2013 Intro. to Newspaper's Reviews & Columns Project

FROM NEWSROOM: : the classroom to the

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REVIEWS&COLUMNS introduction to newspaper class project - winter 2013

Like the French

FAST FACTS

By Alora Kraus

Location:

309 E. College Street, Iowa City

Cuisine:

crepes - very thin pancakes made with either flour or buckwheat flour. They originate in France and are often served with light sauces and fillings.

Price Range:

affordable; prices range from $5-$10 for each crepe entree.

Store Hours:

(Monday) - closed (Tuesday - Saturday) - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

(Sunday) - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Extras:

accepts all major credit cards; caters to parties; reservations available; purchases organic ingredients from local farmers.

Contact Crepes de Luxe Café: call (319) 887-2233 or send an email via the “Contact Me” section of their website (www.crepes-de-luxe.com).

Hidden amongst a row of regular storefronts, it would be easy to miss quite possibly the greatest restaurant for crepes in town. Located on College Street in downtown Iowa City, Crepes de Luxe offers this delicious French cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I began my review on a late Saturday night with my family.

We arrived at exactly 9:02 p.m., two minutes past closing time, but the chef welcomed us with a warm smile and told us he would be happy to serve us nonetheless. The walls were deep yellow and orange; it gave me the impression of warmth, although it was one of the chilliest nights of December thus far.

It took us several minutes to order from a colorful chalkboard menu containing even more colorfully described crepes, both savory and sweet. I thought I should order at least one in each mouth-watering category.

The chef, who appeared to be the only employee there at the time, patiently waited

TOP LEFT: Le Cochon crepe (ham, egg, aioli, and swiss) from Crepes de Luxe BOTTOM LEFT: La Reve crepe(nutella, strawberries, bananas, coconuts and walnuts) from Crepes de Luxe ABOVE: Crepes de Luxe restaurant in downtown Iowa City

for us to place our order at the cash register.

The chef prepared the crepes right before our very eyes. When he was done, we all marveled not at the food, but at the art he had created in almost no time at all. Each crepe was made with swirls of sweet sauce and folded to make them almost too pretty to eat. Of course, we started with a savory crepe, which the chef called Roma. Pancake-like batter, smoothed on the skillet to be as thin and soft as fabric, packed with feta cheese, cranberries, sundried tomatoes, spinach, diced marinated chicken breast, drizzled with pesto sauce. It made me feel every bit as elegant and pampered as the French. I resisted the urge to roll it up in a ball and eat it all at once; instead, I tortured myself with slow,

small bites to make it last as long as possible.

As delicious as the savory crepe was, our sweet Valentin crepe, made with strawberries and Nutella, was even better. It was the perfect dessert. No matter how similar the savory and sweet crepes are made, they both are very distinctly delicious. Extremely pleased with the meal, I thanked the chef who had been so courteous to serve us long past closing time and provide such great customer service. The only fault I could find with this heavenly place was thinking about how many calories I must have consumed in such a short amount of time.

All in all, I give this restaurant a two thumbs-up for good food, great customer service and affordable prices. It’s definitely worth your time and money if you’re ever in the mood for crepes. Or if you’ve never tried crepes, I highly recommend visiting Crepes de Luxe for a first time taste.

“Devil’s Night”

“Black Damask (The Fog)” This song is a perfect start to Infamous. It begins with a creepy-sounding piano, which leads straight into a brutal scream followed by heavy guitar and some more intense,

The chorus is laid back, including emotional clean angry screaming.

With a catchy keyboard intro, this isn’t your average Motionless in White song.

The drum sounds electronic, which really helps it rock. The message behind this song is also very strong; this is the first call to arms against society in the album.

“Burned At Both Ends” Morphing their music into a faster style, this song is something else. The intense drum beat gets the song going right away, and it just keeps rocking. Another great part is how Chris mixes his clean vocals with screams to create a gritty vocal part.

“A-M-E-R-I-C-A” This is one of many songs on their album that questions society. The lyrics compare what the government says the U.S. is, the home of the free, to what we are becoming in the band’s eyes: a country of idiots.

“The Divine Infection” This song is a very angry message against religions that like to hate on anyone not doing exactly what they are preaching. The entire song has a very aggressive style to it and the band uses a slightly inappropriate speech to get their point across.

Motionless in White’s Infamous album cover

“Puppets 2 (The Rain)”

“Sinematic”

Puppets 2 brings back their older style of music, and incorporates a lot of the same ideas from the first Puppets song. The disappointing part of this song though was that the clean vocals were done by a guest artist, who just did not fit the song’s feel at all.

This song slower and more dramatic, drawing in the listener. The lyrics aren’t the usual Motionless in White style that questions society. It’s more similar to Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together” style of lyrics, which is all about failed relationships.

Motionless in White singing at a concert

“If It’s Dead, We’ll Kill It”

“Synthetic Love”

The lyrics in this song show how much the band hates the “Paris Hiltons and Kim Kardashians of the world”. This is probably the best and most meaningful song on the album because of its message and classic metalcore sound.

One of the only good things about this song is the catchy chorus. The rest of the song just seems mainstream. When did Motionless in White become a band to write about relationships?

Motionless in White band picture

“Hatefuck”

“Underdog”

The style of this song is more like softer rock and a more classic kind of metal. The lack of thought put into the lyrics and the altogether weakness of the instrumental parts of the song just made listening to this a huge bummer.

The song starts out with a solid guitar part and solid screaming. The chorus, though, seems out of place. After a while, the song gets repetitive and boring until the guitar part changes up and the song becomes much more dramatic than it started.

Motionless in White singing at a concert

Motionless and Infamous

By Nick Deerberg Motionless In White, a metalcore band from Scranton, Pennsylvania, started in 2005. Their newest album, Infamous, came out November of 2012 and is the focus of this review. The talent of Chris Cerulli (Vocals), Angelo Parente (Drums), Joshua Balz (Keyboards), Ryan Sitkowski (Lead Guitar), Ricky “Horror” Olson (Rhythm Guitar), and Devin “Ghost” Sola (Bass Guitar) has grown a lot over the years, but as a result, their music has also changed.

“Infamous” The echoey vocals and the dark background guitar make this song worth listening to. However, the chorus is disappointing. The guitar just sounds like it’s copying the vocals. They could have made a stronger ending to the album, but this one will do.

Iron Man and Batman are similar in some ways. Both do not have any powers, but have large amounts of money to blow on extravagant gadgets and accessories. They also did not have much of parental figures. Though they have important similarities, Iron Man and Batman could not be more different.

Iron Man’s father, Howard Stark, was a weapon engineer. Tony Stark, Iron Man’s alter-ego, thought he was always a disappointment to his father. Even though he had a rich and privileged childhood, he never got the attention from his father that he wanted. Later in his life he becomes a billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer. Tony Stark took over the powerful weapons industry when his father died. It all changed when demonstrating the latest weapon he has created. He is kidnapped and forced to make a weapon of mass destruction. During the kidnapping received a large amount of shrapnel in the chest. Instead of creating the weapon he was asked, he created an electromagnetic chest piece that keeps the shrapnel from going into his heart . After escaping from the kidnappers he feels remorse for creating such awful weapons and begins to use his genius, money, power, newly manufactured supersuit for good.

At a young age, Bruce Wayne’s parents were murdered in front of him. Bruce then promised to rid the world of evil such as the mugger who killed his parents. He spent his youth orphaned and studying abroad learning multiple martial arts from different instructors in many countries. At age twenty he attempted to join the FBI, but he came to the conclusion that he could not protect his Gotham City under the supervision of the legal system- and so he adopted and childhood fear of bats and embraced it- using the visage dark, sinister looking bat to inspire fear in his enemies. Because of this, Batman has gained a bit of a darker reputation, and some even believe he’s a villain- although he’s not a very traditional superhero, he stands firmly against evil and protects the public from Gotham’s many evils, even if it puts his reputation on the line.

BatMan

FROM the

AGES

DIFFERENT HERO’S Iron Man 1930’s

rate: 5/10

Iron Man 1960’s

rate:10/10

BatMan 1930’s

Ironman By. Lucy Blair

rate: 9/10

BatMan 1960’s

rate: 4/10

TAKE

ME HOME

slow songs and is about three minutes in length. Liam Payne opens the song very effectively, singing with an emotional tone; this is fitting as the song is about forgiveness and second chances.

“They Don’t Know About Us” is the twelfth track on the album. Zayn Malik shines in the song’s bridge.

This song has a more grown up tone to it when the lyrics are take into consideration; the song talks about the things that are done in secret between a couple. I really like that the song is more adult. I believe it fits the boys’ personalities better than “Live While

R

eally, Niall, Harry, Liam, Louis, and Zayn? Really?

“Take Me Home”? Am I about to listen to a bunch of dance-y songs with risqué lyrics? Those were my first thoughts when I heard what the name of One Direction’s latest album. I soon found out that I was totally wrong for thinking that.

The first track on their second album is their single titled “Live While We’re Young”. The song is exciting, fast and strangely similar to their song “Up All Night” from One Direction’s first album. The beat is quite jumpy and fits the mood of a teenager on a Friday night: free and young.

The album is sprinkled with about three slow songs in the standard version. To be more appealing to a wider group of listeners, the band should have included more slower, meaningful songs. Many people only like their slow songs because they claim the other dance-y, fast songs all sound the same.

My favorite song on the album is “Over Again.” It’s one of the few

Best Dance Song C’mon, C’mon

is not one of my favorites since it doesn’t show the boys’ true fun-loving attitude.

A personal favorite, “Back For You” is track number eleven on Take Me Home. It is upbeat and the lyrics are about coming back to the person you miss. I like the way the song specifically talks about being onstage and seeing everyone besides the person you love in the audience, yet you still see their smile: “Whenever I close my eyes I picture you there.

I’m lookin’ at out the crown, you’re everywhere. I’m watching you from the stage, yeah. Your smile’s on every face, yeah.” This is my go-to feel good song, no matter what situation I’m in, and I’m sure many other Directioners or non-Directioners feel the same.

In review, if you’re looking for some music that you and your friends can dance to and have fun with, this album is for you. On the other hand, if you prefer music you can fall asleep to or listen to when you’re just trying to chill, this album probably isn’t the best choice. Considering that One Direction’s genre is pop I don’t think one should expect much more than pop-y dance music anyway. I give the album two thumbs up.

BY KATIE PEPLOW

katiepeplow14@gmail.com

We’re Young” or “Up All Night” (1st album).

UK single “Little Things” is the third song on the album. This song is slow and the lyrics are heartfelt and a tad bit corny. Many individuals who are not usually One Direction fans have taken a liking to this song and I know exactly why: It’s cute! Every girl wishes a boy would sing this song to her. Though I adore the song, it

Best Breakup Song

Best Feel Good Song

Over Again

Back For You

Tracklist

Live While We're Young Kiss You Little Things C’mon, c’mon Last first kiss heart attack Rock me change my mind I would over again Back for you They Don’t know about us Summer love

Netflix Winter Blues Busters

It’s mid-February. You just finished your favorite show on Netflix instant. You feel empty and alone.

“Now what will I watch?” you ask yourself, disparity riddling your voice. Choking back tears, you look around your room searching for just a glimmer of hope. You can’t go outside, due to the slush piled everywhere and the bitter wind. You don’t dare go downstairs only to have your mother tell you to clean every inch of the house. Does this situation sound familiar? Beat the winter blues and watch some of these goofy, borderline sarcastic, movies found on Netflix to get you through until spring break rolls around. Banish the winter boredom once and for all.

BY JAYCIE WEATHERS

weathers.jaycie@gmail.com

This 2002 rom-com, Cinderella story is laden with cliche scenes and feel good moments. Jennifer Lopez stars as Marisa, a maid at a swanky New York City hotel, who goes along with the misconception of being a guest at the hotel when a hunky senator socialite (played by Ralph Fiennes) catches her eye. As their love progresses, things get complicated for Marisa as she realizes she has to re-prioritize her life. This movie can beat the winter blues thanks to an upbeat soundtrack, J-Lo’s sassy attitude, and a happy ending. The film stays true to the Cinderella-y storyline but has underlying messages of the importance of independence. Although predictable and cheesy, it doesn’t fail to warm your heart.

And, come on, it’s J-Lo! Ever wonder about what it would be like if you were Robert Pattinson for a day?

Me neither . This documentary is a good example of how NOT to make a documentary. The film tells about Rob’s life before fame and how he made it into the show biz. It made for a dull movie due to his virtually perfect posh life. He is no doubt a talented person and I was surprised to find out that he has played the guitar and piano since the age of four. Unless you are a complete Robert fanatic, I wouldn’t recommend this movie. Highlights of the documentary included a look at some of Rob’s very handsome modeling shots . It is, however, a sufficient movie to beat that mid-February slump if you watch it with some sarcastic friends who like to ridicule the lives of the Hollywood elite for a laugh.

Just because the holiday season is over, doesn’t mean you can’t watch Christmas movies! Holiday in Handcuffs stars Melissa Joan Hart as Trudie, a desperate twenty-something that has recently split from her boyfriend. In order to not disappoint her family at Christmas, she resorts to kidnapping a handsome man and bringing him to her parent’s house to introduce “Nick” (Mario Lopez) as her boyfriend. Chaos ensues when “Nick” struggles to escape while Trudie tries to keep him in her web of lies. Through all of this, “Nick” finds himself forgetting about his girlfriend and starts to fall for Trudie.

The ending is climactic and leaves the viewer content with holiday spirit. This movie was evidently made for TV which adds whimsy to the already far fetched plot. It does it’s job of making the winter a bit more bearable with silly scenarios (such as Christmas dinner being interrupted by the police), suspending reality for a while.

Cadet Kelly, Luck of the Irish, Double Teamed, Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off, the list goes on. These classic made-for-Disney Channel movies always evoke a sense of nostalgia for me, and if you are like me, then they never get old. If you’re looking for a Disney Channel movie you maybe haven’t seen, I recommend Geek Charming. It’s a light-hearted and wholesome tale of the high school diva, Dylan (played by Sarah Hyland), who is the subject of a documentary assignment filmed by a dweeb, Josh (Matt Prokop). Josh slowly wears away Dylan’s icy facade as the two develop deeper feelings for each other.

There are a lot of fun scenes (my favorite is when Josh’s car breaks down and Dylan insists on getting a piggy back ride the rest of the way home because of her shoes) that warm the viewer’s heart with raw and revolutionary messages such as ‘be true to yourself ’. All in all, another cliche movie from Disney that is bound to be a guilty pleasure.

Although gory, horror movies aren’t my thing, I watched Battle Royale, a morbid thriller about a class of students forced by the Japanese government to battle to the death. It is very similar to The Hunger Games , but on a smaller budget with less thought put into it. The concept is very disturbing despite the poor, sometimes to the point of humorous, acting. This is a conflicting combination because I found myself laughing during serious scenes, which is a big problem. I found myself rooting for certain characters even though I couldn’t keep track of any names. The language barrier was difficult at times and caused a lot of confusion. Even if you aren’t into The Hunger Games, it’s worth a try. It will surely take your mind off of the mundane winter months. Disclaimer: this movie isn’t for the weak hearted.

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By Kristen L

1-5 Rating System, factors include energy boost given, relative taste, crash capacity, and effects on rate of talking, shaking, and focus.

Full Throttle:

Best choice for all-nighters, Full Throttle resembles an extra-sugary version of Mountain Dew or Sprite.

The drink gives energy that allows you to focus, without wanting to jump around dancing like a maniac.

Monster:

Although the taste lasts only briefly, it is mildly similar to sugared-down soap. Burning as it goes down, Monster definitely delivers a strong kick, complete with higher levels of motivation and a faster rate of thoughts.

However, the quickened heart rate and upset stomach prevent this drink from getting a higher rating.

Red Bull:

Tasting something like a scoop of sugar dissolved in soda, Red Bull is definitely a great pick for anyone with a sweet tooth, and also comes in a more bearable sugar-free edition. One can is enough to keep you alert for three to four hours, and is not the strongest pick in terms of energy.

Caffeine Overload Most energy drinks and shots aren’t required to list caffeine content, which could change due to a ten-fold increase in emergency room visits related to the products, reaching 13,000 in 2009.

Rockstar:

Although so sugary you can’t help but pucker, Rockstar definitely delivers a powerful kick that gives you enough energy to talk like a wound-up spaz and walk around obnoxiously fast. The kick lasts about three hours, without a powerful crash.

Starbucks Doubleshot Energy: A good choice for coffeelovers, the drink comes in mocha and vanilla, and is consequentially packed with calories and cream. While likely to give you a jolt of energy in the morning, it is definitely not as powerful as some other choices, and not

Amp:

After the first sip, I immediately knew that Amp was the best-tasting energy drink; it tasted similar to Mountain Dew without additional scoops of sugar. Despite the promising start, however, Amp provided little noticeable energy boost, and left me sleepy within two hours.

5-Hour Energy has

had 90 filings reported to the F.D.A, including 30 of life-threatening injuries such as heart attacks and convulsions, according to The New York Times.

The product claims to have the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, and suggests a limit of two a day.

5-Hour Energy:

It takes close inspection of the small bottle to discover the catch: “‘no crash’ refers to no sugar crash.”

There is no sugar in 5-hour energy, however, whatever kind of crash it is has the ability to make even your kitchen floor a comfortable nap location. The shot, tasting something like sour candy dissolved in cough syrup, definitely gives you energy enough to feel like Superman for five to six hours. Make that Superman before his first date, because extreme shaking and jitters are to be expected.

Monster is the pos-

sible cause for five deaths, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

F.D.A. reports range related to the product include heart attack, abdominal pain, vomiting, and bodily tremors.

Monster products usually contain warnings to not consumer more than three 16 oz cans a day.

Red Bull is linked to

21 F.D.A. reports, some related to heart problems and vomiting. Red Bull’s website promotes drinking the product while studying, playing sports, travelling, and during a night out. The website also boasts Red Bull ‘s stimulating ingredients, including caffeine, sucrose, glucose, and amino acid Taurine.

Mario T

hen and Now

Mario. You say that name in this country and everyone’s thoughts hop immediately to a charming little italian plumber in blue overalls and a red hat. His first console game was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and from this point on to his most recently released game, the story formula we’re all familiar with was injected into the Mario Bros. bloodstream and has remained iconic for years.

I’m talking about the storyline that almost every Mario game follows. A princess- usually Princess Peach- is kidnapped and taken back to the home base of the game’s antagonist- usually Bowser the dragon, sometimes Donkey Kong. ...And then came Super Mario 64.

Now this is the game where everything switched around. Released in 1996, this was the little guy’s first 3D rendering, and like many other classic games, has remained in that format ever since the change. Is this for better or for worse? Yes, I suppose it’s neat to see Mario all fleshed out and “realistic”, but one might question if that takes away from the original magic of the older Mario games.

Due to the state of technology up to the late nineties, video gamers had to use their own imaginations of what they thought the “real” world of their game would look like and because of that- were able to immerse themselves more fully into the game. Back then, you could visually tell just by looking at the screen that you were looking at a video game. These days, with all

By Kaden Smidt

What’s truly impressive about this series of games is how the developers at Nintendo managed to keep this series so interesting using that same storyline each time. There was always some clever way the princess was captured, always new ideas for the games’ vast worlds, unique enemies, and memorable boss battles. All of this was especially impressive considering how little they had to work with in the way of graphics, sound, and overall game design. That small pixelated plumber, with his charmingly optimistic 8-bit theme song, touched everyone’s heart.

the huge advances being made in the department of game appearance, you almost can’t tell when you’re watching someone play Assassin’s Creed III or you’re looking at a modern film reenactment of the Civil War. So the main question I pose is this: are we destroying the original intent of videogames by demanding that they look as sharp and as realistic as possible? Many gamers- like myselfpay more attention to the satisfactionlevel of the gameplay in a title rather than how many cinematic moments it includes. It just seems like game devs work so hard to create graphics that look good enough to make eyecatching commercials on TV that they forget that the whole purpose of their job is to make games that people honestly enjoy playing.

What it really comes down to is whether you’d rather use more of your imagination while playing a game, or you’d rather the game create your world for you in the most realistic way possible. Unfortunately, reading books, painting pictures, or any other activity requiring imagination- are not things that the target audience of these games (generally kids, teens, and young adults) have any desire to do. We seem to be getting slowly lazier and lazier and wanting more work to be done for us- in many aspects of life but specifically in our video games.

The perfect video game employs

multiple levels of player involvement; such as incredibly specific avatar customization like in Fallout: New Vegas or a limitless variety of multiplayer teamwork tactics like in the famous Call of Duty games. You have an idea of what you want to see in these games, and they make you work to achieve those visions.

So the next time you play Super Mario Bros. U on your brand-new Wii console, think back to your younger days playing *an 8-bit mario game* and ask yourself: “What am I missing?”

Top Five Most Unusual Ice Cream Flavors According to Lauren Donaldsom

Secret Breakfast

Frosty Finds

By Anna Mondanaro

Whiteys: Whitey’s is a classic Iowa landmark that you cannot miss out on.

The delectable ice cream shop, established in 1933 with locations in Iowa City, Coralville and the Quad Cities, Whitey’s really is the best in the midwest.

Known best for their extremely thick shakes and malts that can be flipped over without spilling, they really will turn your world upside down! My personal favorite is the raspberry shake. It does not taste artificially flavored at all, with just the right amount of sweet compared to sour. The service was good, the atmosphere was great and the trip was definitely worth the $3.11!

