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(08/29/12 4:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Food helps people connect a fork to their feelings, said Drew Ramsey,
assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University.
This was Ramsey’s message Tuesday at Bloomingfoods Market and Deli about the link between diet and people’s emotions.
“I have always been interested in food,” Ramsey said. “Food is the
factor that we have the most control over in terms of health. There are genetics, but dietary health is also the intricate interplay of genes and environment.”
Ramsey lectured at Bloomingfoods about his new book, “The Happiness Diet.”
Attendees were served a brain-food gourmet dinner presented in his book, including grass-fed meatballs marinara and a watermelon desert. Signed copies of the book were available for purchase.
“Everything you need for a happy brain can be found on a farm,” Ramsey said in a press release.
“Plants and animals provide the vitamins, minerals, fats and phytonutrients that are needed for optimal brain function.”
Ramsey, an IU School of Medicine graduate, is one of the nation’s top
lecturers about the effects of diet to balance moods and improve mental
health.
Growing up on a farm in Crawfordsville, Ind., Ramsey expressed the advantages of farm-grown food for optimal brain functions.
Bloomington residents Bob and Penny Austion said they have always been
interested in nutrition, where their food comes from and what food is
the best for a healthy life.
“The key seems to be to buy and eat local,” Bob Austion said. “Where
your food comes and what happens to it is very important. It is a big circle.”
Penny Austion said she looks forward to reading “The Happiness Diet” and is curious what Ramsey has to say in it.
Using modern psychological concepts, Ramsey connected the latest
discoveries in nutrition and health with brain science, according to
Ramsey’s website, drewramseymd.com.
Ramsey is also a certified diplomat of the American Board of Health.
Though he is a psychologist and supports pharmaceuticals, Ramsey
believes in retaining physical nutrients from foods that have a positive
effect on the brain, said Jean Kautt, member services director of Bloomingfoods.
“Growing up as an Indiana farm boy, his studies appeal through nutrition first before
pharmaceuticals,” Kautt said. “Ramsey is Bloomingfoods member number 955 and has promoted Bloomingfoods since (he was) a student at IU.”
Ramsey said the agriculture and availability to fresh food in Indiana provides momentum to living a healthy life.
“I am a very proud Hoosier, and it is very special to be back,” Ramsey
said. “Bloomington sets a great example to the rest of the nation.”
(08/28/12 4:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>America — land of the free, home of the fat. According to a new study of obesity rates, the U.S. still ranks high with extra pounds. There are 12 states where more than 30 percent of the residents are considered obese. Indiana is tied with South Carolina for eighth place, with obesity rates of 30.8 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classify people with a body mass index of at least 30 percent as obese.An analysis by the Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation used CDC findings to determine the obesity rates in each state. TFAH is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the health of communities and preventing diseases. The RWJF is the nation’s largest philanthropy for health and health care. Mississippi topped the list with a 34.9 percent obesity rate. Of the top 30 states with the highest obesity rates, 26 were from the midwest and southern regions. Despite the high obesity rate in the Hoosier state, the Americorps Improving Health Throughout Indiana program has helped reduce obesity in Indiana for the last five years.Erin Cooperman, Americorps coordinator and visiting research assistant at the IU School of Public Health, said Indiana residents lack the amount of physical exercise for adults and children and the proper nutritious meals necessary for healthy living. Because the state is dominated by a vehicle driving culture, Cooperman said Indiana residents don’t partake in the same amount of physical exercise that residents of larger cities do.“When we started Americorps, Indiana was 11th ranked in the nation and that number has increased to 8th,” Cooperman said. “Indiana does have a lower physical activity rate in schools and around the town.”Colorado had an obesity rate of 20.7 percent, the lowest of any state.“Colorado has the lowest rank in obesity because it is such an active state,” Cooperman said. “With biking and hiking, there is more activity that Indiana just does not have.”Cooperman said Americorps educates Hoosiers on proper nutrition and ways to live an active lifestyle.In 2006, obesity-related medical costs totaled $147 billion a year, accounting for nearly 10 percent of total medical spending, according to a 2011 study in health affairs.The bulk of this spending is generated by treating obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes.“Obesity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs,” TFAH Executive Director Jeffrey Levi said in a press release. “It is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced.”Because the new analysis is based on recently released data, the studies do not compare with old findings. With the new measuring rates, any past studies outweigh any previous year’s data, making it impossible to compare current obesity rates to those of the past. “The good news is that we have a growing body of evidence and approaches that we know can help reduce obesity, improve nutrition and increase physical activity based on making healthier choices easier for Americans,” Levi said. “The bad news is we’re not investing anywhere near what we need to in order to bend the obesity curve and see the returns in terms of health and savings.”
