Friday, December 10, 2010
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Relay for Life
USF Stands Up to Cancer
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Tis’ The Season
USF Christmas Lighting
Vol. 42, Iss.3
15
Battle of the Sexes
Top 20 Gifts
Letter From the Editor
Editorial Board
Elizabeth Haley
Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
Caitlin Dolan
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
Carlos Arechiga
News Editor
[email protected]
Alexis Westergaard
Entertainment Editor
[email protected]
Steve Larson
Commentary Editor
[email protected]
Dear Readers,
This semester has been insane. I am sure
each and every one of you is counting down
the seconds until the freedom and fun of winter break can begin.
Hopefully this issue of the Encounter, the
last of 2010, will provide some comic relief
from the stresses of finals as well as different
ideas to get you in the holiday spirit.
This is the last issue of the Encounter in
which I’ll be acting as Editor-in-Chief. Working in this position can be nerve-wracking at
times, but also a lot of fun. With the brand
new format my staff and I developed, we got
to be so much more creative with the content
we provide you. I hope you all enjoy the new
“magazine” style. Next semester, I’ll work
as Creative Director and assistant Editor-in-
Chief Caitlin Dolan will take-over as Editorin-Chief.
I’m so proud of the staff of this paper and
can’t wait to see future issues of the Encounter.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year!
Thanks for reading,
Elizabeth Haley
Editor-in-Chief
Editor’s Note:
The November 12, 2010 issue article “Fall
Events at the Rialto” was written by Gerardo
Chavez Jr.
“A Message for Politicians and Voters Alike”
was written by Robert Gilbert.
Sports Editor
[email protected]
USF Stands Up to Cancer
Juan Santoliva
By Carlos Arechiga
Michael Clinton
Art Director
News Editor
[email protected]
Brien McHugh
Advisor
[email protected]
On Wednesday, November 17th, USF hosted a kick-off meeting for teams and participants of the special event Relay for Life that
the American Cancer Society organizes each
year.
Staff Writers
Jake Quigley
Josh Mander
Robert Gilbert
Dave Sartoris
Brian Green
Thaschara VanDyke
Sarah Tuck
Kati Sanders
Gerardo Chavez Jr.
Scott Biebuyck
Kathleen Cohen
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December 10, 2010
Photo by Carlos Arechiga
Providing lots of food and informational
material, the hostesses of the event reached out
to USF’s students in an effort to raise awareness of Relay for Life and increase the number
of participants. The meeting was held from 11
am to 1 pm in the Uno Lounge. This year, the
University of Saint Francis will proudly host
Relay for Life in the Spring along with Joliet
Junior College and Lewis University.
Relay for Life is a volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer
Society. Originating in the United States, the
Relay for Life event has spread to many countries worldwide. Events are held in local communities, university campuses, military bases,
and throughout cyberspace. Although the main
objective of Relay is to raise money for cancer
research and cancer patients, the event is held
to spread cancer awareness, celebrate the lives
of survivors, remember those who lost their
lives to cancer, and unite a community in the
fight against cancer.
DARA - Live From USF
News
USF Hosts Special
Dinner for Homeless
By Joshua Mander
Staff Writer
By Gerardo Chavez
Staff Writer
On November 22nd, the University of St.
Francis (USF) and Soedexo Campus Services
hosted “St. Francis Serves”. The event invited
the residents and staff of Catholic Charities
Daybreak Center, a non-profit that provides
emergency housing, and supportive services
to individuals and families who are homeless.
USF strives to uphold the Catholic tradition of service and giving back during these
difficult times, especially with the start of the
winter season. USF welcomed guests from
Daybreak for an engaging night out. A special
dinner was donated by Sodexo to be followed
by a movie and a special musical performance. USF students and staff will took time
to give back by acting as ushers, servers, and
performers.
USF is the first school in the country to host
an event like “St. Francis Serves”. Sodexo
general manager, Matt Mueller, hopes to build
on its success by expanding the event to other
Catholic schools and eventually nationwide to
other Sodexo locations.
On November 15th, USF’s Digital Audio Recording Arts (DARA)
program had an open house that
included a demonstration courtesy
of the DARA program director Jeff
Jaskowiak.
USF student Terry Morrow and his
band played a live set to an audience
of around twenty-five while Jaskowiak simulated a live recording
session. The crowd was not only entertained by the rockabilly styling of
Morrow’s band, but Jaskiowiak also
gave insight to visitors about what
students were learning and exactly
what it takes to record an album.
