On Tap Issue 09 Spring 2014

ON TAP A VSU Student Magazine

ISSUE 09 / SPRING 2014

WEBSITE

SOCIAL MEDIA

WWW.ONTAPVSU.COM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

by Erica Even & R. Rhett Parker

6-7 JOEL AT THE PUB

from Immigration Reform

By Joshua Abbott

30-31 SAGE KOTSENBURG

By Michael LaGon

Wins at Being Awesome

By Kayla Stroud

8-9 THE MILL The Legend Lives On

By Erica Even

32-33 REMEMBERING THE DAY

10-12 VALDOSTA NATIONAL 2014

By Perry Davis

28-29 MIGRANT WORKERS AT RISK

By Ayanna Craig

34-35 STUDY ABROAD

The London Experience

By Adam Buescher

— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

12-15 THE ART OF BANKSY

By R. Rhett Parker

36-37 SUPER BOWL XLVIII CHEAUXLOVE: COMMUNITY & CLOTHES

By Daniel Miller 16-17 An Interview with Rudy Simmons

By Terrance Johnson 38-39 A NEW LEAGUE OF SPORTS

By R. Rhett Parker 18-21 WHERE’S YOUR HOME ON CAMPUS?

By Joshua Abbott 40-43 5 SUPER FOODS YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Devin Durham FIRST FRIDAY 22-23

By Brooke McKinney 44-49 DORM ROOM DAY SPA

By Gabrielle Burch INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE 24-25

By Erica Even 50-51 JUST BE “SOCIAL?”

By Michael LaGon 26-27 WATER… ON TAP?

By Daniel Miller

Front & Back Cover Photo by: Alexis Waters

STAFF R. Rhett Parker & Erica Even

EDITORS IN CHIEF Jenae’ Brew MANAGER EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR Roberto Leal

ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Hamilton CONTRIBUTORS Michael LaGon Perry Davis Terrance Johnson Joshua Abbott Brooke McKinney Daniel Miller Kayla Stroud Ayanna Craig Adam Buescher Devin Durham Gabrielle Burch PHOTOGRAPHERS Alexis Waters

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Deborah Hall Email: ontap@valdosta.edu

— Photo By

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS Kaitlin White Fallon Perry Veronica Dominicis

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

W

elcome back to our loyal readers and hello to all of you first-timers! Our spring issue is our favorite because the semester is winding down, graduation is in the air and summer is right around the corner.

appeal depending on the student. Our hope is that students will be able to find comfort and humor within the pages of this publication.

We have chosen to feature articles on some student organizations, local venues and restaurants, sports This semester we brought you “People of VSU,” an and entertainment. artistic project that highlights student diversity and humanity across campus. We have proudly posted As both of us are graduating in May, we’re very exphotos and brief conversations with Valdosta State cited to announce our next co-editors: Jenae Brew students on our social media outlets. and Devin Durham. We’d also like to thank all of our readers for their continued support of our publicaThis issue features a wide range of articles de- tion. signed to benefit students in vast and various ways.

As a general interest magazine, we have tried to Erica Even & R. Rhett Parker appeal to all students in some way through our nu- Editors-in-Chief merous article selections. We strive to hit all bases, but we know that some articles may have a higher

JOEL AND THE PUB

The Bleu Q Pub is an establishment known quite well around Valdosta. Around the corner from its sister, The Bleu Cafe, the “Pub,” for short, is quite bland on the outside, but what lies on the inside is quite a unique vibe. As a place synonymous with burgers, beer, and bands to the fine folks of Valdosta, the establishment thrives on its people, whether they work there, regularly visit, or are just passing through. They strive to create the best, homey experience they possibly can.

Meet one of the crew: Joel is a waiter and bartender at the Pub and is also one of the cheekiest guys who works there. He wears his personality on his sleeves - literally; the man sports some of the most imaginative tattoos on his arm. But what would you expect from a Fine Arts major at Valdosta State? What would you expect from a rather unique person? Let’s get to know him some more.

By Michael LaGon

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— Photo By Michael LaGon

HOW DID YOU LEAD UP TO BARTENDING? I’ve worked in the service industry for 14 years, in many different establishments, positions and serving different goods. I was a barista for 6+ years at a local coffee/ roaster shop, and worked for many years as a bartender at the Engine Room. I started drinking when I was 15, drank mostly junk back then and over time was introduced to what good alcohol was; started paying attention to what made the difference between beers and talked with people to get better descriptors. I drink way less now than I used to, but still have a great appreciation for a good pint, a glass of red wine, or a nice bourbon on the rocks.

WHAT DOES THE BLEU PUB MEAN TO YOU? The pub means to me... that I have a place where I can be part of a crew/ family of folks that have a certain personal pride

in our line of work and what our business has to offer. We can plug in to people’s lives, possibly offer them a short enjoyable vacation from life’s stresses, open dialogues to share info on the local happenings, craft beers, art and more. It gives me a chance to directly interact with people, networking, sharing, learning and hopefully leaving customers in a better mental environment than when they first came in. I feel like the service industry is a great way to better understand humanity.

WHAT DRINKS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO SOMEONE WHO VISITS THE PUB? Well I recommend stuff based on what people tell me they like/ drink/ are looking for: hoppy/ sweet/ heavy/ dark / fruity/ etc. I always ask what they’re into/ looking for first and based on what they tell me I give them things I would recommend

that are in those flavor/ texture realms. Also, I don’t lie. If I’ve never had it, I won’t tell someone I have and I like it. I’ll also tell them what I don’t like and why. It’s ok for people to disagree on drinks because we all have different palettes. My palette has changed recently from a very hoppy itch (double IPA/ pale ales/ imperial reds) to a lighter easier to drink beer, like a pilsner/ lager or even a cider- although they are often too sweet for me.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE COME TO THE PUB? We serve everyone, from folks who live and work on the block, to travelers who find us online/word of mouth. Families, local lushes, lawyers, poor college kids etc. I think we pull from all areas of the spectrum because you can’t really deny good pub food.

— Photo By Michael LaGon

THE MILL: “THE LEGEND LIVES ON”

By Erica Even

SITUATED IN REMERTON, THE MILL SERVES AN INTERESTING ARRAY OF SPECIALTY AND DESSERT PIZZAS. OWNED BY DANNY DAVIS, PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE WEDGE, THE RESTAURANT IS A VERITABLE BLAST FROM THE PAST. A first glance inside guarantees you won’t even see the lengthy pizza buffet, fresh with classic and crazy pizzas, breadsticks, salads, pastas and desserts. You’ll notice the train making its laps above the buffet line, pictures of the Beatles, a pirate statue that vaguely resembles Johnny Depp, Superman posters, old-school bicycles and so many other cool relics.

Once you’ve overcome the initial shock of seeing the coolest collection of signs and paraphernalia you’ve ever seen, your eye will be drawn to the buffet filled with classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas, along with some of The Mill’s crazy-cool signature pizzas such as: the Blazer Buffalo Chicken, Veggie Tales, the Cheese to My Macaroni, and so much more.

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— Photo By Devin Durham

The Mill even has an old-school arcade that will soon be up and running! The arcade will be packed with over 40 games ranging from ski-ball to air hockey. There are games for all ages—from children to college students to the adult’s inner-child. You can never be too old for the arcade!

As a bonus for college students, The Mill offers late night eating through a pick-up food window Thursday through Saturday. Conveniently located right outside of the major bars of Remerton, a piece of pie may be just what you need after a few beers at your favorite bar.

If you aren’t into the Remerton bar scene, The Mill serves domestic beers along with red and white wines to accompany your pizza and salad buffet.

The Mill offers lunch specials Monday through Friday with beverages included at $7.99 and only $2.99 for children less than 40 inches in height. Regular prices are $6.49 for adults and $3.99 for kids, drinks not included. The Mill also offers carry-out services on pizzas, pastas, wings, 2 liter sodas and more.

