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(02/11/05 4:15am)
Community members seeking shelter from the freezing winter chill can hibernate underneath the yellow-orange glow and warmth of stage lights.\nIn celebration of Black History Month, the Bloomington Playwrights Project is performing the play "HEAT," written by Chicago-native Marsha Estell and directed by New York resident Anita Gonzalez, at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, until Feb. 26 at the BPP, 312 S. Washington St..\nAccording to a statement from the BPP, "What better way to celebrate African-Americans in arts than to see a play written, directed and performed by African-American women?"\nBPP artistic director Richard Perez said he has connected a Midwestern play and an East Coast director with Bloomington theater talent in the hope of fulfilling the BPP's mission of community performed and produced theater. \nEstell is a Chicago Dramatists member, and "HEAT" received a nomination for the Joseph Jefferson Theatre Award for Outstanding New Work in Chicago. \n"I saw ('HEAT') last year in Chicago -- it was a world premiere," Perez said. "I read a synopsis, and it seemed a perfect fit for what we do at the BPP -- bring diverse plays to the community. I met Anita at the Lincoln Center Directors Lab in New York; I got to know her out there. I really learned to respect her aesthetic; she's been brilliant."\n"HEAT" revolves around the story of a black family of four females: grandmother Mudear, played by Gladys Devane, daughters Sharon, played by Lydia Stewart, Rose, played by newcomer Ama Boakyewa and granddaughter Shelly, played by BPP ensemble of artists member Roshaunda "Ro" Ross. \nThe story includes topics from slavery to haircut perceptions, from smoking pot to cancer; the setting includes the front porch of a traditional small town American home, with patio furniture next to the main stage.\nGonzalez, "HEAT"'s director, said she has enjoyed working with the BPP's cast and crew. She said the play is set in a realistic setting -- "in the same time and place" -- although her preferred performance style and artistic aesthetic involves "postmodern collage theater" in New York City.\n"It's nice to see the world experiences of the women pop off on stage," Gonzalez said. "('HEAT') can be seen as the world of African Americans in Bloomington or a world of artists working in the playwrights project."\nGonzalez said the most difficult challenge throughout the production thus far has been coping with Boakyewa's broken leg, which was not part of her character. She said the most rewarding aspect has been working with women of such a diverse background.\n"Casting people from the community was challenging, but I got to meet a new community of people in Bloomington," Gonzalez said. "It's been nice working with the BPP -- lovers of the art form, active socially in the community. I hope I come back again. I admire the mission of the BPP, a theater committed to putting new words on stage instead of recycling theater, finding new moments."\nPerez said the incredible hard work the entire production crew has put into the performance of "HEAT" is impressive. He said he believes the first-time performers have really grown into the roles throughout rehearsals. \n"It's really exciting to see hard work pay off like that for talented people," Perez said. "I think anytime we can expose a culture that people aren't intimately involved with, gaining insight and thought is a good thing -- it broadens our experiences and our perceptions."\nGonzalez said she hopes Bloomington residents, students and guests take advantage of "HEAT" before the weather warms and the production cools to a close.\n"Come and feel the heat on a cold winter day," Gonzalez said. "The heat is running on all emotions -- come and feel the intensity."\nTickets are $12 for students and seniors, $15 general admission and the "student rush" rate of $5 at five minutes before the show. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 per person, and must be prepaid, according to a BPP statement. For reservations call 355-9001. \n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(02/09/05 6:10am)
White-headed raptors with white tails were once lost in Indiana, but now more than 100 bald eagles can be found hovering over Hoosier waterways. \nDepartment of Natural Resources staff reported that 50 bald eagle pairs in 2004 are Indiana residents, despite threats that stem from the effects of human population growth on natural environments. Two decades ago, in fact, bald eagles were extinct from the Indiana landscape as they had been for about a century. \n"We are in a state that has a very high population density (of people)," said John Castrale, bird biologist for the Indiana Fish and Wildlife Department. "Development conflict along lakes and rivers seems to threaten bald eagles -- both are vying for the same spot."\nThe last recording of an unassisted Hoosier bald eagle nest -- eaglets naturally born and raised in the wild without the aid of humans -- before recent Indiana Department of Natural Resource attempts to reintroduce the bald eagle to the state's land among rivers and lakes came in 1897. Recent IDNR efforts helped raise 73 bald eagles at Monroe Reservoir between 1985 and 1989, with the goal of establishing five nesting pairs of bald eagles in Indiana by 2000.\nThe success of the reintroduction program is highlighted by the state's care and treatment of Indiana's formerly lone-resident bald eagle: #C52.
(02/01/05 6:14am)
Daylight saving time is sponsored by 47 states across the country, but Indiana is one of three states that does not fast forward and rewind the clock once a year. \nThe Indiana legislature has debated the issue of DST for about four decades, and now newly instated Gov. Mitch Daniels, much like Benjamin Franklin in 1784, wants the issue resolved.\nBeginning with Franklin's letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris, in which Franklin calculated the city's potential savings from manipulating time, the notion of tinkering with a clock's hands to determine when work should be done was introduced. Railroads standardized time -- in the form of national time "zones" -- to help ensure timely train schedules at the end of the 19th Century. Beginning with America's participation in World War I and World War II, the idea of DST was welcomed because of the perceived fuel savings: hundreds of thousands of oil barrels every month. \nThe Uniform Time Act of 1966 recognized the so-called fuel savings and implemented the DST period as the last Sunday of April to the last Sunday in October. Federal legislation in 1988 said DST begins at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and ends at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. Residents in DST-participating states must move their clock hands one hour forward in April and one hour back in October. \n"I am not aware of a study that has systematically measured the effects of DST or not," said Jerry Conover, director of the Indiana Business Research Center. "(Mitch) Daniels made it a pretty high profile talk when he moved into the governor's office. Personally, I think why not deal with it, get it over it, and deal with something else."\nNearly 80 counties in Indiana are in the Eastern Time Zone, 10 counties are in the Central and Central Daylight Time Zones, and the rest are in both Eastern Standard and Daylight Time Zones. \n"I think a lot of people would like to have the whole state on (DST)," said Mark Lawrence, vice president of corporate development for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. "I think when you look at Indiana, 84 percent of Indiana's international export dollars goes to countries who have DST; the vast majority of domestic trading partner states follow DST." \nLawrence said the ICC receives many cases of time inconveniences for Indiana businesses, such as missed meetings, hectic scheduling of conference calls and problematic flight schedules. He said some state businesses often incur extra expenses related to DST inconveniences because nationwide distribution systems, such as airline and trucking industries, often require time-sensitive transactions.\nBob Kraft, director of state government relations for the Indiana Farm Bureau, said farmers are not a separate segment of society. \n"I think we put a face on an attitude that is much bigger than our grassroots opposition -- it is much more comprehensive than the Farm Bureau," Kraft said. "Two to 2 1/2 of Indiana residents are engaged in farming on an individual basis. ... If you get out of the board rooms and into the grass roots of America, the enthusiasm for DST is reduced considerably."\nKraft said Indiana's refusal to participate in DST allows Hoosier farmers more time to participate in early-evening community activities such as church services, civic duties and watching the kids' ball games because they wouldn't have to give up production time in the fields. He said traditional agriculture in Indiana is more associated with the Chicago market than the New York market, since the state is "geographically" located in the CST zone despite the Department of Transportation's "edict," which places Hoosiers in the EST zone.\nConover said freight transportation, customer service/support businesses and the travel industry are often the most negatively affected by Indiana's denial of DST. He said business interactions with national companies seem to suffer from DST-related costs more than international business transactions with Indiana companies. Conover said any business that sends or receives goods, or any business that has to meet a client on their time table, is affected by Indiana's decision to abide by or refuse to participate with DST.\n"It's more difficult to get business transactions carried out when both players are not in the same time zone, even an hour apart," Conover said. "(DST) is basically a convenience issue, but inconvenience costs money -- it may impose a real cost on operation. (The business) or their industry must pay money due to (Indiana's) lack of adaptation of DST."\nLawrence said Indiana's refusal to submit to DST is similar to the inventory tax imposed on Hoosier businesses several years ago. He said the state's lack of DST participation is "an unnecessary abnormality of Indiana" because the potential to attract business is crucial for the state economy. \n"I think (DST) is an issue that many legislatures are very sensitive about because they hear about it from their constituents," Lawrence said. "What we would like to see is (Hoosiers) on the same time as everybody who recognizes DST -- we have three time zones in Indiana." \nKraft said Indiana is already observing "double-daylight savings" because the state follows EST.\n"The real defining issue is we are different in Indiana, and we are proud of it; (the DST issue) is something unique -- it distinguishes us from our neighboring states," Kraft said. "Indiana is always going to be on the borderline of DST."\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(01/21/05 6:41am)