(08/24/12 4:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Once considered a health hazard, the multiple construction sites in Bloomington have been deemed safe by new guidelines and safety laws regarding materials for construction sites.Roads such as the S.R. 45/46 Bypass and Fee Lane have housed construction sites during the summer and will continue through the 2013-14 school year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, pollutants can be transmitted through construction from dust and materials used in the building.Dr. Marin Garcia of IU Health Bloomington Hospital said exposure to asbestos was common between the 1930s and 1980s, although the EPA banned it in 2000.Because asbestos was linked to lung cancer, Garcia said federal regulations evolved to limit and teach the public about how to use such materials.“The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Quality and the EPA has guidelines to modify and focus on pollutants from construction,” Garcia said. “The state has these regulations for the safety of the town.”When the EPA banned asbestos, it also established regulations to check materials in school buildings prepared for construction and buildings already built. William Brown, director of sustainability at IU, said all new buildings must meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building standards. The new criteria enforces any new construction sites on campus or around Bloomington to use less energy per square foot. “Major renovations are also required to meet green building standards and new energy codes,” Brown said. “Overall, our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are decreasing, in part because of more energy efficient construction and renovation.”Leaders of various building companies comprise the U.S Green Building Council, a non-profit organization promoting environmentally responsible, healthy and profitable buildings to work and live, according to the City of Bloomington website. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design was formed in 1999 and has become the main standard for building, specifically focusing on the design, construction and operation principles.LEED also regulates water efficiency, according to the Bloomington website. LEED motivates companies to use less water and use newer wastewater technology. Michael Litwin, supervisor of Bloomington Ecological Services, said construction sites can be damaging to waterways, but because of the drought this summer, contaminants are not that high. “Construction causes runoff of soil and erosion from heavy machinery,” Litwin said. “But with the criteria set by the LEED Green Building standards, contaminants from sites and air pollution are not as high as they used to be.”
(08/24/12 4:12am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A new nursery is coming to the Bloomington area, not for children, but for the cultivation of native plants. Eco Logic, a Bloomington-founded company dedicated to the restoration and management of ecological services, will establish a headquarters for southern Indiana’s first native plant nursery.“Eco Logic plans on adding eight new jobs to the county in the first 36 months of the project,” said Spencer Goehl, executive director of Eco Logic. “We will also be providing native plants for use in the landscapes.”These jobs, Goehl said, will help developers meet the landscape ordinances set by the Monroe County Council.“Because many native plants are drought resistant, this will help Monroe County minimize water use in our landscapes,” Goehl said. “This will take much-needed pressure off our water treatment plant during dry summers.”Aided financially by the Monroe County Council, Eco Logic is working with the nonprofit Bloomington Economic Development Corporation to establish the operations facility. BEDC works with the Monroe County market.“We helped the Eco Logic project with economic impact reports and values of the jobs created,” said Dana Palazzo, project manager of BEDC. “We work with officials to better understand the value of the company and help Eco Logic through phase one of their project.” Goehl said the company is paying for the project with financing from a local bank and has been granted tax abatements on any improvements made to the property in Monroe County.“Over a 10-year period they will give us a 90 percent discount in year one, 80 percent in year two, etc., until we pay full in year 10,” Goehl said. “The program is to help businesses start, expand or relocate to create jobs.” The company operates in Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. The headquarters opening in Monroe County intends to bring outside money and people to the area, Palazzo said. “It (Eco Logic) is such a unique business and the only one in southern Indiana,” Palazzo said. “It is growing and beneficial to the county as a whole.”For the new facilities in Monroe County, the Eco Logic Company will construct greenhouses and maintenance services for the growth of plants.The nursery will be built at 8685 Vernal Pike, Goehl said.“We are constructing our new headquarters and nursery production facilities in spring of 2013,” Goehl said. “The nursery retail center, with native plant display gardens and native restoration areas, will be constructed in 2015.”
(08/20/12 3:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After months of drought conditions and blistering heat, the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market had a cool Saturday morning fit for sales. The farmers market opens 8 a.m. every Saturday in the City Hall parking lot at 401 N. Morton St. Swarmed with local residents, students and vendors, the market is a sociable experience between consumers and merchants from farms and shops near Bloomington. Rosie Sill’s booth consisted of vegetables and fruits from Earth Sing Farm in Green County. She said the farmers market ended early in past weekends due to low attendance and high heat.“With the super hot days, there were definitely less people at the markets over the summer,” Sill said. “There were a few Saturdays that were 106 degrees. It was hot for customers and for us.”Forty-six percent of the state is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. More than 16 percent of the state is experiencing exceptional drought conditions. “It was a lot more work without water,” said Sarah McGee, Heartland Family Farm employee. “It was hard to work more without raising the price of our plants and products.” McGee said even farms with irrigation infrastructures were affected. The wells dried up, she said, and the infrastructures failed to take care of the plants, houses and animals. Jim Lewis of Old Post Gardens also had a difficult summer due to dry air. Crops most affected by a lack of water and irrigation were green beans and sweet corn.“Green beans were hit the hardest, but my peppers were unaffected all summer,” Lewis said.Lewis said most farms in the area have their own irrigation systems, which helped.The main problem for most crops was the inability for seeds to germinate during the drought. The seeds melted. Beyond the water shortage and warm weather, McGee said pests and bugs hurt their crops the most.Produce was not the only product touched by the difficult summer. Animals, such as cows and chickens, had to be fed and taken care of differently this summer, said Doug Abney of Red Barn Meats. Animals normally feed on grass until October, when they switch to hay. “This summer we had to start feeding the animals hay on July 1,” Abney said. “It has definitely increased costs by feeding hay to the animals all summer and not having it to sell for extra cash.”