It was an exciting time for those who
showed up and a proud moment for
DARA. Jaskowiak has taken this
program from some donated equipment, and turned it into a flourishing
new major.
Here’s Lookin’ At USF, Kid
Elizabeth Haley
Editor-in-Chief
Are you aware that one of the most glamorous events in Will County takes place right
on the University of St. Francis campus? It’s
a fact. This January, the 54th annual Caritas
Ball will be held in the Recreation Center. You
may be thinking, the Rec? But that’s where I
work out and became obsessed with playing
racquetball, a black-tie affair could never be
hosted in such a place.
However, on Saturday, January 29th, the
University of St. Francis, the Caritas Committee and the Board of Trustees will welcome
guests for cocktails, dinner, a silent auction,
and dancing to the music of Orchestra 33
throughout the night. Attendees adorned in
their finest, black-tie attire will escape from
the blustery, cold of a January night into the
paradise of the North African desert.
This may seem an impossibility considering the Caritas Ball is held in the Rec, however “glamed-up” guests won’t be sitting in
the bleachers beneath basketball hoops and
fluorescent lighting, instead the Rec will be
transformed into a magical land. In the 54th
year of Caritas, the setting will channel the
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman classic
film, Casablanca.
Now you may be wondering: we pay all
this money to attend USF and they use it to
put on some fancy ball, I could never afford to
attend. That thought is a common misconception. Caritas was actually founded in 1958 as
a way to spread the good news about USF. It
is one of the oldest formal events in the area,
and the committee responsible for the Ball is
dedicated raising crucial scholarship funds for
the students of the University.
Over the years,
the Caritas Ball
has raised nearly $3 million
to support the
education of the
students at USF.
This year, USF
will award nearly $13.5 million in institutional funds to its
students. Approximately 98 percent of undergraduate students receive financial assistance
from federal, state and institutional sources.
The success of Caritas is a direct reflection
of the generosity of many sponsors who value
USF’s commitment to quality educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds.
So now after winter break, a few weeks into
the spring semester, when you see a plastic,
white tunnel leading from Tower to the Rec
Center you will know that the Rec has begun
its transformation from athletic facility to
Rick and Ilsa’s World War II era North Africa
for The 54th annual Caritas Ball, an elite event
that directly benefits us.
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
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USF Christmas Lighting
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December 10, 2010
Courtesy of stockphoto.com
Entertainment
Movies To See Over The
Holiday Break
Tron: Legacy December 17th Presented
By Jake Quigley
Staff Writer
127 Hours November 24th- Based on the
true story of Aron Ralston who was trapped
under a fallen boulder in the mountains of
Utah, 127 Hours stars James Franco in one of
the best performances of his career.
Rabbit Hole December 17th- Starring
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart, Rabbit
Hole tells the story of a couple coping with the
accidental death of their young son. Praise has
already been given to Nicole Kidman’s performance in this drama based on the Tony Award
winning play of the same name.
Black Swan December 3rd- Directed by
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan stars Natalie
Portman and Mila Kunis as rival ballerinas
fighting for roles in a New York City ballet
company’s production of Swan Lake. The film
has been met with highly positive reviews especially for Portman’s performance.
as a sequel to the 1982 film, Tron, Legacy stars
Garret Hedlund as Sam Flynn and Jeff Bridges
as his father Kevin Flynn, a video game developer who has been trapped in a visually stunning universe he has created for 20 years. Its
up in the air as to how well critics will receive
this film however, audiences will love this scifi adventure.
screen. True Grit, a remake of the 1969 film
starring John Wayne, stars Jeff Bridges as a
tough sheriff who is persuaded by a young
girl, played by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, to
find her father’s killer.
I Love You Phillip Morris December 3rd- Starring Jim Carrey in one of the best
performances of his career, I Love You Phillip Morris is the true story of Steven Jay Russel (Carrey), a con man who while in prison,
falls in love with a fellow inmate played by
Ewan McGregor. Damon Wise of The Times
gave the film four stars out of five stating, “I
Love You Phillip Morris is an extraordinary
film that serves as a reminder of just how good
Carrey can be when he’s not tied into a generic
Hollywood crowd-pleaser. His comic timing
remains as exquisite as ever.”
The Fighter December 10th- Starring
and ensemble cast including Mark Wahlberg,
Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo,
The Fighter centers on the life of professional
boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward and his last chance
at making it big. This film is for when it’s the
guy’s turn to pick the movie on date night.