Same-sex couples have no constitutional right to marry, an Indiana appellate court ruled Thursday, opening the door for an Indiana constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions.\nThe Indiana Court of Appeals said the Indiana General Assembly should decide whether or not a state constitutional amendment is needed to deny or grant same-sex couples the same legal privileges and rights as heterosexual partners, up to and including same-sex civil unions or a legislated ban against such institutions.\nA decision was not immediately made on whether to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, but supporters of the ban said they would continue their push for Indiana to join other states with constitutional amendments barring the unions.\nThe court ruled that Indiana has an interest in seeing that children are raised in stable environments and suggesting traditional marriage is the best way to do so.\nKenneth Falk, the Indiana Civil Liberties Union attorney who argued the case for same-sex couple David Wene and David Squire, said any future constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage would be a step backward. \n"The court basically found that discrimination is acceptable based on the ability to procreate," Falk said. "We are faced with a significant step backward."\nOpponents of same-sex marriage applauded the ruling but worried about its effect on a possible state constitutional amendment. \nTo say gender doesn't matter in marriage "fires people up," Micah Clark, executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana said to The Associated Press.\nClark, however, worried Thursday that with the Court of Appeals upholding existing state law, some lawmakers would find a constitutional amendment unnecessary.\n"It's an issue that's not going to go away," Clark said to the AP.\nIndiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said Republican lawmakers still planned to advance a state constitutional amendment to specifically ban gay marriages.\n"Today's decision makes marriage safe again for the time being," Bosma said Thursday. "It does not positively protect marriage from future courts."\nIndianapolis residents Wene and Squire entered into a civil union in Vermont in 2000; their lawsuit challenged Indiana law, which narrowly defines "marriage" as a union between a man and a woman. They hoped to be legally recognized as a "married" couple. According to the 2000 census, Wene and Squire are among the more than 10,000 same-sex couples living together in Indiana.\nFalk said his clients have 30 days to seek a review before the Indiana Supreme Court. He said he hasn't discussed this possibility with his clients.\nHelen Harrell, an African Studies professor and adviser for OUT, which is a GLBT student union, said she isn't surprised by the appellate court's ruling -- instead she said the ruling is a disappointment and hurtful to members of the IU and Bloomington GLBT communities.\n"I think the American and state Constitutions guarantee certain legal contracts for all people -- to deny that is to deny certain rights everyone in this country has," Harrell said. "I think it's a great possibility we will go back before we go forward."\nHarrell said it would be redundant to amend the state constitution. "Everyone has a constitutional right to form unions and make contracts," she said.\nHarrell said the specific wording of the appellate court judges seems to leave the issue of civil unions open-ended.\n"(The appellate court) is not saying they are either for or against civil unions, just same-sex marriage. They are leaving the issue open for the state legislature," Harrell said.\nThe Associated Press contributed to this article.\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(01/20/05 5:54am)
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced new budget allocations for federal housing assistance dollars -- a 5 percent decrease for the Bloomington community.\n"What it means is $81,000 less this year for community projects serving low income people," said Susie Johnson, director of housing and neighborhood development for the city of Bloomington. "A 'ripple effect' occurs anytime our social service agencies take a cut, it makes it that much more difficult to provide other services such as the Hoosier Hills Food Bank -- a large percentage of that food goes to the Community Kitchen and Mother Hubbard's Kitchen."\nJohnson said most Bloomington social service agencies cater to residents and IU students generating below 80 percent of the area median income. \nKathleen Wissing, a member of the citizen advisory committee, said the community needs of the "collective whole" are the primary concerns when deciding how and where to appropriate federal money. She said the CAC felt all Bloomington social service agencies were worthy of financial support.\n"What our committee does is a blind analysis of financial need when we have to cut money," Wissing said. "We don't even look at the names -- it's a very painful process. We go into it knowing every organization has needs, and not every organization's needs can be met. We look at the number of people served, the needs of the community, the effectiveness of meeting those needs and so on."\nCommunity Kitchen Express tries to accommodate everyone in need.\n"We serve everyone who comes in, with no questions asked," said Julius Lee, a Community Kitchen Express employee. "As my old boss used to say, hunger never takes a holiday. I believe that as an organization, we should work together to help feed our community and provide services for the community -- regardless of economic situation. As I learned from the United Way, people can make a living with jobs but run short with food money." \nWissing said many social service agencies do not have the money to fund raise or to advertise their organizational needs. She said Bloomington students, residents and guests can call their favorite organization and "ask" what needs need to be met -- be it a donation of small amounts of money in the short run or substantial long-term endowments in the name of loved ones. \nJohnson said there is no additional federal funding on the horizon to make up for the financial loss and organization gaps in services. She said the city of Bloomington believes any family of four or more making less than $47,800 a year should have the opportunity to receive community support and social services.\nWissing said the Bloomington community can help provide a decent life for town residents who are coming up short in life -- people on the "frontline" of social service support. She said funding continues to be cut each year as the needs of community members continue to grow.\nThe CAC has forwarded its budget requests to the Redevelopment Commission, who will hold a public meeting Feb. 7 to consider the recommendations. The commission will then pass the budget to Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan before the Common Council approves a final social service budget for the city.\n"This is a very compassionate and caring community -- feeding people, sheltering people, protecting people from abuse and educating people," Wissing said. "I have always been impressed by the community support (social service) organizations receive ... I think giving provides more for the giver than the receiver sometimes. If you think a need is there, it is. I have faith in this community; I am confident and hopeful for the future."\nLee said he hopes Bloomington can continue to provide the same standards of social service for the community many residents depend on for survival.\n"I have a few patrons who have traveled throughout the U.S. who say that some of the services we offer -- a restaurant-style express kitchen with takeout -- are unheard of elsewhere," Lee said. "I guess you can say (feeding the hungry) is a blessing to our community." \n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(01/18/05 5:58pm)
It could be said a latte isn't a latte unless the coffee drink is consumed after a beer and before a glass of wine.\nThe owners of City Coffee & Tea, an Indianapolis-based company with a Bloomington location in Smallwood Plaza, are hoping to at least make that an option. If their application is reccommended to state officials, business patrons can order from menu boards listing beer and wine prices in addition to bagels and cream cheese. The Monroe County Alcoholic Beverage Board is charged with the decision of whether or not to recommend the state of Indiana issue a liquor license for such activity. The board next meets Feb. 2.\nSimilar to the link between a lack of overnight parking and increased drunk driving, some city officials believe alcohol displayed in the proximity of minors will ultimately get consumed by minors. \nBruce Huot, an MCABB commissioner, said his primary concern and major objection to the proposal revolves around the issue of policing minors' access to alcohol. \n"I'm concerned that underage drinking can take place in there," Huot said. "It's too easy at a place like that, hiring underage people, who live here to serve their friends -- it's too much of a temptation."\nThe owners of City Coffee & Tea could not be reached at press time.\nThe city's Smallwood Plaza "experiment" has not, however, created much of a stir for local law enforcement. \nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said the Bloomington Police Department might call the IUPD for assistance because of the sudden shift in the student demographic downtown might take enforcement agencies time to adjust to the changes.\n"I think, what the (Bloomington Police Department) have seen, like at Smallwood, students were getting an unsupervised residence hall kind of feel," Minger said. "The management responded by putting in security guards, and they have asked the BPD to police them."\nUnderage drinking is a universal concern on college campuses, despite every effort made by cities, counties, states and governments across the nation. Fake ID's, friends of legal age willing to supply alcohol and employing dishonest staff are several issues every tavern and liquor store in town must confront. Big Red Liquors, on College Avenue, is located directly across the street from Smallwood. \nDoctoral student Amy Lorek said she might sip a glass or two of wine if alcohol was served on the menu, however, she said she believes the coffee shop will lose some of its flare if the owners are permitted to sell alcohol. \n"The atmosphere here is convivial -- it's set up to be more conversational than a place to scope for the next date," Lorek said in between sips of a hazelnut latte. "They would need additional chairs or little area rugs."\nThe interior architecture of City Coffee & Tea resembles a lounge feel within a spacious Starbuck's style warehouse setting. \nHayes said she feels the coffee shop reminds her of Tutto Bene, located near Third St. and Rodgers Street, a European-style wine bar and not a beer bar. She said she believed City Coffee & Tea would struggle to ever be perceived in any other way. \n"I don't see this as any sort of bar either," Mary Hayes said in between slurps of a vanilla steamer. "I see this as what it is -- a coffee shop. It's interesting they started out with one vision, it's clear in the name. I'm just curious why they want to shift from that so closely after opening?"\n-- Contact City & State Editor \nDavid A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(01/18/05 5:03pm)
