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(11/01/07 1:21am)
Most students probably didn’t know it, but October was Fair Trade Month.\nIU’s Students In Free Enterprise did, however. This group’s goal is to increase global awareness of fair trade and what it means among students and Bloomington residents, in part through its Fair Trade Bloomington project.\nThe Fair Trade Bloomington project, in its third year of existence, is an ongoing, community-based non-profit organization that encourages global economic development and poverty relief by selling fair trade goods. \n“Fair trade is a way of doing business in countries seeking poverty relief by setting up principles for fair negotiations,” said Mary Embry, a lecturer and one of the faculty directors of Fair Trade Bloomington. \nThe group’s main goal is to increase awareness among the Bloomington community of ways in which residents can affect the economy in a positive way. \n“It’s amazing how many people don’t know what fair trade is,” Embry said. \nFair Trade Bloomington sells hand-made goods and artisan crafts produced in impoverished nations such as Haiti, Kenya and Bangladesh. The point is to ensure that the makers receive fair wages that allow them to support themselves and their families. Upon selling the products, Fair Trade Bloomington gives a part of the profits back to the producers, and uses the rest to provide production materials and resources to areas that lack the means to obtain them. \nThe goal is to progressively build and strengthen weak economies worldwide. \nJeffrey Hart, an international political economy professor, sees such efforts as a positive chance to make a conscious decision about buying habits. \n“Fair trade certifies employers overseas who agree to avoid child labor and other abusive labor practices,” Hart said. “The product is then labeled as a ‘fair trade’ product. The consumer has a choice. He or she can choose to avoid products that are not fair trade products.” \nEmbry echoed that sentiment, saying fair trade products give consumers a sense of control and power over how they affect the global market. She’s optimistic that local consumers will continue to become more aware of the use of fair trade as a means to fight poverty, discourage child labor and promote ethical treatment of workers in foreign countries. \nAn increasing number of local businesses are beginning to support the cause. The Mathers Museum and Bloomingfoods sell fair trade food products. Natural Elements sells handmade fair trade clothing. Also, many local coffee shops and cafes sell fair trade coffee. \n“We’re really happy with how awareness increases every year,” Embry said. “For the first time, we have people coming to us, asking to get involved.”\nFair Trade Bloomington has its sights set high. It hopes to open a store in the future. For now, it sells products through local events, such as its upcoming Nov. 29 sale in the Indiana Memorial Union. \nLeela Summers, a senior and the student project leader for Fair Trade Bloomington, commented on the organization’s future. \n“Fair Trade Bloomington is an organic fit with the community,” she said. “There’s a lot of support for the future of fair trade here. We hope to open a store on the square in the fall of 2008.”\nEmbry urges people to play a part in bettering their economy. \n“This is a way to shop and not be part of what is becoming more and more of a consumerist culture,” she said. “You’re contributing to making the world a better place, and if that matches your values, then come see the products.”
(10/25/07 4:00am)
LCD Soundsystem -- "New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down"\nJames Murphy and crew threw a curveball with this closing track on their album Sound of Silver. Without a trace of the band's usual dance-punk and dripping instead with ballad-y goodness, this track laments the changes in New York and delves into the love-hate relationship many have with the Big Apple. "New York you're perfect, don't, oh please don't, change a thing." Indeed.
