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(09/18/06 2:55am)
Starting Tuesday, Bloomington residents will have more resources for reproductive health.\nThe Futures Family Health Clinic, 338 S. Walnut St., will have its grand opening from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, offering tours and refreshments. The clinic's focus is promoting healthy lifestyles for young adults and family planning.\n"The emphasis is about educating clients on reproduction," said Bob Schmidt, administrator of the Monroe County Health Department. \nThe clinic will offer birth control, STD screenings and tobacco cessation classes. It will also answer any questions clients might have, Schmidt said.\nThe clinic is funded by a federal grant from Title X-Family Planning, a program that provides funding for preventative health screening and family-planning services. Bloomington Hospital originally held the grant, which was later picked up by the Health Department. Futures Family Clinic is a division of the Health Department.\nAccording to its Web site, the Title X program is the only federal program with the sole purpose of providing family planning and reproductive health care. The Web site says the program is designed to provide access to contraceptives and information to everyone with an emphasis on lower-income individuals.\nClients will be asked questions to see where they fit on the clinics fee scale, but if a client cannot afford to pay for services, they will be provided free of charge.\n"We ask one time if they have insurance, but that's it," Schmidt said.\nThe fee scale for clients is based on factors such as the number of people in their family and their income.\nMost people will pay $28 or less for service, said Jackie Squires, a certified nurse-midwife.\nSquires is a health care provider and management associate for the clinic who was previously employed at the IU Health Center. She encouraged students to take advantage of the clinic's services.\nAlong with STD screenings, the clinic can prescribe and provide treatment for STDs. \n"People can walk out the door with medicine in hand," Squires said. \nThe clinic does not offer general physical exams or treatment for health problems not related to reproduction. The tobacco cessation service is educationally based and does not offer medicinal treatment. To contact the clinic, call 349-7343.
(09/12/06 3:01am)
Before addressing a crowd in the Hoosier Room at Memorial Stadium, IU football coach Terry Hoeppner took time to autograph a hat for 10-year-old Michael "Mikey" Collis.\nHoeppner brought the hat as a gift for Mikey, who is a Little Brother at Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana. Hopenner spoke Monday at a press conference to kick off the "50 Men in 50 Days" campaign. The campaign set 50 men as its goal for fall recruitment. Hoeppner, the honorary event chairman, joined Big Brothers Big Sisters, which currently has 144 boys waiting for Big Brothers, in challenging the men of Monroe and Owen counties to "step up and make a difference" in the lives of young boys and young men.\nHoeppner talked about the gratitude he gets every day from his opportunity to be a mentor as part of his role as football coach. Players are always coming into his office to talk. \n"Some days you'll hold your breath, others you won't be able to wipe the smile off your face," Hoeppner said. "Small boys become big men because of the influence of big men who care about small boys." \nMikey attested to coach Hoeppner's statement by explaining the influence his Big Brother, Larry Forrester, of nearly two years has had on him. \n"Because of Larry, I thought about being a Big Brother when I grow up," Mikey said.\nForrester said boys who have a Big Brother are 56 percent less likely to skip school and 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs. When Forrester decided he wanted to give something back to the community, he realized that there were a lot of organizations that accepted financial contributions. But even though money always helps, he realized the immeasurable value that being a Big Brother would have for his community. \n"Writing a check is easy, but making a commitment is worth more than any check you could write," Forrester said.\nLiz Grenat, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, explained that the number one reason people volunteer to be Big Brothers is because somebody else asked them to. Grenat also pointed out that most volunteers were asked at least three times by other people before they decided to volunteer. Grenat told the story of one young boy who has been on the Big Brother Big Sister of South Central Indiana's waiting list for 1 1/2 years.\n"I don't care how old he is or what he looks like. I don't care about his personality. I just want him to be there," Grenat recalled the boy saying. \nGrenat explained that the organization will work around people's schedules no matter how busy they are. There are four different programs, one of which involves taking two or three kids to an activity once a month. \nGrenat said the easiest way to get involved is to call the organization at 334-2828, but the organization is also more than willing to come and talk to student groups.
(08/03/06 4:00am)
Plastic inflatable penises were plentiful throughout the camp ground, as were signs that requested passers by to expose their breasts. Bike engines revved at all hours of the day and night. Clothing was optional, even for those people whose bodies were fighting a losing battle against gravity. Random and crazy were two words that could be used to describe many of the people in attendance, such as Don Berndt. \n"Fuck you Bob!" is what he and his T-shirt said. "There's so many fuckin' Bobs in the world you gotta say fuck you Bob," Berndt said. These are the kinds of things that happen when people sentenced to 40 hours of weekly work until the age of 65 are allowed to get down, let loose, and let it all (yes ALL) hang out. This weekend of freedom is called The Boogie.\nThe 26th annual ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) sponsored Boogie lived up to its wild reputation. The sounds of Ted Nugent rocked the forests of Lawrence County Indiana. The powerful arm of Tony Wilson earned him a championship victory in the 151-170 lb. weight class of the arm wrestling competition. The aroma of five dollar corn dogs and beer mixed with motorcycle exhaust and blue port-a-potty water created a smell that was distinctly Boogie.\nFor each of the thousands of motorcycles at the event there was an owner with his or her own story of how and why they started riding. Riding is in the Blood for the Bechtel family of Oden, Indiana, even if getting their bikes meant giving up some fruit and a cow. Displaying his 2004 Iron Horse in the bike show was Clay Bechtel from Oden, Indiana making his third visit to the Boogie along with his father, Don Bechtel. Don recalled how he acquired his first bikes.\n"I first started out on an old blue scooter when I was 13. We'd go over and pick strawberries and sold'em door to door to pay for it," Don said. "Then I ended up, had a milk cow and sold it, then bought a brand new 1965 Yamaha. My family has bought motorcycles off Fox's up there at Bloomington for four generations." \nDon began riding when he was a teenager and quit for several years only to start again when his son bought a motorcycle. \n"I decided I wanted to ride with him before I got too old," Don said referring to his son. Clay has been to other motorcycle events such as Daytona Bike Week in Daytona, Florida and Little Sturgis in Sturgis, Kentucky. He feels that Daytona Bike Week is not as wild as the Boogie. \n"This is better than that just 'cause you get to see titties," Clay said. \nTitties aside, he thinks that the Boogie should look to Little Sturgis for improvements. \n"A lot of people like to go up there because the roads are blacktopped, and you know, their bikes don't get all shitty." Clay said. "Instead of spending money on them high dollar concerts they should lay off a couple years, and pave this." \nThe Boogie is held in an area of several hundred acres with gravel paths to allow bikers to ride throughout the camp ground. Michael Thomson who buys, restores, and sells vintage motorcycles for a living describes a prime example of why some Boogie-ers might prefer paved roads. The previous night he and his wife rode a motorcycle with a side car attached to see Ted Nugent who was headlining the event. Shortly after The Nuge began his performance it began to rain heavily. \n"We took my wife's three-wheeler, or her side-car rig, so we didn't have too much trouble slipping and sliding and falling down, but a lot of other people did," Thomson said. "There was four or five guys that hit that slick mud up there last night and just dumped it, big time." \nThomson hails from Arkansas and came to the Boogie with his wife Jessica. He tries to go to all the motorcycle events that he can such as Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota and Daytona Bike Week. The couple was on a trip that included stops at a bike show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and AMA's (American Motorcyclist's Association) Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. For this trip Thomson brought a 1963 Harley Davidson Sprint, a 1970 Triumph Bonneville, and a 1966 BMW. Thomson hauled his bikes in a trailer attached to his RV. Increases in fuel prices have forced Thomson to stop traveling as much as he used to. "This is a three week trip we're doing now and then I'm heading home and that's it," Thomson said. "Usually we'll do a month or two trip at a time for maybe two or three times a year; we're just not doing it anymore with the fuel prices the way it is. We can't do it. It's just too much money."