Even 40 years after Martin Luther King Jr. marched across Alabama to push for equal voting rights, some minority communities across the country believe they continue to face discriminatory tactics at the poll booth. \nSome believe a prime example is the potential voter fraud at the Ohio polls during the recent presidential election.\nAs a result, more than 40 Bloomington students, residents and guests protested at IU's Sample Gates, believing that King's 1965 pilgrimage from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in the name of black Americans' voting rights, continues today throughout the backalleys and backroads of America -- including cities north of the Mason-Dixon line.\nEducation professor Bradley Unger Levinson, who helped mobilize the Martin Luther King Jr. Day protest, said King's plea for freedom-loving people to rise against oppression continues in the 21st century. \n"This is part of my civic duty as (an American) citizen," Levinson said. "I think, as students, part of your civic duty is to fight for justice, peace and equality. We should speak the truth when the truth is covered -- we should educate one another about the truth. There is no question in my mind -- MLK would be in the streets every day protesting what happened in Ohio and elsewhere around the country to minority voters."\nBloomington resident Linda Zambanini, a member of the Committee for the Preservation of Democracy and a protest participant, said she chose to spend her MLK Day protesting Ohio voting practices because most Americans do not realize the effects of voting fraud on many minority community members.\n"We want to bring public awareness about the widespread suppression of the minority vote in Ohio -- it was horrible," Zambanini said. "There is a lawsuit being brought against the state of Ohio by the Green Party and (Sen. John) Kerry's campaign, among others, who believe Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell suppressed minority votes."\nZambanini said Ohio was supposed to have one voting machine for every 100 people. \n"In some minority areas there was one voting machine for every 1,500 people. ... People were voting until two or three in the morning after waiting hours in the rain."\nProtest propaganda included orange flags, cardboard signs decorated with messages such as "What Would Martin Do?" and stickers proclaiming "Support Our Troops -- Impeach Bush."\nBloomington resident Jennifer Enoch, who experienced Ohio's voting irregularities from the poll booth, said she witnessed minority voter fraud first-hand.\n"The orange flag is for democracy. I was an election observer in Columbus (Ohio) on election day," Enoch said. "I was volunteering for an election protection group. I watched the poll workers turn away voters who had registration cards in their hands, which proves they registered to vote. It is against federal law to turn registered voters away (before the polls close)." \nZambanini said all Americans should be aware of who is making electronic voting machines, how the machines are made, where the machines are located and who controls how the electronic votes are tabulated.\n"(Ohio voting officials) reallocated many voting machines before the election," Zambanini said. "For example, voting machines from Kenyon College -- a liberal arts, democratic-leaning campus -- to (Mount Vernon) Nazarene University -- a fundamentalist Christian college. That kind of thing happened all over the city. Lines to vote were, maybe, 20 minutes in the white suburbs, but three to 10 hours in minority areas. Our group wants voting machines that have a paper trail and oversight of the voting machine industry. We have to have an independent and bipartisan oversight of computer ballots."\nEnoch said she's disturbed and upset by the action of the poll workers she was supposed to observe in Ohio.\n"Of all the people I saw turned away by the poll workers, every single person was African-American," Enoch said. "It makes me feel like we are not living up to our principles of democracy and free elections. Every person should be able to vote -- the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is supposed to ensure everybody can vote."\nLevinson said the MLK Day protest, meant as a method of nonviolent resistance, began as an e-mail and mushroomed from there. He said the willingness of about 50 people to protest in "bitterly cold," below-freezing temperatures reflects King's message of peace and justice. \n"Try to carry this struggle with you," Enoch said. "We can take heart in honoring Dr. King by being more combative and taking our struggle to the streets. We cannot rest until there is justice and peace for everyone."\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(01/13/05 5:20am)
The weather forecast for the city of Bloomington is nonsmoker friendly with smoke-free indoor air aplenty since tobacco addicts are forced to feed their disease on islands within the sea of Bloomington. Smokers are hereby advised -- plan on enduring grave climate inconveniences while huffing and puffing your smoke of choice, shivering a so-called reasonable distance from the exterior of all public buildings, gazing inward toward the yellow glow of florescent lights and the shrill of cackled laughter from nonsmoking families occupying your once arse-imprinted stool, mingling within eyeball reach of a glorious moving image box. \nAll residents, guests and IU community members can expect a weekend bar scene atmosphere within downtown and its surrounding Monroe County to consist of smoke-free indoor environments within all enclosed public spaces. Bloomington's smoke-free ordinance is legislative language interpreting secondhand smoke to symbolize a community health hazard. Secondhand smoke, as sponsored by the city council based on repeated research, induces amongst other ailments lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory infections. \nCity business owners, especially bars catering predominately to the college crowd, are scrambling to sample various strategic approaches of how to accommodate both the smoking ban statutes and customers' smoking withdrawal. \nLinda Prall, manager of Kilroy's Sports Bar on Walnut Avenue, said Sports is planning to "man the back door" with extra staff to allow accessible in-out traffic for paying customers wishing to smoke. Also, she said additional staff will be added to the front area since lines plugging the door make movement difficult for smokers using the front door as a turnstile. \n"Legally, and technically, I think the law states (smokers) have to be a certain distance from the door," Prall said in-between glances of the Indianapolis Colts playoff win against the Denver Broncos. "We are making every effort to make more easily accessible outs to the building. A few people have violated the smoking policy in here already. Our staff is aware of the law, and the customers were asked politely to put it out." \nAmerica hasn't always been at war with smokers or the space in which they perform inhaling-exhaling rituals common of many nicotine addicts. For instance, America shipped its soldiers across both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans blue to World War I and II, the Korean Peninsula and the Vietnam jungles with daily cigarette rations as a significant and anticipated feature of mealtimes, downtimes and for times of anxious thought. \nAmericans, throughout the 20th century, have been indoctrinated to the point of intoxication by mixed social messages as to the perceived social status of cigarettes and the grossly underrepresented status of the white cylinder -- a national icon -- and the cultural norms involved with suave smoking practices. Humphrey Bogart glamorized cigarette smoking on the silver screen, the Marlboro Man induced the common man to feel "manly" when caught in the act of smoking and housewives were socialized to believe necessary guest etiquette involved offering company a stiff drink and a smooth smoke.\nPrall said students, especially out-of-towners, might face a transition between the Bloomington night scene as compared to the restaurants, bars and bowling alleys featured in their hometowns. She said any change of rules and regulations always takes time to have an effect. Two immediate atmospheric changes have occurred at Sport's and Kilroy's - "no smoking" signs displayed on doors and tables void of ash trays.\n"As far as all of the bars are probably concerned, it's convenient for students to know they will have to be recarded when they reenter," Prall said. "We're concentrating on cutting down on minors -- a lot of people might try to sneak in by saying. 'Hey, I was just outside smoking and here is my stamp.' Our motto is everybody is to be recarded when they come back in from smoking." \nSmokers of all addictive dispositions and smoke-ring blowing skill levels are forced by law not to smoke in any bar or ale-friendly establishment within town, up to and including jukebox taverns such as bowling alleys, from now throughout infinity.\nAccording to the Bloomington City Common Council Ordinance 03-06, as enforced by the mayor's office, "smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, weed, plant or other combustible substance in any manner or in any form. \n"Numerous studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution," the fine print of ordinance 03-06 states. "... Breathing secondhand smoke is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in nonsmokers ..."\nJunior Drew Eggers said he is impartial about the effects the smoking ban will have on smoking students or their perception of weekend enjoyment while enduring a night on the town.\n"I think (the smoking ban) will create a better atmosphere for people generally," Eggers said while taking an outdoor smoke break. His friends are concentrated around a table within Kilroy's breathing smoke-free air. "You go home and your clothes don't smell like smoke. I think the bars will make more money with the smoking ban. The table turnaround will be much faster. I think if people can't smoke, they will order another drink."\nIU graduate and Ivy Tech nursing student Dean Jones said his family obligations and Bloomington's lack of advertised smoke-free air have kept him from touring the city's social scene. \n"I haven't been to a bar in so long, especially with kids," Jones said while pausing from a picnic lunch setup he was enjoying with his son in Peoples Park on Kirkwood Avenue. "Smoking sections in restaurants don't work; (the smoke) kind of drifts. It's been at least 10 years since I've had a cigarette. I smoked, but it was related to going out with friends. I'm in nursing school now, so I don't promote smoking to anyone."\nStudents acting the role of Dionysus as they exchange carbon dioxide smoke for the chilling January oxygen-filled air might be mindful of cars while they abide by nonsmokers' right to breathe clean air. Students might also be weary of debris littering the walkways and gutters as they parlay on a foot hike investigating the city's nightlife. \nBloomington resident George Chandler said he desires city-approved and paid for receptacles outside smoke-free city businesses so owners don't have to police the disposal habits of the smoking scene single-handedly.\n"I think (business owners) ought to put ashtrays outside businesses, so (cigarettes) are not butted out in the street like I'm doing now," Chandler said while flicking the yellow butt of his partially smoked cigarette into the heavy Walnut Avenue traffic. "I'm not so concerned about the smoking ban; I just hate this cigarette butt thing. I'm a smoker and I always keep my ashtray clean. If (the city) isn't going to let (smokers) smoke inside, (the smokers) are going to flick their butts into the street -- that's rude."