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(07/07/10 11:02pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Three Bloomington businesses were recently recognized as some of the best places to work in Indiana.Computerworld magazine recognized IU’s Information Technology Department as one of the “Best Places to Work in IT,” while the Indiana Chamber of Commerce awarded Contact by Design and Employment Plus, Inc. with recognition as two of the “Best Places to Work in Indiana.”Contact by Design was listed as the fifth-best company in Indiana with 50-249 employees. Employment Plus, Inc. was ranked 15th in the same category.Though Jon Jeffries, vice president of Human Resources and Risk Management at Employment Plus, Inc., was humbled by the award, he said he was not surprised by the honor. “People who are satisfied at work produce more satisfied customers,” Jeffries said.Jeffries said this award is representative of employee satisfaction based on an extensive survey they completed for the nomination.Employment Plus, Inc.’s staff filled out surveys in January. The survey’s questions regarded employee satisfaction, benefits and vacations.The company works with employers in local markets around Indiana to provide them a cost-effective alternative to staffing their companies. Based on resumes and interviews, Employment Plus, Inc. tries to match staff to employers. The company is a full-service staffing agency, and Jeffries said he works hard with all employees to provide satisfaction at the job site.“I’m excited about the award, as it is indicative of who we are at the heart of the organization,” Jeffries said.Principal Systems Administrator Kristy Kallback-Rose at University Information Technology Services received bachelor’s degrees in physics and Japanese from IU but was somehow lured into IU’s IT department. She said she enjoys the variety of work she is given and is now participating in a workshop with LEGO Mindstorms, a programmed robot.“I enjoy working with a diverse group of people — from recent graduates to those have been with the company for 25 years,” Kallback-Rose said.IU employs 1600 IT workers at all campuses, not including IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne. IU-Bloomington’s IT Department employs just under 800 people who were randomly selected to participate in the surveys. “Our motivation is recognition not only from a recruitment standpoint, but more importantly for those people who currently work here,” said Debby Allmayer, human resources officer in the Office of the Vice President for IT at IU-Bloomington.Allmayer said she enjoys working every day, as her job is constantly changing and presenting new challenges for her and her team.Allmayer works in Bloomington and travels to Indianapolis to work with staff at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis. Working with different people keeps things interesting, she said. Her co-workers bring new outlooks to projects and other endeavors.“This award recognizes us as a resilient and strong company in Indiana,” Allmayer said.
(11/02/09 3:19am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The clock struck 12:10 a.m. and 508 signatures were recorded as creator Wesley Barnes knew his task for the night was complete. Barnes compiled logbooks of the signatures on Halloween to send into the Guinness World Records for the largest Halloween party at the Bluebird.“I accomplished my mission,” Barnes said. The previous record held 362 in attendance with compliance to the Guinness World Records. Barnes surpassed this, and he plans to send all information to the main headquarters in London as soon as possible. Once the information is received there, it will be reviewed for proof of verification including photos, videos and witnesses. Barnes and his team of seven volunteers made sure to have everything in place while at the Bluebird. He and his team verified proof of attendees with two logbooks, one at the main door and one in the hands of the team members circulating throughout the venue. Throughout the night Barnes and his team members had to keep track of those leaving the venue to have a precise verification of the number of people in attendance. Barnes recorded the people who left the venue for the night and did not include those signatures in the logbooks. The specifics were difficult, but Barnes said with the help of his team it was made possible and everyone knew they had a job to do. Barnes arrived at the Bluebird at 9:45 p.m. to begin the night’s setup and organization. While there he spoke with members from headliner band Hairbanger’s Ball, who announced the record-breaking attempt on stage and directed the audience to the logbooks to make their contribution of the night. Bear’s Place comedy show host Mike Tucker was there and said he was pleased with the idea of attempting a Guinness World Record in Bloomington.“This is a perfect town for the record to be broken,” Tucker said. “Getting in the book takes a lot of hard work.”Among the excitement of the evening for the record breakers, the Bluebird held a costume contest that presented three winners. This year the best costume was Borat, second place was Zelda and third place was Karl from “The Simpsons.”During the party Barnes said he had a chance to speak with some of those dressed in the most interesting costumes, and his applause during the costume contest went to someone who had blinds covering his face and referred to himself as a “shady guy.”Barnes said his nerves subsided after the record time was up and signatures were accounted for. His Halloween party worked in collaboration with the Bluebird and the team of volunteers on Saturday. “I owe everything to my team,” said Barnes. “It just all fell into place.”