— Photo By Devin Durham

— Photo By Devin Durham

You might think that a single trip to the dessert buffet will be enough.

However, the S’mores pizza and the Georgia on My Mind peach pie will ensure your mouth-watering return for seconds and thirds.

VALDOSTA NATIONAL 2014 ART SHOW

By Perry Davis

Upon entering the Fine Arts Gallery, most guests were welcomed by “Weighing in on Fast Food,” a piece designed by Pat Kumicich on mixed fiber displaying a person weighing on a scale with fast food labels in the background. However, what makes the Valdosta National unique is that it is a showcase for contemporary visual art using any kind of media made by artists from various states. The artwork on display ranged from clay pieces such as Barbara Balzer’s “Leonardo’s Lost Idea” to works that utilized film, such as MANDEM’s, “Doll (Act III).” Bryan Garris, adjunct teacher at VSU, was in attendance as his silver gelatin print, “Mill Reflect #1” was on display. Standing next to his print, Garris said he felt great that he was able to submit his work to a judge and have it displayed for everyone to see.

Sixty-one artists entered a total of 11 ONTAP

— Photo By Perry Davis

— Photo By Perry Davis

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY HELD ITS 26TH ANNUAL VALDOSTA NATIONAL ART SHOW JANUARY 21 THROUGH FEBRUARY 8 AT THE VSU FINE ARTS GALLERY.

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— Photo By lar888.deviantart.com

— Photo By Perry Davis

166 pieces of artwork, which were judged by Carolyn Henne, Chair of the Department of Art at Florida State University. Henne selected 59 various works produced by 35 artists from 18 different states. At the opening reception, Henne announced awards that totaled $1500. Julie Bowland, Director of the VSU Fine Arts Gallery, hoped viewers were able to look at the Valdosta National and see the variations in media and the different subject matter used for each piece of work.

Because the idea behind Valdosta National was to showcase different mediums and styles, viewers kept moving around the gallery looking at pieces more different than the last. “A lot of it [the artwork] was aggressive, more so than most shows,” said Alan Sifuentes, a 3rd year student at VSU. “There was a piece for everyone.”

THE ART OF BANKSY

By Richard R. Parker OCTOBER 13, 2013. AN OLD MAN SITS BY A POP-UP ART STAND ON A STREET IN NEW YORK, AND NEXT TO HIM ARE CANVASES FILLED WITH STENCIL-SPRAYED ART PIECES GOING FOR $60 EACH. After several hours pass by with only three purchases, the old man packs up the pop-up stand and leaves. Days pass, and the three lucky New Yorkers that bought the $60 canvases learn that their pieces were original works by Banksy, the internationally famous (or perhaps infamous) British street artist, and were each valued at tens-of-thousands of dollars.

Days pass, and more and more Banksy pieces begin popping up across New York. Intrigued by the reputation of the street artist, New Yorkers clamor to find the pieces and take a picture before the work is covered up by a local graffiti artists or relocated and preserved by the owners of the tagged property.

— Photo By Jack Hollow Photography 2005 — Photo By lar888.deviantart.com

Meanwhile, New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg watches in ire as his city is vandalized by Banksy. In an interview with CNN, Mayor Bloomberg intimated that while the NYPD would not actively hunt down Banksy, he feels as though graffiti is not an acceptable form of art and should not be permitted: “Graffiti does ruin people’s property and is a sign of decay and loss of control. Running up to somebody’s property or public property and defacing it is not my definition of art. Or it may be art but it should not be permitted. I think that’s exactly what the law says.”

Regardless of Mayor Bloomber’s stance on graffiti, countless New Yorkers sought to catch a glimpse of the elusive Banksy and his work. In fact, citizens were so entranced by the appearance of Banksy in New York that they were suckered in to buying fake artwork.

Only a week after the pop-up stand containing orig14 ONTAP

only vandalism. His pieces convey images of hopelessness, commercialism, satirical pop-culture references, anti-war, and a revolt against established art. It’s a rebellion against strict governmental control, a problem especially in England, as well as a rebellion against the modern, consumerist mainstream culture.

Furthermore, Banksy does not rely solely on graffiti as a way to get his message across; rather, he uses a combination of graffiti and prop artwork—such as a replication of the Great Sphinx of Giza made completely out of smashed cinder blocks, or a fiberglass Ronald McDonald figure having his shoes shined by a dirt-smeared boy.

Whatever the reason, Banksy has become a central figure in modern art movements.

People across the globe are constantly on the lookout to catch a glimpse of the illusive street artist or one of his pieces. His works have become incredibly valuable, inal Banksy pieces opened, sold three and Banksy has shown that graffiti can pieces, and closed, a new stand opened transcend the definition of vandalism and up at the same spot that contained what be considered as modern art by mainappeared to be original works by Banksy. stream society.

Engineered by Dave Cicirelli, Lance Pilgrim, George Cross, and Michael Pilgrim, this pop-up stand sold “fake” canvases at the same price. However, unlike the original pop-up stand that only sold three pieces, the “fake” stand completely sold out of canvases.

Perhaps the draw behind Banksy is how controversial of a character he has become. On one hand, Banksy is seen as little more than a graffiti artist that is vandalizing property with his subversive art.

On the other hand, he is reviled by fellow graffiti artists due to his use of stencils as well as his celebrity-like status, reputation, and notoriety.

However, to say that the draw of Banksy is purely due to his controversial status would be to completely ignore the political and social commentary behind each work from Banksy. Looking at Banksy’s works shows that he is an artist that is actively seeking to subvert the idea that graffiti is 15 ONTAP

CHEAUXLOVE

By Terrance Johnson

MANY PEOPLE WOULD AGREE THAT LIFE IS ABOUT LOVE, AND GROWTH. CHEAUXLOVE HAS BEEN A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS SINCE THEY STARTED THE FOUNDATION IN 2012. RECENTLY, I GOT THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN AND SPEAK WITH THE HEAD OF THE URBAN CLOTHING LINE, RUDY SIMPSON. TJ: What is Cheauxlove?

R: Cheauxlove is a community service organization as well as a clothing brand based out of Atlanta. We exemplify unity, while exercising philanthropy and our main mission is to inspire. We aspire to exemplify progression, and positivity.

YOU CAN VISIT CHEAUXLOVE ON THEIR TUMBLR, FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND BLOGGER PAGES. 16 ONTAP

— Photo By Maiya Ellick

TJ: Are there any upcoming events that people should know about?

R: Our main event of the year is coming up. It’s called “Give a Sole” because people donate shoes to less fortunate kids in the community. A basketball tournament is also hosted and the winner last year got a 1000 dollar cash prize. In just 2 days we gathered about 150 pairs of shoes so this year we are looking forward to furthering that success.

— Photo By Maiya Ellick

TJ: What is the ultimate goal of the organization?

R: Our ultimate goal is to get people to value their day. Tomorrow is not promised and yesterday is gone so all we have is today. Everyone has a testimony and if we can get people to make “love” a part of their testimony today, then we have done our job.

— Photo By Maiya Ellick

TJ: What inspired Cheauxlove?

R: College. Being in college makes you learn progression and you learn how to be an adult, but with that, comes struggle. Business is also around, and with fashion being hot at the time, we thought that would be a great gateway to make it happen. That’s where the business aspect came from, but Cheauxlove really just came from the brotherhood in us.

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WHERE’S YOUR HOME ON CAMPUS?

By Joshua Abbott

MANY OF VSU’S STUDENTS REPRESENT A BROAD BASE OF CULTURES AND NATIONALITIES. SOME OF THESE STUDENTS QUESTION WHERE THEY CAN FIND A PLACE TO FIT IN, A PLACE WHERE, AS A MINORITY, THEY CAN FIND SUPPORT AND A HOME ON CAMPUS. THERE ARE MANY ORGANIZATIONS ON CAMPUS, BUT ONLY A FEW FOR MINORITIES. THESE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE (GSA), LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION (LASA), NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP), NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN (NCNW), BLACK STUDENT LEAGUE (BSL), AND FOUR DIRECTIONS. As a minority on campus, I started searching for my home during my first semester.