\nExperts are skeptical about the biodegradable properties of cigarette butts rotting on concrete. Accordingly, cigarette butt collectors recommend smokers dispose of their excess biochemical pleasure-seeking devices in approved receptacles, known as ashtrays, strewn throughout the city.\nThere is no need to call ahead for reservations for the Bloomington smoking ban show. Smokers have no other law-abiding choice but to puff and blow "a reasonable distance" from any door, window or ventilation system of any public building, including any place of employment. In some "out on the town for a few beers with the fellows" scenarios, dependent upon the door locations of a business in relation to neighboring doors, windows, etc., a reasonable distance implies smokers should park themselves and their habit in the gutters and/or middle of the street. \nEggers said the city of Bloomington is acting foolish if anyone believes the smoking policy can be thoroughly and effectively enforced. \n"It's going to get so crowded in bars; (bar staff) isn't going to really enforce (the smoking ban)," Eggers said. "The number of patrons definitely outweighs the number of employees. Employees will do their best, but once people get drunk they won't care about the smoking policy. You come out here with a beer, the cops are going to enforce it; you come out here with a cigarette, it's up to the bar owners. It's the nature of the beast. Drunk people are going to smoke where they please."\nViolators of the city smoking ban, of business owner mind or smoking student body, can expect a $100 fine via mail courier, on printer paper certified by the Mayor's office official rubber stamp -- with stiffer penalties for repeat offenders -- dependent upon the watchful eyes and vigilant effort of thy neighbors in reporting such devious activity to the appropriate local authorities by calling 349-3850. \nJason Sickmeier, kitchen manager at Yogi's Bar and Grill, said he believes Yogi's will experience some negative effects of the smoking ban in the short run. In the long run, on the other hand, Sickmeier said the additional revenue from families of four and other traditional nonsmoking demographics will soften the blow felt by would-be patrons turned at-home smoker to never again leave the sofa.\n"Smokers can smoke out front," Sickmeier said. "If somebody lights up inside, we will ask them to put it out since we are a nonsmoking establishment. People have to decide whether or not they are going to stay home and smoke, or get out and enjoy some social activity."\nChandler said families of four or more deserve an opportunity to travel through smoke-free public indoor air with children and young people unable to protect their own health and well being by incorporating life-loving suggestions into the daily regiment of personal tasks.\n"A lot of people want to bring their family to a restaurant or a bar for food," Chandler said while stumbling to and fro on the sidewalk in front of Sport's in joyous celebration of the Colt's early playoff success. "You don't want to take a kid to a place where there is cigarette smoke everywhere. I'm the only one in the family who isn't a nonsmoker; you want to keep the kids off that shit"
(01/13/05 5:13am)
Bargain books at bargain prices for extraordinary minds with extraordinary amounts of free time can be found at the library this weekend.\nThe Monroe County Library will play host to "Winter Overstock Book Sale" that is being brought to community members by the Friends of the Library -- a community organization dedicated to preserving the value of a library. Sales times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Book sale customers can buy a $2 "bag" of books the last four hours of the two-day used book community give away. \nBloomington resident Fran Weisman, a library volunteer, said library guests are treated to the book sale every Tuesday throughout the year. She said used book buyers should plan on spending plenty of time browsing before they buy. \n"The books are either donated or withdrawn from the library's stock," Weisman said. "Usually the books are put out on Monday evening after the library closes. Somebody comes to restock about 2 p.m., but not all the time."\nNefertiti, a resident of Grand Rapids, Mich., and library book sale visitor, said she is always on the look-out for ancient history books at book sales and fairs, especially anything pertaining to Africa.\n"No matter what status you are socioeconomically, you can read about the world through books," Nefertiti said. "I think books open peoples' hearts up, there is always knowledge that leads to wisdom. Not that books know it all, a head wrote the book; a book did not write the head."\nNelson Shaffer, an IU geology researcher, said he typically browses the book sale each week for science books and otherwise out-of-print literature. \n"This is a great service they offer for the community," Shaffer said. "(The workers) are all volunteers; the books are all donated; the money goes back into the library foundation."\nSenior Amber Rogers, who works at the library check-out desk, said books, magazines, other literature and multimedia can be donated to library staff at any desk on any floor.\n"People just walk up and give us the books," Rogers said. "We will also pick up large donations if people call and ask us. We give a tax receipt if people want one. It's a good thing for the community." \nSale prices vary depending on the wide selection of available sale items: $.25 for fiction books, $.50 for adult nonfiction paperbacks, $1 for adult nonfiction hardbacks, $.25 for children's paperbacks, $.50 children's hardbacks, $.25 for records and phonographs and $.10 for magazines, among others -- unless otherwise marked.\nWeisman said there is no one "common" book sale customer. She said people from all socioeconomic classes enjoy the selection found for community members willing to search for hidden bargains. Weisman said, for instance, many students seem to enjoy purchasing encyclopedias, reference materials such as National Geographic Magazine and used -- often past editions -- of many textbooks still currently in use. \n"We do have lots of students who come by," Weisman said. "We also have lots of people from the community who stop in. Some people spend more than $50; some don't buy anything. The library made more than $70,000 last year. Sometimes kids come in with pennies; I tell them the library is giving them a scholarship -- under the table. We have something here for everyone."\nNefertiti said she grew up loving libraries because they contribute to a reusable environment.\n"Books get recycled," Nefertiti said. "I think people are always shopping for cheap things. Book sales allow people to experiment in areas they might not be good in. There are books here for judo and how to eliminate salt from a diet. I could spend a hour here just looking at the National Geographic's."\nWeisman said she began her love affair with books during her childhood living in the Pacific islands of Southeast Asia. Her family moved to the United States in 1945, and Weisman said she was initially overwhelmed by her access to free and reused knowledge found in American libraries.\n"I grew up during the Second World War in the Philippines," Weisman said. "We used twigs for writing and banana leaves for paper. We started off with one book, for maybe 50 students. I probably collect books because I memorized all the books I read when I was a kid." \nShaffer said typical booksale customers are "people from all walks of life." He said he has enjoyed interacting with students, teachers, lawyers and otherwise everyday folks. \n"No one owns a book," Shaffer said. "You just share the experience -- talk to each other and show people, especially young people, how to do things (like read). Somebody showed you, and you will show somebody the same thing. Some people come out of here with buckets of books."\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu
(01/13/05 5:00am)
The weather forecast for the city of Bloomington is nonsmoker friendly with smoke-free indoor air aplenty since tobacco addicts are forced to feed their disease on islands within the sea of Bloomington. Smokers are hereby advised -- plan on enduring grave climate inconveniences while huffing and puffing your smoke of choice, shivering a so-called reasonable distance from the exterior of all public buildings, gazing inward toward the yellow glow of florescent lights and the shrill of cackled laughter from nonsmoking families occupying your once arse-imprinted stool, mingling within eyeball reach of a glorious moving image box. \nAll residents, guests and IU community members can expect a weekend bar scene atmosphere within downtown and its surrounding Monroe County to consist of smoke-free indoor environments within all enclosed public spaces. Bloomington's smoke-free ordinance is legislative language interpreting secondhand smoke to symbolize a community health hazard. Secondhand smoke, as sponsored by the city council based on repeated research, induces amongst other ailments lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory infections. \nCity business owners, especially bars catering predominately to the college crowd, are scrambling to sample various strategic approaches of how to accommodate both the smoking ban statutes and customers' smoking withdrawal. \nLinda Prall, manager of Kilroy's Sports Bar on Walnut Avenue, said Sports is planning to "man the back door" with extra staff to allow accessible in-out traffic for paying customers wishing to smoke. Also, she said additional staff will be added to the front area since lines plugging the door make movement difficult for smokers using the front door as a turnstile. \n"Legally, and technically, I think the law states (smokers) have to be a certain distance from the door," Prall said in-between glances of the Indianapolis Colts playoff win against the Denver Broncos. "We are making every effort to make more easily accessible outs to the building. A few people have violated the smoking policy in here already. Our staff is aware of the law, and the customers were asked politely to put it out." \nAmerica hasn't always been at war with smokers or the space in which they perform inhaling-exhaling rituals common of many nicotine addicts. For instance, America shipped its soldiers across both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans blue to World War I and II, the Korean Peninsula and the Vietnam jungles with daily cigarette rations as a significant and anticipated feature of mealtimes, downtimes and for times of anxious thought. \nAmericans, throughout the 20th century, have been indoctrinated to the point of intoxication by mixed social messages as to the perceived social status of cigarettes and the grossly underrepresented status of the white cylinder -- a national icon -- and the cultural norms involved with suave smoking practices. Humphrey Bogart glamorized cigarette smoking on the silver screen, the Marlboro Man induced the common man to feel "manly" when caught in the act of smoking and housewives were socialized to believe necessary guest etiquette involved offering company a stiff drink and a smooth smoke.\nPrall said students, especially out-of-towners, might face a transition between the Bloomington night scene as compared to the restaurants, bars and bowling alleys featured in their hometowns. She said any change of rules and regulations always takes time to have an effect. Two immediate atmospheric changes have occurred at Sport's and Kilroy's - "no smoking" signs displayed on doors and tables void of ash trays.