The Kids Are All Right On DVD
now- This comedy/drama just recently came
out on DVD however it has gotten rave reviews from critics and is definitely worth seeing over the Christmas holiday. The Kids Are
All Right stars Julianne Moore and Annette
Benning as a couple with two young children
both by the same anonymous sperm donor
played by Mark Ruffalo.
True Grit December 22nd- I really don’t
think a year is complete without a film directed
by the Coen Brothers. From 2007’s No Country For Old Men to 2008’s Burn After Reading
as well as 2009’s A Serious Man, the Cohen
brothers always bring something special to the
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 4
Entertainment
Twas’ The Night Before FINALS
Michael Clinton
Sports Editor
Twas the night before finals, I’m at my desk
in my room
With a Red Bull at one side, at the other, a liter
of Mountain Dew.
My books and notes are flung, on the floor
without care
I scramble around, hoping the answers would
be somewhere.
I look at my bed, how I wish I was there
As the clock ticks away, this is all seems so
unfair.
A text from the kid who sits in the front of my
class
He says he’s going to bed, what a huge ass.
When out in the hall I hear a loud shout,
Through the crack in my door I see a freshman
running about.
Wearing only his underwear he curls in the
corner
The pressure has got to him, but I must remain
stronger
The eerie quite in the hall of this cold December night
Made it even harder for me, to study and
write
When what to my sleepy eyes should appear
But a vision of myself in graduation gear
With a gown and a cap, I’m standing so
proud
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December 10, 2010
Holding my diploma, I float on a cloud
More certain than ever I know what I must
achieve
I’ll study tonight, with the hallucination, I
have an Ace up my sleeve
Now, Staticitcs! Now, Physics! Now, Biology
and Math!
On Writing! On Music! On Photography and
Core Class!
To the top of my potential to the top of my
skills
I’ll read all these books, with knowledge my
mind fills
As I race to my desk like a hurricane I fly
Nothing can hold me back, I’m on a study
high
I’ll read all these notes and learn everything
I can
Like a man on a mission I finally have a plan
The square root of Freud in 1492
Like Neo in the Matrix, I suddenly know kung
fu
I awake at my desk to learn this was all just
a dream
I look at the time, “It’s eight o’clock” I
scream
Through my books I struggle to find the mostimportant information
My room begins to seem like a cell, and I feel
only irritation
I take a shot of the Red Bull and shake myself
awake
At this point in the night there will be no more
breaks
In the mirror my eyes are bloodshot with
tears
My face drooping like a basset hound; under
my eyes bags appear
My teeth are not brushed and my hair I did
not comb
I just may wake up next, in the funeral home
The time has flown by and I dash from my
room
I have to run to my class to meet my doom
I sneak in the door with seconds to spare
My stench from not showering fills the air
I say a little prayer before I begin the test
At this point I wonder, if I could go into cardiac arrest
I guess at the first answer, as I mark the letter
‘D’
This is going to be rough, I can already foresee
The students have all finished, as I sit in class
alone
Just a few more questions to go I moan
The words on the page begin to blend
Onto the last question, and this final will end
I read the question three times, to my shock
and surprise
Confused it must be wrong, through my tired
eyes
Congratulations you’ve finished, best of all
this test will not count
Just have a great Christmas, I hope you weren’t
stressing about.
Courtesy of stockphoto.com
Entertainment
What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?
By Kathleen Cohen
Staff Writer
New Year’s has always been a time to
reminisce about the past year, and more importantly, looking forward to the new times
ahead. Making New Year’s resolutions, a
popular practice and world-wide tradition, is
an event that many college students practice.
When asked about their New Year’s resolutions for 2011, this is how some USF students
responded:
“I want to be more respectful to my parents
and brother” - Brad Porter
“I would like to try to volunteer more in the
community” - Natalie Ortega
“Stop chewing!” - Tyler Ricketts
“Procrastinate less” - Althea Gatto
“Be a better student” - Leah Fuessel
“Work out and play tennis more” - Devan
Trueba
“Focus more on school and get less distracted!” - Juan Santoliva
“Focus more on schoolwork” - Grace Hartman
“Not fall behind and keep up with schoolwork!” - Alexandra Boiwka
“Don’t swear” - Ryan Kalinoski
“Not to be a procrastinator anymore!”- Marisa
Dressler
“Reconnect with my siblings more” - Ashley
Sikyta
“Try only eating dessert twice a week.” - Erin
Suttman
Many of the USF students have decided
to make a new year’s resolution. While many
people do break their resolution, it is proven
that people who make resolutions are ten times
more likely to attain their goals than people
who do not make resolutions at all. According
to proactivechange.com, about 45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each
year. Weight loss, exercise, stopping smoking/drinking, and better budget management
are some of the top-ranked resolutions each
year.