(10/30/09 3:17am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Wesley Barnes, an IU alumnus, knew he wanted to leave his name in history by having it in the Guinness Book of World Records.Barnes began his search to set a world record when he entered a Barnes & Noble in August and sat and leafed through the large record book. Originally, Barnes didn’t know what kind of record he would set until he came across the largest Halloween party with a record of 362 participants, and he realized it was possible for him to achieve a record while living in Bloomington.That is why he created the race to set the world record for the “Largest Halloween Gathering,” which will begin this Saturday at the Bluebird.“I want to make a place in history,” Barnes said. “It’s either now or never.”Barnes first gathered a team of friends to start a Facebook event, and through word of mouth he began to realize that this world record was attainable.On Saturday night, the Bluebird will have a $1,000 cash prize contest for the best costume. First place will receive a year-long pass to the Bluebird and a $300 to $400 cash prize. The second-place winner will receive a six-month pass and a $200 prize, and third place will receive a three-month pass to the venue.The passes include general admission shows, which are 95 percent of the events at the Bluebird, owner Dave Kubiak said.Bluebird bartender Leo Cook will be onstage to host Saturday’s costume contest.A performance by the Chicago-based ’80s metal band Hairbanger’s Ball will be in attendance and will cover several bands, including Bon Jovi and Def Leppard.In between the costumes and mayhem of the night, Barnes is urging people to participate in setting a world record by signing a logbook. The record-breaking start time begins at midnight but will end at 12:10 a.m. Sunday. The details of achieving a Guinness World Record are precise. The “Record Breaker Pack” is a set of guidelines sent to the record breaker. The instructions are narrowed to specifications of the type of photographs that should be taken. It says that you must present a photograph from the event at an angle that captures its large scale.“I’m nervous, but prepared,” Barnes said.
(11/29/07 5:00am)
As the two sibling psychics Nancy Eaves and Laurie Collins sit across from each another, the vibrant colors of their clothing and jewelry set the scene for a psychic encounter.\n"First of all, you don't have a card that says you're going to die," tarot reader Eaves said.\nA psychic reads customers' body language as it coincides with their mind, body and soul, said Collins, a local psychic who specializes in rune readings. Attention to detail and body language is the basis for psychics to further a reading through their power, she said.\nDisbelief in the ability to have psychic powers is common among customers, Collins said. She has seen those who purposely try to prove her powers false. She enjoys seeing them change their minds after a reading.\n"I would love when skeptics would come in skeptical and then leave not-so-skeptical," said energy healer Christine Marie Evangelista.\nIn addition to having to deal with general skepticism, psychics are looked down upon by many religions. People in this area used to think of psychics as witches, said psychic Jan Reynolds. In the early '90s, she said, being a psychic in Bloomington wasn't user-friendly.\n"We're part of the Bible Belt, where psychics don't advertise much," Reynolds said.\nThere are numerous psychics in the area who are available for palm, tarot, runes, channels and regular readings, which range in price and length.\nThe various readings are used for different times in people's lives. A tarot reading, for example, does not tell time very well, while other psychic readings can predict time elements better. Whichever reading is comfortable for those interested can be done in a personal and comfortable setting.\n"Our readings get very emotional, so we keep a box of Kleenex at our station," Eaves said.
(11/08/07 5:00am)
School spirit, academic success and a healthy lifestyle combine for students to name Foster Harper their favorite dorm wing on campus.\nFoster Harper was this year's winner of the "Best Dorm Wing" award. This dorm wing provides nine floors of housing and a basement featuring a library.\n"People are really involved and very interactive at Harper," said freshman Callie Kaminski. \nHarper's resident assistants have organized a number of events the students look forward to, Kaminski said. The men on floors two and three had massage-therapy lessons from a specialist, while resident assistants on the women's floors organized sex-toy parties to keep them sexually informed.\n"The R.A.s at Harper have done a fabulous job building communities on their floors," said Holly Griffitt, an R.A. in Foster Shea, another wing of the residence hall.\nThe Harper community is home to the majority of student athletes and creates an atmosphere of school spirit, Kaminski said.\nFreshman business-management major and Harper resident Craig Horton takes advantage of the proximity to the Kelley School of Business and Assembly Hall. He said he is looking forward to walking to every basketball game this seasonto watch fellow Harper resident freshman Eric Gordon play. \nHarper is close to facilities where athletes work out and practice. The building is also within walking distance from the Student Recreational Sports Center and the tailgating fields.\nOn game days, students leave Harper and head to Memorial Stadium and Assembly Hall, sporting their cream and crimson gear. Freshman field-hockey player Lena Grote finds it easy to stay involved in school events while living at Harper as well as stay focused on her studies. She explained that living in another dorm such as Briscoe or McNutt might be too crazy for her.\nThere are stairwells between the floors that students use when going between floors to visit friends. But unlike most other dorm wings, Harper offers the convenience of an elevator.\n"I enjoy putting the key in the elevator to my floor number, having small talk and then saying goodbye when it is time to get my work done," Grote said.\nAmong other conveniences, Harper is close to Gresham Food Court. Other students in the Northwest neighborhood have to make the trek to Gresham if they want food outside the McNutt cafe or C-store.\nHarper is home to the Foster Quad center desk, mailboxes and the University Division advisers. The University Division advising center is located on the main floor of Harper beyond the large-sized lounge with foosball tables, couches and work tables for studying.\nKaminski takes advantage of this convenience that is only an elevator ride away from where she sleeps. She said she uses the comforts of the clean lounge to study.\n"I couldn't picture living anywhere else," Kaminski said.
