Community Arts

Local Habitat builds thousands of miles away

By Elisha Sauers · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:38 a.m.

This spring break, Steven Sowell is planning a trip to a place that will be sure to broil his skin in a more than 90-degree swelter. But for a full week, Sowell, assistant director of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, will not be working on his tan. Instead, he'll be assisting several El Salvadoran families building places for them to call "casa." Habitat is a non-profit organization devoted to constructing "simple, decent, affordable housing" for the indigent around the world. The local chapter has traveled to its sister affiliate in San Vicente, El Salvador, twice on previous building projects, and this year the group will return with what it hopes will be its largest turnout yet.

PFLAG discusses advocacy for GLBT issues

By Ben Woodson · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:36 a.m.

John Clowers, the chairman of Indiana Equality, thought gay rights in Indiana were moving in the right direction. But the country's reaction to Massachusetts making gay marriage legal has created obstacles for gay rights lobbyists like himself. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays met Wednesday to discuss ways to advocate issues such as gay marriage and broadening the definition of anti-discrimination policies to include gays, lesbians and transgender individuals.

Hacksaw found after caller's tip

By Audrie Garrison · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:35 a.m.

The Bloomington Police Department responded to a call Wednesday morning in which the caller reported seeing an unknown man on the roof of the Islamic Center of Bloomington, the same mosque that was firebombed in July, said Sgt. David Drake, reading from the police report.

Ballantine's near 50-year history marked by suicide, sex

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:32 a.m.

Just east of the chemistry building stands Ballantine Hall, used daily by many yet perhaps historically familiar to few. Not many are aware of the history behind the nearly fifty-year-old building. Constructed in 1957, Ballantine is home to numerous humanities and social science classes. The building is named for former acting president and professor of mathematics at IU, Elisha Ballantine, who first taught here in 1854.

LaCasa event indicative of larger problem: Clubs have troubles drawing students

By Michael Sanserino · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:31 a.m.

Lillian Casillas planned an entire evening to discuss Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, a Latino activist credited with strengthening the Chicano movement in the 1960s and 1970s. But there was one slight mishap: Nobody showed up. This isn't the first time it has happened, either. Casillas, director of La Casa Latino Cultural Center, said, while attendance is usually steady for their weekly activities, once or twice a year she will plan an event and no one will attend.

Rice researcher redefines Victorian era

By Chip Cutter · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:30 a.m.

Common notions of the Victorians and sex were redefined Wednesday night, as part of a lecture given by Rice University English professor and author Helena Michie. Speaking to a crowd of about 60 people in the Indiana Memorial Union's Georgian Room, Michie, chair of Rice's English department, argued that the Victorian's were ignorant or secretive towards sex, and said they were likely not the sexually prudish people obsessed with the subject, as is sometimes thought.

GONE

Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:26 a.m.

GONE -- Three-year-old Austin Brandt of Apple Valley, Minn., touches Snoopy's big red dog dish Wednesday at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. The Peanuts gang along with its branding will be removed after inhabiting the mall's amusement park, Camp Snoopy, for the past 13 years.

Remodeled IMU darkroom open

By Nina Mehta · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:24 a.m.

Photographers and artists alike have a new resource on campus to express themselves and be creative. The Union Studios opened its newly renovated darkroom for photographers in the Indiana Memorial Union Monday. In addition, a variety of six-week classes, including courses in pottery and ceramics, are offered for students through Union Studios this semester. The Union Studios is located in the IMU's Back Alley past the arcade. The darkroom has doubled in size and has a new ceramics studio, said Kera McElvain, Union Studios program director.

We think students with inspired style should be seen.

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:22 a.m.

Today's model: Alaa Fadag, Graduate Student On her style: As a graphic designer, Fadag said she creates her style to be fun, but simple. With interesting color combinations and unique details, she strives to be both comfortable and sophisticated. "I put attention into my clothes, but I don't try to overdo it," Fadag said. "I like to incorporate a lot of color because I am an artist."

Gillian Anderson finds nothing alien about playing British in 'Bleak House'

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:20 a.m.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Since "The X-Files" ended, Gillian Anderson has tried to move as far away as possible from her fame as Dana Scully, the skeptical FBI agent assigned to investigate the paranormal. In PBS's "Bleak House," she's probably completely succeeded. As the beautiful but tragic Lady Dedlock in this six-part "Masterpiece Theatre" adaptation of one of Charles Dickens' greatest novels, only Anderson's classic profile is a reminder of Scully.

Things '2DO before I die'

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:20 a.m.

Everyone dreams about what his or her life will be like in the future, especially while attending college. During college, the possibilities seem endless. We can have any major, study anything, live and work anywhere. As a senior, I have recently begun to consider what dream I want to follow after graduation. During this thought process, I stumbled across a book that asks an even more prominent question: What is on your list of things to do before you die?

Knitting to unwind

By Rorye O'Conner · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:17 a.m.

