July 2, 2009

Charter Communications

mistakenly included Auburn

in their news release about

removing the local channel

WSFA news 12 from Cham-

bers County and Lanett.

“WSFA – NBC will remain

on our line-up in the City of

Auburn and in Lee County,

but not in Chambers County

and Lanett,” said John Miller,

director of communications

for Charter Communications.

A press release was sent to

newspapers and put up on

the screen for Charter sub-

scribers to view, Mark Wilder,

WSFA director of operations,

said.

“When Charter put out the

information to its subscrib-

ers, they made a mistake in

the wording and included the

word Auburn within Cham-

bers County as to the area

it was going to be taken off ,”

Wilder said. “We are indeed

going to be taken off Charter

cable in Chambers County,

which is north of Lee County.”

Marian Carcache, an Eng-

lish professor, said she be-

lieves Chambers County will

be greatly aff ected by the loss

of WSFA.

She said she has heard

many complaints from local

people about not having any

choices for diff erent cable

companies in the area.

“Th at is why we should

fi ght to preserve our right to

choices on all levels instead

of bowing to corporations,”

Carcache said.

Wilder said whoever was

responsible for the news re-

A new business in Auburn

is painting the perfect pic-

ture for a night out on the

town.

Sips N Strokes, located

on University Drive, allows

customers to get creative by

participating in a painting

lesson and going home with

their completed work.

As the name implies, cus-

tomers are invited to bring

in a beverage of their choice

to enjoy while they paint.

Brad Baggett, owner and

manager of the Auburn

branch of Sips N Strokes,

said the painting classes are

off ered Monday through Sat-

urday.

“Monday through Wed-

nesday the classes are two

hours long and cost $25 and

from Th ursday through Sat-

urday, Sips N Strokes off ers

three hour classes for $35,”

Baggett said.

Th e paintings off ered dur-

ing the three-hour classes

are slightly more diffi cult.

However, artists of any level

can participate at Sips N

Strokes.

“I was inexperienced when

I started coming to classes

but after attending a few, my

painting has defi nitely im-

proved,” said Traci Stevens,

a Sips N Strokes customer.

“Th e instruction is so helpful

and the teachers are encour-

aging. I have taken Sips N

Strokes classes in locations

before the Auburn store was

opened and I’m so glad they

fi nally have one here.”

Th e prices include every-

thing customers will need to

start and fi nish a painting in

one night.

“All they need to do is

bring in a beverage and they

will walk out of the class

with a completely fi nished

painting,” Baggett said.

Wendy LoVoy, an artist

from Birmingham, started

Sips N Strokes in 2003 and

recently began franchis-

ing. Today, there are Sips N

Strokes in Alabama, Georgia

and Tennessee, according

to the Sips N Strokes offi cial

Web site.

“Wendy is known for her

paintings of angels and

crosses,” Baggett said. “Not

all of the pictures are ones

Wendy has done, and we

both have input when we

The Auburn Plainsman Vol. 115, Issue 35

12 PagesTHURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009

A Spirit That Is Not Afraid

Printed on Recycled Paper

WeatherFriday Saturday Sunday

Inside IndexNews A5

Commentary A4 Intrigue

Classifi eds

Sports

B1

B3

B5

www.theplainsman.com

Friday Saturday SundayFriday Saturday Sunday

HighLow Low Low

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9274

8672

Partly Cloudy T-StormsT-storms

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See why AU is on a boatIntrigue B1

Mixed drinks, mixed paints

Students bring beverages, learn to paint at Sips N Strokes

By COURTNEY JOHNSONStaff Writer

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

At Sips N Strokes painting students are encouraged to bring their own beverages, and all classes are aimed for people from all skills levels. Sips N Strokes is located on University Drive in Auburn.


Students paint backgrounds during painting class.


A student works on detail for her painting during class.


Participants are provided all paint-ing materials needed for a class.


Classes are offered Monday through Saturday.

> Turn to PAINTING, A2

Charter to keep channel

By CALLIE GARRETTStaff Writer

> Turn to WSFA, A2

Equestrian team hosts 3 camps, gears up for ’09 season

Between camps and indi-

vidual workouts, the Auburn

Equestrian team is staying

busy this summer.

Th ree camps are being of-

fered to riders of all experi-

ence levels, said Greg Wil-

liams, head coach. One is a

day camp which is geared to-

ward beginning riders in the

community.

Th e other two are resident

camps where riders stay

overnight in the dorms and

learn more advanced skills

and techniques.

Th e camp runs Monday

through Th ursday, said soph-

omore Ali Loprete. Campers

ride about four times a day

and work on a variety of dif-

ferent skills.

One of these resident

camps is

an elite

c a m p ,

which is

for those

who wish

to be on

a college

equestri-

an team.

“ W e

push the kids a little harder in

the elite camp,” Loprete said.

“We get to see how well they

ride and we make it a team

experience for them.”

Th e campers are given the

same schedules a college

team would have, including 5

a.m. workouts, Loprete said.

Th ey also work directly with

all of the coaches.

“It’s a

lot to-

u g h e r ,”

Williams

said. “But

it’s more

individu-

a l i z e d

than the

o t h e r

camps.”

At the end of each week,

the campers do a demonstra-

tion for family and friends,

Loprete said.

Helping out with the camps

is a good way to stay in shape

for the fall.

Auburn’s Equestrian team

members said they are all

making their own individual

eff orts to do what they can

now to prepare for the up-

coming competitions.

“Right now I’m just riding

as many horses as I can,” said

sophomore Bailey Dymond, a

western horsemanship rider.

“It’s all about practice and

conditioning yourself for the

sport.”

NCAA rules don’t allow of-

fi cial workouts until after the

fi rst class day in August.

“I’m just trying to stay

in shape and ride as much

as possible because when

school starts we get right into

workouts,” Loprete, a hunt

seat rider, said.

Th e team is always work-

ing toward another national

championship and the new

freshmen will help boost

their eff orts, Dymond said.

“We want to come back

and win a national champi-

onship,” Dymond said. “We

By STEPHANIE ENGLAND Staff Writer

> Turn to EQUESTRIAN, A3

It’s all about practice

and conditioning yourself

for the sport.”

Bailey Dymondsophomore, equestrian team

“Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn’s equestrian team won the 2008 National Championship and may soon become a scholarship team at Auburn.

Campus Calendar is provided by Th e Auburn Plainsman to all University-chartered organizations to announce activities. Announcements must be submitted on forms available in the offi ce between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. no later than Monday prior to publication. Submissions must be no more than 30 words and are edited to retain only pertinent information. Clas-sifi ed ads cost $6 for the fi rst 15 words, and 40 cents for each additional word. Forms are available in the offi ce during business hours. Deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. Local advertising rate is $11/ column inch. National adver-tising rate is $16/ column inch. Deadline for all advertising space reserva-tion is Friday at 3 p.m. Th e Auburn Plainsman (USPS 434740) is published by Auburn University, AL 36849 weekly during the school year. We do not publish during class breaks. Subscriptions are $40 a year, $20 a semester. Periodicals [postage [paid at Auburn, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Th e Auburn Plainsman, Student Union Suite 1111, Auburn University, AL 36849.

The Auburn PlainsmanNews, A2 Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

Th e Auburn Plainsman is the student newspaper of Auburn Univer-sity. It is produced entirely by students and is funded by its advertis-ing revenue. Th e Auburn Plainsman is published every Th ursday and averages 15 printings per semester. It is distributed free of charge to Auburn students and faculty. Please take only one copy. First copy free; additional copies are 25 cents. Anyone caught taking more than one copy will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Staff meetings are Wednesdays, 7 p.m. in Suite 1111 of the Student Center. For more information, call 844-4130, e-mail us at [email protected] or view our Web site at www.theplainsman.com.

The Auburn PlainsmanA SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Editorial Staff Business Staff

Natalie Wade

Editor

Julian Kersh

Managing Editor

Kevin Saucier

Copy Editor

Sarah Craft / Associate Editor

Allison Clark

News Editor

Sarah Hansen / Associate Editor

Natalie Nettles

Intrigue Editor

Christian Becraft / Associate Editor

Patrick Dever

Sports Editor

Anna Schierholz / Associate Editor

Ashlea Draa

Photo Editor

Austin Nelson / Associate Editor

Andrew Sims

Online Editor

Tom HopfBusiness Manager

Erin Coff eyCreative Director

Ed MayLayout Coordinator

Production Artists

Brent LangGeoff rey Pitts

Account Executives

Andrew MooreNathan Smith

Vincent AragonElizabeth Cammon

ADVERTISING POLICIES

June 24, Auburn Trail – Burglary reported. One Gatorade

Sport water bottle reported stolen.

June 24, Chateau Apartments – Burglary reported. One

Highpoint 9MM handgun reported stolen.

June 24, Sigma Pi fraternity house – Burglary reported.

Two wooden benches, one wooden Sigma insignia, miscel-

laneous artifi cial plants and one strand of outdoor lights

reported stolen. Damage to the carpet was also reported.

June 24, Jack Hampton Drive – Burglary reported. One

Fender guitar (Sunburst Stratocaster) and one fl at screen

computer monitor reported stolen.

June 24, Plainsview Condominiums – Burglary reported.

One Playstation 3, eight assorted Playstation 3 games and

one 42” JVC fl at screen reported stolen.