\n"As far as all of the bars are probably concerned, it's convenient for students to know they will have to be recarded when they reenter," Prall said. "We're concentrating on cutting down on minors -- a lot of people might try to sneak in by saying. 'Hey, I was just outside smoking and here is my stamp.' Our motto is everybody is to be recarded when they come back in from smoking." \nSmokers of all addictive dispositions and smoke-ring blowing skill levels are forced by law not to smoke in any bar or ale-friendly establishment within town, up to and including jukebox taverns such as bowling alleys, from now throughout infinity.\nAccording to the Bloomington City Common Council Ordinance 03-06, as enforced by the mayor's office, "smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, weed, plant or other combustible substance in any manner or in any form. \n"Numerous studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution," the fine print of ordinance 03-06 states. "... Breathing secondhand smoke is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in nonsmokers ..."\nJunior Drew Eggers said he is impartial about the effects the smoking ban will have on smoking students or their perception of weekend enjoyment while enduring a night on the town.\n"I think (the smoking ban) will create a better atmosphere for people generally," Eggers said while taking an outdoor smoke break. His friends are concentrated around a table within Kilroy's breathing smoke-free air. "You go home and your clothes don't smell like smoke. I think the bars will make more money with the smoking ban. The table turnaround will be much faster. I think if people can't smoke, they will order another drink."\nIU graduate and Ivy Tech nursing student Dean Jones said his family obligations and Bloomington's lack of advertised smoke-free air have kept him from touring the city's social scene. \n"I haven't been to a bar in so long, especially with kids," Jones said while pausing from a picnic lunch setup he was enjoying with his son in Peoples Park on Kirkwood Avenue. "Smoking sections in restaurants don't work; (the smoke) kind of drifts. It's been at least 10 years since I've had a cigarette. I smoked, but it was related to going out with friends. I'm in nursing school now, so I don't promote smoking to anyone."\nStudents acting the role of Dionysus as they exchange carbon dioxide smoke for the chilling January oxygen-filled air might be mindful of cars while they abide by nonsmokers' right to breathe clean air. Students might also be weary of debris littering the walkways and gutters as they parlay on a foot hike investigating the city's nightlife. \nBloomington resident George Chandler said he desires city-approved and paid for receptacles outside smoke-free city businesses so owners don't have to police the disposal habits of the smoking scene single-handedly.\n"I think (business owners) ought to put ashtrays outside businesses, so (cigarettes) are not butted out in the street like I'm doing now," Chandler said while flicking the yellow butt of his partially smoked cigarette into the heavy Walnut Avenue traffic. "I'm not so concerned about the smoking ban; I just hate this cigarette butt thing. I'm a smoker and I always keep my ashtray clean. If (the city) isn't going to let (smokers) smoke inside, (the smokers) are going to flick their butts into the street -- that's rude."\nExperts are skeptical about the biodegradable properties of cigarette butts rotting on concrete. Accordingly, cigarette butt collectors recommend smokers dispose of their excess biochemical pleasure-seeking devices in approved receptacles, known as ashtrays, strewn throughout the city.\nThere is no need to call ahead for reservations for the Bloomington smoking ban show. Smokers have no other law-abiding choice but to puff and blow "a reasonable distance" from any door, window or ventilation system of any public building, including any place of employment. In some "out on the town for a few beers with the fellows" scenarios, dependent upon the door locations of a business in relation to neighboring doors, windows, etc., a reasonable distance implies smokers should park themselves and their habit in the gutters and/or middle of the street. \nEggers said the city of Bloomington is acting foolish if anyone believes the smoking policy can be thoroughly and effectively enforced. \n"It's going to get so crowded in bars; (bar staff) isn't going to really enforce (the smoking ban)," Eggers said. "The number of patrons definitely outweighs the number of employees. Employees will do their best, but once people get drunk they won't care about the smoking policy. You come out here with a beer, the cops are going to enforce it; you come out here with a cigarette, it's up to the bar owners. It's the nature of the beast. Drunk people are going to smoke where they please."\nViolators of the city smoking ban, of business owner mind or smoking student body, can expect a $100 fine via mail courier, on printer paper certified by the Mayor's office official rubber stamp -- with stiffer penalties for repeat offenders -- dependent upon the watchful eyes and vigilant effort of thy neighbors in reporting such devious activity to the appropriate local authorities by calling 349-3850. \nJason Sickmeier, kitchen manager at Yogi's Bar and Grill, said he believes Yogi's will experience some negative effects of the smoking ban in the short run. In the long run, on the other hand, Sickmeier said the additional revenue from families of four and other traditional nonsmoking demographics will soften the blow felt by would-be patrons turned at-home smoker to never again leave the sofa.\n"Smokers can smoke out front," Sickmeier said. "If somebody lights up inside, we will ask them to put it out since we are a nonsmoking establishment. People have to decide whether or not they are going to stay home and smoke, or get out and enjoy some social activity."\nChandler said families of four or more deserve an opportunity to travel through smoke-free public indoor air with children and young people unable to protect their own health and well being by incorporating life-loving suggestions into the daily regiment of personal tasks.\n"A lot of people want to bring their family to a restaurant or a bar for food," Chandler said while stumbling to and fro on the sidewalk in front of Sport's in joyous celebration of the Colt's early playoff success. "You don't want to take a kid to a place where there is cigarette smoke everywhere. I'm the only one in the family who isn't a nonsmoker; you want to keep the kids off that shit"
(01/12/05 6:51am)
Mayor Kruzan's economic development plan has launched Bloomington small businesses into a new frontier of space-age student living, within a crawl of many downtown nationally recognized restaurants, traditional Hoosier taverns and specialty shops. \nKruzan said the changing demographic downtown is a "cosmic shift" from the ghost town aesthetic dominating the city landscape during the 1980s, since new student housing like Smallwood Plaza, which offers amenities such as "trash chutes on each floor" have landed.\nFor example, Kruzan said more than 1,000 students moved into the downtown area during winter break from other locations around the city.\n"We have availability for hundreds of more students (downtown)," Kruzan said. "By next January we could have 2,000 or more students living in our downtown center." \nThe city has survived many changes throughout the last century, although none more dramatic than recent Hoosier outsourcing, layoffs and snail-paced job growth. The IUPD, for instance, employed about 100 full-time officers during the early 1970's; today, the IUPD has fewer than 35 patrolling officers. \nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger, however, said he has witnessed a shift in the socioeconomic status of IU's student population demographic. \n"I don't think our on-campus population has increased that much," Minger said. "The problems are about the same -- the impact of social constraints. Thirty years ago, students from lower socioeconomic statuses could come to college. Now, due to the expense of college, we are dealing with a higher socioeconomic bracket."\nJoie Canada, owner of Howard's Bookstore, on the corner of Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street, said her bookstore has survived by modifying her business to meet the demands of her customers. \n"We would like to see people living in Bloomington and walking through the streets," Canada said. "For a while, we were losing one good business after another -- fixtures of the community. You don't get rich running a small a business, but you get happy; there is a difference." \nKruzan said multiple issues must be investigated as the city evolves from years of economic stagnation toward a future of community partnerships. Traffic patterns, bus routes, parking garages, law enforcement and fire protection are all important issues weighing on the mayor's mind as he commands the city's expansion within grasp of student wallets.\n"I came to Bloomington in 1983 as a student," Kruzan said. "A lot of business downtown was resident oriented: candy stores, drug stores, hardware stores, laundry mats ... First College Mall came, then the Westside, many local businesses closed under the pressure of change; the focus shifted away from downtown. In the 1980's the square was literally falling apart ... The local population was different too. I would like to see a resurgence of locally aimed businesses aimed towards residents and the students (living locally) ... a nice blend."\nKruzan said the city is attracting student buying power as consumers within walking distance of downtown. The city's "experiment" includes retirement housing development, no parking gridlock and late-night noise pollution protection for all year-long residents, Kruzan said. \n"This is the first year we have had this downtown plan; the market will dictate the price," Kruzan said. "Landlords have told me their prices are too high; they can't rent their rooms ... we won't price students out of IU ... The city is becoming one of the leading retirement communities in the country. This has been a great year of transition, good practice. (Bloomington) is a viable place to open a business."\nCanada said the Bloomington of yesteryear she remembers most was the "wild" days downtown during the 1960s. \n"There used to be a lot of lively people who did a lot of thinking and lots of talking, instead of spending money -- hippies really," Canada said. "Everyday in town, people would walk around bare foot, sit on the courthouse lawn and sing ... it created an ambiance of people present and alive."\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(01/10/05 4:46am)
