADDRESS

Continued from Front Page

Though Carter said the prioritization process is student-centered, no student—except those in SGA recently—has been consulted about decisions that will be made in the process. Prior to an email sent March 14 to the student body from Carter, no formal communication had been directed to students from the administration, as previously reported

by The Chronicle on March 19.

But it was Carter’s explanation for the China recruitment strategy, in which he illustrated with a quote from a famous American bank robber, that sparked the first angry response from a student during the Q-and-A session after the speech.

“Why do you rob banks? [Willie Sutton] said, ‘Because that’s where the money is,’” Carter said. “So when people ask us, ‘Why do you go to China?’ We say, ‘That’s where the people are.’”

A student present at the address accused the president of doing the same to students.

“It was ironic that you mention robbing a bank,” the student blurted. “Disguised by your fancy words and your statistics, that is essentially what you are doing to the students who sit here and pay that salary for you, who pay for your vacation.”

From that point on, the tone of the students’ questions became increasingly more contentious, culminating in a comment from a student who claimed to be homeless and asked, “What are you going to do, man?”

During the exchange, Carter lost his cool when a student interrupted him by shouting out a question from the audience, to which Carter told the student to “shut up.”

However, he apologized for his reaction at the end of the session and promised the

college would attempt to find housing for the homeless student.

One student pointed out that 1,500 signatures of students who felt they have not been involved in the process were collected within three days.The student asked Carter how the prioritization process can be considered inclusive and transparent when students have been left out.

His response was simply, “Because we feel that is has been.” This stirred the audience, and a student was even removed from the forum when he shouted profanities at Carter.

According to SGA President Cassandra Norris, SGA has had access to prioritization reports, but she said there has not been a platform for communication to students until recently, even for the organization.

After a March 13 meeting with Louise Love Interim Provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Anne Foley vice president of Planning and Compliance; and Board of Trustees member Allen Turner, students received an email from Carter that briefly addressed the prioritization process on March 14.

Norris said in her introduction that Tally Ho, the college’s newsletter, and The Chronicle have run articles on the process, but both are “peer-to-peer” publications.

Prior to this, no official communication to the students from the college occurred, she said.

When asked why it took SGA’s voice to prompt communication when it was evident from several events, such as the student protest at Love’s listening forum on March 5, Carter said he believes students were following the process through The Chronicle.

While approximately 100 people showed up to the address, Norris pointed out that the student body is composed of more than 11,500 students.

“If the majority of students didn’t like [the prioritization process], then more than a hundred should have came out,” Norris said. “I’m not saying that I agree with everything, I’m not saying I disagree with everything. I’m saying that if you really want to get your voice heard, there are avenues to do that.”

She added that the general response she has heard from students regarding the process is one of indifference, but SGA wants to hear whatever concerns students have, and they can make recommendations to SgaPrioritization@colum.edu. She promised all suggestions would be compiled and sent to Carter.

In his State of the College address for faculty and staff members March 23, Carter touched on similar issues but received a far more polite response.

The second speech, which was held in Film Row Cinema of the Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., was delivered to a full auditorium and two full overflow rooms.

Carter reiterated that no decisions have been made in the prioritization process.

He also touched on the declining enrollment issue saying the college lost more than 800 students from 2008–2011 and more attention should be turned to retention and enrollment.

Carter singled out four departments that have had continuing increases in enrollment, asking members of English, Dance, Music and Television to stand.

“What’s going on in those programs, Because the students come from the same high schools, having nothing special on the ball,” he said. “What’s going on with [the] Music [Department]? It’s not the economy; it’s ourselves.”

Carter said that perhaps the college was “asleep at the switch” and warned that it now has competition where it did not have it before.

While he took questions at the end of the address, the session, which was scheduled to end at 3 p.m., was cut short, giving only five people the opportunity to speak.

One audience member inquired about possible layoffs resulting from cuts to programs from the prioritization process.

Carter said the college plans to move people around who are properly skilled in other areas, but some may face layoffs.

First-Year Seminar lecturer Fereshteh Toosi inquired why the college is not relying on its endowment, and Carter said it is not large enough.

He said when he got to the college, the endowment was only $45 million, and while he and the administration were able to build it to $115 million, the economy took a toll on the funds. The college is working to grow the endowment three to four times larger than annual operations, but until then the funds are not strong enough to rely on.

Toosi, who also attended the student address, said the students’ forum was much more revealing.

“The students asked more hard-hitting questions, and I think that speaks to a lot of the problems within the fact, that although Carter claims there is transparency, a lot of people are very nervous,” she said. “The staff and faculty may not have been able to express themselves in the same way the students did.”

In his delivery, Carter stressed the importance of the student body.

“We say that we are, and we really do practice, being student-focused,” Carter said. “We have to do new things, and unfortunately they are the ones who pay for it.

They are the ones who give us the funds to buy new buildings [and] make sure you are paid. But we’ll make sure this 5 percent increase does positive things for them.” hschroering@chroniclemail.com

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chicagojazzensemble.com The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women & Gender in the Arts & Media is proud to partner with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble for this program.

9

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

xx FICTION

xx PRIORITIZATION

Continued from PG. 3

Continued from Front Page

don’t have to be female, she said. She hopes the play is shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art within the next few years.

With an interest in politics, religion and comedy, Lee said her approach to writing stories comes from brainstorming the last show she would want to create. She books her plays two years in advance, and after marketing and casting actors, she starts on her script as deadlines near, she said.

“I basically will only write if it’s the day of the rehearsal,” Lee said. “It forces me to write, like I have no choice. I would just lose tons and tons of money if I didn’t write.”

For the business perspective, Story Week also had a panel, “Beyond the Dream: What It Takes to Get Published,” featuring publishing company editors Eli Horowitz from McSweeney’s and Kathy Pories of Algonquin Books.

resources” the academic report recommended an increase. The only program the academic report recommended to decrease resources was The Chronicle, which Love recommended resources be maintained.

Perhaps most stunningly, the Academic team proposed to make the admissions policy more selective.

“The single biggest problem is our retention and graduation rate,” Smith said. “So if

we don’t do anything about that really soon, we’re going to be in big trouble, and not just money trouble, but people not coming to the college.”

While Columbia currently offers a “generous admissions policy,” accepting more than 80 percent of its undergraduate applicants, the report suggests transitioning to a more selective policy to ensure students are both academically and financially equipped to succeed.

The academic report also suggests programs cap enrollment where necessary and create selective admissions policies in

The single biggest problem is our retention and graduation rate. So if we don’t do anything about that really soon, we’re going to be in big trouble, and not just money trouble, but people not coming to the college.”

—Don Smith

specific programs.

Several of the Liberal Arts and Sciences core classes, such as History and Humanities, marked as “maintain resources,” are noted with “revise LAS Core.” According to Smith, the team hopes to build LAS core classes and make them even more collaborative with other departments.

Overall in the academic structure of the college, the report lays out plans to improve accessibility to online and honors classes, maximize minor programs and more clearly define differences between degrees.

Different from past reports’ listening forums, a conversational discussion of the team’s decisions will take place April 9.

Carter will review all of the recommendations and reveal his report to the college in May. The final decisions could be reported as early as June. However, the academic report recommended no major changes should be implemented until fall 2013.

To view the Academic Team’s full report, visit the OASIS homepage. hschroering@chroniclemail.com

I basically will only write if it’s the day of rehearsal.”

-Young Jean Lee

Also included was Tom Roberge, publicity director of New Directions Publishing Corp. and a past Penguin Press editor, and literary agent Eleanor Jackson from Markson Thoma. Literary agents are willing to help with the hardships a writer might encounter, Jackson said.

“We want to be part of a writer’s creative life,” she said. “Writing books is hard. You need someone to be on your side.” lschulz@chroniclemail.com

xx RETIRE Continued from PG. 3 starring Colbert, Amy Sedaris and his nephew Paul Dinello. He said some of his students were fans of the show and gave him helpful feedback.

“When you see a student who goes out in the world and makes an impact, obviously you have a vicarious thrill,” Dinello said.

“The same way as when you see Stephen Colbert, who I always knew to be a hilarious comedian before anyone else did.”

Dinello said he was grateful to Columbia

for allowing him to pursue his interest in music, politics, and social criticism.

Matt Storc, senior film & video major, said Dinello’s wideranging experience was evident in his horror film course.

“He’s probably my favorite teacher that I had here,” Storc said. “He just has a way of communicating ideas and teaching the class in a very conversational manner. It’s really easy to learn. It’s fun, too. He’s passionate about it, so it makes the class interesting . . . He’s not just teaching class, he works in the industry and is well-established.”

Dinello advised students to always respect people and be willing to compro-

mise but also to be persistent and question authority.

Upon retirement, he plans to become a full-time writer. He said he’s also focused on learning the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” on the piano and pursuing his love of music through instruments, an opportunity he didn’t have before.

“This retirement, for him, is not at all going to slow him down,” Hardin said. “He has several book projects. I hope he keeps showing these kinds of films. He may make something again, another film. It’s a change but not an ending.” lschulz@chroniclemail.com

CAMPUS I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE 

Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s Feb 11–Jun 3, 2012 Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago mcachicago.org

Lead support for This Will Have Been: Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s is provided by the Harris Family Foundation in memory of Bette and Neison Harris: Caryn and King Harris, Katherine Harris, Toni and Ron Paul, Pam and Joe Szokol, Linda and Bill Friend, and Stephanie and John Harris.

Major support is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and Helen and Sam Zell.

Additional generous support is provided by Neil G. Bluhm; Deutsche Bank; Andrea and Jim Gordon, The Edgewater Funds; Dakis and Lietta Joannou; Susan and Lew Manilow; the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation; Agnes Gund; David C. & Sarajean Ruttenberg Arts Foundation; Marilyn and Larry Fields; The Broad Art Foundation; Gagosian Gallery; Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin; Glenstone; Luhring Augustine Gallery; Per Skarstedt; and Marianne Boesky Gallery.

Columbia College students receive free general museum admission with a valid student ID.

Official Airline of MCA Chicago

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

xx EPIC Continued from PG. 4 informing themselves about.”

The World Water Day event will be composed of panel, Q-and-A sessions, workshops and taste-testing events, Baker and Dolza said.

Since last fall, EPIC has been working on a “Take Back the Tap” campaign that centers on global water scarcity issues. The organization has held two taste-testing events on campus to show that there is no taste difference between tap and bottled water, Dolza said.

According to Baker, taste-testers could not differentiate tap water from bottled water approximately 50 percent of the time.

“There’s this misconception that bottled water tastes better and it’s healthier, when in reality you really can’t tell the difference between the two,” Baker said.

As a result of the campaign, two bottlerefilling stations were added to campus buildings: the Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., and the Alexandroff Campus Center, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Baker said.

But EPIC’s most recent accomplishment is a bottle-free Manifest. Rather than distribute water bottles at the festival, EPIC

will have coolers set up throughout the campus so that attendees can refill reusable water bottles. Baker said no disposable cups will be offered at the stations in an effort to reduce waste.

According to Jill Summers, director of Special Events for Student Affairs, approximately 3,000 water bottles would have been ordered if the decision was not made to go with water coolers. “[Manifest] is a super visible event,” Summers said. “It’s our biggest event. Everybody comes to it, so hopefully it’ll be a good PR service as well. I think it’s a great idea.”

Baker said one of EPIC’s goals is to transition Columbia to a bottle-free campus with more refilling stations in each building.

Because many environmental issues will affect the earth later on, Baker said being aware and environmentally sustainable needs to be addressed before it’s too late.

“We’re all still young as students, and we have a lot more living to do,” Baker said. “So the choices that we make today are going to impact the world we live in in 20 [or] 30 years. It’s something to think about now so we don’t build this big hole for ourselves.”

EPIC meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. in The Loft, 916 S. Wabash Ave. Building.

xx IMPROV Continued from PG. 8 because they were not on the team during regionals.

“They have now started doing shows with us,” Davis said.“We are hard to keep up with, but they were really able to jump in.”

With the victory at this year’s tournament and the addition of four new members, the group’s hard work is paying off, Metroff said. However, the team was not always this tenacious.

Whenever we go on stage, we are playing with our best friends.”

-Tyler Davis

Jirak became a member of the team during her freshman year in 2008. She said the group was disorganized and unpredictable at the time.

“When I got on the team, anything went, anything [could] go,” she said. “You never knew who was going to show up. It was kind of a mess.” hschroering@chroniclemail.com Davis agreed that Droppin’ $cience

was chaotic when it started but said he believes the team has used that challenge to become what it is today, adding that judges have mentioned how the troupe is “controlled chaos.”

Jirak believes the team has grown during the years because of its coaches’ consistency and dedication. She said the team spends time together and are friends, which also helps improve the members’ performances.

Davis said Droppin’ $cience now faces the challenge of re-establishing its voice with four new members.

The team is using the momentum from its recent win to look for more show and festival opportunities, including a slot in the Chicago Improv Festival April 23–29.

According to Jirak, the group also plans to perform in other states and suburbs.

Metroff said the team intends to add musical numbers to its sketches because one of the new members is a classically trained piano player.

“From where I started to where we are now, it’s a complete 180,” Jirak said. “It’s really cool to see how far we have come.”

Droppin’ $cience performs Thursdays at Studio BE, 3110 N. Sheffield Ave., at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. akukulka@chroniclemail.com

GRADUATING STUDENTS the final day to reserve your guest tickets for the 2012 commencement ceremonies is Friday April 6.

COMMENCEMENT • MAY 5-6, 2012 • CHICAGO THEATRE • 175 N STATE ST Tickets will be distributed on April 17-18 and April 24-25 from 11am - 3pm in the Conaway Center at 1104 S. Wabash.

You must present a picture ID and sign for your tickets! Tickets cannot be mailed to you and there is no will call. You may send a representative to pick your tickets up for you - please visit the commencement website FAQ to print the proxy pick up form.

PLEASE NOTE: Based on ticket reservations this far, NO EXTRA TICKETS will be available for the 2012 ceremonies. Each graduate is guaranteed SIX TICKETS if they are reserved by the above date.

Details at colum.edu/commencement

SPORTS & HEALTH I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

13

Bruno reaches for high hopes

by Nader Ihmoud

Assistant Sports & Health Editor DESPITE HIS team’s season coming to an end,

Head Coach Doug Bruno believes DePaul University’s Blue Demons will be capable of reaching their ultimate goal of winning a national championship and consistently competing in Final Fours before he has to say “adios.”

The Demons women’s basketball team failed to reach its third Sweet Sixteen appearance in school history following its 63-48 loss to the Tennessee University Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA women’s tournament March 19. Bruno said he is proud that his “Magnificent Seven” were able to reach the tournament but has a feeling there’s more to come.

“There’s still one huge lap for this program to run,” he said.

His goals have been ambitious since his first stint as the Demons’ head coach during the 1977-1978 season when he led the team to 16 wins, a school record at the time. Bruno returned in ’88 with goals of scholarships for female players and higher achievements as a team.

After winning the Women’s National Invitation Tournament championship that year, he set out to get his team into the NCAA tournament. The Blue Demons did so seven times during the 90s. Bruno was happy but still dissatisfied with the team’s accomplishments.

xx FLIES Continued from Front Page University of San Francisco, sex-starved male fruit flies also seek the solace of alcohol.

Authors of the study, published last month in the journal “Science”, attribute this self-medicating tendency to a brain chemical in flies called Neuropeptide F, which escalates in Volume after mating and boozing.They hypothesized that when scorned by females, fruit flies drink in order to spike levels of the chemical.