June 24, Mount Moriah Baptist Church – Burglary report-

ed. One Dell desktop computer, one HP printer model PSC

2400, one EV speaker and one EV amplifi er reported stolen.

One exterior door and one steel door frame reported dam-

aged.

June 24, Bedell Avenue – Th eft reported. One 21-speed

bicycle, pewter colored with rusty chain reported stolen.

June 24, Ridgewood Village Trailor Park – Burglary re-

ported. One white MacBook laptop reported stolen.

June 24, Plainsview Condominiums – Larceny reported.

One MacBook Pro laptop, model A1226, reported stolen.

June 24, Armstrong Apartments – Th eft reported. One

16GB black 3G iPhone reported stolen.

June 24, AU Bookstore – Th eft reported. One Cost Manage-

ment textbook reported stolen.

June 24, Cecil Lane – Burglary reported. One Toshiba 19-

inch TV/VCR/DVD combo reported stolen. One window

glass reported damaged.

June 25, Waffl e House – Burglary. One SIRIUS Satellite Ra-

dio receiver reported stolen.

June 25, Swann’s Triangle Trailer Park – Burglary reported.

One 32” HDTV Vizio fl at screen and one pearl ring reported

stolen. One window and one window screen reported dam-

aged.

June 25, Wal-Mart Supercenter – Shoplifting reported. One

microwave oven and one package of assorted chips reported

stolen.

June 25, Jenkins Drive – Burglary reported. One 8G Apple

iPod, light green in color, inside a white and gray sleeve

reported stolen

June 26, Ridgewood Village Mobile Home Park – Burglary

reported. One Playstation 3, 15 assorted Playstation 3 games

and two Toshiba laptop computers reported stolen.

June 26, Auburn Crossing – Burglary reported. One Apple

iPhone and $130 reported stolen.

June 26, Auburn Crossing – Th eft reported. One T-Mobile

Sidekick 3 reported stolen.

June 26, Nash Creek Drive – Th eft reported. One blue and

silver Makita miter saw, one yellow Bostitch nail gun, one

Porter-Cable 4x24 belt sander, one black plastic toolbox and

various paint supplies reported stolen.

- Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety

CRIME REPORTSJune 24 - June 30, 2009

DUI Arrests in the City of Auburn June 24 - June 30, 2009

Philip Austin Shamburger of MontgomeryWest Magnolia Avenue at Thomas StreetJune 24, 12:45 a.m.

Ronald M. Moss2061 S. College St.June 28, 4:21 a.m.

make the calendar for the Auburn store.”

Baggett said the Sips N Strokes teachers are from an ar-

ray of professional backgrounds.

“We have people with nursing, teaching and art degrees,”

Baggett said. “We look for people with a certain personality

and someone that has the ability to tell people how to paint

in a fun way.”

Attendance has varied so far, said Baggett.

“Th ere are nights with more than 60 participants and

nights with only 15,” Baggett said.

Classes are open to anyone age 12 and older. Baggett said

that participant’s ages have been between 20 and 60.

Sips N Strokes is off ering classes for children ages 5-12

from 10 to 12 p.m. Saturdays during the summer. Th ere will

also be a kid’s camp later next month.

“We are in the third week right now, we opened June 10,

and we are happy with the way things are going,” Baggett

said. “It’s just fun. It’s exciting too. Th e community seems

to like us; they have been strongly supportive. We think Au-

burn is an ideal place for a Sips N Strokes.”

Sips N Strokes is available for private parties, bachelor-

ette parties, birthday parties and sorority functions.

“It’s the perfect place for a sisterhood event,” said Lau-

ren Nunez, an Auburn alumni who majored in English. “I

remember we were always trying to fi nd fun things to do

together, as a large group and it was diffi cult to fi nd some-

thing everyone could enjoy, especially locally.”

Baggett said he is excited about the future of the business

and what it can do for the Auburn area.

“We just want it to grow as much as it can,” Baggett said.

PAINTING>From A1

lease sent out from Charter was not aware that Auburn

is not included in Chambers County. Th eir national head-

quarters probably did not know what county Auburn is in.

After numerous phone calls from concerned viewers of

Lee County, WSFA quickly talked to Charter and confi rmed

that their channel will not be taken off Charter in Lee

County because it is signifi cantly viewed, Wilder said.

“Since I would guess that the local stations most people

in Lee County watch would be WSFA and the two out of Co-

lumbus, it seems only logical to keep the local station that

is in the same state Lee County is in, and the same goes for

Chambers,” Carcache said.

She said when she watches local news in Alabama, she

tunes to WFSA.

“When I was growing up in lower Russell County, we

watched 3 and 9 out of Columbus, but when I moved to Au-

burn, I changed to the Montgomery station,” Carcache said.

Miller said the federal government monitors their cable

stations to determine which channels will be broadcast.

“Th ere are numerous federal rules regarding the carriage

of broadcast TV stations that make it impractical for Char-

ter to continue to carry WSFA – NBC into the Chambers

County and Lanett area,” Miller said. “WSFA is not consid-

ered signifi cantly viewed in those two areas, therefore by

federal guideline, priority carriage is provided to WLTZ –

NBC and most of WSFA’s programming would have been

blacked out.”

Miller said customers in those two areas will fi nd their

NBC programming on WLTZ – NBC.

WSFA>From A1

The Auburn Plainsman News, A3Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

don’t like that ‘almost’ win.

We have a lot of good fresh-

men coming in, and a lot of

us are stepping up our game

this sum-

mer.”

Williams

said unity is

s om ethin g

that makes

A u b u r n ’ s

Equestrian

team stand

out.

“I love

w a t c h i n g

when they

come to-

gether as a

team,” Williams said. “Th at is

by far the greatest, when they

are in the trenches and work-

ing together as team, when

the team means more than

their own individual eff orts.”

Loprete said the team is

one of the most hardwork-

ing teams at Auburn and that

it takes every single one of

them to be successful.

“We are a very strong team

and we work together well,”

Loprete said. “I love the team

experience because it’s some-

thing you don’t usually get in

equestrian.”

Th e team won its fi rst na-

tional championship in 2006

and became national cham-

pions in hunt seat in 2008.

Equestrian competition is

broken into four categories,

two hunt seat, which is Eng-

lish riding, and two western.

In hunt seat riding, ath-

letes demonstrate grace and

poise while jumping over

a course of 3-foot-6-inch

jumps or through a series of

complicated maneuvers in a

pattern.

Th ese categories are called

equitation over fences or eq-

uitation on the fl at.

In western riding, athletes

focus on posture and control

while completing a series

of maneuvers in the horse-

manship discipline, or show

off their abilities in a series

of galloping circles, sliding

stops and spins in the reining

category.

“Our strengths come from

being determined in every-

thing we

do,” Dy-

mond said.

“You can

have tons of

practice and

then have to

get in that

arena and

try to nail

everything

in 40 sec-

onds. Th at’s

where the

w o r k m a n -

ship skills come in.”

While hunt seat has always

been strong, Western is ex-

pected to turn some heads

this year as well.

“Our Western end is build-

ing more and more,” Williams

said. “Th e athletic depart-

ment is moving us toward

full funding and scholarships

so it’s going to get better and

better.”

Williams said hunt seat is

predicted to rank as one of

the top teams in the country,

if not number one.

To further its success, the

equestrian program may also

be getting some new facilities

in the future.

“Plans for a new facil-

ity have been approved,” Wil-

liams said. “Right now we’re

in the development stages to

raise money.”

Th e team does its own

maintenance on its facilities,

said Loprete, member of the

2008 National Championship

team.

Th is makes the equestrian

team diff erent that most

teams on campus, she said.

“We are trying to get some-

thing new, especially for our

horses,” Loprete said. “We

have some of the best horses

in the country.”

EQUESTRIAN>From A1

Th e athletic

department is moving

us toward full funding

and scholarships so it’s

going to get better and

better.”

Greg Williamshead coach

“


Another equestrian camp starts next week, and team members are preparing for the camp. The team may be looking forward to scholarship status and new facilities.

OUR NEW WEB SITE LAUNCHES TODAY!Check us out and let us know what you think!

State gun safetycritiqued on vague statisticsEditor, Th e Auburn Plainsman

While the editorial board’s June 18th article, “State Must Take Stand Against Gun Violence” was certainly well-intentioned, its arguments were fueled by skewed, agenda-driven statistics. Th e VPC’s numbers appear chilling, but minor digging shows their num-bers are built on a shaky basis.

For instance, the VPC shows that the Unit-ed States averaged 9.8 fi rearm related deaths per 100,000 in 2004. Of these, 57 percent were suicides. It is illogical to argue that fi rearms caused suicide.

Statistics show that those who are serious about suicide will fi nd another way if the use of a fi rearm is not an option. According to the World Health Organization, the U.S.’s suicide rate is markedly below that of China and New Zealand, and on par with the United Kingdom. Th ese data points are of note, because all of these nations sport draconian gun control measures.