\nTom Sage has been coming to the Boogie since 1998 and has also noticed a decrease in attendance. \n"There ain't as many people as normal," Sage said. "Usually you can't find an empty spot." \nSage is a road warrior, making his way to biker rallies rain or shine with nothing but the wind in his hair. \n"Keep going, unless it's hailing," Sage said. He does not wear a helmet or goggles. "Got a windshield," Sage said. Sage will brave the elements to make it to the Boogie and other events like it for one reason. "It's a good party"
(08/02/06 7:58pm)
Plastic inflatable penises were plentiful throughout the camp ground, as were signs that requested passers by to expose their breasts. Bike engines revved at all hours of the day and night. Clothing was optional, even for those people whose bodies were fighting a losing battle against gravity. Random and crazy were two words that could be used to describe many of the people in attendance, such as Don Berndt. \n"Fuck you Bob!" is what he and his T-shirt said. "There's so many fuckin' Bobs in the world you gotta say fuck you Bob," Berndt said. These are the kinds of things that happen when people sentenced to 40 hours of weekly work until the age of 65 are allowed to get down, let loose, and let it all (yes ALL) hang out. This weekend of freedom is called The Boogie.\nThe 26th annual ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) sponsored Boogie lived up to its wild reputation. The sounds of Ted Nugent rocked the forests of Lawrence County Indiana. The powerful arm of Tony Wilson earned him a championship victory in the 151-170 lb. weight class of the arm wrestling competition. The aroma of five dollar corn dogs and beer mixed with motorcycle exhaust and blue port-a-potty water created a smell that was distinctly Boogie.\nFor each of the thousands of motorcycles at the event there was an owner with his or her own story of how and why they started riding. Riding is in the Blood for the Bechtel family of Oden, Indiana, even if getting their bikes meant giving up some fruit and a cow. Displaying his 2004 Iron Horse in the bike show was Clay Bechtel from Oden, Indiana making his third visit to the Boogie along with his father, Don Bechtel. Don recalled how he acquired his first bikes.\n"I first started out on an old blue scooter when I was 13. We'd go over and pick strawberries and sold'em door to door to pay for it," Don said. "Then I ended up, had a milk cow and sold it, then bought a brand new 1965 Yamaha. My family has bought motorcycles off Fox's up there at Bloomington for four generations." \nDon began riding when he was a teenager and quit for several years only to start again when his son bought a motorcycle. \n"I decided I wanted to ride with him before I got too old," Don said referring to his son. Clay has been to other motorcycle events such as Daytona Bike Week in Daytona, Florida and Little Sturgis in Sturgis, Kentucky. He feels that Daytona Bike Week is not as wild as the Boogie. \n"This is better than that just 'cause you get to see titties," Clay said. \nTitties aside, he thinks that the Boogie should look to Little Sturgis for improvements. \n"A lot of people like to go up there because the roads are blacktopped, and you know, their bikes don't get all shitty." Clay said. "Instead of spending money on them high dollar concerts they should lay off a couple years, and pave this." \nThe Boogie is held in an area of several hundred acres with gravel paths to allow bikers to ride throughout the camp ground. Michael Thomson who buys, restores, and sells vintage motorcycles for a living describes a prime example of why some Boogie-ers might prefer paved roads. The previous night he and his wife rode a motorcycle with a side car attached to see Ted Nugent who was headlining the event. Shortly after The Nuge began his performance it began to rain heavily. \n"We took my wife's three-wheeler, or her side-car rig, so we didn't have too much trouble slipping and sliding and falling down, but a lot of other people did," Thomson said. "There was four or five guys that hit that slick mud up there last night and just dumped it, big time." \nThomson hails from Arkansas and came to the Boogie with his wife Jessica. He tries to go to all the motorcycle events that he can such as Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota and Daytona Bike Week. The couple was on a trip that included stops at a bike show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and AMA's (American Motorcyclist's Association) Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. For this trip Thomson brought a 1963 Harley Davidson Sprint, a 1970 Triumph Bonneville, and a 1966 BMW. Thomson hauled his bikes in a trailer attached to his RV. Increases in fuel prices have forced Thomson to stop traveling as much as he used to. "This is a three week trip we're doing now and then I'm heading home and that's it," Thomson said. "Usually we'll do a month or two trip at a time for maybe two or three times a year; we're just not doing it anymore with the fuel prices the way it is. We can't do it. It's just too much money."\nTom Sage has been coming to the Boogie since 1998 and has also noticed a decrease in attendance. \n"There ain't as many people as normal," Sage said. "Usually you can't find an empty spot." \nSage is a road warrior, making his way to biker rallies rain or shine with nothing but the wind in his hair. \n"Keep going, unless it's hailing," Sage said. He does not wear a helmet or goggles. "Got a windshield," Sage said. Sage will brave the elements to make it to the Boogie and other events like it for one reason. "It's a good party"
(07/20/06 4:00am)
The dusty ground is being turned into mud by a truck designed for such a purpose. Strings of spit turned brown from chewing tobacco shoot from the mouths of several spectators. Methanol fumes fill the nostrils of everyone in the area. Wrenches clank and crank on cars. Engines crack and pop so loud you can feel it in your chest. This is what it's like in the pits at the Bloomington Speedway on a Friday night. This is also a place where two teenage girls prepare their sprint cars to race.\nMiranda Throckmorton, 14, races sprint cars against competition that is often more than twice her age. The age requirement for sprint cars is 16, but teenage drivers can be emancipated from their parents by a judge as young as 14. Throckmorton began racing when she was four and a half years old. She first raced quarter midgets, which is a racecar that is one fourth the size of a midget, with a midget being slightly smaller than a sprint car. Throckmorton has racing in her blood and began to race close to the time her father stopped racing. July 7 was her sixth sprint car race overall and first at the Bloomington Speedway. She felt nervous before her first race at Bloomington. "Bloomington is going to be a lot different for me," she said. "I think it's going to be a little bit faster and different to get used to," Throckmorton said. \nThe Speedway continually wets down its quarter mile dirt track. \n"Bloomington stays tacky (wet), and it's just a faster track," Throckmorton said.