After the researchers introduced one group of flies to sexually receptive females, the mated males drank little to no alcohol provided to them through straws in the lab.

However, males that failed to mate with the older, less–willing flies they were paired with drowned their sorrows in booze after the rejection.

Flies suffered through one-hour sessions of rejection three times per day, four days per week for the entirety of their twoweek lives, resulting in consistently low levels of NPF. Because humans have a similar chemical called Neuropeptide Y, researchers are hoping this discovery will give clues about how to develop pharmacological drugs

Brent Lewis THE CHRONICLE

The DePaul University Blue Demons lost 63-48 to the University of Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA women’s tournament at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road on March 19.

“I was proud of that feat, but I was not proud of the program because it wasn’t whole yet,” he said. “It didn’t include a group of young women, like this group, that’s third in the nation academically.”

He spent the last 10 years recruiting players to complete the team he always dreamed of DePaul having, and in 2011 the to treat human addiction in the future, although no connection between the chemical and drug use has been established.

“We suspect that people may be able to look at pharmacological manipulations of Neuropeptide Y to help treat alcoholics,” said Karla Kaun, a co-author of the study.

Researchers took the experiment a step further by presenting another group of sex-craving fruit flies with dead females.

Although not technically rejected by them, the male flies still drank more heavily than their sexually satisfied brethren.

“This suggested that it was lowered NPF levels, and not rejection necessarily, that drives the flies to drink,” Kaun said. “We speculate that liquor is a way for them to spike the levels that would otherwise come from sex.”

Study leader Ulrike Haberlein, a professor of anatomy and neurology at the University of San Francisco, believes the study’s findings could provide significant insight into how both biology and traumatic experiences, like sexual rejection for the flies, can shape addiction.

“Ideally, I would hope that our study doesn’t just make the news because of the sexy headline but because there is potentially some treatment here for people who

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS 04/02/12 04/05/12

team’s cumulative grade point average was 3.852.

“I rolled the dice,” he said. “I knew I was either going to be fired or I was going to very much enjoy the kind of people we were going to be bringing in.”

Now at the end of the ’11–’12 season, the Blue Demons are a Top 10 program academ-

ically and a consistent Top 25 basketball program. The team is returning six of the “Magnificent Seven,” and Bruno is excited about the incoming recruitment class.

“That should indicate that the future should be a quality year next year,” he said.

Even though DePaul lost five women to injuries this past season, including star senior forward Keisha Hampton, and was limited to having only seven players available per game, the team still received a tournament bid for the 10th straight season.

Junior guard Anna Martin and junior forward Katherine Harry, who took over the majority of the leadership and scoring roles, became emotional when talking about Bruno’s faith in the team.

“A lot of coaches would have used this as an [opportunity for] rebuilding and not believed in us but [Bruno] did,” Martin said.

“He never let us have any excuses.”

Even though coach Pat Summit’s Volunteers ended the Demons’ year, Bruno chalks up his team’s continued growth to the work Summit has done during her career in women’s basketball. He also thanked DePaul University for its support.

“We couldn’t host this thing without the commitment of DePaul to women’s basketball; it’s a very expensive endeavor,” Bruno said. “We couldn’t be here as a program and we couldn’t be here talking and hosting an event in Chicago for women in sports.” nihmoud@chroniclemail.com

STOCK PHOTO

become alcoholics as the consequence of a traumatic event,” Haberleine said. “People who work with models of social defeat should look more closely at NPY levels.”

The study has received some criticism from addiction specialists. John Crum, the director of Addiction Treatment Strategies, an outpatient center in Edwardsville, Ill., does not think any valid conclusions can be drawn from the research.

“The experiment was interesting, but it’s simply too early to tell if there is a significant link between Neuropeptide Y levels and alcoholism,” Crum said. “There is not

04/06/12

one gene or chemical that can treat addiction, a combination of environmental and genetic factors will always be needed.”

In the future, Haberlein said she and her colleagues plan to continue studying the connection between NPF, traumatic experiences and alcohol consumption in fruit flies to better understand addiction in humans.

“We think that neuropeptides are a thermostat for reward,” she said. “And we believe that it could be a major component for treating addiction in humans.”

04/07/12

efasold@chroniclemail.com

04/08/12

Bulls vs. Rockets

Cubs vs. Nationals

White Sox vs. Rangers Chicago vs. Detroit

Bulls vs. Knicks

The Bulls return home to face the Houston Rockets at the Madhouse on Madison at 7 p.m on CSN. United Center 1501 W. Madison St.

The Cubs begin their season on WGN as they welcome the Washington Nationals to their friendly confines at 1:20 p.m.

Wrigley Field 1060 W. Addison St.

The White Sox begin the season in Texas to face the Rangers at 1:05 p.m on CSN.

The Blackhawks end their season in Detroit against the Red Wings at 3 p.m. on NBC.

Rangers Ballpark Arlington, Texas

Joe Louis Arena Detroit, Mich.

The Bulls travel to New York to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m on ABC. Madison Square Garden New York

14

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

RMU strives to be national champs

by Lindsey Woods

Sports & Health Editor “TALENT WINS games, teamwork wins

championships,” or at least, according to the T-shirts members of the Robert Morris University bowling team wear when they practice. But it’s not just a saying to Coach Dale Lehman. It’s a philosophy he hopes will bring the Eagles a national title.

The RMU men’s bowling team, which is No. 1 in the nation, and the women’s team, currently ranked No. 4, are preparing to compete for the national collegiate bowling title April 19–21.

“As far as rankings, we’re absolutely delighted with where the guys are,” Lehman said. “Their first time being Number 1 was last year for a short period, but this year they’ve been Number 1 for the past two or two-and-a-half months solid. They’re definitely the favorite going into nationals.”

Both teams have consistently ranked in the top four since the 2009 season, but neither have ever clinched a national title.

Although the ultimate goal is a championship, Lehman is still satisfied with the program’s and teams’ progress, especially considering the men’s team is only in its fifth season.

“I never thought it my wildest dreams that we would be this good this quickly, or this big this quickly,” he said.

For RMU, a young program means young players. According to Jacob Kent, a member of the team, the men’s team lost all of its starting bowlers last year.

The team has a lot of new players this season, meaning lots of talent, but not a lot of experience.

“I know a lot of college bowling relies on experience, and going into this year, I was kind of sketchy about whether the younger guys were going to perform,” Kent said. “It was nice watching them bowl really well. It was nice having a team that I didn’t think was going to be great, and I have a feeling that we’re going to be really great and win the National Championship this year.”

Elisa Rivera, the women’s team’s only senior, said the same is true of the women, but they are taking a little longer to adjust to losing so many seniors last season.

“We have a lot of freshman that have so much talent, they just need the experience,” Rivera said. “We’re slowly getting it.”

Age and inexperience didn’t stop both teams from winning. The men have won eight competitions this year, and the women have won five first-place titles and also placed in at least the top 10 in each match thus far.

Now, with nationals on the horizon, the Eagles are increasing their practice times from four times per week to seven or eight.

Lehman also had his top players work

65 E. Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60605

Brent Lewis THE CHRONICLE

Cameron Weier and his teammates on Robert Morris University’s bowling team, which is ranked first in the nation, aspire to win the national title.

with a sports psychologist for a weekend to improve on their mental game.

“I think it really helps prepare us to be strong mentally because when it gets to the national championship, it becomes not just a physical grind but a mental grind as well,” Lehman said.

RMU is quickly becoming a big name in the collegiate bowling community for its academics, too. For six years in a row, the Eagles have led the country in most academic all-Americans on a team. This year, 23 of approximately 70 bowlers made the all-American list.

“I’m very proud of [our academic achievements] because, like I say, you come here to get a degree and not to bowl,” Lehman said.

A degree may be just a backup plan for

Kent. He hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a professional bowler after he graduates.

“If it doesn’t work out, then I have my degree to fall back on, and I’ll go get a real job,” Kent said.

The team is currently focused on winning its first national title. Lehman is hoping that his team-over-self philosophy will get them there.

“I tell my bowlers that when you’re on the lanes, you have to be best friends, brother and sister,” he said. “I’m a firm believer that team chemistry makes you win or lose. We’re hoping that’s going to bring us a national title.” lwoods@chroniclemail.com

www.ccochicagocarryout.com

Grab a bite on the go before class, or come in for a sit down meal with friends.

“My friend ordered the greek omelet and was blown away...”

–Kristen B.

“The gyro is the best I’ve ever had...”

–Troy W.

SPORTS & HEALTH I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

15

Hepatitis C vaccine on horizon

by Emily Fasold

Assistant Sports & Health Editor RESEARCHERS AT the University of Alberta

have come one step closer to developing a preventative vaccine against all major strains of the hepatitis C virus, an accomplishment that was considered impossible until recently.

manufacturer that owns rights to the vaccine, have been working on it for approximately 10 years, this is the first time it has been able to neutralize various strains.

“This is very promising, [and] I’m optimistic now that a [universal] vaccine can be made,” Houghton said. “If this vaccine goes through Phase Two and Three of testing, it will prevent a huge amount of mortality

This is very promising, [and] I’m optimistic now that a [universal] vaccine can be made. If this vaccine goes through Phase Two and Three of testing, it will prevent a huge amount of mortality and morbidity around the world.”

STOCK PHOTO

–Michael Houghton

The research was led by Michael Houghton, a virology professor at the university who discovered the virus in 1989. He and his colleagues tested the vaccine on 60 people and found that many made cross-neutralizing antibodies that were able to combat all of the major global strains of the hepatitis C virus, otherwise known as HCV. Houghton said that the discovery was a “pleasant surprise” because most vaccines can only protect against one strain of a virus. But so far, his model has been successful in combatting all varieties.

Although Houghton and former colleagues at the Vaccines and Diagnostics division of Novartis an international drug

and morbidity around the world.”

According to the World Health Organization’s website, hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease caused by HCV. Some only experience a mild and short-lived bout of illness, but every year 130–170 million people worldwide develop a chronic infection that often leads to severe liver disease.

The infection is spread through exposure to infected blood, most commonly through tainted drug needles. Seventy-five percent of patients exhibit no immediate symptoms, allowing them to unknowingly spread the disease at alarming rates.

“In the U.S., there are around 20,000 new infections annually, so each year a couple

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thousand people are getting infected and will eventually develop severe liver disease,” Houghton said. “Hopefully our vaccine will prevent that.”

His research partner John Law said HCV is similar to HIV and AIDS because it is able to mutate quickly and exists in various genotypes, making it difficult to vaccinate.

“Hepatitis C is tricky because there are so many subtypes,” Law said. “But the results we’ve seen are very promising, and I believe this will successfully move forward.”

Before its approval, the vaccine will need to undergo Phase Two and Phase Three trial testing, which researchers expect will take between five and seven years.Although the vaccine looks promising, experts are cautioning that much more work must be done

before it is made available to the public.

“I think it’s too early to comment on because the study was tested on such a small group,” said Dr Binu John, a physician who specializes in hepatology at the Celeveland Clinic. “It’s promising, but we have a long way to go.”

Dr. Phyllis Ritchie, an infectious disease specialist in Portland, Ore., agrees that if approved, the vaccine could eliminate expensive and difficult treatment. “[The vaccine] looks promising and I am very hopeful,” she said.“This would have a huge impact on people worldwide because so many people in the U.S. alone are infected with the disease.” efasold@chroniclemail.com

16

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Backhand outfrisbees forehand

by Nader Ihmoud Assistant Sports & Health Editor ULTIMATE FRISBEE defenders should force

opponents into forehand throws, according to “Throwing Techniques for Ultimate Frisbee,” a study published in Volume 15 of The Sports Journal.

Evan Winograd, a mechanical engineering student at Washington University in St. Louis, conducted the study to find out if any Ultimate Frisbee techniques were more advantageous than others.

“There had been research done on pretty much every other sport, but Frisbee was lacking,” Winograd said.

Ultimate Frisbee is a sport dominated by two techniques that Winograd tested: forehand and backhand throws. He rounded up five “elite” and 11 “non-elite” Frisbee players through an open invitation. According to Winograd, the only difference between the two groups was that the throws from elite players had more velocity.

With the help of Jack Engsberg, a professor of occupational therapy and neurosurgery at Wash U, Winograd used motion analysis to collect his data. Using six highspeed Eagle Digital Cameras, he tested the throws for precision, accuracy and linear and angular velocity. Three cameras were placed above and behind the thrower, who stood 2.5 meters away from the target. Sensors were strategically placed on the Frisbee so the cameras could pick up its spin and velocity.

According to Winograd, the elimination

of wind helped the study, but the lack of space kept the throws from being fully developed. He said for most throws, especially the fast ones, only two revolutions were picked up by the cameras.

“The discs were moving so quickly, the cameras had trouble picking up all the data points,” Winograd said.

His tests showed that the backhand grip was the superior technique because it resulted in less wobble and more spin.

Throws with more spin have a lower instability rate. The forehand throw did not perform better than the backhand in any category tested.

Winograd, who won a gold medal in 2008 while playing on the United States Junior Open team at the World Ultimate and Guts Championship, said he was surprised the speeds of the backhand and forehand throws were similar.

“My backhand throw has been stronger than my forehand,” he said. “I was pretty surprised when I found out that the forehands come out just as fast as backhand throws.”

Despite his findings, Winograd’s advice for incoming Frisbee players is to go with whichever technique is comfortable for them, but added the game will cause players to change their technique depending on how they are being defended.

For more information check out which techniques the Renegades use at right. nihmoud@chroniclemail.com

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SAM BENDER Video Game Development Major Backhand Flick “My favorite technique is backhand because I

am most comfortable with it, but overall for every throw, there is a time and place, especially for forehand flick and backhand. You can transition between the two depending on where the players are and how they are defending you.”

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Ed Kang THE CHRONICLE

SPORTS & HEALTH I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

Jack up the vehicle “You need a floor jack or a lifting jack,” Rentas said.

This piece of equipment elevates the car so that the flat tire can be removed.

Put the jack by the flat you are changing and raise the car until the tire can spin freely.

HOW TO:

Change a tire

by Kaitlyn Mattson Contributing Writer WITH SUMMER right around the corner, it

might be time to start planning for that seasonal road trip. Even when everything is packed and you’ve picked your play list, you still might be missing a certain necessity: a spare tire.

According to David Rentas, a service adviser at Ashland Tire & Auto, 3737 N. Ashland Ave., knowing how to change a tire is the easiest way to avoid becoming stranded. All that’s needed is a lifting device, a lug wrench and, of course,

Replace the flat tire

a spare tire.

Rentas explained that it is important to make sure you are in fact installing a spare tire rather than a new one.

“There is a difference between putting a spare tire and a new tire on your car,” he said. “Make sure you’re using a spare because in order to put a new tire on your car, you need different and specific equipment that only a shop offers.”

Rentas said the following steps will help you change a tire in no time.

Once the lug nuts are off, the flat can be removed and replaced with the spare.

“Put the spare tire on the car and then mount it,” Rentas said. “Make sure when putting the spare on that the tire is aligned with the wheel bolts so you can screw the lug nuts back in.”

chronicle@colum.edu

Remove the lug nuts

The lug nuts are in place to keep the tire secure and must be taken off to remove the flat tire.

“You need a lug wrench for this,” Rentas said, adding that the process can sometimes be difficult.

Be patient and make sure you are turning the wrench counterclockwise.