(09/17/07 4:34am)
Let the countdown begin.\nWith only 52 days left until the Nov. 9, 36-hour IU Dance Marathon, each IUDM participant must raise $400 for the event.\nThis year, the IU Dance Marathon executive council is collaborating with the Residence Halls Association to form the first-ever residence hall dance marathon team. The team is primarily freshmen who live in nine different residence halls, since not all 11 residence halls are participating. With representation from the northwest, central and southeast neighborhoods, the team consists of 31 students total. \n“We want to expand the dance marathon out and into the dorms,” said sophomore Casey Crouse, an IUDM executive council member. \nWith the marathon’s expansion to the residence halls, students who are not in greek organizations are gaining awareness of the event and want to be involved in it. Residence hall participants are currently recruiting other members for the marathon, and each participant has individual reasons for wanting to give his or her time and effort to the cause.\nDuring a retreat held Sunday morning for the residence hall participants, former Riley Hospital patient and IU sophomore Eric Davis told students he would not be standing before them without Riley Hospital. \nWhen Davis was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with a disease that causes extremely low red and white blood cells. Davis’ parents chose Riley Hospital, where doctors suggested either experimental treatments or a bone marrow transplant. His parents chose the experimental treatment option and Davis was able to live a normal life. However, he was reminded of his disease his freshman year of high school. \nWhen his blood cell counts bottomed out again, his only option was to have a bone marrow transplant at Riley Hospital. Davis told students Sunday that his doctor personally flew to Germany to get the bone marrow. The transplant was successful, and Davis now participates in IUDM in support of the hospital that saved his life. \nStories like this are the reason so many participants want to get involved with IUDM, said Kristen Leone, director of recruitment.\nLeone had a summer internship at Riley Hospital in the social work department, which furthered her interest in support of the hospital. Leone explained the purpose behind the cause. \n“We’re standing for those kids who can’t stand,” Leone said. \nFreshman Carolyn Dungan is participating to raise money and awareness for children in Riley Hospital. Dungan’s younger brother Matthew, now 7, suffered complications during birth and went to Riley Hospital for numerous treatments. Since then, Matthew has had health issues, including autism and extreme temperamental moments. \n“I’m participating because I want to figure out more about what is wrong with my brother, figure out more about kids with autism and kids with other problems,” Dungan said. \nDuring the event, children from the hospital visit IUDM participants to remind them of exactly why they worked so hard to raise money for the event. \nLast year, Crouse became a member of the IU Dance Marathon executive council for the first time. While attending Carmel High School, he was involved in a mini dance marathon that lasted six hours and donated funds to Riley Hospital. Crouse was then inspired to continue participation through college, except this marathon would be 36 hours long. \n“Last year at IUDM, a Riley Hospital child said he had trouble standing for 36 seconds, and that inspired me to want to stand for 36 hours,” Crouse said. “I could have managed standing for 36 days for those kids.”
(09/06/07 4:00am)
Your introduction to jazz
(09/03/07 2:11am)
A mouth-watering aroma seeped through the doors of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Friday night during the first-ever Bloomington Chefs’ Challenge, which attracted food connoisseurs, local residents and University students alike.\nThe stage was transformed into a replica of the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” with three Bloomington chefs battling it out for the top prize of the golden spatula. Beyond the glamour of the prizes the chefs took part in the event primarily to raise money for the Monroe County Community Kitchen. \n“In 2006, the Community Kitchen served over 131,000 meals and 40 percent of those meals have served children,” said host Brad Wilhelm of Rhino’s Youth Center and All-Ages Music Club. \nThe event would not have been possible without The Monroe County Community Kitchen’s Director Vicki Pierce and Assistant Director Tim Clougher. \nThe idea for the challenge spurred from a similar event in Indianapolis, Ind., Pierce said. However, this event was the first to be held in Bloomington. \nFour tables seating 30 people were aligned in front of the stage. Audience members watched in awe as Bloomington’s chefs had one hour to develop a dish on the spot while using sweet potatoes, the secret ingredient. The four judges sat among the bistro seating area at the front of the theater. The judges were Lynn Schwartzberg, a columnist for The Herald Times; Angelo Pizzo, movie producer of “Rudy” and “Hoosiers”; life-long chef Daniel Orr and one lucky audience member. Bloomingfoods’ David Coonce hosted alongside Wilhelm. \nThe hosts joked with audience members in the balcony, and as the scent rose to the top of the Buskirk, fans applauded for their favorite chef. \nAs the event timer ticked away loudly and Jeopardy-like music sounded, chefs Jake Brenchley of Scholars Inn, Gregg “Rags” Rago of Nick’s English Hut and Alan Simmerman of Bloomingfoods prepared a meal for the 30 guests in the bistro seating area and the panel of four judges. \nThe chefs’ creations were judged on a 100-point scale. Categories included time management, products used and how they used them, presentation and taste.\nTickets to eat the prepared dishes in the bistro section were $50 and regular audience members paid $20, with all revenue going to charity – every $20 will go to provide 10 meals for those in need, according to the program.\nBrenchley and his sous-chef Nick Page won first place, taking home the golden spatula, a $25 gift certificate to Inner Chef, a $60 gift certificate to Goods for Cooks and a cast iron skillet. The chefs concocted their creations without an oven. Therefore, the 34 dishes (30 for bistro-seat members and four for the panel of judges) were created by braising the meat. The winning duo then marinated their filet mignon in beef stock, shallots and onions. \n“It’s more fun to cook for charity. Everything went smooth for that fact, and we were more focused in the kitchen because there’s not so much heat,” Brenchley said. \nThe People’s Choice award, voted on by members in the bistro seating area, and second place silver spatula went to Simmerman. He was awarded a black apron and black skull hat, which is a shorter version of the typical chef’s hat.\nBeyond the lucky group of people who ate the prepared meals were plenty of audience members who could only embrace the aroma of food throughout the theater. \n“This event is so quintessential Bloomington because everything here is from town and fresh,” said resident Mary King.\nAudience member Jack Madore and his family plan to taste the chefs’ creations in the bistro section next year. Madore is already on a wait-list for the next cooking challenge. His family loves to cook and is looking forward to next year.\n“These chefs have passion for what they’re doing, and you have got to have passion for life and for cooking,” Madore said.