Coldstone: Coldstone was established in 1988 by Donald and Susan Sutherland in Tempe, Arizona. With fun flavors such as “cake batter” and sweet treats with names like “Birthday Cake Remix”, Coldstone is in a category of it’s own. Locations range all over the country, but the locals are in both Iowa City and Coralville. The sizes range from “Like it” to “Gotta Have it”. Although the Creamery has a great atmosphere and good customer service, the ice cream is extremely rich and hard to eat in big servings! I ordered the french vanilla ice cream with brownie bites and cookie dough, which was a delectable choice. My favorite part of the Coldstone experience was the cashiers singing as they made your choice of ice cream or yoghurt. Overall, Coldstone is a good choice no matter where you are!

Heyns: Located on first avenue in Iowa City, Iowa, Heyns is a local spot that eastsiders enjoy daily. The signs describing each ice cream (made by employees with pictures to describe) add character, along with the booths and the uniforms of the employees. Heyns is known best for its “Monster Mash” Ice cream, which is a mix of monster cookie dough (eminems, peanut butter, oats) and vanilla ice cream. I ordered the “Monster Mash” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Although the ice cream is good, the building is outdated and needs some remodeling.

Dairy Queen: Although it is not necessarily a local business, DQ has locations in North Liberty, Iowa City, and Coralville. My favorite menu item is indefinitely the Ice Cream Cake, a hit at any birthday party. Their cones are known all over the country and for good reason. The cake cone is airy yet filing, a great combination when it comes to Ice Cream. DQ is a timeless hit, and a necessary addition to the Iowa ice cream scene.

Secret Breakfast — bourbon and cornflakes are main ingredients

“Red Hot”

“Red Hot” Banana is another favorite. It’s got pureed banana and crushed Red Hot candies folded into an ice cream base

Boccalone Prosciutto

Boccalone Prosciutto. Yes, it really has prosciutto in it, plus some salt and pepper.

Chocolate-Covered Bacon

Chocolate-Covered Bacon ice cream is on the menu.

The crunchy, chocolatedipped bacon strips taste like candy bursting out of custardy vanilla ice cream.

Pirate’s Treasure Pirate’s Treasure, that is.

The favored flavor is a rum-based ice cream fill with rum-soaked raisins and tropical fruits.

s

Gas Station Bathrooms

By Brooke Lofgren “Mommmmmmm, I need to go to the bathroom again,” are the words every parent dreads to hear in the middle of a strenuous car trip. Yet there isn’t much parents can possibly do in this situation but stop at the nearest decent bathroom unless they want another dreadful situation to occur. The name “gas station” itself makes it clear that the bathrooms, no matter in what town, things are going to get gassy In Coralville, there are plenty of gas station bathrooms to stop at so your pipes won’t have to leak. After reviewing the gas station bathrooms it is safe to say I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, reviewing four gas stations in Iowa City including Kum and Go, Delimart, Hy-Vee Gas, and Casey’s General Store all in Coralville.

Kum and Go: Starting off with our lowest score is Kum and Go on First Avenue in Coralville. This location ranked at a solid D-. Walking through the hallway leading into the closed door locking in the deadly aroma of the single bathroom, I felt like a giant in the crowded space they left for me to do my business.

The sink to wash your hands when done was rusty and looked as if, after washing your hands you would simply need to wash them again.

Delimart: At Delimart things improved with a quality C. Delimart on 2nd Street had better spacing than Kum and Go for I had more room to spread my arms even though that is unnecessary to do the essentials.

The air of this bathroom had more of a stale texture to it when breath-

ing in and out. I was forced to rank them lower when they were out of soap, safely said the most important thing in a bathroom.

Hy-Vee Gas: Hy-Vee Gas on 2nd Street does the store, Hy-Vee, justice to keeping the catchy slogan, ”where there is a helpful smile in every aisle!” As I walked through the swinging doors I was greeted by a friendly man behind the counter only to be a little disappointed to only see me head for the bathroom.

This bathroom ranked at a +B. You could tell that this bathroom has been recently been cleaned with a mop by the yellow wet floor sign.

I was forced to dock off points due to the broken hand dryer and while there was no alternative choice of paper towels.

Casey’s General Store: Casey’s on 2nd Street has the one of the classiest gas station bathroom I have ever been in. There are private bathroom stalls with soft, fluffy toilet paper.

Casey’s being our highest ranked bathroom of the day scored an A, nearly a perfect. Casey’s had cherry smelling soap to complete the already clean smelling that circulated the bathroom. The only thing Casey’s was missing is the Hy-Vee smile in every aisle.

The Waxy Truth

By Abby Burgess

There’s nothing worse than sitting next to someone in class

and seeing that they haven’t cleaned their ears in a while.

There’s no nice way to tell them to please clean out that nasty yellow stuff in their ears.

You can’t just turn to them and say “Please consider cleaning your ears, because that is really unattractive.” If you just don’t know how to tell someone that, then let me help you. There is nothing worse than having a good friend with wax issues, simply give them this article and watch their yellow gunk disappear. I can help anyone find just the right cotton swab for them.

The brand that is most known is Q-Tips. It’s much easier to say Q-Tips than cotton swabs.

You would think that being the most well-known brand they would be the best. But at $3.49 there is a real lack of cushion and padding. It’s like poking a stick in your ear and rubbing it around for a while only to see that nothing came out with it. I would not suggest these if you are a frequent ear cleaner.

Studio 35 Beauty, available at Walgreens and other drug stores are $2.44. They have lots of cushion; it’s like a cloud in your ear. Personally, it’s the best one out of all the cotton swabs I have tried. There’s just enough padding to get everything out but not enough that it gets stuck in your ears. These don’t have as much padding as the Johnson’s Cotton Swabs but I would say they have just the right amount to get down and dirty with that wax in your ear.

Johnson’s Cotton Swabs are available at most stores, such as Target and Walmart. They are $3.49 with lots of cloud like padding on either end. If you aren’t known to be a frequent cleaner I would be careful with these ones. They tend to get stuck in your ear and stretch the cotton out. There is so much padding that it could easily get caught on a little ear wax. Compared to the Q-Tips brand these are the Mona Lisa of cotton swabs. They have so much cushion compared to none at all.

Knowing all of this now, you can help out that friend of yours with the right kind of cotton swabs. Surprise them with the perfect kind on their birthday or a fun holiday! Wrap it in a pretty bow and give it to them with a funny card.

Baroncini’s Italian Restaraunt

Menu Items to Try

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By Consuelo Mendoza

INSALATA DI POLIPO SEPPIE E GAMBERI NELLA CONCHIGLIA DI PASTA SFOGLIA $13 Shrimp, cuttlefish & octopus salad dressed with saffron vinegarette in a puff pastry shell

Iowa City is lucky to have attracted chef Gianluca Baroncini. He graduated from the Italian National Culinary Institute. The chef is very kind and simple. Baroncini’s is a fine dining Italian restaurant, and is perfect for a fancy night out with your family. Although the service is great and the food is divine, it can be pricey for most high school students. Most dishes range from $10 - $30.

Driving by Linn Street, Baroncini’s looks like a hole-inthe-wall. When you cross the glass doors, you enter an authentic Veronese culinary experience. The black and white photographs of the Arena, Giuletta (Juliet from Romeo and Juliet) and the 2000 year-old roman bridge, your mind is immediately transported to the cobble streets of Verona. The dimmed lighting will automatically put you in a romantic mood, and the candles will add a perfect glow to your table.

The food… If you have the privilege of touring chef Baroncini’s kitchen, you will

be awed with the smell of flour, fresh pasta and ah! the spices… the scent of pesto and basil will finish your teleportation to Italy. I have unfortunately not had the privilege of going through the whole menu, but I have a few recommendations.

I would start with the Instalata di Polipo, a shrimp and octopus salad braised in olive oil and saffron vinagrette. The salad looks very well put together and has just the right amount of portions, shrimp and octopus smell and taste fresh from the sea. If you are a person who is a picky eater and hates foods with weird textures, you don’t need to worry because the octopus is perfectly cooked with a crispy outside, so has no slimy texture. The second course has to be pasta. I would definitely go for the Ravioli con Ricotta e Spinacci, stuffed ricotta and spinach ravioli’s. The ravioli’s have a smooth doughy outside, when bitten the creamy, hot, spinach gushes out and your mouth will be dying for more. If you are fearful of the

carbs, a great alternative is the Scalopine, pan-seared pork scaloppini in a lemon sauce.

You should definitively not leave Baroncini’s without tasting the Torta di Pere con Biscotto, a divine pear cake with Belgian chocolate. This pastry is covered in rich, creamy chocolate, and nothing can top the sweetness of the pears. Dishes are brought out with a unique and priceless look, the spices, and hard work can be smelled from the kitchen. Food always comes warm and prepared with chef Gianluca Baroncini’s heart.

Your vision of Italian cuisine will be completely changed after this experience! Please make sure you call two weeks in advance to reserve your experience.

TAGLIOLINI AI FRUTTI DI MARE $20 Fresh house made narrow fettuccini served with a seafood sauce made with shrimp, salmon, calamari, white wine, tomato and fresh basil

SALMONE SPADELLATO SU INSALATA DI VERDURE E OLIO AL BASILICO $24 Pan roasted fillet of salmon served over arugula sauce with brussel sprouts, chestnuts, zucchini, diced potatoes and carrots with a basil oil drizzle

TIRAMISU AVVOLTO NEL CIOCCOLATO $7 Mascarpone cream with lady fingers dipped in espresso and vanilla sauce

COMPILED BY CONSUELO MENDOZA

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JcPenny Reveiw My typical experience of entering a retail store is a bombardment of bold “Sale” signs that boast modest prices as 50% off.

Sometimes sales are so rampant that a store seems to not have the time to stick a price sticker on the merchandise, electing instead to display an electronic chart that requires customers to essentially decode the actual price like it’s a valuable secret. Even worse is attempting to decipher the fine print of a coupon-- the special “doorbusters” deals or certain categories of merchandise are sometimes exempt from the coupon’s use.

As absurd as these retail tactics may be, the expectation of every purchase to be on “sale” has become an addiction of sorts for many consumers. The devious price game has been a part of the shopping experience for so long that it will be difficult for consumers to part with it.

JCPenney, however, has decided to take a major risk by retiring from the absurdism of traditional retail with its new “everyday low price” policy. The store is putting a near end to the tumult of “sale” signs and coupons by promising reasonably low prices in the first place without calling it a “sale.”

Though JCPenney’s new honest pricing policy sounds perfectly reasonable, it has been criticized by financial analysts, who point to poor gains in 2012 sales as a sign that the company will go bankrupt if changes are not made.

The chain was expected to reap in a decent profit during the holiday season but only made modest earnings. JCPenney’s CEO, Ron Johnson, however, is confident that the store will eventually have a turnaround, but it may take several years as consumers get over their sale withdrawal symptoms.

I am shocked at the reluctance to accept JCPenney’s fresh start. When I first heard of the ear-pleasing “everyday low prices” it sounded almost too good to be true. Low prices?

Everyday? And you are not going to deceitfully deem it as “50% off ”? Sounds great! I thought there surely had to be some type of catch, like a hidden tax or a special “membership” requirement, but Ron Johnson was serious when he decided to dub his company as “fair and square.” In fact,

By Julia Shriver

the store is so square it no longer labels $20 as “$19.99.” When I looked at any piece of clothing’s tag their was simply one rounded, modest number in red, the “everyday” price, and sometimes a second red number, the monthly “low price.”

There wasn’t a single “sale” sign-- just honest, straight forward prices. There was, however, a plethora of “clearance” signs as well, but nothing was deemed on sale.

Just how low were the prices? In general, they tended to be lower than that of a traditional retailer. When I first walked into the store, I was greeted by high-quality women’s Columbia coats priced at $60, and even cheaper coats were featured in the clearance section. One white plaid coat was only $14, which I probably would have gotten if my size had been available. Moving on to the activewear section, I was amazed by the wide selection, as well as the reasonable prices. The compression tights were only $17, and I couldn’t resist buying a neon pink zip-up sports jacket by Xertion for only $17. There was a decent selection of brands as well, including the renowned Nike.

The Junior’s department was a mixed bag.

Many of the jeans spotted tacky prints and distracting bling, and the $25-$27 price tags did not impress me. The formal dresses were priced at an astounding $24, a price that would have immediately drawn me in if I had been looking for a homecoming dress. The tops were also at fairly decent prices as well, such as an Arizona sweater for only $6, but it was difficult to sift past the widespread invasion of hideously gaudy 70s fashion that is unfortunately coming back in style this year. I know JCPenney is trying to follow the trends, but the store doesn’t have to embrace such faux pas! Aside from that, though, I liked a lot of the tops, especially the ones part of the Olsen twins’ Olsenboye line.

Despite its recently abysmal profits, I believe there is still hope for JCPenney. Its prices may not be shockingly low, but they are reasonable, and I appreciate how the store is refusing to claim something is “on sale”when it was never sold higher than the

My Top Great Deals:

1.) A huge selection of party dresses on clearance for only $25 online (a few are priced even lower at only $20). My personal favorite is this Reign On Sleeveless dress.

2.) Xersion™ Running Leggings on clearance for $17 Xersion™ Running Leggings on clearance for $17 3.) Xersion™ Brushed Synthetic Athletic Jacket on clearance for $17 4.) Olsenboye® Piped Blazer on clearance for $1 5.) Decree® Lace Peplum Top on clearance for $10

Movie Review

By Sidney Petitgout

Five teenagers driving through rural Texas stumble onto an old farmhouse which turns out to be inhabited by a ghoulish family of mass murderers. Chainsaws and meat hooks are the tools of these white trash psychokillers' trade -- they decorate their home with human bones, skin and other gruesome relics, supplementing the body count with corpses from the local graveyard when fresh victims are scarce. Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a thrilling horror, with a touch of despair. Walking into the theater as a scary movie lover, I knew it was going to please my expectations, and it went above and beyond that. I could easily say it’s one of the better movies I have seen in the past six months. It will leave you with chills, forcing you to sprint to your car as you walk out the theater doors. Don't forget to check the backseat! Even though going to a movie is outrageously priced at about $12.50 a person, it was definitely worth the expense. Not to mention it’s all in 3-D.

I wouldn't recommend this R-rated movie to an elementary age student; for the reasons of bad language, the suspense and it ‘s very grotesque, with the potential of leaving them with nightmares.

New vs Old

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After the first massacre in 1974, the townspeople suspect that the Sawyer family is responsible. A mob of angered locals surround the Sawyer house and burn it to the ground, killing every last member of the family.

Decades later, a young girl named Heather learns that she has inherited a Texas home from her grandmother.

She decides to bring her friends along on a road trip to investigate her new inheritance. As Heather arrives, she uncovers she has inherited a mansion but is yet to uncover the terrors that lurk in the basement below it.

Despite the many follow-up films on the subject, this film is a sequel to the 2003 remake of the 1974 original. The original was directed by Tobe Hooper, and Hooper himself helped produce not only this film but the 2003 remake (which inexplicably changed the family name of the murderous family) and the 2006 prequel, but the current film actually uses scenes from the 1974 original (and the original family name of Sawyer) as it's jumping-off point, which gives the film some instant weight for fans of the franchise.

In comparison to the 1974 original, The 3-D movie is much more realistic for obvious reasons with the advancement in new technology and real life terror. The 3-D image makes the audience feel as though they are running with Heather away from the mentally unstable texas chainsaw murderer. Heather and her friends are oblivious to the basement cellar. One by one they are led into an unexpected reunion with her long lost cousin.

Both movies depicted the thrilling story of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Oh did I mention it was based on a true story?

By Megan Stewart WSS Intern Greetings are your first impression, they are what you probably remember most about a person. I had a great first impression of the owner as he greeted me. If you want great service, and tasty foods then this is the right choice. Nodo is fairly new with only being open for a little less than two years.

Right as I walked in, I was immediately welcomed by the owner himself. I went with my parents and he even shook their hand The owner was the cashier, helped out in the kitchen, delivered the food, and I even spotted him washing dishes. He was very helpful in deciding what to get and was there to answer any

questions needed to be asked. While my family and I were wait for our food (which wasn’t long at all) the owner was telling us cool facts about the restaurant. For example he said Nodo actually stands for North of Dodge because of its location on North Dodge Street. Before North of Dodge, Nodo would have stood for North of Downtown.The rest of the staff were fun by being themselves, dancing around the kitchen. I saw this when I happened to peek in the kitchen, which was partly open to customers.

The atmosphere of the restaurant itself was calm and relaxing. There was no sign of impatience or a rush. Nodo had a very modern feel to it, starting with the furniture. There was mainly stainless steel furniture and fun tall tables with bar stools and a bench for another option. The unusual paintings of bugs on the

walls made it seem even more modern.

The menu had a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, soup, and even some burgers. The wraps were each around $8, pretty reasonable for how much you got. The sandwiches were each around $4-6, which is also a pretty fair price. I got a wrap with turkey and spinach which was delicious and very flavorful. At first I didn’t even think that it would be that good and I even had second thoughts about getting what I

ordered. I am so glad I stuck with it. The menu wasn’t very descriptive so I really didn’t know exactly what I was going to eat but it turned out to be very good!

Nodo is an under the radar type of restaurant.

I believe this restaurant should be more known because of the great service and excellent choice and taste of the food.

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Spinach Salad

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Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich

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Portabella Mushroom Sandwich

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Turkey Spinach Wrap

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Coralville Indoor Rec Center There’s something about this fountain - maybe it’s the powerful feeling of completing a workout (I’m using that term loosely) and actually deserving all that invigorating H20 - that gives it a special place in my heart. The thing purrs when water comes out the spout like a beautiful waterfall, and it flows down my dry esophagus like the most bountiful stream. My loss was tragic, but as the books say “If you truly love something, let it go.” With heavenly water like this just minutes away from my house, I can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Target- Coral Ridge Mall I’m a vigorous shopper. And by the end of my trek across the mall and back, I’m carrying multiple shoe boxes and a Forever 21 bag the size of my torso if I’m lucky. A quick stop in Target is about the only thing to keep me from dropping after all that shopping (excuse the cliche). There’s nothing like tooth-numbingly cold water to perk me up when I’m about to use my newly purchased clothes as pillows and blankets to cash out right there in the middle of the mall. There’s a child sized fountain and one for grown ups like me, and this is without a doubt the coldest water you will find in all of Coralville. The only negative? It gets a little cramped when idiotic mall-goers try to lug their shopping carts into the bathroom.

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Coral Ridge Mall- Food court bathrooms These fountains are conveniently located just outside the food court, for those of you that are too stingy to purchase an actual beverage. There are four in a row to eliminate lines, and the height varies - always a plus. However, there is nothing memorable about these guys, besides the machinery working harder than necessary when the “push” button is pressed. These will do the job when washing down your Chik-Fil-A, but there’s nothing special here.

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West High- Outside the library Let’s review the replacement fountain, shall we? Heads up, readers, I will show no mercy.

You can taste the chemicals in this water, and perhaps the metallic aftertaste is intensified by the lukewarm temperature. These two fountains, side by side, are the exact same height.

How are pre-pubescent freshmen supposed to reach? How am I supposed to bend down in my skirt and get a drink without flashing the student body a stellar view of my rear end? Going to the nearest vending machine and investing a buck in a Dasani isn’t such a bad idea, folks.

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’m a routine kind of person. I follow it as if something bad will happen if I don’t, like avoiding black cats and stepping on sidewalk cracks. I’m sure I’m not unusual for doing so; everyone grows accustomed to taking the long route so they can catch a glimpse of that cute boy at his locker, and going to the bottom floor to avoid that annoying couple making out in the freshman wing.

I’m also very particular. And if my routine doesn’t go my way, well... that just doesn’t happen. That’s why I’ll risk being late to fourth hour just so I can buy my oatmeal cookie in the cafeteria every day at lunch, and why I’ll wait behind someone filling up an entire Camelback just so I can take a slurp from my favorite drinking fountain- something I’ve done religiously ever since freshman year when I discovered its perfect temperature and thick spout.

You know the one I’m talking about, right? On the right side, just outside the main entrance of the library? The one the janitors just replaced with a mediocre fountain with room temperature water and a thin, stingy spout? Maybe I’m the only one who notices the quality of drinking fountains, but let me tell you... I went berzerk. My whole routine - my whole day - has slightly shifted around to make up for my tragic loss. Yes, you heard me. Tragic.

But don’t lose all hope, those of you that are going through withdrawal without that glorious fountain. I’ve composed a list of noteworthy places you can go to get your fix of refreshingly cold, thick-spouted water.

By Micah Otterbein

New Heights for Burgers

Picture by//Micah Otterbein

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f you are ready for a full belly and delicious burgers, try Stella in the Heights; you know, the only restaurant in University Heights. And don’t worry about finding a parking place: Stella has its own free parking lot.

Entering Stella, we (I brought along my parents) were given a warm, friendly greeting from the hostess who gave us a choice of booth or table seating. The seating lends itself to larger parties with booths that can hold up to six people. The decor is a simple, clean design with dark hardwood floors and low lighting which creates an atmosphere perfect for talking with friends or family. When weather permits there are two relaxed and fun outdoor eating areas for sidewalk dining.

Stella features a simple menu consisting of a wide array of burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizzas, and cajun dishes. They even offer six black bean burgers for vegetarians.

The burgers normally run $9.49, but we were there on a Monday night when they serve all their burgers for $6. The first challenge is to try to decide which burger to order from the mouth-watering se-

lection of 24 burgers with creative topping combinations like bacon, avocado and garlic aoli (Maynard) or cucumber, tomato, feta cheese and tzadziki sauce (Arion).

Spurred on by the aroma of grilling hamburgers from the open kitchen nearby, we chose three burger combinations: the Defiance, the Jamaica, and the Gravity. Normally the burgers are cooked medium to medium well, but we requested to have them cooked medium-rare.