Th e editors assert, “States with strict gun laws… registered fewer gun-related deaths.” While this may be true for some states, it is misleading to make a sweeping generaliza-tion about the entire Nation. As an example, the VPC fails to note the fi rearm- related death rate in Washington, D.C., despite being based there. While the District is not a state, surely its CDC-reported rate of 23.8 fi rearm related deaths per 100,000 is notable. It is ap-

parent that these facts have not escaped the chiefs at the VPC. Josh Sugarmann, the VPC’s founder and CEO, is a registered fi rearms dealer according to the BATFE (1-54-XXX-XX-XX-00725). Th is gives Mr. Sugarmann the le-gal right to fl out many of the harsh handgun laws endured by the citizens of the District.

Th e authors also argue that the state’s end-game to reduce fi rearm related deaths should involve “heftier restrictions on obtaining them.” Th is philosophy is not borne out by the facts. Among the 15 states with the high-est homicide rates, 10 have restrictive or very restrictive gun laws.

It stands to reason that criminals would be more successful in an environment where their quarry is denied the tools of self-de-fense. If we make fi rearm ownership a crime, only criminals will have fi rearms.

Unintentional fi rearm related deaths in the U.S. in 2004 comprised 2 percent of the total. Nonetheless, the article goes on to posit that unintentional fi rearm related deaths in the state could be reduced by popularizing hand-gun safety training courses.

Th is is undoubtedly true. However, it is currently somewhat diffi cult to take the course in Lee County. Th e Sheriff ’s depart-ment does indeed off er such a course, but it is only off ered a few times a year, and it fi lls up quickly.

Perhaps if the state wishes to get serious about reducing accidental fi rearm related deaths, more emphasis and resources should be put into such classes. Indeed, driver’s education is taught in the state’s high schools as an elective to reduce automobile related fatalities. However, to suggest that such classes should be required as part of a fi rearm licensing scheme is tantamount to an aff ront to patriotism.

Would you support a free speech license? Would you be in favor of a measure that re-quires you to take a class before voting?

While all fi rearm related deaths are un-fortunate, it is important to review the facts before jumping to conclusions. Opportuni-ties to ensure the safety and security of all Alabamians should be paramount, but not at the expense of our basic freedoms.

Matt Zorn

Former student, Alabama alum remembers ‘War Eagle’ airplane Editor, Th e Auburn Plainsman

While I was in Auburn this past week-end for daughter Katherine Gay Zito’s MBA extravaganza, I spoke to the Plainsman’s own Kim concerning an item of historical interest, and perhaps, of interest to your readers.

Some years ago, Hollywood made an adventure picture about a mythical nuclear submarine named the “Crimson Tide.” Th e good people in Tuscaloosa made much of this bit of fi ction!

In July 1944, myself and my crew were as-signed to a brand new B-17 Flying Fortress, No. 397977.

After a brief crew meeting, and with my encouragement, the aircraft was named “War Eagle.” Since there were no artists available

at our base in Chelveston, England, and since it was my idea, I personally painted the inspiring cartoon, and more, I did my best to impart the Auburn spirit to strengthen a good crew to start with.

By way of explanation of the photo of the old girl in fl ight, the letters “KY” on the fuse-lage are the code designation for the 366th Bomb Squadron. Th e letter “D” is simply the phonetic alphabet of the time for “dog.” Th e black triangle indicated that the War Eagle was a member of the fi rst Air Division of the Historic Eighth Air Force. Th e letter “G” identifi ed the 305th Bomb Group, which was the proud creation of Gen. Curtis LeMay.

A horizontal green stripe was added to the rudder to identify the 40th Combat Wing. Th is three-group unit was best known for its part in the Schweinfurt raid of October 1943.

As near as I can fi nd out, the War Eagle fl ew close to a hundred mission between July 1944 and VE Day in April 1945. Th e last time I saw the War Eagle was in Romulus, Mich., in June 1945.

She had fl own the Atlantic in the company of 10 other aircraft who had been selected for historical preservation.

She had the dings and patches enough to prove an illustrious career. I remember one patch about a square foot under the pilot’s fl ight bridge. Th ere was a 4-inch square patch on the big patch. A round machine gun bullet patch centered number two.

Th e War Eagle has fl own many times, and many places, but never more proudly than in the fl ame-fi lled skies of WWII Europe.

Charlie Gay

One of her pilots

- Check out Th ePlainsman.com to see

the sketch Gay sent with his letter

COMMENTARY Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

A4The Auburn Plainsman

OUR VIEW

The Auburn PlainsmanFounded in 1893 As Th e Orange & Blue

Vol. 116, No. 35

The Editorial BoardNatalie Wade

Editor

Julian KershManaging Editor

Natalie NettlesIntrigue Editor

Patrick DeverSports Editor

Kevin SaucierCopy Editor

Allison ClarkNews Editor

Ashlea DraaPhoto Editor

Andrew SimsOnline Editor

My roommate of three years is becoming a grown up. By

that I mean she’s taken a job off er fi ve and a half hours away from Auburn and nine hours from her parents house. She’ll be in a city where she knows no one, and will be living all by herself. Well she’ll have her dog Mandy, but techni-cally she’ll be living alone.

Although I’m extremely proud of her and confi dent she will do amazingly well in her new environment, I’m going to miss

her terribly. We met while moving into our

apartment at the C.D.V. Exten-tion. We were potluck roomies and an exception to the normal potluck rule of roommate hell. We lived on campus for two years and fi nally moved off this year.

Th ough the Bat Cave isn’t the best house in the world it was ours.

We’ve taken seven road trips, been on three spring breaks and attended three major concerts together. Basically we’ve had a lot of fun.

She’s started packing her half of the house up this week and I’m sure she’s getting tired of me reminiscing about diff erent events or bringing up diff erent one-liners we’ve laughed about over the years.

But I can’t help it, I’m going to miss her this fall when football season starts. She’s “da grill mastah” and I’ve seen her wear

the same Auburn T-shirt to every game.

I’m going to miss her when I want to get “Chick Salad Shack” (sic) and eat on Samford Lawn, and when Moe’s isn’t a Sunday tradition.

Th e things you experience and learn by living with your best friend are irreplaceable and I would not change any argument, random road trip or party we’ve had.

I know I’ll talk to her everyday when she moves, but knowing I can’t just run into her room and say “Friend, you want some Moe’s?” is sadder than Moe’s should ever be.

She’s taught me more about being a friend, how to deal with tough situations and how to have fun than she’ll ever know.

NATALIE [email protected]

Saying goodbye is hard

Natalie Wade is the editor of

Th e Auburn Plainsman. You can

reach her at 844-9021.

I know I am not alone in com-plaining about this, but by God

it feels like it sometimes. I am plagued with the seemingly in-curable disease of distractibility.

Anyone who knows me can second this without batting an eyelash. In fact, just today I have known this column was breath-ing down my neck, but what did I do? Well, see, fi rst I cleaned my apartment, then I played Halo 3 on the Xbox ... sorry, where was I?

So anyway, I digress in regards to my own problems and instead I will do the American thing and point the fi nger elsewhere. Th is past week we have had not one, but four losses to our entertain-

ment community. All these losses came with their groups of fans appropriately mourning their losses as well as wall-to-wall news coverage. Some stars, disap-pointingly, receiving more than others, but I am getting distract-ed by details.

Here in lies my problem. We are currently in the greatest economic recession our country has ever faced, having surpassed that of the Great Depression. Our world is teetering on the brink of chaos with North Korea threaten-ing nuclear war, Iran struggles to maintain its democracy, and we have yet to supply health care to the millions of Americans strug-gling from paycheck to paycheck.

My complaint is where is the news on this? It’s almost like Fox, CNN and the rest of ‘em of are using these tragic deaths as a distraction to what is plaguing our world.

Who cares about the current Green Bill that is going through congress that is promising to create hundreds of jobs and help America begin the long, arduous road to relinquishing our tight

grips on fossil fuels? Forget news, I want to hear

more about how Michael Jackson lived a rough life. Don’t get me wrong, please. I love “Th riller” as much as the next person, but I’m sorry if I am just a tad bit more concerned about other things, like whether the institution that created scum like Bernie Madoff and Edward Liddy are brought to justice, not just “bailed” out. Sorry, I got distracted again.

I don’t mind mourning the loss of some of entertainment’s best and brightest, but we must stay focused on the issues at hand and force our media to stay honest to their job.

I’m a journalist, I know about newsworthiness and getting rat-ings, but what are we willing to sacrifi ce for that? Our education and understanding of the world? I’m not. Th ese distractions are creating a stain upon our hands, and despite what Billy Mays says, OxiClean cannot take this stain out.

ANDREW [email protected]

Distractions bog down media

Andrew Sims is the online editor of

Th e Auburn Plainsman. You can

reach him at 844-9109.

High school exit

exam unnecessaryAlabama’s Board of Education is

considering doing away with the high school graduation exam, a change that would be implemented begin-ning with the 2011 school year.

If we were members of the Board, we’d vote to scrap the test.

For those out-of-staters who may not have taken a high school gradu-ation exam, it’s a standardized test spanning fi ve subjects with the goal of evaluating students’ grasp of fundamental content and their readi-ness for graduation.

Th e test is fi rst administered dur-ing students’ sophomore year, with several opportunities to re-take the sections if they fail.

But how many students drop out discouraged before getting a chance to retake, having failed the test the fi rst time?

We feel that the AHSGE doesn’t necessarily equip students with a stronger education and that it also presents unfair situations.

Many of us recall a week when ma-terial was crammed in preparation of the test.