Rescrew lug nuts “Screw the lug nuts clockwise in order to tighten them and remove the lifting device,” Rentas said.

Put the old tire, the jack and the lug wrench back into the car, and away you go.

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE I APRIL 2, 2012

Behind the scene green smoothies

INGREDIENTS 6 ice cubes 6 strawberries 1/3 cup blueberries 1 banana 1 cup orange juice 4 tablespoons light strawberry yogurt 1 cup spinach 6 cups water (optional) 6 spears asparagus (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash the fruits and vegetables.

2. If cooking the asparagus, bring

water to a boil and add salt if desired.

3. Break off the ends and tips of asparagus and boil for five minutes.

4. Drain and let cool.

5. Chop the banana; hull and dice the strawberries.

6. Put ice cubes in blender. Add fruit, spinach and asparagus, then yogurt and orange juice.

7. Blend for two minutes and serve.

NOVICE

SOUS CHEF

GURU

Brent Lewis THE CHRONICLE

by Lisa Schulz Assistant Campus Editor SOME TIME has passed since what looked

like a zombie apocalypse struck the streets of downtown Chicago, but the absence of green-clad St. Patrick’s Day partiers does not mean the color has lost its taste.

In fact this mysterious, masked smoothie blasts berry and citrus flavors with a discreet vegetable boost from strengthening spinach and aphrodisiacal asparagus.

Whether sprinting from the undead, fighting a gold thief, stalking Cupid or sitting at a desk job, your arteries are bound to thank you.

The best parts of this versatile smoothie are substitution and experimentation are

encouraged. Ingredients can be swapped for your personal favorites because the thickness of the blended fruit and veggies balances with the liquidity of orange juice, yogurt and ice.

To begin, wash the fruits and vegetables.

If you prefer the asparagus cooked, begin boiling water before preparing the fruit.

Add an optional dash of salt to the water for flavor and for speedier boiling. Snap off and dispose the asparagus tips and ends.

Place the spears in the water and boil for five minutes or until tender. When they’re cooked, pour them into a strainer and cool for five minutes.

Chop the strawberries and bananas into small pieces so a stationary blender can handle them. Add ice to the blender before

adding the fruit and spinach to ensure the blade chops the ice cubes thoroughly. Next, add the orange juice and strawberry yogurt.

If these flavors aren’t your favorites, swap them out for something you’ll enjoy.

Add the cooled asparagus. Make sure the cover of the blender is secure and blend on alternating speeds for two minutes, making sure there are no whole ice cubes left.

Pour your wholesome smoothie into a glass and drink through a straw to keep the orange juice’s acidity from wearing away your tooth enamel. You’ve perfected an energizing and refreshing snack packed with secret punches of nutrition. Now relax and enjoy! lschulz@chroniclemail.com

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Dishing ‘Top Chef’ style

by Sophia Coleman

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor AFTER A chaotic season of barbecuing, heat

exhaustion and intense food battles on “Top Chef: Texas,” local chef Sarah Grueneberg was named runner-up to Texas native Paul Qui, who took the title.

Though the loss was tough for Grueneberg, the executive chef at Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave., she said she could not have asked for a more inspiring experience.

Because she was born and raised in Texas, she saw her time on the show as an opportunity to mix her love for Italian cuisine with the style of food she grew up with.

The Chronicle spoke with Grueneberg to see what it was like competing on “Top Chef,” why she can’t put away a lot of bourbon and how it felt to cook for Oprah Winfrey and the Obamas.

was pretty big since they’ve been in business since 1967. I felt like I wanted to see what else I can do. Brennan’s was great, but at the same time I was worried I might get stuck and find myself in a relationship and not be able to move. So I felt it was perfect timing.

The Chronicle: What are your favorite dishes to cook?

SG: I don’t have a specific dish, but I can tell you that I love to make fresh pasta. That’s kind of a blank canvas where it can be any kind of dish. After being on “Top Chef,” I’ve been incorporating different flavors that I was learning.

The Chronicle: What inspired you to try out for “Top Chef”?

SG: [Spiaggia Chef/Partner] Tony Montuano The Chronicle: When did you first realize and I were sitting at the Spiaggia bar. We were talking about his experience on “Top you wanted to become a chef?

Chef,” and he asked when I was going to go Sarah Grueneberg: When I was about on. I was like, “I don’t know!” I was excited 12, I really fell in love with cooking. It and nervous, so I sent in an application. was around the same time Food Network started, so I was watching chefs like Emeril The Chronicle: What did you learn from Lagasse and Bobby Flay. I saw that people being on “Top Chef” that you took back were making a living off it, and I thought, to Spiaggia?

“Hey, you could actually cook, and it could SG: It allowed me to be more playful with be your job.”

Italian food and not be as traditional. Right The Chronicle: How did growing up in now I’m focusing on that four-course menu that I did on the finale of “Top Chef.” [One Texas influence your cooking style? course was] a trout dish and [another was] SG: I was cooking what I knew and what I a tagliatelle recipe. grew up having. I started my roots working at Brennan’s, which is very Texas cuisine- The Chronicle: How did you feel when oriented. It’s been fun now to mix the Texas Paul Qui’s name was called? memories and Italian traditions.

SG: At first I was a mess. It’s really hard The Chronicle: When did you move to lose in front of your family. But now I to Chicago, and what inspired you to don’t feel like I lost. Paul is an amazing chef.

There’s nothing wrong with being runnermove here? up to him. At the same time, what makes it SG: I was 24. I was a sous chef at Brennan’s great is that the judges said it was the best at [the age] of 22. I was the youngest female food they had tasted at a finale. I am able sous chef that they had ever had, which to say, “Congratulations, Sarah,” and give

Photos Courtesy JULIA BONNER

Sarah Grueneberg, executive chef at Spiaggia, plans to incorporate into the restaurant’s menu some of what she learned while competing on “Top Chef.

myself a pat on the back. .

to eat!” They called at 3 p.m., so we had to hustle up and get a private room ready and The Chronicle: How did you keep the get a team together. When I went in to say results secret before the final episode hello, she literally bowed to me over the aired? potato gnocchi dish.

SG: It was very hard. I tried not to drink a lot of bourbon. Whenever it came up, I would try to change the subject. During the finale, Jamie [Canete, her fiancé], his mom, my mom and my best friend were there, so I had a few people to talk to about it with.

The Chronicle: You also cooked for the Obamas. That must have been amazing, too. What was that like?

SG: The Obamas came in the Saturday after he had won the election. Tony said, “Sarah, Scallops is here,” because that is Barack’s The Chronicle: You cooked for Oprah favorite thing. I had just taken the chef de Winfrey during her farewell show. How cuisine job about two months before, so this was that? was that first huge event and I thought, “Oh my God, this is crazy!” It was very cool.

SG: Oh my God, that was amazing. They called and said, “Oprah wants to come in scoleman@chroniclemail.com

ARTS & CULTURE I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

21

Tech Checks? Balances? Nope. tattoos Whatchu talkin’ bout, Wilusz?

SENATOR has openly argued against President Barack Obama’s position regarding the international Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

by Luke Wilusz The treaty would Managing Editor implement an international copyright enforcement policy that could include border searches, criminal prosecution for violators and statutory monetary damages to be awarded to copyright holders.

On March 20, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a statement saying the administration should seek Congress’ approval for the treaty before ratifying it in the U.S. “I believe Congress should approve binding international agreements before the U.S. is obligated to comply with those agreements,” Wyden wrote in a statement.

The Obama administration claims that Congressional approval for the treaty is unnecessary. The argument is that Congress delegated this authority to the executive branch under a 2008 measure called the PRO-IP Act. The treaty was also allegedly negotiated to be in line with current U.S. law, so there’s supposedly no need to involve Congress. Apparently we should just trust the word of the people who have been brokering this deal largely in secret for the past several years.

The stipulations of the treaty could A

C H I C A G O

affect every single U.S. citizen who has ever consumed digital media in any way.

To push those kinds of regulations on an entire nation without even consulting the citizens’ elected representatives seems like it ought to be blatantly illegal.

Some might even throw around the word “unconstitutional.”

Any eighth-grade student knows that we have three distinct branches in our federal government that enact a system of checks and balances. More specifically, the goal is to ensure that no single branch makes decisions with significant, far-reaching consequences without some input and review from the other branches.

The fact that the treaty is in line with current U.S. law shouldn’t preclude Congressional review. If Congress wanted to revise our current copyright laws after the treaty was ratified, it could theoretically find its ability to enact laws for the country hindered by an international agreement that it had no say in adopting.

You can call me old-fashioned, but that’s not how I thought a democratic system was supposed to work.

Then again, the president is also supposed to get Congressional approval before waging in military action overseas, but that hasn’t stopped us from engaging in armed conflicts in Libya and Afghanistan, so maybe this stuff isn’t as important as I’ve always thought. lwilusz@chroniclemail.com

P U B L I C

by Deborah Netburn MCT Newswire

MCT Newswire

NOKIA CORP. is taking steps to make

sure that you never miss another phone call, text or email alert again.

The company has filed a patent for a tattoo that would send “a perceivable impulse” to your skin whenever someone tries to contact you by phone.

According to the patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the phone would communicate with the tattoo by emitting magnetic waves the tattoo would then receive.

When the waves hit the tattoo, they would set off a tactile response in the user’s skin.

The patent filing also suggests that it would be possible to customize the physical response depending on who is calling, similar to having a unique ring tone for each family member. So if your husband calls,you might feel a dull tingling,but if it’s your teenage daughter calling, you may feel an itch.

L I B R A R Y

ONE BOOK, ONE CHICAGO Spring 2012 Join us in April for the many events taking place around the city.

Highlights include: • Concert with the Chinese Fine Art Society • Author Yiyun Li in conversation with Achy Obejas • A day of tours & activities in Chinatown

The reporter for the website Unwired View, who first spotted the unusual patent filing, said it is possible to sync a phone and a tattoo through magnetic waves in a way similar to how phones are synced to Bluetooth.

To make the magnetized tattoo, Nokia’s patent filing suggests using ferromagnetic ink composed of compounds, such as iron or iron oxide.

Before going in the user’s skin, the ink is heated to a high temperature to temporarily demagnetize it. After getting the tattoo, the user remagnetizes it by repeatedly running a magnet over the tattooed spot.

In the patent filing, Nokia also proposes a slightly less invasive version of this technology that would include a magnetic receiver that could be worn on the skin like a sticker and would vibrate when the phone rings. chronicle@colum.edu

FRESH.

FAST. TASTY.

• Staged reading of Gold Boy, Emerald Girl by Silk Road Rising • DePaul University program on Chinese Literary Forms

For details on these and other events, pick up a copy of the guide at your library or bookstore, visit onebookonechicago.org or call (312) 747-8191.

FREAKY FAST

DELIVERY! ©2011 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

22

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Story by: Trevor Ballanger Design by: Zach Stemerick

Sex only needs two partners to happen. Pornography,

on the other hand, takes many more. While the industry isn’t as prevalent in Chicago as it is on the West Coast, voyeuristic Chicagoans may have unknowingly seen some of their favorite X-rated performers such as Lane Place, David Law and Gus Lewellen on the el train.

Two years ago, hairstylist/photographer Place, 45, decided to create a website depicting his physical interests. He and his partner now operate the locally based gay porn website LaneXPlace.com, inspired by the work of porn enthusiast Lewellen. Place wanted to create a free site that was creative and respectful of everyone involved, as opposed to an exploitative environment.

“That’s not the theme of my site,” Lane said. “I wasn’t seeing something in porn. So then I decided to just do it myself as sort of a joke to see if I could make it artistic and hopefully make money. I managed to make it artistic.”

Law, an adult performer based in Chicago, said the Chicago porn industry is predominantly gay because of the city’s gay-supportive community. Despite this, Law, 35, found his way into straight porn in 2003 after graduating from law school—the source of his stage name—and decided he no longer wanted to practice.

He said a counterculture lifestyle appealed to him, so he decided to find a way to apply his degree to something he could enjoy. Enter the porn industry, where he first found himself working behind the camera, managing the business side of a Florida-based company

called X-Pics.org. Later, other associates would cast him He said several of his outside tech clients are aware as an actor in these films. of his participation in the adult film industry, but he’s not “The adult industry was an answer to [my needs],” ashamed of it. People finding out was inevitable and Law said. “As I met people in the industry, some other came as no surprise to him because he’s done various companies said, ‘Hey, would you ever consider perform- TV interviews for the FOX morning channel and G4TV’s ing?’, and I said, ‘Well, why not? It’d be a life experience.’ I “Wired for Sex,” which explored the Internet’s involveended up doing more in front of the camera than behind ment with porn and its ramifications. the camera.”

“It’s not something that I try to hide,” Lewellen said.

Since then, he has worked for “At the same time, I don’t go out numerous porn companies in Illinois of my way to let people know. I and across the country and has parmean, people have seen me on ticipated in a range of genres, includTV a couple times. They’ll say, ‘Hey,

If you look at the ing amateur bondage, discipline and companies that are finding you’re on TV,’ but it’s never been sadomasochism. Today, he operates random people and paying an issue.” his own company, DavidLawXXX. [them] to shoot a scene His amateur porn career began com, while also doing legal support and look at the definition six years ago when he started work for intellectual property cases. making films and posting them on of ‘prostitution,’ it is prostiHe said he uses his website as a way his personal XTube.com account. tution.” to advertise himself as a performer –Gus Lewellen When he noticed his videos but still needs his second job to get becoming increasingly popular, he by, as the adult film industry isn’t as decided to set up his own site. But lucrative as it was a decade ago. first he needed to make a substanLewellen, 35, also felt the need to take a second job, tial number of videos. despite owning his website, WindyCityXXX.com. Aside Lewellen, who identifies himself as straight, said he from doing porn, he said he uses his tech company oftentimes uses both his girlfriends and acquaintances to make ends meet, providing his services to both the to perform with him on camera, and sometimes the industry and outside clients. Many porn companies aren’t videos encourage romantic relationships. Lane said he staffed with a tech advisor on-site, making Lewellen finds the majority of his partners through street fairs and an ideal freelance candidate since he also performs gay social networks like Grindr.com, noting he’s been on camera. videotaped having sex with teachers, firemen and even

“

a ju par to t A infe ing ers tes eve out of c dar wh abo dis L bei to c tion his sta to b poi ple hom tion “ peo the sai

Gus Lewellen (far right) performs with diff being able to have their faces concealed an

ARTS & CULTURE I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE 23

udge. His website conceals the faces of everyone because they don’t really make any distinction between rticipating in the video to protect them from damage the two.” their jobs or reputations.

Law said the porn industry struggles in Chicago for A major issue in the porn industry is the high risk of this reason. Producers in California have peace of mind ectious diseases. Porn companies are often unwill- about the legality of porn since the state declared in g to foot the bill for testing, so they seek perform- the 1980s that it is a form of expression, not obscenity. s from other countries who are willing to go without The Midwest has a more conservative mindset, he said, sting, Law said. Many performers in the U.S., how- making it difficult to find willing participants and financial er, will not work with actors who have performed success like that of the industry on the West Coast. tside of the country because of the increased risk “To me, I think prostitution is for personal services,” contracting disease. The same stanLaw said. “[Porn is] for entertainrd applies to the gay porn industry, ment purposes. I don’t perform hich he said has been less vigorous necessarily for my own gratifiout regulating sexually transmitted cation. I do it for entertainment sease testing.