(07/17/07 10:02pm)
The IU High School Journalism Institute officially began its 61st year this month, allowing high-school students to attend workshops to brainstorm and interact with others who share the same passion for journalism. \nSponsored by the IU School of Journalism, the workshop’s sections include newspaper, yearbook, desktop design, online and photography, allowing students to attend camp for one week between July 9 and July 27.\n“The kids give their hearts and souls to what they do, and this is an opportunity for them to be with kids who do the same,” said Kim Green, who will be instructing a newspaper editors workshop this summer. \nThis year sees one of the largest groups on record, bringing in more than 240 students, Green said. Students from all over the country and even outside the United States have attended HSJI in the past. \nWhile students come to the institute for the journalism workshops, the institute’s faculty and staff are also a draw for budding journalists. Ryan Gunterman, workshop instructor and Bloomington High School North teacher, said journalism professor Jack Dvorak’s reputation as an expert in the field of journalism makes his camp attractive.\n“Parents send their kids to this workshop just to be in camp because (Dvorak) is an expert,” Gunterman said.\nHigh school junior Ashley D’Arcy of Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the entertainment editor for her high school paper. \nD’Arcy made a list of nearly 40 story ideas as an assignment during the program, one of the varied activities students undertake while at the camp. Ideas included a possible article about the evolution of dance, beginning with the bunny hop to present-day “grinding.”\nThe main focus of the newspaper portion of the workshop is preparing editors from various high schools throughout the country with ideas for their staffs in the fall. \nAnother focus that’s highlighted at the workshop is desktop design. Sixteen students involved in this area work with Greg Mosley, who has taught design for 16 years and has been involved with HSJI for 11 years. \n“I want to teach students to have a critical eye about media,” Mosley said. \nThe field of journalism spans far beyond the printed text on a page. With photos and graphics placed properly, the layout becomes a focal point for the viewer, Mosley said. Today, people need to learn how to design for a society of nonreaders, and the workshop aims to improve the quality of the information age and the quality of scholastic journalism in Indiana, Mosley said. \nD’arcy said she enjoys the freedom student journalists get at HSJI.\n“I love it because you’re free to do what you want and work independently,” D’Arcy said.
(07/05/07 4:48pm)
This toy isn’t the new Tickle Me Elmo, the latest version of Playstation nor part of the Cabbage Patch Revolution. This toy is for adults – it’s the new iPhone.\nApple’s iPhone arrived June 29 at 1,800 stories nationwide with 40 locations in Indiana. The arrival stirred anticipation for both sellers and consumers. \n“It’s a very exciting product and there’s nothing like it out there now,” said Molly Cornbleet, AT&T Inc., spokesperson. \nThe AT&T stores in Bloomington anticipated the popularity of the phone’s arrival. AT&T changed their automated recording that can be heard when calling the store.\n“Due to the extraordinary demand for the revolutionary iPhone, customers may experience extended wait time when visiting or calling our stores,” local AT&T store automated service messages said. \nThe iPhone comes in a four- or eight-gigabyte size. The smaller four-gigabyte phone sells for $499 and the eight-gigabyte for $599, Cornbleet said. The phone combines a traditional cell phone, Web browser and iPod that are operated using a scratch-resistant touch screen. Other features included are visual voice mail and an option of vertical or horizontal viewing.\nThe iPhone also includes a feature called “pinching.” The term refers to using one’s fingers to expand or compress a photo.\nSenior Erik Wahlstrom researched the phone before purchasing it, then bought one at the AT&T store in College Mall. Wahlstrom spent the money for the eight-gigabyte version so he could maximize his iPhone experience. The main appeal for him was the Web access and its ability to read Web pages and documents comfortably so users don’t have to continually scroll to read more information. Also, the phone works well with the IU wireless Internet network, Wahlstrom said. \nThe phone is practical for him, he said. As a finance student, he plans to use the phone to download software needed for class at a cheaper rate via his iPhone. \n“It’s a gadget I like a lot, and it’s expensive but not outrageous,” Wahlstrom said.\nStores in college towns around the country have seen high sales, Cornbleet said. The stores in Bloomington in particular have experienced a heavy demand for the phones. \nOne dilemma of the new iPhone is its price. College-aged students in particular are not all willing to spend $600 on a toy. \n“That’s two months’ rent for me,” senior Brandon Begemansaid. “I could buy a lot of stuff for $600 dollars, and the iPhone isn’t practical for a college student.”