We think regular course work would serve as a better learning ex-perience than temporarily memoriz-ing this specifi c information.

Also, it makes no sense that a stu-

dent can pass all of his or her classes, completing all required course work, but still be denied a diploma because he or she couldn’t complete a section of the exit exam.

Granted, it’s probably a rare scenario that a student passes all courses, yet can’t complete the graduation exam, but some students do not test well.

Add a weakness in a particular subject and the nerves of knowing your immediate future hinges on this test and you have a situation that could end disastrously for a hard-working student.

Looking at the situation from a more objective standpoint, many states do not require an exit exam and rank much higher in academic achievement than Alabama.

New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut rank in the top six of “educational eff ectiveness,” according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. None of these states require high school graduation exams.

Alabama ranks fourth from last. Many, many factors contribute

to these rankings, sure, but if these states are so far ahead of ours, maybe we should take a page out of their book on education, and fl unk out the exit exam.

Our Policy

Th e opinions of Th e Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. Th ese unsigned

editorials are the majority opinion of the eight-member editorial board and are the of-

fi cial opinion of the newspaper. Th e opinions expressed in columns and letters represent

the views and opinions of their individual authors and do not necessarily refl ect Auburn

University students, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

YOUR VIEW

Alabama Department of In-dustrial Relations Director TomSurtees announced June 19 thatAlabama's state unemploymentrate had risen from 9.0 percentin April to 9.8 percent in May.

Th e new May unemploly-ment rate equates to

208,917 unemployed per-sons. Th e sectors that

saw the most signifi cantlosses were manufac-

turing, construction, gov-ernment, fi nancial activities

and information services."Since last month's rate held

steady at 9 percent we had hoped that we would continue to see some stabilization," saidSurtees, "Unfortunately, the nation is still gripped in a seri-ous recession, and Alabama is not immune to its eff ects."

Lee County is not immune to these rise in unemploy-ment numbers either. Over the past month the unem-ployed numbers have increased by 700 people in the com-munity from 4,168 to 4,868. "Th at's a dramatic change,"said Richard Ault associate professor of economics.

"Th e economy for the city of Auburn has done by well inthe past because the university has continued to grow rap-idly," Ault said, "Depending on the TARP funds coming in,we will see where it goes from here. Th e community has inthe past done well because of the University, but that trendcould be a thing of the past."

Ault also said that statistics for the city of Auburn cansometimes be misleading.

"Th ese numbers can sometimes be skewed dependingon how they count the student population and their in-comes,” Ault said. “Sometimes students are not counted aspart of the labor force when they should be."

On Monday, Gov. Bob Riley approved a $50,000 grant tofurther enhance the job skills of 30 employees at the Au-burn company, Hoerbiger Automotive Comfort SystemsInc. Hoerbiger will use the grant funds to help train work-ers in identifying production waste, improve work pro-cesses and increase product quality.

“To keep good jobs in our state, Alabama businessesmust remain competitive in the global marketplace,” Ri-ley said. “I am pleased to provide this funding to enhanceskills, protect jobs and support new employment oppor-tunities.”

The Auburn Plainsman

NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 A5

Auburn grads shine green light on energy

Unemployment rises 0.8 percent

Th e energy of the future has ar-rived in Auburn.

Tiger Green Power, LLC is a renewable energy company spe-cializing in providing electric-ity producing solar water heaters, day-lighting systems, energy con-servation techniques, and more, said Robin Price, president and co-founder of Tiger Green Power.

“It’s basically green building,” Price said. “Building homes that won’t hurt the environment.”

Kraig Barnhart, vice president and co-founder of Tiger Green Power, was raised in Ohio but met Price while attending Auburn.

Both said they decided to start the business after spending more than a decade away from Auburn.

Price said she realized she want-ed to get involved with renewable

energy after learning about sus-tainable architecture.

“Sustainability is the practice of using renewable energy to meet our current and future electricity needs without continuing to harm our environment,” Price said.

Jenna Holk, a senior in interior design and student in the masters building construction program, said he is a big supporter of the company.

“Sustainability is the wave of the future,” Holk said. “I think it’s great that we have a local company in this industry and for the right rea-sons.”

Holk said she recycles and uses compact fl uorescent light bulbs to conserve energy.

Ruining natural landscapes such as mountains, for energy sources like coal is unreasonable

By JORDAN BRANTLEYStaff Writer

> Turn to TIGER, A6

A person fi nding a hole in his or her coat may think it normal wear and tear or a reminder of an event that created it. For the people of Nocturno, a hole in their coat means a hole in their memory they lose forever.

Th is past weekend the Auburn Uni-versity Th eatre presented “Still Life with Iris” by Steven Dietz, where a young girl named Iris discovers the value of mem-ory through losing her coat and fi nding herself.

Directed by Heather May, this sum-mer’s production was appropriate for both children and adults alike.

It was originally commissioned and produced by Seattle Children’s Th eatre after Dietz was inspired by the books of Steff an Soule and Cooper Evans, includ-ing “Dreams, Magic, and Miracles.”

With most students gone for the sum-mer, May found an opportunity to get the community involved while having her students gain new techniques.

“I was interested in bringing a chil-dren’s theater piece (to Auburn) because the families with children are still here,” May said.

As explained in Dietz’s beginning ac-knowledgements, “the play takes place in a parallel present in two vastly, but

interconnected worlds.Th e land of Nocturno is a fantastical

world of pragmatic magic where the in-habitants spend each day readying the “known” world for the next day. It exists in a place parallel to our days.

Great Island is a magnifi cent and remote inland isle ruled by the Great Goods, who also rule Nocturno.

Th roughout the play, the audience joins Iris on a journey between the two worlds where she fi nds the value of memory, friendship and family.

“It’s really an imaginative look at the role family and community play in our lives,” May said.

Th e play contained humor aimed for both children and adults, bringing the audience onto one level.

“I never felt like I was sitting through a children’s play,” said Natalie McCormick, a senior in civil engineering.

Because the play is aimed at a young-er audience, it required diff erent acting skills for the performers to learn.

“It was complex,” said Chris Qualls, who played Man/Mister Matternot and is also an Auburn University Th eatre professor. “We had to fi nd symbols and metaphors in the play. It took a month working on it to fi gure out the connec-tions.”

Not only were the acting techniques complex, but the stage itself was a world

of its own. Th ere were enormous leaves and clouds appearing to fl oat with the wind above the stage while lights shone hues of every blue down below.

“Th e set was gorgeous,” McCormick said. “It had very detailed painting and it was so neat seeing the big space. Th ey used only a few props and the set and lighting designs were great.”

Th e play premiered Th ursday, June 25 for 230 members of the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. In addition to view-ing the play, the members were able to meet the cast and crew during a special question-and-answer session.

“It was a great opportunity for them to experience something they don’t al-ways see,” May said. “It was also a terrifi c chance for the actors to have entirely children (in the audience).”

Auburn University Th eatre’s next pro-duction is “Intimate Apparel” by Lynn Nottage, also directed by Heather May.

Set in New York City of 1905, the au-dience will follow Esther, a black seam-stress, as she creates intimate apparel for women of all backgrounds.

It will run September 24 - 25 and Sep-tember 29 - October 3, 2009 and there will be a matinee on September 27. Tickets will be available free to any Uni-versity student and will be available for purchase through the box offi ce at (334) 844 - 4154 or online.

By SARAH PHILLIPSStaff Writer

Auburn has a long-standing his-tory in encouraging and accom-modating military students after service.

An example was in the post-WWII era, when Auburn was over-whelmed with veteran students taking advantage of their G.I. Bill benefi ts and coming back to school, administrators panicked to house all of the veterans that wanted to earn their degrees from Auburn.

Th ey decided to transport ninety-three “tugboat deckhouses” from Mobile to serve as housing units to avoid turning any veteran away.

Today, Auburn is still keeping military students in mind and is considerate of serving these veter-ans in continuing their education through a course called success strategies in the Veterans Learning Community (VLC).

Auburn has made this course available for the upcoming fall se-mester and it is aimed at transition-ing students in the military back to a university setting. Th e class will create a unique atmosphere, of-fering a chance for students with similar military backgrounds to learn together and adapt to college courses.

Success strategies is an oppor-tunity for prior service veterans, active duty, National Guard or re-serves, said Steve Barnard, Veterans Aff airs Certifying Offi cial.

David DiRamio, an assistant pro-fessor in the College of Education, is the major developer of this class at Auburn.

As a professor that has experi-ence in the military and in working with military students, DiRamio will also be teaching the course.

Th is section of success strategies will help military students to de-velop personal learning and study-ing plans, and it will also address aspects of transition from mili-tary service to the college setting through guest speakers and peer connections, DiRamio said.

“With a focus on helping students make a successful transition from the military service to the univer-sity setting, the success strategies course is intended to help deepen students’ understanding of the learning process and the role high-er education plays in shaping their lives,” according to the Auburn Uni-versity offi cial blog.

Th e long-term goal for this pro-gram is to create a learning commu-nity of approximately 20-25 veteran students that will be co-enrolled in certain courses through the fi rst year of their post-military educa-tion, explained DiRamio.

“Th e addition of this class is the fi rst step in that long-term goal,” Di-Ramio said.