IU appreciates the student's brain; Bloomington appreciates the student's wallet. \nThe IU campus community encourages several million dollars' worth of currency exchange between institution patrons and city businesses. Bloomington business owners, as a result, often struggle to keep their shops ship-shape and financially afloat during national holidays and breaks from the rigors of academic study because of the massive migration home of campus-affliated town guests -- the tens of thousands of IU students. \nAccording to the 2000 census, Bloomington boasts a population of more than 69,000 residents when IU closes its doors for national holidays and university breaks. The total community population swells as IU contributes more than 40,000 students, employees, faculty and administration to an otherwise small-town atmosphere.\nKyle Hawkins, owner of Greek's Pizzaria on Kirkwood Avenue, said he has operated his business with a skeleton crew throughout break. He said the work often demands help from more than one pair of hands, although he said he is capable of running his pizza shop entirely on his own, \n"I was expecting the decrease of business; it was a lot better than last year," Hawkins said. "More of the local people have been turned on to our pizza, so they really came through and helped during that time. I had some nights that were amazing because no other businesses were open."\nBloomington business owners, especially those dependent upon student transactions, are forced to adopt school break schemes to ensure financial sustainability throughout the year despite the revenue collected when school is in session. The potential loss of patrons and their pocket change is on the mind of most business owners on Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington. Successful businesses often generate the funds from a specific demographic on an attractive plot of land within a community of excess disposable income -- all of which dissipate into the town's freezing air when the university is out of session for winter break. \nSome community members perceive downtown Bloomington, specifically Kirkwood Avenue, as a ghost town when the campus packs up and shuts down for breaks. Vacant midday parking spots, minimal weekend wait times at restaurants and limited congestion at major thoroughfares and intersections support this perception.\nJennifer Falk, a sophomore and employee at the Discount Den on Kirkwood Avenue, said staffing at the Den has depended upon who stayed around town to bear the chilling weather of winter break.\n"There was basically no one here for about two or three weeks," Falk said. "Our customers were people who were still working for IU and people who live in town. High school students have been coming in a lot. Today it looks like business has picked up, and yesterday. It's very boring when students are gone." \nAndy Walter, manager of Tracks record shop on Kirkwood Avenue, said his business revenue decreases about 15 to 20 percent when students have vacated Bloomington for institution breaks. Walter said he did not adjust Tracks' staffing, store hours or music inventory during the winter break.\n"There is plenty of work to be done around here; we don't compensate at all for the students' leaving," Walter said. "It is part of the ebb and flow of (running a business in downtown Bloomington), and students are a part of our business. You have to be financially prepared for the ebb and flow -- you don't buy as heavily when students aren't here. Other than that, you always have to have a product people want and offer them good prices for that product." \nUnfortunately, good business sense is often difficult to trust for small business owners when about one of three community members leaves town several times a year for extended periods of time with their credit cards, checkbooks, traveler's checks and penny banks in tow.\nSally Ward, manager of Amused Clothing on S. Dunn Street, said her business has experienced a decrease in sales from about an average of $1,800 a day before winter break to about $300 a day since. She said she has no other choice but to cut labor to compensate for Amused Clothing's lack of student business.\n"Townies (or locals) are the best part of running a local business," Ward said. "(However), the majority of our business relies on student consumerism. We are highly grateful to the students of IU."\nHawkins said he recommends Bloomington business owners remain open during school breaks and throughout the summer. He said the customer loyalty of city locals often outweighs the vacation many business owners take during these times with revenue saved from the school year.\n"To help get through the difficult times of school breaks, businesses on Kirkwood need to stay open," Hawkins said. "There are people here who live here who still want to come to town. I think things will be more in full swing when people get settled in. I've started seeing more students coming back -- groups of fraternities and sororities having a good time, taking pictures. I think Bloomington should stay busy and fun all the time, not just when the students are around."\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/10/04 5:33am)
To shop or not to shop this holiday season? Naughty or nice throughout the year? What is this so-called holiday spirit? Students keep all of these issues in mind as they approach the stressful end to the semester. \nBeginning with "dead" week, as it is described by some students, next week concludes the 2004 fall semester. With the holiday season approaching, some students struggle to balance schoolwork, customary holiday expectations, social work and personal commitments.\nBurdened with test preparation responsibilities, graduate optometry student Anne Phillip said she hasn't thought about her holiday shopping list at all. \n"I've been nice this year," Phillip said. "In general, I've been nice to people in my attitudes. I try not to be naughty; sometimes it's hard. I guess it's a good time to be giving or considerate to others. I guess I don't get into the whole Christmas spirit until I get done with school and I'm on (holiday) vacation."\nBalancing school projects and papers, graduate student Jeremy Sprague said he hasn't had the time to formulate a holiday shopping list due to schoolwork.\n"I just bought myself an iPod that was on my list," Sprague said. "I'm a selfish grad student. I've been both nice and naughty. I've been playing music pretty well, doing pretty well in school. I probably haven't shown my family enough attention, probably haven't washed my hair as good."\nFinding enough time to accumulate some gifts, graduate student Katy Myers said she is slowly working her way through her holiday shopping list.\n"I would say I've been nice, too busy to be naughty," Myers said. "So far I have given about $100 to charity. I've gotten some really good gifts for my friends -- ones that were appropriate. I haven't ruined anybody's holiday yet."\nTo avoid a paper trail, senior Alissa Brown said she has her holiday shopping list mapped out in her head.\n"I've been very, very nice this year," Brown said. "I'm always nice. I've been active in student groups so I feel like I've contributed to the community in some way. I know I've been naughty -- I don't know if it could go in the paper ... not caring enough about school at times, not respecting my parents." \nCoping with the customary obligations of traditional holiday expectations, Sprague said he prefers seeing his family instead of customary holiday gift giving.\n"The holiday spirit depends on your perspective, whether you celebrate Christmas or some other holiday," Sprague said. "I just like spending time with my family. I think people should be happy around other people, invite a mystery guest to the house. Everybody has a friend that doesn't have somewhere to go."\nAttempting to evade the long lines, disgruntled staff and impatient shoppers common in most retail establishments throughout the holiday season, Myers said she does most of her shopping on-line to dodge the hustle and bustle of holiday sales. But in the end, the money doesn't always wind up stuffing stockings.\n"I've spent more money on alcohol than I've spent on presents," Myers said. "The holiday spirit is as much generosity, love and good feelings as you can stand."\nInterpreting the meaning behind this so-called holiday spirit, Brown said the holiday season should involve a person abiding by the cultural patterns of holiday celebrations.\n"I guess you're raised, at least I was, around Christmas. It's a time for your family to get together," Brown said. "You have these warm and fuzzy feelings, relaxed feelings as a culture. That is the way the holiday was made to be. It's OK to be a grinch; I'm not, but I don't judge those who are."\n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/07/04 6:03am)
While some students bask in the holiday cheers and family bliss piercing the frigid winter air, some students cope with their holiday blues by drowning themselves in a pool of depression without an aftertaste of eggnog. \nTo take the debate between "HO-HO-HO" and "Bah-Humbug" beyond mere semantics, students suffering from clinical depression often discover the trials and tribulations of the holiday season results through increased stress conditions, anxious feelings, nervous thinking, disordered eating habits and suicidal tendencies. \nAdministering assistance for the psychological health and well-being needs of about 3,000 students each year, Nancy Stockton, director of Counseling and Psychological Services said a relationship exists between depression and anxiety during all seasons of the year.\n"Certainly, (the holiday season) can be a time when people get depressed," Stockton said. "Some people experience a seasonal depression, which occurs at the same time each year, not necessarily during holidays. Some people have happy memories to associate with a holiday; other people associate a holiday with family problems, death or illness. The melancholy and sad feelings associated with the holidays is the flip side of joy and celebration."\nAccording to a CaPS pamphlet distributed by the IU Health Center, about 15 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression. Of that 15 percent, more than 25 percent are undergoing regular counseling and about 40 percent take medication for depression. \nSenior Emily Potempa said the winter holiday season is joyous for her because the seven members of her family come together for a celebration.\n"I'm not depressed and none of my friends are," Potempa said. "I go and do things that make me happy, like going out with friends. Depending on what my friends want me to do, I will either listen or talk if they are in trouble and call. I feel like I'm usually helpful; it helps, letting them talk it out. Sometimes they can figure things out on their own."\nTo cope with potential holiday anxiety in troubled family and home environments lacking love and compassion, Stockton said students might try to not focus on the materialism of the holidays, to rethink certain situations perceived as problematic, to get in touch with things they feel are important, to spend time with those they love and to enjoy that time.\n"December holidays bring out great family expectations on perfectionism -- rituals that need to be performed in a certain way and high expectations as to how family members and friends should behave," Stockton said. "The holiday season is a good time to keep up with physical exercise, maintain one's work schedule and avoid serious overeating. Try to slow down a little bit and give oneself some contemplation time. Take a long walk through some naturally beautiful setting; pay attention to sleep."\nBecause the winter holiday season incorporates celebrations of a new year, Stockton said students might spend their time away from school thinking about ways to remedy their troubled relationships.\n"All of us may feel like we don't want to go out for a day," Stockton said. "Isolation for a sustained period of time is a symptom of depression. Also, sleep disturbances, appetite disruptions, loss of interest in normal activities, feelings of hopelessness, increased irritability and increased stress indicate possible depression. Depression has complicated causes, some of which are biochemical. There are treatments; there is a certain amount of hope. \nStudents wishing to undergo a depression screening can do so at CaPS by calling 855-5711 to set an appointment with certified personnel. In the meantime, students wanting to improve their moods can contact the IU Health Center at 855-7338 to schedule a private 45 minute massage by a massage therapist -- a body rub complete with massage oil. If time is of the essence within emergency circumstances, students suffering from feelings of hopelessness can call a "listening line" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m at 339-2803 or a suicide crisis hotline from 6 p.m. to midnight at 332-6060.\nOther then depression screening from certified health care technicians such as therapists, psychologists or counselors, Stockton said friends can recognize signs of stress, distress, drug dependency or emotional need indicating someone is suffering from a depressed emotional state.\n"What are our friends telling us?" Stockton said. "Slow down and pay attention to the feedback from good friends we trust. Be realistic; take a realistic focus. Try to make a realistically optimistic plan for the future -- for the spring semester. The more we can get our minds off ourselves and on to the other people the better off we are."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/06/04 4:14am)