(08/20/12 3:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington residents Tom and Pam Rude were in search of antiques and Lincoln Logs for school while walking through the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Junk in the Trunk community rummage sale Saturday morning.“I found some good things,” Pam Rude said. “The sale was very large and had a lot of nice things this year.”Relocated Frank Southern Ice Arena parking lot for more space, the rummage sale consisted of 52 local Bloomington vendors hoping to sell unused items. “We moved the location from Bryan Park because we could only have 40 spaces,” said Kelly McGlaothlin, a part-time worker for the Parks and Recreation Department. “Here, there are 70 open spaces with more accessible parking.”Prices varying from 25 cents to $200 attracted local Bloomington residents. Each vendor presented items from kitchen utensils to a rare Christmas Edition Barbie. Bloomington resident Kelli Abdon said the first items to leave her rummage space were antique plates. “We sold many books, dolls and chairs, but the antique plates and growlers, old glass jars, were the very first things to sell,” Abdon said.Near the end of the sale, most vendors dropped their prices by 50 to 75 percent. After noon, most vendors began to pack what they didn’t sell and made their way toward Goodwill. “People talk you down, or you drop prices,” resident Sarah Conaway said. “We just want to get rid of stuff.”— Jessica Campbell
(08/16/12 2:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Second-hand beds, mattresses and box springs in trash bins around town might be cheap alternatives to buying new furniture, but they can house infestations of bed bugs, said Dennis Wiliamson, environmental health specialist at the Monroe County Health Department.“The number of people affected with bed bugs varies,” Williamson said. “No less than 3 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. is affected.”Though Dumpster diving saves most recyclables from being thrown away and conserves money, the dangers — including bed bugs — that might arise outweigh anything found, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Bacteria from rotting food line the walls of trash bins, and broken glass or improperly disposed of needles can also be harmful to divers.If not scavenged by Dumpster divers, the furniture is picked up by disposal workers and taken to landfills where about 70 percent can be recycled, according to Bloomington Sanitation Services data.But local organizations offer alternatives to overfilled trash bins by welcoming donated and recycled materials.The Salvation Army, at 111 N. Rogers St., accepts discarded furniture and used household items. As the only Salvation store in the area, it’s constantly filled with donations from IU students, said Monica Clemons, director of social services at the Bloomington Salvation Army. “It depends on the time of the year, but clothes are the highest-donated item that we get,” Clemons said. “Right now, because of the start of the school year, students are mostly bringing old furniture and household items to the store.” Though the store owns several storage units for overstocked objects, the Salvation Army aims to move things in and out of the store as quickly as possible.“So overcrowding does not occur in the store, we host big sales throughout the year,” Clemons said. “Students also receive a 10 percent discount for everything in the store all year long with an ID.”Looking to recycle? There are bins and locations around the city that accept recyclable goods including paper, plastic and aluminum.Downtown Recycling CenterFind it at 10th and Rogers streets, behind City Hall.Opened last year, the center’s main purpose is to provide residents with a place to recycle goods.The center is a partnership between the City of Bloomington, Pedal Power and the Monroe County Solid Waste District.Chad Roeder, project manager of the recycling center, said he’d like there to be more recycling bins than trash bins around town.“Payment is given by the weight of recyclables donated, and cardboard boxes are the top materials,” he said. IU DormsMany campus buildings, including dorms, have recycling bins available.“Any guests of Briscoe or anyone that needs a place to dispose of things are welcome to use the bins,” said Megan Van Pelt, Briscoe Quad president. “But it’s all a matter of the residents making the right choice to recycle and giving a little extra effort.”
