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(12/05/02 5:24am)
The Helene G. Simon Hillel center held its annual Hanukkah party last night, and despite a fair amount of snow, there was a good turnout.\n"For a such a snowy night, I'm glad so many people showed up," said Rabbi Sue Shifron who is also the executive director at the Hillel center. \nThe Hillel center has held Hanukkah parties during each of its 13 years, but this year they decided to do something different.\n"This is the first time we've had this kind of carnival," said Shifron, referring to the booths set up by the various Hillel committees. \nGuests went around to the different tables and tried their luck at games such as black jack and roulette, tested their knowledge of the Jewish holiday or simply mingled with the crowd. Latke's (traditional Jewish potato pancakes) were scattered on platters in the living and dining rooms of the center, as were dreidels (a four sided top) and Gelt (chocolate coins). \nHanukkah (literally meaning 'dedication') is one of the less prominent Jewish holidays, but is used to mark a significant point in Jewish history -- the uprising of Judah and his brothers, the 'Maccabees' against the King Antiochus. The 'Maccabees' were able to defeat the King and reclaim their temple after which they rekindled the 'menorah' (a candelabra used to symbolize God's divine presence). The menorah only had enough oil to burn for one day but ended up lasting for eight days. It was the remarkable victory of the 'Maccabees' and the miraculous burning of the menorah for eight days that led to the holiday we now know as Hanukkah. \nNowadays, a menorah holds nine candles. Eight candles are used to represent the eight days that the original menorah burned for, and the ninth is used to light each of the eight candles. \nSophomore and Vice President of Hillel, Jenna Brand, said she was glad to see that this year's Hanukkah 'carnival' became a reality. \n"It was a lot of work, but I'm glad that people are learning about the Hillel center and Hanukkah," Brand said. "Since everyone's so far away from home, nice that people have a place to celebrate."\nThis was certainly the case for graduate student Andrea Salzburg.\n"I can't go home (Connecticut) for this holiday, so I like to come here," she said.\nBut it wasn't only Jewish students who were celebrating; graduate student Kyle Duchein (a friend of Salzburg's) was also present Monday night.\n"I'm Catholic," said Duchein, "But I have a lot of Jewish friends, and I wanted to know how they celebrated Hanukkah"
(12/03/02 5:46am)
There was a somber glow about Indiana Avenue and Dunn Meadow last night as members of Student Global AIDS Campaign and Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers lit luminaries to commemorate those who have died as a result of AIDS.\nThe event was one of several that have been planned for this week, which began with a memorial service Sunday (World AIDS day).\nAn estimated 15,000 people in the U.S. died as a result of AIDS in 2001, according to UNAIDS' Web site . Statistics in less developed areas of the world, however, are worse. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the life expectancy is currently 47 years; without AIDS it would be 62 years.\nThe IU chapter of SGAC was founded last year and began the tradition of lighting luminaries in honor of those dead as a result of AIDS. OKDV, founded three years ago, focuses on increasing AIDS education and awareness in Kenya. Volunteers are sent to Kenya each summer to take part in teach-ins and to help with developmental projects, which are aimed at making the country more self-sufficient. \nLuminaries, traditionally candles lit for commemoration, were placed in white paper bags and placed along Indiana Avenue and around Dunn Meadow at dusk Monday. Red ribbons or facts about AIDS were printed on the bags making the scene even more symbolic. \n"We put the candles in the bag so that we could have the red ribbons on the front," said co-founder of SGAC Manika Bhateja, a junior. "We did that to give the effect of the ribbons glowing."\nMembers of the Bloomington community also participated in the event. Those who knew people who died from AIDS placed their candles in yellow bags. Each yellow bag was labeled with either the name of one of the AIDS victims or a factual statement about the epidemic.\n"The idea behind the yellow bags was so that people could dedicate luminaries to their loved ones," said junior Dan O'Neill, co-founder of SGAC.\nSenior Kunal Desai, current co-director of OKDV, said the event helped educate others about the disease. \n"The whole point was to raise awareness about AIDS," he said. "I think it went well because people were asking us questions (about the display)"
(10/28/02 4:55am)