I eventually joined the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) as well as the Latin American Student Association (LASA).

not know anything about them. The Gay Straight Alliance, in general, serves as the liaison between the LGBTQ community and their allies or anyone not familiar to the LGBTQ community.”

GSA provides support for people that LASA provides support for people that are are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/ of Latin American or Hispanic origin, but Transsexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexu- also to those not of any particular origin. al, & PansexuAnnually they “There are many al (LGBTQIAP), host Carnival on more commonly front lawn, as organizations on campus, but the referred to as the well as Baila! Baionly a few for minorities.”

LGBTQ commula! Baila! ,a formal nity. Many of the dance event, on programs carried out by the GSA include campus. They also focus on bringing stuactivities that bond individuals by sharing dents together to understand cultural and stories relevant to the LGBTQ community. political issues that Latin American students face.

Olivia McLean, executive board member of VSU’s GSA, said, “One of the main pur- The NAACP is an organization that proposes is to bring together LGBTQIAP peo- motes civil rights as well as ensures pople as well as educate people who may litical, educational, social and economic 20 ONTAP

— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

equality for all college students. They provide various programs aimed at promoting American youth to get out and vote as well as raising awareness for the issues in the African-American community. The NAACP has held voter rallies, election watch parties, and panels that seek to continue the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Alexis Bell, President of NAACP, said, “Our primary goal is to encourage the youth in our community to get out and vote.”

The Black Student League (BSL) also has a focus on African-Americans and the issues they face. They promote a fluid transition into and through college life for African-American students. The BSL has sponsored various campus activities during Black History Month and hosted an annual Halloween festival on the front lawn each fall for all students on campus.

Without these organizations, minorities may feel isolated or not included in the university’s community.

These organizations provide many resources and support groups to the diverse student body at VSU. So, if you are ever wondering whether you can have a home on the VSU campus, give one of the above organizations a try.

To learn more about these and other student organizations, visit Campus Connect on VSU’s website.

CAMPUS CONNECT: VALDOSTA.COLLEGIATELINK.NET

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FIRST FRIDAY

By Brooke McKinney

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH, DOWNTOWN VALDOSTA HOSTS AN EVENING OF FOOD, SHOPPING, ART, AND LIVE MUSIC. LOCAL ACTS AND ARTISTS AS WELL AS THOSE FROM SURROUNDING AREAS COME DOWNTOWN TO SHOW OFF THEIR ART OR PLAY MUSIC OUTSIDE ON THE STREET OR IN VARIOUS DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS. Bleu Café offers casual dining, live music, and drink specials all night.

For drinkers, Bleu Café offers a different firkin (naturally carbonated) beer every First Friday. The First Friday menu offers the Café’s usual pizza, nachos, sandwiches, tacos, salads, soup, and various appetizers. Meanwhile, musical acts include contributors such as Joe Smothers, Hank Hall, and Anne Cline.

Across the street, Steel Magnolias offers live music as well, with its usual fine dining. Fine dining and drinking can be had inside as well as on the rooftop. The rooftop experience offers all the perks of inside dining combined with a great view of First Friday goings-on and Valdosta’s typically nice weather.

Just around the corner (or through Bennie’s Alley), The Bleu Pub offers a more casual experience. Famous for their burgers, it also offers craft beers on tap as well as by the bottle. While drinking with friends, customers can enjoy live music here, too, while enjoying the local art that adorns the restaurant walls, usually available for purchase. The art displays rotate often, giving many artists a chance to share and display their original art and works.

— Photo By Brooke Mckinney

First Fridays bring a community together through the collaboration of music, art, and dining. If you would like to share your music or art, First First Fridays give you an opportunity to do it. Coming downtown to participate helps to connect the community, local businesses, and aspiring artists.

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INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

By Erica Even

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD $100,000?

The Valdosta State University Investment Group (VSIG) has about $100,000 in their portfolio from purchasing and selling stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, and other securities. The group has a student-managed portfolio in which all members vote on the buying and trading of stocks and bonds. VSIG is open to any student with an interest in learning more about investing, networking and gaining real-world experience before graduation.

Joel Brown, president of VSIG, said, “The VSIG promotes investing through strategy and working one-on-one with new members, teaching them the ins and outs of investing. These strategies are applicable to investments in the business setting as well as personal investment.”

nipiac Forum where the team has the chance to network with members of the NYC financial industry and participate in a private tour of the New York Stock Exchange. If a trip to New York sounds like a far too expensive endeavor, you’ll be happy to know that the Harley Langdale College of Business Administration offers scholarships to help members who wish to attend.

“It is an exciting and valuable experience,” said Ashlyn Seymour, VSIG member. “I had the opportunity to attend the Quinnipiac G.A.M.E. Forum where I networked with many established individuals in the field of finance and gained a greater understanding of the market and the current issues we face in it.”

— Photo By Erica Even

Whether it’s to gain hands on Investment experience is a great experience, to make you stand way for recent graduates to stand apart, or for the love of money, apart from others. VSIG members Valdosta State Investment Group gain valuable hands-on experi- is a great place to start. ence that will be hard to find anywhere else while having the op- “As a finance major, I joined the portunity to network with bankers, Investment Group to learn more financial analysts and investors. about the stock market, investing, and developing a portfolio,” If networking in Valdosta isn’t Brown said. “In my short time with enough, VSIG also takes an annu- the group, all of my expectations al trip to New York for the Quin- have been more than met.”

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WATER...ONTAP?

By Daniel R. Miller

OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO “DRINK MORE WATER,” EVEN AS RECENTLY AS SEPTEMBER, 2013, WHEN FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA LAUNCHED THE NATIONWIDE “DRINK UP” CAMPAIGN, URGING THE POPULATION TO DRINK “ONE MORE GLASS PER DAY.” WHY? FOR NUMEROUS REASONS THAT ALL EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING HYDRATED, BUT MAINLY BECAUSE WATER IS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN LIFE ON EARTH. DEHYDRATION IS A COMMON HEALTH ISSUE WITH A SIMPLE FIX: JUST DRINK MORE WATER! BUT DO WE BUY IT BOTTLED, OR SAVE THE CASH AND TURN ON THE TAP? Most Americans enjoy household tap water that has been treated by commercial or municipal treatment plants, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 15 percent of the country relies on private wells or water sources that are not treated or tested for drinking quality or general use. Why is that such a

big deal? Here are a few reasons: coliform bacteria (among other forms), lead, copper, fluoride, and arsenic. Bacteria and lead are obvious to most people as being harmful to general health, but few are aware that fluoride has been under severe scrutiny among researchers for decades.

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— Photo By Janet McMahon

The EPA’s website states “Fluoride is voluntarily added to some drinking water systems as a public health measure for reducing the incidence of cavities among the treated population.” The EPA acknowledges that bone disease and mottled teeth could result from drinking water containing more than 4 milligrams of fluoride per liter. The American Cancer Society provides literature on the topic of fluoride, but allows that after more than 50 studies, none have established a link with cancer or any other serious health conditions.

So, fluoride may or may not be an issue, but what about arsenic?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer identifies arsenic as “carcinogenic to humans” - which in laymen’s terms means “causes cancer.” According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), inorganic arsenic compounds were once used in pesticides, but have been banned due to toxicity. Instead, pesticides are made with organic arsenic compounds, which are supposedly less harmful than their inorganic counterparts. What they do not acknowledge is that arsenic does not dissolve. Arsenic is an element, and like hydrogen or oxygen, it is constant. The ATSDR affirms that arsenic compounds can dissolve in water and that “most arsenic

ends up in the soil or sediment.”

