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Brothers welcome the new year with block rockin' beats and hooks

January 30

What better way to jumpstart our sluggish, holiday-heavy souls and rein in the year than a new Chemical Brothers CD? Sure, there is a danger that the programmed pop of "Brothers" Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons might actually pull us back into the past decade, but don't worry. The Brothers are so confident in laying down the big beats and incessant hooks that we're pretty much forced to sit up - or better yet, stand up - and listen. There is definitely a wake-up-and-do-something theme to "Push the Button," as even the album title would imply. Given certain political situations, one can only hope they are not referring to buttons of the WMD variety. There is no such mock tone here, and the album proves to be proactive and positive throughout. The opening track, appropriately titled "Galvanize," is a rigorous motivation anthem. Q-tip is featured as the guest rapper on this track, calling out to us over a catchy arabesque hook: "Don't hold back...The time has come to galvanize." "Believe" follows in much the same vein. Solid, heavy house beats accompany the urgent vocals of Bloc Party's Kele Okereke, who repeats: "I needed to believe in something/I need you to believe in something." The Brothers aim to inspire, and inspire they do. Even more urgent is the militaristic "Left Right," a righteous protest rap that attacks Bush, Saddam, Bin Laden and Castro, calling out to various countries of the world - "All my soldiers march with me...All my people march with me" - to stand up for peace. Anwar Superstar, brother of Mos Def, shines on this track. As with all Chemical Brothers CDs, the harder tunes are balanced with a few trance-like, psychedelic tracks, complete with ethereal female vocals. On "Push the Button" there is "Come Inside," a Crystal Method-like track that sounds very familiar and drones on for a bit too long. More impressive is "Hold Tight London," which features Anna-Lynne Williams of Trespassers William. Her floating voice, a good accompaniment to the tribal beats, produces a layered soundscape. It seems that the Brothers are taking their own advice; they're pushing buttons, and many of them. This is their fifth studio album, but despite their programming expertise, there's not much evidence of evolution. They still stick to their roots in hip-hop, and tinker with blips and beeps and big beats. Despite this, it is amazing to think of the distance they have traveled since their first meeting in a medieval history course at Manchester University. It was there that they bonded over a love for Kraftwerk, one of the pioneers of early electronic pop music. Since then, they have infiltrated and taken over the ever-growing UK underground club culture, and are now fast becoming a household name. Their initial success came at a time when electronica was considered new and innovative - makes you feel old, doesn't it? The disc may follow a formula, but the Brothers do it so well that it's difficult to complain. "Marvo Ging" is classical Chemical Brothers, complete with exploding beats and all those funky whizzing sound effects. But if it all sounds too familiar, take time to listen to two of the more outstanding tracks - "Close Your Eyes," a delicate pop number with dreamy lyrics and acoustic guitar, and "Shake Break Bounce," an irresistibly contagious dance number. It is great to see the Brothers reinvigorating a scene that has been steadily dwindling, with the exception of recent releases from Prodigy and Fatboy Slim. If you need a few tracks to get you up on a Monday morning, pull a few from "Push the Button." The Chemical Brothers have always believed in the power of changing moods through their music, so just let yourself be 'galvanized.' You might find yourself strangely motivated to wake up for class or complete that annoying problem set.