It’s an energy purposes, for the camera and Legal battles are another danger of that you’re like, to create a product. That’s the ing in the porn industry. In response ‘Goddamn it, I want irony of it. The more public you claims that pornography is prostitumore of that.’” are doing this, the more legal n, Lewellen said the participants in it seems. The more private you s videos aren’t paid, but he can under–Lane Place are in the sexual exchange, the and why people would consider porn more illegal it is.” be prostitution. By the same token, he According to him, Chicago inted out that there are married coudoesn’t enforce any laws peres filming pornographic videos in their taining to the production of mes and selling them to companies, and he ques- adult films, such as condom laws. However, he said a ned whether that could be considered prostitution. license is needed to film, and if porn is filmed regularly in “If you look at the companies that are finding random a particular area or house, it could be deemed a “house of ople and paying [them] to shoot a scene and look at ill repute.” e definition of ‘prostitution,’ it is prostitution,” Lewellen Lewellen was hit with an obscenity case after attending id. “I think that’s why it’s illegal in a lot of places, and filming a swingers club at a friend’s house two years

“

ago, which was raided by the police. He said after they found out he was involved with a porn company, they took his cameras and erased the contents in order to use their own edited surveillance video against him and accused those involved of having sex in a public area.

Educated in computers, he was able to retrieve the deleted film on his camera and give it to his lawyers as evidence, and the charges against him were dropped.

Others involved in the raid chose not to fight the case and plea bargained the charges down.

All people involved in porn do it for different reasons.

Lewellen said some people do it for the money, others to satisfy their needs as exhibitionists. According to Place, he chooses to perform as a way to counteract sex addiction. Instead of doing a 12-step program or succumbing to the issue, he said he feels this is a healthy way to manage his problem.

Porn is an industry that exists behind the scenes but is no secret to the public. The first words welcoming guests to Law’s website are “Publicly abhorred, privately adored.” While Chicago may not be the command center of the industry, its adult performers work together in their own close-knit niche, making sure their careers continue to move forward.

“It’s an energy that you’re like, ‘Goddamn it, I want more of that,’” Place said. “The older I get, [I realize] any kind of addictive personality is never going to be satiated.”

fferent women, both girlfriends and acquaintances. The women in his videos have the option of nd change their names because they aren’t paid. If they were, they wouldn’t have that option.

tballanger@chroniclemail.com

24

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

ARTS & CULTURE I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

Time travelers take on Chicago

by Sophia Coleman Assistant Arts & Culture Editor IN CHICAGO’S future, Michelle Obama will

be mayor in 2023 and the world-renowned street artist known as Banksy will reveal his most ambitious piece: a painting of a giant vagina on the diamond-shaped Smurfit-Stone Building at 150 N. Michigan Ave. Oh, and there will be a man-made Mount Kaminski in Lake Michigan.

Listeners can learn all this and more from the satirical news reports of Jon Nelson and Dave Michaels on their Tumblr page, “Time Travel Chicago.”

“The premise is that we are time travelers with the restriction of being stuck in Chicago,” Nelson said. “We travel around and tell the news of whatever we have seen in the past week or however long we claim we have been traveling since the last episode.”

With the help of their friend Alfredo Castil, a Web developer and creator of the podcast “Film Yarn,” the time traveling team has been posting stories from both the future and the past since early March.

Nelson said they will be doing two podcasts every Tuesday.

“A lot of the ideas that we end up using are based on things of what we see is going on in today’s society, such as the parking meter conundrum or efforts to create jobs for the middle to lower classes,” said Nelson, who is a social media consultant at CareerBuilder.com. “We thought this was going to fail. But we aren’t running out of ideas and we have a bunch for the future.”

Some clips are based on both real and alleged historic events, such as the probably apocryphal 19th century cholera outbreak, when hundreds of people died and a city alderman said he would “raise the whole damn city out of the water that is causing this mess.” Michaels said one of his favorite historical pieces was about Al Capone,

who reportedly lobbied for expiration dates on milk bottles to ensure the safety of the city’s children.

For the most part, Michaels said each segment is an entertaining commentary on today’s society and what could be the comedic results if the city continues on its current path. One segment discusses the “Parking Meter Riots of 2049,” which will happen when hourly parking rates exceed median household incomes.

“Some of [our podcasts are] entirely tongue-in-cheek, and others are observations on economics and current trends,” Michaels said. “My prediction is that Chicago will be more or less the same with ongoing corruption, but the future will be less cynical.”

Castil said he was on board with helping the two because he had yet to see a well done narrative podcast.

“I like the idea of a narrative being built and having the ability to go back to the episodes to see where the seeds were being planted,” Castil said. “I also like the rough aesthetic to it all. It really sounds like two dudes recording in a closet.”

Nelson said they are always willing to consider submissions and are looking to interview people who want to act as future celebrities. Michaels hopes to include field reports and more theatrical stories.

“We have plans for where Chicago is going to go, but I don’t want to say exactly where it’s going to go yet,” Nelson said. “On our Facebook, we have a Chicago flag displayed that has three extra stars and one extra blue line. To see why those ended up, stay tuned.”

To submit a segment email Jon@alt42.net.

Visit TimeTravelChicago.tumblr.com to see podcasts from the past and future. scoleman@chroniclemail.com

Sara Mays THE CHRONICLE

Dave Michaels (left) and Jon Nelson (right) create a podcast every Tuesday that comically reports any real-life or fictional news from the past, present and future.

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

CHICAGO AUDIOFILE BRENT LEWIS, PHOTO EDITOR/ MULTIMEDIA EDITOR BATHS // LOVELY BLOODFLOW AFTA-1 & CAZEAUX OSLO // PYT (PRETTY YOUNG THING) MOS DEF // THE PANTIES THE WHISPERS // (OLIVIA) LOST AND TURNED OUT

VANESSA MORTON, SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS EDITOR GRIZZLY BEAR // HOLD STILL MUMFORD AND SONS // I GAVE YOU ALL DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE // A LACK OF COLOR EL TEN ELEVEN // MY ONLY SWERVING

TING SHEN, PHOTO EDITOR DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE // DEBATE EXPOSES DOUBT JONSI & ALEX // INDIAN SUMMER BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD // FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH M. WARD // SHANGRI-LA

Courtesy ANGELINA LUCERO

Angelina Lucero will release her debut solo album and a number of other works later this year.

Pretty girl, dance grooves

TREVOR BALLANGER, ASSISTANT ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

by Amanda Murphy Arts & Culture Editor

THE GOOD NATURED // SKELETON SLEIGH BELLS // COMEBACK KID DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE // SUMMER SKIN THE WHITE STRIPES // ICKY THUMP

DESPITE WHAT she may say, local singer-

Week ending March 20, 2012

Top tracks

#1 Album

( ) Last week’s ranking in top five

United States

21 Adele

We Are Young • Fun. Glad You Came • The Wanted Somebody That I Used to Know • Gotye Wild Ones • Flo Rida What Makes You Beautiful • One Direction

(1) (2) (5) (4)

1 2 3 4 5

United Kingdom

Now That's What I Call Running!

Part of Me • Katy Perry She Doesn't Mind • Sean Paul Somebody That I Used to Know • Gotye Last Time • Labrinth Proud • JLS

1 2 (1) 3 4 5

Spain

21 Adele

Yo Te Esperare • Cali & El Dandee Sexy and I Know It • LMFAO Ai Se Eu Te Pego • Michel Telo Someone Like You • Adele International Love • Pitbull

Source: iTunes

(2) 1 2 (1) 3 (3) 4 5 © 2012 MCT

Follow The Chronicle on

www.twitter.com/ccchronicle

songwriter Angelina Lucero has built quite a fan base in the more than three years she’s been working solo. Primarily a vocalist, she took on the formidable task of teaching herself how to play guitar at the age of 22.

Lucero is now making her way through the Chicago music scene with an enchanting voice, brutally beautiful lyrics and a simple yet captivating guitar style. She has made a name for herself not only in Chicago but around the country by singing and touring with the Brooklyn-based Pretty Good Dance Moves. 2012 brings an excitingly new chapter in her career, as her debut album, tentatively titled “In the Company of Men,” is due by the end of the year.

The Chronicle sat down with Lucero and talked about the challenges of songwriting, her upcoming album and the importance of being adventurous.

you hear a lot of the same type of strumming pattern that’s kind of happy and a little bit on the sad side. I just wanted to do dark or sad or use lots of minor chords.

And I’m sure lots of other people aim to do that too, but that’s what I was trying to go for at the time. So I would learn three or four chords and then I would put the ones I thought sounded best together, and it just came out.

The Chronicle: Do you choose your covers carefully to reflect your style, or do you like to take on challenges and try new things?

AL: It’s really just whatever I love at the time. I don’t think I have a style. Well, maybe I do [laughs]. But I just get excited about other people’s music sometimes and say, “I have to try this.” A lot of times I’m not capable of playing guitar like they do, so I have to alter it. But most of the time I hear a song and think, “Holy s--t! This is so amazing and I want to play that.”

The Chronicle: You seem to be consistently creating new material for your The Chronicle: You recently made a musical project Paper Plant. Have you big move to New York and came back a always been this prolific? month later. What was it that drew you there and what brought you back?

Angelina Lucero: I’m constantly writing.

When I have dry spells, I learn a bunch of AL: Oh man, I’ve been thinking about this cover songs. I feel like I’m just trying to so much lately. I went to New York because keep myself busy or my mind occupied, of the electro-pop band I had been singing trying to learn new things on guitar. I am with on and off for three or four years.They first and foremost a vocalist. I picked up live in New York and it was getting really guitar when I was 22, and I taught myself difficult to fly back and forth. I decided I how to play. That being said, I’m not great would just move to New York to be with at guitar and there’s always more for me them. I think New York is great, and I love to learn. I find that when I’m not writing it a lot, but it is just so expensive. and trying to learn cover songs, it helps me I didn’t know how it would be possible learn new things vocally or instrumentally. for me to be creative and pay that type of rent. You’re working so much because The Chronicle: As a vocalist, did you ini- you’re afraid you’re not going to be able to tially find it difficult to write your songs feed yourself or pay rent, and that could be on guitar to accompany your vocal and an excuse as well. I think that if you really lyrical pattern, or did it come naturally? are an artist, you will find a way and the time to do it. I think that I was just in a big AL: Yeah, it was pretty easy.Any instrument, city. And even though I come from another there are so many ways that you can use it. city, it was so overwhelming and terrifyI personally would Google Image [search] ing. I think that I would love to live there “guitar chords,” and I would sit for hours again, but I need to get all my stuff together in front of the computer and learn forma- first. [laughs] tions and strumming or picking patterns.

To listen to Lucero’s work, visit her SoundThen I tried to use chords or strumming Cloud site at SoundCloud.com/AngelinaLucero. patterns that I didn’t hear a lot in other For updates on her music and upcoming shows, visit Paper Plants Facebook page. people’s music.

I don’t know exactly what it is, but in a lot of female singer-songwriter-type music, amurphy@chroniclemail.com

ARTS & CULTURE I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

27

Sara Mays THE CHRONICLE

Sally Mullis, a freelance landscaper, works on the annual Flower Show at Macy’s, 111 N. State St. This year’s theme is “Brazil: Garden in Paradise,” and it can be found on display on the 9th floor rather than the traditional location on the 1st floor. The show represents different parts of Brazil, including the Amazon and colonial Brazil, and is composed of 60 types of trees and 5,500 individual tropical plants. The show is free of charge and will run through April 27.

WILL YOU SURVIVE DETENTION? INVITES YOU TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING

INVITE YOU TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING

Stop by the offices of the Columbia Chronicle

STOP BY THE OFFICES OF THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

located at 33 East Congress, Suite 224, Chicago

LOCATED AT 33 EAST CONGRESS, SUITE 224 • CHICAGO

for your chance to win a pass for two to the special advance screening on Monday, April 9.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS FOR TWO TO THE SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING ON TUESDAY, APRIL 3

Each pass admits two. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. One pass per person.

Screening passes valid strictly for Columbia College Chicago students, staff, and faculty only and are distributed at the discretion of the promotional partner. Those that have received a screening pass or promotional prize within the last 90 days are not eligible.

Each pass admits two. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. One pass per person.

Screening passes valid strictly for Columbia College Chicago students, staff, and faculty only and are distributed at the discretion of the promotional partner. Those that have received a screening pass or promotional prize within the last 90 days are not eligible.

OPENS IN SELECT THEATERS APRIL 13!

OPENS NATIONWIDE APRIL 6

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

FILM REVIEW

‘Damsels’ a fine return to form

by Drew Hunt Film Critic AFTER A 13-year hiatus from directing spent

in Spain working as a sales agent for local filmmakers, Whit Stillman has returned to American shores with a new film called “Damsels in Distress,” a comedy starring Greta Gerwig. The film had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival last September, and U.S. audiences have been eager to see what Stillman has in store ever since.

In the film, Gerwig plays the prim and proper Violet, the head of a trio of girls (including Megalyn Echikunwoke and Carrie MacLemore), who make it their mission to override the “atmosphere of male barbarism” that permeates their small East Coast college. During new student orientation, they befriend transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) and take her under their wing.

Even with its obtuse plotting, “Damsels in Distress” marches to the beat of its own drum. As in Stillman’s other works, an overly analytical mind may not feel at home in the screwball universe he dreams up. Everything transpires on the richly realized surface, and the result is a whimsical— if occasionally irritating—comedic romp brimming with memorable performances.

Among the assorted crusades undertaken

by Violet and her cohorts are a suicide prevention center that treats depression with

‘Damsels in Distress’

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody Director: Whit Stillman Run Time: 97 mins Rating: In theaters April 6.

doughnuts and tap-dancing and a seemingly altruistic stance on dating dopey frat boys. According to Violet, the key problem with contemporary dating is “the tendency to seek someone cooler than yourself. Why not instead find someone who’s inferior?”

They call this method “social work.”

If these assorted quirks feel familiar, it’s because they are. Despite the brevity of his filmography, Stillman has influenced the work of dozens of filmmakers. Noah Baumbach is perhaps the most readily recognizable, with the other being Wes Anderson, who appropriated Stillman’s sense of humor—a sort of good-natured satire mixed with keenly observed absurdism—and clothed it in a shrunken tweed jacket.

But dating back to his first film, 1990’s “Metropolitan,” Stillman expressed supreme distaste for what he labeled the “haute bourgeoisie,” the sort of upper-class urbanites Anderson portrayed in films like “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “The Darjeeling Limited.” Stillman continues to display an antipathy toward the social distinction

IMDB

In “Damsels in Distress” a trio of girls work to change the male-dominated atmosphere of the Seven Oaks College campus.

of “coolness” in “Damsels in Distress,” particularly when depicted as eccentricity.

As Lily says in one of the film’s few candid scenes: “Does the world really need more of those traits? Aren’t such people usually pains in the neck? What the world needs to work properly is a large mass of normal people. I’d like to be one of those.”

What sounds like a narrow-minded and even oppressive world view is anything but. Stillman doesn’t decry individualism—he decries ostentation. In yearning to appear unique, people often forget to be themselves. “Damsels in Distress” is filled with characters who aren’t at all what they

appear to be: Violet’s name is actually Emily Tweeter, Adam Brody plays a student who masquerades as a businessman to pick up girls in bars, and one character’s British accent supposedly materialized after she spent no more than six weeks overseas.