DiRamio said that his interests in teaching the course are both per-sonal and professional.

“Personally, I am a veteran and when I came to the University I

could have used a course like this with strategies that could have helped me transition more eas-ily,” DiRamio said. “I had been ac-cepted to the University, but I was overwhelmed because I was rusty in math and science skills that I had learned before my time in the military. If someone had off ered me a class like this, I think it defi nitely would have helped.”

DiRamio recently published a book titled, “Creating a Veteran Friendly Campus,” that contains the combined eff orts of research-ers throughout the nation in this particular area. DiRamio said that research for his book showed that peer support is something that is learned in the military.

“We are hoping that same peer support will help here at Auburn,” DiRamio said. “It is no coincidence that they will be in the class with me as the teacher and can look to their left and right and have peer support.”

Th is is a great place for them to re-connect with the university set-ting, DiRamio said.

DiRamio said he thinks that with the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, which will off er military veterans that have served at least three years after Sep-tember 11th, 2001, full tuition to match the highest in-state tuition in the state that they are attending along with a monthly living stipend, enrollment from men and women

Auburn offers course to veteransBy COURTNEY JOHNSON

Staff Writer

> Turn to VETERAN, A6

Play targets young audience

By ANDREW SIMSOnline Editor

County unemployment rates and number of unemployed people in May 2009.

Austin Nelson / ASSOCIATE

PHOTO EDITOR

“Still Life of Iris” attracted viewers of all ages to the Telfare Peet Theatre last w e e k e n d . It told of an adventerous and fantastic journey made by a young girl named Iris who dis-covers the importance of memory, fam-ily and friend-ship.

The Auburn PlainsmanNEWS, A6 THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009

The Auburn PlainsmanNEWS STAFF

ALLISON CLARK

Editor

SARAH HANSENAssociate Editor

To reach the staff , call (334) 844-9109.

when there is an abundant source of energy here every day, Holk said.

Renewable energy uses power of the sun, wind and water, which is widely available, unlimited and free, Price said.

Alabama has the same solar potential as Florida; unfortunately wind power potential is ranked 45th in the country, Price said.

“Just devoting one square mile of Ala-bama’s land to solar power generation can provide enough electricity for nearly 1,200 households every year,” Price said.

A study in 2005 showed Alabama uses 59 percent coal, eight percent natural gas, 25 percent nuclear, eight percent hydroelectric, and less than 1 percent solar and wind pow-er, Price said.

Coal is the most widely used and the most polluting method of generating electricity in Alabama and the USA.

Other than Alabama’s eight percent use of hydro-electric power, Price said the state’s current methods are non-sustainable.

Th e Department of Energy predicts the state’s power consumption to be 43 percent greater in 2030.

Price said Alabama’s resident per capita use is 7,000 kWh per year, which is 55 per-cent greater than the national average.

Th e federal government is currently off er-ing a tax credit of 30% for solar panel sys-tems and solar water heaters installed on homes and businesses.

Price said this is the kind of incentive the state needs to get involved.

“Th ere are also $55 million in grants in place to apply energy effi ciency and renew-able technology to Alabama’s most fi nan-cially troubled school districts,” Price said.

Hank Moreman, contractor for Tiger Green Power, has been a builder in the area for 10 years and said he recognized the com-pany as an opportunity.

“I see it as an opportunity to be a better builder and to off er more services and a bet-ter level of quality,” Moreman said.

Moreman has installed some of the com-pany’s products like solar tube lighting, dou-ble-paned insulated windows and cellulose insulation, made from recycled newspaper.

“Th ere is a dramatic drop in quality of ma-terials and my purpose in it is just a crafts-man at heart,” Moreman said. “I like to see things done to the best of whoever’s ability to do them.”

Although kind to the environment, solar products are expensive and should be looked at as a long-term investment, Price said.

“Th e water heaters pay themselves off in about fi ve to six years and last more than 20,” Price said. “Solar panels last 20 to 30 years but take longer to pay off .”

Right now the company has several inves-tors from Ohio and one in Alabama, Price said. In the future, the company plans to have a store in Auburn.

TIGER>From A5

with military backgrounds will begin to in-crease.

“Because of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, Auburn becomes a more realistic opportunity for vet-erans,” DiRamio said. “Hopefully, this learning community will be able to go through the fi rst year of transitioning with them and give them the best possible chance to succeed.”

“I think it’s a good idea because it seems like it’s a whole diff erent environment over there,” said Brian Th omas, a building science major who was involved in Auburn’s Reserved Offi cers Training Course (ROTC). “Th ey have briefi ngs and specifi c orders for each day and here you have your schedule for classes but it’s much less structured so I can see how it would be diffi cult to get used to.”

DiRamio said that his personal experience and the research that he has done in this area will both be specifi c advantages in better serving this community.

“Th rough national boards and veteran’s in-stitutes that I am a part of, I get to hear about what is going on all over the nation,” he said.

We have a few hundred students involved in

the military, through the marines, Air Force, Army and some of those are currently on ac-tive duty, Barnard said.

Th ere are also a lot of graduate students that are still involved and even more that are studying at Auburn through the distance-learning program, Barnard said.

“I’m starting to get e-mails from upper-divi-sion graduate students that want to help, too,” DiRamio said.

“Other colleges and universities have done this and DiRamio is spear-heading the eff orts here,” Barnard said. “He has done papers on the subject of combat to college transitions. He is really starting up an outreach to this special community.”

We aren’t the only ones doing this, but we are defi nitely out in front, DiRamio said.

He said other universities are beginning to consider classes similar to this success strate-gies course.

“Especially because of our location, close to Fort Benning and in conjunction with the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, now is the time for Auburn to have this opportunity available for military students,” DiRamio said. “I’ve always felt Au-burn would be a place that veterans would love to come home to.”

VETERAN>From A5


INTRIGUE Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

CB

Printed on Recycled Paper

Every week this semester,

Th e Plainsman

will highlight a

campus organization.

Check back next week

to read about

Tiger Habitat.

Reel Review

Organization Highlight

Lighting up Independence Day

With the Fourth of July approaching, many students are making plans for fi re-works, sunshine and live music.

Among the festivities going on in Auburn and at nearby Lake Martin, they will not be short on Fourth of July celebrations to choose from.

Ally Wilson from Auburn Parks and Recre-ation said the city of Auburn’s annual Fourth of July Celebration will be held on Saturday night in front of Duck Samford Football Sta-dium on Dean Road. Gates will be opening at 6 p.m.

“It is a family event,” Wilson said.

Th e event is free to the public. Live music will kick off at 7 p.m., and there will be door prizes, barbeque for sale and a fi reworks show beginning at 9 p.m.

Forty-fi ve minutes northwest of Auburn, Lake Martin is hosting Fourth of July events all day long.

Starting at 10 a.m. there will be a boat parade from Kowaliga Marina to Children’s Harbor where boats will be judged and awarded on their patriotic decoration.

At 7 p.m. a concert will take place at the Lake Martin Amphitheater featuring Th e Sweet Young’uns, Muse and Karen Carter. Following the concert, there will be a fi re-

By HOLLY HERETH

Staff Writer

Students prepare for the Fourth of July by

planning trips or staying in town for the city

of Auburn’s annual celebration.

Public offi cials urge students to have fun

this Fourth of July, but to stay safe while

driving, boating and handling fi reworks.

AU Sailing Club invites students to sail away

Local honey helps treat allergies

Runny noses, watery eyes and embarrass-ingly loud sneezes could be a thing of the past for Auburn students with a sweet tooth.

Local honey is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to prevent the symp-toms of allergies.

“I have terrible allergies this time of year,” said Ben Pryor, a senior in human resources.

Though many college students use pre-scription medicines to treat allergy-related symptoms every spring and summer, people have been using honey for thousands of years as a natural cure for allergies.

“Honeybees are one of the oldest insects mankind has had interaction with,” said Ben McGehee, local beekeeper and honey sales-

man. “In the honey, there’s a little bit of pol-len from all the plants the bees visit,” McGe-hee said. “If you take it every day, your body builds immunity to those allergens.”

McGehee said he personally does not have pollen allergies, but many of his customers swear that his honey has helped alle-viate their symp-toms.

Some, he said, even were able to stop taking their prescrip-tion medicines in favor of using honey as a remedy.

“In my classes, we learn about all the

different types of prescription allergy medi-cines,” said Anne Poundstone, a junior in pre-pharmacy. “Honey can defi nitely be a great natural way to treat those symptoms.”

To get his honey from the hives to the jar, McGehee said he puts together a wax foundation to slide into the hives.

This is what the bees build their honeycombs on.

Once he takes the foun-dations out of the hives, he puts them into an extractor which spins at 700 rotations

per minute and draws the honey to the outside of the machine. He is then able to draw the

By SARAH CRAFT

Associate Copy Editor

If you take (honey) every day, your body builds immu-nity to those allergies.”

Ben McGehee, beekeeper

“

Regardless of whether students are staying in Auburn or traveling this Fourth of July, they need to be conscious of their safety while cel-ebrating.

Students traveling for the holiday need to pay special attention while driving because of the increased traffi c fl ow, said Auburn Police Capt. Tom Stofer.