(10/18/07 2:05am)
Musician Matt Gold returned home early Monday morning, exhausted from a short, busy trip to New York. \nThe catch? He wasn’t performing for a crowd, but rather, for the cameras.\n“I’ve been modeling for about three months now. It’s funny because I don’t see myself and think ‘I’m a model,’ but I keep getting opportunities left and right,” he said. “It seems to keep taking off.”\nGold hopes that his knack for pleasing the eye is surpassed by his ability to entertain the ear this weekend, as he prepares to play back-to-back shows Friday and Saturday at the John Waldron Arts Center. This marks the second year in a row that the 33-year-old Ohio native will perform at the venue. \n“Last time went really well,” he said. “It was an intimate evening. It had some intense, memorable moments.”\nHe promises an even better show this time around. This year’s show will feature Gold with a full band—something he doesn’t usually do.\n“I’m more excited this time, because with the band, it’s a totally different exploration of the music,” he said.\nGold strives to combine true musicianship with true emotion. He’s known by fans for his raw, earnest performances, and makes it a goal to leave them with a piece of that emotion. \n“I feel like I always give to my audience,” Gold said. “You’re going to walk away feeling something.”\nGold continues to work on building his fan base in Bloomington. He considers it to be a “good outlet” for his music. He originally migrated to the town to be with friends, and continues to use it as a haven in which he can write and reflect.\nGold began his musical journey at age 18. After a month of piano instruction, he grew tired of the monotony of lessons and took matters into his own hands. \n“I stopped because it got too hard. I just started doing my own thing instead,” he said.\n“Doing his own thing” meant seizing every opportunity to play coffee houses, clubs and theaters whenever possible. It also meant turning down an art scholarship in order to focus more on music. \nThough his recent stint in modeling consumes much of his time, he’s quick to point out that music is his ultimate passion.\n“I can’t see myself doing anything else,” he said. “All I’ve ever wanted to do is perform.”\nHe says that IU holds a special place in his heart. His favorite memory as a performer came several years ago at a show at the Collins dorm. He said it was the first time he had ever felt real energy from a crowd. He hopes that the love continues with his upcoming shows.\n“I think I have a lot to offer as a performer,” he said. “I hope to see a lot of people there.”\nGold will perform at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $8 for seniors and students and $10 for the public. Gold encourages those unfamiliar with his music to visit his MySpace page to hear his songs at www.myspace.com/mgold74.
(10/08/07 12:35am)
The forecast called for rain, but warm, sunny weather prevailed Friday as people of all ages roamed the streets during Bloomington’s Fall Downtown GalleryWalk. \nMarked with colorful balloons and signs, nine local galleries opened their doors to the public. The displays spanned a wide range of artistic genres and styles, from watercolor paintings to African sculptures. \nPrima Gallery, Bloomington’s oldest art gallery, featured the stylistic works of Rudy Pozzatti, a retired IU art professor. At age 82, Pozzatti continues to create collages and paintings that feature images of youth and popular culture. Marcy Neiditz, director of Prima Gallery, is proud of the event’s ability to join local artists with a local audience.\n“Originally, galleries just functioned as simple displays. We felt a need to be more cohesive with other galleries and with the community. (The GalleryWalk) allows us to collaborate with other galleries to give people a taste of local art,” Neiditz said.\nThe Wandering Turtle Art Gallery was perhaps the most festive of the group. A three-piece jazz band serenaded viewers as they took in an array of tapestries, jewelry, paintings and sculptures. The gallery also offered tarot readings, free wine samples and food, and provided a louder, party-like atmosphere for its guests. \n“I thought that this walk was a lot more energetic than any of the others,” said Ryan Dagley, an employee of The Wandering Turtle. “There were a lot more people at this one. There were really no dull moments the entire night.”\nLocal businesses also took advantage of the unusually large downtown crowd. Inner Chef used the GalleryWalk as an opportunity to give free cooking demonstrations and Pure Pilates Hair and Body gave in-store tutorials on health and body care products.\nLindsay Whisler, a freshman, said she enjoyed the event’s cultural, community-based atmosphere.\n“It’s a neat way to get out and be able to see some of the local artists’ work and a fun way to see Bloomington,” she said. \nWith nine galleries to choose from, people had the ability to indulge in several different artistic styles and themes.\nAlthough Whisler was pleased with her experience, she said she thinks more students should share in the excitement.\n“I feel like there are so many events like this going on in Bloomington that people just don’t know about,” she said. “I think more people should come enjoy them.”\nThe fourth and final Downtown GalleryWalk of the year will be Dec. 7.