It seems as though USF students fall under
many of these typical categories, along with
reducing procrastination as another key intent
for the upcoming year. According to the same
website, 75% of people break their resolutions
in the first week, 71% after two weeks, 64%
after one month, and 46% after 6 months. Students, let’s step up and take the challenge: to
not break our new year’s resolutions!
By Carlos Arechiga
News Editor
By Carlos Arechiga
News Editor
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
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Entertainment
Quick and Easy Christmas Gifts
By Sarah Tuck
Staff Writer
Christmas is the time of overindulgence,
extravagance, and giving. I don’t know about
the rest of our readers, but it’s also the time of
year I am the most broke. After buying books
for the new semester, gifts for the family, and
those last minute holiday necessities, it seems
like there is never enough cash to spread onto
all of the other friends/relatives/coworkers/
etc. etc. etc. This usually is the point when
most people shrug and attempt to bake a plate
of gingersnaps. But for those of us who aren’t
Betty Crocker, nothing is quite so easy, not to
mention timeless and sweet, as a handcrafted
ornament. When personalized, an ornament
can actually be more thoughtful than an expensive store-bought counterpart. Here a few
simple ideas to serve as a jumping-off point
for you. Good Luck and Happy Holidays!
This snuggly-looking ornament is a great alternative to the more severe decorations on the
market. For your family who like more country-inspired items, this is perfect. Plus, you
can eliminate that ugly embroidered sweater
from your closet! Cut the sweater (or other
thick knit fabric item) into strips and guide
through the top. Snap the lid back on and presto! Warmth in a globe.
This ornament is a classy alternative to glitter, the contagion of the craft world. Simply
cut thin strips of a shimmery paper, wrapping paper or scrapbooking paper are lovely,
crinkle them, and stuff them through the opening. This can really grant a unique look to any
tree.
This globe is all about class and sophistication. Any craft store you find yourself in this
holiday season will have a variation on these
glittery branches. As an added bonus, they
should only cost about $0.25 a pop. Simply
snip off a tip or two and glide them into the
glass!
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December 10, 2010
For that glitzy girl on your list who cannot get enough bling, this glamorous globe is
sure to please. The secret to success is to buy a
ribbon with wire-edges. To make the frill, cut
off about 18” of ribbon. Next, grasp the wire
from one edge of the trim and pull, gathering
and scrunching until the side is short enough
to decorate the top of your ball. Stuff the rest
of the ribbon inside the globe and reseal. Hot
glue the frill to the ball, and this present is
ready for wrapping!
My family never travels for the holidays,
but I’ve been told many do. What better way
to immortalize last year’s visit to the beach
than to sprinkle a few shells in among the décor? This gift is sure to please beach-lovers
and land-lubbers alike. If you have any other
memorabilia from the trip (such as a plane
ticket), that can make a lovely addition to the
memory ball as well.
Staff Playlists
Entertainment
“Over The Hills and Far Away”Nightwish
“Nothing But a Good Time”- Poison
“Burn It To The Ground”- Nickleback
“Fake It”- Seether
“Another Way To Die”- Disturbed
“The Distance”- Cake
“The Way”- Fastball
“Tones of Home”- Blind Melon
“Undone-The Sweater Song”Weezer
“Shut Up”- Blink 182
“Sing”- My Chemical Romance
“Soundtrack 2 My Life”- Kid Cudi
“Daylight”- Matt & Kim
“Alright”- Kanye West ft. Twista
“Meant to Die”- The Used
Robert Gilbert
Staff Writer
Dave Sartoris
Staff Writer
Juan Santoliva
Art Director
“Secrets”- One Republic
“Marry Me”- Train
“Every Morning”- Sugar Ray
“Swing Life Away”- Rise Against
“Until the Day I Die” - Story of the
Year
“Wake Me Up Before You GoGo”- George Michael
“I Want it That Way”- Backstreet
Boys
“Wannabe”- Spice Girls
“You’re Beautiful”- James Blunt
“Macho Man”- Village People
“Na Na Na” - My Chemical Romance
“As She’s Walkin’ Away”- Zac
Brown Band
“My Kinda Party”- Jason Aldean
“Black and Yellow”- Wiz Khalifa
“Speakers Going Hammer”- Soulja
Boy
Caitlin Dolan
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Mike Clinton
Sports Editor
Brian Green
Staff Writer
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
8
Entertainment
Unique, Vintage, Fashion
for guys
By Gerardo Chavez
Staff Writer
Fashion trends come and go, but there are
some things that are timeless, gentlemen. Recently, we’ve seen the emergence
of vintage fashion hitting main
stream fashion with a bit of an innovative twist. Yet, as some of us
may know, there is no beating the
original. Classic fashion isn’t for
everyone all the time, but a musthave when building a wardrobe to
accommodate business and casual
outfits for the winter season. Unfortunately, the more popular vintage has gotten, the more expensive it is to find an original Hermès
scarf or button-up by Armani at a
bargain price. This is where this
article comes in, to educate you on
essential vintage items, their uses,
where to find them, and more importantly how to get them for literally pennies on the dollar.