\nNorma Throckmorton, Miranda's mother, weighed in on the family hobby. \n"We just kind of did it as a family fun thing, and then it turned into something much more than that," Norma said. Watching her daughter drive smaller cars such as the quarter midgets did not bother Norma, but the sprint cars are what make her nervous. "I don't think my husband would put her in it (a sprint car) unless he thought she was qualified," Norma said. \nArin McIntosh celebrated her seventeenth birthday last Friday at the Bloomington Speedway. By the time she was a month old she had been to four different sprint car tracks. McIntosh started racing just after she turned 11 years old. When she was in fourth grade she told her parents she wanted to start racing. \n"My dad said, 'you come home with good grades and we'll look at it' and I did," McIntosh said. McIntosh is currently and honor student, and believes that her grades are what is going to carry her through life. Racing is also in her blood, because both of her parents used to race. She has attended a driving school in Wisconsin and has raced in 15 different states. McIntosh has raced on both dirt and asphalt tracks. \n"I have grown up on dirt tracks, so I am partial to dirt tracks," McIntosh said. "But I know that if anybody ever wants to make it they have to go to asphalt. If an opportunity arises then we'll look at it and see if that's what we want to do, but for right now we're just concentrating on the sprint cars." \nHer goal was always to race sprint cars, but now that she has made it to that level she is not sure which direction she wants to head next. McIntosh has a weekly maintenance program for her car, which she believes is important. \n"Races are won in the garage," McIntosh said. \nShe wants to continue driving for as long as she can stay competitive. \n"If I'm not competitive, then I don't need to be out there," McIntosh said. \nArin's father, Robert McIntosh, has been around racing all his life, but did not start racing himself until he was 26. Robert is aware of the risks involved and accepts them as part of the sport. \n"You have to realize that, yeah, it is a dangerous sport, but kids are getting hurt everyday playing basketball, football, running around on Saturday nights," Robert said. "I know that there's risks there, but it's an acceptable risk. You take all the safety precautions you can put it in the back of your mind." \nRobert works with his daughter Arin on the car and tries to increase her duties every week. Robert has no aspirations for his daughter that involve racing. \n"I want her to have fun, I want her to race up to her potential, and I want her to chase her dreams as far as she can, but they're her dreams, not mine"
(07/20/06 4:00am)
Local musician Matt Gold has blended the styles of mainstream musicians and combined that sound with lyrics inspired by human emotion and feelings. Beginning his music career when he was 17, his style has grown with him. He's created his own coffee shop style niche. "It's not the top 40 and not the mainstream," Gold said.\nFriday, July 21, the singer, songwriter, and pianist is be performing at the John Waldron Art Center Auditorium. \nHe took piano lessons briefly at age eight, but has been self taught ever since. Gold describes his music as "intimate, personal, and somewhat alternative". Doing all his own promoting, Gold contacts the press and makes fliers. He describes his work as stressful, but that's ok with him. "It's all good" Gold said.\nInfluenced by such musicians as Tori Amos, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Radiohead, Gold covered a Radiohead song "Nice Dream" on his demo c.d. \nHe has seen Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos live and has drawn comparisons to other musicians. \n"Imagine if Rufus Wainwright joined Depeche Mode and then had a baby with Tori Amos…Got the mental picture? That baby would be Matt," wrote Bil Browning on the Web site Bilerico.com.\nYou won't discover what political candidates Gold likes or dislikes from listening to his music because he does not write about world issues. That's not the reason people listen to his music. \n"I'm a performer," Gold said. "People want to hear my music, not my political or religious views". \nHe prefers to write his songs about human feelings. He also feels it is easier to write about things that have happened to him.\nMost of Gold's musical inspiration is derived from personal experiences and relationships. "We've all been dumped," Gold said. His current relationship is going well and has helped with his music. \n"My boyfriend kicked me in the ass and told me to 'get going,'" Gold said.\nThe calm music on Gold's latest CD is different from the kind of music he first started playing. Entering the world of music at the young age of 17 Gold has been through a lot of changes in his life that have always shown through in his music. "More aggressive, more angry" said Gold referring to his earlier work. Gold feels that his music has changed with him. When Gold first started writing music, he was growing up and frustrated. \n"You don't know who you're about," Gold said. "You're trying to find out who you are." His early music reflected those feelings. "It's interesting to see how you transform as a person," Gold said.\nOriginally from Ohio, Gold has been living in Bloomington for about 10 years. He came here because of friends, and felt the college town would help to "boost" his music. He plans on moving to Seattle, Washington soon, because he feels he needs to be in a bigger city. Gold wants to go to the west coast to get more exposure. \nGold has performed at the John Waldron Arts Center before and Collins dormitory. Folk guitarist Galia Arad will open for his July 21st. performance at eight. Admission is five dollars. Samples of Gold's work can be found at: www.music57.com/music75store2/index.php?manufacturers_id=1432.
(07/20/06 4:00am)
Local musician Matt Gold has blended the styles of mainstream musicians and combined that sound with lyrics inspired by human emotion and feelings. Beginning his music career when he was 17, his style has grown with him. He's created his own coffee shop style niche. "It's not the top 40 and not the mainstream," Gold said.\nFriday, July 21, the singer, songwriter, and pianist is be performing at the John Waldron Art Center Auditorium. \nHe took piano lessons briefly at age eight, but has been self taught ever since. Gold describes his music as "intimate, personal, and somewhat alternative". Doing all his own promoting, Gold contacts the press and makes fliers. He describes his work as stressful, but that's ok with him. "It's all good" Gold said.\nInfluenced by such musicians as Tori Amos, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Radiohead, Gold covered a Radiohead song "Nice Dream" on his demo c.d. \nHe has seen Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos live and has drawn comparisons to other musicians. \n"Imagine if Rufus Wainwright joined Depeche Mode and then had a baby with Tori Amos…Got the mental picture? That baby would be Matt," wrote Bil Browning on the Web site Bilerico.com.\nYou won't discover what political candidates Gold likes or dislikes from listening to his music because he does not write about world issues. That's not the reason people listen to his music. \n"I'm a performer," Gold said. "People want to hear my music, not my political or religious views". \nHe prefers to write his songs about human feelings. He also feels it is easier to write about things that have happened to him.\nMost of Gold's musical inspiration is derived from personal experiences and relationships. "We've all been dumped," Gold said. His current relationship is going well and has helped with his music. \n"My boyfriend kicked me in the ass and told me to 'get going,'" Gold said.\nThe calm music on Gold's latest CD is different from the kind of music he first started playing. Entering the world of music at the young age of 17 Gold has been through a lot of changes in his life that have always shown through in his music. "More aggressive, more angry" said Gold referring to his earlier work. Gold feels that his music has changed with him. When Gold first started writing music, he was growing up and frustrated. \n"You don't know who you're about," Gold said. "You're trying to find out who you are." His early music reflected those feelings. "It's interesting to see how you transform as a person," Gold said.\nOriginally from Ohio, Gold has been living in Bloomington for about 10 years. He came here because of friends, and felt the college town would help to "boost" his music. He plans on moving to Seattle, Washington soon, because he feels he needs to be in a bigger city. Gold wants to go to the west coast to get more exposure. \nGold has performed at the John Waldron Arts Center before and Collins dormitory. Folk guitarist Galia Arad will open for his July 21st. performance at eight. Admission is five dollars. Samples of Gold's work can be found at: www.music57.com/music75store2/index.php?manufacturers_id=1432.