“If you’re out, Fourth of July is always a busy weekend, and we urge motorists to be safe on the roadways, to keep patience in mind, to plan their travel time accordingly and allow themselves plenty of time from point A to B,” Stofer said. “Refrain from drinking and driv-

ing, remember to buckle up and be courteous to other motorists on the roadway.”

Stofer said offi cers will be watching for drinking and driving.

“We would like everyone to enjoy the Inde-pendence Day holiday, but at the same time keep safety in mind,” Stofer said. “Certainly the consumption of alcohol is often times an issue.”

Lt. Ryan Bennett, chief of marine training in Montgomery, said crowded waterways also cause big problems during holidays.

“Boaters should take extra time, slow down and keep an eye out for the people around them,” Bennett said. “Th ere are water rules

By JORDAN BRANTLEY

Staff Writer

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By JO

Kindle turns

books digitalBy CHRISTIAN BECRAFT

Associate Intrigue Editor

Dog-earing pages may soon be superfl u-ous as books and newspapers turn digital and pages are turned with the push of a button.

Amazon’s Kindle, a portable digital reading device, allows readers to switch from books to newspapers to magazines as quickly as a reader could turn the page of a hard copy.

Kinley Campbell, a representative from Amazon, explained how users can purchase publications with Kindle.

“Each book is purchased directly from Amazon through the device or through the Web site,” Campbell said. “Books are delivered wirelessly via Amazon Whispernet. Newspa-pers, magazines and blogs are available via subscription.”

According to its Web site, Kindle is as thin as a pencil at one-third of an inch and can hold nearly 1,500 books. Th e newest version, Kindle DX, is larger in size and capacity hold-ing 3,500 books.

Amazon also provides free wireless Internet to purchase a new book or periodical without the frustration of fi nding a wireless network.

Th e Web site also explains that books pur-chased at the Kindle Store are backed up on the Web for re-downloading allowing users to alternate books in their library.

Despite the numerous resources at Kindle-users’ fi ngertips, this digital application has some readers completely opposed to the idea.

“I just feel like it’s unnecessary,” said Cait-lin Lassiter, a senior in biomedical sciences. “I like to physically pick up my books and read them. I like highlighting and writing notes and stuff , and when you think about some-thing that you liked and want to read again, it’s right there on your shelf.”

Campbell said users still have the option of highlighting and making annotations on their Kindle just as readers can write in a hard copy.

Kindle also off ers a text-to-speech appli-

Setting sail for college has nev-er been quite so literal until now.

Th e Auburn Sailing Club is cur-rently recruiting crew members for the fall of 2009.

Th e AUSC is open to members of any skill level. Some members have little to no prior sailing ex-perience.

“It really is just easier to throw everyone on a boat with some-one who has sailed before and teach them how to do it directly,” said Walter McAndrew, a soph-

more in wildlife biology and club member.

Th is more relaxed side of the club is referred to as the cruising club which is geared specifi cally toward teaching new students how to sail.

“It is very relaxed and just a good way to hang out, and it’s a great way to relax and forget about school for a little while,” said club president, or commo-dore, Sammy Hodges.

In addition to teaching new sailers, the club is working to improve the skills of many of its seasoned members.

“We like to have fun, but we are also very competitive,” said Nick Orleans, a junior in political sci-ence and club member.

Th e team competes with the Southeastern Intercollegiate Sailing Association in races called regattas across the South-east.

Th e racing team previously did not compete as much because it was so far away from most of its competition, Hodges said.

“We were in a district with Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado,” Hodges said. “Th at is why I have moved us to the South

Atlantic district with the Caro-linas, Tennessee and Georgiawhere I hope to go to a lot morecompetitions this year and getexperience for the club.”

Th e semester dues for mem-bership are $30, and in order tojoin, all prospective membersmust fi ll out four forms.

All of these forms cam be foundon the club’s Web site, www.au-burnsailing.org.

In addition to the forms anddues, each member must havethe AU Club Sports Medical In-surance coverage, which costs$40.

By ANDREW SIMS

Online Editor

Austin Nelson / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Local honey, which comes straight from the honey comb to the jar, is becoming an increasingly popular remedy for aiding allergies.

> Turn to PLANS, B2 > Turn to SAFETY, B2

> Turn to HONEY, B2 > Turn to KINDLE, B2

The Auburn PlainsmanIntrigue, B2 Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

works show that begins at 9 p.m.

“Th is is the one of the biggest events

that Lake Martin has,” said Carla Berry

of the Dadeville Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s the 9th annual event, and there is a

big turnout every year.”

Jamie Ankenbrandt, a senior in fi ne

arts, attended the Lake Martin Fourth of

July celebration last year and is planning

to attend again this year.

“Th e fi reworks show at Lake Martin is

one of the biggest I can remember,” An-

kenbrandt said. “I haven’t heard of any

of the bands, but last year they were lots

of fun to dance to, so I’m sure this year

will be similar.”

Ankenbrand said she is expecting a lot

of Auburn students to make the trip to

Lake Martin since class is canceled the

Friday before the big weekend.

“I don’t think many students will stay

in town for the holiday weekend,” An-

kenbrandt said. “Most everyone wants

to be at the beach or at the lake to beat

the heat, and since Lake Martin is so

close, it will draw a big crowd from Au-

burn.”

Heather Ford, a senior in psychology,

said she is headed to the beach with

family and friends for the Fourth of July

weekend.

“I’m hoping to relax, enjoy the sun-

shine, eat some good food and hope-

fully catch a fi reworks show on Saturday

night,” Ford said. “No matter where stu-

dents are, everyone wants to see fi re-

works on the Fourth of July. It’s just the

thing you have to do.”

PLANS>From B1

such as staying on the right side of a

channel in a creek and staying with the

fl ow of traffi c.”

Bennett said they will be watching

for erratic driving, overloaded boats, ex-

pired boat registrations and other boat-

ing violations.

Jake Rosser, a senior in business, said

he will be spending the holiday on Lake

Jordan.

“I feel like people should have a level

head on their shoulders and use com-

mon sense when it comes to drinking

and boating,” Rosser said. “People are

out letting their guard down having a

good time and not thinking about safe-

ty.”

Along with boating and cooking out,

fi reworks will also be enjoyed during

the holiday. Fire precautions cannot be

taken lightly.

Stofer said for those celebrating in

Auburn, fi reworks are against the law in

the city limits.

In areas where fi reworks can be uti-

lized, Stofer said students should re-

spect other people and be aware of their

surroundings.

Dusty Barrett, a fi refi ghter in Mont-

gomery, said to watch for dry grass while

shooting fi reworks and to also watch for

people in close proximity.

“Be sure and point them away from

yourself and never aim them at another

person,” Barrett said.

SAFETY>From B1

honey through a spout and into jars.“My honey comes out of the comb,

straight to the jar,” McGehee said. “That’s all that’s ever done to it. They homogenize and heat (grocery store honey). This takes out all the pollens and

minerals. When they get done with it, it’s no better for you than sugar, which has no nutritional value.”

Using honey as a remedy is not a quick fi x, though.

“It’s not like an aspirin,” McGehee said. “It won’t help you tomorrow. It could take between four and six weeks.”

This ancient remedy is not sold in stores, however.

“Our health regulations would say we have to go through the same process as people who can fruits and vegetables, and that’s just not necessary with hon-ey,” McGehee said.

He sells his local honey at the ag mar-ket on Thursdays for $4 per 12 oz. “hon-ey bear” containter.

He also sells pints for $6 and quarts for $10.

HONEY>From B1

cation for electronic books to be read

aloud.

Th is automated library-in-one pro-

vides other features to make book-read-

ing easier.

Th e device can also hold MP3 fi les for

users to listen to music.

Kindle is compatible with other me-

dia gadgets.

According to its Web site, books on a

user’s Kindle can be synchronized to an

iPhone or an iPod touch.

Blair Stapp, a senior in graphic design,

said she is unsure of this next step to-

ward digitalizing writings.

“I love that we’re saving resources

by creating an electronic alternative,

and I love that this technology is going

against the whole idea that technology

is ruining great literature,” Stapp said.

“However, I am still pretty skeptical of

the Kindle. I understand that it is more

about convenience and instant grati-

fi cation, but when I sit down to read a

great book I’m not worried about speed

or effi ciency.”

KINDLE>From B1

ThePlainsman.com

The Auburn Plainsman Intrigue, B3Thursday, JuLY 2, 2009

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The Auburn PlainsmanIntrigue, B4 Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

REEL REVIEWMovie: less than meets the eye

Next Week’s

REEL

REVIEW:

‘PUBLIC ENEMIES’

‘Transformers:Revenge

of the Fallen’Rating PG-13

0HOW WE RATE:

★ - Dismal

★★ - Bearable

★★★ - Average

★★★★ - Good

★★★★★-Excellent

Remember that old mov-ie gag in which the hero dropped a huge bell on the villain and then struck it to deafen the foe inside? As a child, I always wondered if that really worked. Sadly, I never got to satiate my cu-riosity.

Well, now I know, because I’ve seen “Transformers: Re-venge of the Fallen,” a loud, stupid and even louder di-sasterpiece as dizzyingly frantic as it is devastatingly boring.

You can tell from the get-go that continuity doesn’t play a large role in the “Transformers” universe: Bumblebee fi xed his voice in the last fi lm, but it’s not working here; the robots are hiding, even though they tore apart Los Angeles in broad daylight; and they hide as bright neon cars. Sure.