(07/05/07 4:45pm)
IU’s Pathfinder summer camp wrapped up last week leaving underrepresented middle-school students with a focus on their academic future.\n“This year we wanted to raise the bar for students,” said Kim Morris-Newson, co-director of Pathfinders. \nPathfinders is a summer camp that brings middle school students to IU for one week in June to educate them in subject areas including reading and writing for sixth graders, math and technology for seventh graders and science for eighth grade students. About 90 percent of students came from Indiana. Students also came from Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Missouri and Kentucky. \nThis is the first year directors decided to stress particular subjects for students entering sixth, seventh and eighth grade. Previously all subjects were combined but now first-year students focus on reading and writing, while second years focus on math and technology and third year students focus on science.\nDirectors Morris-Newson and Mary Tourner are both former high school teachers from Gary, Ind,. where Tourner taught math and Morris-Newson science. \nMath and science in particular are often overlooked and undesirable to many students, Tourner said. The ability to present these subjects in a hands-on approach is essential. \nProfessors from various departments at IU volunteered their time to educate Pathfinder students. Professors included Frank Motley from the Law School, Edwardo Rhodes of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Abhijit Basu of Geology, Michael Edwards of SPEA and Chemistry, John Dvorak of the School of Journalism and Garfield Warrant of Physics. \nRhodes showed campers the process of waste products. She made a point that waste actually grows in grass and then comes out in the environment, Morris-Newson said. \nMotley took time out of his day to show campers one his favorite pastimes. He brought students out to the golf course to give a few swings at golf. \nMotley was very excited to bring the students out, Tourner said. The professors are a huge part of the program and without them the camp would not be possible. \nSenior Jamel Dotson, who worked at the camp, presented the seventh graders with a math activity titled “Reality Store.” The “Reality Store” allowed students to pick a job which had income listed and the type of degree needed for each job, Morris-Newson said. The students learned about financial wealth and the necessity of a college degree.\nTourner and Morris-Newson were proud to say they received letters from parents thanking them for the encouragement their children needed. One letter from a parent said their child was inspired to go to college, Tourner said. \n The camp stressed the importance for equal opportunity for each and every student.\n“Although there is diversity there is one goal in everyone’s mind and that is education,” Morris-Newson said.
(06/25/07 12:03am)
This summer was the fourth year Camp S.O.U.L., which stands for “students obtaining unique musical levels,” brought high-school students to IU in mid-June The camp allows students to learn music and teaches them new vocal or instrumental techniques. It is just one of many camps that allows high school students extended learning experiences. \n“We tie intellect and intuition of being a musician in a discipline setting,” said IU graduate student and founding director of Camp S.O.U.L. Tyron Cooper. \nOn the first day of camp, the 35 students were told they would learn and perform 15 songs during the five days of camp . At the beginning of the week, the goal seemed nearly impossible for students. \n“Most people thought you could never learn 15 songs in such a short time,” said senior Justin White from Merrillville High School in Merrillville, Ind.\nThe students learned to work together and discipline themselves, Cooper said. Each day, the students rehearsed from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. On Friday morning, the students gathered for their final performance. \nLife at camp went far beyond daily rehearsals. Cooper said he would like the students to take away the history and performance practices of black culture. More importantly, Cooper said he wants the students to use the same discipline necessary in order to be successful in this camp and link it directly to academic success. \nWhite traveled to Camp S.O.U.L. alone on a bus because he knew no one else going to the camp.\n“As soon as I stepped off the bus, I was supposed to learn everyone’s name,” White said. \nFor the next five days, campers were trained with all the people they met and became close with one another.\nCooper is hoping Camp S.O.U.L. will build its family and begin a legacy at IU. This year, twin sisters Vinchessica and VinSche Grey, from Gary, continued a family legacy of camp attendance. The girls’ older sister Leontae attended the first-ever Camp S.O.U.L. in 2004. \n“I knew I wanted to be part of this when I saw the great performance my sister Leontae was part of in 2004,” Vinchessica Grey said. \nWithin the camp, three counselors help Cooper. Terrilyn Dennie, an education major at IU who was a Camp S.O.U.L student in 2004 and came back this year to work with Cooper and the 2007 campers. \nThe camp teaches participants about achieving their goals, Dennie said. He said Cooper stressed that, if you do your work, no one can ever stop you from reaching your goals. \n“There’s something about Professor Cooper that nobody else has; he has a constant energy on a constant stream that never fluctuates,” White said.
(05/17/07 4:00am)
The Ex" follows Tom Reilly (Braff) and Sofia Kowalski (Peet) as they move from New York City to a small suburban town in Ohio with their newborn son. Tom, a straight-shooter who can "smell bullshit from a mile away," has just been fired from his job as a resident chef and has conceded to take a position with Sofia's father (Grodin) at a free-spirited advertising firm. Things get awkward when Tom realizes he's working with one of Sofia's high school flings, Chip (Bateman). Chip, arrogant and hard-nosed, has become one of the premier creative-types in the Ohio advertising arena, all without the use of his legs. Having never forgotten his one night with Sofia, he makes attempts at ruining Tom's life, all while wooing Sofia and her parents. Unfortunately for Chip, Tom's keen olfactory senses are starting to kick in. \nThis should sound familiar if you've seen any romantic comedy with a semblance of a love triangle. "The Ex" even fails a bit here as Chip appears too one-dimensional and never comes close to rekindling an affair with Sofia. This is far from Bateman's fault, as he does what he can with the part. Peet does even less with less as her character's subplots fail to develop and thus arouse little interest, while Braff succeeds in playing the same character he's played in everything he's ever done. Charles Grodin proved to be the highlight of the cast, delivering the role of Sofia's father with both humor and humility.\nMost of the laughs were at the movie, and in the pejorative sense, however, the ending did provide some redemption. One scene, one action, one ridiculous image made up for most of the previous 90 minutes of shortcomings. Even so, I don't feel comfortable endorsing this film beyond a Five Buck Club pick. It might be best to wait on Blockbuster to stock this one. You won't have to wait too long.