(04/12/07 4:00am)
For Frank Deford, sports is a form of art.\n“When we look back on the 20th century, why shouldn’t the moves of Jordan be remembered with the characters of Fitzgerald and the sounds of Gershwin?” he asked a crowd on Wednesday night.\nHundreds of students, teachers and IU graduates packed into Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union to hear from the accomplished journalist. In an almost poetic way, Deford rattled off stories and jokes – all of which ended with a simple and clear message: sports matter. \nDeford, a writer for Sports Illustrated for 30 years, is a weekly commentator for National Public Radio, the author of 14 books and a frequent guest on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,”\nDeford addressed key issues he faced throughout his career. He combatted misconceptions among journalism communities that sports writing is to journalism what comedy is to filmmaking. He spoke boldly and confidently: “I think that if sports writers covered politics in 2002, President Bush wouldn’t have gotten away with going into Iraq,” he said.\nDespite the heavy implications of his statement, Deford said his point was that sports writers are criticized for non-objectivity, but that in reality it is this sort of gutsy, opinionated writing that drives journalists to dig up the truth. \nIn his career, Deford had the privilege of interviewing countless influential sports figures.\n“One big drawback of being a sports writer is that you have to interview players in a locker room, where they are often sweaty and naked,” he said jokingly. \nThis type of humor was a constant throughout Deford’s speech, as he routinely presented audience members with points of contemplation and then offset them with lighthearted jokes. \n“He definitely made me laugh,” said Brittany Whaley, a sophomore in attendance. “I think he has a great personality. I enjoyed it.”\nDeford also took time to comment on one of the world’s most popular sports. \n“I’m tired of hearing people complain that America isn’t into soccer as much as the rest of the world,” he said. “You’re not using the hands God gave you. You use your feet to move the ball and then your head as a club.”\nHis distaste for the sport made it all the more ironic that the most memorable moment of his career took place while he covered the 1990 World Cup, where he said he witnessed firsthand the ability of a single sport to unify countries.\n“I never really understood the power of sports until that moment.”
(04/04/07 4:00am)
The Delta Upsilon intramural kickball team doesn’t just beat its opponents – it slaughters them. \n“The Slaughter Rule ends the game if a team is up by more than 15 runs after five innings,” senior team captain Dave Szafranski. \nIt’s a rule that the DU team became quite familiar with this year. \nThe team won every game this season that way and nabbed its third intramural kickball championship in a row. In what seemed more like a series of lopsided football scores, the squad racked up victories that included scores of 33-2, 33-6 and 35-1, to name a few. \n“The DU kickball dynasty,” as members proudly call it, is made up of a slew of former soccer players – an obvious reason for their success. \n“We all know how to kick a ball,” Szafranski said.\nIt may sound overly simple, but Szafranski said the league is full of players who fail in their attempts to blast the rubber ball into another ZIP code. \n“The key is to kick it low,” he said. “So many people come in and try to kick it a mile, but it just bounces off the walls and then it’s easy to catch.”\nBrian Arnold, a graduate assistant for IU’s RecSports program, saw the team in action on several occasions and said he quickly noticed the gap between DU and its competitors. \n“I think the main difference was that they seemed like much more of a team,” he said. “They had a good sense of the rules and how the game should be played.” \nSzafranski attributes the team’s success to the natural athletic ability and competitive nature of its members. Such ability was on display on what the team refers to as “The Web Gem.” \nIn last year’s championship game, the team faced a bases-loaded situation. It needed one more out to seal its second title, but failing to get that out would have resulted in a loss. The opposing player blasted the ball in what looked to be the winning kick. But senior Steve Schmitt leaped into the air and made a diving catch as the ball knocked him on his back.\n“Everything happened so fast,” Schmitt said. “It was one of those catches where you had to look down to believe you actually caught it.”\nAlong with Szafranski and Schmitt, seniors Kyle Murphy and Mark Keleher had the joy of playing on all three teams – something they say they’ll always remember.\nDespite their competitive natures, members of DU insist they’re mostly in it for the fun. \n“We take it seriously, but we’re just having fun,” Szafranski said. “We don’t think we own the school or anything. But it is pretty cool to win three in a row.” \nIt’s also unique, Arnold said.\n“It’s pretty rare,” he said. “Every once in a while we’ll have a team win back-to-back championships, but I’ve never seen a team win three in a row.”