It wasn’t long before our server brought out our burger plates covered with hot, homemade french fries and terrific looking burgers loaded with our selected toppings. Our second challenge was to find a way to actually eat burgers piled so high. My parents both decided to use the tactic of cutting their burgers in half to try and taste these Iowa bred beef burgers. I just opened wide and took a bite. I chose the Jamaica, a burger made with jerk spices and topped with a mango jalapeno salsa and pepper jack cheese. The burger was cooked exactly to the doneness I had requested, and this flavorful combination left you longing for the next bite. This burger is more

Picture by//Micah Otterbein on the spicy side but there was just the right balance between the spicy toppings, the burger, and the bun.

My mom had the Defiance, a juicy burger which combined the salty, sharp flavor of blue cheese and bacon (two strips) with the rich flavor of sauteed mushrooms. My father enjoyed another slightly spicy offering called the Gravity. Bacon again was featured on this burger, this time joined with the sweet, full flavor of caramelized onions and a spicy green chili and jalapeno cream cheese.

The burgers were recently

changed to feature new buns made homemade at Stella. Stella makes all the bread and the dough for the pizzas in house. The buns tasted good, complementing the burger with a light but substantial texture which did not fall apart as you ate.

Our server was friendly and easy to talk to, always kept our water glasses filled, and was willing to make substitutions. We left full and satisfied, knowing that for burger lovers this is a location that you would want to return to again and again to try all the different types.

Stella Weekly Specials Monday: All Burgers $6 6 pm-close

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Tuesday: All Cajun Dishes ½ Price Monday-Saturday

2pm-6pm

All Pizzas and Appetizers $6

The Element of BySherlock Alena Mueller Two shows. Both advertised as ‘the modern day Sherlock!’

Which one should you watch?

Well, it depends.

BBC Sherlock takes place in London. Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) wants to move into a new apartment, but he can’t afford it on his own.

John Watson (Martin Freeman) has just returned from being an army doctor in Afghanistan after being shot in the leg. A friend introduces them to each other, and they are soon running off to solve a modern version of “A Study in Scarlet.”

CBS’s Elementary is set in New York. This Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) used to live as a consulting detective in London, but was moved to New York by his father for drug rehab. Now that he’s out, he wants to move on with his life and continue his work. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) was a surgeon, until a man died on her operating table.

She has been assigned to be Sherlock’s ‘sober companion,’

which means she follows him around and lives with him for six weeks to make sure he doesn’t do drugs. They’re also off to solve a murder mystery pretty quickly too, but it seems to be a version of “The Norwood Builder,” just with more people dead at the end.

Both these shows have little bits and pieces you’ll recognize if you’ve read the original stories. In Elementary, Sherlock keeps bees on the roof. In BBC’s version, he says things like “it’s a three patch problem.” As far as being true to the original goes, Sherlock does a better job because it follows Conan Doyle’s stories more closely. Elementary is more like NCIS and other crime shows, just with weirder main characters. Another thing to note is that both the American

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and the British Sherlock wear black coats and scarves when they go out, but Cumberbatch’s looks better on him because he’s tall and has cheekbones.

If you have got a hard time understanding British accents, go with Elementary. Sherlock does have a British accent, but when he describes how he came to his conclusions he does it slowly. In Sherlock, he explains things as fast as is humanly possible, so you might not catch it all the first time.

In Conan Doyle’s stories, Sherlock is described as “over six feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and piercing” (from “A Study in Scarlet,” chapter 2).

The book also describes him as having a hawk-like nose, square chin, and delicate touch. From this alone, BBC’s seems better. Cumberbatch fits the description perfectly.

It could also be argued that CBS’s Sherlock is more like

how he’s depicted in the books because he’s polite most of the time. The British show tends to make him into even more of a machine than he is.

As for John or Joan, Liu is very pretty, but BBC got it closer to the book. Elementary’s Watson immediately catches on to the whole ‘observe and deduce’ mindset, is totally unphased by it, and is soon pointing out pieces that Sherlock missed. John is constantly amazed by his Sherlock and remains strictly his assistant and blogger.

Me, I’m an Anglophile. But now if I see Elementary on, I might watch. I need something to do until more BBC episodes come out in August. Which is why I can see why people would prefer the American version. It’s on more. There are currently 19 episodes, each 40-some minutes long, airing on Thursdays. There are only 6 BBC episodes, running 90 minutes. So which is better? It really depends.

y m Music toears

BY LYDIA HINMAN

lydiahinman29@gmali.com

It’s that time of the year again: awards season. And with the Grammy Awards fast approaching, a guide to the five albums nominated for best album of the year is needed.

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Babel--

Mumford and Sons Babel, I Will Wait, t s e B Holland Road, Lover’s Eyes, Whispers in the s t e B Dark Yes, Mumford and Sons second album Babel is very similar to their first Sigh No More. But who’s complaining? I’m not. I loved the first album, and Babel is no exception. The album starts with probably the best track on the album “Babel” upbeat and including that oh so catchy banjo, it’s a foot tapper and is a feel good song.

“Whispers in the Dark” is a track that starts off slow, but then builds up into a beautiful, but fun masterpiece. The album then moves into the mega hit “I Will Wait”. The huge build up is used in this song as well. The lyrics are deep and meaningful, and even though the song is pretty overplayed, it’s still one of my favorites. “Holland Road”, the next track, is one of the more beautiful songs on the album. The song includes an addictive banjo instrumental that paired with horns makes it one of the best tracks on the album.

The sad and slow “Ghosts That We Knew” and uplifting “Lover of the Light” are fantastic tracks in their own right and further solidify the album as one of the best. “Lovers’ Eyes” uses the familiar dramatic build up. The track builds up into such a pretty and powerful chorus, it’s hard to miss this track.

The rest of the album is terrific as well. Several more tracks include epic build-ups, beautiful music, meaningful lyrics, and that addictive banjo.

Out of the five albums nominated for best album, Babel is the best start to finish.

3 2

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Channel Orange-Frank Ocean

Best Bets

Thinkin’ Bout You, Bad Religion , Pyramids, Feritilizer, Lost

I will be quick to admit I’m not a big fan of anything R&B. I never have been and probably never will. That being said, Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange is a great album. I didn’t think I would like this album, as I usually get bored during R&B music, but the album caught my interest from the first song and didn’t let go.

One of the first songs is the wildly popular “Thinkin Bout You”. The song is addiictive, with it’s outstanding vocals and infectous beat in the background. “Fertilizer, one of my favorites on the album, is different from most R&B music, in a fantastic way. With several foottapping songs in between, the album moves into the next great song, “Pyramids”. The lyrics are honest and the beat is what makes the song as good as it is. “Lost” has a sort of funky beat and Ocean’s voice is great in this tack.

“Bad Religion” is a reflective song that has fantastic vocals and great lyrics.

What I love so much about Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange is the honesty is his songs. It’s truly a work of art.

3

Some Nights-- Fun.

Nights, We Are Best Some Young, Carry On, Why Bets am I the One

Everyone knows the chorus of “We Are Young” and the catchy tune of “Some Nights”. But it’s not just the two major songs that got Fun.’s album Some Nights nominated for Best Album of the year Grammy Nomination.

The album starts off with the loud and powerful anthem of “Some Nights”. One of my absolute favorite songs of all time, “Some Nights” has an infectious background music ( it reminds me of the Lion King for some reason) and Ruess’s voice is as good as it can possibly be. Then “We Are Young overtakes the show”. The lyrics are amazingly deep and the amazingly powerful chorus takes the show.

The reflective and beautiful “Carry On” comes next. The has terrific bend of electronic and tradtional insturments. The next song “It Get’s Better” is in one word: annoying. It has way too many electronic elements that overpower each other. Maybe “It Get’s Better” is referring to the rest of the album, as it can only get better after this song. “Why Am I the One” makes up for the massive train wreck in “It Get’s Better”. The vocals are great and the lyrics are incredibly meaningful. The background gives the song a great beat and rhythm.

Some Nights is a great album that is lifted to extraordinary heights by its to mega hit songs in “We Are Young” and “Some Nights”. While Some Nights isn’t the best album start to finish, it has the best songs

The Black Keys

Jack White

4st El Camino- e5st Blunderbuss--

Other CDS to give a spin CeremonialsFlorence + The Machine

Boy, Gold on Missing Pieces, FreeB Be Lonely the Ceiling, Little Black dom at 21, Love InterMoney rupted, I''m Shakin' s t e B Bets Submarines, Maker

I love the Black Keys. My dad started listening to them when I was little, so I’ve spent the last ten years listening to the Black Keys while in the van to wherever. I didn’t necessarily like the Black Keys back then, as they were too bluesy back then, but now, I absolutely love their mashup of blues and alternative rock. It makes the duo so unique and their music so fabulous.

El Camino starts off with a bang thanks to the incredibly catchy guitar intro and upbeat chorus.

This track is definitely one of the album’s highlights.

The second track, “Dead and Gone”, is a catchy tune with great vocals. The album then works its way into my favorite song “Gold on the Ceiling”.

The melody with the guitar and vocals is fun and addictive. “Little Black Submarines” is a slow song that builds up into the Black Key’s usual blues/rock song. The lyrics are meaningful and the the guitar is fantastic.

The next song, “Money Maker”, is unbelievably catchy, has a great guitar riff, and great vocals as well.

After several decent songs, The album is wrapped up in a nice bow with “Mind Eraser”, which has catchy melodies and the guitar is addictive. I loved El Camino. It’s a very strong album start to finish: it’s only weakness is that some songs are very similar. Yes, the Black Keys are moving away from their blues roots, but what they're evolving into may be even better.

I was not expecting to like Jack White’s newest album Blunderbuss. I never got into The White Stripes, Jack White’s former duo with , but I liked Blunderbuss. My favorite of all time?

No. Great music and deserving of it’s Grammy Nomination? Certainly.

The album starts off with a kick with the first song “Missing Pieces”. The song has a “funky” beat and is upbeat. I’m not one for raging guitar solos and vocals, both of which are present in the second track “Sixteen Saltines”. But in this song, the two work well together. They don’t overpower each other, but blend together rather nicely.

“Freedom at 21” has an unbelievably catchy guitar riff. The album then moves into “Love Interrupted” , my favorite song on the album.

The song, unlike many others on this album, is mellow and is a duet. The track has a neat sound that is very unique.

“I’m Shakin’” has the best vocals on the whole album. It’s catchy and meaningful at the same time.

No, Jack White’s newest album was not my cup of tea; but I still liked it. The guitar rhythm and the musical melodies in his songs are so addictive and help develop the tracks so much. His vocals are unique and as good as anybody’s. I don’t think Jack White will win the award, but he certainly has one of the top five albums of year in Blunderbuss.

Battle BornThe Killers

The Head and the Heart- The Head and the Heart

Boys & GirlsThe Alabama Shakes

Night VisionsImagine Dragons

StarCaft II: Heart of the Swarm OVERVIEW RACES: TERRAN, ZERG, AND PROTOSS

NEW UNITS

TERRAN WIDOW MINE, HELLBAT ZERG SWARM HOST, VIPER PROTOSS ORACLE, TEMPEST, MOTHERSHIP CORE The next installment of StarCraft, to be released in March, is ready to take center stage in showcase and competition.

A game following in the footsteps of the legendary prequel Wings of Liberty and its original, Brood War, Heart of the Swarm lives up to many of its expectations.

Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm, the newest chapter in the lore of the StarCraft world, is a very diverse and complicated game. With three different races and dozens of combinations to play as, there is something here for everyone. Ranked matches with players of your skill level as well as custom games can be played on the daily for hours of fun.

The campaign is very well designed, with a new storyline plus customizable Zerg Swarm units.

RUNS ON PC AND MAC IMPROVED PHYSICS, TEXTUES, AND MOVEMENT

When preordered through Battle.net (Blizzard’s main website) or Amazon, the game comes in 1 DVD with a collectible box.

The game is about 10 gigabytes, so it might take awhile (about an hour) to download, but it’s all worth it. Upon logging in, the UI (user interface) is very fresh and clean, with simply organized buttons and a menu that beats its predecessors into the dirt.

Graphics (on higher settings) are to die for, with new ground, building, and landscape textures which greatly improve detail along with explosion and movement physics that make the game seem even more real than it already is. And with the game being integrated into professional

competition after the GSL 2013 Season 1, which ends in March, can bring a lot to the table. New patches which allow Reapers (a scouting unit) to be built without an add-on to barracks, and the new Protoss Tempest with 15 range, new strategies never possible in Wings of Liberty are being used with great skill. Sky-Toss, a new strategy which involves the use of new units such as the Tempest.

The game, however, still has its downsides. This new expansion is $40. It might seem cheap, but it’s steep compared to Brood War, the expansion for the original StarCraft. When playing, the game has a slight FPS reduction (but that could be Wi-Fi spikes or just your internet is crap).

Some new units from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm are pictured in these gameplay photos

With new Protoss air units like the tempest, shown in bottom left, the Terran vs Protoss matchup will be involve new and interesting strategies

Balance in the game is a completely different issue. The Tempest, once considered to be the most overpowered (OP) unit in the game, has been nerfed (reduced) beyond belief. Now, Terrans no longer need Factories for Siege Tanks, a powerful ranged unit.

Zergs have the Viper and its abduct ability, as well as the Swarm Host, which produces endless free attacking units. Protosses are the luckiest; they have the new Oracle, which can kill workers in two hits and kill buildings in seconds, as well as the Mothership Core, which can mass recall units and be used as an early-win strategy. This is already causing controversy among players within the beta.

The game has a great start, but it still has a long way to go. Heart of the Swarm introduces many new strategies to the metagame (the current way the game is played), but there are many improvements to be made.

This next installment in the empire of the Starcraft world is a good one. I’d go for it.

BY AKASH BORDE

borde.aka.sh@gmail.com

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Procrastination n

Without a doubt, this was one of the hardest assignments I’ve ever completed. Every time I sat down to research, I got so absorbed in my scrutiny of the websites that I neglected to write, and three hours later, I would switch tabs to see that I have a grand total of two words on my page, (including my name).

However, I know I’m not the only one who has had this problem. Students throughout high school, college, and beyond face the daunting challenge of having to do research and homework with the endless pit of knowledge that is the internet. The internet has ushered in a new era of procrastination, and at the forefront of the enemy forces are time-sucking websites. This review will give you an overview of the ways you can spend your time other than being productive.

Social Networking Facebook:

This website is great for browsing through pictures of people you don’t know. Some call it creeping, I call it pictorial research. Besides looking through albums of people you’ve met exactly once, Facebook’s “Groups”, are a good way to collaborate with people of similar interest. Create one for every one of your classes and spend all your time ranting about how you don’t have enough time to do anything. Chatting, especially group chatting, is another great way to occupy your time. With Facebook chat, you can keep up with your friends you haven’t seen since 3:16 PM. Complain to everyone how incredibly difficult your life is while you sit in your spinny chair and eat nutella out of the jar. Facebook isn’t perfect, though. Far from it, in fact. People are choosing to use the app Instagram for their National Geographic worthy pictures (and morning selfies and mirror pics too). Facebook also changes its layout frequently, and that results in total disarray for its some 800 million users during the first 100 hours of the change while they figure out what the new most efficient way to stalk their friends is.

Twitter:

Tired of reading your friends’ extensive social commentary or rants about life? Ain’t nobody got time fo that! Welcome to Twitter, where it’s not possible to find a post more than 140 characters long. Spend the time you had reserved for homework reading snippets of friends and celebrities’ social lives. Instead of putting your creative juices towards making your English essay a bit more interesting, use those thoughts into coming up with a funny tweet that relates to that night’s trending hashtag.

You can keep up with relevant news events and even the weather courtesy of friends and family, who will never give you up or never let you down. Twitter is sometimes limiting in the sense that if you ever feel like expressing your thoughts in a Shakespearean Sonnet, you won’t have enough lines to do so. Limiting characters can sometimes feel like limiting free speech, and shoot, that reminds me of this essay on 1984 I really should written before I started this review assignment.

Social Shopping Illiterate? Don’t worry, there are websites for you to waste time on, too! Complain about stuff you will never be able to afford by scrolling down the never-ending boards on Pinterest, or try the aptly named thisiswhyimbroke.com. Pictures dominate the scene in these social shopping websites, so you can browse through more items in the same amount of time. Endless entertainment, no payments necessary.

Pinterest

: Need inspiration for a pet project to pursue while you put off homework? Peruse no farther than Pinterest, your one-stop-shop for the cutest fashion trends and five-minute projects.

With no login necessary, you can browse the front page for pictures of what’s trending, or if you have a specific idea in mind, create an account to “Pin” your favorite pictures onto a board of similar items. Instead of sketching that stained glass design you need to draw for art class tomorrow, why not look at the latest trends in shoelace patterns? Careful though, Pinterest’s projects are almost never as easy to do in real life as the pictures make them seem. If you aren’t very skilled, or have very low self-esteem,

Some other gems you can’t miss thisiswhyimbroke

Have you ever had the feeling you were missing something in your life, but just couldn’t figure out what it was? Chances are you’ll find it on thisiswhyimbroke.com. With the self-appointed title of “The Internet’s Mall”, this website has anything and absolutely everything you could think of, and much more that you quite can’t. From helicopter motorcycles ($279,000+S/H), to transparent glass toasters (not yet available for sale), browse through all the stuff you never realized was absent from your childhood. You can make up for that completing the square assignment you haven’t done by buying your math teacher a dolphin powered boat instead. It’ll keep you above “C” level, I promise.

Reddit-

The self-proclaimed “Front Page of the Internet” may not seem very attractive at first, with no pictures and only blue hyperlinked words everywhere, but once you understand how it works, you’ll never see the internet the same way again. Users upload and vote on links to various items across the internet, from serious breaking news, to endlessly repeating graphics of cats (.gifs). Browse the front page, with the top links of the hour, or go to specific interests on pages called subreddits, which are distinguished by their suffix reddit.com/r/... Reddit comments are the some of the internet’s best, and celebrities often make appearances on reddit in the form of “Ask Me Anything” forums (AMA)’s. There are science subreddits, too, so you can legitimately claim you’re learning while you put off your work. Win-win.

The Latest Trends:

Puppy

by Gr

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Dog W

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f a sparkling puppy is a happy one, the dogs of Iowa City are in for a treat. The Muddy Puppy Dog Wash, located in Coralville, can do everything but teach an old dog new tricks. Its shampoo, conditioner, flea and tick wash, water vacuum and blow dryer hose just top off the larger than life experience.

As you open the door, a blast of the classic wet dog smell hits you, intensified by the dank, humid air inside. While the smell may be a bit nauseating, for a dog wash, the white walls and floors are surprisingly hair-free.

The cubicle itself is quite small; probably meant for a single person and their dog. The two glass sliding doors are the only thing stopping me from testing it out on humans.

A rubber-matted wash tub sits two feet above the ground to provide an elevated bathing place so owners don’t have to

bend to wash. A small step at the foot of the basin lets dogs climb up themselves; a nice addition for extremely muddy puppies or to aid humans with limited mobility. A crooked row of hand-placed stickers on the wall indicate a special wash area for larger dogs who don’t need the tub.

After tethering your hound to prevent any loose dog fiascos, slip on the provided waterproof apron, and insert $7 of crisp bills - make sure to have cash as cards are not accepted. Clear instructions on the wall help you select the correct order of soaps to get the shining spotfree rinse. Controlled by an easily accessible array of buttons on the wall, the chrome spray hose is a magic wand of soap.

Choices include oatmealtea or tearless shampoo, conditioner, flea and tick wash, and a normal rinse cycle to use in between.

But the most

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anticipatory moment of the entire visit wasn’t the silky soft fur or the inevitable moment of panic when your dog decides to shake. Pressing that orange button labeled “vacuum” and watching wide-eyed as the hose actually vacuums up the water off your dog is more fun than I’d like to admit. No salon is complete without a blow dryer though, so the final stage of primping is a nice warm air fluff to return your dog to puppy-fluff conditions.

While all this sounds overwhelming even to me, my dog, who hides in closets at the first warning of thunder, handled it fine. The Muddy Puppy Dog Wash is open 24/7, but is sporadically closed due to frozen pipes, an issue the owner is working to resolve. If you have 10 minutes and a dirty dog, stop by - it’s a treat for both of you.

Book t Adap o Film tatio ns

by Va lerie Hsieh

, WSS

A

s the Oscar race heats up, everyone from famous entertainment magazines to the average moviegoer is putting in their two cents on who they predict to win the most highly coveted awards of Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress. But hiding underneath the hype of the box office hits and the actors that make them so famous lies the category of Best Adapted Screenplay. The screenplay is the basic framework of a movie, and the screenplays in this Oscar category have been converted from book form to the big screen. This year, the movies nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay are consistently better than those nominated for Best Original Screenplay. In fact, six of the nine Best Picture nominees were adapted screenplays - not original ideas.

So why is the trend Catching Fire now?

For one thing, screenwriters (the people that write the screenplays) are running out of ideas. Every movie idea that has ever been written has been made into a film already. In addition, adapted movies apparently don’t do any worse than original movies, and sometimes even outperform non-adapted movies

Ender’s Game

Based on the popular teen dystopian novel of the same name by Orson Scott Card, this film has an all-star cast including Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Abigail Breslin, and Asa Butterfield.

Release Date: November 1, 2013

at the box office.

The most popular types of books to be adapted into screenplay form most recently are young adult novels, such as the wildly successful Hunger Games series, and literary classics, including Les Misérables and Anna Karenina.

These movie adaptations naturally draw a following from fans of the books. Before the movie is even released, gossip magazines and book fans alike hype up the casting, the filming location, and even potential plot twists.

But in the popularity lies the problem. While loyal readers may swarm to the theaters, those that haven’t read the book are lost during the movie.

In The Hunger Games, the director followed the plot of the book to a T, yet many details still weren’t covered, such as Katniss’s intricate relations with Gale, Peeta, and her mother. The complexity of the characters’ personalities was impossible to transcribe from book to screen, even in a two-and-a-half hour long movie.