(05/10/07 4:00am)
As summer in Bloomington nears, businesses prepare themselves for a different focus and a different crowd. \nSales at the Pizza Express campus store drop about 80 percent when students leave for summer, said Brian Hernandez, manager at Pizza Express’s west-side store. \n“We have come to appreciate the seasonality of our business,” said Jeff Mease, CEO and founder of One World Enterprises, which owns Pizza Express. \nA large fraction of the Bloomington population is students, and not all students stay in Bloomington over the summer. Businesses that rely on students for income have to adjust the way they operate to maximize profits during this time.\nIn 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau reported a permanent population of 55,406 in Bloomington. The total current number of IU students is 38,247, according to the IU Factbook. Students make up about 41 percent of the total population of Bloomington, permanent and nonpermanent, both currently and in accordance with the 2005 data. Though not all students leave during the summer, these numbers reflect only those who are enrolled for the spring and fall semesters. \nOne World Enterprises is fortunate because it has been able to develop a good foothold and expand throughout Bloomington, Mease said. But summer is toughest on the businesses that are student-focused, such as college bars and retail stores.\nBloomington residents often opt not to battle with the college crowds on 10th Street, but in the summer, they go to restaurants such as Lennie’s, said Sarah Chic, marketing director for One World Enterprises. One World Enterprises is the parent company for Pizza Express, Lennie’s, Bloomington Brewing Company and One World Commissary.\nThe key for Bloomington businesses is advertising, Mease said. Publicity events in the summer cater to a much different crowd than they do during the year. For instance, there are various sport camps that come through IU, which are helpful for local businesses. \nThe Taste of Bloomington is a major summer event for Bloomington restaurants and it allows them to get involved with the whole city, Bluebird owner Dave Kubiak said. The event draws 30 or more restaurants and takes place near the government offices downtown. It attracts college students, locals and people who make the trip for this special event, he said. \nThe Bluebird plans to sponsor five bands this year on June 23 at the Taste of Bloomington. Among other events this summer, Kubiak plans to continue with the Bluebird’s usual events such as Hairbanger’s Ball but also hopes to draw in an older crowd by sponsoring different types of music that would appeal to them. \n“We want Walnut to be the place to be this summer,” Kubiak said. \nThe Bluebird is different than some of the other nightclubs because there is live music every night, Kubiak said. \n“There are a lot of national acts touring over the summer, and we want some of the big-name bands to stop here,” Kubiak said. \nSome other businesses in Bloomington may not have it as easy as the Bluebird does. A lot of new stores, especially those on campus that cater to students face major changes.\nDuring the school year, the campus Pizza Express store has seven or eight pizza delivery drivers and five people working inside every night, Hernandez said. But during the summer months, only one person is inside and there are two drivers.\nThe campus store feels the most dynamic effects of the population change. However, the other two branches also face large drops in sales. \nLast Friday, the Pizza Express campus store sold approximately 500 pizzas, Hernandez said. Because students are the primary buyers at the campus branch, that specific branch sells hardly any pizzas during the summer. Hernandez said the campus store loses more than half of its sales on average during the summer months. \nAnother factor that comes into play within the Bloomington business community is that there are so many small merchants that can’t survive in general, Mease said. Everyone gets exposed to a media consumer market, he said. \nIn the Midwest, people buy the same product because it becomes habitual, Mease said. On the East Coast, specifically in New York, consumers are looking for new trends instead, he said. This makes it difficult to start a new business in a Midwestern community. \n“Cash flow management is essential, especially through the summer months,” Mease said. \nBusinesses throughout town find the community’s local presence in the summer to be key to survival, Mease said. Businesses like Pizza Express use shorten their hours during the summer, but they cannot shorten them too much. The ability to remain consistent throughout the summer is a necessity for any business wanting to make it through, Mease said. \nDuring the school year, businesses focus their advertising on students, but they find it necessary to advertise to the entire Bloomington community during the summer, said Chic, marketing director for One World Enterprises. Advertisers must try new things in the summer to stay afloat.\n“We’ve got to get our hands dirty to survive,” Chic said.