This isn’t good news for agricultural communities or areas sharing the same water supplies. Dr.

“Fluoride may or may not be an issue, but what about arsenic?”

Gretchen Bielmyer, Toxicologist and Associate Professor at Valdosta State University, states that “... any land contamination of arsenic could seep into and contaminate a water source.”

In a real world scenario reported by WALB News out of Albany Georgia, a lady by the name of Janet McMahan, from the town of Ocilla, detected toxic levels of arsenic in her private water supply after she, her son, and her two

“... most arsenic ends up in the soil or sediment.” labrador retrievers all contracted cancer nearly simultaneously. I contacted Mrs. McMahan and she provided me with a collection of data from the University of Georgia Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

This body of research was shown

in Oregon at the National Water Conference in 2010. The findings were kept from Georgia’s public eye. One slide shows a chart of data containing five client samples from Lowndes County, Georgia. Three of the five samples exceeded the Maximum Contaminate Level (MCL) for arsenic.

Two of the samples were above 5 parts per billion (ppb), which is above the 0 parts per million (ppm) goal for safe water. Another slide showed a diagram of the state of Georgia and its county lines. A grey-scale shading system was used to show higher concentrations of arsenic on the diagram, and nearly every southern county in Georgia was darkened, especially Lowndes.

So what do the citizens of the Lowndes County area have to worry about aside from cancer?

The American Cancer Society says that short-term effects of arsenic exposure could include: “stomach ache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and cramping, ‘pins and needles’ sensations in hands and feet, skin changes or rashes, and bruising.” Long-term exposure could mean “irregular heartbeat, liver and kidney damage, a shortage of red and white blood cells, which can lead to fatigue and an increased risk of infections,” and again, cancer.

FOR YOUR HEALTH, DRINK BOTTLED WATER, AND KEEP VSU ON TAP.

A DEAL BUSTER: GEORGIA’S IMMIGRATION REFORM

By Joshua Abbott

IN 2011, GEORGIA PASSED A HISTORIC RULING FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE INCREASING FLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO THE STATE’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO AMEND THE STATE’S STAND ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND MIGRANT WORKERS. Under a new law, House Bill 87 also known as the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011, all migrant workers’ visa statuses must be verified using a technology called E-Verify, and police officers were given the right to detain persons to verify whether or not they are illegal immigrants.

fleeing the state for fear of being deported or detained based on their race, as this law has opened the door for police to racially profile many legal citizens— which has struck fear in all people of Hispanic heritage.

Darton State College student, Trent Boatwright, said of the law, “I think It’s good to check their staThis new law has failed Georgia tus, but to detain Hispanics based in a number of ways, causing on race is wrong. local migrant many farmers to go bankrupt workers are fine as long as they and many farms to be severely are legal.” When asked about the understaffed. These shortages E-Verify program he responded, and other problems have sent a “That’s discriminatory. message loud and clear to Gov. Deal: this law is not going to solve Everyone should be checked, not Georgia’s problems, but instead just Hispanics.” Overall, his opinwill add to them. Migrant workers, ion of this new law was mixed: both legal and illegal, have begun “You are gonna lose a lot of Geor-

“IT’S GOOD TO CHECK THEIR STATUS, BUT TO DETAIN HISPANICS BASED ON RACE IS WRONG.”

gia’s workforce. Most farmers employ migrant workers, and it’s gonna’ hurt them. You aren’t gonna’ be able to find replacements with this law.” In Boatwright’s opinion, the law seems to be ineffective; however, he still holds some positive views towards the law. Boatwright believes that it will eliminate the influx of illegal immigrants and help keep those law-breakers out of our jails.

Trent was raised in Moultrie, GA which is a large farming community just 45 miles northwest of Valdosta. He has worked many jobs within the community and has even done farm work. Moultrie has a large Hispanic population which makes up almost 24% of the total population, and most of the Hispanics in Moultrie are migrant workers. The county collectively makes almost 75% of its annual income from farming. Trent’s experiences from living in such a community have led him to believe that enforcing this law would be devastating to the local economy. He also believes that without the migrant workers in Moultrie, most of the farmers would be broke.

Although the law makes most employers use E-Verify, many places haven’t implemented the E-Verify system, which has allowed these migrant workers to continue to stay. Only time will tell if Georgia’s migrant workers will leave and what impact it will leave on our economy.

— Photo By Erica Even

A University of Georgia study found $75 million in direct farm impact that translated into $181.5 million worth of goods and services not generated statewide in the new law’s wake. In all, some 1,500 jobs statewide outside of actual farmwork were impacted, the study reported.

SAGE KOTSENBURG WINS AT BEING AWESOME

by Kayla Stroud

— Photo By Scott Halleran Getty Images

“Whoa how random is this I made finals at the Olympics!!!”

Tweeted 20-year-old Olympic hopeful, Sage Kotsenburg to his then 5,000 Twitter followers just minutes before he landed the snowboard run of his life at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

He would later go on to win his first gold medal in his very first Olympic appearance.

Before this, he said that he was known as Second Place Sage among the snowboard community because of his affinity for always coming in second place.

He said that before his first place win at the 2014 Grand Prix that was held in January (the win that would get him a spot on the Olympic team), it had been 9 years since he had won a contest.

After being the only American to qualify for the final round of the Snowboard Slopestyle event, Sage called up his brother Blaze to ask his opinion on using a trick he had never attempted in his life, the Back 16 Japan, just minutes before his first run.

Why would he, on the biggest stage of them all, go out and do something as spontaneous as pulling out a move that he hadn’t practice before?

Apparently, he had nothing to lose.

He landed the maneuver (along with a move that he created himself, the Holy Crail) and received a score of 93.50. Nerves went on high as he waited out the following Olympic participants to see if his score would hold up, but there was nothing to fear. He won gold in the first ever Olympic Snowboard Slopestyle event. He was the first American to ever win gold on Russian soil

and the first to join the list of Salt Lake City Olympians who won medals.

Sage wasn’t even a blip on most sports caster’s radar when Olympic predictions were given.

But he beat out the heavy favorite Canadian Mark McMorris (who would win bronze) and a host of other competitors from around the world.

He said that he never expected this to happen. In fact, he spent the night leading up to his event eating chips and onion rings and fell asleep watching Fight Club.

Since his win, he has been on a worldwide press tour and has appeared on Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Late Show with David Letterman. He even joined the ranks of Shaun White and Seth Wescotton by landing himself on the Wheaties box. The U.S. Olympic Committee awarded him Best Male Olympian at the Best of U.S. award ceremony that is held after every winter and summer game.

Sage has become a quite the media darling. He has been drawing in audiences with his infectious smile, goofy demeanor and hilarious Twitter musings.

Even with all of his newfound attention, all wants is to get back to what he loves: snowboarding.

Mere days after striking gold in Sochi, he started making plans to go to Asia and Europe with a desire to “ride some fresh powder.”

So with that, we’ll leave you with some of his finer tweets that he’s sent out to his followers, now 70 thousand and counting: “Ahh I wish the Sochi medals were made out of bacon thoooo..!!”

“Guess who’s back? Costas’ 31 ONTAP

back, two clear eyes, looking fly” “Chilling harder than an ice cube in the freezer right now” “Heavy saturday night watching Bring It On: In It To Win It” “Not in Russia for Closing Ceremonies but watching on TV with outfit on! #SwagGameStrongerThanHulkHogansBicep” 2014 WINTER OLYMPICS MEDAL COUNT The Sochi Olympics have come and gone oh-so-quickly and were quite interesting despite the summer-like temperatures, hilariously bad hotel and lodge accommodations in certain areas within the city, and hundreds of abandoned, stray dogs that found their way around the Olympic village.

Although it was a tight race, the home country, Russia, had the most medals with a total of 33, 13 of which were gold.