(07/19/06 8:22pm)
Local musician Matt Gold has blended the styles of mainstream musicians and combined that sound with lyrics inspired by human emotion and feelings. Beginning his music career when he was 17, his style has grown with him. He's created his own coffee shop style niche. "It's not the top 40 and not the mainstream," Gold said.\nFriday, July 21, the singer, songwriter, and pianist is be performing at the John Waldron Art Center Auditorium. \nHe took piano lessons briefly at age eight, but has been self taught ever since. Gold describes his music as "intimate, personal, and somewhat alternative". Doing all his own promoting, Gold contacts the press and makes fliers. He describes his work as stressful, but that's ok with him. "It's all good" Gold said.\nInfluenced by such musicians as Tori Amos, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Radiohead, Gold covered a Radiohead song "Nice Dream" on his demo c.d. \nHe has seen Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos live and has drawn comparisons to other musicians. \n"Imagine if Rufus Wainwright joined Depeche Mode and then had a baby with Tori Amos…Got the mental picture? That baby would be Matt," wrote Bil Browning on the Web site Bilerico.com.\nYou won't discover what political candidates Gold likes or dislikes from listening to his music because he does not write about world issues. That's not the reason people listen to his music. \n"I'm a performer," Gold said. "People want to hear my music, not my political or religious views". \nHe prefers to write his songs about human feelings. He also feels it is easier to write about things that have happened to him.\nMost of Gold's musical inspiration is derived from personal experiences and relationships. "We've all been dumped," Gold said. His current relationship is going well and has helped with his music. \n"My boyfriend kicked me in the ass and told me to 'get going,'" Gold said.\nThe calm music on Gold's latest CD is different from the kind of music he first started playing. Entering the world of music at the young age of 17 Gold has been through a lot of changes in his life that have always shown through in his music. "More aggressive, more angry" said Gold referring to his earlier work. Gold feels that his music has changed with him. When Gold first started writing music, he was growing up and frustrated. \n"You don't know who you're about," Gold said. "You're trying to find out who you are." His early music reflected those feelings. "It's interesting to see how you transform as a person," Gold said.\nOriginally from Ohio, Gold has been living in Bloomington for about 10 years. He came here because of friends, and felt the college town would help to "boost" his music. He plans on moving to Seattle, Washington soon, because he feels he needs to be in a bigger city. Gold wants to go to the west coast to get more exposure. \nGold has performed at the John Waldron Arts Center before and Collins dormitory. Folk guitarist Galia Arad will open for his July 21st. performance at eight. Admission is five dollars. Samples of Gold's work can be found at: www.music57.com/music75store2/index.php?manufacturers_id=1432.
(07/19/06 7:48pm)
Local musician Matt Gold has blended the styles of mainstream musicians and combined that sound with lyrics inspired by human emotion and feelings. Beginning his music career when he was 17, his style has grown with him. He's created his own coffee shop style niche. "It's not the top 40 and not the mainstream," Gold said.\nFriday, July 21, the singer, songwriter, and pianist is be performing at the John Waldron Art Center Auditorium. \nHe took piano lessons briefly at age eight, but has been self taught ever since. Gold describes his music as "intimate, personal, and somewhat alternative". Doing all his own promoting, Gold contacts the press and makes fliers. He describes his work as stressful, but that's ok with him. "It's all good" Gold said.\nInfluenced by such musicians as Tori Amos, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Radiohead, Gold covered a Radiohead song "Nice Dream" on his demo c.d. \nHe has seen Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos live and has drawn comparisons to other musicians. \n"Imagine if Rufus Wainwright joined Depeche Mode and then had a baby with Tori Amos…Got the mental picture? That baby would be Matt," wrote Bil Browning on the Web site Bilerico.com.\nYou won't discover what political candidates Gold likes or dislikes from listening to his music because he does not write about world issues. That's not the reason people listen to his music. \n"I'm a performer," Gold said. "People want to hear my music, not my political or religious views". \nHe prefers to write his songs about human feelings. He also feels it is easier to write about things that have happened to him.\nMost of Gold's musical inspiration is derived from personal experiences and relationships. "We've all been dumped," Gold said. His current relationship is going well and has helped with his music. \n"My boyfriend kicked me in the ass and told me to 'get going,'" Gold said.\nThe calm music on Gold's latest CD is different from the kind of music he first started playing. Entering the world of music at the young age of 17 Gold has been through a lot of changes in his life that have always shown through in his music. "More aggressive, more angry" said Gold referring to his earlier work. Gold feels that his music has changed with him. When Gold first started writing music, he was growing up and frustrated. \n"You don't know who you're about," Gold said. "You're trying to find out who you are." His early music reflected those feelings. "It's interesting to see how you transform as a person," Gold said.\nOriginally from Ohio, Gold has been living in Bloomington for about 10 years. He came here because of friends, and felt the college town would help to "boost" his music. He plans on moving to Seattle, Washington soon, because he feels he needs to be in a bigger city. Gold wants to go to the west coast to get more exposure. \nGold has performed at the John Waldron Arts Center before and Collins dormitory. Folk guitarist Galia Arad will open for his July 21st. performance at eight. Admission is five dollars. Samples of Gold's work can be found at: www.music57.com/music75store2/index.php?manufacturers_id=1432.
(07/19/06 6:28pm)
The dusty ground is being turned into mud by a truck designed for such a purpose. Strings of spit turned brown from chewing tobacco shoot from the mouths of several spectators. Methanol fumes fill the nostrils of everyone in the area. Wrenches clank and crank on cars. Engines crack and pop so loud you can feel it in your chest. This is what it's like in the pits at the Bloomington Speedway on a Friday night. This is also a place where two teenage girls prepare their sprint cars to race.\nMiranda Throckmorton, 14, races sprint cars against competition that is often more than twice her age. The age requirement for sprint cars is 16, but teenage drivers can be emancipated from their parents by a judge as young as 14. Throckmorton began racing when she was four and a half years old. She first raced quarter midgets, which is a racecar that is one fourth the size of a midget, with a midget being slightly smaller than a sprint car. Throckmorton has racing in her blood and began to race close to the time her father stopped racing. July 7 was her sixth sprint car race overall and first at the Bloomington Speedway. She felt nervous before her first race at Bloomington. "Bloomington is going to be a lot different for me," she said. "I think it's going to be a little bit faster and different to get used to," Throckmorton said. \nThe Speedway continually wets down its quarter mile dirt track. \n"Bloomington stays tacky (wet), and it's just a faster track," Throckmorton said.\nNorma Throckmorton, Miranda's mother, weighed in on the family hobby. \n"We just kind of did it as a family fun thing, and then it turned into something much more than that," Norma said. Watching her daughter drive smaller cars such as the quarter midgets did not bother Norma, but the sprint cars are what make her nervous. "I don't think my husband would put her in it (a sprint car) unless he thought she was qualified," Norma said. \nArin McIntosh celebrated her seventeenth birthday last Friday at the Bloomington Speedway. By the time she was a month old she had been to four different sprint car tracks. McIntosh started racing just after she turned 11 years old. When she was in fourth grade she told her parents she wanted to start racing. \n"My dad said, 'you come home with good grades and we'll look at it' and I did," McIntosh said. McIntosh is currently and honor student, and believes that her grades are what is going to carry her through life. Racing is also in her blood, because both of her parents used to race. She has attended a driving school in Wisconsin and has raced in 15 different states. McIntosh has raced on both dirt and asphalt tracks. \n"I have grown up on dirt tracks, so I am partial to dirt tracks," McIntosh said. "But I know that if anybody ever wants to make it they have to go to asphalt. If an opportunity arises then we'll look at it and see if that's what we want to do, but for right now we're just concentrating on the sprint cars." \nHer goal was always to race sprint cars, but now that she has made it to that level she is not sure which direction she wants to head next. McIntosh has a weekly maintenance program for her car, which she believes is important. \n"Races are won in the garage," McIntosh said. \nShe wants to continue driving for as long as she can stay competitive. \n"If I'm not competitive, then I don't need to be out there," McIntosh said. \nArin's father, Robert McIntosh, has been around racing all his life, but did not start racing himself until he was 26. Robert is aware of the risks involved and accepts them as part of the sport. \n"You have to realize that, yeah, it is a dangerous sport, but kids are getting hurt everyday playing basketball, football, running around on Saturday nights," Robert said. "I know that there's risks there, but it's an acceptable risk. You take all the safety precautions you can put it in the back of your mind." \nRobert works with his daughter Arin on the car and tries to increase her duties every week. Robert has no aspirations for his daughter that involve racing. \n"I want her to have fun, I want her to race up to her potential, and I want her to chase her dreams as far as she can, but they're her dreams, not mine"
(06/29/06 4:00am)
