Women's Golf

Every guy's worst nightmare

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

If you thought Superman had father figure issues, Kal-El's got nothing on G-girl, the heroine of "My Super Ex-Girlfriend." A lack of fatherly affection at a young age is the only possible explanation for the insane way she lashes out at gentlemen callers. Luke Wilson plays Matt Saunders, an unsuccessful dater who takes a chance on asking out a stranger, Jenny Johnson, on a subway. Unbeknownst to Matt, Jenny is actually superhero, G-Girl (Uma Thurman). The two start to date and Matt gets to experience what it's like to be with someone who is, well, super. During the first hour the film's tone is kept quick and breezy. It actually manages to sneak in some good laughs about what it'd be like to date a super. And because it never really takes itself too seriously, it manages to be kind of fun. But it's all down hill once Matt dumps Jenny, and as G-Girl, she begins to make his life hell.

Teen Flick Delivers

By Alyson Brodsky and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

Amanda Bynes is quite the teen queen and unlike rivals Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff, not only can Bynes act, but she is also funny, which is why she was able to make this movie such a success. Writers Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, of "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Legally Blonde", bring you "She's the Man" a story that is much like a modern day version of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Amanda Bynes plays Viola, a tomboy whose life is soccer. Viola is the star on the girl's team at Cromwell Prep until the school cuts the girl's team from their sports program. And when both the coach and her (ex) boyfriend snub her from playing on the guy's team, Viola decides to disguise herself as her twin brother, Sebastian (James Kirk) and play on the team of Cromwell's rival school, Illyria. Since Sebastian just enrolled at Illryia and nobody knows him there, Viola decides the timing couldn't be more perfect, especially since Sebastian decides he is going to London for the next two weeks.

Alt-Country supergroup returns

By Alyson Brodsy and Ty Schrock · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

A conglomeration of members of the Jayhawks, Soul Asylum and Big Star, among others, the "supergroup" Golden Smog is now probably most notable for its most famous member, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Another Fine Day, the group's first offering since 1998, is a mixed bag of an album that disappointingly yields mixed results. Tweedy, who is no stranger to side projects (Loose Fur, The Minus Five) contributes on fewer than half of the album's 15 tracks, and only has writing credits on two. Day reduces the rocking twang that most of the members' previous groups (and also the previous Smog albums) were known for, in favor of a slicker pop sound, which is much more of a hindrance than a breakthrough. Reportedly this whole project was started when director Guy Ritchie approached Smog and Jayhawk member Marc Perlman about writing a song for a Corvette commercial he was directing. The resulting song, "Corvette," which sounds like a lost Go-Go's track, is so cheap and cheesy that you can't even imagine these guys playing it without cringing. And in this slight direction goes about half of the album; modest and breezy Chilton-esque pop that sounds uninspired far too often. There are a few standouts, though. The driving piano of "You Make it Easy" opens the album with some bite, and "Cure For This," is an acoustic beauty, with Jayhawk Gary Louris trading bittersweet harmonies with guest vocalist Muni Camon. The Todd Rundgren-esque "Think About Yourself" closes the album with a rumination on egotism amid swirling organs and corkscrew guitar.

Hungry for Art

By Alyson Brodsy and David A. Nosko · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

Art is often showcased and appreciated only in galleries, museums and other "official" artistic places like artisan studios. Acknowledging that art is all around us, Bloomington restaurants offer their wall space as a community canvas to further student and townie art expression. Never mind framed prints of Matisse, Monet or Picasso to attract customer dollars. Local eateries such as Tutto Bene, Lennie's Restaurant and Michael's Uptown Café and Bakery offer local artists the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in their business space for display-only or selling purposes. Although different local businesses fill their walls with art for different purposes, the common thread tying all local eateries displaying local art is a love for the Bloomington artisan community.

NCAA 07 Xbox 360

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Freiberg · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

NCAA 07 on the Xbox 360 is the hot drunk girl you pick up tailgating outside Memorial Stadium. Yeah she's fun for a night, maybe two, but what kind of future are you two really going to have? Where's the depth? The personality? This game is missing a lot of features present in the current gen version, like Race for the Heisman and Campus Challenge that while not necessary for a college game, at least give you more bang for your buck. There are three mini games available in this version (bowling is especially addictive), but you'll probably get tired of them after you get the achievement points from beating them. At least the action on the field doesn't disappoint with tight AI that will smoke you if you don't know your playbook.