(03/27/07 4:00am)
Tax day is rapidly approaching, but Indiana taxpayers will have two extra days to file this year, according the Indiana Department of Revenue.\nThe usual April 15 deadline falls on a Sunday, and the following day is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia.\nAlong with allowing a little extra time, the state of Indiana is making improvements to allow easier tax filing for young people, said Candace Ford, an Indiana Department of Revenue external communications specialist. Recently the Indiana Department of Revenue has provided Hoosiers with I-File, a free service to file taxes using the Web. Tax-filers may only use I-File if they have filed taxes in Indiana in a previous year, according to the Indiana Department of Revenue Web site.\n“There’s a nationwide increasing trend of 52 percent of people who file taxes electronically,” Ford said. \nFord said last year 16 percent of those who used I-file were college-age students, and the figure is expected to grow this year.\nShe said another reason I-File is desirable is due to its quick tax return. The average electronic tax return takes only seven to 14 days, whereas a paper return averages six to 12 weeks for a return, she said. \nCompanies such as H&R Block that process many tax returns in person have shouldered the burden of the electronic tax-filing movement. \n“Truthfully, filing online has affected the amount of returns our business has,” H&R Block Office Coordinator Candace Ormiston said.\nThe two most popular forms to fill out are the 1040 and 1040 EZ, a shortened version of the 1040 form, according to the Internal Revenue Service Web site. 1040 forms are used in conjunction with W-2, Wage and Tax Statement forms. \nOne of the most familiar tax forms for students is the 1040 EZ, Ford said. The 1040 EZ requires that those filing do not claim any dependents, which partially explains its popularity among college students. \nThe 1040 EZ form is relatively easy to fill out online, and because so many young people last year filled it out electronically, it caused a drop in returns for H&R Block, Ormiston said.\nAmong employed students, using tax forms can be a familiar chore this time of year. But there is also a trend among undergraduates to let their parents worry about filling out their tax forms.\n“My dad pretty much sends me filled-out stuff with circles around where I need to sign, and I send them back to him,” sophomore Kip Carter said. \nCarter’s parents claim him as a dependent. Because his parents file his forms for him and they are accustomed to filing taxes on paper, his taxes are done on paper, while other students who do their own taxes often opt to do them online.\nWhether a generation gap is responsible for the discrepancy or not, younger residents are responding to incentives and filing online at increasing rates.\n“People who file electronically usually receive refunds faster, avoid costly errors, and they help save the state about 96 cents per return processed,” Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner John Eckart said in a Feb. 1 news release.\nFor more information on filing using \nI-File, visit www.in.gov/dor.
(03/01/07 5:00am)
Symantec Corp. and IU researchers have teamed up to combat online identity theft, which affects 2.5 million wireless Internet users who have broadband routers.\n“It’s a newly obvious problem, because so many people have the common broadband router, and those are the people at risk,” graduate student Sid Stamm said.\nIU researchers Stamm and his adviser Markus Jakobsson collaborated with Symantec representative Zulfikar Ramzan to detect a quick fix for the problem.\nSymantec, a computer software security company, released an announcement in December regarding “drive-by pharming” and “phishing.”\nDrive-by pharming is a hacker’s attack that redirects Internet users to bogus Web sites, which often resemble banks’ Web sites or such popular sites as MySpace and PayPal, to steal personal information, Stamm said.\nPhishing occurs when an Internet user opens an e-mail or receives a text or instant message that instructs him or her to click on a link. The typical phishing message often asks the user to type in personal information on the linked Web site under the guise that the user’s identification has been compromised and must be confirmed, Stamm said.\n“Phishing is like being tricked by a con artist to give him your money,” Jakobsson said in an e-mail.\nThe researchers urge people to change their broadband routers’ passwords from the default passwords. By doing this, it is harder for hackers to detect Internet users’ passwords, Stamm said.\nStamm said the warnings for people to change their passwords aren’t meant to scare them. They are simply to protect the alarming number of people who are at risk, he said.\nThe unique thing about this attack on routers is that it happens without much notice from the user. Often the attack takes control of main domain pages that users visit such as Google or www.iub.edu.\n“People who click on the e-mail are the bait,” Stamm said, “while those sending out the evil message are the fish looking for the bite.”
(02/22/07 5:00am)
Imagine an empty Beck Chapel without stained-glass windows or pews. Fifty years ago the chapel was exactly that.\nToday, William and Mary Crandall are celebrating 50 years together. Feb. 22, 1957, marks the date the Beck Chapel, located east of the Indiana Memorial Union and north of Ballantine Hall, held its first wedding service. The couple was married in the Chapel when it was still being built, and there were neither windows nor pews in the Chapel. \nBoth William and Mary said they were adamant about getting married quickly. They knew they liked the Chapel and didn’t feel the need to wait for the constructions to be completed. “We knew it was right, so we did it,” Mary said.\n“We wanted a quiet and simple wedding,” William added.\nThis first service had only five people in attendance: William, Mary, the reverend, the best man and maid of honor.\nMary explained that she and her husband chose the Beck Chapel because of its small size and close location on the IU campus. The Crandalls are both Indiana natives and William is a graduate of IU’s School of Journalism while Mary is a Ball State alumna. \nMary said she and her husband enjoyed living in Bloomington when they were younger.\n“I remember Nick’s like I was there was just yesterday,” Mary said. \nWilliam, a former assistant editor for the Indiana Daily Student, said Ernie Pyle Hall hasn’t changed a bit.\nThe couple returned to campus at the beginning of February to commemorate their upcoming anniversary and stroll through town.