While the overwhelming action sequences in the movie were exciting to watch, none of the characters seemed fully formed, and their actions would have

Inter

been hard to comprehend, had I not read the book beforehand.

In Les Misérables, director Tom Hooper based his movie off of an extremely long book - nearly 1500 pages - and incorporated songs from the musical adaptation, thus making the movie over three hours long. While Les Misérables might have garnered seven Oscar nominations, it didn’t earn one for Best Adapted Screenplay, and rightly so. The extremely complex plot was barely condensed into a comprehensible movie format that was understandable to the average moviegoer.

While it’s admirable to see screenwriters and directors attempting to bring popular books to life on the big screen, adapted movies really aren’t all they’re hyped up to be. It should be safe to say that the major film studios know this; for now, they’re just trying to capitalize as much as they can on the “faithful readers” demographic.

And even though your friends may want to watch all of the latest blockbusters, bear this piece of advice in mind: If it’s an adapted movie, it’s smarter to read the book first.

The Host

Catching Fire

Release Date: March 29, 2013

Release Date: November 21, 2013

The first movie adaptation based on a book from author Stephenie Meyer that isn’t part of the Twilight series. Expect many Twilight fans. (Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger)

The second film in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire is expected to be just as big of a hit as The Hunger Games was.

(Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson)

n

BY MADIE MILLER

madiemllr@gmail.com

TV Program Tackles Obesity

P

ushing to the top of the record boards, America’s obesity rates continue to climb to an alltime high. At the start of 2013, the Gallup Poll reported that 36% of Americans are overweight..

To combat this, ABC is launching their 14th season of the hit TV show Biggest Loser. At 7 o’clock on Mondays, viewers watch as 18 contestants compete in a grueling weight loss program.

The winner of the show receives a cash prize and the title of “Biggest Loser”.

This season, three kids are being added to the mix in hopes of encouraging the thousands of obese American kids to exercise and eat right.

At the Biggest Loser Ranch, contestants are harnessed with a strict nutrition plan and daily workout sessions with their team and an in-your-face trainer. Trainer Jillian Michaels returned to the show after a two year ab-

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sence. Michaels, Dolvett Quince, and Bob Harper lead their teams through grueling workouts in hope to push their team to lose the most weight. If you aren’t too distracted by Dolvett’s perfect teeth, you might catch a glimpse of sometimes distressed and sometimes dedicated contestants. Yes, there is some vomit and even some dramatic falls from treadmills. But hey, they’ve gotta work hard, cause if your team loses the least amount of weight percentage, you will have to vote out a team member. Generally no one wants to go, and no one wants to vote of their workout buddy. Voting off a team member

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will also weaken your chances at winning team challenges where the prizes are advantages at the next weigh-in.

The high-intensity workout scenes are exciting and motivating to watch...I wouldn’t be surprised if the emotional one-on-one talks with trainers and self realization moments draw a few tears.

As the contestants battle to overcome themselves and their past, they are met with the balancing act of strict workouts and tear jerking relationships. Living life in the ranch away from family and friends, and living a lifestyle they’ve never known seems to be one of the hardest parts.

The real battle comes at the end of the week as the players step onto the scale one-by-one in anticipation of the large red numbers that will reveal how much longer their weight-loss journey will continue. This show will leave you with a sense of motivation and may even inspire you to look inside yourself...maybe you’ll want to put down that bowl of ice cream and even go for a run.

FAST FACTS

AS OF DECEMBER 2012

97.1

million overweight adults

280,000

obesity relataed deaths

22%

of Americans who meet recommended physical activity guidelines

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BY AARON CARTER

aaroncarter51298@gmail.com

Hot dogs, cracker jacks, beer, and men that swear, the definition of baseball at it’s best. Trouble With the Curve a movie directed by Rober Lorenz is just that and more. It has a star cast including: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake. When you see a lineup of actors that include the likes of Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, and Justin Timberlake it’s going to be a top hit movie. The main character in this story is Gus, played by Clint Eastwood.

Gus is a Major League Baseball scout for the Atlanta Braves. Gus has recruited the likes of Chipper Jones and others. The main conflict in this movie is when Gus starts losing his eyesight. Gus adapts, he finds out ways to scout without his eyes, such as hearing the ball come off the bat. I found this part extremely interesting since it is based on a true story.

While watching this movie it was hard to find many bad things about it. But if there was one bad thing it was that, it kept on

coming back to the same settings it seemed like for no reason. For example in the diner, when Gus and his daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) go meet there and basically just talk about stuff that doesn’t really play a big part in the movie. Maybe their point was to just show how Gus lives his daily life but for me it showed no point. If you are a baseball fan, which you probably are if you decide to

“

When you see a lineup of actors... Clint Eastwood,

Amy Adams, and Justin Timberlake

it’s going to be a top hit movie.”

watch this movie, do you want to spend 10 minutes watching Gus going through daily life? I surely don’t.

On the other hand, there were many good things. I really liked how it showed different games and how it showed many flashbacks.

The best scene in the movie would be when

Gus and his colleagues are in the office talking over who they are going to draft. I liked it because it kind of showed a behind the scenes look at how meetings in the MLB work. There were many arguments and jokes cracked which livened up the movie a lot. For example when they were deciding whether or not to draft a player they kind of exchanged blows at eachother and made fun of eachother in a nice sort of way.

Mickey ends up quitting her job as a lawyer and helping out her dad during his scouting. She helps him by watching the players while Gus listens. Mickey also helps him with basic stuff like driving. During the movie Gus runs into the side of the garage while trying to back out and blames it one the garage shrinking, you see there is a problem. So when they go on the road to a game to scout Mickey drives instead of Gus. Together they make a great team, since Mickey was grown up around baseball players, obviously since she is named after the great Mickey Mantle. Overall this is a great movie and I definitely recommend this to any baseball fans or anyone who loves a feel good story.

Best Mac in Town By: Matt Murry

Atlas - $12 The menu said “Allow 20 minutes for preparation.” It was well worth the wait. The first thing that struck me was the presentation. The tomato confit, piled high in the center, the golden brown shell of baked cheese and the sprinkle of basil made my mouth water. The taste was even better. The plethora of mixed cheeses (Gruyere, Fontina, Mozzarella, and Parmesan) gave it a unique, multifaceted taste. The normally rich and possibly overbearing cheese combo, when paired with the sharper, marinated roma tomatoes blended in perfect harmony. The acidic tomato paste cut through the sauce such that every bite contained notes of unique flavors. When asked about the dish’s secret, the waitress said, “It’s pretty simple, just a lot of good cheeses in it.” At $12 for the mini-mac, and $16.50 for the full dish, it’s the most expensive by far.

Hamburg Inn - $7.29 The price on the Hamburg Inn mac is deceptive. Unlike restaurants like Noodles and Co. or Z’Mariks, the price includes slices of Texas Toast, along with two sides of your choice. My fries and fruit were delicious, but the same thing can’t be said for the mac and cheese. The penne noodles were soggy, the American Cheese sauce bland, and the the entire dish had the consistency of a thick stew. But, to be fair, this dish is not representative of the Hamburg Inn in its entirety. The No. 2 has rightfully claimed its spot as one of Iowa City’s best restaurants, but for things other than Mac and Cheese. If you decide to stop by the Hamburg Inn (which I highly recommend), go for the delicious breakfasts, burgers or pie shakes. Not the macaroni.

Z’Mariks - $5.59 The central theme in the “The Original” from Z’Mariks Noodle Cafe was cheese. Lots of it. Heaping amounts underneath, and a topping of cheddar jack. Unlike Atlas, Z’Mariks was not subtle, nor did they attempt to modernize the dish. But their style worked well. Rather than utilizing conventional macaroni elbows, they choose a curly cavatappi pasta, which is larger and more dominant than the smaller noodles found in Atlas’ dish. This recipe seemed more traditional than others. The brute force approach of tasty noodles supersaturated in delicious cheeses is a recipe that has stood the test of time, and works quite well for Z’Mariks. When asked about the blend of cheeses that made this dish so good, the waiter said, “I don’t think I can actually tell you. It’s one of those trade secrets”. We may never know the secrets held in the Z’Mariks kitchen, but I know one thing: this symbiosis between cheese and noodle is definitely worth checking out.

Noodles and Co. - $7.95 Contrary to the negative stigma that accompanies chain restaurants, Noodles & Co’s mac and cheese was delicious.

Two options were presented. The “Truffle Mac”, or the “Wisconsin Mac”. Feeling adventurous, I tried the truffle.

The more conventional noodles, the baby portabella mushrooms, drizzle of white truffle oil, and the garnish of parmesan blended seamlessly, to create a dish that was both sophisticated and down to earth. Despite being a chain restaurant, Noodles creates an atmosphere and taste that rivals that of hometown favorites.

If yo Gou u’re lo o r Extr met M king f o a Tra a-chees c: Atla r: s d y A re itiona Mac: Z l Ma ally ’Mar c: N goo ood iks d br le eakf ast: s & Co. Ham bur g In n

SPRING 2013 FASHION REVIEW

By: Apoorva Raikwar

From New York City to Paris, this spring’s fashion shows were flooded with many unique and bold trends as well as some duds. By: Apoorva Raikwar Leather was hot on the Fall 2012 runway and it’s not going anywhere. This “warm-weather leather,” as impractical as it may seem, was incorporated into many shorter dresses. If you don’t want to suffocate, though, Alexander Wang’s leather pieces have numerous large cutouts with sheer tulle that may provide needed air circulation.

Besides the cooling factor, the cutouts at designers such as Versace and Gucci were quite dramatic and had obviously been included for a purpose other than to keep you from sweating.

Ellie Saab and Marchesa, designers popular with celebrities on the red carpet, included lots of sheer fabrics, lace, and intricate beading-details that are always in style. Many of Marchesa’s pieces were inspired by Indian clothing, which made for a very rich and ornate collection compared to other designers. Other collections with influences from foreign nations were Rodarte and Emilio Pucci who included Asian-inspired pieces like kimono style dresses and oriental prints.

Graphic prints were huge, ranging from abstract photo prints collaged across dresses on Proenza Schouler’s catwalk to Moschino’s simple black and white patterns. Besides the more abstract black and white designs, Moschino also carried simple striped designs. Although stripes are generally considered a classic print that will always be in style, that may not be the case for Moschino as a number of the models on runway looked like they had come straight from a prison.

On Louis Vuitton’s runway, checkers were the predominant print and the sixties theme was immediately apparent. It was bearable at first but after the twentieth checkered dress it got old. Balenciaga, Chloe, and Gucci focused on ruffles. Instead of that horrid dress you were forced to wear to that wedding with a million layers of ugly ruffles, the feminine details were used sparingly on hemlines and sleeves of dresses which resulted in much more sophisticated look.

Short business style suits were popular for both men and women. In bold, vibrant shades of red, cobalt blue, and seafoam green (spring’s “it” colors), the structured blazers and cropped bottoms were a definite hit. On the other hand, bermuda style shorts from DKNY, Mara Hoffman, and Nanette Lepore were a bit of a miss. If we really wanted to wear bermuda shorts, we would go to Regina.

Not surprisingly, white was a popular color on the runways of many designers including Calvin Klein, Chanel, Mulberry, Ellie Saab, Jill Stuart, Christian Dior, Rebecca Taylor, Givenchy, Jason Wu, and Alexander Wang-just to name a few. Instead of just a white top or skirt, completely white ensembles were the popular look creating a crisp, clean look that screamed “Don’t even think about getting near me with that grape juice!”.

On the other end of the spectrum were the neon pieces. This trend, evolving from past years, shows how neon is the new pastel. From pastels to bright pastels to almost neon to flat out neon, this color progression shows a shift towards sixties fashion elements.

As far as footwear goes, there was a great variety of styles. The classic gladiator sandal was kicked up a notch on the runways of Alexander Wang and Tom Ford who went with knee-high bandage style shoes. A less daring trend were the metallic and holographic shoes. These lustrous heels dazzled with Nicole Miller and J. Mendel while more feminine embroidered and lace styles were all the rage with Brian Atwood and Jimmy Choo.

Aside from the shoes, transparent clutches and shoes dominated Stella McCartney, Fendi, Burberry, and Chanel. If you do decide to try this trend, be sure that you’re not carrying anything you wouldn’t want others to see. If you prefer to keep the contents of your wallet private, the classic black and white combo was a popular theme for Balenciaga and Chanel’s bags.

Overall, this year’s spring trends are definitely something to look forward to. Runway fashion can sometimes be intimidating because it seems so unwearable, but there are many ways to incorporate these “high” fashion trends into your everyday wardrobe. Instead of a short business style suit, maybe try a colored blazer with distressed denim shorts. And rather than an intricately beaded gown covered in lace and ruffles, try a simple lace top with a beaded necklace. The possibilities are endless so pick out a few of your favorite trends and get shopping.

Caffe Crema:

Medium roast siphon press: This coffee is created with a double chamber vacuum called a siphon press/coffee maker. A siphon press is supposed to enhance the flavor of coffee and keep the temperature of the coffee hot. It’s $2.50 for a 12 oz, $3.00 for 16 oz. The coffee was very fragrant, slightly sweet, and has a lingering aroma. The coffee was slightly acidic, but the richness compensates for an overall good cup of coffee. 4.0/5 Medium roast pour over: $2.00 for 16 oz. This was equally as fragrant as the siphon coffee but not as flavorful. The taste is simpler and there were fewer complex notes of sweetness and acidity. 3.75/5

An excell Coffee

By Rebecca Wen

Capanna:

Vienna: This was acidic and course.As the coffee cooled, I was attacked by acidity and a flat, bitter flavor. A tall only cost $1.90 but I felt unsatisfied. 2.5/5 Brazilian: This brew was mildly acidic and strong. It was also only $1.90 for a tall but I couldn’t get myself to finish it. The color was very dark and it tasted like the beans were a bit overroasted. 3.0/5

What su Study:

Java House on Mormon Trek:

Conversational brew: A 16 oz was $2.85 compared to their normal brews at $2.10. Nicely bitter and strong, but it tastes like someone squeezed some lemon juice in. The texture felt malty and it wasn’t smooth. 2.25 Giant of the Earth: It was a pretty clean and smooth cup but lacked aroma. It wasn’t particularly dark for a dark roast and not worth the $2.10 for a 16 oz cup. 3.0/5

Fairgrounds:

Equinox: The aroma was great, and the taste was rich. It had subtle floral tones and was not acidic. 4.0/5 Ethiopian: A wonderful, bright and sweet aroma plus a smooth and clear texture. This brew was not syrupy at all but was still strong in flavor. Like the Equinox, it wasn’t acidic. 4.5/5

Head to Java House for a cram session.

They have lots of tables in different sizes so you can make a study group.

Eat:

Fairgrounds has wonderful vegan or vegetarian waffles, french toast, sandwiches, and wraps. The Howling Dog Bakery is located inside of Fairgrounds and serves a variety of vegan cupcakes, scones, and other pastries.

T.Spoons:

Velvet: I got this cup first thing in the morning, so the coffee was fresh. This cup was at first very appealing because it didn’t have any obvious flaws. It wasn’t sour, but it also wasn’t very strong. The texture was as smooth but the flavor mellow. 3.5 T.Spoons blend: Like the Velvet, this coffee wasn’t very strong. The aroma was a bit bolder than Velvet, but it was also slightly sour. It was also smooth and clear, but left me wanting more flavor. 3.5/5

lent cup of

Panera:

Only $2.29 for a 16oz cup of hot chocolate.

This cup of hot chocolate did not just have a delightful taste but a wonderful way to warm the bones. The cup of hot chocolate was perfectly hot and had the right amount of sweet whipped cream. After taking a sip, I could tell right away that the cup of hot chocolate was not very rich.

The texture was thick and very sweet. 3.5/5

Hot Chocolate

By Kiana Wilson

Starbucks:

uits you Read:

If you’re a book worm, Prairie Lights is the place for you.

They have a cafe on the second floor where you can order a macciato, nibble on pastrires from De Luxe, or have some Hors D’oeuvres.

Socialize:

Capanna doesn’t have great coffee but they do have a wide variety of gelato. The atmosphere is warm and there are many people

Starbucks hot chocolate makes a wonderful winter drink. This hot beverage has great quality and taste. $2.84 for a 12oz cup of hot chocolate. However, there is only so much hot chocolate you can drink when it’s so rich and is topped with a lot of whipped cream. 3/5

Java House:

Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate has a very unique taste. $3.35 for a 16 oz of hot chocolate. This cup of hot cocoa was very hot and took a long time for me to take the first sip. It is very rich but warmed me up rapidly. 2.5/5

talking.

Mcdonalds:

This steamed “whole” milk hot chocolate was priced at $2.45 with a __ oz. The McCafe hot chocolate usually burning hot was luke warm.

By the time I began to take a sip of the cup of hot chocolate the whip cream was already melted and the chocolate drizzle was nowhere to be seen. McCafe’s hot chocolate are supposed to be made with milk but I tasted a watered down cup. *1.5/5

Exotic India 102 2nd Ave, Coralville, IA. (319) 354-4710 $2.99-$13.99 Mon: 17:00-22:00 Tue-Sat: 11:15-2:30, 5:00-10:00 Sun: 11:15-2:30, 5:00-9:30

India

by Megan Kann

When the door of Exotic India opens, the first thing that hits is the scent of thick and warm spices like cinnamon and red chilli powder. The walls are a bright orange, a very welcoming color when coming in from the cold.

Paintings of Hindu Gods and mosaic elephants hang on the walls. A waiter is there to offer a table. The venue gives off a welcoming atmosphere from the art to the waiter to the heat of south asia. When entering the Exotic India it is like stepping into an oasis in the the middle of the city.

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The base of a good Indian meal is the Basmati rice and warm naan. The Basmati rice is white rice with a sprinkling of spices and peas littered throughout the dish.

Naan is a round flatbread, always hot out of the oven, toasty on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. Naan is used as a boat for the other dishes on the plate; or cupped in the hand, it is used as a spoon.

Naan and rice are the noodles of Indian food, a staple for every meal.

ken c i h c oori d n a T

Tandoori chicken is chicken marinated in yogurt and mild spices, roasted in a traditional style clay oven. When it comes out it is a sizzling mess of onions and blazing red chicken. Tandoori chicken is as common as barbeque. It is a nice complement to the sauce dishes.

uji h B i b Punja

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Punjabi Bhaji is a mild creamy sauce with aromatic spices and thinly sliced onions battered in chickpea flour and deep fried. It is usually poured over rice or eaten with naan.

This dish is a perfect mix of spices and onions batter. When the big splat of fried batter floating in the sauce is cut open it reveals the yellow spices and onions.

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Battle of the Primetime Soaps: Revenge and Deception

by Sharon Xiang

Two strong, independent (and rather pretty) women who want redemption. That is basically Revenge and Deception summed up into a sentence. Deception was recently released by NBC as one of the network’s midseason shows, and Revenge is in its second season on ABC. The two shows are similar, and easy to make comparisons between there’s drama and intrigue.

Deception

Plot Line

Revenge

Amanda Clarke (Emily VanCamp) returns to the Detective Joanna Locasto (Meagan Good) Hamptons, where she grew up, under the name goes undercover to investigate the mysterious murder of the troubled heiress who was once Emily Thorne, to exact revenge on the people who put her father in jail for terrorism, where he her best friend, and goes back to the privilater died. The first season excelled because of the leged family she grew up in. The plotline of Deception seems to be NBC’s answer to ABC’s guilty pleasure of watching Emily take down those corrupted one-percenters that caused her father’s successful Revenge. It’s dull in comparison downfall (her “revengenda”) and concealing her to Revenge, only based on a simple murder, which has to be solved at the season finale or true identity. However the second season’s storyline was a stretch of the imagination with a secret else no one will stick around to keep watching, and then what will the plot be if the series terrorist organization, the Americon Initiative, became too confusing to understand, and did away is picked-up for a second season? with what made the show- the revengenda. Let’s hope that the writers realized this and keep the revengenda for the rest of the season before they lose their viewers to the declining show.

The Winner: Revenge. Despite the downward slope of the first half of season 2, at the midseason premiere, Emily finally brings back the revengenda and targets an abusive judge that was able to falsely convict her father with a “bought” jury. Let’s hope it stays that way. Deception is too imitative of Revenge, with a main character living a double life, and trying to right wrongs. Deception is overly simple and can’t compete with the complicated and intriguing Revenge.

Characters

The Bowers’ family is made up of Robert Bowers, father of Vivian Bowers (the dead former best friend), CEO of Bowers Pharmaceutical, Sophia Bowers, who spends her days drinking wine and popping pills, Edward Bowers has insanely creepy eyes, and Julian Bowers, the brother of Vivian, and founder of a deadly cancer drug that may have killed Vivian. The lines of the characters are corny, “Next time Megan Good as Johanna Locasto you lie awake at night wondering as to why everyone hates you, think back to this moment.”, in Deception “Well, I don’t lie awake at night, because I don’t do cocaine...”, this is probably one of the only “interesting” lines that I have heard in the whole show so far. The lines are too generic and their plotlines too predictable. (Julian starts partying hard again! Edward goes to jail for beating up a guy at a lacrosse game!

Robert’s having an affair!...)

The characters are spontaneous and live juicy lives that are completely different from each other when the real them is exposed to the viewer.

There’s Victoria Grayson, the powerful matriarch of the Grayson family and the woman that Emily’s father loved and who betrayed him. Conrad Grayson, the person responsible for setting up Emily’s father and the troubled CEO of Grayson Global who keeps getting into trouble. Daniel Grayson, the party-boy son who falls hard for Emily. Jack Porter, the childhood friend of Emily, who falls for her once again, not knowing she is Amanda Clarke. Nolan Ross, the CEO of NolCorp, and the only person Emily trusts in the Hamptons. Lastly, Emily Thorne, the daughter that wants redempEmily VanCamp as Emily Thorne tion (real name: Amanda Clarke) for her father in Revenge and her end target: the Grayson’s.