Peacoat
Winter is officially upon us and
it’s not going to get any warmer
anytime soon. The answer to the
weather is a classic pea coat jacket.
For those of you who aren’t fashion saavy, a pea coat jacket, also
referred to as a pilot jacket, characterized by broad lapels, doublebreasted fronts, often large wooden or metal buttons, and vertical or
slash pockets. These are both functional and
fashion ready. Pea coats, especially vintage
ones, are made of 100% wool, which means
they are your best bet for keeping warm and
dry during the winter and breathable enough
to take you into cool, rainy, spring days.
When looking for a coat, try for darker
colors and stay away from the beiges because
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December 10, 2010
water isn’t as visible when wet and stains
aren’t apparent. No one likes a messy dresser.
Pea coats are great for formal wear because
they accent ties and colors to create a unifying base for your outfit. These can be worn for
everyday use and can be paired with a colored
hooded sweatshirt to add a casual and personal touch. Visually, they create a stronger
upper body in males to help woo the ladies,
even when hailing a cab on a cold Saturday
night. When wearing your pea coat, it tells
people you are headed some place important.
One thing to remember is that you in under no
circumstances wear your pea coat with shorts.
Even if you’re getting the morning paper, go
back for some pajamas.
You can find an extensive amount of pea
coats at Goodwill and thrift stores for $4-$8,
but it will require some searching. These stores
also have deals on certain days, which means
you can walk away with four coats for under
$12. Best tip is to check out stores in suburban areas because city shops will likely have
higher prices, if you are lucky to find one. The
Unique Thrift Store located on 2155 West Jefferson Street is a gold mine for these coats!
Vests
Winter means layers and
what’s one layer more important than a good vest. This isn’t
talking about sweater vests,
but the full on button-up vest.
Aside from keeping your torso
warm and your arms free, vests
have always added a sophisticated touch to any formal outfit, but also create fashion forward looks.
Vests ensure that you will
stick out when wearing a suit
to a party, wedding, or an interview. They add a degree of
style and sophistication required for these occasions. Casually, they can be paired with
a fitted t-shirt, ideally a v-neck,
or a long-sleeve thermal with
buttons. Typically the color of
your pants should either match
or completely complement it,
if you want the vest to be the
lynch pin that holds your entire
outfit together. When determining what material, patterns,
and texture, try to pick something that won’t put you in the
same category as a bellhop, really shiny fabric for example. Close, pin stripe
vests are your safest bet if you’re new and
hesitant about choosing one. Stay away from
tacky patterns that looks like your grandma’s
curtains and the more buttons you have, the
sharper your outfit will look. Five should be
the minimum number of buttons on a vest, unless you want to let people know
Entertainment
you aspire to be a waiter. Make sure your
vest is fitted for both your shoulders and your
waist. There should be no loose fabric when
you pull in the string on the back. Color is at
your discretion because we all wear colors differently, but a gray or black vest should be a
staple in your closet.
Vintage vests are easy to find, but those
made in the 80’s will have undesirable mixes
of fabric and color. Typically, older vest are
more fitted for athletic to smaller builds, just
remember that these sizes ran smaller in the
60s. They’ll typically run you about $2-$9 at
resale shops not found in Chicago.
Suspenders and Bow Ties
Accessories exist for us guys, just not to the
extent of women’s purses, leggings, necklaces, etc. Luckily, ours provide a specific function with a stylish twist. The two must have
accessories for men are bowties and suspenders. And I’m not talking about the return of
the nerd.
Bowties have been stylish even before
they were associated with pocket protectors
and virginity. They work on any occasion,
but can only be worn with formal wear and
maybe a pair of jeans if
you think you can pull it
off. Bow ties, if worn seriously, work the same or
better than the typical neck
tie. They assert your confidence when going to those
formal business functions
or at the club. And if you
are truly confident, you’ll
learn to tie one. For that
GQ look, pair it with a shirt
that has a modern fit because it reduces the amount
of fabric that bunches to
the sides. Bowties are all
about accenting any outfit.