(08/16/12 1:45am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Second-hand beds, mattresses and box springs in trash bins around town might be cheap alternatives to buying new furniture, but they can house infestations of bed bugs, said Dennis Wiliamson, environmental health specialist at the Monroe County Health Department.“The number of people affected with bed bugs varies,” Williamson said. “No less than 3 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. is affected.”Though Dumpster diving saves most recyclables from being thrown away and conserves money, the dangers — including bed bugs — that might arise outweigh anything found, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Bacteria from rotting food line the walls of trash bins, and broken glass or improperly disposed of needles can also be harmful to divers.If not scavenged by Dumpster divers, the furniture is picked up by disposal workers and taken to landfills where about 70 percent can be recycled, according to Bloomington Sanitation Services data.But local organizations offer alternatives to overfilled trash bins by welcoming donated and recycled materials.The Salvation Army, at 111 N. Rogers St., accepts discarded furniture and used household items. As the only Salvation store in the area, it’s constantly filled with donations from IU students, said Monica Clemons, director of social services at the Bloomington Salvation Army. “It depends on the time of the year, but clothes are the highest-donated item that we get,” Clemons said. “Right now, because of the start of the school year, students are mostly bringing old furniture and household items to the store.” Though the store owns several storage units for overstocked objects, the Salvation Army aims to move things in and out of the store as quickly as possible.“So overcrowding does not occur in the store, we host big sales throughout the year,” Clemons said. “Students also receive a 10 percent discount for everything in the store all year long with an ID.”
(04/13/12 3:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sexual assault protesters chanted as they walked down the street. A sea of fishnet stockings, corsets, heels and little black dresses marched through Bloomington, parting the way for women’s rights and freedom of expression.Posters soared above the walkers demanding sexual awareness and the freedom of dress. Encouraged to wear whatever outfit they deemed fit, women charged the street, embracing their sexuality, knowing that if they were raped, abused or assaulted, it was not their fault. “I came to the SlutWalk to help raise awareness about sexual assault,” freshman Emily Gall said. Holding a handmade poster that read, “No Means No,” Gall joined the crowd of about 150, mostly women, drawn to the event to speak on behalf of abused and assaulted women everywhere. Anonymous “slut statements” were read aloud while members of Ladies First, IU’s only all-female a capella group, prepared their live performance for the gathering. “I walk for all the girls who were to afraid to speak up,” one protester echoed from the microphone, followed by screams and applause. The event was about to begin, and SlutWalk participants were pumped for the walk to Kirkwood Avenue.The walk began at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Dunn Meadow. It was sponsored and organized by IU’s Women’s Student Association and Safe Sisters, among others. As it was Bloomington’s first SlutWalk, head coordinator Emily Kitchen said she just hoped for a good turnout. “I was surprised we did not already have a SlutWalk before I decided to bring it to Bloomington,” Kitchen said. “Since it is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I thought it was a good time to educate about the problems of rape and slut blaming.” Though new to Bloomington, SlutWalks have been organized in locations around the world. It was created after a Toronto police officer said in an 2011 lecture, “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.” “I think his (statement) is really representative of what our culture thinks,” Grace Evans, member of the Women’s Student Association, said. “I think our society missed an important message of not blaming the victim.”She also said the SlutWalk event was not to redefine “slut” but instead to support awareness and women’s self-expression. The mission of SlutWalk is to speak to both men and women, advocating the importance of unity, freedom of expression and diminishing the stereotypes and myths of sexual abuse, according to a press release. SlutWalk helps to promote a safe environment and community, and it also supports wearing whatever clothing is the most comfortable and not having clothes speak for themselves, according to the press release. Director of the Women’s Student Association Rachael Richter said she is really tired of people saying “she was asking for it.” “A tight shirt does not mean ‘wants to get laid’,” Richter said. “Self-expression, personal style, safe environment is what we’re doing.”Kitchen said she hopes the SlutWalk event continues in future years.“We are here to put our foot down,” she said. “There are no excuses to be victimized.”
(04/11/12 3:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Waving around a plastic bottle of water, feminist author Jaclyn Friedman spoke about the commodity model — a heteronormative transaction in which women are expected to protect their sexuality while men are encouraged to pursue it — Tuesday evening in Woodburn Hall. “The bottle is my lady sex — an unopened, untouched object, not my body,” she said. Friedman is the coeditor of “Yes Means Yes” and the author of “What Women Really Really Want: The Smart Girl’s Shame-Free Guide to Sex and Safety.” A popular speaker traveling to numerous campuses around the country, Friedman has been featured in Jezebel, CNN and the Washington Post speaking on behalf of women’s rights, sexual awareness and feminist issues. Friedman was sexually assaulted in college, believing she was too smart to be sexually assaulted until it happened.“Sex should be a conversation,” Friedman said. “It is hard to talk openly because we live in such a commodity world where men know everything about women and what we want.” As a beginning event of the IU Student Association’s Culture of Care Week, the auditorium, plastered with fliers, posters and ribbons, was packed with young women. Sophomore Jayne Fortner said she found the talk interesting in light of the current debate surrounding the fate of the Office of Women’s Affairs. Friedman addressed issues of sexual activities including consent, the effects of alcohol and how to engage in relationships in a smart, healthy way. “Who would like to have sex with people who are actively into it?” she asked.Her concept of enthusiastic consent grants girls permission to engage in safe sex without getting locked into it. “It is not a light switch,” Friedman said. “It is not once you say ‘yes,’ then you can’t back out. Instead, sex should be like synchronized swimming.”Friedman compared the water to consent, with a person always being surrounded by it and not being able to continue if his or her partner is not with him or her the whole time.Friedman also spoke about the importance of being able to talk about sex with your partner. Her list of rules include using your strengths, being confident and practicing discussing sex beforehand. By not being able to talk about sex, you are sending yourself a dangerous message that your feelings and beliefs do not matter, she said.“Her lecture was inspiring because she uses dialogue we don’t normally have on subjects we don’t normally talk about,” said Colleen Leahy, member of the IU Division of Student Affairs and IDS opinion columnist. Mixing humor, sarcasm and some swear words, Friedman advocated her views and advice about serious subjects.“I am pro-sex. I want everyone to have great, safe sex or no sex, if they choose,” she said. “I want people to know all of their opinions, because honestly, sex is wicked cool.”