(04/02/07 4:00am)
As rain beat down on the track, drum beats and guitar solos kept spirits high at this year’s Relay for Life “Rock Out Cancer” awareness concert.\nThe Billy Hayes Track was the event’s venue, and participants showed up to walk, talk and take part in various activities. The music began late Saturday night and continued into Sunday morning, featuring local bands The Future, The Romance and Stereo Deluxe. The groups showered fans with loud, up-tempo music that included original songs and well-known covers.\nThe theme of this year’s Relay events was “Fun in the Sun,” but midway through the concert, clouds and rain extinguished campfires and soaked devoted walkers.\nHowever, it did little do deplete the spirits of the participants. Many embraced the downpour – especially those gathered in front of the small red-and-white tent that harbored the night’s performers. In an almost childlike way, listeners danced and screamed as rain showered them. Many were friends of the band; others were simply Relay participants looking to salvage some fun amid the storm.\nMusic rang loudly and clearly throughout the stadium, and several walkers said it helped them stay awake and active during the twilight hours of the event.\n“Everything was still going on regardless of the rain. I had a blast,” said Jay Lutterman, one of the planners of the concert and member of The Romance. “I booked all of the bands, and it was good to see the turnout. Everything fit perfectly.”\nLutterman said bad weather couldn’t put a damper on the night. \n“Everyone is affected by cancer, or knows someone who has been,” he said. “There were people out there walking the whole time.” \nHe said that the walkers’ devotion served as motivation for his and other bands to keep on rocking.\nOne of the bands slated to perform, The Buzzkills, canceled due to increasingly severe weather that eventually ended the Relay for Life event several hours early.\nLauren Sharo, events development co-chairwoman, said the event was still a hit. \n“Honestly, I think it went great. I was dancing outside in the rain and so were a lot of other people,” she said.\nStudents could be heard shouting at the PA announcer, pleading not to cancel the walk.\n“It was a good time, because people were still having fun,” said Sharo, who commended the band for their flexibility and fun attitudes.\nThe event ended about 2 a.m. Sunday, when the last of the participants packed their tents and headed home. Despite the premature ending, students remained positive. \n“It feels good to be involved in something that actually impacts my life,” Lutterman said.
(03/06/07 5:00am)
Eileen Julien has a vision.\nJulien, a professor of comparative literature at IU, is one of several professors benefiting from a $1 million grant given to IU faculty through the New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities Program.\nThe grant is intended to fund several projects around different IU campuses. \nJulien is using her share of the money to organize a symposium focusing on the cultural, artistic and literary history of Senegal, the westernmost country in Africa. The event revolves around two prominent Senegalese figures: Birago Diop and Léopold Sédar Senghor. \nThe symposium will feature films, documentaries, debates, art exhibits and poetry readings. Julien’s goal is not to teach, but to explore. She said her goal is to understand the impact cultural history has on modern Senegalese life – on young people in particular. Julien said she wants students to think about how the impact of culture and history in their lives compares with similar issues among Senegalese youth.\n“The prerequisite (for attending the symposium) is curiosity,” Julien said. “There’s something to learn here.” \nFor interested students, the event is simply an organized lecture. The symposium will host lunches, discussions and interactive debates in which they can participate. \nFor science-minded students, Colin Allen, a professor of history and philosophy of science and another beneficiary of the New Frontiers program, offers an in-depth look at one of the oldest and most controversial scientific debates: nature versus nurture. His upcoming conference will examine the relationship between environmental influences and biological makeup and their roles in determining human behavior.\n“You may think, ‘What does this have to do with arts and humanities?’” Allen said. “But actually, many of the concepts discussed within arts and humanities are dependent upon understanding the sciences. So it is important. Thinking about nature and nurture together suggests a whole lot of opportunities for improving education.”\nMichael McRobbie, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs and incoming IU president, said in a University news release that, “Excellence in the arts and humanities has traditionally been one of IU’s greatest strengths, and New Frontiers is now a vital program that enables us to continue to build on this tradition in new and dynamic ways.”