Grease will drip and sizzle in barbecue grills as hamburgers and hotdogs are prepared outdoors. Flies will be shoed away from plates during outdoor meals. Little kids will run through sprinklers in their underwear to cool off. Adults will spill mustard and other condiments on their red, white, and blue outfits. Roads will be inconveniently closed to allow for parades to commence. As the sun sinks over the horizon and aloe vera is applied to sunburned skin, crowds will gather and turn their attention to the skies. Fireworks will explode and illuminate skies all around the country as America celebrates its 230th birthday this 4th of July. \nThe 4th can be a family affair in the backyard, grilling and setting off personal fireworks, or a shared community experience with professional firework displays.\nThose in the Bloomington area for this holiday will have plenty of recreational opportunities to celebrate American independence. A new law allows private citizens to set off fireworks on their own property as early as nine in the morning until 11 at night (midnight on holidays). Those interested in taking advantage of this new law must be at least 18 years old to purchase fireworks, and anyone age 16 or younger can set them off while under adult supervision.\nOne of the many places that fireworks can be purchased locally is Patriotic Fireworks located near Panera Bread on Bloomington's east side. Patriotic Fireworks will be open eight a.m. to midnight on the fourth. The store carries popular items such as four pack sparklers, Texas pop packets, artillery shells, and an item known as "The King". The store also offers a 10% discount to students, and has a buy one get three free offer on many fireworks.\nIndiana resident Rita Flynn recently visited the store with her children to stock up on fireworks. \n"It's easier for us to do our own," Flynn said. She purchased an assortment of fireworks for her 4th of July celebration. "Bottle rockets, red devils, a little bit of everything" Flynn said. Flynn said she would be back to the store again before the upcoming holiday and was excited about the new law which allows citizens to set off fireworks in their own backyards without a permit. Previously they were restricted to designated areas and a professional was supposed to set off personal fireworks.\nThe Bloomington Independence day parade will begin at three p.m. on the July 4th starting at 11th and College, go to the courthouse lawn downtown, and return to 11th street at four-fifteen p.m. The parade will feature local businesses, organizations, and politicians, among other things. Bloomington resident Jake Hyde has fond memories of the local parade. His grandfather used to show his antique cars in the parade. Hyde used to ride with his grandfather in the parade as a child. Some of the cars shown in the parade were a 1935 Chrysler Roadster, a 1930 Ford Crown Victoria, and a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette. Hyde wants to go to Lake Monroe for this 4th of July. \n"I want to go out on the lake. Go out on my uncle's boat or rent a boat," Hyde said. There will also be a concert featuring local bands on the courthouse lawn prior to the parade. Admission is free.\nFireworks will be set off next to the Indiana University football stadium (Memorial Stadium) this 4th of July. As always, the show will be free, and visitors can park in the stadium parking lot. Bloomington resident and Indiana University junior Tim Nock has been to the stadium to watch the fireworks show before, but prefers to buy his own. Nock feels it is more fun to buy his own because he gets to light them and do the work. \n"It's fun to watch them but it's more fun to actually do it," Nock said. "Once I've had a bottle rocket fight with friends. Never had an incident, they're actually quite safe. I usually take my fireworks apart and make them into one big firework. You have to tape like eight bottle rockets together and stick them in something to make it blow up."\nThis Friday (July 30th), the Bloomington Speedway will have its 21st annual Gigantic Ariel Fireworks Display along with its regularly scheduled races. General admission is ten dollars. Bloomington Resident and Indiana University junior, Nate Clark used to watch the fireworks display at the Bloomington Speedway from his front porch. Clark's parents live on Henderson St. across the road from the Bloomington Speedway. This year Clark's plans are different. \n"I'll probably go out on the lake, have a barbecue, hang out with my family and friends, watch some fireworks, and drink some beverages," Clark said. \nFirework enthusiasts can get their fill of fireworks the night before the holiday as well. On Monday July 3rd there will be a fireworks show at Lake Monroe. Visitors can go to the Fairfax State Recreation Area located at the south end of Fairfax rd. The Department of Natural Resources charges a four dollar admission to the park for in-state visitors, and five dollars for out-of-state visitors. Four Winds Resort and Marina is nearby and has a bar and restaurant that will reimburse visitors for their admissions fee with the purchase of either food or drink. Four Winds Resort and Marina also offer pontoon and double-decker boats for rent. The show will begin at dusk and last approximately 30 minutes. The event has drawn large crowds in previous years. Director of Sales and Marketing for Four Winds Resort and Marina, Michelle Smith suggests that those who plan on attending the event arrive a few hours early and have dinner there so that they can get a good spot.
(06/29/06 12:51am)
Grease will drip and sizzle in barbecue grills as hamburgers and hotdogs are prepared outdoors. Flies will be shoed away from plates during outdoor meals. Little kids will run through sprinklers in their underwear to cool off. Adults will spill mustard and other condiments on their red, white, and blue outfits. Roads will be inconveniently closed to allow for parades to commence. As the sun sinks over the horizon and aloe vera is applied to sunburned skin, crowds will gather and turn their attention to the skies. Fireworks will explode and illuminate skies all around the country as America celebrates its 230th birthday this 4th of July. \nThe 4th can be a family affair in the backyard, grilling and setting off personal fireworks, or a shared community experience with professional firework displays.\nThose in the Bloomington area for this holiday will have plenty of recreational opportunities to celebrate American independence. A new law allows private citizens to set off fireworks on their own property as early as nine in the morning until 11 at night (midnight on holidays). Those interested in taking advantage of this new law must be at least 18 years old to purchase fireworks, and anyone age 16 or younger can set them off while under adult supervision.\nOne of the many places that fireworks can be purchased locally is Patriotic Fireworks located near Panera Bread on Bloomington's east side. Patriotic Fireworks will be open eight a.m. to midnight on the fourth. The store carries popular items such as four pack sparklers, Texas pop packets, artillery shells, and an item known as "The King". The store also offers a 10% discount to students, and has a buy one get three free offer on many fireworks.\nIndiana resident Rita Flynn recently visited the store with her children to stock up on fireworks. \n"It's easier for us to do our own," Flynn said. She purchased an assortment of fireworks for her 4th of July celebration. "Bottle rockets, red devils, a little bit of everything" Flynn said. Flynn said she would be back to the store again before the upcoming holiday and was excited about the new law which allows citizens to set off fireworks in their own backyards without a permit. Previously they were restricted to designated areas and a professional was supposed to set off personal fireworks.\nThe Bloomington Independence day parade will begin at three p.m. on the July 4th starting at 11th and College, go to the courthouse lawn downtown, and return to 11th street at four-fifteen p.m. The parade will feature local businesses, organizations, and politicians, among other things. Bloomington resident Jake Hyde has fond memories of the local parade. His grandfather used to show his antique cars in the parade. Hyde used to ride with his grandfather in the parade as a child. Some of the cars shown in the parade were a 1935 Chrysler Roadster, a 1930 Ford Crown Victoria, and a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette. Hyde wants to go to Lake Monroe for this 4th of July. \n"I want to go out on the lake. Go out on my uncle's boat or rent a boat," Hyde said. There will also be a concert featuring local bands on the courthouse lawn prior to the parade. Admission is free.\nFireworks will be set off next to the Indiana University football stadium (Memorial Stadium) this 4th of July. As always, the show will be free, and visitors can park in the stadium parking lot. Bloomington resident and Indiana University junior Tim Nock has been to the stadium to watch the fireworks show before, but prefers to buy his own. Nock feels it is more fun to buy his own because he gets to light them and do the work. \n"It's fun to watch them but it's more fun to actually do it," Nock said. "Once I've had a bottle rocket fight with friends. Never had an incident, they're actually quite safe. I usually take my fireworks apart and make them into one big firework. You have to tape like eight bottle rockets together and stick them in something to make it blow up."\nThis Friday (July 30th), the Bloomington Speedway will have its 21st annual Gigantic Ariel Fireworks Display along with its regularly scheduled races. General admission is ten dollars. Bloomington Resident and Indiana University junior, Nate Clark used to watch the fireworks display at the Bloomington Speedway from his front porch. Clark's parents live on Henderson St. across the road from the Bloomington Speedway. This year Clark's plans are different. \n"I'll probably go out on the lake, have a barbecue, hang out with my family and friends, watch some fireworks, and drink some beverages," Clark said. \nFirework enthusiasts can get their fill of fireworks the night before the holiday as well. On Monday July 3rd there will be a fireworks show at Lake Monroe. Visitors can go to the Fairfax State Recreation Area located at the south end of Fairfax rd. The Department of Natural Resources charges a four dollar admission to the park for in-state visitors, and five dollars for out-of-state visitors. Four Winds Resort and Marina is nearby and has a bar and restaurant that will reimburse visitors for their admissions fee with the purchase of either food or drink. Four Winds Resort and Marina also offer pontoon and double-decker boats for rent. The show will begin at dusk and last approximately 30 minutes. The event has drawn large crowds in previous years. Director of Sales and Marketing for Four Winds Resort and Marina, Michelle Smith suggests that those who plan on attending the event arrive a few hours early and have dinner there so that they can get a good spot.