(04/06/12 1:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>On March 2, a tornado slashed through Henryville, Ind., destroying homes, parks and schools and leaving the lives of Indiana residents in its wake. Now, as Henryville begins to rebuild itself, the Bloomington Watercolor Society has stepped in to shed the color needed to light the community back up.“Art as therapy has been shown to be a powerful tool in helping children and adults work through emotions and fears brought about by tragic circumstances, and it also provides some measure of joy in the ability to create something in the midst of destruction,” said Miah Michaelsen, the assistant economic development director for the arts for the City of Bloomington.Michaelsen is in charge of the collection and is helping to spread the word to Bloomington residents.The Bloomington Watercolor Society is an active organization of about 80 local members.Many of the members are art teachers or are significant supporters of the arts who know how they can help students recover the comfort and way of life that was taken in the face of tragedy.“It is a very vibrant, active group of people,” said Vice President of the Bloomington Watercolor Society Kristie Lindberg. “We are trying to get more karma out there.”The society sponsors various workshops and programs for local watercolorists and artists. It produces newsletters and has meetings and conferences to further enhance the arts community in Bloomington.“We have worked with Bloomington Parks and Recreation and the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools,” said Jeanne Dutton, president of the Bloomington Watercolor Society. “We do not work with IU yet, but maybe in the future.”The Bloomington Watercolor Society has organized a donation site for new or used arts supplies to help restock Henryville schools.The specific supplies needed include paper, colored pencils, paints, brushes, canvases, erasers, sketchbooks, glue and ceramic materials.Partnered with the City of Bloomington Arts Commission, the society began receiving donations Wednesday after setting up a collection box in the City Hall Atrium.The box will also be available for donations from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.As cars trickled around the parking lot in front of the City Hall Atrium and people unloaded boxes and bags overflowing with paintbrushes, paper and pencils, members inside sorted supplies to ready them for shipment to Henryville.Phyllis Watt, IU alumna and Bloomington resident, said she saw the donation announcement while reading the Sunday paper.“I had a lot of old supplies laying around,” Watt said. “I have been painting for 40 to 50 years and decided to donate some things.”Other organizations helping with the Henryville effort are the Bloomington High School South Band Boosters Associations Inc., which is raising money for the Henryville school’s music programs and Follett Titlewave, an association designed to improve the libraries and school’s curricula. “On the practical level, many of the donation solicitations done by other groups have been for personal care and basic education items needed and not for specific arts supplies such as paints, brushes, canvases, etcetera,” Michaelsen said. “That’s where the Watercolor Society had an affinity and felt like they could make a difference.”For more information about the Bloomington Watercolor Society or how to donate, go to bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
(03/05/12 2:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Shouting with glee, children in colored Lorax masks lined the halls. Waiting under the decorated truffula trees that hung on the walls, excited faces stared in awe as legendary Dr. Seuss characters came to life. After playing games such as hopping on pop and fishing for blues and reds, families met with Thing 1 and Thing 2 for pictures and fun.The Monroe County Public Library sponsored its annual Seusspicious Behavior benefit on March 3. Celebrating the March 2 birthday of Dr. Seuss, the Children’s Corner Cooperative Nursery School worked with the children’s library section for a day of Seuss spectacular. WTIU, the public television and radio program broadcasted through IU, presented Cat in the Hat characters Things 1 and 2 and provided free books and cartoons to the attendees. The Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization promoting library programs in the community, supplied money and materials for the Bloomington High School North drama program. Playing every 30 minutes, families filled the library auditorium to see the school’s production of the shortened production of the latest Dr. Seuss movie, “The Lorax.”“The Lorax,” is a tale about a boy looking for the last truffula tree and meeting the Lorax, a character fighting to protect the world.“Volunteers from Parks and Recreation, the IU School of Library and Information Sciences and other organizations helped out a lot,” children’s librarian Christina Jones said. “They organized the games and crafts and provided cupcakes for the children and parents.”Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation is a large contributor to the event as well. Lynsie Haag, a program specialist for the Seuss event, said this year’s Seusspicious Behavior event had a great turnout.“There were about 200 people here and 100 people in the audience of the theater show,” Haag said. “This is my fourth time working here. The event has definitely grown in the past couple of years. A lot of people are doing the Seuss thing now because the movies are coming out.”Families bonded during games of Hop on Pop hopscotch, face painting and Dr. Seuss board games. “The kids get stickers after they complete each game,” said Hanna Huff, a Parks and Recreation intern. “At the end of the day, when they win all of the stickers, they get a prize. It is fun motivation for them.”