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News

Making sense of W

January 30

As a foreign student it would be easy for me to deride George W. Bush as a dangerous and destructive force. I would be tempted to cite his poor international record and apparent disregard for diplomatic protocol as faults that fuel his unpopularity abroad and within liberal America. I could interpret his conservative stance on domestic issues like abortion, stem-cell research and gay marriage as backwards. I could listen to his critics who proclaim him to be a divisive president pandering to a wealthy constituency and looking to consolidate American wealth and dominance. I could see his recent re-election and subsequent inauguration as the beginning of a distressing era in Washington: a time when civil liberties are potentially threatened by the Patriot Act and neo-conservatism defines American foreign policy. But as a history major, I remind myself that we must always look to place people, especially American presidents, within the context of their times. The fact of the matter is that Bush represents the majority of today's America, whether blue-state liberals want to accept it or not. With his professed mandate he lays claim to being the most accurate gauge of the core beliefs of the American public. Furthermore, he remains popular in the midst of an unpopular war, a fragile economy and the ever-present threat of a repeat terror attack. At this point in time, Bush is the man the majority of Americans trust most and therefore is the man representing America. Whether we like the man or not, we must accept that this is the America that we are living and studying in today.As Bush embarks on his second term, we must maintain support to issues important to us and resistance to those we oppose. My call to put him in an historical context does not mean that we should surrender our opposition to him because of impending historical forces. Rather, it is a prompt for us to look at and comprehend the big picture, which I suspect is what history majors spend too much of their time doing. This "big picture" is the premise that excluding a nuclear holocaust, time will go on, democracy will survive, and future presidents will be elected. Eventually, Bush will be just another former president, his official duties relegated to attending the opening of other presidents' libraries. But the legacy of his administration in international and domestic affairs will be examined forever, the magnitude of his presidency doubled with a second term. How future generations of students will study this legacy remains for Mr. Bush to dictate. The events of Sept. 11 were a definitive moment in American history and have subsequently shaped the tone of Bush's administration; as a result it is near guaranteed that his presidency will be amongst the most studied. Bush has created a new military doctrine of pre-emption and developed a global strategy of spreading democracy to bring peace. The fact that Iraq is still struggling with internal violence raises doubts over the feasibility of his plan. Iraq may yet become Bush's Vietnam, and the potential of a colossal failure looms large. As with past presidents, Bush will be remembered for select themes and episodes of his administration: Carter's botched idealism and failures in the Middle East, Reagan's militarism and overt challenge to communism, Bush I's internationalism in leading the first coalition in the Persian Gulf and Clinton's focus on domestic issues. George W. Bush will be a more significant president than his father. Like Reagan, Bush has consolidated Republican control in the capital and ushered in a new wave of American conservatism. Bush has also answered the events of Sept. 11 in a forceful manner that will ultimately prove appropriate in Afghanistan but questionable in Iraq. Mr. Bush's current stance on domestic issues will also be significant; legislation that conservatives are planning on passing in future months will be vital in setting the tone for societal debate over the coming decades.For all of Bush's rigid ideologies, he signals the direction that America is taking. People responded to the "moral fiber" he apparently demonstrates and accordingly voted for him, citing moral values as their most important qualifier in choosing a candidate in multiple exit polls. As a leader, the man is both bold and reckless; he has used American supremacy in the name of making the world more peaceful and democratic - whether he succeeds or has been genuine is left for future historians to decide. Only time will tell if George W. Bush will be elevated into history's pantheon or placed into its dustbin.Paul Lemaistre is sophomore majoring in History.

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News

Tufts community mobilized to aid victims of the tsunami

January 30

In the wake of the devastation caused by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean over break, members of the Tufts community both on- and off- campus are mobilizing to make a difference.

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News

A new kind of fireside chat

January 30

Over the years, Kevin Ng, who has "always been involved in volunteerism and mentoring opportunities," decided to share his experiences in securing a financial job with current Jumbos through yearly "fireside chats."

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News

Drama demystified: Bodkins, Ps and Pretzels hit the stage

January 30

Student theater is vibrant and thriving at Tufts. So much so, in fact, it's hard to keep track of what exactly is going on each semester. New groups and troupes seem to be popping up constantly, and it's not easy to decipher which clubs are limited to a weekly gathering of friends and which intend to involve a larger audience in a campus-wide spectacle. Among the most prominent on-campus performance groups are Pen, Paint, and Pretzels (3Ps), Torn Ticket II, and Bare Bodkin. The three often team up, but each is known for their more specialized fare. Torn Ticket and 3Ps have been around the longest, with the former primarily focusing on musical theater and the latter on dramatic theater. This semester, 3Ps majors and minors will be headed by the group's president, Paul Toben. The spring major, to be performed in March, will be Georg B??chner's "Woyzeck." Directed by sophomore Brendan Shea, this disturbing story focuses on a servant to a German army officer who takes a job as a human lab rat. The script, unfinished due to the untimely demise of its writer, has the possibility for many interpretations, according to veteran director Shea. The spring 3Ps minors include "Pillowman," directed by senior Dan Balkin, and "Newsies," directed by sophomore Brian Smith. Written by Alan Mencken and Jack Feldman, the latter production is a musical about an 1899 newsboy strike and will be co-produced with Torn Ticket. Torn Ticket has an equally full roster this semester, under the leadership of senior Mike La Fazia. In addition to his role as the organization's president, La Fazia will also be directing the spring major, "Children of Eden," written by Steven Schwartz, and to be performed in early April. As indicated by the title, the musical tells the story of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel as they live in and are expelled from the Garden of Eden. Apart from the traditional schedule of one 3Ps and Torn Ticket major production and a few minors every semester, Tufts now has a few additions to its set of theatrical traditions. Bare Bodkin appeared on the scene two years ago with a slightly different twist on student theater. The group not only produces plays directed by and starring students, but also encourages these same aspiring dramaturges to write their own plays. The widespread encouragement of expression and experimentation brings a twist to theater tradition, and makes for a more spontaneous season. "I think I don't even know what to expect yet," said 3Ps' Shea. "I think all the productions this spring are going to be new and surprising." This semester's Bare Bodkin major is senior Armen Nercessian's play, "The Night Visitor." The show, premiering March 5, will be directed by sophomore Caitlin Johnson. Bare Bodkin president, senior Marc Frost, hopes to include other student groups in the performance by inviting student bands or a capella groups to perform. The group is also planning a first time writing workshop for students interested in playwriting. Details concerning the workshop will be announced at weekly meetings (Sundays, Campus Center) and will be led by Hillary Shayne. There's little doubt that Tufts has an active on campus arts scene, and apart from these principal student organizations, others are developing constantly. From Israeli-Afro dance fusion to weekly improv gatherings, there's always something to watch or perform.