Legendary Band Shines On

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

The first adjective to come to mind when thinking about Pink Floyd is epic. Floyd is and always has been a pioneer of the grandiose. From its thick blankets of synthesized soundscapes to its often over-the-top visual spectacles and stage presence, Floyd is a master of crafting the magnificent. The "Pulse" concert was recorded/filmed at Earl's Court in London in 1994 circa the band's Division Bell tour. While the post-Wall, post-Roger Waters segment of Pink Floyds musical epoch is often considered the lowest point of the band's career, "Pulse" manages to step away from any of these misconceptions, instead showcasing a beautifully aged and matured Floyd who, despite being past their musical peak, continues to shine on with each awe-inspiring musical note.

'Lady' is a bore

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Thursday, July 27,2006 12 a.m.

M. Night Shyamalan is one pretentious son of a bitch, and his latest film, "Lady in the Water," sucks. There, I said it. That was hard for me. I am, admittedly, an M Night Shyamalaniac. I thought "The Sixth Sense" was entertaining. I enjoyed "Unbreakable" and "Signs." I even thought "The Village" was pretty boss. But sometimes things go too far. You trust someone to make a decent film, you welcome the guy into your home and readily defend his more questionable titles to people you assume are small-minded assholes. And the next thing you know there's money missing from the dresser and your daughter's knocked up; your trust has been abused.

Democrats say 'no' to I-69 toll road

By David A. Nosko · Wednesday, July 26,2006 8:32 p.m.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels' Republican vision for State Road 37 includes repaving already paved land into an Interstate 69 extension toll road, but three local democratic leaders have drawn a political line in the sand, saying "a toll road will have profound negative effects on the residents of Monroe County." State House of Representatives Matt Pierce, D-61, and Peggy Welch, D-60, together with State Senator Vi Simpson, D-40, issued a letter to the Federal Highway Administration July 21 declaring no I-69 toll road is the only road they will accept besides an already taxpayer-funded State Road 37.

Dorm debris dumped illegally

By Julie Mahomed · Wednesday, July 26,2006 8:30 p.m.

A contractor has been caught illegally dumping debris from the demolition of the old Ashton Center at 10th and Union streets on a farm in rural Monroe County, officials said. Homrich Inc., the company handling the demolition of the Ashton residence hall complex, has been ordered to stop the illegal dumping and remove the materials, said Kirk White, IU director of community relations. The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District received an anonymous call July 14 reporting demolition debris dumping in the 3200 block of old Indiana 446. After witnessing the large amount of materials involved, district environmental enforcement director Tom McGlasson made the decision to call the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Teen arrested in sniper shooting

By Sarah Core · Wednesday, July 26,2006 8:30 p.m.

An Indiana teenager was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with the sniper attacks that put the state on high alert this weekend. Zachariah "Zach" Blanton, 17, of Gaston, Ind., allegedly confessed to the shootings that occurred on major highways in Delaware and Jackson Counties early Sunday morning, killing one man and injuring another. Both shootings occurred in the Seymour and Redkey areas of Interstates 65 and 69. Wednesday, Blanton pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and three counts of criminal recklessness with a firearm at the Jackson County Courthouse. Circuit Judge William Vance set a tentative date of Dec. 13 for his trial.

Playing with Fire

By Kristi Oloffson · Wednesday, July 26,2006 8:14 p.m.

Pyro-kinetic artist Molly Block can belly dance while spinning fiery objects around her body. She can dance with a flaming sword and staff. She even does fire breathing. Although Block, known as Wyldfyre, has been practicing fire dancing for six years, she will be teaching the basic movement of a dance form known as poi, which she incorporates into her performance, at a workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. Seventh St. Ann Shaffer of Dark Side Tribal, a belly-dancing group sponsoring the workshop, described poi as having two balls on chains or strings that one spins around him or herself. Cost for the workshop is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Attendees can bring their own poi equipment or purchase some at the workshop for $5 extra.

Local pantries plan food drive to address donation shortages

By Joseph S. Pete · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:59 p.m.

Monroe County United Ministries is soliciting volunteers for a major food drive planned for the weekend leading into the fall semester. It seeks 100 volunteers to man booths taking donations outside most supermarkets in Bloomington and Ellettsville. The nonprofit organization needs to meet a target of 118 pounds of food at the risk of further reduced services. Like many area pantries, United Ministries has seen a recent surge in demand from working families requesting temporary food assistance. Since 2004, demand has shot up 72 percent while donations have risen only slightly.