(02/20/12 4:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Downstairs, past a showcase of awards and trophies, swarms of black stiletto heels clacked toward the conference room. Dressed in crisp suits with multiple résumés at hand, the ladies of this year’s Women in Business Conference gathered, discussing and planning future careers as professional businesswomen.Inside the Kelley School of Business on Saturday, the Carpe Diem 2012 Conference presented a series of successful businessmen and women speakers.The morning session, limited to Kelley School of Business students, featured IU senior lecturer Tatiana Kolovou, Ford North America Executive Joy Falotico and various WIB alumni who spoke about their business career paths. At noon, the afternoon session opened the lecture to all interested parties. Susan Pickett, the group vice president of Macy’s, Inc., and Ron Hoven, the global marketing director for Eli Lilly and Company, concluded the event. “I kept the theme by talking about seizing the bad day,” Pickett said. “It is important to know it is okay to fail. It is a hard concept, but when we see a lot of successful people you have to remember that they had a lot of screwups, too.”Sophomore Shelby Honekamp said she enjoyed the speech, finding it inspirational and interesting.“The main point was when you fall down, you just have to get right back up,” Honekamp said. “It is beautiful how you just need to make the most out of every situation and learn throughout the process.”Before the mini career fair began, the WIB panel set up a hints-and-tips lecture about networking and development.“The speech was really helpful,” sophomore Murphy O’Neil said. “It reminded us to introduce yourself, smile, firm handshake, and how important it all is when meeting professional businessmen and women.”The career fair, a new session to the conference that was introduced by WIB Director Danielle Rizzo, was designed to help the attendees gain experience and relationships with local businesses. ArcelorMittal, Discover Financial Services, Ernst & Young, Bosch and Target were invited to the event. “The fair is for both relationships and future careers,” Discover employee Lindsay Swisher said. “Our main goal is to enhance our presence on the IU campus. We have many IU graduates working at Discover, and a lot of good work comes from our IU employees.”Swisher is a 2009 IU alumna who attended the career fair to notify women about a prospective job shadowing opportunity for freshmen and sophomores to learn more about the Discover organization. Keynote speaker Ron Hoven concluded the event. Hoven, a father of two IU students, works for Eli Lilly and Company, leading market activities for both commercialization of existing brands and the development of Lilly’s insulin and device pipeline. Hoven spoke to the WIB audience, emphasizing the importance of seizing the day and finding yourself in the process.Hoven said three parts help define that purpose. The first is a personal drawing or vision that makes up your personal essence. He said the second aspect is learning to understand yourself, your motivations and your individual sense of achievement. The last part is to accept insights throughout life. He told audience members to chart their courses and set their sights on whatever paths they decide to take.“The point I am trying to make is, seizing the day is fun, but you need a purpose,” Hoven said. “A purpose maintains spirit and energy, ensuring that you are making a difference.”
(01/26/12 3:09am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Gliding in with a new record, “Which Side Are You On?,” Ani DiFranco throws a punk edge into another set of politically-fueled anthems.“Which Side Are You On?” is DiFranco’s 17th studio album, her first after a nearly four-year break. The album includes 11 songs, with a refurbished edition and titular namesake “Which Side Are You On?” by Pete Seeger. In addition to DiFranco’s band, the album features Seeger playing the banjo and back-up vocals by local school chorus groups from New Orleans.The album gives insight into DiFranco’s past, memories and views on old age and the joys of what life has to offer. “If Yr Not” influences listeners to embrace becoming older and remain happy throughout the years. Elsewhere on the album, DiFranco sings about world hunger and government inaction. As a known activist, she uses the songs “J” and “Amendment” to directly speak to her audience.Whether it’s condemning Wall Street’s mishaps or supporting women’s rights, Difranco urges followers to stand up for what they believe in, loudly and proudly.