With an occasional wink at the camera and more than one dance number in tow, “Damsels in Distress” is ultimately a sympathetic portrait of the ways young people strive to define themselves and shield their insecurities with a manufactured public image.

Got pain?

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we can help.

call now for a free screening

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with the completion of a full Physical Therapy treatment plan

the way PT should be Downtown 405 N. Wabash, 2nd Fl : 312-464-0770

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ARTS & CULTURE I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

29

Kravitz has ‘The Hunger’ to act

by Rick Bentley MCT Newswire DIRECTOR GARY Ross knew he needed

someone who was super-cool and trendsetting to play the avant garde stylist Cinna in “The Hunger Games.”

The first person he thought of was Lenny Kravitz. It wasn’t a complete outside-thebox idea to offer the role to the rock star.

Before Kravitz began his four-time Grammy winning recording career, he had done some acting while growing up in New York.

Slipping into “The Hunger Games” character was easy for Kravitz. Although the character is described as being quite gregarious, Kravitz decided his wardrobe needed to be a little more low-key.

“The first question I had to answer was ‘How far do you want to take this?’ When I told friends who had kids that I was doing this film and playing Cinna, they were like, ‘Oh yeah! He’s super-flamboyant and superout there!’ I didn’t know at the time what the movie’s style was going to be,” Kravitz said. “We thought it would be interesting to pull him back and make him more like a Tom Ford or Yves Saint Laurent. Cinna wears waistcoats, shirts and slacks and is very clean. The gold on his eyelids is his touch of the glam Capitol. He’s more subdued than I thought, and I liked that.”

It also helped that Kravitz knew “The Hunger Games” star Jennifer Lawrence through his daughter, Zoe Kravitz, who co-starred with Lawrence in “X-Men: First Class.”

Kravitz could have returned to acting a long time ago. He’s had many offers during the 23 years he has been making records, but they all felt wrong to him.

“They were stereotypical and weird,” he said. “They were based on ‘Lenny Kravitz,’ someone with his dreads and his look to go do this thing that was just me. I just forgot about acting and stuck with music.”

Director/producer Lee Daniels finally came up with an idea that was imaginative enough to make Kravitz think about returning to acting. The first project they talked about that would have starred Kravitz didn’t get off the ground. But Daniels remembered Kravitz for the role of Nurse John when he made “Precious.” That small role re-awakened an acting interest in Kravitz.

“What I liked about the idea of acting was that my music is completely about me, self-indulgent,” he said. “I play all the instruments. I write the songs. I produce the music. I liked being in this position of service [and] being there for the director to help bring out the character. I don’t normally get somebody else telling me what to

MCT Newswire

Lenny Kravitz (left) heavily influenced his character, Cinna, a role he says reignited his passion for acting.

do, so I was really refreshed by that.”

He said he will keep agreeing to get in front of the camera for roles that challenge him.

It’s not a complete coincidence Kravitz picked “Precious” and “The Hunger Games” for his return, as both films are based on much-heralded books.

“I didn’t know about ‘Hunger Games,’ but after I got the book, it was not what I expected,” Kravitz said.“For me, it’s all about the story, and this had great characters and a great story, and that’s what made me sign on.”

Homestyle food when you miss homecooked meals.

424 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

chronicle@colum.edu

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

The Columbia Chronicle presents your online time-wasters of the week.

VIDEO: Huge Group of Girls

Chris Loeber Assistant Metro Editor

Reasons I miss being a kid

Kaley Fowler Metro Editor

Reasons your flip-flops suck

Everything was new and exciting: Whether it was exploring Elk Grove with my friends, picking up my first Nintendo controller, discovering new parts of the neighborhood or simply trying to survive elementary school, everything was an adventure. While the cheap thrills that come with being a child are behind me, I know there is still plenty of fun to be had.

They aren’t even shoes: You are walking the streets of Chicago with a half-inch-thick piece of foam rubber separating your feet from the grimy sidewalk. If you lived in a Third World country, we would be sending you aid so you could afford proper footwear. Take that $5 and put it toward some real shoes. Payless might be up your alley.

Very little responsibility: Growing up means learning to handle responsibility on your own.

Screw that. If I had my way, I would still sleep in every day and eat chocolate ice cream for breakfast. Then I would spend the rest of each day cycling through three activities: trampoline, pool and nap.

One just fell off: While you were sprinting to class down State Street, one of your “shoes” was left in your wake and now you have to hop on one foot to recover it. On top of your awkward hop, you have to clumsily kick your shoe around to make sure your toes line up with the straps before you can slip it back on.

Everyone is watching, and you look silly.

I was invincible: I didn’t care about getting hurt, physically or otherwise. I didn’t care what others thought or what would happen if I fell off my bike. My friends and I once took a fire extinguisher to the park because we thought it would be super cool to do flips off of the monkey bars into the mist.

All the time in the world: My summers were filled with lazy days and haphazard adventures with friends. It’s true that my parents gave me some work to do, but they were kind enough to give me plenty of time to be a kid.

First World problems I’m kind of broke: As a college student, it’s no surprise that I’m suffering in the money department. It’s hard to balance where and where not to spend your money. I guess this is where my priorities go astray. One must pick and choose what is and isn’t important, like paying bills and rent or spending money on really good bar specials. Do you see what I’m dealing with?

My cable remote: There must be a remote thief living in my apartment because it has been missing for a week. I didn’t steal it, nor did my roommate, so either it ran off or someone has some kind of weird fetish of collecting people’s TV and cable remotes. Because of this, I haven’t been able to watch “Survivor,” I missed the season finale of “The BachYou look cheap: Your hair looks great, your elor” and I can’t watch the news. Also, I misdress is flawless and you have the perfect bag takenly left the channel on MTV, so I’m stuck to match. At first glance, you look like a regu- with “Jersey Shore” marathons every Sunday. lar fashionista. But upon closer inspection, we notice you’re wearing flip-flops. The whole Women’s bathrooms: I mean really, how hard image is shattered because you couldn’t be is it to flush a toilet? You’re gross. It’s only bothered to slip into a pair of flats but rather a four-step process: sit down, do your busiopted to walk around with plastic on your feet. ness, wipe (I hope) and flush. I’d rather not see all the remains that came from your body.

They get dirty: Your feet sweat, and because And you make the bathroom smell. #firstyou aren’t wearing socks, the sweat is ab- worldproblems? sorbed into the rubber, leaving behind a black, foot-shaped imprint on each of your flip-flops. Panera lines: I love Panera, so do me a solid I don’t want to see your sweat stains, espe- and know what you are going to get before cially your foot sweat stains. you get to the register instead of holding up my day because you can’t choose between a They’re loud: Do I hear a dog lapping water? salad or a panini.

No, it’s just your shoes slapping against the soles of your feet with every step you take.

Flip-flops: Kaley Fowler covered the basics.

outing, say, Friday night at the local watering hole, when a long-abhorred nightmare comes to life: a huge group of girls. Are they lost? Why are they being so loud? This video exemplifies the booze-fueled, random shenanigans of the female posse to a “T.”

APP: Marvel Comics STUCK IN a sticky

situation of boredom and need a savior? The best bet for solving this problem is to break out the Marvel Comics app and catch up on all the classic superhero story lines. They may not be able to save your life, but they zcould definitely make a long train ride easier. Plus, the artwork is pretty to look at.

BLOG: blog-blond.blogspot.com

GOOD ADVICE rarely gets noticed, and maybe

that’s because the person giving it isn’t blonde. Luckily, one bombshell took it upon herself to share her wealth of wisdom and advice with the world in this blog. She’ll answer questions, tell you how to dress and she’ll probably look good doing it.

How would you define your style?

“Whimsical. I like to play a part when I dress.”

“I guess I dress young, comfy and cute.”

“I’m influenced by the dark side of the Force.”

Freshman Tristan Sims | Journalism Major

Alyssa Gambla | Journalism Major

Junior

“Normally whatever shoes I wear is the style I like to mesh with.”

Junior David Solis | Film & Video Major

Freshman Brittany Vintika | Film & Video Major

Check Me Out

Photos Tiela Halpin THE CHRONICLE

We ate whatever we wanted: One of the worst things about growing up is that you realize you cannot survive on a diet of gummy bears and Oreos. Luckily, adults were always around to stop us from killing ourselves with junk food.

THERE’S ALWAYS a point during every social

Vanessa Morton Special Assignments Editor

ARTS & CULTURE I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

Reviews

No. Just no.

Uuh...

LITERATURE

FILM/ TELEVISION

“GIRLS” BY JONATHAN AND JOSHUA LUNA special yet goes well with the subject

“SOUTHLAND” SEASON 4

AS I get older, I find it more and more

difficult to find comic books that strike my fancy the way “Walking Dead,” “Y: The Last Man,” “Fables” and “Chew” did, where I spend a load of money in a short period of time, reading the books before work, or on my lunch breaks and stopping by the bookstore as soon as I get off work to pick up the next trade. Can you tell how easily I get addicted to things?

So when a friend handed me the first trade of “Girls,” I was both extremely excited to read it and incredibly worried that this was going to become a problem like the last ones. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the comic had a short life, running only for approximately two years. This is lucky for my bank account and productivity level and unlucky because I will tear through those 24 issues in a matter of days.

The comic follows lead character Ethan Daniels in Pennystown, a rural town in an unnamed state. The place is like any other quaint, farm town until a freak thunderstorm brings a series of unfortunate events to its people. The comic is witty, cunning and riveting. The art isn’t anything particularly

matter. The storyline never really falls short or moves slowly, allowing for that costly ability to read a single trade in an hour.

No matter how short the publication ran, “Girls” is worth investing in. And I haven’t checked, but you may even be able to pick it up at your local public library, which means you won’t overdraw your bank account because you absolutely need to read the next issue. I’ve done that.

—A. Murphy

THERE ARE only a few shows that still

make me cringe often—but in a good way. With the amount of crap the writers of “Southland” put the main characters through, I’m still able to feel delighted when I find out what happens next.

“Southland” follows four members of the Los Angeles Police Department: Officers John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) and Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie) and Detectives Lydia Adams (Regina King) and Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy).

MUSIC R. KELLY: “TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET” PT. 2

AS IF the first 22 chapters of R&B singer

R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” music video drama weren’t enough, the IFC TV channel announced March 20 that more are in the works. Described by the channel’s website as a “cultural phenomenon,” chapters 1–12 came out in 2005 and the remaining 10 in 2007. While the website didn’t let on to how many additional chapters there will be, it did promise all the characters, including Sylvester, Rufus, Cathy, Gwendolyn, Bridget, Big Man, Rosie the Nosy Neighbor, Twan and

I can stand this. This is swell.

31

Best thing ever!

Season four begins with Cooper out of rehab for painkiller addiction and back to patrolling the streets where he belongs.

No longer Sherman’s field training officer, Cooper is paired with Officer Jessica Tang FTO (Lucy Liu), who gained respect after a video of her being beaten close to death went viral. Tang has her sights on becoming sergeant, but how she goes about it causes her and Cooper’s “police values” to collide.

Last season, Bryant reached a breaking point after witnessing gang members murder his partner. Wanting to help younger officers, Bryant left the gang unit and became an FTO, teaming with Sherman. Against Bryant’s advice, Sherman tries to assist a teen girl in finally escaping her mother’s pimp.

While each cast member has been on fire, I’m biased when it comes to Cudlitz.

This isn’t because he acted on the miniseries “Band of Brothers,” nor because his tweets make him seem loveable and genuinely sincere. The guy’s performances are seriously under appreciated. Watch the episode “Legacy.” In it, familiar with a suicidal gay teen’s situation, Cooper tells him: “I’ve got a lot of problems, kid. Being gay isn’t one of them.”

I can’t forget to mention Ponyboy Curtis, or rather C. Thomas Howell as the douchey former alcoholic Officer Dewey Dudek.My only complaints are the seasons are way too short, I have to wait approximately nine months for the next one and when will Cooper get a love interest?! —A. Meade

RANDOM Pimp Lucius, would be returning. Phew.

Thank god they’re bringing back Pimp Lucius!

The musical soap opera opened with Kelly in a random woman’s bed, freaked out because he probably cheated on his wife the night before. But it turns out the other woman is also married. Her husband comes homes to find Kelly in the closet, and it’s all stereotypical urban chaos from there. Every song sung to the same less-than-dynamic R&B tune ends in a shocking cliffhanger that urges you to click to the next segment of this train wreck. Judging by the 35-second teaser posted on IFC’s website, it seems the new chapters include a gospel choir, little people and even more guns.

While I still jam to “Remix to Ignition” the same way I did in the eighth grade, I never really wanted more from R. Kelly. “Trapped in the Closet” was too much. But I know exactly what’s going to happen with this new installment. I’m going to plant myself in front of the computer, click “Play” and watch anxiously for Pimp Lucius or Rosie the Nosy Neighbor to introduce the next astonishing scandal before each chapter ends. It’s lyrically tacky and reinforces racial stereotypes, but what can I say? It’s as dramatic and suspenseful as every episode of Flavor Flav’s “Flavor of Love,” and you can’t deny that was good TV. —H. Schröering

PETTING CACTUS

SOMETHING ABOUT cacti has always been

off-putting for me. Perhaps it’s their scary prehistoric appearance or the prickly little spines that have embedded themselves in my skin more than once.

Either way, I’ve never liked them and never intended to like them—until I saw and touched my first petting cactus.

Small, cute and fuzzy, the petting cactus is kinder than its harsh predecessor. My first experience with one was gentle and calming. Instead of spiny thorns, the petting cactus has soft hairs all over its body. It was therapeutic for me because I had a traumatic experience with a cactus. My brother pushed

me into one when I was five. Thanks to the petting cactus, I can now travel to the desert without worrying about panic attacks.

Not only that, but the petting cactus makes a great desk accessory and doesn’t require all the hassle of a Chia Pet, which actually needs love and care.

The petting cactus is like a cat—it’s fine on its own, and won’t die on you, as long as you leave it food and water, which will save you those nagging feelings of guilt and regret.

Just make sure you give it water once per week. If not, its hair will fall out, as demonstrated by one of my coworkers, who went without tending to hers for a week. For $5, it’s worth a lifetime of fuzzy, cute companionship­—or at least a few months’ worth. —G. Rosas

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THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Editorial Cartoons

editorials

Bill could help students

STUDENT DEBT has been a hot topic on the

2012 presidential campaign trail. Millions of college graduates in the U.S. are leaving school with thousands of dollars in debt and minimal job prospects. President Barack Obama tried to alleviate the student debt crisis when Congress passed his student loan plan, part of his administration’s “We Can’t Wait” initiative.

Another Senate bill, aptly named the American Dream Accounts Act of 2012, may further ease this deepening crisis.

The bill would award grants to certain organizations to provide online savings accounts for low-income students beginning in elementary school and ending once the student has graduated high school. This sounds like a great idea in theory and could make a huge difference in students’ future education plans, but its effectiveness depends on how well it is executed.

The plan would cost the Department of Education $3 million per year, which could mean cuts to other areas of education. While it is noble to want to help lowincome students and give them a chance to pursue higher education, it is unclear whether that means cuts to outlays for faculty and supplies. The bill only states it will be financed by “existing Department of Education funds.”

Yes, $3 million is not an egregious amount of money. But the government should be careful where it makes future

cuts to pay for this plan.

The accounts, which would be password-protected for maximum privacy and viewable by school counselors, would act as both an academic progress report, which would track grades and GPA from primary to secondary school, and a college savings account, something many lowincome parents don’t have.