(06/22/06 4:00am)
Every year for one weekend in June, a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee is transformed into a village of over 80,000 people. People flock to Bonnaroo's temporary camp ground to be a part of a tight knit community full of vendors with their own unique stories.\nOne visitor, Adam, would accept anything from a dollar to a banana in exchange for his merchandise. He has been coming to Bonnaroo since it started in 2002, and said he has been coming to festivals like this one since he was 14 years old. Sitting between campers on the side of one of the streets within the campground known for its vending, Adam made and sold his buttons which he called "Circular, historical, biblical documents of hippie art and culture." \nKraig Smith from Louisville, Kentucky was selling stickers at his campsite to help pay for his twhree dollar per gallon gasoline. Smith heard about the festival from friends who had been before and traveled with those veterans of Bonnaroo for his first year. Like the phrases on his stickers hinted, Smith was also an avid white-water rafter. He had been to festivals for white-water rafting, but those were much smaller than Bonnaroo. "80,000 cars and tents self contained, and everybody gets along. It's the darndest thing," said Smith. Some of his favorite musical acts at this year's festival were Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Radiohead, and Buddy Guy. What he enjoyed most though, were the "Bonnaroo babes."\nGreg Whiteside began going to Phish festivals in the 1990's and viewed Bonnaroo as the next natural progression and has been at every one. This year Whiteside was selling breakfast burritos and grilled cheese sandwiches with the option of added vegetables. He said he usually sells food for about four or five hours in the morning and then goes to watch the musical acts. He enjoys vending food. "I just bread and cheese and butter and if I don't sell it, I don't care." Whiteside said.\nCamping next to Whiteside was Noah Miller. During what was Miller's fourth Bonnaroo, he sold posters and glass work. Miller said he picks out five or six shows to go see and spends the rest of his time out in the camp ground vending. "It's so good to come and have a good time and meet people and talk to them," Miller said. "Everybody's so kind and so nice to each other. It's just a wonderful place to be." Both Miller and Whiteside expressed discontent with the absence of The Dave Matthews Band and Widespread Panic who performed at the previous Bonnaroo. "I really miss the Dave Matthews and the Widespread. I think that's really disappointing that they dropped both of them." Miller said. \n"Shit, they didn't drop Panic," Whiteside said. "Panic said 'fuck it, we're not doing Clear Channel shit.'" Clear Channel owns approximately 12,000 radio stations, more than 30 television stations in the United States.\nCharles Bender had been to Bonnaroo twice before as a guest, but this year was his first year working. He was working for a company called Event Staffing. "Basically all we do is just make sure people aren't too fucked up on drugs, you know or tripping their mind out, or no one's fighting." Bender said. While working as opposed to merely attending the event, Bender enjoyed such privileges as not having to purchase a ticket, being fed free meals, employee tents behind the stages, and showers. Bender said he had been working mostly 12-hour shifts during the day and was able to see most of the headliners at night. He said that things were pretty flexible and that if there was a particular show he wanted to see that was during his shift, he could go as long as he could find a buddy to cover for him. One incident that occurred while Bender was working this year was after the Tom Petty show. There was a man who ended up naked. "He was like really, brutally strong, I guess 'cause he was on a lot of drugs. It took about eight guys, eight big guys to hold him down and get him subdued," Bender said. "It took about half an hour. That was about the craziest thing I saw."\nDrew Lites was with some friends selling shots. Lites and friends encouraged fellow campers to stop and purchase a shot for their father because it was Father's Day. Lites, who described his home as a little po-dunk town in Ohio, had recently returned from Iraq. This was his second Bonnaroo and he was there to "let loose!" He said that when him and his friends come to Bonnaroo they vend some little to help pay for the cost of the trip. Lites said he tries to set up his camp site near other vending hot spots, but has been kicked out of spots before by more serious venders. He described Bonnaroo as the greatest spot on earth. "You don't have to be into the drug scene," Lites said. "You could come here stone sober and still have a good time. It's a good time no matter what." \nDennis Lane was attending his second Bonnaroo with his son. Lane said he had been to several music festivals similar to Bonnaroo such as the June Jam in Alabama which was only one day, but described Bonnaroo as the biggest and the best. He said the amount of people bothers some, but that it's what makes the festival for others. Lane was pleased that the event was spread out over multiple days to allow for more music. He said that it's hot, but it's fun. "They fence us all in, and let us do what we want." Lane said. One of his favorite aspects of the festival was the amount of different bands. "It's a place for a whole generation to blow off steam. It's a place for them to come and be a rebel for four days." Lane said. "But what are you rebelling against. You got it made." He laughed at the idea that so many people had left their "fine plumbing" to come to Bonnaroo for four days to rough it. While personal reasons for coming to Bonnaroo may vary, Lane believes most people come for a simple reason. "To get a t-shirt and say I was there," Lane said. "It's what it ends up. It's just war stories." Lane was not happy about the heat or having to use port-a-potties, but it was obvious that the positives outweighed the negatives for Lane as he bid his farewell, "See 'ya next year"
(06/21/06 10:17pm)
Every year for one weekend in June, a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee is transformed into a village of over 80,000 people. People flock to Bonnaroo's temporary camp ground to be a part of a tight knit community full of vendors with their own unique stories.\nOne visitor, Adam, would accept anything from a dollar to a banana in exchange for his merchandise. He has been coming to Bonnaroo since it started in 2002, and said he has been coming to festivals like this one since he was 14 years old. Sitting between campers on the side of one of the streets within the campground known for its vending, Adam made and sold his buttons which he called "Circular, historical, biblical documents of hippie art and culture." \nKraig Smith from Louisville, Kentucky was selling stickers at his campsite to help pay for his twhree dollar per gallon gasoline. Smith heard about the festival from friends who had been before and traveled with those veterans of Bonnaroo for his first year. Like the phrases on his stickers hinted, Smith was also an avid white-water rafter. He had been to festivals for white-water rafting, but those were much smaller than Bonnaroo. "80,000 cars and tents self contained, and everybody gets along. It's the darndest thing," said Smith. Some of his favorite musical acts at this year's festival were Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Radiohead, and Buddy Guy. What he enjoyed most though, were the "Bonnaroo babes."\nGreg Whiteside began going to Phish festivals in the 1990's and viewed Bonnaroo as the next natural progression and has been at every one. This year Whiteside was selling breakfast burritos and grilled cheese sandwiches with the option of added vegetables. He said he usually sells food for about four or five hours in the morning and then goes to watch the musical acts. He enjoys vending food. "I just bread and cheese and butter and if I don't sell it, I don't care." Whiteside said.\nCamping next to Whiteside was Noah Miller. During what was Miller's fourth Bonnaroo, he sold posters and glass work. Miller said he picks out five or six shows to go see and spends the rest of his time out in the camp ground vending. "It's so good to come and have a good time and meet people and talk to them," Miller said. "Everybody's so kind and so nice to each other. It's just a wonderful place to be." Both Miller and Whiteside expressed discontent with the absence of The Dave Matthews Band and Widespread Panic who performed at the previous Bonnaroo. "I really miss the Dave Matthews and the Widespread. I think that's really disappointing that they dropped both of them." Miller said. \n"Shit, they didn't drop Panic," Whiteside said. "Panic said 'fuck it, we're not doing Clear Channel shit.'" Clear Channel owns approximately 12,000 radio stations, more than 30 television stations in the United States.