Even without the use of a one-horse open sleigh, students can dash through the goose pimple-inducing winter air to a holiday season light display even a holiday Scrooge or Grinch might be flabbergasted by. \nIf the holiday spirit is defined by the spectacle of illuminated property, students can venture into a spirit-filled winter wonderland of about 3.5 million lights, more than 3,500 glowing Santa figurines and various other glistening holiday displays during the "Legendary Lights" show from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the historic Clifton Mill, in Clifton, Ohio, until Jan. 2. \nAfter traveling east along Interstate 70, students traveling to Clifton Mill should ride south along Route 72. A $7 ticket enables visitors' access to the Mill's gorge, covered bridge, animated miniature village of Clifton complete with "choo-chooing" trains, a life size manger and the waterfall of lights.\nThe Clifton Mill, in operation since 1802, is owned by the Satariano family -- a father and son enterprise.\n"This is our legendary light display," the younger Satriano said. "My father and I own it. It started off by accident; the first year we bought 100,000 lights. We turned them on and people just started showing up. We get young people; we get old people; we get everyone in between." \nIU junior Melanie Borrero, who traveled for four hours to the mill with her husband, said the American holiday season is a mixture of religion and shopping. \n"I felt (the holiday light display) was breathtaking," she said. "The amount of lights was amazing; it was worth the drive. I have never seen anything like that before. Christmas has turned into a holiday of consumption -- this is a perfect example of that. It is all about buying and spending to bring happiness to other people; to make other people feel good." \nIU junior Julio Borrero, Melanie's husband, said the Clifton Mill's waterfall of lights illuminated for him the Midwest's vision of holiday spirit.\n"I thinks it's cool someone took the time and effort to do something creative," he said. "I was a bit overwhelmed by the intensity of the spectacle itself -- to take the time to brighten up other people's day. In southern California, people don't seem to get that much into the holiday spirit -- people are more concerned with themselves."\nThe Satariano family would not disclose the financial burden needed to showcase their holiday spirit to the rest of the Clifton community, other Ohio residents and guests to the Clifton Mill. \n"I have never sat down to add it up," the younger Satariano said. "Our electric bill runs roughly $1,700 a week just to keep the lights running. You turn it on with one switch; I usually pick a small child to do it."\nBecause the Clifton Mill is an atypical holiday display, Julio Borrero said Americans tend to misplace the holiday season within diluted rituals and customs void of spiritual meaning. Displays like the Mill bring families and communities together, Borrero said. \n"I think we need to ditch the gift giving and focus on the time we spend with family and friends," he said. "I think commercialism has pilfered the holiday spirit and transformed caring into buying another person gifts. We should focus on the holiday traditions that bind us together as a community; perhaps, we should volunteer some of our time to help the less fortunate." \nThe younger Satriano said he hopes the Clifton Mill light display inspires hope and happiness in the visitors.\n"Christmas is pretty much a universal holiday," Satriano said. "We just like people's responses. They laugh and have a good time when they're here. The kids' faces light up; that is all I could ever need. I would say this is a one of a kind, unique view. Nature in itself is beautiful. It's picturesque with all the lights."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu
(12/03/04 6:43am)
With finals week lingering like a leper knocking at the door, some students seem bothered by the whacking, hammering and pounding noise pollution penetrating the roofs and walls of the Briscoe and Forest Quad residential halls. \nExemplified by yards of yellow "caution" tape, green fence coverings, humongous red dumpsters and colossal roving cranes, IU architect Bob Meadows said private contractors are putting new roofs on both buildings.\n"It's not very exciting," Meadows said. "Generally, when a roof gets about 20 years old, it starts leaking. They just wear out, then it's time to replace them."\nWhile attempting to concentrate on schoolwork in the comfort of a Briscoe lounge couch, freshman Alex Teller said the noisy distraction for the last two or three weeks has been "no fun, really."\n"I was sitting here studying when they rolled that crane in," Teller said while turning a page in Toni Morrison's book "Sula." "I thought it would go away; each day it got progressively worse. They just kept adding on to the (construction) site. I guess it's semi-permanent."\nMeadows said Briscoe's new roof is costing Residential Programs and Services $527,800, and Forest Quad's new roof carries a $106,000 price tag. Since resident halls are expected to be self-sufficient, RPS -- which operates as a business -- raises its own revenue from student spending on food service and the rental of residence hall space. Meadows said the University defines building improvement projects as R & R -- repair and rehabilitation. \n"In other words, (RPS) put money aside for their own R & R," Meadows said. "(RPS) doesn't receive any money from the state. It ought to be finished in the next three to four weeks before students come back from (winter) break."\nFreshman Rebecca Feldman, a Briscoe resident, said she can't see the construction from her room but she can hear the construction workers' progress. \n"When I read about the construction in the paper, I was like 'good,' because Briscoe could use some renovation," Feldman said. "But then, 'Why are they doing this the last couple weeks before finals?' I live on the 11th floor. I was trying to write a paper this morning, but I had to come (downstairs) because it was too hard to concentrate. I was getting a headache from lots of loud banging noises."\nWith barricaded construction sites dappled in various locations across the campus, Meadows said other campus structures are receiving R & R, with several proposed projects waiting to break ground. \n"There are different levels of things that go on," Meadows said. "We are also putting a new roof on the Geology building. With the financial situation as it is, when we get some more money, there are many other roofs we need to replace."\nUnlike the Briscoe construction hidden on the north side of the building, the Forest Quad roof repair requires an extensive amount of equipment to be parked in the driveway arched in front of the building. As a result, Forest Quad's Greenleaf A-Building's sidewalk is buried behind two jumbo dumpsters and large crane. The entire area is sealed off by orange "danger" tape.\nUnderneath the sounds of busy hands constructing a new roof on Forest, freshman Chris Wade said he has heard the mechanical screams coming from the top of the building for weeks.\n"It's cut down on parking," Wade said. "It's a longer walk since you can't use the sidewalk. Plus, you have to watch out for cars." \n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/03/04 4:55am)
IU's Kinsey Institute demonstrates erotica with an exhibit of sex toys, masturbation pictures, illustrated births and photographs of sexual acts as part of their latest project to educate students about human sexuality. \nGarry Milius, assistant curator at Kinsey, said the taboo topic of sex and sexuality should be exhibited in a scientific and scholarly way, as Alfred Kinsey intended to do based on the principles of academic freedom in a University environment. Providing credible sex data, Kinsey and his team of scientists interviewed about 18,000 people from across the country as part of their sexuality research to benefit the health and well-being of both men and women.\n"We treat the Kinsey Institute's gallery as a museum," Milius said. "We have about 8,000 pieces of artwork and 75,000 photographs, ranging from novelty items to well known artists, such as Picasso, Chagall, Matisse and Rembrandt. We are lucky to have an interesting selection of their works made in a much more private way for themselves or their friends. Everything (in the gallery) is by donation."\nAlso on exhibit in the Institute's gallery are Kinsey's personal artifacts, such as the microscope he used to study Gall Wasps. His primary academic research was devoted to the taxonomy -- collecting and classifying -- of Gall Wasps before he taught an IU course on marriage. \nFrustrated with not knowing how to address topics of normal sexual functioning with his students, Kinsey discovered a gap in the public's knowledge about human sexuality, Milius said. At the time, no comprehensive scientific studies had been performed on the sexual behavior of people. Having stumbled on the topic of sex as a reinvented academic career, Milius said Kinsey started the collection as a wonderful way to learn about sex from different centuries. \n"The Kinsey Institute is affiliated with the University, but separate at the same time. It is privately owned by trustees of the Institute. The primary mission of the artwork and the collection is for research purposes," Milius said. \nAmong the artifacts displayed throughout the exhibit, students can view a few 19th century Japanese Kama Sutra pillow books, a 19th century lambskin condom, an iron and a glass dildo, an early version of a penis pump wired to a car-sized battery, a photograph of a woman giving birth and anatomy illustrations with step-by-step instructions. \nLooking for love in all the right places, the exhibit will be running until Feb. 11 in Morrison Hall. Students and class groups can take a tour of the Kinsey Institute's resources by making reservations at 855-7686.\nJennifer Bass, head of information services for Kinsey, said the Institute encourages students to take advantage of Kinsey by visiting the library and gallery. \n"Last year in the summer, some of our research was challenged in Congress along with other researchers," Bass said. "Sexuality research seems to be involved in the culture war instead of seeing it as something that is a part of our lives." \nReminiscing on his perceived lack of sexual education in school, first-year Master in Business Administration student Jeremy Wise said he was shown highly conservative diagrams with few explaining words. \n"As an undergrad, I sat in on a human sexuality class; I thought it was interesting," Wise said. "It was a great opportunity to have someone focus on the animal behaviors of humans. Sex and sexuality are present in every culture."\nBass said she thinks Kinsey would be dismayed and shocked by the AIDS epidemic and discouraged that sex has become a political hot potato.\n"Our mission is to do research in sexual behavior," Bass said. "The Kinsey Institute is unique in that we are open to research from a broad and interdisciplinary approach -- understanding sexuality from all different perspectives. We are also conducting research about problems in sexual behavior today, everything from why people take risks with their health even when they know the consequences to how emotions and mood affect sexual decision-making."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/02/04 5:33am)