Zeta Phi Beta sorority held its third annual ZetApollo talent show Friday night to a full house, with acts ranging from dance groups and poetry readings to gospel singers. \nThe night kicked off with In-Motion, a student run dance group that started ten years ago at IU.\nDespite having performed in front of audiences before, the dancers were still nervous. \n"This was more intimidating because we could get booed off," said junior Leah Barak. \nDespite their anxieties, the girls said they enjoyed themselves. \n"It was awesome!" said junior Alice Cockrum, co-director of "In-Motion."\nGospel singer Jacob Hughes won the event, and received a $100 cash prize. \nThe talent show was one of several events the sorority organized throughout last week. Other activities included a drive to help victims of the Martinsville tornado disaster, an open house and a karaoke night. \nThe ZetApollo talent show, which was in the IMU Frangipani Room, has become a staple of the Zeta Phi Beta activities calendar due to its popularity.\n"I thought it was a success," Zeta Phi Beta secretary Rickesha Ewing-Spates said of Friday's event. "We had a great turnout."\nThe talent show let the audience be the judge of each act, but in an unconventional way. Each performer was given 30 seconds to start their act, after which it was up to the audience to decide whether they should be on stage any longer. \nThe audience booed or cheered, depending on the quality of the act, and the act was taken care of accordingly. Performers were pulled off stage traditionally: with a cane.\nLocal groups, as well as several from Indianapolis were present. The rap group "Naptown" from Indianapolis and local dance group IU Essence performed at the event. \nHughes, a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and the IU Soul Revue, performed the gospel song "I won't complain" as a solo act. \n"I feel blessed that people took time to listen to what I had to say," he said of his performance, "It's good to get some recognition."\nThe audience was responsive, with many acts receiving a standing ovation. Others, however, were not so lucky, and several were booed off stage. It was all in good humor, however, and no acts were hurt in the proceedings.\n"It was really entertaining, even though some groups were much better than others," said junior Jenna Rooney.
(10/23/02 5:25am)
With five active members, the Zeta Phi Beta sorority might seem to be short-handed, but the women, who are running a weeklong series of events, don't let numbers get in the way.\n"We have five very active members," junior member Rickesha Ewing-Spates said. "I'm talking quality over quantity."\nActive members indeed, especially when one considers the weeklong series of events, dubbed the Blue Revolution, that kicked off Monday with a fund drive to help Martinsville and Ellettsville tornado victims. The events are designed to increase awareness about the sorority as well as issues that they feel are important to the community. \nPrevious events the sorority has organized are the Big Debate and the ZetAppollo Talent Revolution, which has been running for three years. \nTuesday night's event, a discussion on the social climate of today's African American females on the IU campus, featured poetry readings and a discussion of related topics. \nThe Zeta Phi Beta IU chapter was established in 1974, and has chapters worldwide. The sorority members say they even have chapters in Africa.\n"No matter where I go in the world I have sisters," said junior Sirri Bonu. \nThe sorority is also constitutionally bound to Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.\nJunior Stacy Stokes said the community and family atmosphere the sorority offers makes her feel more at home on such a large campus. \n"I come from a large family," Stokes said. "So, for me, it's like a home away from home."\nThe events this week are open to anyone interested, and are an attempt to involve a more diverse range of people.\n"We're trying to introduce new events, because I think lately there hasn't been much change in terms of activities," Ewing-Spates said. "We want to bridge the gap between those involved in Greek organizations and those that aren't, which is why our events are open to anyone."\nOther events this week will be an all sorority open house, where prospective members can meet, greet and obtain information about the Panhellenic Council sororities on campus. This will be tonight in the McNutt Formal Lounge from 6 to 8 p.m. Formal attire is required. \nThursday there will be a karaoke night with food and participation prizes. It will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center in the Grand Hall.\nThe ZetApollo Talent show from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday in the IMU Frangipani room, with a $3 cover charge. \nThe talent show has proven extremely popular in the three years that it has been running, and features dancing, singing, poetry and various other kinds of entertainment. Performers entertain their audience and stay on if applauded, but can be booed off. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best acts. \nSaturday, the Zeta Phi Beta Party will be from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Alumni Hall. The cost is $5.\nWomen interested in joining Zeta can obtain information about the sorority from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the IMU, Sassafras Room.\nThe sorority is also partaking in the Safe Halloween drive next week, as are many of the greek organizations on Jordan Ave. The houses distribute candy to trick-or-treaters. \n"We're down-to-earth and realistic," Ewing-Spates said. "At Zeta you can be an individual"