(02/06/07 4:24am)
While college students rush to the bars for a Friday night out, many are unaware they are consuming the caloric value of an entire meal. \n"Students have no clue the amount of calories they're consuming when they drink," said Bloomington Hospital dietitian Stacy Matavuli. \nJunior Katie Wall, 21, is one of them. Wall admits she has "no idea" how many calories are in what she drinks.\nMatavuli urges students to be aware of how many extra calories they're taking into their bodies before going to the bars.\n"Do some extra exercise the day you're going out so you don't have all the calories lingering around," she said.\nThe problem with consuming too much alcohol is that it is easily converted into fat, Matavuli said.\n"Regular proteins and carbohydrates have four grams of fat, whereas alcohol has a much higher caloric density at eight grams of fat," Matavuli said. "Most drinks with high caloric counts are going to be drinks like cocktails, daiquiris and pina coladas. You have to be aware of the sugary drinks that are packed with calories.\n"Also, Long Islands have a tremendous amount of calories in them simply because they contain so many shots of liquor," she said.\nSome would be amazed to know that a single game of Sink the Biz at Nick's English Hut, 423 E. Kirkwood Ave., entails drinking the equivalent of nearly a full day's worth of food. \nNick's manager Richie Bowling said Sink the Biz game, a Nick's staple and favorite among college students, uses one bucket of beer and typically four players.\nEach person, he said, has 42 ounces of beer for a total of 168 ounces of beer for one game. That equates to 1,820 calories of beer featured in a single game.\nIU students Wall, David M. Coe and Abby Tirpak all said they average at least four drinks per visit to a bar.\n"I've never noticed calorie listings for drinks when I go out," Coe said.\nBut this is because when people come to a bar, they are not looking for calorie listings, said bar managers Bowling and Jen Ashton.\nAshton, a manager at Kilroy's Bar and Grill, 502 E. Kirkwood Ave., said Long Islands are one of the most popular drinks ordered at Kilroy's. \n"On an average night out, my core drinks are about four beers and two Long Islands," Tirpak said.\nThe bar managers and Matavuli suggest looking at the calories on the can of what you drink, or ordering something light. \n"A diet soda with a shot of liquor is in general the fewest calories you're going to have in a drink," Matavuli said. "Drinking alcohol for many young adults is a lifestyle change. With any change, you have to be aware of what you're changing, and calories from alcohol do play a role"
(01/30/07 5:19am)
The Black Scholars Collective is hosting a program titled "Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud!" at 8 p.m. tonight at the Willkie Residence Center to celebrate February's Black History Month.\nThe program will feature discussion about the Black Panther movement as it relates to what it means to be black in America now. \n"We decided we should gather people with degrees and form a system of support for the black community," Singleton said.\nThe Black Scholars Collective promotes black students' activity and awareness.\nGraduate students Stephanie Singleton and Kimberly Stanley started the organization in 2005 because they said they witnessed large numbers of minority students leave campus without degrees.\n"Every time we put on a program, it's an acknowledgement and testament of being a part of the black community," Stanley said. \nBoth chairs were told by students that IU did not offer enough support services for minorities and did not have a prominent black community. The pair formed the Black Scholars Collective to start a support system through the black community. \nGraduate student and Black Scholars Collective member Leeanne Bowen-Atkins said lack of participation in the community is sometimes from fear of representing something associated with race. \n"Being active in the black community on campus is not smiled upon," Bowen-Atkins said. \nSingleton said she had a "regional culture shock" when she came to Indiana from her home in New York City. Singleton said she recalls a time when she saw a man come into a downtown Bloomington restaurant wearing a shirt with the Ku Klux Klan on it; underneath the picture the shirt read "Boys in the Hood."\nSingleton said she is reminded she is in Indiana because of racism that she sees everywhere she goes. \n"Bloomington may be the liberal Mecca of Indiana, but there is still a lot of work that has to be done," Singleton said.\nFor this reason, Singleton and Stanley encourage students to recognize black awareness throughout the year.\n"Be aware of issues around you -- not only in February, but every day of every month," Stanley said.\nThe group generally meets once a month and corresponds through e-mail to keep members up-to-date on new program ideas.
(01/29/07 2:13am)
The Indiana Memorial Union is searching for a new executive director after the resignation of Director Loren Rullman.\nThom Simmons, former associate director of the IMU has taken the position of interim director.\nRullman ended his two-year term as the IMU executive director in December to take a position in Ann Arbor, Mich.\n"Rullman will be in charge of the Union and resident operations at the University of Michigan," said Dean of Students Richard McKaig. "He moved up a level on the career ladder by taking that position."\nIMU officials are beginning the search while Simmons takes the lead as interim director for the spring semester. \n"If plans go as followed, by March, applications for the position will be received," McKaig said. "Then we will search and screen all candidates, and by either July 1 or August 1 we should have a new director selected."\n"The ideal candidate for the position of director has to recognize the importance of history and tradition at IU," McKaig said. \nUnion Board President Sarah McDonough said it is important for students have a sense of belonging at the IMU, and the new director should be someone who promotes this.\n"We want a director like Rullman that sees the Union as a home away from home," McDonough said. "As a board member, we want the IMU to be the student's union and we need to find someone that can embody this concept."\nMcDonough said the new executive director at the IMU will have a wide range of responsibilities, which include overseeing the budget, hotel, catering, maintenance services and more.\nEmma Cullen, 2006 Union Board president, had the opportunity to work with Rullman, who promoted changes at the IMU. Cullen said that Rullman was the driving force behind the Whittenberger Auditorium renovation and the Starbucks addition at the Union. There are still some areas that need improvement, she added.\nMcKaig said the bowling alley needs renovations, there are still dead spots for Internet service, and Union food services need to be focused primarily on student choice. He added that they are looking for a director who can "re-energize" student activity in the Union.\n"In the world of college unions, the IMU is a significant place and remains one of the largest unions in the country," he said. "We want a director that can understand the tradition and significance the Union has here at IU"