Clickety clackety. The steady sounds of knitting needles can be heard on campus this semester because of the steady rise in popularity of knitting among college students. The sudden interest has caused knitting groups to pop up like crocheted crocuses. "Student interest is very high," said Marla Dawson, knitting instructor at Yarns Unlimited. "It is the busiest I have ever seen it."

An alternative to typical holiday music

By Alyson Brodsy and Diana Glozman · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

For everyone who has just experienced the eight days of wonderful Hanukkah you might be wondering how you managed to live so many years listening to Sister Berry and numerous versions of Sandler's "Chanukah Song". Well, it might have taken more then 5,766 years -but finally there is indie Hanukkah music! Now you can take the playful tunes of They Might Be Giants and Adam Sandler, mix in Adam Gardner of Guster and Dave Schneider of the Zambonis together, throw in Peter Katis, the producer of Interpol, and you literally can't go wrong with the LeeVees Hanukkah Rocks.

Artistic Outlet

By Alyson Brodsy and Bryan Lufkin · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

Bloomington has proven itself as a cultural oasis. Streets lined with international restaurants, music festivals and an IU affiliated cultural center for almost every ethnic background are all only the beginning. The arts continue to be celebrated around the city with its fine selection of galleries featuring the creations of local and regional artists, giving Bloomington a decided artistic flair that rounds out the college town's already impressive cultural resume. Galleries not only showcase paintings, sculptures and photography in Bloomington, but some of the best venues have the most unique exhibitions one could find in an art gallery.

Queen Latifah indulges in the sweet life.

The Queen's 'last' fling

By Alyson Brodsy and Rob O'Connor · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

"Last Holiday" might not seem so bad on the surface, but after closer examination it becomes clear that it is an entity of pure evil. That is the only possible explanation for why a poignant dark comedy staring Alec Guinness ("Bridge over the River Kwai," "Star Wars") would be remade into a honey-dripping, predictable mess staring Queen Latifah ("Chicago," "Barbershop 2"). Who on earth watches Guinness movie and says, "Well this guy is OK, but you know who would be better is a big, fat lady rapper."

Got 'Wood'?

By Alyson Brodsy and Patrick Hurley · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

I generally favor the singer/songwriter whose focus is on the acoustic guitar or the piano. I'm not known to listen to the harder rocks or the ghetto raps. We all know that there's generally no way to justify pumping a DMB or Hootie song at a party: enter Morningwood. At first listen, one may liken their sound to the one-hit wonder style of bubble gum rockers, however, it's after listening to a third or fourth track where you start to realize, these guys (& gal) have talent. When your band's front-man is a woman and the members go something like, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, it's hard not to compare that lineup to Gwen Stefani's band. Although there's 'no doubt' that they paved the way for a band like Morningwood, they're trying to influence their fans in the same way. The album

Return film to sender

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Ross · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

The success of Louis Leterrier and producer Luc Besson's "The Transporter" took many people by surprise. Its silly plot, fast cars and innovative fight sequences breathed some fresh air into an otherwise stale genre. But no good film goes "unsequalized." Last year saw the release of the imaginatively titled "Transporter 2," a prime example of all the bad ideas franchise pictures can stumble into. Instead of expanding its crowd-pleasing stunt work, the film falls into "been there, done that" genre.

Fashion Guru

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

Safia Lakhany, a member of the Pakistani Student Association and the Muslim Student Union, recently helped play host to a charity fashion show with other members of the PSA for the victims of the earthquake that hit India and Pakistan. As an apparel merchandising major, this senior was able to use her trendy expertise to help the association put on a fashion show with everything from cultural apparel and music to choreographed dances and instruments. When Lakhany isn't working at becoming the next big-wig fashion designer,

Craven's 'Red' hot thriller

By Alyson Brodsy and Ash Cartwright · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

There are several things that make "Red Eye" worth watching, most of all is actor Cillian Murphy ("28 Days Later", "Batman Begins"). Murphy is one of the more interesting up-and-coming actors and is perfectly cast as the appropriately named Jackson Rippner. In the film, Rippner psychologically and physically terrorizes the film's protagonist, Lisa Reisert, played by Rachel McAdams ("Wedding Crashers", "The Notebook"), while attempting to use her in the implementation of a sinister plot.

Politics dug deep

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12 a.m.

In "The Constant Gardener" Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient," "Spider") plays Justin Quayle, a British High Commission member living in Kenya. After Quayle's civil rights activist wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), is brutally murdered, he begins a search to discover what happened to her. As Quayle investigates, he learns his wife was involved in uncovering the workings of a corrupt pharmaceutical company who might be testing deadly products on poor, HIV-positive Africans. Quayle decides to continue his wife's work despite rumors of her unfaithfulness and other risky reports. But it's not long until he becomes the hunted and is warned to stop his search, or he will meet the same fate as his wife.