(01/19/12 2:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Norah Jones is back, and this time it’s as an excuse to revive the honky-tonk country oldies from the dead.“For the Good Times,” a group project focused on digging up vintage collections, incorporates a mixture of classics written by artists such as Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and Dolly Parton, creating a new edge of country rhythm appealing to even non-country listeners. Grammy award winner Jones opens the album with the track “I Worship You,” which blends country, traditional and jazz-like sounds. It also includes a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Permanently Lonely,” soulfully sung by Richard Julian.Furthest from the standard western sound is “Fowl Owl on the Prowl,” which was originally sung by Quincy Jones.But the record’s biggest successes are “Jolene” by Parton and Red Simpson’s “Diesel Smoke, Dangerous Curves” performed by the duet of Jones and Julian.Six years after their previous album, The Little Willies have gracefully switched from a melodic soft-rock band to a rugged country one that can fit in among your grandfather’s old records.
(01/13/12 5:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The lecture hall was jammed tight with audience members fidgeting in their chairs and late walk-ins gravitating toward the back of the room and covering the staircase–everyone trying to adjust and move about in order to obtain a better view of the speaker in front. Victor Jackovich, having graduated from IU in 1970 stood before the audience ready to speak and deliver.The Journalists for Human Rights actively recruited Jackovich to come speak before students and survivors alike.The speech delivered by Jackovich on Thursday night on the Bosnian Genocide was produced by the Journalists for Human Rights group the School of Journalism. After accepting the nomination of America’s first ambassador of Bosnia, Jackovich took the knowledge he gained from his IU education with him onto the dangerous grounds of the Bosnian war zones.“I arrived by myself. An army official drove me to the airport, took out a helmet and a vest and said, ‘You might want to take this with you,’” Jackovich said. “My reaction was, ‘Aren’t you coming with me?’”Improvising as he went along, the main objective, other than staying alive, he said, was reporting all observations and events back to the waiting Washington D.C. officials.“No report went by without me looking at it,” Jackovich said. “I wanted to keep reports as objective as possible, telling the United States exactly what is going on.”As a journalist during the time, spreading the truth on genocide was an important goal, Jackovich said. Bosnian civilians were determined to live life as normally as they could. They looked up to and believed the U.S. could take the necessary action during the war, Jackovich said.“It was clear to me that this action could be taken, but it was also clear as a professional diplomat that I belonged to a system and the system works a certain way,” Jackovich said. “And that system won.”Alen Simic, president of JHR, said always having the past of growing up in Bosnia on his mind has affected him as a journalist. Simic himself is a survivor of the ordeal and sought refuge in the United States when he was younger.Simic personally presented Jackovich with an award from the organization to commend him for his efforts.“It affects me like anybody’s past affects them,” Simic said. “I want to maybe do something positive because journalists have played such an important role, like in Bosnia making politicians take action.”
(12/05/11 2:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It was a room filled with war, death, sadness and something else: hope.The College of Arts and Sciences completed its Themester with a symposium of individual presentations of selected topics of research.The conference reflected the students’ battle with the theme “Making War, Making Peace” by portraying the hardships of war and goals and dreams of each student to help put a stop to war and suffering.Freshman international studies major Laura Strawmyer used her interest in war and peace through the Themester course.“I enrolled in the class to get a new point of view on war and peace through the use of art and literature,” Strawmyer said. “My project concerned the relevance of international conflicts to American students and to show that we have the voice and power to make a difference.” Students expressed their views on the effects of war and peace on different cultures through papers, videos, PowerPoints and posters.Katy Davis, a sophomore enrolled in the Collins Living-Learning Center course Art of War and Peace in 20th Century America, demonstrated her feelings with two posters called, “Caricatures of War.” The posters include images of Care Bears intending to inflict pain and misery. “I wanted to take something innocent and transform it into the enemy,” Davis said. “The pictures are based off of Nazi and Jewish posters from World War II. I wanted to show how propaganda of any kind can change our minds on subjects.”Other subjects included Middle Eastern literature, international politics and peace building around the world. For some students, the Themester sparked new interests and job prospects.Junior Vanessa Mendoza researched the occupation of African hair braiding in the United States. Her finished project was a result of many readings and research on the lives of immigrants after arriving in America.“I am in the Muslim and African class, and the topic really stood out to me,” junior Vanessa Mendoza said. “The class was intense because there were so much reading, but I really enjoyed it, and it actually prompted me to get the African Studies certificate.”