The United States ranked high in the medal count. There were 28 American medal winners.

Norway came out of nowhere and dominated events, getting 11 medals in the Biathlon alone.

Canada dominated in men and women’s hockey, both taking gold in their respective events.

REMEMBERING THE DAY

By Ayanna Craig

EVERY YEAR ON JANUARY 20TH, SCHOOLS ARE SHUT DOWN, THE WORKPLACE BUZZ IS SILENCED, AND PEOPLE MAKE THEIR WAY TO KING’S NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE IN ATLANTA, GA TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AND REFLECT ON THE SACRIFICES MADE BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. JANUARY 20TH, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY (OR SIMPLY MLK DAY) BECAME A MAJOR HOLIDAY AFTER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN SIGNED THE KING HOLIDAY BILL INTO LAW ON NOV. 2, 1983.

Fifteen years before this bill was signed, Dr. King’s life was tragically cut short by an assassin’s bullet. Shortly after King’s death, a campaign was formed to try to honor his memory by having his birthday become a national holiday. After numerous proposals and discussions, the first bill was finally introduced in 1979.

— Photo By dencii.deviantart.com

Trade unions such as the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, were the first to lead the campaign for the creation of a federal holiday. Some Senators expressed outrage, including New York’s Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who threw the document to the ground, stomped on it, and called it a “packet of filth.” But King’s wife, Coretta, testified before joint hearings of Congress and organized a nationwide lobby to support the bill.

The bill was denied by Congress by just five votes, but this didn’t stop Coretta’s fight for approval of the national holiday. She testified before Congress several more times and mobilized governors, mayors, and city council members to ensure that the passing of the bill was their number one priority. Musician Stevie Wonder became a prominent advocator in the fight for the holiday. He released the song “Happy Birthday” which resulted in six million signatures, persuading congress to transform the “King Holiday Bill” into an actual law.

The signing of the King Holiday Bill was met by Coretta Scott King with the statement that “This is not a black holiday, it is a people’s holiday,” because Martin Luther King Jr. day celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to all of America. Although the law was not fully recognized by all states until the year 2000, it is still a day that allows individuals of all races to join together and “Remember the day.”

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STUDY ABROAD: THE LONDON EXPERIENCE

By Adam Buescher STUDYING ABROAD IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE AND, WHILE YOU MAY REGRET NEVER STUDYING ABROAD, YOU CERTAINLY WILL NOT REGRET STUDYING ABROAD. THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING ABROAD—ESPECIALLY FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES—WILL ALLOW YOU TO MEET AMAZING PEOPLE, EXPLORE A FOREIGN COUNTRY, AND IMMERSE YOURSELF INTO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CULTURE. During my year of study in London, I have not only been able to enjoy the best year of my life, but I also have come to appreciate some aspects of American culture that I always took for granted.

Although England is a part of the western world, the differences in culture are definitely visible. The people I have met during my time in London have made my experience quite memorable, to say the least. Having the option to immerse oneself in another culture becomes so much easier when surrounded by great friends. Because London 34 ONTAP

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was my diet. Americans can find most of the foods that they are used to eating, but the brands are different or simply renamed, such as the case with Lay’s Potato Chips being known as Walker’s Crisps.

The problem becomes irrelevant after just a short while though. Luckily, the one aspect of university culture that doesn’t seem to change much is the party life. In some ways the English seem to party more, at least at the University of Roehampton, and when they party, they party hard. Do not listen to the people that say the British only drink dark beer that is room temperature, because very few students actually do that.

When it comes to the differences between schools, one of the major differences is the grading format. In the UK, receiving a 70 means you’ve managed to grab yourself an A, while the failing grade is a 40.

Assignments consist mainly of writing papers, much like graduate school in the U.S. Differences also exist in the amount of time spent in class, and the method of teach-

— Photo By Adam Buescher

— Photo By Adam Buescher — Photo By Adam Buescher

is the cultural capital of the world, not only are you immersed in the British culture, but also in many other cultures.

ing. If you are enrolled in four classes, you would only attend class four times, with each class ranging from an hour and a half to three hours in length. Most of the classes are lecture style, but some also have seminars and practicals to discuss the subject or practice what has been learned. In my seminars, we have been provided case studies for review and discussion, which is much more helpful than buying a $200 book and only learning theories without having real life applications to compare the theories to.

Overall, I would never want to change my decision to study abroad. The answer would always be a solid yes! The decision to study abroad not only allows you to become more culturally aware, but it also looks great on a résumé. My favorite experience of the year was bringing in the new year in central London, which was hands down one of the best places in the world to be. If you are interested, the Center for International Programs would love to help you find the perfect program for you; however, I would definitely recommend the University of Roehampton.

By Daniel R. Miller

REMEMBER THAT BIG GAME ON THE SECOND DAY OF FEBRUARY 2014?

THE ONE THAT WAS ENJOYED ONLY BY FANS OF THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS? THE ONE THAT REALLY CANNOT BE CLASSIFIED AS A CONTEST? YEAH, THAT WAS SUPER BOWL XLVIII. THE SEAHAWKS’ 43 - 8 ROUT OF THE DENVER BRONCOS WAS AN ACHIEVEMENT OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THE SEATTLE DEFENSE HELD THE HIGHEST SCORING OFFENSE IN NFL HISTORY TO A MERE 8 POINTS, BUT BECAUSE THEY DID IT WITH A DEFENSE MADE UP OF 11 UNDRAFTED PLAYERS. Malcom Smith, Linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, celebrated his victory in Disney World after being named the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Smith made 5 tackles, had 4 assists, and caught 1 interception from Broncos’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, which he returned for a touchdown. Smith had not been invited to the NFL Combine workouts in 2011, and was finally drafted by Seattle in the 7th round of the 2011 draft.

Smith is only one of the Seahawks whom cornerback Richard Sherman terms “overachieving underdogs.” The “Legion of Boom”, as the Seahawks’ defensive secondary has been christened, was represented by four players in the Super Bowl: cornerback Richard Sherman, cornerback Byron Maxwell, free safety Earl Thomas, and strong safety Kam Chancellor. Aside from Earl Thomas, none of them were drafted above the fifth round.

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— Photo By 6ringssports.com

In a report by ESPN, Richard Sherman revealed to Terry Blount that the Seahawks were encouraged to play “with a chip on their shoulders.” The chip was displayed for all to see on that Sunday in the Super Bowl, where the Legion of Boom managed to hold the Broncos to one touchdown, which was a significant achievement, considering the accomplishments of the Broncos’ receivers during the 2013 season.

Four of the Broncos’ wide receivers had over ten touchdowns each over the course of the season, and only one of those “Four Horsemen” had a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

was dealt to the Broncos. Over the course of the regular season, Broncos’ starting Half Back, Knowshon Moreno, ran for over 1,000 yards on his own. On Super Bowl Sunday, the entirety of the Seahawks’ defensive unit managed to hold the Denver Broncos rushing attack to 27 total yards. I guess that is why NFL veterans say, “Defense wins championships.”

— Photo By Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Sure, no one is going to forget the Denver Broncos’ 2013 season with its record setting offensive statistics, but it certainly loses some of its luster alongside the Seahawks’ remarkable dismantling of the star-studded team. Not to mention that the The Seahawks’ secondary should not re- Seahawks did it with the second youngest ceive all of the praise for the lashing that championship roster of all time!

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A NEW LEAGUE OF SPORTS

By Richard R. Parker LEAGUE OF LEGENDS IS WHAT IS GENERALLY REFERRED TO AS A MULTIPLAYER ONLINE BATTLE ARENA, OR MOBA; HOWEVER, MANY FANS OF THE GAME ALSO REFER TO IT AS A DOTA-CLONE, A NAME GIVEN TO THE GAME AS A TRIBUTE TO DEFENSE OF THE ANCIENTS— AN INCREDIBLY POPULAR WARCRAFT III: THE FROZEN THRONE MOD THAT WAS THE PROTOTYPE FOR GAMES LIKE LEAGUE, HEROES OF NEWERTH, AND OTHERS.