(10/09/02 4:52am)
The room, which had been silent only twenty minutes ago, was alive with debate, as maps were unfurled and proposals were put forth.\nAn hour and a half later all was calm again, the people in the room having made decisions that may well alter the lives of tens of thousands of people…\nThe Hague? Nope. The UN General Assembly? Hardly. All of these life-changing decisions are made every month at the Bloomington Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission meetings. The cause? Safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians.\nThe BPSC, a citizen based commission, works with the City Planning & Public Works department to propose development projects aimed at improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians. \n"We can make a difference," said Mike Gavin, a long-time member of the BPSC. "Many of the bike lanes and sidewalks in Bloomington are a result of this commission."\nEight people attended Monday's preliminary meeting; although nothing was made official, active discussion ensued for over almost two hours.\nThe group has official meetings every month in which they decide on projects to bring to the attention of the CPPW. \nOnce submitted, the CPPW decides whether or not to implement these projects.\nOne of the several current issues that the commission is working on is updating the Bloomington Bicycle map, which they hope to put up on the Web. \n"I ride my bike for recreational purposes but I also use it as a means of transport," Vice-Chairman of BPSC Mitch Rice said. \nThe immense popularity of bikes at IU would suggest that many students use bikes as a cheap alternative to motor vehicles. Of late, cars are proving to be a nuisance in many local neighborhoods.\nThe BPSC works in conjunction with the Neighborhood Traffic Safety program, in which citizens explain problems or concerns they have regarding traffic safety within their community.\n"The majority of problems are with people speeding through neighborhoods," Chairman of the BPSC Steve Cotter said. He added it is not so much a problem of congestion but more a question of safety.\nThe recent death of an IU student in a bike accident is evidence of this and brings to question what precautions are being taken to prevent further accidents.\n"I think it's very tragic," Cotter said of the fatal accident, "We work here to avoid those kinds of accidents."\nBut he added that the cause of the accident may have been because she felt safer riding on the sidewalk rather than on the road.\nThe proposals that the commission make to the Planning & Public Works department can take anywhere from three weeks to a year if they are chosen to be implemented, Cotter said, which could mean that it will be some time before the public sees any significant changes. \nRice said the past two years have been an apt time for development in the city and much has been accomplished. When asked about the accident, he said, "I think we need to emphasize not only safe biking but safe driving as well"
(10/03/02 5:41am)
Drought, famine, AIDS, war.\nAll problems common to Africa. Every day 7,000 people in Africa die from AIDS, and 10 percent of those victims are from Kenya alone. \nDespite efforts by non-government organizations to establish AIDS awareness programs, the continent is still largely reliant upon international relief and development groups to help lead the way. \nOne such organization, Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers, was founded three years ago at IU by former students Hank Selke and Philip Roessler. Both had spent time in Kenya and met through a mutual interest in the AIDS epidemic, illiteracy and economic stagnation in Africa. They said they believed effective AIDS relief and development programs were sorely lacking and felt a more focused approach to the problems was required.\nBut Selke said the foundations of the organization were laid earlier than that. It began when he first traveled to Kenya and met Reverend Reuben Lubanga in the summer of 1998.\n"I often found myself wondering, 'How and, more importantly, why does he (Reuben) do this?'" Selke said, in regard to Reuben's routine. "But then I remembered what Reuben had been doing since 1996: Pushing his wheelbarrow with a TV/VCR/generator from village to village, relentlessly educating his people about AIDS."\nIt was that kind of ethos that proved inspirational for Selke and set the stage for OKDV, which uses similar efforts to educate the people of Kenya about AIDS. \nCurrent co-director Kunal Desai said a total of 15 IU student-members have volunteered to go to Kenya in the past three years. They stay with a host family in Bungoma and participate in the teach-ins.\n"We try to implement developmental projects focusing on three areas: AIDS education, working with women's rights groups and increasing literacy," Desai said. "Our primary concern is AIDS education since it is the reason for many of the economic, social and education problems."\nIndeed, the consequences of AIDS are felt by more than just the public because the socio-economic effects are more damaging in the long run.