(12/01/11 4:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Herman B Wells Library houses books and maintains organizations for students. It provides a safe haven for studying and a workplace for librarians.However, this workplace is so large and has so many functions that both students and staff may find it difficult to sift through the library’s breadth.The addition of software will make this task easier. “Kuali OLE will help improve access for students with our library resources,” said Brad Wheeler, IU vice president for Information Technology. “In time, it will help greatly become more efficient to search our library information.”Kuali Open Library Environment 0.3 is the newest software created to develop and improve the needs of all schools that use administration software for library resources. With the decrease in library technology manufacturing, sustaining software for libraries is hard, Wheeler said. As a result, librarians constructed Kuali OLE to help link resources to businesses and enterprises and provide more external opportunities for research.“With Kuali Open Library Environment, IU Libraries will be able to make our operations more efficient,” said Brenda Johnson, IU Ruth Lilly dean of University of Libraries. “The software’s customizable tools will allow us to identify ways to improve our workflows for the purchasing of library materials.” The Kuali OLE works with many colleges and universities and allows them to adopt the software without any licensing fees. The development of the technology allows library resources to be managed in one primary storage component, making research easier for students. It forms an easy workflow for library management and provides integration with Kuali Rice, an enterprise service that will allow a more efficient work plan for IU students, faculty and staff. The new software will also enhance the search capabilities and services of IU’s online catalog, IUCat, and IU’s new search link, OneSearch@IU. Topics that require outside or external information can be accessed through the connections made by Kuali OLE.“I like the idea of the new software because it seems like it could help students,” freshman Alex Dierckman said. “It is important to use credible sources for papers and projects, and if the software helps students in their studies, then the library will be more useful.”The software 0.3 is an early version of a longer project. Because it is the next generation library technology, the entire installation will not be ready for IU for at least a year.
(10/19/11 2:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students who want to live for free next year, build their leadership skills and mentor future freshman can apply to be a resident assistant or commUNITY educator for fall 2012 and spring 2013 through Residential Programs and Services. “Being an RA helps leadership, communication and mediating skills,” said junior Kayleigh Fisher, an Ashton Residence Hall RA. “It also helps financially and meeting friends, especially with other RAs.”To be eligible, an applicant must be of at least sophomore standing during the 2012-13 school year, have a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and have no past judicial records or bursar bills from the University. Elected students will be compensated with a single room, a stipend of $1,500 and an RPS meal plan during the course of the year.There are 15-25 RAs per residence unit, each in charge of 50 students. In addition, one person becomes a CUE for each residence hall. General RA responsibilities are mostly related to helping new students become acquainted with IU. This includes answering questions, enforcing rules and policies and assisting students. CUEs promote diversity and social justice awareness and education in the dorms by planning and presenting programs in collaboration with the student government, floor presidents and RPS managers. Freshman Lauren James said she plans to be an RA in hopes that she can help entering freshman with the hardships of college life. “My RA is always there when you need her,” James said. “She’s a great role model and helps whenever she can. I want to be able to do something as simple as that for someone.” To begin the selection process, interested students must attend an information meeting and fill out and return an application by Dec. 5. The next step is to enroll in the required course and complete an interview by March. “The process was definitely worth it,” said junior Anthony Zeese, a Teter Residence Hall RA. “While it was a little long, there are many rewards that come with the job. It is great experience for future jobs, and the people I work with are really awesome.”More information on becoming an RA or CUE can be found at rps.indiana.edu/racuejobs.cfml.
(10/17/11 12:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With the addition of Tuesday study tables in newly furnished lounges, partnerships with Atkins Book Club and a fresh, modern logo on the window, Stephanie Power-Carter has begun her latest IU career as director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Power-Carter, formerly an associate professor of the IU School of Education, succeeded Audrey McCluskey on Aug. 1. “I was asked to do this job, and it’s been very exciting,” Power-Carter said. “I’m excited to work with the students. Making sure the center is running well is one of my top priorities.”The center was named after black graduates Marcellus Neal and Frances Marshall. The building houses the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library, African-American Arts Institute and the Office of Diversity Education.It also contains lounges, computer labs and study rooms for student use. “Letting (students) know they are following the footsteps of black faculty staff who made great strides in creating and building this community at IU is important to us,” Power-Carter said. “Just making sure people know we are here, and that we are out to serve them in the most professional way (is important).” The four goals of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center are academic excellence, student services, recruitment attention and community, Power-Carter said.“Those are things we want to emphasize here and let students know that they’re welcome,” Power-Carter said. “This is the kind of place where you can come, learn about black life, and have the experience to have someone to talk to and share with. It’s just that kind of place.”Before her journey to Indiana, Power-Carter lived in a small, rural Georgia town. She was a first-generation college student when she applied and graduated from the University of Georgia, then Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Eric Love, director of the Office of Diversity Education, said he is very excited about Power-Carter’s leadership and vision for the culture center.“Dr. Power-Carter brings an energy and drive to the position,” Love said. “She has incredible vision and has transformed the Culture Center into a warm and inviting space.”Power-Carter said there is always a learning experience, whether you are interested in learning or not.She said an older man once told her she could not get into the University of Georgia, and that she spent her life fighting such expectations.Power-Carter said, “He had no idea about me, but just looked at me. I fought against those expectations all my life, but my parents prepared me and that was just the world I grew up in.“So the fact that there were people who saw me, and made assumptions about me, that’s my whole life, and that’s been a fuel to the fire.”