But colleges should use discretion when viewing a prospective student’s information in the account. Colleges also shouldn’t fall into the habit of having a student’s admittance to an institution hinge on one bad semester. Traditional application policies, like consideration of extracurricular activities, should still be followed.

Other than these hypothetical snags, the online accounts could motivate students to be more involved in their education. In the era of Facebook, high school students could very easily translate social networking skills to a simple online account.

Low-income schoolchildren in particular will benefit from the account because “only 32 percent of parents who earn less than $35,000 per year are saving for their child’s education” at a higher education institution, according to the bill.

Like many of the bills being passed this year, such as the student debt plan, it could make a huge difference if the government does it right.

Good Rahm, bad deals MAYOR RAHM Emanuel has undertaken an

aggressive series of actions since he came into office. From installing speed cameras to closing down schools, he has made it clear he intends to end an era of lenient government policy.

In fact, Emanuel has undone two deals former Mayor Richard M. Daley had his hands in while in office. Emanuel’s moves are bold and will have consequences, but his actions are necessary and required by law.

One of these old deals was a tax break for Lollapalooza organizer C3 Presents.

Since the festival’s beginning, C3 has been exempt from liquor and amusement taxes because Chicago’s Park District was footing the bill under Daley’s deal. Now that the festival is hugely successful—it was the biggest music festival in the nation in 2011, topping off at approximately 270,000 attendees—it should pay its dues.

The downside of Emanuel getting rid of this tax break is the inevitable increase in ticket prices.

“This is a good deal for the city, and we felt it is the right thing to do,” Charlie Jones, owner of C3, told the Chicago Tribune. “But it will affect ticket prices.

There will be an increase. How much?

To be determined.” This is a bummer for

concertgoers, but the new Lollapalooza tax will generate much-needed revenue for Chicago.

Emanuel crushed another Daley tax break for Millennium Park’s Park Grill restaurant.

The mayor sued Park Grill on Dec. 1, 2011, because it had not been paying its base rent since opening in 2003. The mayor’s suit may have seemed sudden, but the restaurant is costing the Chicago Park District $275,000 per year—money that could go toward Grant Park’s proposed renovation.

Park Grill may have been serving tourists and ice skaters who come from around the world to see Chicago, but the city hardly seems to be benefitting.

To add even more insult to injury, the restaurant’s contract specifies that it won’t have to pay its rent until it repays a $7 million investment to Daley’s family and friends.

Emanuel hasn’t been the perfect mayor.

In fact, his speed camera initiative might be nothing more than a deal to help out a political buddy who works for the firm that would earn millions from the purchasing contract. But Emanuel’s crackdown on Lollapalooza and Park Grill is just what the doctor ordered.

Editorial Board Members Sophia Coleman Assistant A&C Editor Emily Fasold Assistant S&H Editor Brent Lewis Photo/ Multimedia Editor Chris Loeber Assistant Metro Editor

Gabrielle Rosas Commentary Editor Heather Schröering Campus Editor Lauryn Smith Copy Editor Zach Stemerick Senior Graphic Designer

MCT Newswire

Your Voices Letter to the Editor

re: “Activists aim for increased gun rights” DEAR EDITOR: We felt your recent article

for a gentleman’s duel. They will simply bring out their gun and threaten you long before you can pull out your gun in response.

Lastly, time and time again, we see that owning guns is putting our children at risk. Incidents like Chandon, where young children are bringing their parents’ guns to school, could have been prevented.

Young adults are using their parents’ guns to kill themselves and others in their schools like at Columbine and Virginia Tech. Had there been stricter gun laws in these areas, these incidents would not be commonplace like they are now. Everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness.

Not everyone’s happiness includes being surrounded by guns when they’re walking down the street.

“Activists aim for increased gun rights” was a bit one-sided and would like to offer insight into the other side. There is definitely a population, like the National Gun Victims Action Council, that wants to keep Illinois gun-free with valid reasons.

Firstly, in no way are those against conceal-and-carry attempting to restrict the rights of others to bear arms. The predicament is that once concealed or open carry is allowed, there are no sane gun laws to regulate it, making it easier for those who shouldn’t have guns to get them.

Secondly, in no way does having a gun —Tiffany Stanley on behalf of the Marketing keep you safe. In a confrontation with Communication Department’s Strategic Media guns, the element of surprise always wins. Relations class and Elliot Fineman, CEO of the No criminal is going to come up and ask National Gun Victims Action Council

Letter to the Editor

re: President Carter’s State of the College Address DEAR EDITOR: I am writing to publicly

praise the outspoken Columbia students who are making their voices heard in opposition to the prioritization process.

Their intelligent activism is now driving the debate in a way that staff and faculty failed to do.

They are also breaking my heart. Student activism and having something to fight for is a good supplement to a college education. They are not being shortchanged in terms of opportunity for critical thinking, rhetorical practice and

engaging in collaborative action.

But having to see their teachers and staff defeated, depleted, worried and angry is wretched.

President Carter revealed at his State of the College address that he is unconcerned about widespread shattered morale among non-student stakeholders.

It’s been said here recently by the editorial board that our students deserve better than to see chaos in union negotiations and high-stakes administrative bickering.

They also deserve to see teachers and staff who feel valued and have confidence in their leadership.

—Jennie Fauls, Assistant Director of firstyear writing, English Department

Have an opinion about something you read in this newspaper?

Did you catch a mistake, think we could have covered a story better or believe strongly about an issue that faces all of us here at Columbia?

Why not write a letter to the editor? At the bottom of page 2, you’ll find a set of guidelines on how to do so. Let us hear from you.

—The Columbia Chronicle Editorial Board

COMMENTARY I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

33

Old, new artists cause cultural pause while, viewers stuff their faces simultaneously with Domino’s pizza and copious amounts of Doritos.

But what is even more anticipated—and certainly a separate entity from the actual game—is the Super Bowl halftime show. It is a highly sought-after performance slot by old and young artists alike. So when I heard Madonna was this year’s halftime act, I wasn’t surprised. But when I actually watched the performance, I was defiGabrielle Rosas nitely puzzled.

Commentary Editor GROWING UP listening to classic rock in My brain was a flurry of superfluous suburban Orange County, Calif., was never questions: Did Nicki Minaj just shout out easy. In second grade, all the other little a cheer? Did M.I.A. just flip me off? Did girls were listening to Britney Spears, LMFAO and Cee Lo Green just share the while the Steve Miller Band’s “Greatest same stage? And the biggest question of Hits” sat in my boom box at home. When all: Where did Madonna go?

I turned 12, I developed a more sophisCulture plays a huge ticated musical taste, listening to bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. part in popular music, The battle between old artists and new and younger artists artists has been my inner turmoil for years. are working in a music Now my inner turmoil has become a industry that has quickly nationwide movement. Just my luck.

A new revenue-generating trend is on globalized. the rise in the music industry, one that is a direct effect of a new culture that And there she was. Half flopping, half relies on collaboration. Older artists, such dancing around the stage while Cee Lo as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen vocally outperformed her beyond a measurable doubt. and Tony Bennett, are teaming up with I hate to say it, but Madonna has lost younger fans-turned-artists, such as Lady Gaga, Dave Grohl and Nicki Minaj. her performance mojo, and surrounding Take the Super Bowl for instance. It herself with popular artists who are in is one of the most anticipated annual their prime doesn’t help her case.

But with rock stars from the very events in U.S. entertainment. Each year, millions of people gather around their origins of popular music growing older, TVs to watch cheerleaders in skimpy there is a legitimate question, even when outfits jump around while humongous watching Madonna’s halftime parade: Is football players destroy each other. All the there a place for old rock stars in current

popular music?

Some would call me unwise for comparing Madonna to a flopping fish. It’s not that I don’t like Madonna, nor do I have something against older performers. “Hung Up” and “Express Yourself” are unashamedly on my playlist. In fact, many of my favorite bands are rock groups from the ’70s. I saw AC/DC live two years ago when they were all well into their 50s—and yes, they totally rocked.

While it’s great to see my favorite old artists and my favorite newbies jamming out together, it must be kept in mind that this collaborative marketing tool is part of a volatile industry’s struggle to stay alive in a saturated market. Yes, folks, it’s all about the Benjamins.

Madonna didn’t get a dime for playing the halftime show, as is the custom, but the exposure created enough buzz to launch her, Minaj and M.I.A back to Internet fame.

It began in 2006 and 2007, when major record labels began promoting and recording older artists. New Door Records, under Universal Music Group, released new albums from Peter Frampton, Styx and Smokey Robinson, according to Forbes. The labels also focused “exclusively on recording artists who’ve enjoyed ‘platinum-plus’ commercial success,” which is why you don’t see one-hit wonders at the Super Bowl.

The problem with young stars blending with older ones lies in the performance aspect. Culture plays a huge part in popular music, and younger artists are working in a music industry that has quickly globalized.

This has created a culture of sharing

everything, from music to books. Because modern U.S. entertainment relies so heavily on advertising and hype to generate buzz, old and young artists are competing for the same performances: the Grammy’s, the Super Bowl or other nationally televised gigs.

At the 2012 Grammy’s, former Beatle McCartney and several older rock musicians shared the stage with Grohl, Foo Fighters’ front man. Watching McCartney play bluesy guitar with decades of experience is magical. But at the end of the performance,when Grohl started pounding out vicious power chords and squealing riffs while McCartney looked on, it became clear there is a gap between the old generation and the new one that cannot be easily closed.

The Millennials, or people born in the late ’80s to the early 2000s, are experiencing cultural stagnancy. My generation is either nostalgic for the past or pining for a better future because we are now capable of knowing all of every time period simultaneously, thanks to the Internet and new media.

But this is also an opportunity that my generation shouldn’t waste. We can pull inspiration from any era we want. Perhaps my generation’s culture is meant to be a crude amalgamation.

Until then, old artists will keep releasing new material because that is what artists do. Madonna has paid her dues and McCartney is a legend.

At this point, soaking in all of these artists and their creativity is our only exciting option. grosas@chroniclemail.com

US trend dangerous to women would prove essentially useless. But as a Jezebel article pointed out, this information could be used to identify women who have received the procedure in rural Tennessee communities.

How someone could ever think this information should be made public baffles me. The bill is obviously meant to intimidate and sway women from getting abortions and doctors from performing them.

Amanda Murphy The result of such a malicious act in a Arts & Culture Editor primarily red state could be life-threatIT’S DIFFICULT for me to imagine the realening to both women and doctors. After ity of the anti-women rhetoric that has all, crimes against those who support recently stormed state legislatures and abortion rights are not unheard of in our media outlets. More impactful than the country. idiocracy of Rush Limbaugh’s statements The irony lies in the fact that people regarding a female law student a few who consider themselves anti-abortion weeks ago, some seriously scary legislaintentionally endanger the lives of innotion is being considered in the country’s cent people. And just as avid anti-abortion more conservative states. And when I say advocate Rick Santorum’s wife had to end scary, I really mean absolutely terrifying. a pregnancy because of life-threatening A good example is the current spotlight complications, the anti-abortion conon Tennessee for trying to pass a bill that servatives are once again proving to be would make the names of doctors who hypocritical, and their argument is full of perform abortions public knowledge. crater-sized holes.

Slightly more frightening is that HB In no way does the bill reflect all of 3808, crafted by Tennessee Republican Tennessee’s government. Gary Odom, a Rep. Matthew Hill, also says the state Democratic representative of Nashville, would release specific information about was quoted in an article by The Tenneswomen who receive abortions, such as the sean as saying the bill is “dangerous.” I number of previous children, race, age, would agree. education and county of residence.

This legislature is just outright embarIn a city like Chicago, this information rassing for the state. The fact that some-

one who holds a government seat in this country could come up with such an asinine bill is enough to make me question Hill’s sanity.

The irony lies in the fact that people who consider themselves anti-abortion would intentionally endanger the lives of innocent people.

Do I expect the bill to pass? No. I imagine it will quickly be dismissed or amended, as when the Virginia legislature tried to require vaginal ultrasound procedures for women undergoing first-trimester abortions.

There was no stated medical reason for the bill; rather it was to show the fetus to those having an abortion to make sure they understood the weight of their decision.

Women immediately cried out, saying that forcing someone to put anything in her vagina is rape. In Virginia’s case, the procedure is now an option rather than a necessity.

These are only two examples of many more ludicrous proposals. Others include an Idaho bill that would increase the cost

of abortions and force women to attend an anti-abortion crisis center before being able to go through with the procedure, most likely in the hopes of persuading those poor, misguided souls into making the “right” decision. Another gem is a New Hampshire bill that would require doctors to tell patients horror stories before performing the operation.

It is obvious these laws and legislative proposals aren’t going to slow down any time soon. In fact, they seem to be more and more frequent as the months go on.

Luckily, it seems the more they pop up, the more deranged they become and the less support they receive.

However, the increasing popularity of this topic seems to be putting it at the forefront of the 2012 GOP campaign in lieu of more pressing matters, like how to stabilize our economy or generate more jobs.

These bills show these politicians are not aware of the world they live in.

Instead, they are self-righteous members of the political “He-Man Women Haters Club,” where they all meet a few times per year, sit around a campfire, roast wieners and marshmallows and talk about how they can further control women’s bodies and choices.

Despite their beliefs, these men have no right to control women, especially through cruel and harmful legislation. amurphy@chroniclemail.com

34

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Mayor touts economic blueprint

by Megan Purazrang Contributing Writer THE CHICAGO region could see its economy

Tiela Halpin THE CHRONICLE

The Chicago Transit Authority will begin its Loop Track Renewal project in mid-April. Construction will take place on Fridays and weekends and will continue through most of 2012.

CTA to renew Loop rail

by Chris Loeber Assistant Metro Editor RAIL PASSENGERS may have access to a

smoother, more dependable ride on Chicago Transit Authority trains in the Loop following a construction project that will begin later this spring.

The CTA’s Loop Track Renewal project, announced in 2011, is scheduled to begin upgrading portions of elevated track downtown in mid-April and will continue through most of 2012.

“This is somewhat akin to rebuilding a roadway where you’re putting a brand new base in place for the vehicle to operate on so the ride will be smoother and

faster,” said Brian Steele, spokesman for the CTA. “This is essentially going to provide a smoother and more convenient ride for CTA customers.”

The project will include the replacement of 11,500 feet of elevated rail and track parts that were installed in the 1980s. Construction will take place at the tracks on North Wells and West Van Buren streets, a stretch of track located on Wabash Avenue between West Adams and West Van Buren streets and on the track just north of the Merchandise Mart el stop.

Funding was provided by the state in the amount of $53 million, according to a statement from Diane Palmer, spokeswoman for the Regional Transportation Authority.

The CTA approved a $33.8 million contract in 2011 to start work on the project. Ragnar Benson Construction, 250 S. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge, Ill., was awarded the contract through a competitive bidding process.

“The contractor will use industryapproved and industry-standard materials and methods on this construction project,” Steele said. “We anticipate multiple decades of service life out [of] these improvements.”

According to him, the improvements will eliminate slow zones on deteriorated rail sections, thereby reducing delays and helping trains stay on schedule. xx SEE TRACKS, PG. 41

TIF assistance for homebuyers City, partners work to sell foreclosed houses in Humboldt Park

by Chris Loeber Assistant Metro Editor

if the homebuyer lives in the building for a period of five to 10 years, depending on the size of the loan.