\nThe majority of infants who contract the virus at birth do not live long enough to go to school, while those children who do go to school usually end up dropping out to help support their families or ill relatives, according to the Web site www.bewareofaids.org. The impact on businesses and farms is a drop in productivity due to absenteeism or death.\nFurthermore, the Web site said that businesses must pay for staff recruitment, training, etc. before hiring employees, only to lose them a short while later and have to pay funeral expenses. \nOKDV said by increasing awareness about AIDS and encouraging safe sex, they can reduce the number of people affected, which will have a positive knock-on effect for other afflicted areas. \nDesai said in order to implement education and development programs, OKDV works in collaboration with Intercommunity Development Involvement, a non-government organization in Kenya, to organize teach-ins at schools, youth clubs and churches in an effort to increase AIDS awareness. \nCollecting books to help set up public libraries is one of the ways OKDV is involved in helping to increase the number of literacy programs. \n"During June 2001, we helped build the first Public Library, provided three women's groups with five sewing machines each and helped build a pre-school," Selke said. \nOKDV also works with AIDS organizations (other than ICODEI) to help pool their energies and resources. Desai said being an organization that survives on the donations of supporters, government grants and various fundraising activities, it is vital that its resources are used effectively.\nOne of four students who went this past summer to Bungoma, a town in Western Kenya, was Sarah Cahillane. \n"We helped our host family turn their farm into an organic farm," she said. "By helping them in this way, they become more self-sufficient. This is what OKDV is trying to do, but on a much larger scale."\nOKDV also works with women's groups, providing them with physical capital to help them start their own businesses, Desai said. By encouraging unity and consolidating the various women's groups within each community, the organization hopes to stimulate development more rapidly than several groups working separately would be able to. \nThis summer OKDV will be working with Humanitarian Medical Outreach and another medical group to build a clinic. \nDesai said he is proud of all of the organization's achievements.\n"We speak to 6,000 or 7,000 people each summer," he said. "In total, I'd like to think that we've reached a total of 20,000 people in the last three summers"
(09/30/02 4:40am)
A tarp, mic stands and an amplifier or two. \nThis is the setting at People's Park (located across the street from Kilroys on Kirkwood) every Tuesday afternoon, and is part of the People's Park lunch series, which runs from mid-May to Oct. 8. From noon till 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, different local musicians bring their own style of music to the Bloomington community.\nLeslie Kaiser, community events specialist for the Bloomington Parks and Recreation office, said the idea behind the series is to help people enjoy some live music while on their lunch break.\n"We attract anywhere from 40 to 80 people every week," Kaiser said. "For a series that's only been around for a year, I think we've been fairly successful. I'd encourage people to come out, if only for the variety of music."\nA variety of musicians have played this year, including Janssen Jones (bluegrass), Craig Brenner (jazz/blues), The Mary Janes (country), Orion Winds (classical), the Bloomington Brass Quintet (classical), Old City Trio (bluegrass/country) and Jason Fickel (country/blues) among others. The concept of lunch in the park is complemented well by the music, and shows are largely casual affairs with people coming and going as they please.\n"You set up your stuff, play your show and leave," Steve Sobiech said. "It's a very relaxed atmosphere. Literally, just like playing in a park." \nSobiech, who plays music ranging from South African to Brazilian, is set to play on Oct. 8. He said one of the advantages of playing in the afternoon is that he reaches different types of people.\n"Playing in the afternoon lets you perform in front of a different audience," he said. "It's a welcome change from the usual nighttime crowd." \nNothing draws attention more than a crowd of people, and judging by the turnout each Tuesday, it's nice to see that local artists are getting some much needed support, Kaiser said. The Parks and Recreation office, which organizes similar concerts for other parks in town, enables local musicians to get more exposure than they normally would if they simply performed in bars or clubs. Kaiser said new performers get to showcase their material in a casual setting and in front of a moderately sized audience. \n"I really think the Parks and Recreation office are doing an excellent job supporting local talent," said Bloomington resident Jason Fickel, who performed this year as well as last year. "Giving artists a chance to play their material in this manner is a great idea for old and new bands."\nPeople's Park Lunch series will be held from noon to 1:30 on Tuesday Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.