\nCharles Bender had been to Bonnaroo twice before as a guest, but this year was his first year working. He was working for a company called Event Staffing. "Basically all we do is just make sure people aren't too fucked up on drugs, you know or tripping their mind out, or no one's fighting." Bender said. While working as opposed to merely attending the event, Bender enjoyed such privileges as not having to purchase a ticket, being fed free meals, employee tents behind the stages, and showers. Bender said he had been working mostly 12-hour shifts during the day and was able to see most of the headliners at night. He said that things were pretty flexible and that if there was a particular show he wanted to see that was during his shift, he could go as long as he could find a buddy to cover for him. One incident that occurred while Bender was working this year was after the Tom Petty show. There was a man who ended up naked. "He was like really, brutally strong, I guess 'cause he was on a lot of drugs. It took about eight guys, eight big guys to hold him down and get him subdued," Bender said. "It took about half an hour. That was about the craziest thing I saw."\nDrew Lites was with some friends selling shots. Lites and friends encouraged fellow campers to stop and purchase a shot for their father because it was Father's Day. Lites, who described his home as a little po-dunk town in Ohio, had recently returned from Iraq. This was his second Bonnaroo and he was there to "let loose!" He said that when him and his friends come to Bonnaroo they vend some little to help pay for the cost of the trip. Lites said he tries to set up his camp site near other vending hot spots, but has been kicked out of spots before by more serious venders. He described Bonnaroo as the greatest spot on earth. "You don't have to be into the drug scene," Lites said. "You could come here stone sober and still have a good time. It's a good time no matter what." \nDennis Lane was attending his second Bonnaroo with his son. Lane said he had been to several music festivals similar to Bonnaroo such as the June Jam in Alabama which was only one day, but described Bonnaroo as the biggest and the best. He said the amount of people bothers some, but that it's what makes the festival for others. Lane was pleased that the event was spread out over multiple days to allow for more music. He said that it's hot, but it's fun. "They fence us all in, and let us do what we want." Lane said. One of his favorite aspects of the festival was the amount of different bands. "It's a place for a whole generation to blow off steam. It's a place for them to come and be a rebel for four days." Lane said. "But what are you rebelling against. You got it made." He laughed at the idea that so many people had left their "fine plumbing" to come to Bonnaroo for four days to rough it. While personal reasons for coming to Bonnaroo may vary, Lane believes most people come for a simple reason. "To get a t-shirt and say I was there," Lane said. "It's what it ends up. It's just war stories." Lane was not happy about the heat or having to use port-a-potties, but it was obvious that the positives outweighed the negatives for Lane as he bid his farewell, "See 'ya next year"
(06/08/06 4:00am)
"Sanders," "Longhole" and the ever-popular "Rooftop" are just some of the names used to refer to the quarry that was immortalized in the 1979 film "Breaking Away." Indiana University students and locals alike flock to this giant limestone pond on hot summer days just like the characters in the movie that made the quarry famous.\nOne IU sophomore and informatics/telecommunications major first heard about the quarry from other people on the floor of his dorm during his freshman year and has been to the quarry several times since. He said he goes quarry jumping "for the thrill and the outdoor party-like atmosphere." He explained that the number of people at "Rooftop" varies depending on the day. On his most recent visit with some friends, he noted that they arrived on a weekend "at about one or one-thirty. There were about fifteen people there already and more came."\nAdjacent property owner, farmer and lifetime Monroe County resident Tom Bartlett said he started swimming in the quarries during the, early to mid '60s when he was, 12 or 13-years-old. Bartlett learned about the quarries from his father who used to drive their cattle to a smaller quarry to let them drink during hot summer months when the well water was low. \n"All the kids swam in them," Bartlett said. "It would be a Sunday afternoon thing. Whole families would go out there." \nThis was at a time before the man-made Lake Monroe was built for recreation. Bartlett and other local residents frequented a quarry that was known as "Earnestine" rather the one featured in "Breaking Away," although college students were going back to the now famous quarry even before the movie was filmed.\n"Longhole was more for the skinny dippers and college kids and things like that," said Bartlett. \nEven though the area is frequented by visitors it is illegal to go back to the quarry. Indiana State Trooper Travis Corea explained that when people go back there, it is considered trespassing. Many visitors understand that swimming in the quarry is illegal despite signs that warn "No Trespassing." In some areas of the property, however, these signs have been torn down. \nOn his first trip to the quarry, the IU sophomore didn't realize he was going to be trespassing until they, "got there and had to park at a church and walk back there. That's when it hit home that it was trespassing." \n"Trespassing wasn't enforced real hard until the movie came out," Bartlett said. They would always overlook it, but the numbers (of visitors) went astronomical after the movie came out."\nWhile fear of fines from trespassing won't keep most people out, the dangers of jumping into an abandon rock quarry will now keep one IU student from ever jumping in again. Sophomore Brittney Dyer says she, "would never do it again." She went out to the quarry with three friends during the summer, "just looking for some fun to do." \n"I jumped feet first off 'Rooftop' and tried to keep my body upright," Dyer said. "The momentum of the jump threw me backwards and I landed in the water on my back. I broke my wrist, cracked my sternum and sustained serious bruising along the entire backside of my legs due to excessive burst blood vessels. I couldn't move because of pain in my back, and was therefore bedridden for several weeks. The bruises took over a year to heal and I still suffer from back and neck soreness today. Because of my injuries, I couldn't swim or breathe. I was rescued out of the water by a stranger who was luckily watching from below." \nWhen asked to give advice to any would-be quarry jumpers Dyer said, "It doesn't matter whether it's your first attempt or your twentieth, one wrong move and you could be seriously injured. Ask any adult who grew up in Bloomington, and odds are they will know someone who was injured or died in a quarry related accident. When I think about the force in which my body hit the water, I feel very lucky to be alive and without paralyzing injury. There are plenty of other ways to get a cheap thrill."\nWhen asked to comment on the dangers of quarry jumping Bartlett added, "My dad told me about a guy who got killed jumping off of 'Rooftop'. Happened in probably [the] late fifties. He was a local boy, and there's been some since then."\nLongtime Bloomington resident Jeff Sympson, who owns property that borders the famous quarry, explained how a man drowned within the last year. The man was swimming in the water and his buddies were sitting on the edge talking to him. All of a sudden his friends couldn't find him. They thought he was playing a joke at first, but what had actually happened was that the man began cramping up and drowned. "The paramedics found him about fifteen feet below the surface (of the water) suspended," Sympson said.\nWhile quarry jumping may be a "thrill" and feel great on a hot summer day, there are many dangers. Not to mention that Bloomington's most famous quarry is on private property. Quarries are a part of Bloomington and Indiana University's history that are literally etched in stone. They will be forever remembered in that Hoosier favorite "Breaking Away." As for jumping into them, it may prove beneficial to remember some common sense advice and not try everything we see in the movies.