If you like basic black, then
go for a different fold with
sharper edges to enhance
your outfit. If you like
color, the bolder the better
because it makes a point
without telling people you
tried too hard to blend it
with your outfit. If you like
to be risky, pick a color that
has nothing to do with your
outfit, but remember color
is about complements.
Suspenders not only hold up your pants,
but also avoid the discomfort
of some belt buckles. They
add a clean waistline to any
outfit. More importantly, they
can be used anywhere from the
construction site to the opera.
Often, they don’t even have to
be worn; they can dangle to release that extra color to accent
your shoes or shirt. Suspenders
have free range, but can never
be worn with loose clothing,
unless you want to look like a
towel wrapped with a string.
When pairing your suspenders,
low-rise dress pants are perfect
for formal events to bring out
the clean cuts of the fabric. If
you’re serious about your vintage style, then you’ll want to
find button-end suspenders.
This will solidify your style,
but will require that you sew
buttons to all your pants.
To find these essential ac-
cessories, you will have to roll up your sleeves
and dig into bins and boxes at resale shops.
You will encounter every design, color, and
shape known to man, because these items are
still too fashion-forward or too retro to add
to any wardrobe. You’ll find bowties at every
resale shop or vintage boutique. They typically can go as low as $1, but new ones are
an investment and are in the $15 range. Suspenders, unfortunately, are a hot commodity
in these shops, especially button-end suspenders. Most resale places will have some type
of selection, but don’t expect a whole aisle
dedicated to them. These can range as low
as $0.50 to $4. If you want a great selection
of both vintage and newer, reasonably priced
bow ties and suspenders, Ragstock, located at
812 West Belmont Avenue in Chicago, offers
a floor for both men and women of resale and
retail items.
Vintage style is not to be thought as reused
clothing, but an appreciation for the timeless
periods that have influenced our style today.
Vintage items will enhance your closet, while
giving your wallet a break, especially during
this holiday season. And remember, gentlemen, style is about confidence, you can have
the best outfit in the world, but it means nothing if you are not comfortable in it. Wear these
items with pride and don’t be afraid of making
your own combinations.
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 10
Entertainment
Mix Vintage with New, Girls
Elizabeth Haley
Editor-in-Chief
Ladies, let it be known that vintage fashion isn’t just for the guys. Over the years, I’ve
become relatively obsessed with all things
vintage. My obsession lies mostly in nostalgia
and a desire to channel fashion icons of the
past. However, all that talk of style inspiration aside, “thrifted” and vintage stuff is often cheaper than mall stores. Buying thrift or
vintage clothes, shoes, accessories, or house
wares is not just economically wise, but environmentally conscious as well.
A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Unique
Thrift Store on West Jefferson in search of
odd-looking men’s hippie attire. It was for a
costume party. I found a perfect maroon and
purple-paisley 80’s era men’s button up shirt.
Then the trip got crazy. I ended up spending
roughly $30 on an assortment treasures from
the past. At a thrift store that is quite a lot of
money. I found a1970’s orange and navy straw
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December 10, 2010
bag, a cerulean glass vase, and a cream saucepan with orange flowers circa the 60’s. On my
way to check out, I discovered a late 50’s grey
and white-checkered pencil skirt. Crazy, indeed. That’s the thing about thrift stores and
vintage shops; you never know what you’ll
find. I went in to Unique in search of one specific item and left with abundance. Browsing
the racks is always an adventure.
In the October issue of Vogue, writer Esther Adams offered her take on the
rise of vintage items in the “big-time”
fashion world stating that “a crop of
cool 20-something dressers are mixing
vintage romance with modern looks.”
These looks have been endlessly
documented on fashion blogs. Esther Adams says that this craze of
mixing vintage with new creates
an understated chic look. The energy of youth, Adams says, seems
to have these cool 20-somethings
searching off-the-beaten path for
new, yet old attire. These girls
combine flea-market finds with
designer stuff. Combining the
two calls for a detail-oriented eye,
but it’s not impossible because
perhaps the best thing about this
new “trend” is you wear what you
like.
What’s cool about vintage
clothing is that it’s a fairly safe
bet that the items you buy are
originals. Chances are you’ll be
the only one carrying an authentic 70’s basket purse or hailing a
taxicab in a 40’s era fur-collared coat.
The things you find in a thrift store are
unique and when you mix that rust-colored letterman’s sweater with jeans from
Macy’s and a v-neck from Target, you
won’t look like all the other girls.