The Winner: Revenge. Both of the shows have miserable, damaged, well-to-do families that have companies on the Fortune 500 list, and a main character that wants to take someone down. However Revenge contains more vibrant characters that leave a lasting effect on the viewer, making them wonder what trouble they are going to get into on next week’s episode. While Deception’s characters fail to excite and capture the viewer’s attention. The characters are bland and easy to forget. Revenge characters allow what soap-watchers want to be able to do most: shipping and having a guilty pleasure.

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The Art Of “Shipping”

Shipping, derived from relationship, is the belief that two fictional characters should be in a romantic relationship. Nowadays, shipping is a huge pop culture movement, causing shippers to write fan fiction, make videos, blogs, posts, about the two characters that are shipped, and spark online debates if there are two ships, and writers or producers of TV shows, or authors, are listening.

Some popular ships: Delena (Damon and Elena from The Vampire Diaries) Brittana (Brittany and Santana from Glee) Finchel (Finn and Rachel from Glee) Klaine (Kurt and Blaine from Glee) Tiva (Tony and Ziva from NCIS) Stelena (Stefan and Elena from The Vampire Diaries)

Chew on this review There’s a lot of variety in this world, and gum is no exception. I’ve personally taste-tested as many kinds as I could get my hands on, and determined which are worth your time and tongue.

BY//GRAHAM BLY

5 Gum Cobalt

Doublemint

Orbit Spearmint

Strongest Sensation

Best Tasting

Cleanest Feeling

Extra Desert Delight

Big Red

Stride Forever Fruit

Most Exotic

Best Cinnamon Gum

Longest Lasting

Bazooka Joe

Bubble Yum

Juicy Fruit Original

Most Sugary

Most Nostalgic

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Funniest Wrapper

on the spot

What kinds of gum are West kids salivating over?

Max LeaVesseur ’14 “Strawberry & Citrus Trident Layers, it’s my only form of currency and payment, actually.”

Mikhail Acherkan ’13 “I’m all about that Extra Spearmint, it makes my mouth feel fresher than the fresh prince”

Harry Manaligod ’15 “My favorite gum to smack my lips over is that young Extra Polar Ice.” COMPILED BY//GRAHAM BLY

Tooth Paste, or not Tooth paste?

Crest Cavity Protection

Aquafresh

Crest 3D White

One of the main reasons people use toothpaste to have fresh breath, but what could possibly be the best. One with a bubble gum flavor, spearmint, maybe even wintermint? I was open to all possibilities. The goal was to see how fresh my breath would feel for the longest time possible. When I used all the toothpastes I used the correct amount any dentist would tell you.

(About a pea size.)

When I used Crest cavity protection the minty fresh breath was gone in a heartbeat. This toothpaste did the same job gum could have done. The flavor was like chewing a piece of gum for an hour and and having that old, minty flavor in your mouth.

When I used Aquafresh, it was really strong and gave my mouth a very tingly sensation.

Which was very unpleasurable. It kept my breath pretty fresh for about an 30 minutes and I didn’t feel like it even did what the intent of toothpaste is. It was completely useless to me.

The final toothpaste I tried was Crest 3D white. Besides the fact that the packaging was appealing. Everything about it was too. While I was brushing with it my mouth was happy. It didn’t burn but it didn’t feel like I was using some cotton candy child’s toothpaste. When I was done it was almost like I actually felt the “squeaky clean.”

BY//JAZMYNE TRUESDALE

BY LAUREN KNUDSON leknudson18@gmail.com

Half of the movie commercials you see are about love especially around Valentine’s Day so when that fateful day comes which one are you going to choose?

Sleepless in Seattle is a charming old love story about a man, Sam, whose wife dies. Jonah, his adorable eight year old son, calls a radio station and says “My dad needs a new wife.” Thousands of women write Sam, but one woman stands out to Jonah; Annie. Jonah tries to bring the two together in an adorable eight year old way. It is an old classic; so even though some of the references are outdated, it is still a classic, and for a reason. This is a perfect movie to watch as a couple; it is not going to make you cry your eyes out, but is still an adorable love story. You will laugh, you will cry but mostly you will be able to watch while still carrying on a small conversation without getting confused in a complex storyline.

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V alentin s Day e Classic

OTHER VALENTINES CLASSICS If you are alone on the day that everyone else has a date, don’t reach for the sad cry your eyes out movie, but the movie that will make you laugh until you cry. I recommend Crazy Stupid Love. You cannot skip out on love altogether, but you don’t want to just cry. Crazy Stupid Love, a story about affairs, young love, and crossing paths will definitely give you your love fix without depressing you. You might get a little confused with the many different storylines but hey if you’re alone anyway so you can put all your focus into watching the movie! Steve Carrel is a perfect actor for the awkward love seeking father, and he really makes the movie truly enjoyable.

THE NOTEBOOK AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER VALENTINE’S DAY DEAR JOHN THE LAST SONG LOVE ACTUALLY HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS If you hate being alone and are unhappy then skip out on the love all together and go for a classic: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. A simple movie without any love drama to perfect your least favorite day of the year. Young Harry’s story of how he began his journey at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is full of secrets and good old fashion friendship. It will definitely leave you in a less depressed mode than you were earlier!

Do do not stress about the piles of love movies these movies will remind you how lonely (or not lonely) you are on Valentine’s Day. Just go simple; with these movies.

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ownton Abbey S e as on Three

BY KELSEY KERANEN KELSEYJANEKERANEN@GMAIL.COM

In an old house outside of London, untouched by vines or any sort of riffraff like that, there lives a high-society family that has internationally captivated the fans of British drama television.

Downton Abbey, first released in the UK in 2010, returned for its third season on Jan. 6. The show has won numerous awards and is a Guinness world-record holder for Highest Critical Review Ratings for a TV show. The show, although aimed at an older audience, has attracted young and old alike across the world, resulting in season three being obsessively awaited. This season, rumored to be the second-to-last in the series, is certainly proving to be worth waiting for.

In the beginning of the season, you are whisked away to the wedding of Lady Mary Crawley and her long-time “it’s complicated” relationship partner, Matthew Crawley. Although it certainly came as quite a relief that their wedding wasn’t drawn out until the end of the series, it leads one to believe that there may be distress coming for this couple in the future. After the wedding, however, things begin to get a bit confusing. There were numerous distracting subplots scattered throughout the show that didn’t appear to have much direction, however, which took away from the general charm of the show. The script seemed unrealistically riddled with one problem after another. Thankfully, the acting executed by Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens, and Maggie Smith (who had a good amount of chuckle-worthy one-liners), proved to be redeeming and kept me from falling asleep mid-episode.

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The beginning of season three, despite the numerous, slow-developing plots, is proving to be a good, albeit confusing, one.

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Thankfully, episode two was considerably more dramatic and fabulous than the episode previous. Although, as predicted, the sub-conflicts were resolved, more conflicts (with more direction to boot) sprung anew. The directing was well-executed, successfully tying together all of the conflict, instead of the conflict being haphazardly thrown together as it was in the first episode. Jim Carter, who plays the somewhat bizarre butler Carson, particularly stood out, his humor providing an outlet among the many serious moments.

Overall, I was left nearly in tears (the good kind, don’t you worry), this hour drawing much more emotion than the two-hour premiere that preceded it. It certainly helped that the director threw in so much flirty Matthew and Mary, resulting in plenty of fangirly squeals into nearby pillows.

The beginning of season three, despite the numerous, slow-developing plots, is proving to be a good, albeit confusing, one. The erratic turns of events mixed with actual plot are constructing a rather rocky beginning, but I like to remain optimistic. Immediately, it is not yet living up to season two (arguably the best season so far), but with the incredible directing skills of Julian Fellowes, paired with Gavin Struthers’ stunning cinematography and a well-rounded cast there is still hope for season three of Downton Abbey.

Besides, if all else fails, you can lose yourself in the enjoyment of 1920’s drop-waist dresses, vicious love triangles, and Carson the butler being a cutie-patootie.

WANNA WATCH? How to Catch Up Hulu Plus: Season 1 and 2 Netflix instant stream: Season 1 How to Watch the Current Season Channel: PBS Time: 8 to 9 Day: Sunday Dates: Jan 6- Feb 17

Les Miserables Already having won three Golden Globe awards and nominated for thirteen more, Les Misérables has captured the hearts of many across the globe.

In this adaption of the world’s longest-running musical seen in over 42 countries, Tom Hooper directs an award-winning cast with extraordinary talents and abilities.

Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is an ex-thief serving his sentence time under the policeman Javert (Russell Crowe), who continues to hunt him down after Valjean breaks parole. Several years go by, and Valjean meets a factory worker and single mother Fantine (Anne Hathaway), and promises to look after her child Cosette on Fantine’s death bed. Valjean and Cosette’s travels take them to many places while trying to hide from Javert, and they end up in the midst of the French Revolution and the barricades of the rebels who are fighting against the King.

This action-packed and moving drama tugs at the heartstrings of everyone, young and old. While the theater was quiet for brief moments in the movie, sniffles and the ruffling of Kleenex was apparent among the crowd. The movie adaptation definitely lives up to the anticipation of the award-winning musical through the acting. The actors really know their characters well and that is shown magnificently through the camera.

Jackman has a wide-range of talent for this film. His transformation from ex-prisoner to mayor is astonishing, with the help of extremely talented makeup artists. Anne Hathaway is also incredible. I have never seen her in a role as extreme as Fantine. This role makes audience members appreciate her breathtaking talent and her ability to deliver the emotions so well.

Samantha Barks is also an amazing surprise. I had not known she was cast as Éponine in the London production and sang the same part in the 25th Anniversary Concert. Her talent and stupendous voice is intriguing throughout her role. I expect she will get much more attention for her singing as well as her impressive acting talent from her performance in this film. Eddie Redmayne is another actor to watch. His voice and acting skills are phenomenal as the role of Marius. Having no high expectations for him, I was blown away at the emotion this young man gave to the audience.

In a different sense, the singing is not what I was anticipating.

The movie is completely sung with little or no words are spoken without a musical background. For non-musical fans this may be an alarm, but the cast and crew make this work for the film and kept the story flowing throughout the song numbers.While there was much excitement about the first movie musical sung live on-camera, I was disappointed. The actors all have very good voices, but not good execution skills.

Russell Crowe is too stiff in his role of Javert. Being a strict policeman, I can sense his desire to follow the rules in an orderly, strict fashion, but this happens at the expense of his singing. He did not hold out or push through emphasized notes. I am very surprised how good his voice was, having no knowledge he could sing, but he was not able to incorporate the much-needed emotion into any of his songs. I would have prefered the actors to focus on acting live, and focus on their singing skills in the studio.

I am pleasantly awed by many of the actors’ voices though. Of course, it isn’t easy for me to compliment the singing in this film as I have been listening to the Broadway recording since I could walk on two feet.

The set designs and makeup throughout the film are spectacular, but these sets could not be fully appreciated as there were too many full-face close-ups. The camera movement is shaky, and the live singing of the actors do not match up with the background music enough to sell the live singing.

The actors have enough talent and emotional connection I believe they could have done just as good or even a better job with pre-recorded songs.

Other talented actors did not have singing voices to compensate their superb acting in this film. Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen who play Monsieur and Madame Thénardier are hilarious, but they definitely do not have singing voices fit for the roles they played. This was apparent as they trudged through songs while mostly saying or shouting their notes and words.

The film has already won Golden Globe awards for Best Comedy or Musical, Hugh Jackman as Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical, and Anne Hathaway as Best Supporting Actress. The astounding acting talent and surprising singers in the group far out-weighed any doubt that compared the film to the beloved musical. While the execution of the songs could have been better, the widespread emotions and wonderful acting in this film made it a must-see this winter and one to watch as the awards season progresses.

Let’s face it; sometimes a boost is needed to get you through a long night of homework, or the day after.

Caffeinated supplements have a bad reputation, as studies show health consequences associated with too much caffeine. I have delved into the dangerous world of caffeinated energy supplements in order to reveal which ones are best to use when there is no other option. A one out of five rating system is used.

Red Bull: 3.5

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ONFIRMED

C O N S P I R A C I E S

by Kaden Smidt You are being watched, 9/11 was orchestrated, your currency is printed by a secret organization, your leader, celebrity idols, and favorite musicians are answering to a same higher power.

It’s likely you’ve heard this kind of thing before from sign-toting hobos screaming about the “end of times”. But you may not have a face for the names you hear. I’m talking about the Freemasons, the New World Order, and most famously, the

Illuminati. Books like the DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons give reference to this organization, but I’m assuming you have more time to sit down and read this little ditty than a 400+ page novel.

On the first of May in 1776, the “Order of the Illuminati” was founded by Professor Adam Weishaupt of Upper Bavaria, Germany. The group was composed of recruits from the German Masonic Lodges, who

were advocates of freethought, secularism, liberalism, republicanism and gender equality. Let me play the devil’s advocate for a bit. Stop reading this for a second and look off to a blank space somewhere above this page. Let your mind wander for a few seconds and then stop- look back at this page.

W h a t things came to your mind just then? Was it money? Sex? Fame?

No no, don’t be

Tasting something like a scoop of sugar dissolved in soda, Red Bull is definitely a great pick for anyone with a sweet tooth, and also comes in a more bearable sugar-free edition.

One can is enough to keep you alert for

embarrassed, it’s just you and me talking right now.

Those thoughts you had are not uncommon and you’re not alone.

Studies show that the average person thinks of one of those three things every one and a half minutes of their life.

N o w consider why that may be. Look at your popular media- all of the “happy” people they’re making

you look at on the television, in the papers, or on the tabloids are either rich, sexy, famous, or some combination of the three.

Yo u ’ r e supposed to want those things, you’re supposed to aspire to become those things, and you’re supposed to become crushed and powerless when you don’t acheive those thingsbecause

the alternative is that you educate yourself, you move your way up in the world, you become successful on nobody’s power but your own... and that’s something the Illuminati doesn’t want.

Do you believe?

There are literally hundreds of thousands of conspiracy theories on this topic- and

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three to four hours, and is not the strongest pick in terms of energy.

5-Hour Energy: 2

It takes close inspection of the small bottle to discover the catch: “‘no crash’ refers to no sugar crash.”

There is no sugar in 5-hour energy,

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apparently, you’re not supposed to talk about them or you’ll be “taken care of ”. Guess we’ll see if that’s true if I disappear after this article comes out. Draw your own conclusions.

however, whatever kind of crash it is has the ability to make even your kitchen floor a comfortable nap location. The shot, tasting something like sour candy dissolved in cough syrup, definitely gives you energy enough to feel like Superman for five to six hours.

Make that Superman before his

first date, because extreme shaking and jitters are to be expected.

Starbucks Doubleshot Energy: 2

A good choice for coffeelovers, the drink comes in mocha and vanilla.

While likely to give you a jolt of energy in the morning, it is definitely not as powerful as some other

choices, and not likely to give you enough energy if you are lacking sleep.

Full Throttle: 4.5

Best choice for allnighters, Full Throttle resembles an extrasugary version of Mountain Dew or Sprite. The drink gives energy that allows you to focus, without wanting to jump around

dancing like a maniac.

Monster:

Rockstar:

Although the taste lasts only briefly, it is mildly similar to sugareddown soap.

Burning as it goes down, Monster definitely delivers a strong kick, complete with higher levels of motivation and a faster rate of thoughts.

However, the quickened heart rate and upset stomach prevent this drink from getting a higher rating.

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Although so sugary you can’t help but pucker, Rockstar definitely delivers a powerful kick that gives you enough energy to fast talk like a spaz and walk around obnoxiously fast. The kick lasts about three hours, without a powerful crash.

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Black Coffee:

4 Gives the best morning boost

Black Tea Amp: 2.5

After the first sip, I immediately knew that Amp was the besttasting energy drink; it tasted similar to Mountain Dew without additional scoops of sugar.

Despite the promising start, however, Amp provided little noticeable energy boost, and left me sleepy within two hours.

Dear Brooke

Picture from Kiana Wilson

By: Brooke Lofgren, M.D. (Love Doctor)

Dear Brooke, There is this boy I have been sorta seeing for a while now, he is nice to me and would never hurt me. He doesn’t always make the best choices and it has shown with the reputation he has. I really like this boy but my parents don’t approve of us hanging out because he is a “bad influence” on me. I am a straight A student and I have not come home past curfew once. I try to help my parents understand that it is my choice in who I choose to spend my time with. I don’t see the problem for I have not done anything wrong.

Dear Brooke, There is this girl in my English class and she has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.

I would give anything in this world to be with her but I know I don’t stand a chance for I am dating her best friend. I know that sounds bad on my part but I am just realizing my feelings now. Do you think I stand a chance with my girlfriends best friend?

Sincerely, Romeo and Juliet

Sincerely, Hopeless

Dear Romeo and Juliet,

Dear Hopeless,

I would advise you to always respect your parents and their judgement.

Who you choose to see is your personal judgement and if you really like this boy then you should keep seeing him but make sure your communication with your parents is open. Your parents are only concerned about your safety and wellbeing. Try to talk to them about why you like this boy and maybe you could have him meet your parents. What is on the outside isn’t always what’s on the inside.

Stop right there. Dating the girl you are interested in’s best friend will not get you any closer to her. First you are going to have to break it off with your present girlfriend, doing this you will no longer be lying to her or yourself. Give yourself time to breathe, you don’t always need to have a girlfriend plus time heals all wounds. Continue to always be nice to your ex, being rude will leave in a worse position. Then once enough time passes and you still like your ex girlfriends best friend, you could try talking to her.

Sincerely, Brooke

LOVE

“Honesty is key to any relationship... It’s the one element that is always crucial.”

-Abby Burgess ‘14

COMPILED BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

I have this guy that I had feelings for a while back but we broke it off since he went to college. It was really hard for me to move on when he left but since then a lot has changed. He came back over winter break and ended up hanging out. I was crazy for him back a while ago but am unsure of my feelings now.I know that long term relationships are difficult, but it is even more upsetting to be so unsure of how I feel. I have no idea if he has a girlfriend where he goes to school or if he is even interested in me. How do I tell if this was a one time thing?

Sincerely, Brooke

IS IN THE

“Communication is extremely important for both people in a realtionship.”

-Matt Murry ‘14

Picture from Alyssa Barresi

Dear Brooke,

AIR

“PDA is never acceptable.. it’s disgusting and no one wants to see that.”

-Nick Deerberg ‘15

“Arguements are important in a realtionship. Disagreements are healthy as long as there is reconciliation.”

-Sharon Xiang ‘15

Sincerely, Unsure Dear Unsure, You never know until you try. Definitely start as being friends, maybe go to his college for a visit and you can ask him if he will be in town. If he likes you he will make sure to show it, but if he does not it is still nice to have a great friend.

Don’t get caught up in the fact that he might not live in the same town because you will never know where you will be in five years. Keep the door open for opportunity to get to know someone great. You never know what’s around the corner but if you believe it can be something magical then just maybe you will get everything you have been looking for.

Sincerely, Brooke

Pictures taken from google

CONSERVATIVE, NOT CRUEL

By: Anna Mondanaro In a town like Iowa City, the word “conservative” has somewhat of a negative connotation.

Even when I hear the word, my mind automatically jumps to churchgoers and confederate cowboys. However, over my years as a high school student, I have come to realize the true meaning of the word; and that I fit into the small mold most people call “Republican.”

Now, I understand what you are all thinking. Abortion despising, gay hating, racist; right? Well, on the contrary, I believe in prochoice, I’m all about gay marriage, and racist? I don’t even want to know the meaning of the word. I believe that everyone was

created equal, and that everyone should be given the same chance to find success. I also believe that conservatives have somewhat of a negative reputation in Iowa City for all the wrong reasons. I don’t hate president Obama, and I’m a not a die-hard George Bush supporter. I don’t think that war is ever the answer, but I also believe in some situations it is an inevitable outcome.

I am a firm believer in fairness. I think that although the wealth in America is not always necessarily “spread out,” it is fair. You must work for what you make, and when that happens, the American dream is born.There are many champions of conservatism in the United States whom were once die hard liberals.

Take the 40th president of the United States, for instance. Ronald Reagan was once a staunch left-winger. As he started to make the transition from the Hollywood film scene to politics, he shifted to a more Conservative standpoint.

Milton Friedman, esteemed economist and big leader of the Libertarian party, was once an extremely passionate democrat himself. He started to consider Libertarianism as he made astonishing developments in the world of Economics. There are many different champions of Conservatism in the United States who were once Liberal. Not to say any party is right or wrong, but I am tired of the looks of disgrace when I express my distaste for issues like universal healthcare, occupy wall street, or unregulated welfare programs. It is extremely unfortunate that there are a few people that give the group a bad name. There is no reason to label anyone “conservative” or “liberal.”

Everyone has their own views, and that should not define anyone.

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HINK

“That’s so gay”. This phrase, used again and again throughout the hallways of West High and elsewhere, is often not premeditated. In an environment where society constantly pressures one to stick with the crowd and fit in, thinking about the repercussions of one’s words often does not happen. Instead, a tried and true response of “That’s gay” is commonplace in negative statements. But does anyone stand back, and think about what that means? Many people don’t see the connection that by making the word “gay” synonymous with the negative, our high school society

H How many times have you seen this in your twitter feed: just drank a caramel macchiato and it was the best thing in the world #goodstuff #yumyinmytummy #ilovecaramelmacchiatos #starbucksisalifesaver. And what about that friend who uploads pictures of herself doing the infamous “duck face” while holding up a peace sign with captions that basically scream “tell me I’m pretty.”

These are the kinds of status updates that blow up your entire feed. Do you really care? No. Does the person who made the status or took the “selfie” think you care? Of course. Why else would Kim Kardashian inform every one of her followers that “I’m on the airplane... love wifi!”