(06/07/06 10:07pm)
"Sanders," "Longhole" and the ever-popular "Rooftop" are just some of the names used to refer to the quarry that was immortalized in the 1979 film "Breaking Away." Indiana University students and locals alike flock to this giant limestone pond on hot summer days just like the characters in the movie that made the quarry famous.\nOne IU sophomore and informatics/telecommunications major first heard about the quarry from other people on the floor of his dorm during his freshman year and has been to the quarry several times since. He said he goes quarry jumping "for the thrill and the outdoor party-like atmosphere." He explained that the number of people at "Rooftop" varies depending on the day. On his most recent visit with some friends, he noted that they arrived on a weekend "at about one or one-thirty. There were about fifteen people there already and more came."\nAdjacent property owner, farmer and lifetime Monroe County resident Tom Bartlett said he started swimming in the quarries during the, early to mid '60s when he was, 12 or 13-years-old. Bartlett learned about the quarries from his father who used to drive their cattle to a smaller quarry to let them drink during hot summer months when the well water was low. \n"All the kids swam in them," Bartlett said. "It would be a Sunday afternoon thing. Whole families would go out there." \nThis was at a time before the man-made Lake Monroe was built for recreation. Bartlett and other local residents frequented a quarry that was known as "Earnestine" rather the one featured in "Breaking Away," although college students were going back to the now famous quarry even before the movie was filmed.\n"Longhole was more for the skinny dippers and college kids and things like that," said Bartlett. \nEven though the area is frequented by visitors it is illegal to go back to the quarry. Indiana State Trooper Travis Corea explained that when people go back there, it is considered trespassing. Many visitors understand that swimming in the quarry is illegal despite signs that warn "No Trespassing." In some areas of the property, however, these signs have been torn down. \nOn his first trip to the quarry, the IU sophomore didn't realize he was going to be trespassing until they, "got there and had to park at a church and walk back there. That's when it hit home that it was trespassing." \n"Trespassing wasn't enforced real hard until the movie came out," Bartlett said. They would always overlook it, but the numbers (of visitors) went astronomical after the movie came out."\nWhile fear of fines from trespassing won't keep most people out, the dangers of jumping into an abandon rock quarry will now keep one IU student from ever jumping in again. Sophomore Brittney Dyer says she, "would never do it again." She went out to the quarry with three friends during the summer, "just looking for some fun to do." \n"I jumped feet first off 'Rooftop' and tried to keep my body upright," Dyer said. "The momentum of the jump threw me backwards and I landed in the water on my back. I broke my wrist, cracked my sternum and sustained serious bruising along the entire backside of my legs due to excessive burst blood vessels. I couldn't move because of pain in my back, and was therefore bedridden for several weeks. The bruises took over a year to heal and I still suffer from back and neck soreness today. Because of my injuries, I couldn't swim or breathe. I was rescued out of the water by a stranger who was luckily watching from below." \nWhen asked to give advice to any would-be quarry jumpers Dyer said, "It doesn't matter whether it's your first attempt or your twentieth, one wrong move and you could be seriously injured. Ask any adult who grew up in Bloomington, and odds are they will know someone who was injured or died in a quarry related accident. When I think about the force in which my body hit the water, I feel very lucky to be alive and without paralyzing injury. There are plenty of other ways to get a cheap thrill."\nWhen asked to comment on the dangers of quarry jumping Bartlett added, "My dad told me about a guy who got killed jumping off of 'Rooftop'. Happened in probably [the] late fifties. He was a local boy, and there's been some since then."\nLongtime Bloomington resident Jeff Sympson, who owns property that borders the famous quarry, explained how a man drowned within the last year. The man was swimming in the water and his buddies were sitting on the edge talking to him. All of a sudden his friends couldn't find him. They thought he was playing a joke at first, but what had actually happened was that the man began cramping up and drowned. "The paramedics found him about fifteen feet below the surface (of the water) suspended," Sympson said.\nWhile quarry jumping may be a "thrill" and feel great on a hot summer day, there are many dangers. Not to mention that Bloomington's most famous quarry is on private property. Quarries are a part of Bloomington and Indiana University's history that are literally etched in stone. They will be forever remembered in that Hoosier favorite "Breaking Away." As for jumping into them, it may prove beneficial to remember some common sense advice and not try everything we see in the movies.
(05/22/06 12:59am)
Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan spoke at the third annual "Mayor's Ride," declaring May as motorcycle safety and awareness month Sunday at an event on Sixth Street on the square. Kruzan addressed topics such as motorcycle safety and the benefits of motorcycles as fuel efficient vehicles. The actual ride, a luncheon and awards ceremony followed his speech.\nThe event was organized by region six of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Indiana. ABATE is divided into 14 regions thorughout the state, and region six includes Monroe, Brown, Green, Owen and Putnam counties. ABATE's Monroe County representative Joe "Pappa Joe" Cochran explained that the organization provides such services as training and skills tests for motorcycle licenses.\nProceeds from the event are split between ABATE and Jill's House, Inc. Jill's House will be a low-cost temporary home for patients recieving cancer treatment at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. The MPRI offers a more precise attack on cancer cells and is only the third center of its kind in the United States, Jill's House President Peg Howard said. \nHoward said that the "treatment has turned a 90 percent fatality rate into an 80 percent cure rate." She went on to explain that the six to eight week long treatment provided by the MPRI is usually the only expense covered by an individual's insurance. The other two centers offering treatment like MPRI are located in Boston and California. Since Bloomington is within a 300 mile radius of a quarter of the U.S. population, Jill's House will provide a much needed service to the MPRI's wide range of patients.\nABATE has organized rides for other charities such as the Muscular Distrophy Association. With over 20,000 members ABATE is also a powerful lobbying group in the state and fought against the motorcycle helmet law that Kruzan took advantage of as he left the event on the back of Jack Eads' motorcycle. ABATE member Joe McNeill explained that they are not against the use of helmets, but "believe in the right to decide." One of ABATE's biggest fund raisers is the Boogie (formerly the Bean Blossom Boogie) which is held in Lawrence county every year on the third weekend in July. The Boogie featured southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd last year for its 25th anniversary, and is planning to feature Ted Nugent this year.\nThe mayor's ride began at Sixth Street on the north side of the square, headed north on Walnut Street toward Griffy Lake, went south on College Avenue to Tapp Road and ended at the Monroe County Airport with lunch and awards for eight classes of bikes: custom, sportster, dresser, foreign, antique, ratt, big twin and mayor's choice.\nFor more information on Jill's House, call 855-8468 or e-mail howard@iucf.indiana.edu. Information is also available on the Web at www.indiana.edu/~jshouse/.