Generally, the gameplay consists of 10 players being divided into two teams of five. The two teams spend the majority of the game killing monsters and players on the opposing team to obtain gold that is used to purchase items which help to increase the player’s power. The game ends when one team destroys the other team’s Nexus.

League of Legends began its first foray into e-sports in June of 2011 when Riot Games, the company that developed League, held its first world championship series.

Three American teams, three European teams, and two Asian teams competed for the championship, and it was the European team, Fnatic, that eventually found victory and became the Season 1 champions.

However, League of Legends was far from the first video game to hold this type of world-wide tournament. In fact, many different games across a number of genres have held such tournaments for cash prizes. The first person shooter and fighting game genres were among the first early examples of e-sports tournaments, and many gamers have fond memories of watching Counter Strike: Source tournaments while others can instantly recall watching Diego Umehara’s dramatic comeback against Justin Wong during the Street Fighters III: 3rd Strike tournament at Evolution 2004—Evolution, commonly referred to as EVO, being the major event for fighting games.

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With its name on the map of e-sports, Riot Games now had to figure out a way to draw bigger and bigger crowds. Not only did Riot Games have to contend with first person shooter and fighting game tournaments for potential viewership, they also had to compete with the biggest name in e-Sports—Starcraft.

Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, Starcraft is a series of Real Time Strategy games that found a huge fan base in Korea.

In fact, Starcraft and its sequels became so popular in Korea that players could play the game as a profession and television channels were created for the sole purpose of broadcasting Starcraft matches.

Though certainly a daunting task, Riot Games laid out a plan for their Season 2 Championship Series that they hoped would set their game among the top names in e-sports. On October 12, 2012, Riot began its Season 2 Championship Series, and 12 teams from around the world gathered to battle it out for the trophy and the prize money.

Dustin “RedBeard” Beck, the Vice President of e-sports at Riot Games, made sure to generate buzz for this event by mentioning that the series would culminate in the largest prize pool in e-sports history.

“Over the course of this epic tournament series,” said Beck, “top teams from each region will clash for the right to advance to the World Championship in Los

Angeles, where the winner will bring home the lion’s share of a $3 million combined prize pool—the biggest payday in eSports history!”

After the tournament ended (the winner being the Taiwanese team of Taipei Assassins), Riot then focused on creating a true league for its players that would come to be known as the LCS, or League Championship Series.

Teams from around the world competed to obtain a spot in their respective region, and the teams that managed to find a spot in their regional LCS became salaried players and were expected to compete in regular tournaments against other teams in that region’s LCS.

With leagues across the world and officially salaried players, it makes sense that the next logical step for League was to follow in the footsteps of Starcraft and find national recognition as a sport. In July of 2013, Riot Games would find success in this venture, as the US Immigration Services recognized League of Legends as a legitimate sport. This distinction was a major accomplishment, as it meant that players from outside of the United States could now obtain a working visa to come and play on teams in the US. Alberto “Crumbzz” Rengifo, the jungler for the US team Dignitas, is an example of a player benefitting from League’s recognition as an actual sports. In an 40 ONTAP

interview with Soledad O’Brien for Real Sports with Bryant Gumble, Rengifo mentioned that, “Without it [the P1A visa] I would not be here. The visa allowed me to move down to this gaming house and be a part of this team. Without being in this house, I wouldn’t be a part of this team because it’s required to live here to enhance our team synergy.”

By the end of League’s Season 3 Championship Series, the hard work and dedication that Riot Games had put into fostering League as a legitimate contender in the field of e-sports more than paid off. The series was played in front of a sold out crowd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“It was under an hour [for tickets to sell out]. But we crashed the Staples’ website and had a lot of angry fans that weren’t able to get tickets,” chuckled Beck in his interview with Soledad for Real Sports.

Yet, the Season 3 Championship was not solely tied to the sold out Staples crowd.

There were numerous League viewing parties held at college campuses and other meeting locations that allowed fans of the game to come together and enjoy watching the finals with other fans. Malcolm Jernigan, a student at Georgia Tech University, went to one of these viewing parties.

“And overall, the experience was nice,” Jernigan said, “A bunch of people watching a game they enjoy, hanging out, eating pizza, and having a good time. Merchandise included League Season 3 Jackets, Riot Points Cards, and T-Shirts.”

During the course of the finals match, Beck was actively tweeting the number of viewers from streams and television. By the end, the conservative estimates were placed at around 6 million viewers from streaming and live television viewing. Certainly, League had left its mark on the face of e-sports.

As Riot Games continues to grow and expand, the company creates new opportunities to allow more players to join teams and show off their skills on a national stage. For example, IvyLoL is a collegiate League of Legends tournament. Students can create a university club through Riot Games’ officially sponsored Collegiate Program. Once the club is established and the team is created, students can then sign their team up to participate in a national tournament against other collegiate League teams. The top 23 collegiate teams will then move on to play in the prestigious Premier League, a nationally broadcasted tournament.

As of now, Valdosta State University does not have a recognized League of Legends club. If any student is interested in creating such a club, or if any student simply wishes to read more about the LoL Collegiate Program, they can check out the website: http://competitive.na.leagueoflegends.com/collegiate-program.

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5 SUPER FOODS YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Devin Durham Many people are looking for new ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle-- exercising, avoiding unhealthy foods, and trying strenuous “fad” diets. What people do not know is that it’s not just about what you cut out of your diet; permanent lifestyle changes also need you to add some different foods to the mix. That is where super foods come in.

Now what exactly is a “super food?” Super foods are just simply a categorical term for foods that have super awesome nutrients or properties. Now to be straight, it should be said that this doesn’t mean to eat just super foods and avoid everything else. These are a few suggestive foods that one may want to incorporate into their diet. Five foods have been selected in order to help with issues such as weight loss, increasing metabolism, and having a healthier body. Now let’s cut to the chase and get to the food.

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— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

BLACKBERRIES

Blackberries are just one of those berries that everyone overlooks.

Usually people think of blueberries, or even pomegranates when it comes to the berry bunch. Blueberries have a very high sugar content though, and pomegranates can hit your wallet pretty hard in this region of the U.S. Blackberries have almost just as many antioxidants as pomegranates, and actually have a wider spread of the different types of antioxidants than the pomegranate. Then, there is the price difference. A quart of blackberries is much cheaper and easier to eat than buying a medium sized pomegranate. You can find blackberries just about at any store, not to mention any ditch in South Georgia (make sure you wash any berries you collect though). Overall, it is great berry that will help maintain a healthy diet and has a sweet flavor that we all can enjoy.

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— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

SALMON

Salmon is just not your ordinary fish. It has a different taste and texture than most seafood. Maybe this explains why it is also incredibly good for you. Salmon is very rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (which promote good circulatory health). It is also packed with other flavonoids that call for a great way to give the metabolism a boost. Salmon is great though because it can be added to any side dish or just be the main course itself. With its “beef” like texture, it can help one not feel like they are having seafood all the time. It can be grilled, baked, roasted, barbequed, and so on. It compliments well with many different seasonings, and of course, it is darn good for you! So think about picking up a pack of salmon filets next time you go grocery shopping.

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— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

CELERY

I know what you are thinking, “Duh, all vegetables are good for you!” but do they have negative calories? That’s right… Negative calories. Okay, so the concept doesn’t “technically” exist, but it is true to a point. Celery is composed of mostly water, cellulose, and those minute minerals that neither you nor I care about. The key ingredient here is cellulose. It’s the material that plant cell walls are made of. It is pretty tough, and here comes the drum roll… Can NOT be digested by human stomachs. This means that you do not usually get any calories from stalks of raw celery, and thus is a great snacking food!