According to The New York Times, half of American adults

makes it incredibly difficult for LGBTQ students to not only come out, but to function with confidence and self assurance. Is it not obvious that the homophobic undercurrent that has permeated our culture is partially, if not wholly, responsible for the fact that LGBTQ youth have a higher suicide rate than the general population? Think about how you would feel if something that defines you came to be associated with the negative. To you, it may just seem like any other negative phrase, but to someone else, it’s much

By Matthew Murry more. It’s a constant insult, heard time and time again, and one that has serious negative effects. The English language provides a plethora of negative words, so enlarge your vocabulary and don’t say “That’s so gay”.

as social media made our socieity narssistic? have some sort of social media that they regularly post on or update. While the sites were originally created with the intent for people to stay connected with their close friends and family, it has come to a point where people are just posting pictures of themselves in their bathrooms (why?) or saying things about their lives that are irrelevant to anybody but themselves.

Statuses such as “LMS for a rate” or “Truth is…” have become more and more popular and instead of normal tweets in which people just shared genuine information, more and more people seem to be managing alter egos in which they inform everybody about every little event that occurs in

Celebrity Tweets @ParisHilton “No, no, I didn’t go to England; I went to London.”

By Apoorva Raikwar their lives and it ends up seeming more like bragging than anything else.

Not many realize how vain they are really being when they use social media, including me. I occasionally update my status, but only when something super cool has happened in my life that I want to make sure everyone knows about it-like “I just ate 2 starbursts in a minute! LOLZ!”

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@MileyCyrus “Good morning everyone. Life is good. I am laying in bed with my mommy right now, scratching her bug bites.”

@JessicaBiel “I work out every day -- Monday to Saturday.”

@MaryJBlige “Why is that people always try to understand estimate my intelligents?! They should never do that.”

I wonder why...

Iowa City's Educational System

About Elwin

The debate whether

we should build a new high school in Iowa City, is firing up like sparks on a match. Iowa City school officials are looking for land for a new high school, and many are for it, but others- not so much.

This debate probably started in 2003 when more than 12,000 Johnson County voters voted to build three new schools and improve seven existing buildings, for a total of $39,000,000.

The Iowa City School Board members at that time expected the impact of these improvements to last for another 50 years. Since then, a new Junior High School and two new elementary schools have been built in North Liberty, favoring the 10,600 students at that time.

Through the years, the population has continued to expand. Just this past year, the student body grew from 12,453 to 12,774, a growth of 321 students in one-year, which places the Iowa City School District as one of the top five fastest growing districts in the State. In June 2012, the enrollment for the construction of a third high school were already met.

The debate today is how best to control the growing student population and how to contain the increasing cost structure of the School District. Discussion between large schools (more cost efficient) and small schools (the neighborhood school concept) strongly oppose. Larger schools can also have more educational offerings, such as foreign languages.

The School Board should be thinking about the

article and art by//Consuelo Mendoza ‘16

future of our educational system, as an important part of new investments. After all, we are all concerned about America’s loss of leadership in education, with students lagging behind in their Math and Science skills compared to many other industrialized nations. Technology can be used to limited classroom resource and be focused on social and group interactions and creativity. A great example is being set by the rapid expansion of the Khan Academy, with more than one million users every day. In the Khan Academy students learn through online lectures at their own individual pace and get together in a classroom to solve problems, interact with teachers and fellow students while doing their traditional “homeworks”. The KA provides individual data to the teachers and feedback to the students.

This data flows in time, and is a clear display of a student’s knowledge improvement, as opposed to our traditional tests, which are mere snapshots of knowledge.

The Iowa City community should consider alternatives to the classic classroom lecture model and debate on how to make a brighter, technologically advanced educational system instead of focusing on the number of students and building a new high school.

Elwin

by// Abby Burgess ‘14

Most people know him as the guy who gives parking tickets, or tells you that you can’t be in a hallway during lunch. I had the chance to sit down and talk to Elwin, the man behind the parking tickets. Elwin works as a Parking and Grounds Students Superviser, if you ask him exactly what that means he’ll just chuckle and give you a mile long list of everything he does.

He’ll tell you that he checks car registration, supervises the bus lane, writes tickets for parking violations, and checks to see if peoples lights are left on. He says that when he first started he was only handed a clipboard and was told to stand in the back parking lot and write down anything strange. Now he stands in the bus lane every day for about 30 minutes and supervises everything to make sure no one is doing

something they shouldn’t.

People see him as a mean guy who only causes them such turmoil with a lousy $5 ticket. I got to see that there is a genuinely sweet man who is only doing his job. Most days when I walk into school he’s there standing by the temporaries making sure everyone is safe. He’ll say a quick “hi” and you’ll go on with your day. He grew up in a small rural town where everyone knew each other. He says you never wanted to offend anyone so you said hi to anyone.

The biggest misconception about him is that people think he’s just a grumpy guy who doesn’t want to talk to anyone. When asked, he told me that people are afraid to talk to him, but if you get to know him he’s an easy guy to talk to. As soon as he walked into the office I could tell he was going to be a nice guy. He warmly shook my hand and introduced himself and was more than happy to answer my questions. During the interview there were lots of laughs and smiles. I only got the chance to talk to him for 10 minutes but I got to know a lot about him.

Ann White is the woman who sits in the office and signs people in and out.

She gets to sit with Elwin and has gotten to know him personally. She says he’s a big family man.

His daughter, Kim Pearson, is an associate at West High and she’s his only daughter. Elwin is a happy go lucky guy who is very likable.

Ann says that he is a big rule man, if you make a mistake you had better learn from it. She says that he keeps her good company during the day.

By Alena Mueller

lending In and Standing Out

Physical appearances definitely affect how you’re seen, but it seems like that only gets your attention if you radically change something about yourself, and even then only for a day or two. I could wear a new shirt to school, and no one would say anything. When people wore homecoming clothes to school, that got commented on because it was just so weird. Now if I see someone in a tie, it doesn’t affect me that much.

Another thing that gets people’s attention is talking. The more you raise your hand in class, the more likely you are to get called on when no one’s raising their hand.

However, this could backfire. If you look like you’re not paying attention, you will most definitely get called on. I spend all of math class doodling, but that looks like I’m taking notes.

The third reason people can stand out is eye contact. I don’t know why, there’s just something about it that affects people. If I’m glancing around a room, just observing life, the most awkward thing that can happen is eye contact. If you’re trying to get someone to believe you, how do you do it? Eye contact. And if you ever look a teacher in the eye, for some reason they assume you know the answer and really, really want to be called on.

Being anonymous has its benefits. You can see and hear things you couldn’t otherwise. I have a friend whom I snuck in to the percussion section during multiple football games. Routinely the directors would come kick out people who weren’t supposed to be there, but they would never kick out my friend because she was just that invisible.

But it can also be nice to stand out. I may not like to be bombarded with compliments, but they’re nice every once in awhile. And it’s surprising, how even though I may blend in, a change in appearance shows that everyone is always in the eye of the public.

Sometimes it can be fun to be noticed and known to the world. Sometimes we just want to be ignored. But most times, the little tricks that go into achieving the result go as unnoticed as a single member of the crowd that is West High.

By Micah Otterbein

Obama Takes Aim at

The recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut has left the nation wondering whether this could happen in their hometowns. As I walk through the halls at West High or sit in class I think about whether we should be afraid our day may interrupted by the sounds of gunshots being fired.

The national question of gun control has reached the classrooms of every school in the nation: What can be done to protect innocent children from gun-toting madmen?

This past week President Obama proposed extensive reforms to curb the amount of gun violence in the United States. Among those changes are the ban on assault style weapons, the restriction on high capacity ammunition magazines, and the use of extensive background checks for all gun sales.

People believe that a ban on military assault style weapons will decrease gun violence. However, there may not be enough evidence to show it is all that clear. From 1994 to 2004 the US had a ban on assault style firearms and there were two studies that attempted to see whether or not it reduced gun related violence. The first study done by the National Institute of Justice stated that no benefits from the ban had been found. A later study by the University of Pennsylvania did show a reduction in assault weapon related crimes, but this was offset by an increase in crimes with non-assault weapon guns. The benefit to removing these guns may be minimal since other guns with high capacity magazines are also available as well as handguns and other rifles.

The key to the President’s proposal would have to come from the ban on high capacity magazines. This change may show some promise by decreasing the rate at which a shooter can fire a high number of rounds. The same 2004 University of Pennsylvania study did show “that since the rate of a shooter hitting intended victims is low in gun crimes, the ability to fire more shots more quickly increases the likelihood of a target being hit.” This could reduce the amount of possible casualties in any one shooting, but still does not remove the threat of gun crimes, since in most gun violence semi-automatic weapons are not used.

The President also wants to expand the reach and extent of background checks because 40% of gun sales are between private parties and currently do not require a backgound check. This may be challenging since there are already millions of guns owned by private individuals and enforcement may be difficult. The law the President is trying to get passed would require a private seller to take the buyer to a place where a valid background check can be made. If such background checks could be put in place, this could have a major impact on the likelihood of the wrong people getting guns. The President also used executive orders to try to get rid of the gaps in the federal databases This would be very important since many states don’t report the names of people who have been labeled dangerously mentally ill to the federal data base. This allowed the Virginia Tech shooter to pass two background checks before his attack.

But laws will not be enough. If we want to feel safe on our streets or in our schools we need better methods of identifying dangerous individuals before they purchase guns and use them.

Want to know more?

http://us.cnn. com/2013/01/16/politics/ obama-gun-violence-provisions talks about President Obama’s gun control measures. http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12-20/ opinions/36018481_1_gunowners-gun-safety-guncontrol-fights another opinion http://www.justfacts.com/ guncontrol.asp facts about everything to do with it http://us.cnn. com/2013/01/10/politics/ us-gun-laws history of gun laws http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/01/politics/ obama-gun-control-plan details President Obama’s proposals.

TROL

GUN CON

B I recently got a haircut.

My hair was getting annoyingly long, and I wanted it shorter. Not that I don’t appreciate the compliments, but it requires a lot of sincerely smiling and sincerely saying thanks, and that can get as annoying as long hair.

I prefer to blend into the background.

I don’t think anyone ever thinks, ‘I’m going to live my life so no one notices me!’ or anything like that. It just happens. Just the same way that some people always have and always will stand out in a crowd. School is a perfect crowd to look at what makes us noticed or unnoticed.

Attack of the Boy Bands

by Jaycie Weathers Jaycie Weathers’15

Is it that perfectly coiffed hair?

The charming smile? That undeniable talent? Or what about his kind and genuine heart? Whatever it is, you have the picture of an unstoppable boy band in your head. Whether it be the Beatles, The Backstreet Boys, or One Direction, every generation has that “it” group of heartthrobs that sends young girls into a tizzy. The media portrays them as golden boys with good manners and a squeaky clean rep, but is this the case in real life?

It’s hard to tell most of the time since their management has trained them on what to say, how to say it and when to say it. But behind closed doors, nobody knows what goes on. From my research as an avid fan (I am only human) I have gathered that these wholesome boys are not always as they seem.

Routes To Run 1.

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As much as we try to deny it, boys are boys. They like to make crude jokes, play pranks on eachother, horse around and exploit their bodily functions, and these boys are no different. Just because the music they sing seems incredibly heartfelt, doesn’t mean they wrote it or even mean it, for that matter. It’s not to say that they are terrible people, but the fact should be known that they get a lot of help that often goes unacknowledged by idolizing fans. Take Irishman, Naill Horan, from One Direction as an example.

From what I’ve read and pieced together, his managers keep him on a short leash, fearing he will slip up and utter some profanities that will lose the band precious credibility as a polite group of guys. This hides what may come off as unappealing to audiences, and only emphasizes his angelic, charismatic, and suave characteristics.

On second thought, most groups have these endearing qualities. I

can’t help but notice there is a certain formula to the boy band phenomena. Add in cute boys, cheesy lyrics (must be about love), slick dance moves and a lot of merchandise and the girls will flock by the thousands. Whoever came up with this formula ought to win an award or something because it works like a charm, even after decades of use.

There are some downfalls though.

What goes up must come down, right?

So, what happens to famous boy

bands after the 15 minutes of fame are up? Sometimes they spiral out of control (see Backstreet Boys bandmate, Nick Carter’s battle with addiction) and other times they star on reality TV shows (like Kevin Jonas). Whatever the case, they aren’t what they once used to be.

They grow up and so do their fans.

Whether you’re a die hard fan or a non-believer, boy bands will continue to rule the world, the only question is: who will be next?

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o y B a Through The Ages

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The Beatles

New Kids On The Block

The Jonas Brothers

Why I Run

by Katie Peplow Tights, four layers of shirts, a jacket, two pairs of socks, gloves, headband to cover my ears, and my watch. Hopefully I’ll be warm enough. I’m pre1. West to U of I Boat paring to venture outdoors and Building onto the pavement. I’m going to run in below freezing tem2. West to Dane Road peratures. This isn’t the first time I’ve done such a thing.

3. West to Holt Avenue Actually, it’s not even close to my first time. Still, as the wind All routes are six miles bites my nose as I take my first round-trip step out to the cold I ask myself why do I do this? A mile and a half into my run, I remember again.

I run for the feeling I have after I’m well into my run. I feel strong, powerful. I love how I am able to get lost in my thoughts even though there are dozens of cars passing me on a sidewalk I’ve been on hundreds of times before. My thoughts go from wondering what’s for dinner when I get home

Katie Peplow’15

to hoping my crush doesn’t drive past me because I know I don’t look pretty right now to that English essay that seems it’s looming over me even now. Even though these thoughts are still with me, for a little while I can still escape. There’s no one I have to answer to. No one I have to explain the math assignment to. I’m finally free from the mini world of high school. Maybe this is why if I could run forever without getting tired, I would.

Sometimes I think about the other people I pass while on a run. I wonder what their story is. How long have they been running? How many miles are they running today? What are they training for? It’s like I feel all of us runners are a part of a secret

club. We nod at each other if we can tell neither of us is working that hard. If we are by chance on a challenging run we simply look straight ahead of us. Why do I feel this sense of connection to the other runners? Although I might never know the answer to this, I do know it’s just another reason as to why I love the activity. Gives me something to think about during those long six mile journeys.

After working out, exercise endorphins release into the bloodstream. It mimics the feeling of being high on drugs, so I’ve heard. My mom told me about endorphins when I asked her once: “why do I have to like running? It’s so much work.”

Now I know. Because I started, I can’t stop. I’m addicted.

But alas, there’s more to life than running. I can’t keep going forever. I can’t keep figuratively running away from all the stresses of a teenage girl’s life. So I turn around, and head home.

Unattainable Dreams

R

Royal Baby

By Meredith Cullen

emember that class activity in kindergarten where we all shared what we wanted to be when we grew up? And how each year, that response may or may not have changed, but we continued to answer that question while anxious and excited parents and teachers looked upon us?

To me, dreams are the driving

By Lucy Blair

T

he disabilities of children in the U.S have done nothing but go up in the recent years. Most of the children disabilities are usually ignored, but the rare cases that either celebrities or politicians kids are ID the research for that disease goes up in effort to help that certain sob story.

Kate Middleton and Prince William are expecting child, the English people pray for a happy healthy child, but what if it is not?

Jackie Kennedy’s baby, was born August 7, 1963. After being born premature he died 2 days later of hyaline membrane disease. His

name was Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, and right after the death of the baby the awareness of the Hyaline Membrane Disease sparked further research. As of 2004 the death rate was only 15% It is believe that the only reason the death rate is so low now is because of the fact it was born into the presidential family. So I believe if the royal baby of Kate and William are born with a mental or physical disability the research and development of a cure will spike and eventually be cured or be close to be curing that disability.

There are chances of something being wrong with the pregnancy.

Kate Middleton has visited the hospitable multiple times concerning the pregnancy she had severe morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. Since her leave of the hospital she has cut on her public engagements and is extremely nervous.

I find the logic of the research involved heightened after the child has been proclaimed to be mentally handicapped and I personally object from this. The fact that we have to have a celebrity have a mentally handicapped baby, we should already be looking for cures no matter which family the child belongs to.

force behind everything we do.

What’s the point of putting in time and effort into something if you don’t aspire to get anything out of it?

In the twenty-first century, society has developed a viewpoint that tends to follow T.S. Eliot’s words, “Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough.” Among the “YOLO’s” and “Live your life to the fullest” remarks, we are taught to believe anything is possible if we dream. You only get one life, so you might as well wish for the best.

For me, I think my life would be amazing if I was a famous singer.

I could picture myself on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. That’s my dream. Now back to reality. Is that really attainable?

I belonged to a small community choir in my elementary school days, but haven’t gone within a mile of choir practice since.

While I like to think I may have some chance at singing (with all the technology and auto-tuning these days, anyone’s voice can sound amazing) I have to be real with myself. Singing in the car is the best way to make the drive a bit more fun, but only if I’m alone, and only if Taylor Swift is

What are the odds?

1 in 56,500 Odds of becoming a professional athlete

on. What’s better than singing and yelling about boys when nobody else is around? But this only works if the speakers are turned up so loudly that my voice is actually completely covered by the music on the radio. If this isn’t the case and I sing alone, I realize just how bad my voice really is.

So will I ever be a world-famous singer, making $57 million a year? The odds are less than winning the lottery, or being struck by lightning. So to answer that question, no. With my talent I will never be a famous singer.

From the early days in our childhood we are encouraged by our parents to “dream big!” From the cliche movie New Year’s Eve I heard the line, “What would you do today if you knew you could not fail? Now go out and do that.”

Sure, I could go to a recording company and not get past the front lobby if I tried to live out my singing dreams. If all of our crazy

dreams could come true, think of how many millionaires, even billionaires, there would be in the world. How many actors and musicians, artists and presidents there would be. Who would be left to teach in schools or deliver the mail in your neighborhood each day (unless that’s your ultimate dream, then go ahead. We need more people like you.)

It’s ordinary people that are special. You don’t have to be rich or famous to be successful or happy.

Everyone has talents and surprises. The person next to you may have amazing skills in art class that you never knew about. Or maybe they are hilarious to have a conversation with and brighten up everyone’s day with one laugh.

Everyone has something that makes them stand out.

In reality, not everyone is going to attend an Ivy League school or make millions before they’re 30.

But it’s fun to dream. Dreaming

keeps us pushing through life and putting in the effort we need in order to get things done.

So will I become a famous singer? Would I even be accepted into a choir or other singing group?

I’ll reply no to both of those on the basis of my voice. But I’ll keep dreaming of being the next Taylor Swift, and in the meantime focus on attending a good school and pursuing a good career in the future. Those dreams are attainable. Those dreams will be just as fulfilling and beneficial as being famous.

So what’s your craziest dream?

What are the chances of that actually coming true? Don’t focus on the big dream. Direct your attention to baby-steps to be content in life instead. Keep going West High, because everyone can do something special if they have a goal pushing them forward.

“If I could do anything I would want to [...] continue making videos on YouTube and [...] have a bigger subscriber base and be more popular and also I think it’d be fun to have[...] my own [...] clothing line and design clothes.”

-Apoorva Raikwar ‘14

“My greatest aspiration is to be successful and lucky enough to have a life in music” -David Bernat ‘14

“I want to be a professional dancer with either Hubbard Street Dance Chicago or Alvin Ailey, or do some commercial dance in L.A. [...] and I want to be headmistress of Hogwarts, marry Tom Felton [or Tom] Daley, have a pet Hippogriff and Unicorn which will mate and make baby Unigriffs which I will raise like children” -Mandy Rosse ‘14

1 in 220

Odds of writing a New York Times bestseller “I guess if I could do anything with Yo u Tu b e it would probably be to have a strong enough subscriber base that I could go to [...] Vidcon and [...] do work at Google. That would be my goal.” -Megan Introna ‘14 with Apoorva Raikwar ‘14 (subscribe to them: SimplyApoorvable and MeeganCheerChic)

1 in 135,145,920 1 in 11,500 1 in 160,000 1 in 7,500,000 Odds of winning the Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Odds of winning an Academy Award

Odds of becoming a major fashion designer

Odds of being a billionaire

The Savory Flavor of Family

By Julia Shriver As my parting for college rapidly approaches, I frequently think back to my memories of childhood that I will soon leave further behind—the many family bike rides and hikes on long sunny days, the trips to the mall with my dad to go ice skating or use that JCP coupon before it expired—but most of all, the simple comfort of sitting down with my family every night to eat a home-cooked meal.

Dinner time has always been a valuable aspect of my family life. Every evening, I wait for the anticipated “what should we eat tonight?” that prompts a mini debate amongst my parents about what meal we haven’t eaten recently, running down the forever-shortening list of meals that my three siblings and I willingly eat without childish protest. Once an agreement is reached, my dad descends into the basement to retrieve one of the frozen packages of homemade spaghetti or a package of frozen tilapia, and I soon hear the familiar roar of the microwave, signifying that it is time to help my dad make salad.

After about an hour of chopping olives, peeling carrots, and frying fish while the rice steams its starchy aroma, my three siblings and I sit down with my parents and eat a delicious meal. The extent to which we use the time to thoroughly discuss our days or an important issue varies

“

Family is irreplaceable.

”

depending on the day, but sometimes the simple state of being with my family is enough to brighten my day.

And there certainly are days when we talk extensively, sometimes so much that we drive each other crazy trying to get a word in.