Stinging bees and pecking birds do not make babies, unless the two mate under the bed sheets without using any form of prophylactic or contraceptive.\nFor students wishing to learn about sex, to hear about sex, to think about sex or to see an exhibit focused on a specific sexual theme, IU's Kinsey Institute is displaying a "Sex Ed" exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today in its gallery at Morrison Hall. According to an IU press release, the exhibit will examine the "dissemination of information" about sex, reproduction and health over the past several centuries.\nAnyone interested in attending this event should call to make reservations at 855-7686.\nGarry Milius, assistant curator at the Kinsey Institute, said the institute and its shows attempt to frame sexuality from a scholarly perspective. \n"It's always good to look at how things were approached during different time periods," Milius said. "As a student, I think it's a mission to expand your thinking -- open yourself up to new ideas -- to think about things. There are several different interesting things, depending on your preference."\nMilius said the exhibit will include various film memorabilia, fetal development models, illustrated 19th century books on anti-masturbation, copies of the Kama Sutra, marriage materials and condoms of all shapes, colors and sizes to name a few.\nKelly E. McBride, a sexuality educator and trainer for Planned Parenthood, said she thinks most Americans believe responsible sex education is important. \n"When teens are given honest information, they make healthier choices," McBride said. "Planned Parenthood believes parents are the primary sexuality educators of their children; they want to be the main source. Most parents won't help."\nHaving heard the birds and bees lecture as a fifth grader, freshman Joni Bloehs said her school framed sexuality dialogues around abstinence-grounded ideologies -- "nothing too detailed."\n"I wish there were more programs set up for students that were more accessible -- like what Planned Parenthood is doing -- in case you get pregnant or need someone to talk to," Bloehs said. "I think sex education needs to be stepped up a little bit, taken more seriously. Schools just talk about it; they need to follow through."\nMcBride said different groups of people have different sexual needs at different stages of life. \n"Abstinence only programs are often dishonest and harmful," McBride said. "A lot of times teens say 'adults tell them too little too late.' If you look at all high school students nationally, approximately 50 percent have already had sex. Abusive relationships, unintended teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV are still problems for teenagers."\nHaving taken a course on sexual education at IU, junior Denecia Warfield said some people have a invincible attitude of "this can't happen to me."\n"People get themselves in situations they can't get themselves out of," Warfield said. "So people either get a sexually transmitted disease, or AIDS, or something happens to their body. I think the human sexuality class should be taught to all freshman, maybe they could have programs on campus to educate students about sex issues." \nReminding students there is no such thing as safe sex, McBride said the way a person's body looks is less important than what a person's body can do. \n"Schools can help by giving all students a balanced approach -- teach abstinence along with facts about relationships, reproductive health and risk reduction," McBride said. "I call this comprehensive sexuality education -- help for the individual above and below the waist."\n--Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/01/04 11:34pm)
When searching for some of the best and brightest graduate students, look no further than IU's Kelley School of Business Masters of Business Administration program.\nIn a display reminiscent of a hopeful rising to stardom, four first-year students in Kelley's MBA program were crowned "North American Champion" at A.T. Kearney's North American Global Prize Case Competition Nov. 20 in Chicago. This was the first year the Kelley School was invited to participate. \nGraduate students Edzra Gibson, Scott Kleman, Kristen Wagner and Jason Woods pocketed a four-way split of the $10,000 prize after diminishing and demolishing the stature and swagger of teams from the Harvard Business School, the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, MIT's Sloan School of Management, the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and graduate business schools from Columbia University, the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan. \nSince the "North American Champions" had to defeat four other capable teams to earn the right to represent IU, Woods said he and his teammates traveled to the windy city expecting to hold their own after having banked his split of the $4,000 local prize.\nA.T. Kearney, whose home office rests in Chicago, is a world-renowned consulting firm specializing in strategic, operational, organizational and technology services. In general, employment in consulting firms is highly sought after by business school graduates because of the opportunity to travel, the six-figure salaries and the ability to feel pride in a job well done.\n"We went with the perspective that we didn't want to do so poorly of a job we would be uninvited," Woods said. "We really wanted to make a meaningful impact for Kelley and IU. After we won the local competition, we sat down as a team immediately and said 'this is the first time a team from IU has been invited, so we need to give this our best shot.'"\nReflecting the competitive nature of winning businesses, Kleman said the team's success demonstrates that Kelley School of Business is a top-tier school competitive with the likes of Harvard and Chicago.\n"Without a doubt, it was great to benchmark our skills and ability against other business schools," Kleman said.\nFamiliar with national recognition, the Kelley MBA degree program ranked No. 18 in the nation this year, according to Business Week magazine. In addition, the Kelley's MBA teaching was ranked the No. 1 "best-quality" in the country, according to the Princeton Review.\nPaul Friga, associate professor of management and strategy for the Kelley school, said more than 25 Kelley MBA teams have placed in the top three of national case competitions somewhat similar to A.T. Kearney's since 1996. \n"The purpose of the competition was to emulate real life consulting, or intervention -- a competition of the best from the best," Friga said. "They were given an original case with the basic facts to analyze in order to move forward. They had to design an implementation plan with hypothetical capital money. It required a lot of financial and structural analysis." \nSpeaking on behalf of the teamwork needed to win the North American competition, Woods said the team really "gelled." \n"You go through phases as a team," Woods said. "The faculty really tried to provide us with leadership: form the group, discuss the norms of the group -- this is what my expectations are -- ride through the storm of group-work breakdowns and the end result of a performance. We did a great job of reading each other and recognizing when someone had an issue. We would come together as a group and work out whatever we needed to. Different people picked up the ball and ran with it at different times."\nTestifying to the hard work, diligent commitment and extra efforts required to be "North American Champion," Friga said the team learned invaluable teamwork lessons.\n"Students put in hundreds of hours of their own time on top of the challenging core-curriculum as part of their first year," Friga said. "It's amazing; the benefits from the program are incredible. From a recruiting standpoint, it's prestigious just to be included with the schools competing. From a community perspective, to win makes a strong statement about the quality of our program." \nWhen the news of victory echoed through the ears of hopeful competitors from all represented business schools, Kleman said he didn't know what to expect or how to react.\n"I thought our presentation was in the running due to the team's collaboration, energy and holistic approach," Kleman said. "When they announced Kelley, I sat briefly in amazement, grabbed the rest of the team and, with a big smile, accepted the congratulations of the judges. The weekend was filled with mixed emotions from anxiety to relief, nervousness to confidence, uncertainty to elation."\nSatisfied with his choice of Kelley for his MBA degree, Woods said it was a real honor to represent IU, Kelley and the Kelley faculty.\n"I was very excited to come here to IU," Scott said. "I looked long and hard for a business school to attend. This was a great team; I think we worked great together. I'm glad this is almost over, since my wife has been kind enough to take care of our daughter for the last couple weeks. When my daughter would ask 'where is daddy?' my wife would play her a videotape of me interviewing someone as part of my project."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.
(12/01/04 6:32am)
Seventy-four "Jeopardy" wins later, the man who some may proclaim to be the greatest television gameshow contestant to live was sent packing Tuesday night with $2.5 million reasons to be jolly this holiday season.\nPart champion, part superhero, part legend, Ken Jennings stood with game show host Alex Trebek as the credits rolled -- the exhausted sag in his otherwise chipper smile indicated for many he yearned to live the life of a mere mortal again.\n"He's going home with a lot of money," Trebek said to the audience while they erupted from their chairs to offer Jennings a final standing ovation.\nSince his unbelievable run began its humble beginnings on June 2, Jennings established himself as Mr. "Jeopardy" by setting the all-time one-game winnings record at $75,000 -- a mark few, if any, will ever reach. Jennings