Local services available for runaway teens, families

By David A. Nosko · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:58 p.m.

A local teenager reported missing in Monday's IDS is back in her mother's custody, after neighborhood children spotted her Sunday afternoon and local law enforcement officials rounded her up from a five-day long runaway spree. Jody Kinser said she received numerous sightings about her daughter's whereabouts from community members, some indicating she was close to home and others indicating she might have fled to as far away as Pennsylvania. While pursuing a different lead, she said she received a call from a neighbor Sunday positively identifying her daughter's location, at which time the Bloomington Police Department was called and officers apprehended her daughter from the arms of a 23-year-old living in a nearby apartment complex. "You've got to be careful with kids," Kinser said. "These guys don't care that they're 15 years old."

Iraqi leader addresses U.S.

By Alyson Brodsy and Anne Plummer Flaherty · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:52 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki insisted Wednesday that Iraq is a front line in the war on terrorism and said those behind the rampant violence in Iraq are perverting the Islamic faith. "I know some of you question whether Iraq is part of the war on terror," al-Maliki told a joint meeting of Congress, where some lawmakers have been critical of the new Iraqi leader's position on the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants. "Let me be very clear," al-Maliki said. "This is a battle between true Islam, for which a person's liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak." Several Democrats critical of al-Maliki attended and participated in standing ovations as the Iraqi leader spoke. It was not immediately clear whether any lawmakers made good on a threat to boycott the address.

Bush pushes surveillance bill

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Taylor · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:48 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- As debate continues over the legality of President Bush's domestic spying program, the administration pressed Congress Wednesday to ease Internet age surveillance restrictions. Technological advances and a shift in adversaries from Cold War rivals to terrorists mean the 1978 law covering such monitoring -- the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) -- is now behind the times, CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Hezbollah rocks Israeli soldiers in raid

By Alyson Brodsy and Sam F. Ghattas · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:47 p.m.

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Hezbollah inflicted heavy casualties on Israeli troops as they battled for a key hilltop town in southern Lebanon for a fourth day Wednesday, with as many as 14 soldiers reported killed. Lebanese officials, meanwhile, confirmed that four U.N. observers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their post Tuesday night. With Israel facing fiercer resistance than expected in its campaign against the Islamic militants, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel wants to establish a 1.2 mile-wide strip in south Lebanon that will be free of Hezbollah guerrillas -- ruling out a larger occupation.

Public forums to discuss future of IU's labor studies

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:45 p.m.

The first of six public forums deciding the future of the IU Division of Labor Studies will be held at 9 a.m. Friday in Poplars 185. According to a June 19 IDS article, the department is in danger of being closed because it has dealt with budgetary problems and needs to find a new location. "What emerges over the next months from each IU campus regarding a Labor Studies presence remains to be determined," Mark Sothmann, interim director of the division, said in a statement. "With established review procedures, there will be ample opportunity for numerous constituencies to offer comment on the optimal repositioning of Labor Studies at Indiana University."

University to restore ash deposits on Range Road

By Patrick Commiskey · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:45 p.m.

Near an old shooting range on Range Road is school property where IU had deposited ash from its 10th Street steam plant until 1979 and stored emergency coal until 1998. The site has not yet contaminated surface or ground water and a plan to clean up the site hopes to ensure this does not happen in the future. August Mack Environmental, a consulting firm, began on-site work to restore the area this week. Kirk White, IU director of Community Relations, said work will last until late August -- to avoid disturbing move-in traffic -- and then will pick up again after the first week of the semester.

Friendship bridges borders

By Matt Cunningham · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:44 p.m.

After a two-year absence, the International Friendship Association is making plans to ensure its presence will be felt on campus for the upcoming school year. IFA is a student association that brings international and American students together to foster stronger relationships and to help new students with questions so they are prepared when they arrive in Bloomington. IFA treasurer Ye Win Latt said this does not mean the group is only for international students, but includes domestic students as well.

Scientists concerned over Bush stem cell veto

By Zack Teibloom · Wednesday, July 26,2006 7:41 p.m.

With about 30 scientists working on stem cell research at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, University faculty expressed concern over President Bush's recent veto blocking a bill Congress passed to extend research funding on embryonic stem cells. Eric Meslin, director of IU Center for Bioethics, said the veto is troubling because it will take away material from scientists on the brink of discoveries that could save millions of lives. However, he said, IU's research will not be directly affected too much, as the University focuses on research involving adult stem cells.