In any event, I am glad that I am lucky enough to eat a quality meal with my family every night, especially when I take into account how few families in America do the same. I hear of many statistics on the decreasing number of families that eat together, one of which claims that a mere 43 percent of American families eat together every day. Rather than spend time with their family over a homecooked meal, parents quickly pick up a greasy burger on the way home from work, forcing their children to scavenge for something to eat in the kitchen after school before retreating into the impenetrable world of technology. There is no family discussion or even a simple “how was your day?” Instead, the family divides itself into different rooms Of the many pieces of wisdom that I have gleaned from the talks that I have had with my family at dinner time, perhaps the most valuable one is that family is irreplaceable. Friends can be transient and fickle, abandoning you as soon as they see your flaws, but the title of family can never be revoked. There will be fights and times of trauma, but such periods always end, soon to be followed with hugs of apology and the unwavering acceptance that only a loving family can give.

o Pc hR ichc hRich

i oorP R r ich P Ro

Diversity Problems

oorPoor P o o

There have been many arguments over the diversity topic, knowing my friends could possibly move away to a different school frightens me. Even the thought of not seeing the same people around in the halls leaves me feeling lonely and upset. Without the 2,000 students roaming the hallways leaves West feeling like an average "normal" high school. I get there's a diversity problem blah blah blah, but if students are happy with what school they're in, so be it. Let them choose because, for me, high school is about making memories, spending time with the people you love and being around your friends you've known your whole life. High school is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. If it’s not broken, then why fix it?

The school board reflected that split Tuesday night, voting 4-3 in favor the policy.

It was the second of three readings needed to adopt the proposal, but it was the first time the board voted. The diversity policy would require schools to be within a certain range of each other in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, a measure of poverty. It also sets capacity requirements on high schools and junior high schools before more secondary schools can be built. The policy has been the subject of intense debate since it was unveiled one month ago. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the crowd at times was rowdy, and board members took a few shots at each other.

By Sidney Petitgout

West High students on the diversity policy: “It’s unnessary and I don’t want to lose my friends! If they don't go to West, then I would never see them!”

-Jessie Harder ‘16“No! I hate how they don’t ask the students what we want! Doesn’t our opinion matter?”

-Lyndsey Dahm ‘16“I partialy agree with it.

Even if it does mean not seeing our friends everyday, education matters.”

-Emily Baum ‘16-

Fight Fire Without

Fire

Written by Alora Kraus

M

ore fear, more risk, and more guns is not the answer. In light of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, concerned parents, students, teachers and others believe that allowing arms on campus will keep schools safer. Should West follow suit and request that more guns be kept in the building for “protection”? No. Think about it. Is it reasonable to assume that increasing the amount of firearms available will really help the problem that firearms created in the first place? No again. If anyone should kick in the glass of some flimsy window of our school with semi-automatic guns capable of harming hundreds of students, a teacher with a handgun won’t easily be able to shoot them down and save the day. It’s unrealistic.

Another scenario: a shooting begins on the bottom floor of the building and our “protection” is locked in some drawer upstairs. Damage will already be done by the time this gun actually comes in handy. We need to consider the possibility of preventing the problem before it begins…maybe limiting gun access would do the trick. If we make it harder for just anybody to walk in the store and buy a gun, it’s likely that these recently popularized school shootings will become less frequent.

Not only will allowing more weapons on campus fail to meet our expectations of stopping bad guys in their tracks, it will create a negative stigma that school is unsafe. Students deserve the chance to feel safe at school without constantly worrying that they might die. The media already does a superb job of instilling fear into the parents, teachers and students by reporting tragic shootings as if they were common. We don’t need teachers with guns to encourage it.

We should also be wondering why any regular citizen would need to own an assault rifle in the first place. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve never heard of anyone needing semi-automatic weapons on a hunting trip; and for those who argue that they have them for protection, do you still feel safer knowing that potentially psychologically unstable and dangerous lunatics can access them as well?

Seriously, our society needs to wake up and realize that not everybody is responsible and there are consequences to complete freedom. The 2nd amendment can’t possibly argue with that. When it was written two hundred years ago, U.S. citizens didn’t even own semi-automatic rifles and guns capable of holding 100-round magazines. They had muskets with poor aim and few rounds. This has to be taken into consideration when interpreting the amendment and deciding exactly what freedoms it protects.

Supporting gun control is the smartest decision our nation and school could make right now. It provides a more logical and reasonable solution to the safety concerns we have. No one can possibly reason that more guns will fix the problem of too many guns.

{ Kittens: Are They Worth It? } Written by Nick Deerberg

J

ust a few months ago, I arrived home to find a black kitten sitting in my basement. A couple of weeks later, an orange one was there, right next to the first one. Now, I know that at first these demons can seem cute, en-

tertaining, and perfect no matter what they do, but let me tell you this: they aren’t. These beasts will test you mentally and physically. If you are thinking of getting one of these attention-lovers, let me tell you a little about them and then you can ask yourself if you are truly ready for the challenge of a kitten.

From day one, your kitten will cause all kinds of trouble. It will break stuff, tear up your clothes, and even find a way into your basement ceiling. Don’t let it do this. When you praise a kitten for it’s “cute” shenanigans, the kitten will think it is ok. I can’t stress this enough. If you praise it, it will continue breaking your stuff, destroying your clothes, and will cause the eventual downfall of your house’s structure. And when you find yourself paying for the tons of new clothes you realize you never needed before, the new lamp to replace the now shattered one, and the workers coming in to replace your hanging ceiling with a more solid one, you will definitely regret letting this hell spawn run around and cause all the havoc they want.

While we are on the subject of cost, let me tell you, these things are expen-

sive! You may be thinking, “I’ll just buy some food and give it leftover bottle caps to play with”. Get your head out of the clouds, buddy. Your kitten needs all sorts of different toys, which it will shred and strew around your house within a matter of days. But kittens don’t want to play with destroyed toys, so you’ll have to go out and buy some more. Sounds fun, right?

If you have never had a pet, you probably don’t know the first thing about how much a visit to the veterinarian’s office costs. But when your three week old kitten catches a cat’s version of a cold, you’re going to want to have some big bucks stored up and ready to spend.

The last thing I ask you to think about before even considering buying a cat is this: how much meowing is really going to push you to the edge? From my observations, a kitten’s life is split equally into three parts: sleeping, playing, and possibly the most annoying part… eating. It’s not the fact that they make

noise when they dig their faces into little colorful bowls and chew down on some quality chow. The real annoyance is that since they are not human, they can’t speak our language and therefore must seek our attention to show their hunger by meowing obsessively and loudly until somebody acknowledges them. Thinking about it in your head, it probably doesn’t seem that bad. But trust me, it will steal your sanity after a measly week.

So remember, if you are considering adopting a kitten, think about the things you have just read, and really think to yourself about how ready you are and if you are really this committed. As for me, I wish I would have taken this advice and not let my cats just be adorable, because it eventually trained them to create disaster everywhere they go. So I will say it again; DO NOT IGNORE THIS WARNING! You will regret it if you do.

Most Annoying Habits Of Cats Bekkuh Anson ‘14

“The most annoying habit of a cat is that they want you to fill their already full bowl of food...

AGAIN”

Andre Magalhaes ‘17

“[The most annoying habit of cats is] all the hair on your clothes.”

Payton Myers ‘13

“My cat doesn’t have anoying behaviors.”

Media Corruption in South Korea Political corruption in Korea all started with media. Media is the way people communicate and it can be in different forms: newspapers, broadcastings, Internet and books. Since people are exposed to the media everyday and rely on it to receive truthful information, it is also the easiest way to brainwash people.

TV is the most influential media in South Korea, and the second one is newspaper. In S. Korea there are three top newspaper companies, Chosun, JoongAng and DongA (C.J.D). These companies have the same views on issues and political ideas. In 2008, South Korean government party rushed through a revised bill plan called Media Revised Bill Plan, when President Lee’s political approval rating was decreasing below 10%. In South Korea it is commonly referred to as “Media Law”. Media Law focuses on newspaper & broadcast cross-ownership, it means that each newspaper company can own up to 20% of a broadcasting company. The truth is that Media Law allows corruption in South Korea.

The truth is, Media Law allows corruption in South Korea. The people there consume information like wildfire, absorbing whatever is thrown at them, so daily decisions being made are biased already. It is safe to say that if a certain group produces media, then

it will be distorted and bent to their personal benefit, and lacking any opposing viewpoints. Basically, it’s brainwashing.

Another way to control media is using the New Broadcast Advertising Agency Law. This law is about making advertisers pay a 15% transaction fee to be able to broadcast their advertising on public stations. The law also allows some broadcasting stations to have their own advertising agency. In S. Korea there are four top broadcasting companies. Unlike other countries, S. Korea had one broadcasting advertising agency that is called KOBACO (Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation). And this law was intended to break the monopoly of KOBACO, which was a really good law, but people are seeing the critical problems in this law. The law is not allowing public TV channels to have their own advertising agency, put them under the KOBACO and while that, government is allowing C.J.D’s broadcasting stations to have their own advertising agency.

They set the fee up to 4% (Yun). It’s unfair that broadcasting stations that only supports the formal presidential party Grand National Party, have their own advertising agency.

Because there will have less advertisers who are going to buy TV shows from unbiased broadcasting stations,

By Jaeho Lee

due to the 15% transaction fee. To have their own agency they have to show pro-government stuffs. The law is feeding C.J.D to have more powers and allowing the presidential party to have control of the broadcasting market.

For the refutes, people said current media law (newspaper & broadcast cross-ownership and New Broadcast Advertising Agency Law) will help to improve the quality of TV shows free up competition between broadcasting companies and due to that people can enjoy various fine quality TV shows.

Also it can produce about 10,000 jobs and therefore, there will be economical growth and it will prevent a monopoly of broadcasting market from top 4 stations by growing new stations.

It does not matter which side we trust now. What matters is that only one side of the news are given to the public. By receiving biased information, the general public is at risk of being brainwashed. With a brainwashed public, it will be easy for a dictator to step in a take full control.

In order not to have a dictator and a communistic society, it is important to have a media that is unbiased. The current media law in S. Korea should stop now.

BY AARON CARTER

2013 Super Bowl Predictions

aaroncarter51298@gmail.com

2013, A RECORD SETTING YEAR •

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TOM BRADY (NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS) NOW HAS THE MOST PLAYOFF VICTORIES IN NFL HISTORY (17 WINS).

COLIN KAPERNICK (SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS) COLLECTED THE MOST RUSHING YARDS BY A QUARTERBACK IN A GAME (181 YARDS).

TRINDON HOLIDAY (DENVER BRONCOS) HAD THE LONGEST PUNT RETURN IN NFL PLAYOFF HISTORY (90 YARDS).

CALVIN JOHNSON (DETROIT LIONS) BROKE THE NFL RECIEVING RECORD IN A SINGLE-SEASON (1,964 YARDS).

ADRIAN PETERSON (MINNESOTA VIKINGS) RECORDED THE SECOND MOST RUSHING YARDS IN A SINGLE-SEASON (2,097 YARDS) HE WAS NINE YARDS SHY OF BREAKING IT. THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SCORED THE MOST POINTS AS A TEAM IN A SINGLE-SEASON IN NFL HISTORY (529).

JANORIS JENKINS (ST. LOUIS RAMS) HAD THE MOST PICK SIXES [INTERCEPTIONS RETURNED FOR TOUCHDOWNS] IN NFL HISTORY (PICK SIXES).

MORE ROOKIE QB’S WON A GAME THAN ANY OTHER YEAR (8 QB’S).

T

his year has been a wild ride so far in the playoffs: the Denver Broncos, the number-one seed in the AFC was kicked out in their first game, and the Green Bay Packers were shown up by the San Francisco 49ers. With all the upsets happening so far, there is no way of knowing for certain who will win this year’s Super Bowl, but I think I have a solid idea.

Home field advantage will be given to Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game and his New England Patriots for the rest of the playoffs up until the Super Bowl. They showdown with the Houston Texans, January 13th, 2013. My prediction is that they will go on to beat the Texans and then march into the AFC Championship and get defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, at home who knocked out the Broncos in the second round. The Ravens are red hot as of late mainly due to the fact that their star linebacker Ray Lewis announced that this season will be his final year. It is just fitting for one of the greatest linebackers of all time to go out victorious and into a Super Bowl.

In the NFC, the 49ers over the Atlanta Falcons in the Championship game. I made this choice in what I believe will be a hard fought game by both teams because simply the 49ers have a better defense. They don’t need to rely on their quarterback as much as the Falcons do. They always know that their defense will come ready to play and play hard. The Falcons also play their Divisional series game

today against Seattle. I think Matt Ryan, or better known as “Matty Ice”, will finally win his first playoff game. The Falcons are a talented team this year as they were the top overall seed in the NFC. As talented as the Falcons are this year, I think the 49ers, who had the number-one defense this year, will hold Ryan and the “Flying Falcons” to a low score and will go on to New Orleans, LA, to face the Patriots.

Lastly, Ravens vs. 49ers in the Super Bowl. Two of the best defenses in the league, which creates arguably the best matchup this years playoffs could whip up. Then you throw in some cajun food from Louisiana and you got a party. But in all seriousness, this will be one of the best games in the history of the NFL. This game has to come down to Colin Kapernick, whose a second year player out of the University of Nevada, who is more of a mobile quarterback. Against the Packers Kapernick recorded the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a playoff game than anyone else in NFL history. If he can play like he did against the Packers, the 49ers are Super Bowl champions.

BY MADIE MILLER

madiemllr@gmail.com

As the final bell of the day rings, we pour out of our classrooms and within minutes the packed building is empty; leaving the classrooms, bathrooms, and hallways in a disheveled mess. Crowded parking lots (this is probably an understatement) stall students as they escape West, and will return in a matter of hours.

Once the building is vacant a group of men and women enter the school and clean up everything we’ve left behind.

They prepare our learning environment for the next day. Keeping our school clean and safe, they work when none of us are around to see.

One night this fall, the Girl’s Swim Team arrived back at West close to the midnight hour after a disappointing fin-

JA N T R ish in our meet. A friend and I slowly approached the back doors of the school in a sullen mood, balancing backpacks and swim bags on our exhausted shoulders. We came to the door and found it locked. I dropped my bags in frustration. We were going to have to haul all of our things around the building to the front of the school in the dark.

To our surprise a man came to the door just as we were starting to leave. He held the door open for us and asked about our meet. His kind and helpful personality was refreshing despite our awful moods.

Even in the late hours of the night they are working to help make our school a better place.

This group of people receive little to no

I O S credit for all of their hard work. Without them our learning environment would be repulsive.

During the moonlight hours while we have our noses buried in our textbooks studying (or maybe still procrastinating in my case) they’re here cleaning, disinfecting and making our school a better place.

These people deserve more respect and credit for all of their hard work. Next time you walk through the doors and see the clear hallways and clean classrooms.

Remember who worked so hard to leave it like this for us.

Thank you custodians.

How-To: Total Your Mom’s Car & Miss a Funeral

By Graham Bly

We’ve all done something we weren’t proud of, whether it’s failing a test, letting a friend down, or in my case, wrecking a car and missing a funeral. It all started on a cold day in mid January, just two years ago.

I was returning home from Downtown Iowa City. My mother had told me to hurry home, because we were already going to be late, and we still had two hours to drive. I tried my best to stay at least five miles over the speed limit, however being the new driver I was, I easily overlooked the oncoming patch of black ice.

I neared the bend just after the Mayflower, and before I knew it, I was swerving into a rugged yellow retaining wall. On impact my immediate thought was not, “Will I be okay?” Rather, “I wonder how much damage this will cost my parents”, and “How are we gonna get to this funeral?” Moments after the side curtain airbags deployed, I looked around for a safe opportunity to merge back onto the icy streets. I drove for maybe ten seconds before realizing how foolish I had been. I quickly signaled into a hidden cove of a driveway, and then pulled out my trusty Samsung.

In tears I explained to my mom what I had done, and at first she thought I was joking with her, and to get home right away, but as the seriousness of my tone sank in, she knew what

had to be done. I remember waiting in the driveway for what seemed like hours. A group of college-aged gentlemen passed me by, and they addressed the situation with phrases such as, “That sucks man,” and “You’re f*cked dude”.

My mother arrived about 15 minutes short of pressing end call, in my father’s beat up purple truck that couldn’t have gotten more than 12 miles to the gallon. As my mother inspected the damage she seemed less mad than disappointed (which is almost worse).

I wondered if this was all just a cruel dream, and if so why it felt so vivid and realistic.

While my mother and I returned home to call a tow truck, we left a note telling the owner of the cavelike residence what had happened, and that a truck was on its way. I can’t remember how many times I apologized. With the thought of how royally screwed I was chewing away in the back of my mind, it was hard to focus on anything but keeping my mother happy.

As the truck was towed, and the ordeal seemed to finally come to a conclusion, I had but one last question, “When are we going to the funeral?” My mother let out one laugh, and that was all I needed to hear to know things would turn out just fine.

We all have bad days, let alone bad weeks, but if you keep yourself striving towards a better tomorrow, things might not seem all that bad. Take it from me, I totaled a car and missed a funeral, and I’m doing alright. Or so I like to think.

“We all have bad days, let alone bad weeks, but if you keep yourself striving towards a better tomorrow, things might not seem all that bad.”

Slice of live, with Lauren Larson

by Jazmyne Truesdale

Lauren Larson 13’ You may have heard of her or maybe even heard her. A hardworking bubbly girl like her is hard to miss. Going to school then later that day volunteering at Weber and Penn Elementary is a full time job. However she doesn’t stop there. There is a Dance Marathon that she is very passionate about and this year Larson is putting a lot of time and effort into planning it for West High. “I’ve been doing the big event for two years now and it makes you want to help. It’s an amazing experience.” said Larson.

All the energy she has doesn’t go to waste. Larson can be found on the courts playing basketball with her friends, spending time with her family or just trying to live life.

Favorite color: Lime green Favorite type of food: Mexican Favorite sports: Basketball and Softball

“I’ve been doing the big event for two years now and it makes you want to help. It’s an amazing experience.”

Prediction of 2013 Gossip Headlines 2012 was the year of secret weddings, surprising break-ups, nude pictures, and pregnancies/babies. Basically, 2012 was the year of drama. It’s impossible to recap all of the top gossip news stories. Here are some of the headlines that I think will top 2013, I’m probably right considering celebrities live such interesting lives, that anything is possible.

By Sharon

‘Love Happens’ to Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Jen and Justin got engaged summer of last year, and it seems that they will finally get hitched this year. Since, Brad and Angelina also got engaged last spring, and are also very likely to get married this year.

It’s not new news that Jen has had a feud with Brangelina, ever since he, as most people think, left Jen for Angelina after filming “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” However, Justin apparently wants to invite Brangelina to his wedding. Unless Brangelina and Jen and Justin get married on the same day. Uh oh, things could get serious... and awkward for those mutual friends.

Taylor Swift releases new single “Maybe It’s Me” It may be mean, but after so many failed relationships (Taylor Lautner, Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Mayer, Conor Kennedy, Harry Styles, need I name more?), many people are asking if she realizes she may be the problem. Valerie Hsieh ‘16 says, “She seems to be just wanting attention and inspiration from her relationships, and when the relationship ends, she pretends to be innocent by writing songs about them.” After going through two guys in about half a year, Swift recently tweeted that she was back in the studio. I hope she wakes up and smells the roses and experiences self-realization, that the guys are the ones that “Should’ve Said No” to her girl probs, and writes a song on that. She may inspire more girls than with all those breakup songs blaming the guy.

Kim

Bieber Gets Arrested After his alleged break-up with girlfriend of two years, Selena Gomez, the Biebs was photographed on New Year’s by TMZ smoking something that looked like marijuana.

Many people are speculating that ever since becoming pals with rapper Lil’ Twista, Justin has turned into a bad boy. (Lil’ Twista may have caused the Jelena break-up, was in Bieber’s Ferrari when paparazzo was killed, and is also infamous for posting pictures of himself smoking pot.) Bieber is also being sued by a former bodyguard for assault and battery. It wouldn’t be surprising if Justin ends up in jail soon. (Remember Britney, 2007?) Caution to Parents of Beliebers: Shield your innocent daughter’s eyes, ‘cause Bieber may be going ‘Overboard’ soon. Or as my dear mother thinks, “Pssh, how is this news? All teenage celebrities are like this. I told you to not buy those albums.”

Gives Birth-to Kris Humphries’ child?

Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West are expecting a child, there is just one teensy tiny problem. She’s still legally married to Kris Humphries, and divorce hearings aren’t expected to start until after her due date, which is in June, and by California law, if she is still married to Kris, the baby will considered his. I wonder if he’ll need to pay child support, because that would suck for him, considering Kim doesn’t want to return his two million dollar engagement ring. It’s also ironic, considering the divorce is lasting a lot longer than the actual marriage-72 days.

Kate gives birth to twins The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton was hospitalized on Dec. 3 for hyperemesis gravidarum, a type of morning sickness that causes severe vomiting during the pregnancy. This kind of sickness is common among women who are expecting twins. The royal family also revealed that if Kate gives birth to a girl, she will rule over the kingdom one day. If Kate gives birth to twins, the child who comes out first will be crowned the next in line, after Grampy Prince Charles, and Daddy Prince William. If she gives birth to a son and daughter, and the daughter pops out first, Prince Harry should be worried; he’ll receive less press, since the son will probably have egotistical issues of not being able to be King. Feminist organizations: Your future poster child may be coming.

By Megan

Learning the new way In the Iowa City/Coralville area each public school class has 20 plus students, but I went to a school with fewer than twelve, in the whole school. There needs to be more small, individualized classes because each student has a different learning style and speed.

More power should be given to the students because then they are involved in their education. Students get a better schooling in a private school opposed to a public school.

At West where every class has at least twenty-five students for one teacher, it is hard to imagine getting to work one on one with the teacher. Many classes have a curriculum already set out and nothing can change to fit the needs of one student. But have you ever been the student left behind in the dust? The teacher can’t slow down and help you out because they are working on a deadline and have a hundred other students to think of. How selfish of you to think that you deserve personalized education! Small classes allow for more individualization and allows for a teacher to be able to interact personally with students.