“The longer that these [buildings] remain vacant, the more they’re subject to a lack of maintenance, damage from the

weather and looters,” said Peter Strazzabosco, communication director of HED. “Some of these homes can lose up to—after a year of vacancy—75 percent of their value.” xx SEE FUNDS, PG. 41

VACANT BUILDINGS and empty lots dot the

landscape of Chicago neighborhoods hit hard by the 2010 foreclosure crisis, but the city and its partners are collaborating to assist present and potential homeowners to revitalize these troubled areas.

On March 14, Chicago’s Department of Housing and Economic Development announced the TIF Purchase Rehab program that will offer forgivable loans for no more than 25 percent of the cost to purchase and rehabilitate one- to four-unit buildings in the Chicago/Central Park tax increment financing district.

Funding for the program includes $1 million from the Chicago/Central TIF district in the Humboldt Park community, one of many TIF districts in Chicago that provide financing for public projects from property taxes collected by the city.

The loans provided by the TIF and through the program will be forgivable, meaning they will not have to be paid back

Ting Shen THE CHRONICLE

Chicago’s Department of Housing and Economic Development announced the TIF Purchase Rehab program that will help homeowners purchase and rehabilitate their homes in Humboldt Park.

grow as it implements a new development plan that seeks to use strategic job and networking ideas to compete against other regions.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an international association that assists governments in programs and research that fight poverty and foster prosperity, partnered with the City of Chicago, the state of Illinois, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Chicagoland Chambers of Commerce in drafting the plan.

The Chicago region is one of the richest metropolitan areas in OECD.” –Angel Gurria

“Territorial Review of the Chicago TriState Metropolitan Area,” the proposal for the economic growth of the greater Chicago region, was unveiled March 9 during a press conference at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave., where Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined policy leaders from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana to discuss the region’s future.

“Though we have great economic advantages and strengths, the last 10 years was a lost decade for the Chicago area, from economic growth to job creation,” said Emanuel, noting that the city needs to pull itself out of a long period of economic stagnation. “We cannot afford two decades back-to-back that are lost.”

In what Emanuel called “an economic blueprint,” the OECD focused on five key areas to promote positive economic growth.

The first area includes expanding innovation and entrepreneurship and improved coordination of the skills of the labor force and the needs of employers, according to the review packet. This would require training lower-skilled workers to perform at a higher level, which can be resolved by adapting school curriculums on a citywide basis.

“For all of us, at least in the elected official positions, we’re tested, and the measurement of our success is not about whether we get reelected but whether businesses can grow and families can thrive,” Emanuel said. “Think globally and act locally. That is the best job creation economic growth strategy you can have.”

Other recommendations include enhancing the region’s presence as a transportation and supply chain hub in North America; understanding the potential human capital with the primary goal of growing, retaining and attracting talent to the area; becoming a regional leader in the bilateral trade and foreign investment, making the xx SEE ECONOMY, PG. 41

36

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Charles In Charge

All that glitters...

SOCIAL AND civil

causes are a dime a dozen in the age of the Internet. That’s nothing new. But when a cause actually gains traction and becomes part of

by Sam Charles mainstream society, Managing Editor that’s something noteworthy.

In the past month, two major stories have captivated the American public more than any others: Kony 2012 and the Trayvon Martin case in Sanford, Fla. Both causes were promoted in different ways, and the results and staying power speak for themselves.

Kony 2012 is an immensely popular viral video made by Invisible Children Inc., a nonprofit organization that works to bring awareness of the Lord’s Resistance Army and its militant leader Joseph Kony, who is allegedly responsible for the kidnapping and detainment of 30,000 children in Central Africa during the course of 26 years.

Martin was a 17-year-old boy who was shot by neighborhood “watchman” George Zimmerman in late February.

According to 911 calls from Zimmerman, he believed Martin looked and acted “suspiciously” while walking through a primarily white suburb of Orlando. Martin was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and carrying a bag of Skittles at the time

of his death.

The Kony 2012 video relied entirely on Internet marketing and word-of-mouth posting on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

The family of the slain teen got their cause off the ground the old fashioned way, holding rallies to raise awareness and utilizing other grassroots tactics.

They even brought in the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The Kony 2012 video already seems to be a flash in the pan. People were outraged after seeing the video for the first time, but they’ve done little since. It doesn’t help that the founder of Invisible Children Inc., Jason Russell, was detained in San Diego for nude nervous breakdown in public shortly after the video went viral.

There has been next to no let-up in the Martin case, and how could there be?

Martin was killed two weeks before the Kony video took off and his story is still everywhere, as it should be.

This comparison shows what few might believe. Even in the age of endless technology, it doesn’t hurt to do things the old-school way.

The Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate—unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 20 years— but things can become diluted in the vast sea of information.

But when you physically get in someone’s face, they can’t ignore you, and they won’t forget. scharles@chroniclemail.com

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I APRIL 2, 2012

Cycling made more accessible

Emanuel proposes contract with Alta Bicycle Share Inc. to develop citywide bike share

by Kaley Fowler Metro Editor

DURING THE past decade, cycling has picked

up speed in Chicago and has become a way of life for many. In following the trend, a new initiative aims to recruit additional bike enthusiasts through increased access to bicycles.

On March 14, Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an ordinance to the City Council seeking to enter a contract with Alta Bicycle Share Inc., a Portland, Ore.-based company, to implement a large-scale bike share program that would make it possible to rent and return bicycles at self-service docking stations located throughout the city.

“Chicago is going to offer one of the top bike sharing programs in the world, and one of the largest in the United States,” Emanuel said in a press release from the Mayor’s Office. “Alta and their Public Bike System Company are the global leaders in bike sharing programs, and will set up and operate the new system that will be a key part of achieving our goal of making Chicago a world-class city for bicycling.”

Chicago B-Cycle, another bike share program with six rental stations, already exists but is not affiliated with the City of Chicago.

The Chicago Department of Transportation began looking into the Alta plan in September 2011 and issued a request for a

RIDE∙RETURN∙REPEAT Heidi Unkefer THE CHRONICLE

proposal citing an initial need for approximately 3,000 bikes to be housed in 300 docking stations citywide. CDOT plans to add 1,000 more bikes to be housed in 100 additional stations in the year following the program’s launch.

According to the press release, the solarpowered docking stations will be located in densely populated areas, such as near public transit stations, roughly a quartermile apart.

“Putting 3,000 bikes in Chicago that are available for quick, easy checkout at a reasonable price will really change how people get around,” said Amanda Woodall, policy manager for the Active Transportation Alliance, an organization that promotes bicycling as a healthy means of transportation.

Altering transportation trends is at the forefront of the initiative, according to Ben

Gomberg, CDOT Bicycle Program coordinator, who believes the program’s accessibility will promote interest in cycling.

“By making bikes convenient to use, people who don’t normally bike will give it a try,” Gomberg said. “Especially since the bikes are designed for novice riders with [a] one-size-fits-all design.”

Regular users will be able to sign up for annual, weekly or daily memberships that can be accessed online, while one-time users can use their credit cards on site at the time of rental.

While the Chicago project will be initially financed through federal grants, city officials assert that membership and user fees will generate enough funds to sustain the program.At this point, membership and rental costs have not been determined.

The project is modeled on the success of

other bike share programs worldwide. Alta and its bicycle manufacturer, PBSC, currently operate similar programs in major cities, such as London, Montreal, Boston and Washington, D.C., among others. The company will also launch programs in New York City and Chattanooga, Tenn. this year.

According to Tom Alexander, spokesman for the Mayor’s Press Office, there is no estimated construction date at this point, as the City Council is still in the process of reviewing the proposed ordinance.

“Bike sharing will help to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and promote health and fitness,” said Gabe Klein, CDOT commissioner, in the press release. “[It] will enhance the quality of life for everyone who chooses to use it.” kfowler@chroniclemail.com

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35,000 students would get grants. The state would need to provide $1 billion in order to give every eligible Illinois student a MAP grant, Samuels said.

“What we have said consistently since January is that in all likelihood it would be the earliest [cutoff] ever,” he said. “It’s a sign of incredible demand more than anything else.”

Samuels said 40,000 more students have filed financial aid forms compared to this time last year. Just five years ago, students who applied as late as August were able to get MAP grants. ISAC alerted the state’s colleges and universities March 16 that future applicants would be out of luck. Schools, in turn, notified students.

STOCK PHOTO

For some families, I am sure it is devastating in this economy.”

Between 140,000–145,000 students are expected to receive financial aid from the state in the form of MAP grants, but an estimated 140,000 eligible students are expected to be denied.

–Nina Kenney

Illinois runs out of financial aid

by Jodi S. Cohen MCT Newswire

CURRENT AND prospective Illinois college

students who apply now in hopes of procuring state help with tuition for the next school year will be turned away, officials said March 20.

The state is on track to receive a record number of applications for the 2012–2013

school year from the Monetary Award Program, the primary source of need-based financial aid. Students who applied before March 13 depleted the scholarship money, which is awarded on a first-come firstserved basis.

Students began applying for the funding Jan. 1.

It’s the earliest the state has run out of funds for MAP grants, said John Samu-

els, spokesman for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the agency that administers the program. Between 140,000 – 145,000 students are expected to get the aid. An estimated 140,000 eligible students will be denied.

The state of Illinois plans to provide at least $387 million for the program, and Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed increasing that amount by $50 million so that another

Nina Kenney, whose daughter attends Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., learned March 17 that the family had missed the deadline because they filed the forms on March 15. She thought she had until March 25 based on last year’s cutoff date.

“For some families, I am sure it is devastating in this economy,” said Kenney, of Lake Villa. “It is unfortunate.”

Students who missed the deadline for the MAP grants are still encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.ed.gov. chronicle@colum.com

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40

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Democrats press Smith to resign following arrest

by Ray Long and Monique Garcia MCT Newswire GOV. PAT Quinn and other leading Demo-

crats on March 21 called for the resignation of a state lawmaker from Chicago who won a House primary one week after being arrested on federal bribery charges.

The growing pressure on Democratic state Rep. Derrick Smith (10th District) contrasts with the previous silence from party leaders who avoided such criticism in the days after the arrest, when it might have affected his primary race.

Some, including U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th Congressional District) and Alderman Walter Burnett (27th Ward), encouraged voters to support Smith to ensure the West Side seat stays in Democratic hands.

But that changed the day after his victory over Tom Swiss, a former Cook County Republican Party official running as a Democrat.

Now Democratic leaders are moving to oust Smith and pick a replacement to run in the November general election.

Davis said that while he asked voters to cast their ballots for Smith, it was about ensuring the seat stayed in Democratic control and was not a show of support for Smith. Davis said Smith should not appear on the November ballot given

until March 20 to call for him to resign. Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson.

“The allegations in the charge against him House Speaker Michael Madigan poured convey unacceptable conduct, making it more than $60,000 into the race before extremely difficult to represent the citizens Smith’s arrest. Madigan declined to comof the district,” White said in a statement. ment on the situation.

“The public would be much better served if If Smith resigns, a successor would be Derrick were to step down.” chosen by a weighted vote of the DemoQuinn likewise refused to call for Smith’s cratic Party committeemen whose wards resignation before the election, only to include precincts in the state House dischange his tune March 21 while on a trade trict. The weight is based on how many mission in Brussels.

Democratic ballots were cast in the March the ethical cloud hanging over him.

“The governor believes Representative 20 primary for each ward.

“I was glad to see Derrick win the elec- Smith should resign” because the charges tion, but I think in reality one can say that represent a “cloud hanging over” him, said chronicle@colum.edu democrats won the election,” Davis said. “I don’t think they were necessarily voting for Derrick, but I think they were saying, ‘Democrat, Democrat, Democrat.’”

According to Davis, the election isn’t just about “the man,” but rather, “as Ossie Davis said, ‘the plan.’”

“I think people were intelligent enough, they were wise enough, they understood enough that they wanted to give themselves another chance to get a good, solid Democrat to represent them,” he said.

Smith could not be reached for comment March 20 and has not publicly addressed the charges since his appearance in court three weeks ago. Messages left at his offices in Chicago and Springfield and with his attorney were not returned.

He was charged March 13 with accepting a $7,000 cash bribe in return for supporting a bid for a state grant.

He was snared in an undercover FBI sting that included an audio recording of Smith allegedly accepting the bribe.

He filled a House vacancy while workAssociated Press ing for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse Gov. Pat Quinn and other Chicago Democrats called for 7th Congressional District Rep. Derrick Smith White, his political mentor. White said (above) to resign following his arrest on charges of accepting a $7,000 cash bribe in return for his suphe was disappointed in Smith but waited port of a state grant.

METRO I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

xx TRACKS Continued from PG. 35

xx ECONOMY Continued from PG. 35

Work on the Loop tracks will take place on Fridays and weekends—low points for rail traffic—to minimize delays for CTA customers, Steele said, and there may be temporary street closures if necessary.

“There will be some train reroutes and some trains will go the opposite direction on the elevated tracks than they normally do,” he said. “On Saturdays and Sundays, there will be some full closures of portions of the track, which will mean the occasional closure of a station or two.”

Construction may delay drivers if streets are blocked, but the abundance of train stations downtown will provide adequate access to businesses, said Aris Gallios, coowner of Miller’s Pub, 134 S. Wabash Ave. “If they’re blocking vehicles, there might be some disruption for theater-goers,” Gallios said. “Other than that, most of our customers are pedestrian, so I don’t think it will be that much of a disruption.”

Steele echoed Gallios’ sentiment, agreeing that the presence of many stations and their proximity to one another would make up for delays caused by station closures.

The CTA plans to market the project to make sure customers are aware of any service changes.

“It’s a pretty interesting project.The Loop elevated structure is 100-plus years old,” Steele said. “I don’t think a lot of people realize the complexity of a project like this and the positive impacts that it will bring.”

region a global player; and improving the region’s position in the green and clean technology sectors, including green building design and energy-efficient services, changes in public transit and reductions in traffic congestion.

According to OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, the tri-state metro region has the potential to be a leading area, not only in the U.S. but worldwide. He said the resources available here are vital seeds with which to grow a stronger economic foundation for the future.

“The tri-state Chicago region compares well among the metro regions in the OECD,” Gurria said. “In fact, the Chicago region is one of the richest metropolitan areas in the OECD, and it has a number of key assets.”

However, the plan will take a while to make an impact on Chicago and its neighboring regions, and its success will depend on cooperation from all agencies involved, according to Tom Guevara, deputy assistant secretary of Regional Affairs for the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The depressed state of the U.S. economy during the last several years has taken its toll on regions throughout the country.

However, metro areas like New York and Los Angeles are recovering at a more efficient rate than Chicago, according to the report.

“Too often we think about competitiveness in local and not global terms,” said Guevara, emphasizing the importance of not competing against one another for jobs. cloeber@chroniclemail.com “When neighbor fights neighbor, we end up

in a race to the bottom.”

The unemployment rate in the tri-state Chicago region has remained at approximately 10 percent since 2009, but problems began long before the recession, he said.

“The study identified a number of challenges,” Gurria said. “If employment in the Chicago tri-state metropolitan region had grown at the national rate over the past 20 years, the region would have almost 600,000 additional jobs today.”

Not only is the lack of jobs a challenging issue overall, but it’s worse among different ethnic groups, he said.

OECD’s research shows that the unemployment rate among African-Americans is estimated to be four times greater than that of whites.

According to Gurria, unemployment is also directly related to skill level, and OECD found that low-skilled workers couldn’t find jobs.