This winter break, go on an adventure
to a thrift store. The best time to go is early
in the morning on a weekday because that’s
when all the new stuff is laid out. Keep an eye
out for items that coincide with the stuff that’s
already in your closet. Doing so makes it that
much easier to mix your vintage finds with
Forever 21, PINK and Urban Outfitters. Pay
careful attention to the clothing you pick out
too. Examine each item inch by inch for holes,
stains, and other imperfections. It’s just plain
depressing to come home to realize there’s a
giant hole in the armpit of an otherwise perfect
fair-isle cardigan you scored for $8.
If thrift stores freak you out, there is a
plethora of vintage shops on the Internet. The
website Etsy offers a vast variety of vintage
clothes, accessories, house wares, records and
other treasures from the past. Some of my
favorite online shops to browse are Frecklewonder, Thrush, and JessJamesJake Vintage
on Etsy as well as Bleubird Vintage.com.
These online shops are great if you like vintage styles, but lack the time for the “hunt.”
Caution: online stores tend to be much more
expensive than a regular thrift shop.
Vogue’s Esther Adams said the vintage
lovers’ poetic and prescient ability to dust off
the old and pair it with the new is enviable.
It’s innovative to wear stuff that’s old, things
that have a story. Don’t be afraid to embrace
the past while living in the present.
Movie Review:
By Scott Biebuyck
Staff Writer
You Don’t Know Jack is one of the
best movies I have seen this year! My concern is that most people won’t see this move
because they don’t know much about it.
The movie premiered on HBO on April
24th, 2010, and was recently released on
DVD/Blu-Ray on October 26th. Television movies tend to get a bad reputation
for being cheap, maudlin and a “message of the week”- type movie. While
that may be true for a lot of television
movies, You Don’t Know Jack does not
fall into that category. In fact, most movies that are made on HBO are known for
their artistic integrity and quality. For
years, HBO has been an outlet for directors and actors to pursue their passion
projects and make movies that actually
have something important to say. These
movies typically have a hard time getting funding in Hollywood, so directors
and actors turn to HBO. HBO’s primary
concern for their films is the story they
are telling and not how to market them to
a mass audience, as is the case with most
Hollywood movies. You Don’t Know
Jack is in the tradition of other great
HBO films such as Grey Gardens, Live
from Baghdad, and Citizen X.
You Don’t Know Jack tells the
true story of Dr. Jack Kevorkian (Al Pacino) who beginning in 1990 started practicing and advocating physician-assisted suicide. The movie covers the nine-year period
where Dr. Kevorkian assisted in 130 patient
deaths, until he was sentenced to prison in
1999. The topic of euthanasia and physicianassisted suicide is an extremely controversial
and uneasy issue that many people don’t like
discussing. Nevertheless death is a part of life,
and sometimes people end up physically suffering for a prolonged time from disease or
ailments before they die. They then have to
confront the fact that they don’t want to live
and suffer like this anymore. As a result some
of these people may ask someone to help them
die. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, with the help of his
sister Margo (Brenda Vaccaro) and his friend
and companion Neal Nicol (John Goodman)
try to provide people this delicate service as
humanely as they possibly can.
The movie begins with Jack about
to perform his first assisted suicide on a patient named Janet Adkins, a fifty-four-year-old
Entertainment
A-
woman with Alzheimer’s disease. When Jack
interviews all his patients, he videotapes the
interviews in order to document and show
that his patients are indeed suffering and that
they’re in the right mindset to make this grave
choice. Jack’s sister Margo usually helps Jack
with the interviews and operates the camera,
while Jack’s friend Neal Nicol helps Jack perform the assisted-suicide. When Jack decides
to perform the assisted-suicide on Janet
Adkins he looks for a place to execute it
and turns to Janet Good (Susan Sarandon) for assistance. Janet Good started
the Hemlock Society which was the
first right-to-die movement in Michigan.
With great regret Janet is unable to help
Jack this first time, so he decides to perform the procedure in his 1968 Volkswagen van in a park near Holly, Michigan.
Thus begins Jack Kevorkian’s continuing struggle with the court system
of Michigan. On the advice of his sister Margo, Jack turns to television lawyer Geoffrey Fieger (Danny Huston),
who successfully represents Jack for a
number of years and helps advocate his
cause. The friendship and relationship
that develops between Geoffrey Fieger
and Jack is one of the most fascinating
aspects of the movie because the two are
similarly passionate and egotistical; they
complement each other perfectly.