Plot-wise, why bother? Th e fi rst “Transformers” suf-fered from a needlessly con-voluted story, but this takes the cake: apparently the robots have been on Earth since the dawn of man and they built the pyramids to hide their weaponry, which can only be found with the

help of the mystical MacGuf-fi n. Th is is all explained in turgid patches of exposition. Oh, and the Decepticons want to kill our sun.

Not our sun, Decepticons! Th at’s where we get our light and heatness(sic)! Who will the moon talk to? Obviously, this fi lm is for children, but it’s simply insulting.

Now, we’re the generation that grew up with “Ren & Stimpy” and “Rocko’s Mod-ern Life,” so we know a thing or two about innuendo in children’s programming. But at least that was buried; “Transformers” is a barrage of leg humping, pot brown-ies and – I’m not kidding – robot testicles.

Worst of all are the racist caricatures of two Autobots named Mudfl ap and Skids. Th e last fi lm featured a jive-talking Autobot (they even called him “Jazz”) who was not only the fi rst Autobot to die, but the only one to die.

Th is is worse: the pair not only speak like stereotypical, ill-educated black people, but are illiterate and actu-ally have a simian appear-ance. One of them sports a gold tooth. Yet, for reasons that elude me, they got the

biggest laughs of the fi lm. Apparently, space racism (spacism?) is hilarious.

I know what the fanboys are thinking right about now: “Hey, man, I just like to shut off my brain to see a movie. Sorry it’s not ‘La Dolce Vita.’” Besides, “Trans-formers 2” is the fi rst fi lm that will shut your brain down for you. Its four edi-tors cannot keep a single moment of action from be-ing disorienting, and every fi ght is nothing more than a mesh of unidentifi able fl uo-rescent metal fi sticuff s as the humans run from explo-sions in slow motion.

A more levelheaded per-son might suggest that I not expect so much from a fi lm based on toys, which is an apt observation. However, with a second act that drags like molasses and an utter lack of thematic explora-tion, “Transformers 2” is an 80-minute movie crammed into two and a half hours.

Michael Bay didn’t bring the Transformers to life, he made a $200 million adapta-tion of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

— Review by Jake Cole

Opinions Staff

Mineral makeup has been a fad for the past decade, but is it really better for the skin?

Despite debate, most makeup artists agree it is a much healthier alternative than its synthetic makeup counterparts.

“(Mineral makeup) actually improves the way skin looks,” said Heather Benton, pres-tige manager of Ulta in Ti-gerTown. “It has no waxes or fi llers which can clog pores.”

Stephanie Taylor, a make-up artist at Blush downtown, said she agrees that mineral makeup is much healthier for skin.

“It’s more natural and has no chemicals,” Taylor said. “It’s also more lightweight and has no heaviness or caki-ness.”

Th ough brands like Bare Escentuals have been around for 10 or more years, their

popularity hasn’t soared until as recently as the last fi ve.

Many mineral makeup us-ers love it because of its even coverage.

“My mom bought me (mineral makeup) for my birthday two years ago,” said Nikki Busquet, a senior in hu-man development and fam-ily studies. “I prefer mineral makeup because no matter how tan or not tan I am at the moment, the mineral makeup will still make my skin look even.”

Other makeup users make the move to mineral because their skin is too sensitive for regular makeup.

“I had been having a prob-lem with makeup breaking me out,” said Jaki Fleming, a senior in chemical engi-neering who has used min-eral makeup for fi ve and half years. “One day my mom saw an infomercial for Bare Min-erals and we decided to try it, and I am so glad I did.”

Benton said many of her customers have the same problem of sensitive skin and turn to mineral makeup as a last resort.

“One of the draws of miner-al makeup is that people with skin conditions can wear it,” said Robyn Darby, a keyhold-er at Ulta. “People with rosa-cea, for example, can wear it and look the same as every-one else.”

Many women also prefer mineral makeup because of its natural feeling.

“When I wear mineral makeup, it feels like I don’t have anything on,” said Amanda Cannon, co-owner of Blush.

Mineral makeup is usually 100 percent natural, which is one other reason that many women prefer it to regular makeup.

“Th e liner and shadows are all 100 percent natural, and the lip gloss and lipstick use natural oils such as pome-

granate,” Taylor said. “All of it is infused with untouched virgin soil and minerals.”

Mineral makeup also goes along with the current fad of “going green”.

“I think with everyone be-ing so eco-friendly, mineral makeup will continue to be popular,” Taylor said.

However, mineral make-up’s natural quality doesn’t mean that it can only be worn for casual situations.

“I wear mineral makeup everywhere except the beach or pool,” Fleming said.

Busquet also said she wears her mineral makeup no matter where she’s going.

“It’s not a heavy or cakey look so I can wear it any-where,” Busquet said.

Th ough some may con-sider it a fad, it doesn’t look like mineral makeup is going away any time soon.

“I plan to wear mineral makeup the rest of my life if I can aff ord it,” Busquet said.

Lighter makeup may bring healthier skinBy SARAH CRAFTAssociate Copy Editor

Fourth of July Photo Contest

Send The Auburn Plainsman your Fourth of July photos and the winning photo will be featured in next week’s issue. For more

information visit our Web site at theplainsman.com.

The Auburn PlainsmanINTRIGUE STAFF

NATALIE NETTLESEditor

To reach the staff , call (334) 844-9112.

CHRISTIAN BECRAFTAssociate Editor


SPORTS Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

B5

Cheerleading falls victim to many com-mon misconceptions. Some people deny it is a sport. Some think that cheerleading is about the football team and nothing else. But for Daniel Friday, Auburn’s Mic Man on the 2009-2010 cheerleading team, the instilling of school spirit in the heart of every Auburn student includes more than just screaming a few cheers.

Friday, a junior mass communications ma-jor, said that football games only scratch the surface of what his and his teammates’ jobs entail.

“Th is summer the main thing we’ve been doing is all the freshman orientations with Camp War Eagle,” Friday said. “We also do these alumni club meetings all over the South.”

Friday said they compete just as much as the other athletes do. Even making the team every year can be a competition.

“I think my chances are pretty good,” Friday said of next year’s tryouts. “ I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch, but I think the experience after two years doing it can re-ally help.”

Latisha Durroh, spirit adviser for the athlet-ic department, said this year’s squad consists of 10 women and 11 men, including Friday.

Th e rest of the team includes Will Noel, Tay-lor Sims, Teddy Burns, Jim Trucks, Max Allen, Morgan Bandy, Drew Petrey, Peter Velotas,

David Bush, Sarah Beth Dean, Megan Dixon, Mallory Sigle, Faith Palmer, Kali Tucker, Will Bryan, Benton Sprayberry, Jenny Groux, Se-quoyah Patrick, Laura Ferguson and Head Cheerleader Brooke Erickson. Also, one can’t

forget to include Aubie, arguably Auburn’s most recognizable cheerleader.

Tryouts for the team are held in the spring. Any person who makes the team essentially solidifi es their spot on the team for another

year. It is a rare occurrence to not have some-one make it back, said Friday.

Anyone who has ever been to an Auburn home football game has heard the Mic Man chanting the University’s beloved cheers.

What these fans might not realize is that probably the most important aspect of the cheerleader’s job is crowd control. Th ey are responsible for getting fans out of their seats, and for shutting them up if the situation calls for it.

“I do have that, I guess power, whatever you want to call it, to get the crowd up at the right times,” Friday said. “I’m also supposed to try to keep them from booing. Th at doesn’t al-ways work out so well.”

Friday also said that it’s important not only that he and his teammates are into the game and leading the cheers, but that the crowd participates also. It could be crucial in the outcome of a game or match.

Friday said both this year’s football and basketball games against LSU, where he did a “spell out,” were his favorite moments as a cheerleader.

“It really got the crowd fi red up,” Friday said. “I’ve never had a response like that to a cheer before.”

Friday enjoys some of the other Auburn cheers as well.

“I think ‘Track em’ is a good one, ‘Bodda Getta’ too.” Friday said. “Th ose two are crowd favorites.”

David Dostie, a junior in the Civil Engineer-ing program, remembers sitting in the front row of Jordan-Hare Stadium mere feet from the Mic Man during last year‘s football sea-son.

“Th ey put the cheerleaders right in front of the student section for a reason,” Dostie said. “Th ey have the potential to be the loudest section of the stadium. Fan support can really swing the momentum of a game.”

Austin Nelson /ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Cheerleaders Brooke Erickson and Max Allen lead a cheer at a Camp War Eagle pep rally.

By JUSTIN DORMANStaff Writer

It’s been a ‘Bodda Getta’ summer

Men’s golf will soon be welcoming a new face to the team as Nick Clinard, head coach at the University of Cen-tral Florida for eight years, signs on as head coach.

Clinard not only brings passion and experience to Auburn’s program, but a strong recruiting mindset and a de-termination to succeed.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, and I’m going to stick with what I know how to do, and that’s recruit, and coach, and get the former players involved in our program and get the donors and boosters behind what we’re going to do,” Clinard said. “No-body puts more pressure on anybody than myself.”

Clinard said he is excited to be part of the Auburn golf family and work under the leadership of Athletic Di-rector Jay Jacobs.