Teachers and students get to know each other and trust each other. The teacher can really make sure that students understand what they are learning and also help them overcome obstacles that might get

in the way. Every student’s brain works in a different way, some students are kinetic centered, visually centered or even audio centered or a combination thereof. Every student has different needs and their education should be as distinctive as they are.

Teachers say that you are responsible for your homework and your supplies, but what if you were in charge of the whole school? The most important ideas put into my private school is to develop trust with the kids and to help them take responsibility and ownership over their learning.

When the students get to vote on trips, lunch, and even the rules, they get more involved in their education. However, with great power comes great responsibility. If the school is student-run then it is the students who must take care of it as well. At the start of each year we all are given the spiel on how we have to take care of the school.

Throw your trash in the trash can and don’t vandalize the school, like a good little student. But if you are the ones who must clean the school up, people won’t make such a mess at lunch or in the halls. This makes the students feel like they make a difference, they aren’t just one face in 2000, they have the power to change their world.

Many wise people have had thing to say on the topic of education, even if they never had any themselves.

“It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education” - Albert Einstein “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society” Theodore Roosevelt “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education” - Mark Twain “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing, but newspapers” - Thomas Jefferson “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school” Albert Einstein “Nine tenths of education is encouragement” - Anatole France “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires” “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge” - Albert Einstein “Just think of the tragedy of teaching children not to doubt” - Clarence Darrow “A true teacher defends his students against his own personal influences” Amos Bronson Alcott

Full design by Megan Stewart

Homework

for points?

Y

eah, we all know homework is important, but should it impact our grade if we do it incorrectly? What I mean is, do you ever get sick of missing points in a class because of not doing the homework corMegan Stewart ’16 rectly? To me, homework is a learning period to help prepare for bigger and more advanced things.

The purpose of homework is to practice on what you learned anyway. If the student has trouble on the homein class that day. You take home work, the teacher will see by reading what they and do it on your own with the wrote, and maybe others also had trouble. The knowledge you already have. teacher could then go over the problems that There’s not going to be a teacher were mostly missed instead of counting everyones there to guide you through the problem wrong.

I understand that some teachers are against this assignment at home. What if you don’t really understand how because they think that one or more of their stuto do a certain problem or ques- dents could just write down anything but what is tion? Should you get punished in related to the subject itself. To bypass this, meanreturn with missing that point? ing the teachers would just check the homework These reasons are why we should themselves and read all of the answers written receive completion credit for down that are somewhat relevant to the subject homework and not grading for of the assignment. From there they can see what is right and what is wrong so the student knows. what is right and what is wrong.

Homework and assignments are But instead of putting those missed points in the steps for the final quiz, test, exam, grade book, they should just mark it down as a or what is leading to it. That is completion. This will still help the student underwhat it is, just a another step to- stand what he or she got wrong but there is no punishment. wards what really counts.

I do agree that homework is important and is Learning should not be graded, and that is exactly the purpose one of the foundations of learning, but it should of assignments, most of the time be counted as completion. Some teachers already do this, but some don’t. I am not telling any teacher what they should or shouldn’t do, but I am just here to express my feelings about the subject.

Top 5 apps we procrastinate on:

Twitter

Fun Run

Snapchat Instagram

Facebook

Julia Truszkowsk’14 doing something I want to do is doing something I don’t want to do...? I mean, I guess. But relax! It’s only 4.

I meant 5. Wait, when did 5 and 6 become the same number? Okay, dinner is important. I will become malnourished and starve to death if I don’t eat it. Therefore it’s okay to wait until 7. Is this clock messed up or something? I swear it’s not...

10:30?!?!?!?

And then there’s the frantic scrambling, ripping out pages from my notebook and writing numbers that look like they could be math homework, and--pardon the term--completely BSing that essay that I wanted

to write.

P

utting off what we dread comes as naturally to us as using our opposable thumbs to pick up objects, or cursing when we stub our toes. I can imagine cavemen lying on the ground with their immense amount of hair swaying back and forth in the wind, neglecting to catch fish with their hand-crafted spears.

And the same goes for today. How frequently do you come across someone tweeting or Facebook chatting you when they “should be working on their essay lol #slackerprobz?” Everyone procrastinates, and I’m no exception.

I always tell people, “I’m the best procrastinator in the world.

I’m a pro!” Ha ha, fascinating story, Julia. I’m sure you’re so much worse than the rest of us.

No, no no. I don’t think you people understand how literally I mean this. I am the pro of putting things off. Let me explain.

I like writing essays. Yeah, yeah. I’m a nerd. Go make references to Star Trek and ask me how science club is going. But I honest to goodness enjoy writing essays. So when I’m assigned something to write, I jot down countless ideas in my notebook, listen to deep, philosophical music (i/e Adele, Taylor Swift, etc.) and get right into zen mode.

But wait a minute! Am I actually starting my homework at 4:00 in the afternoon? This isn’t part of the ritual! Just think of all the Chex Mix I haven’t stuffed my mouth with, the tweets I haven’t made, the episodes of Gossip Girl I’ve yet to watch.

After years of turning a blind eye to the tests I didn’t want to study for, getting to work as soon as this episode is over I promise, pairing “wait, what math homework?” with a sheepish grin, I’ve actually programmed my brain into thinking that step one of getting homework done is not getting homework done.

Wait, what? Does that mean that the first step I take towards

But that’s not all of it.

My eyes can’t possibly stay awake for another minute. This isn’t healthy, right? I should definitely get a decent amount of sleep or I could come down with a possibly fatal illness.

It’s okay, though, because I’ll just set my alarm clock for 4:00 in the morning so I can cram for that AP Bio test.

I meant 4:30. 5 at the latest!

So, at 5 a.m., I’ve gotten my much needed rest, I’m fully charged and ready to go, and the problem’s solved, right?

Well, the Chex Mix is right where I left it and being awake this early is important enough that I should probably tweet about it.

5:00?

Work Ethic

My Twisted

7:00??

10:30?!

Every time I asked someone to define the word “friend” I got a different answer, to Max LeaVesseur ’14 a friend is, “someone that’s got my back and supports me in all of my choices even if it’s something thats ridiculous.” To Jordan Wright ‘13 a friend is, “someone that you hang out with a alot and are able to keep your deep dark secrets with.” After asking around I realized that the word “friend” is complex and has many different meanings and is a word that is really open to interpretation.

To me, a friend is defined by many things. If I’m able to share really painful, regrettable experiences with them but still be able to joke around about it, is one that’s important.

It was an exciting day. I had just turned 17 and we were at my friend Graham Bly’s house. As I was sipping on the last Capri Sun, we heard the agonizing sound of the last bit of juice flowing through the pouch, up the straw and into my mouth... at that moment we knew it was time for a drink run.

What came next was the worst decision of my high school career; I decided to drive. I had gotten a relatively new dark blue Volkswagen Passat ‘06 and had wanted to test it out. The hill that we always speed on to see who can go the fastest was the perfect place. So, we packed up the car with Bly sitting shotgun and Daniel Gardarsson in the back and started heading to Hy-vee.

As we were on that hill I decided to go for the record of 90 miles per hour. I knew it’d be a difficult task. I started speeding up and going faster and faster, and before I knew it I had reached 95 miles

“

per hour I turned my head and saw the overjoyed looks in my friends eyes as they nodded with approval.

I decided to take it a step further. I keep going faster and faster until out of nowhere came the flashing red and blue lights of the police. I stopped at the next turn and could see the new terrified look in my friends’ eyes as they shook their heads with disappointment. I knew the consequences were going to be harsh. The officer came to my window and told me I was crazy and handed me a $463.76 ticket while telling me that I would have to turn in my license.

The punishment was harsh, but in the end me and my friends were able to laugh about it and turn it into a joke. Best of all, I still hold the record for that hill at a staggering 115 miles per hour - just barely tripling the speed limit being at 35 miles per hour.

This incident taught me that friends are not to be taken lightly. They are the people that you share many secrets with, The people that always have your back, and The people that you overcome many good and bad experiences with.

The Record

By: Kevin Chin

Someone that’s got my back and supports me in all of my choices even if it’s something thats ridiculous.”

-Max LeaVesseur

By: Lauren Knudson

Branstrad’s education policy focuses too much on standardized testing

“Branstad’s Education Policy”; it’s a phrase I tend to hear and see in headlines a lot. I never really knew exactly what it was. Recently, I’ve taken an interest in the policy, so I decided to dig a little deeper and see what exactly this famous policy was.

As it turns out, Branstad proposed a new education policy at the beginning of the last two years and one this year - ever since he took office as Iowa governor for the second time in 2011.

The 2011 proposed policy included adding end-of-course standardized tests to English, Algebra, Biology, and U.S. History.

In his proposed plan if you did not pass these tests you did not pass the grade. Don’t forget that these tests would be standardized; not necessarily what your teacher taught you in that course. (So are they really testing your abilities? Hint: not really.)

It also included adding a test to the end of the third grade to make sure you were proficient in reading. According to the National Center for Education each state decides their own proficiency level; so being proficient in one state does not mean you are proficient in all 50. So if you move, the reading proficiency you had earlier could have been

considered inefficient; you could be pushed back a grade. So what exactly is the point of these inconsistent tests?

The policy that Branstad proposed in 2012 was a $25 million first year proposal. It included new requirements in order to be a teacher in the state of Iowa such as evaluating teachers, principals, and superintendents annually.

The 2012 proposal also mandated a standardized test be given to all preschool students and 4-yearold kindergarteners to test reading and math. No longer will they be working on fun little art projects to work on creativity. No, our state prefers to give them standardized tests. Standardized tests that create stress and are not fun for a four year old to take. When I was four, I preferred to finger-paint and play with my many stuffed animals; not take tests. But that might just be me.

Another component of the policy is that all high school juniors would be required to take a college exam such as the ACT or the SAT. Not all students plan to go on to college so this requirement could be a waste of time and stress for many Iowa high school students. If you want to go to college; you will take the test. If you don’t want to go to college I don’t think being forced to take a stressful test is going to change your mind. The ACT is not fun to take; it just takes up to 5 hours on your Saturday and gives you a headache - I don’t think that is going to make you saw “Wow, I really want to go to college now!”

On Monday Jan. 14 Governor Branstad announced his education policy for 2013. The reform would cost a total of $14 million in the first year and $187 annually five years after the policy is implemented (if it is).

This would raise new teachers salaries and teachers who teach in “high-need-schools”. It would also rank teachers, presumably on how well their students standardized test scores are, into a rank system of: initial, career, model, mentor and lead teachers.

The goal of the teacher reform is one thing: “increase student performance” but what exactly does

this mean? In many people’s eyes the only performance that is worth measuring is standardized tests.

These tests are standardized though; as in they are not made for specific classes; or what teachers are teaching. Instead of writing the test to the teacher they force the teacher to teach to the test. Teaching to the test doesn’t allow teachers to see what students are interested in and go more in-depth into that. It can make it so teachers don’t have time to do fun but educational projects.

Instead of focusing on standardized tests more schools should adopt performance based assessments. Focusing on how well you did; not comparing you to other students around the nation. Looking at student improvements; individually.

Helping improve our teachers is a good thing; raising their salary is a good thing. But the way that Branstad’s policy has said that we should do that would hurt the students in the process by focusing on standardized tests. Branstad’s policy’s may appear to be focused on teachers, but by focusing on teacher evaluation he is putting a great influence on standardized tests.

Iowa Average ACT Composite Scores and Country Ranks 201222.1 average composite 16 best in the country 201122.3 average composite 13 best in the country 201022.2 average composite 16 best in the country SAT Averages 2010603 reading 613 math

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Grace Young - WSS intern hat angry message you tweeted last night after a squabble with your parents, along with every embarrassing selfie you have ever put on Twitter is permanently housed just down the street from President Obama himself at the Library of Congress. Now, rest assured, with the government acquiring every single public tweet published daily, surely your heartfelt shout out will go unnoticed, hidden amongst the other 50 million tweets the Library of Congress processes every day. But what about your search history, email address, phone number, even private photos on Instagram?

Will those be overlooked by the advertisers prowling for potential customers?

In this new extreme digital age, you may have a whole lot more online contacts than you think.

As more and more people turn to online

retailers and social media, advertising companies are finding ways to track internet history and obtain personal information like addresses, phone numbers and private emails. This sort of online spying has adults and guardians worried about their safety and hesitant to enter personal information, with good reason. But if you consider the number of times you actually have to enter these details, it seems like all the hype is over exaggerated.

Disregarding the holiday season, how often do people really enter personal information that could be harmful if advertisers got ahold of it? Maybe two or three times a month? And even if they do, what is the harm in one extra email stuck in your spam filter, or an extra worthless piece of mail? People are making a huge conundrum about an issue that is really not that big of a deal -- and easily preventable. If you are so concerned about personal information floating around in cyberspace, don’t put it out there in the first place.

However, it is not as simple as this when it comes to web history tracking. Adver-

tisers can track movement on the web and use it to customize ads for each user to have a higher chance of displaying a more appealing ad to the consumer. Have you ever noticed how after a night looking at shoes, the ads the next day have similar shoes displayed? But still, what’s the harm in that? For the worrywarts still concerned about their privacy, the major browsers - Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox - have settings that let the the user select “do not track”. However, at the time, most people don’t realize they are being tracked and if they are, they’re not aware they can stop it.

There really is no point in freaking out about being monitored on the internet.

If you don’t want people to know something about you, don’t put it out there.

If you don’t want to be tracked, change your settings. And don’t be too flattered, the Library of Congress only wants your tweets for the purpose of “preservation and research.” It may be good for some people though, to think the president actually does read their tweets. Maybe then they would think twice before posting.

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Valerie Hsieh - WSS intern our brain is shrinking.

Those millions of connections and pathways linking neurons to neurons are degrading, as the capacity of that great mind of yours is falling prey to this phenomenon we call the Internet. According to a 2010 article published in the Wall Street Journal, we as a species are becoming more and more scatterbrained - literally. “When we’re constantly distracted and interrupted, as we tend to be online, our brains are unable to forge the strong and expansive neural connections that give depth and distinctiveness to our thinking.”

“I’m not getting stupider,” you say to yourself. “I still remember how to tie my shoes. I still know the multiplication table all the way up to the twelves.”

But consider the following: Do you know the differences among their, they’re, and there? How about between affect and effect? Can you recite any of your friends’ cell phone numbers - without looking at your phone? When was the last time you actually

Species

asked someone in person for directions to a restaurant?

As our world becomes increasingly advanced, we have learned to rely more and more on the latest gadgets - from asking Siri for directions to the nearest gas station to chatting with our friends on Twitter about what the weather is like outside. Although our access to information is far greater than ever known to the human species before, our dependence on machines to store and remember all of our information is lowering our cranial independence, thus potentially contributing to a devolution of the human mind.

With ease of access comes lack of independent brain function. Writers for NBC News, The Atlantic, and Business Week have argued that Facebook and Twitter, two of the most popular social media sites, have made us less social overall. Rather than attempt to remember the proper social cues necessary to have a ‘normal’ face-to-face conversation with someone, it’s easier for us to just tweet or message someone one line of text. It is now common to hear stories of couples breaking up over Facebook, of employees quitting from jobs via text message, and of long-lost siblings having their first conversation over Twitter. The art of understanding body language and facial gestures has been lost to the hoards of messages and blocks of black and

white text that have become the epitome of “social interactions” for many of us.

In addition to our lack of social skills, we have lost the ability to spell properly. Thanks to the intelligence of autocorrect, which is installed on many smartphones, our blundering typographical errors are forgiven. But soon, the mistakes become a habit. You become aware of which words you can misspell and continue typing on, assured by the fact that autocorrect will rescue you. What was once an issue of fumbling thumbs turns into a repeated error - a word that you will never remember how to spell properly, and a habit that you will never correct.

Technology has been generous not only for spelling, but for math as well. When many people nowadays are asked to pay a tip or to solve a simple math problem, their instantaneous response is to pull out a calculator. Is this necessary? Do you need to whip out your iPhone to punch in 2*2*2, or can you solve this much faster in your head?

Our dependence on the internet is becoming highly concerning. It’s not just that our brains are deteriorating - internet and technology addiction have been diagnosed as a mental health disorder, as of October of 2012.

Are you going insane? Probably not. But the internet’s definitely eating your brain.

Diversity Policy: A Bad Plan for a Good Idea

{BACKGROUND: IMAGE 2012-13 ICCSD HIGH SCHOOL BOUNDARIES}

Super Bowl Monday?

by Lydia Hinman I will be the first person to admit that I am not the biggest NFL fan in the world. I am a fan (Mostly bandThe school board really needs to consider procraswagon, I’m the first person to jump off the wagon when tination. No really, if most of the students in the things start to derail) of the Chicago Bears. But I do not district do it on a nightly basis, surely trying it at the administraput on a bear suit every Sunday (my dad has a friend tive level couldn’t hurt, right? In all seriousness, though, the recent who dresses up as a Viking in homage to his favorite Iowa City Community School District proposal regarding the diversity team), have never gone to a game, and sometimes don’t policy is one of those things that has excellent intentions behind it but is even watch games. Yes, I am a sports fan (my mother says going about it in way too fast of a manner and in the completely wrong way. more than is healthy), but what I do watch is quite possibly The board must slow down and evaluate all of the implications before passing the most important sporting event of the calendar year in such a major change that will affect a great number of students and families in sports, except for maybe March Madness, the Super Bowl. the ICCSD. The Super Bowl, and the NFL playoffs in general, Don't get me wrong, the policy’s idea is solid in the fact that I too absolutely opmean more than the sport of football. They means a pose having vast economic gaps in a community as tight-knit as ours. It is unjust lot to the cities. Take the New Orleans Saints for exfor some schools in the district to have over 70% students on Free/Reduced Lunch (FRL) while other schools have less than 10% of their kids below the income cutoff ample when they won in 2009. The city was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, and the Saints winning for FRL. the superbowl may have been that closing the wound Not only is it unfair to have such areas of low income vs high income, it is moment. And who wasn’t pulling for the New York Giunfair because there is a definite correlation between high FRL rates and low test ants to make a playoff run after 9/11? I know I would scores. At Lincoln Elementary , where just 6% of students receive Free/Reduced have if I actually knew who the Giants were back then.

Lunch, 67% of fifth graders' test scores fall into the top quartile nationally. On the But it’s not just the emotion behind the game that makes other end of the spectrum is Mark Twain Elementary, where 79% students fall it so fun to watch: It’s everything around the game as well. into Free/Reduced Lunch but have only a 4% top quartile achievement in fifh The fans are nuts, the atmosphere is always grade test scores. spectacular and the commercials are hilarious.

I support and applaud the board's effort to try and address this difficult But we all know the Super Bowl is great to watch, as it is regissue. The ICCSD is one of less than 10 districts in the state to even apularly the highest watched television event of the year. What proach income disparity. The problem in this diversity policy, however, I want, and so many others, so bad, so desperately, is to have lies in the alarming speed and ambiguity it is being passed with. the Monday after the game off. That’s all I want. We could Differences in household income across the district have existed for a call it Super Bowl Monday. That has a nice ring, doesn’t it? long time. Neighborhoods are grouped into houses that all cost a simiYes, I know that not all people in the United States of lar amount, and school boundaries encompass these neighborhoods.

America watch the Super Bowl, but most do. Even my sisWe've had disparities in income between schools ever since we've had ter, who once cried on New Years because of the multitude boundaries drawn for schools. of what she called “horrible, boring college football games”, Having established that this problem isn't something new, there is no parwatches the Super Bowl. Lots of people don’t even like footticular urgency that must be taken to address this issue. Certainly, it is not ball, but watch because of those oh so funny commercials. something the community should ignore, but it is not something that can The point is lots of people watch it, and stay up late to or should be rushed through. Let the community decide the best way to watch it. It takes forever for the game to end, with the implement and formulate a plan to address it. The board is flying through pregame ceremonies, the sometimes hormeetings to get this ratified, yet has not disclosed how they will carry out rible halftime show entertainment, and the policy of redistricting. the way too long commercial breaks.

That brings me to the other main reason I oppose this policy. I don't know what the plan to On Monday, nobody wants to get up solve income inequality is. I don't know how it will affect me. Even if it is the job of the Superor go about normal business. People are intendent to propose the official plan, the board should not pass this like it is a blank check. too tired to focus on work or school, and There need to be concrete guidelines that will educate the public on how they will be affected. we get nothing done the Monday after Equalizing FRL students at different schools inevitably requires redrawing boundary lines for the Super Bowl. People either talk about schools, but the board has presented no plan to carry out this task. I remember from experience in the game or the funniest commercials 6th grade the backlash the board faced when they tried to redistrict my 6th grade class at Lincoln all day and get absolutely nothing done. from West to City High, and I know reshaping boundary lines on this scale will not go down easily Wouldn’t it be nice for the fans of the with the community. Instead of kicking that can down the road, we should address it now. team that won to wake up the next mornI commend the board for taking the first step in addressing this issue. I do not, however, agree ing and go celebrate with friends or spend with the way they are addressing it. Slow down and show us a plan before passing a policy with a day basking in their glory? For the fans such widespread implications for our community. of the losing team to stay inside, wear snuggies, cry and eat mounds of chocolate while watching a depressing movie?

Even though some don’t watch the Jeff Sarah game, most people in the US watch the McGinness Swisher Super Bowl, and partake in all the festivities that go along with it. Since the AGAINST FOR game is such a widely celebrated event, “I don’t think we’re giving our kids with the “I think we need to take a step back and ... why can’t it be a national holiday? greatest socioeconomic needs the best we craft a policy that addresses what we need Here’s to Super Bowl Monday. have to offer, and I don’t know how much it to address and answer some of the quesby Akash Borde

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What do our board members think of the policy?

QUOTES FROM//IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN

time we have to wait before we do that”

tions that are still unanswered about this”