Here is the other half of the story though; when we eat celery, the stomach tries its hardest to break down the cellulose. This means that you actually burn calories trying to digest it. We aren’t talking about burning calories like at the gym here, but take what you can get right? Here is more good news too, celery is cheap! It can be found at any super market, and if one happens to be one of those incredibly frugal types (cheapskates), one can even grow it from the scraps.

Just place the end of the stalk into a cup of water, and then watch the magic. After about a week, you will have a nice baby stalk of celery!

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— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

BLACK BEANS

No, this is not a joke. You can have your beans, and eat them too (No promises that vial music will not be made later though). Here is the story; black beans have essential fats that one needs to, well‌ live. They also do not have any other fats! They can give you that full feeling that you need between lunch and dinner. They also can help build a sustainable diet with the punch of protein they deliver. This can help eliminate the high consumption of meat that we Americans eat. This is good since meat does contain fats that are not really needed. So try loading up on this black beauties at least once a week to help push those few extra pounds out the door.

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— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

GREEN TEA

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your metabolisms! Alright, I know although not technically a food, green tea is a natural jumpstart to the metabolism. Each cup will deliver a refreshing blend of antioxidants, and riboflavin to help keep a cleaner mouth. It also is pretty easy to make, and has no calories! Now black tea has these same effects to the metabolism as green teas, as well as the other essential nutrients.

The only thing black tea does not have are the antioxidants (which if you are eating other foods on this list, then you can cut corners just this once). Another good compromise is Oolong tea. It is basically a non-decision making tea; it has the most of the antioxidants of green tea, but it is stronger like black tea. In all, tea will give you that kick that your metabolism needs sometimes, so try grabbing some green tea on your next visit to the store.

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DORM DAY SPA

By Gabrielle Burch CLASSES ARE GETTING TOUGH, SLEEP IS SLIPPING AWAY AND YOU HAVE THREE TESTS THIS WEEK. IT’S OBVIOUS THAT A COLLEGE STUDENT’S STRESS LEVEL COULD QUICKLY SHOOT THROUGH THE ROOF WITH THESE KINDS OF PRESSURES WEIGHING HEAVY ON THE MIND. WITH CLUB MEETINGS AND SCHEDULES THERE IS NO ROOM FOR RELAXATION. NOT ALL OF US CAN AFFORD TO SHELL OUT BIG MONEY TO SPA COMPANIES IN HOPES OF A FEW HOURS OF REPOSE. SO HOW CAN A COLLEGE STUDENT FIND SPA-LIKE RELAXATION WITHOUT SPENDING BIG BUCKS? EASY! RAID YOUR KITCHEN AND REFRIGERATORS. HERE ARE THREE OF MY DORM ROOM SPA DAY TRICKS! OLIVE OIL Olive oil is not only for cooking. It can give your dry dull hair the hydration it needs. To create this athome hair fortifier you will need to gather:

— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 warm damp towel

Start by Massaging 2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil into scalp and on ends. Use the tips of your fingers to massage the oil into your scalp to promote growth.

Once oil is massaged completely in and none is dripping, wrap the warm damp towel around your freshly treated hair like a turban. The warmth from the towel will open your pores and hair follicles allowing them to absorb the most moisture. Leave the towel on your head for about 30-45 minutes then remove the warm wrap and wash hair with sulfate free shampoo. Sulfate leaves residue in the hair and can cause it to be weighed down. You may need to go through the shampooing step more than once depending on how moisturized you want your hair to be. Allow hair to air dry and say hello to your lustrous locks.

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— Photo By Roberto A. Leal

AVOCADO This quick and easy facemask was created by Karen from ecokaren.com. This refreshing facemask is for all types of skin and will leave your face feeling like heaven. To whip up this mask, you will need to gather:

BROWN SUGAR ALL OVER BODY SCRUB This indulging scrub is for all skin types and will leave your skin radiantly glowing through constantly changing weather. Its mixture of brown sugar and vanilla will leave you in a bed of aroma. To make this store-worthy body scrub gather:

1 ripe Avocado (peeled and cut into small chunks) 2 Egg Whites (room temperature) 1 TBSP Lemon Juice

½ cup of Coarse Brown Sugar 1 TBSP of Honey 1TBSP Extra Virgin Olive/Organic Sunflower Oil ¼ TBSP Lemon Juice

Start by mixing all of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl. You should then scoop the mask out one TBSP at a time. Apply to face in an even layer and allow for the mask to cool and dry; this should take about 30 minutes. Rinse off the mask. Pat dry and go about your day with flawless skin. This avocado facemask is not only affordable and convenient, it’s also good for your skin. Avocado contains Poly- and Monounsaturated fatty acids that protect the skin against sun damage and water loss. It also contains a carotenoid called Lutein, which boosts the skins ability to retain water and helps with elasticity.

Mix the ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Scrub on skin like lotion, making sure to exfoliate by rubbing in small circles. Once body is covered with scrub, hop in the shower and rinse. When you are done treating your skin, not only will your skin be left glowing but you will also smell amazing and have soft skin. This scrub has no real nutritional value for the body, but because brown sugar grains are smaller than salt scrubs and softer than white sugar, it is gentler on the skin while still clearing away dead skin.

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i S c “ o al? ” just be...

By Michael LaGon

INTROVERSION IS A PERSONALITY TRAIT IN WHICH A PERSON VALUES SECLUSION AND THOUGHT OVER SOCIAL INTERACTION. AN INTROVERT’S DWINDLES IN SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND OUR RATE OF EXHAUSTION IS PROPORTIONAL TO HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE VICINITY. WE INTROVERTS AREN’T SHY, NOR ARE WE RUDE OR GENERALLY COLD PEOPLE. WE (KIND OF) LOVE PEOPLE, AND IF YOU CAN MAKE US COMFORTABLE THEN WE’LL OPEN UP WILLINGLY. WE ARE INTERESTING PEOPLE WITH MANY IDEAS AND QUESTIONS. IF YOU ARE AN EXTROVERT, I’LL GIVE YOU A FEW POINTERS ON HOW TO MAKE CONVERSATION WITH US THEN CORRECT A FEW POPULAR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS. HOW TO FIND AND APPROACH AN INTROVERT We’re not all lonely people all of the time. We can still make friends, and when we are around those friends, you can’t tell us apart from your loud-mouthed cousin. When we’re alone, however, it’s a different story.

We wear low-key clothes and sport low-key accessories. We’re the ones inventing, drawing, figuring things out or writing whatever we feel like. We sit isolated in body, mind and spirit, nose-deep into a good fiction novel or spaced out with our headphones on. We could be studying or playing video games.

No matter the situation, we’re alone, shushed, and completely happy. We will not (I repeat, will NOT) be prepared for social situations. We’re in a trance, enjoying the stimuli and sensations from an author’s words or a good beat. Our mind is our high. We’ll dislike you immensely for distracting us.

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“Socialization is hard enough when your the quiet person in a world that talks too much.”

To be frank, we’re almost never prepared for social interactions. The way to counter our temporary disdain is to show interest in what we were doing upon interruption and work with our natural impatience.

Try not to ask plain questions like, “What are you reading?” because we aren’t always in the mood to give you information about why we are reading what we are. Definitely don’t try to start a debate by saying, “You know, print is dead; everything is on Kindles and iPads now.” We’ll give you a funny look for uttering something that is disrespectful to us.

— Photo By Michael LaGon

Instead, ask healthy questions or start a deep conversation about what we are up to at the moment. As for myself, I can talk hip-hop and video games for hours, as long as you continue to show a legitimate interest.

Socialization is hard enough when you’re the quiet person in a world that talks too much, too loudly. We introverts have delicate and unique souls. If we allow you into our mind, then we practically just lent you a piece of our heart; and we’d kindly ask that you treat us with lots of love, like you would treat a puppy or a ferret, but with WAY less attention. We’re generally loyal people, so if you manage to truly befriend one of us then you have a comrade for life.