He said jobs requiring a medium degree

41

of skill are not being filled because employers are having trouble finding people who are qualified.

As a result, companies with jobs requiring high-skilled workers are deciding to go outside the region, and young graduate students are searching for jobs outside of Chicago.

But the framework of the plan will help create solutions for the region, said Guevara, adding that progress is needed to help keep up with the “rapid pace of change.”

“Regions are the building blocks of our national economy … Every country needs competitive, dynamic regions if it is to achieve its economic and social objectives at the national level,” he said. “We need to develop a common understanding of our region’s innovation ecosystems and the key challenges they face and develop a common goal for action.” chronicle@colum.edu

MCT Newswire

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and policy leaders from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin met March 9 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave., to announce the “Territorial Review of the Chicago Tri-State Metropolitan Area,” a proposal for the economic growth of the greater Chicago region.

xx FUNDS Continued from PG. 35 Strazzabosco said attracting homebuyers and stabilizing property values are important for the economic vitality of neighborhoods severely affected by foreclosures, including Humboldt Park, where more than 786 foreclosures were filed in 2010 and 2011, according to the Woodstock Institute, a nonprofit research and policy organization.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, a nonprofit providing communitybased lending in Chicago, will administer the assistance available to homebuyers through the program.

money overall.

According to him, the City of Chicago publicizes TIF use for projects that benefit the community, while it also allocates money toward other projects that may not be as worthwhile for everyone.

“Is it a good thing to get people into foreclosed homes?” Tresser said. “I would imagine that people would say, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing.’ But if you ask the same people if we should give Mariano’s [Fresh Market in the West Loop], a private enterprise, [$7 million in TIF] to build a grocery store in a perfectly fine area, my guess is that most people would say, ‘No.’” The purchase rehab program is an extension of the city’s Micro-Market Recovery Program, which targets nine communi-

The longer that these [buildings] remain vacant, the more they’re subject to a lack of maintenance, damage from the weather and looters. Some of these homes can lose up to­—after a year of vacancy—75 percent of their value.”

–Peter Strazzabosco

Ting Shen THE CHRONICLE

Foreclosed homes on the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of North Central Park Avenue will be the focus of the Neighborhood Housing Association in its work through the TIF Purchase Rehab program.

“There are a stream of vacancies where these properties have been sitting vacant for the last two to four years, and the majority of those that are vacant went through foreclosure,” said Darris Shaw, director of Construction Services at NHS. “We’re going to try to focus our efforts in getting potential homebuyers to look at those properties and to hopefully turn those blocks around.”

Much of the NHS’ work will focus on reoccupying homes in the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of North Central Park Avenue where there is a significant number of vacant properties, Shaw said.

Although he agrees with the program’s intentions, Tom Tresser, a civic engagement instructor at the Illinois Institute of Art, said he questions the use of TIF

ties in Chicago for foreclosure mitigation efforts, according to Strazzabosco.

Before the establishment of the MMRP, the city’s efforts to address foreclosures were spread across much of Chicago, Strazzabosco said.

By focusing on areas where homebuyer assistance is needed most, the program will have a greater effect on Chicago as a whole, he said.

“The TIF Purchase Rehab program was created to provide another tool within these nine localized areas where the city is layering a variety of resources that will cumulatively have a resonating effect on local property values,” Strazzabosco said. cloeber@chroniclemail.com

42

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

I APRIL 2, 2012

Courtesy ANGELA AHRENHOLTZ

Mitt Romney holds a baby amid a crowd of supporters at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill., March 20. Romney went on to win the Illinois Republican primary.

IN OTHER NEWS Close call

Home alone

Election mishaps

Monkey business

According to NBCChicago.com, Paris Sadler, a 20-year-old Chicago man, was charged March 21 with attempted first-degree murder in the March 19 shooting of a Chicago police officer. Officer Del Pearson, 47, was shot in his upper body while allegedly chasing Sadler on the 8400 block of South Kingston Avenue. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for emergency surgery. According to a spokesman for the Fraternal Order of Police, Pearson lost two-thirds of his blood. Sadler was arrested at his home shortly after the incident. As of March 22, Pearson is in stable condition, but remains hospitalized.

Shanpreta Howard, 34, and Antowain Johnson, 36, were charged with misdemeanor endangerment the week of March 18 for allegedly leaving their two children home alone for two days while they went to Las Vegas on Feb. 22, according to SunTimes. com. Their children, ages 9 and 12, told a teacher about the trip. The teacher called the police, who found the children in their apartment on the 4800 block of North Winthrop Avenue. According to authorities, the children were placed in the custody of an aunt until their parents returned. A neighbor in the apartment building described Howard and Johnson as good parents.

According to CBSLocal.com, Illinois’ March 20 primary elections were overshadowed by several issues, including problems in the City of Chicago.Two election judges showed up drunk and one of them had to be hospitalized, while another was ordered to stop selling candy to voters. In the 22nd Ward, there were unconfirmed reports of voter fraud, and voters in 26 counties were unable to get their ballots tabulated because they would not fit into the counting machine.

According to Langdon Neal, chairman of the Chicago Board of Elections, this was the lowest voter turnout in a presidential primary in 70 years.

According to ChicagoTribune.com, the silverback gorilla JoJo is leaving Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo for a new home in the suburbs. The 31-year-old is being moved from the North Side to Brookfield Zoo in the western suburbs where there are female gorillas whom zoo officials hope the 485-pound ape will mate with. A goodbye birthday party will be held for JoJo April 10. Two female gorillas are also leaving Lincoln Park Zoo as part of a breeding program and will go to zoos in Kansas City and Columbus, Ohio.

Two young male apes will arrive at Lincoln Park this summer to live with two other male gorillas.

OFF THE BLOTTER Retail dysfunction On March 18, a 50-year-old man approached a closed counter at the Walgreens at 2 E. Roosevelt Road to purchase condoms. He placed them and a $100 bill in front of the closed register while waiting for an available clerk. One appeared and slid the package of condoms over to his open register.

The man followed, leaving the bill behind.

Seconds later, an unknown offender stepped up and snatched the $100 before taking off in an unknown direction.

Not so sweet

Compiled by Chronicle staff with information provided by the Chicago Police Department.

On March 21, security guards at CVS/pharmacy, 520 S. State St., observed a 49-yearold man removing candy bars from a store display and placing them in his pockets.

He began exiting the store without paying when security stopped him and discovered $65.70 worth of candy in his pockets. He was transferred to the 1st District for processing.

Sneaky, sneaky A woman was arrested March 14 on trespassing charges after she and an unknown man snuck into Columbia’s Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Ave., camouflaged by a group of known students. Both subjects were soon caught in a restricted area unplugging a computer and attempting to carry it away. When confronted by witnesses, the man fled while the woman was detained. Police arrived and took her to the 1st District for processing.

Check, please Yang Restaurant, 28 E. Roosevelt Road, was broken into between 9 p.m. March 15 and 10:30 a.m. March 16. Police reports state that unknown offenders pried the back door open with a tool and entered the restaurant, taking $4,575 from a cloth bag located under the counter. Detectives were notified and will review the restaurant’s security cameras.

GAMES I APRIL 2, 2012 I THE CHRONICLE

HOROSCOPES

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21–April 20) Love relationships require diplomacy and special sensitivity this week. After Monday, romantic partners or potential lovers may feel drained by recent family events or unexpected home disputes. Offer creative social distractions or unique leisure activities. At present, optimism and steady dedication to group planning will be helpful. Friday through Sunday, accent minor financial strains or late arriving debts. Remain patient: A long-term approach will yield the desired results.

1

TAURUS (April 21–May 20) Business skills and daily instructions are now a source of workplace concern. During the next eight days, close colleagues may demand equal treatment, new opportunities or quick advancements.

Avoid controversy and allow authority figures to negotiate all disputes: This is not the right time to challenge the needs of the bold or impatient types.

After Friday, long-term relationships begin an unexpected phase of passion, social change and new expression: Stay open to all proposals.

GEMINI (May 21–June 21) Before midweek, home expenses and minor financial setbacks are bothersome. Some Geminis will soon feel pressured to revise family budgets, begin new investment strategies or finalize property documents. All are positive but also legally complicated: Study written documents for unrealistic deadlines or hidden restrictions. Wednesday through Saturday, a close friend may become briefly flirtatious. Go slow: Unethical attractions and sensuality may be unavoidable.

CANCER (June 22–July 22) Older friends or relatives will this week discuss revised career ambitions. An intense wave of workplace disappointment now needs to be resolved. After Tuesday, expect complex social or family relationships to require detailed practical decisions. Offer business advice and watch for steady progress. Your approval and continuing support is needed.

Friday through Sunday, loved ones may be unusually thoughtful. If so, expect new emotional or family roles to soon emerge.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Romantic decisions are best delayed this week. During the next eight days, complex relationships and quickly revised goals may challenge the traditional expectations of family members. Wait for close friends and relatives to ask probing questions. Loved ones may now need to vent their feelings or express strong opinions. Friday through Sunday, minor health issues affecting the skin, digestion or intestines may be bothersome.

New fitness regimes are needed: Stay active.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Monday through Wednesday, a past relationship may reappear. If so, remain quietly detached and expect ongoing social triangles for the next 11 days. After Thursday, a minor disagreement with co-workers may escalate. Unexpected jealousies or a rare competition for job promotions may be an issue. Avoid public discussions, if possible, and expect others to offer misinformation. Business relationships will improve after authority figures announce new work roles.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 23) During the next few days, group plans may be postponed. At present, friends and colleagues are easily distracted with family events, new friendships or romantic invitations. Take none of it personally: Intriguing relationships, sultry proposals and social activities will soon prove entertaining. Remain optimistic and all will be well. After Friday, authority figures may challenge the needs or statements of coworkers. Private politics are involved: Refuse to be derailed.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24–Nov. 22) This week, long-term relationships begin a phase of serious communications, group planning and social expansion. Loved ones are now motivated to bring added commitments or security into their lives. Single Scorpios may encounter the return of a past lover or distant friend. If so, remain cautious: Passions and expectations will be high. Friday through Sunday, a job proposal from approximately 12 weeks ago may reappear. If so, financial promises are valid: Remain open.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23–Dec. 21) First impressions will this week set the tone of new friendships. After Wednesday, the emotional influence of bold social discussions and complicated workplace triangles may tend to linger. Avoid a strong public reaction to inappropriate comments or behavior: Someone close may need extra time to develop confidence or establish trust. Friday through Sunday, an older relative may announce controversial business or career changes. Encourage optimism: Tensions may be high.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 20) Workplace strategies and leadership style now need improvement. After midweek, coworkers will not respond to instructions or controversial ideas without first checking with authority figures.

Find creative ways to increase group participation. Patient determination and gentle diplomacy will help clarify difficult business relationships. Thursday through Saturday, a close friend may feel temporarily disillusioned with recent family decisions. Stay focused: There’s much to discuss.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21–Feb. 19) Housing decisions, financial applications and legal documents will this week demand your full attention. A series of family disputes or money restrictions now needs to be resolved. Respond quickly to all requests or critical observations and expect loved ones to follow your example. Honest discussion will bring the desired results. After Wednesday, a complex social or romantic relationship may need to end. Openly challenge all unproductive patterns and all will be well.

PISCES (Feb. 20–March 20) Early this week, new friendships may be complicated with subtle romantic triangles or private attractions. Ensure your long-term intentions are clearly understood by the group. During the next few days, emotional signals are easily misinterpreted: Avoid familiar or inappropriate behavior, if possible, and wait for social jealousies to fade. Friday through Sunday, a friend or colleague may propose controversial business plans. Stay alert: Financial creativity will soon prove invaluable.

43

LEVEL 4

6

9 3

1 7 9

5 6 2 8 6 9 5 4 3 8 7 9 4 4 9 7 9 7 4 6 8 7 1

CROSSWORD

Puzzle by websudoku.com

MONDAY

“One Way, Deaf Way”

“Messing with a Friend”

4.3.12–4.5.12 // Hours vary C101 Gallery 33 E. Congress Parkway Building

4.5.12 // 10:30 p.m.

The Annoyance Theatre 4830 N. Broadway

Ann Silver, an internationally acclaimed artist and designer best known for her Andy Warholesque deaf pop art, makes her gallery debut at Columbia.

Guest artists play opposite improv veteran Susan Messing in this two-person show.

(312) 369-7837 FREE

(773) 561-4665 $5

4.2

TUESDAY

4.3

MONDAY

4.2

TUESDAY

4.3

Dan Pearce senior recital

Museum of Contemporary Art’s Tips on

“Natural Wonders: A Roman Mosaic from

First Tuesdays with the Midwest

7 – 8 p.m.

Tuesdays: The Business

Lod, Israel”

Independent Film Festival

Music Center

Noon

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

6 p.m.

1014 S. Michigan Ave.

Multipurpose Studio

The Field Museum

Landmark Century Centre Cinema

(312) 369-6300

618 S. Michigan Ave. Building, 4th floor

1400 S. Lake Shore Drive

2828 N. Clark St.

FREE

(312) 369-7994

(312) 922-9410

(312) 642-4222

FREE

$12–$15; $10 for kids ages 3–11

$10–$15

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

4.4

THURSDAY

4.5

4.4

4.6

“Reveal: Secrecy of the Public Sphere”

Visiting Artist Lecture: Mary Lucier

Eve of the Opener

“Fela!”

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

6:30 – 9 p.m.

7 – 11 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

C33 Gallery

Hokin Lecture Hall

Finley Dunne’s Tavern

Oriental Theatre Ford Center for the

33 E. Congress Parkway Building

Wabash Campus Building

3458 N. Lincoln Ave.

Performing Arts

(312) 369-6643

623 S. Michigan Ave.

(773) 477-7311

24 W. Randolph St.

FREE

(312) 369-6684

$40

(800) 755-2000

FREE

FRIDAY

4.6

$30–$105

SATURDAY

4.7

SATURDAY

4.7

SUNDAY

4.8

Jazz Forum

“Travelling with John Fischetti”

“El Circo Cheapo Cabaret”

“Powerful: African Americans in Energy”

2 – 4 p.m.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

7 p.m.

9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Music Center

Columbia Library

The Aloft Loft

Museum of Science and Industry

1014 S. Michigan Ave.

South Campus Building

2041 W. Carroll Ave.

57th Street and Lake Shore Drive

(312) 369-6300

624 S. Michigan Ave., 3rd floor

(773) 782-6663

(773) 684-1414

FREE

(312) 369-7900

$10–$15; FREE for kids ages 5 and younger

$14–$15; $10 for kids ages 3–11

FREE

FORECAST AccuWeather.com Seven-day forecast for Chicago MONDAY

MON. NIGHT

TUESDAY

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2012

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

EVENTS KEY

SUNDAY MUSIC

FOOD

Times of clouds and sun

A shower in spots late

Mild with clouds and sun

Partly sunny and breezy

Mostly sunny

Clouds and sun

Sun through high clouds

Bright sunshine

High 56

Low 42

High 65 Low 52

High 64 Low 44

High 56 Low 40

High 59 Low 40

High 52 Low 42

High 57 Low 45

FILM

ENGLISH

CELEBRITY

ART

POLITICS

SPEAKER

THEATRE

DANCE

EXHIBIT

HOLIDAY

MARKETING JOURNALISM TELEVISION COLUMBIA CULTURAL

SPORTS

NIGHTLIFE

SHOPPING

PHOTO

GAMES

AUDIO

COMPUTERS