He also said he is eager to represent Auburn’s core values and to be coach-ing in the Southeastern Conference, the premiere conference in the coun-try, he said.

Cole Moreland, a senior on the team majoring in fi nance, said he is ready for the change that Clinard will bring to the program.

“You have to be open to every-thing,” Moreland said. “(Clinard) is a new coach, and he was successful at UCF and he has a certain way of do-ing things. You really don’t have a say in the matter because if you’re not, you’re just going to hurt yourself and the team.”

One thing that Clinard said he plans to do is get the former players

excited and involved with the pro-gram. Also, recruiting is at the top of his list of things to do.

“I’m going to hit the road recruit-ing very hard, and we’re going to do the best to develop the players that we have and establish a winning at-titude,” Clinard said.

Moreland said he expects the team and the University to accept Clinard with open arms because he has prov-en himself to be a great coach.

“He’s had a lot of suc-cess and is defi nitely a guy that deserves a job at Auburn, and he’s good in his own right,” Moreland said.

Th e transition that comes with a new coach isn’t always easy to make,

but Clinard said he is confi dent that the challenges will be over-come.

“Th ere are always challenges in the coaching business, but the resourc-es are there for us to succeed, and I thank the administration for that and their belief in me, and we’re going to do our best to not let them down,” he said.

Helping the team members grow as individuals is one of the best parts of coaching, Clinard said.

His relationship with the team is not the only thing that makes coach-ing great, but teaching and watching others play and improve their game helps keep the competitive spirit alive, he said.

“It keeps me competitive because I used to play in college and profes-sionally,” Clinard said. “I love the competition.”

David Barnett, a senior in exercise

By GRACE HENDERSONStaff Writer

With close to one month left before fall semester, the cross country team is getting into gear for another challenging season. Th e men’s team will need to hang on strong to defend its NCAA 5th Place Title, and the women will be giving it their all to strive for more after fi nishing 5th in the SEC this past season.

What better way to start off a new season than with a new coach. However, next season’s coach has not offi cially been named. Former coach Peter Wat-son still had a few things to say about the men’s and women’s teams. “Kids here are very dedi-cated and professional in all their actions,” Watson said. “Th ey sac-rifi ce a lot in order to be top level athletes.”

Th e men’s team will work to

avenge their 2008 loss to Alabama and win the SEC championship this season.

“We have the power trio of Felix Kiboiywo, 2008 Cross Country All-American and two-time Regional Champion, Girma Mecheso, 2008 Cross Country All-American, 2008 SEC Cross Country Cham-pion, and 2009 10K All American, and Elkanah Kibet, 2008 Cross Country All-American,” said Jeff Sanders, a sophomore undecided major on the men’s team.

“Th ey are returning to fi nish strong and high in every meet and to repeat the one-two-three sweep at the Regional Champi-onship this coming November.” Sanders said.

Although Watson will no longer coach for Auburn’s cross coun-try teams, he said he still has his opinions about what might come from the season ahead.

“Expectations for next year

with both teams will be quite high especially with the men, who were fi fth in the country last fall,” Wat-son said. “I would expect them to be at worst in the top 10, but they should be in contention for a top three trophy. Th is group is unreal in talent and dedication.”

Th e men and women prepare all summer long for the fall season. Th e athletes run somewhere be-tween 80-110 miles a week, Wat-son said. Th e focus is on building up the miles. Th e athletes spend the summer running for mile-age and not necessarily worrying about time, Cathryn Albright, a junior in elementary eduction on the women’s team, said.

“Th e summer is about getting aerobically strong; when the sea-son comes is when we work on getting sharp,” Watson said.

Th e teams use the summer as a

> Turn to CROSS B6

Cross Country teams run through summer, into fall

By JACLYN DUNNStaff Writer

MEDIA RELATIONS & PLAINSMAN ARCHIVES

Men’s and women’s cross country athletes are working hard during the off-season to stay in shape through summer.

Chipping with coach ClinardTalk with men’s golf head coach on upcoming

season, projected success and work ethic.

CLINARD

> Turn to CLINARD, B6

Cheerleaders keep Tiger fans’ hands up in summer months.

Th e fall semester is on the hori-zon, and with it comes a brand new football season. Auburn Tigers fans have been anticipating and anxious-ly awaiting the fi rst football game of the 2009 season on September 5.

Th is year there is even more buzz surrounding the team, which now consists of a completely new coach-ing staff .

Since the Auburn off ense is domi-nated by its running game, the posi-tion with the most hype at Auburn is typically running back, where the likes of Bo Jackson, Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown among others have thrived and led Auburn to be appropriately nicknamed “Running Back University.”

Th is year looks to be no diff erent as the Off ensive Coordinator, Gus Malzahn, said he looks to imple-ment a system that put up over

3,700 rushing yards for the Univer-sity of Tulsa last season.

Eric Smith, an undeclared sopho-more in the College of Liberal Arts, has high hopes for this year’s of-fense.

“It’s a lot of fun, a lot of misdirection’s, more deep plays, more run plays,” Smith said. “It’s a lot quicker. I like it. I think it’s going to work really well in the SEC.”

In fact most, if not all, of the run-ning backs are buying into the new system. Mario Fannin, a junior ma-joring in public business adminis-tration, shared Smith’s sentiments about the new off ense.

“It’s going to be a really good of-fense for us,” Fannin said. “Very ex-plosive.”

One of the reasons for Auburn’s struggles on the gridiron last year was because of a struggling off ense. Former off ensive coordinator, Tony Franklin, was fi red in October after

only six weeks on the job. Fannin thinks that Malzahn’s system is de-signed to put up some im-pressive num-bers.

“Th at’s something that we are striving for on off ense,” Fannin said. “Score as many points as possible. Th at’s what we work for everyday.”

Many of Auburn’s football players, especially the running backs, are spending the summer working out and getting ready for the grueling two-a-day practices that will start near the end of July.

Some players may be spending it

making adjustments to their game to fi t the new style of off ense.

“I’ve just been working out, trying to get better,” Smith said. “Trying to get a little smaller and a little faster.”

Smith is not the only one trying to get faster. Malzahn’s off ense thrives on speed.

It will be key in Auburn’s success, said Smith. Th ere also seems to be a consensus on who Auburn’s fastest running back is.

“Onterio McCalebb,” said both Smith and Fannin when asked who was the speediest back. McCalebb, is a freshman from Fort Meade, Fla., who sprinted his way to a touch-down and 75 yards in Auburn’s spring game.

Auburn’s football program is in a rebuilding faze after they com-pletely revamped the coaching staff . After initial skepticism from the Au-burn community, fi rst-year Auburn head coach Gene Chizik seems to

be connecting with his players. “It’s a lot more disciplined, a lot

more strict, as far as having youlockers clean and everything,” Smithsaid. “Just being an ‘Auburn Man.’Th at’s what coach Chizik is alwayspreaching to us, him and CoachTroop (Trooper Taylor). Always be-ing an ‘Auburn Man.’”

Coach Chizik and his staff talkabout the Auburn Family and howimportant it is to the game of foot-ball.

Th ey have the utmost respect fortheir players as individuals. Assis-tant head coach Trooper Taylor es-pecially wants to see the young menon his team succeed.

“Our job is to make sure theseguys go professional in something,”said Taylor, who was recognized in2005 and 2007 as a national top-25 recruiter by Rivals.com. “We try andfocus on making them better menas well as better players.”

The Auburn PlainsmanSports, B6 Thursday, JULY 2, 2009

Auburn running backs look to excel during 2009

break from the intense running to build stam-ina for the big season ahead.

“We are hoping to come into August now at our peak shape and stay healthy from now un-til the end of November,” Sanders said.

Th e arrival of a new coach brings the arrival of new methods and new ideals to the cross country teams.

“It will be a transition from what we are used to to what our new coach wants,” Sand-ers said. “We are really looking forward to the new challenges and experiences that await us this summer and fall.”

With or without a new coach, a new season leaves room for new expectations.

“Th is year we are hoping to make even a bigger statement than last year,” Sanders said. “Our goals are to win the SEC Championship and bring home a trophy from the national meet.”

But whether it’s win or lose, Auburn’s cross country teams understand the importance of being a team.

“It’s a smaller group of us, so we have all become really close, and we work really well together,” Albright said. Th e teams use their closeness as a driving force to help them suc-ceed.

“We are a family and we work together to make the team better, not just ourselves,” Sanders said.

Men’s and women’s cross country teams start competition in September.

CROSS>From B5

By JUSTIN DORMANStaff Writer

It’s going to be a really good off ense

for us. Very explosive. Mario Fannin, running back

“

science and Auburn golf fan, said he is happy with the hire because Clinard is a proven win-ner.

“He has already competed against and

ahead of some SEC teams by winning the Southeast Regionals,” Barnett said. “I appre-ciate that he has played golf competitively at all levels, and I would imagine that it’s an ad-vantage in coaching when you’ve been there. I think he’ll bring in some top-notch recruits and help (Auburn) be competitive at the na-tional level.”

CLINARD>From B5

Todd Van Emst / MEDIA RELATIONS

Running backs Eric Smith, Ben Tate, Onterio McCalebb and Mario Fannin (not shown) are working hard to stay light and fi t for the 2009 season.

July 2, 2009

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Transcript of July 2, 2009