“I’ll have to be mentally prepared to talk to others, usually days in advance!”

INTERVIEW WITH SOME INTROVERTS I was able to sit down with a group of introverts whom I had met months before writing this article. I got four young women to talk about what its like to be social outcasts in an exhaustingly social world. It was interesting to witness that we shared similar reactions to social stimul, which helps support the notion that the way we think and act is a common phenomenon for everyone.

A quick disclaimer: for the sake of not wanting to reveal any identities and bruise my relationship with these ladies (introvert = low key), I’d prefer to merge their responses into one singular entity; let’s call it “Laura.” Imagine her as a black-haired student from Bermuda whose guilty pleasure is watching The Backyardigans and studying Anthrax.

Or don’t, but that’s how I will imagine Laura.

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FIRST THING’S FIRST, NEITHER OF US HAVE TOO MUCH EXPERIENCE IN THIS, BUT INTROVERTS AND BIG PARTIES DON’T MIX…. (enthusiastic nod)

“Oh! That’s my show!” Of course that’s your show; everybody watches Law & Order. I’d find something that everyone likes and just kind of go with that. Then they’d say “Hey, do you remem...HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH POP- ber ‘this’?” and I’ll be like “Yeah, ULOUS SITUATIONS? If I don’t I ‘totally’ remember that!” (laughknow anybody, then I’ll pretend ter) that something really interesting just happened on my phone and SO IS THIS OUT OF SARCASM JUST it needs my full attention. Some- TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOtimes I don’t want to bother peo- ING? Sometimes it is, sometimes ple. But if someone comes to talk it isn’t - until you two are just to me, then I’ll talk to them. I’ll standing there. There are those have to be mentally prepared to few instances where sometimes talk to others, usually days in ad- you ended up clicking. That’s happened to me twice. vance!

WELL WITH ALL OF THIS TALK ABOUT PEOPLE APPROACHING YOU, HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH OTHER PEOPLE? I don’t! (laughter) You get your extrovert friends to do it. Unless that person is lonelier than me. Since I’m an introvert I’D IMAGINE THAT IF THEY LIKE and that person is more introvertWHAT YOU DON’T LIKE, OR VICE ed than me then I’ll be the extroVERSA, THEN IT GETS AWKWARD. vert and I’m just like, “Hey!” I’ll (laughs) Yeah, it gets really awk- chat you up. ward. Some introverts are kind of nerdy, and it’s hard to tell people OKAY, HOW DO RELATIONSHIPS that these are the things you like. PLAY OUT, THEN? If they were to ask me what do I Umm… (giggling) like to watch, I could tell them that I watch an insane amount of Brit- I MEAN, YOU’VE BEEN IN AT LEAST ish TV shows. In the end I’d say, “I ONE RIGHT? like to watch Law & Order: SVU.” Well, yeah!

WHAT SHOULD THEY TALK ABOUT? Standard questions, for starters: “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “What’s your major?”

It’s a 20 question game, more or less.

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OKAY, THERE YOU GO! (laughter) Well, as an introvert I feel like I need an extrovert to be with because I need someone to help me get out there and do things I wouldn’t have done by myself. I’d need someone who’s kind of like me, where we’d go out, but we’d set aside a weekend where we’d sit down and read; no talking we’re being alone together. I think it’s a good match to have someone to balance the quiet with the loud. I dated someone that was way quiet. I couldn’t do that.

WELL WHAT DO EXTROVERTS DO THAT GET ON YOUR NERVES? They talk too much.

WELL YEAH, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT. (laughter) Well extroverts want to do everything with you.

“No, I’m tired! Leave me alone!”

They can be persistent. They also form opinions about you before they get to know you just because of one thing about you. Like, “She’s not answering my questions, so obviously she’s a jerk.”

They’d also label you as socially awkward.

I can be friends with a person. It’s kind of upsetting because I can’t say “hey, I’m Laura!” Then that’s it.

I don’t know how to talk to people.

Do I say hi? Do I make a joke? Do I compliment them on their shoes?

What if they didn’t take a shower?

Still, I can be sassy! If I have something to say about someone I’ll go off!

YEAH, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT WE’RE STILL NORMAL PEOPLE, WE’RE JUST WIRED DIFFERENTLY. You have to make us feel comfortable. I actually know some things about you so I can talk to you. I can come up to you and say “Hey, my day was awful!” and keep the conversation going. It’s hard for introverts to make the first step. Once it’s made, then we’re like every other person, except for big parties. (laughs) Then I’ll go back into my shell.

AS SOON AS YOU FIND THAT GOOD CIRCLE OF FRIENDS YOU’RE PRETTY MUCH SET, RIGHT? Yeah, I’m set for life!

DO YOU FEEL ANY GUILT ABOUT BEING QUIET ALL OF THE TIME? Sometimes. If I’m in my room for too long, I feel like I should probably be social - maybe. I’d want to make friends because I think that

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FIVE MYTHS ABOUT INTROVERTS (ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET) Introverts live in a socially oppressive culture. As Martin Copenhaven (a pastor in Massachusetts and author of an article reviewing a book by Susan Cain about introverts) so eloquently said, “Oppressors usually don’t perceive accurately the experience of those they oppress.” In a last ditch effort to get extroverts to understand us, here’s a list of common misconceptions and explanations for them… We aren’t aliens, I think.

Most of them come from Introvert Spring (introvertspring.com), a constantly updated blog by an introvert for introverts, and if you can get past the radical tone then I highly recommend you check it out in order to better understand introverts. Since these are very common misconceptions, one source will do just fine. However, she misses a few interesting mythsand some of her explanations are way out there (those of which will have the references for). The explanations are my own. So without further ado, let’s kill the clichés.

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— Photo By Michael LaGon

1: INTROVERTS DON’T LIKE PEOPLE: We love people, but our normal conversations are dramatically different. We prefer small groups and intimate conversations over big parties and small talk. Seriously, we hate small talk; it’s super awkward for us.

2: INTROVERTS WANT TO ALWAYS BE ALONE: We value the company of those that we consider friends and loved ones, but we have to put a limit on how long you can be around. Various factors play into this (how close we are, what we’re talking about, how alone we had planned to be that day, etc). When we do reach that limit, however, we no longer want to talk to you.

3: INTROVERTS ARE DEPRESSED Just like a depressed extroverted person, we’ll tell you when we’re depressed. For us, being alone isn’t a sign of depression, but regression because we’re recharging.

4: INTROVERTS ARE SHALLOW (PSYCH CENTRAL) Under alien circumstances we find it difficult to show emotion. We might appear cold to the world, but we actually prefer to share our raw emotions to our trusted friends or diary, or to integrate those emotions into the art/music we’re composing. As stated earlier, we have a lot to say, but our emotions are strictly our own.

Do not mistake our reluctance to share for shyness. A shy person has a fear of talking to others, and shyness is observed in introverts and extroverts.

5: INTROVERTS CAN FIX THEMSELVES AND BECOME EXTROVERTS (CARLKINGDOM.COM) Introversion is natural and is actually quite a blessing. Without us, the world wouldn’t have a lot of thinkers, scientists, writers, and philosophers. Trying to change an introvert is a waste of energy and time, even if we could do it ourselves. I’d put a lot of strain on myself by trying to be someone I’m not, and it’s hard enough living in a very loud world.

If you are an extrovert, then I hope that this article was enough to change your perspective on your more quiet friends. I strongly urge you to research this topic further. Embrace your diamond in the rough; we introverts are simple people with big ideas and rampant minds waiting for someone like you to lend us an ear. If you care enough, then we’d be more than happy to talk to you.

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Issue 09 / Spring 2014 Valdosta State University