As you can probably guess by my
description of this film, it’s not a movie that can be taken lightly. It’s dealing
with a controversial morbid subject and
at times it can seem very bleak, but the
movie is also very enjoyable to watch
because of the complex peculiar characters. The story is extremely well told with remarkable acting. Dr. Jack Kevorkian is a very
eccentric, fanatical, and stubborn person. During a moment in the movie Jack’s friend, Neal,
asks how Jack knows for sure that this suicide
device that Jack made himself will work, Jack
usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 12
Entertainment
replies, “Because I made it.” Jack is not a very
people-friendly person and he doesn’t give a
damn about the image he projects to others;
all he cares about is the cause he is fighting
for. In a way, it’s too bad because the media
during this time ran with the idea that Jack
was a tyrannical angry individual that likes to
kill patients who aren’t terminal. The media
nicknamed him “Dr. Death.” As passionate as
Dr. Jack Kevorkian was about his cause, he
was not the right person to be the “face” of his
cause.
The movie is directed by Barry
Levinson who has made a few great movies
in the past including Good Morning Vietnam,
Rain Man, and Wag the Dog but in the past
ten years, Levinson hasn’t done any noteworthy work. You Don’t Know Jack changes that
and is some of the best filmmaking he’s ever
done. Al Pacino is another person who hasn’t
done anything remarkable in a while but is,
of course, an acting legend. You Don’t Know
Jack, in which Al Pacino won the Emmy for
the role, reminds the audience of his tremen-
dous talent. His
portrayal
of
Jack is very detailed and compelling,
and
aside from his
over-done Midwestern accent
(sounds
like
he’s from Minnesota
rather
than Michigan),
it’s a great performance. The
supporting cast
is also particularly strong with
John Goodman,
Danny Huston, Brenda Vaccaro, and Susan
Sarandon; all of whom did exceptional work.
You Don’t Know Jack is not a message piece.
I don’t think it will change your views on the
subject of physician-assisted suicide, but I
guarantee you it will challenge you and make
By Jake Quigley
per, Donnis. Donnis has been accompanying
Mars on The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour for
the past few months. Donnis was promoting
his latest mixtape, Fashionably Late. The ATL
rapper played 5 songs ending with his brand
new single “Gone”.
Mars hit the stage with his 5 piece band and
opened with “The Other Side”, his collaboration with Cee lo Green and B.O.B., followed
by “Top of the World”, a song by Mars that
isn’t seen on Doo-Wops.
Mars sounded great live which is rare with
many pop artists today. He also seemed to
be totally comfortable in the spotlight,
cracking jokes and communicating with
the audience throughout the show.
Mars mixed it up a bit, next performing a mash-up of his hit song “Billionaire” featuring Travie McCoy and
“Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barret Strong. Then followed a cover of
“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson with
a “Smells like Teens Spirit” guitar riff.
Mars then smoothly transitioned into a
cover of “Seven Nation Army” by The
White Stripes.
you think about your beliefs on the subject.
The movie is also appropriately titled, you
might know a little about Jack Kevorkian from
the media but you probably have the wrong
perception of who the man actually was. I
hope you seek out this important and powerful
movie.
Bruno Mars Shines at Pop’s
Staff Writer
If you don’t know who Bruno Mars is by
now, you probably haven’t been listening to
the radio lately. Turn on any popular music
station and you are sure to hear one of the Hawaii native’s doo-wop inspired tunes.
Whether it be his debut number one single
“Just the Way You Are” or his newest jam,
“Grenade”, Mars’ original songs have really
struck a chord with todays youth. Both songs
are found on Mars’ debut CD, Doo-Wops &
Hooligans which peaked at number three on
the billboard charts.
That’s why I was surprised to see that Mars
was playing at Pop’s in Sauget, IL just across
the river from St. Louis. Pop’s is a small concert venue that holds roughly five hundred
guests.
This is Mars’ first tour so I’m presuming
that he is playing smaller shows by means of
perfecting his act in order to take on larger
venues. Still, the small venue with Mars’ star
power made for a great experience.
The show opened with Atlanta native rap-
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December 10, 2010
This section of the show showcased Mars’
ability to sing any genre of music and still
make it entertaining. Other songs included in
the hour-long set were, “Marry You”, “Grenade”, “The Lazy Song”, “Count on Me”, and
“Somewhere in Brooklyn”.
Mars ended the set with his hit single “Just
the way You Are”. After “Just The Way you
Are”, Mars and the band disappeared back
stage. Mars returned to the stage to play two
more songs including his upbeat track, “Runaway Baby” and “All About You” which, he
said, was the first song he had ever written.