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News

Tilt' not playing with full deck

January 27

"Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker." Substitute "television" for "table" in this memorable quote from the poker movie "Rounders," and you pretty much have the scenario for anyone who watches ESPN's new poker series, "Tilt." After months of hype from the Worldwide Leader in Sports, "Tilt" premiered two weeks ago in an attempt to capitalize on the exponential popularity of poker, specifically No Limit Texas Hold'em. Created by Brian Koppleman and David Levien, the geniuses behind "Rounders," "Tilt" fails miserably as a show about high-stakes poker and succeeds about as frequently as a gut-shot straight draw. For some bizarre reason, the show's creators chose to avoid writing a show about poker. Make no mistake, there's enough chip shuffling and card dealing to make you want to grab a Rum and Coke from the nearest scantily clad waitress. Nevertheless, just because a show has the makings of a poker show doesn't make it so. After all, it's not as if "Baywatch" was really about being a lifeguard. "Tilt" is more about the seedy underworld of Vegas, which could make an entertaining show, except for the fact that Sin City is currently being rammed down television viewers' throats with NBC's "Las Vegas," the unwatchable Rob Lowe vehicle "Dr. Vegas," and the Travel Channel currently serving in the capacity as unofficial public relations outlets for this poker capital of America. Instead of actual poker, the show centers on the machinations of four rising poker stars and their attempts to take down the Matador (Michael Madsen), a card shark with a scheming side of his own. Apparently, the Matador (a.k.a. Don Everest) has teamed up with a crooked casino manager and an assortment of other rounders at the fictional Colorado Casino. Through a series of elaborate twitches and hand signals, the conniving players take down unsuspecting marks for financial gain. Apart from Madsen, the cast is a roster full of attractive nobodies. There's the slick Eddie, played with perfect smarminess by Eddie Cibrian, who has caught the eye of the Matador and is working in his cartel. Taking the role of begrudging business partner, Clark (Todd Williams) is a soulless, brooding poker player who will never fully trust his team. The third wheel on this tricycle of horrendous acting is Kristin Lehman as the one-named blonde, Miami. The trio was brought together by an old Vegas figurehead who ESPN has neglected to credit- probably because he isn't a sex symbol. Regardless, all of them were at one time or another cheated by the Matador. And now they are planning their revenge by playing bad poker in seedy Las Vegas nightclubs. This is perhaps the greatest disappointment of "Tilt:" the bad poker play. When supposed "professionals" make moves that even a bumbling novice would, it's hard to make the show the least bit believable. Furthermore, considering the way in which poker has become the hottest hobby among college students since the invention of Beirut, one would think that the writers could design an engrossing plot for these gambling addicts. Instead, they've spun a laughably intricate story involving too many unsavory characters. Eddie, Clark, and Miami are too conniving and angry to drum up any sympathetic support in their attempt to cheat the equally despicable Matador. Then there is the unnecessary side-plot with Officer Lee Nickel, an unstoppable detective from Middle America out to bust the Matador and the casino manager and close down their con game. Necessity aside, this role calls for Nickel to be that classically virtuous hero, the lone honorable figure in a sea of deception and greed. Yet Koppleman and Levien instead created a bitter, emotionless character who will hunt down anyone who might have the answers he needs. The blockbuster success of televised poker is largely due to the likable rogues and enviable jerks of the professional poker community. Players like Phil Hellmuth, who throw tantrums with the turn of an unlucky card, are widely despised whereas others, such as Daniel Negreanu, are lovable players who poker fans can root for. "Tilt" is missing its Negreanu, and it doesn't even have that oddly appealing Hellmuth character who, at the very least, draws in viewers that love to hate him. Devoid of anyone to root for and no discernable plot, "Tilt" comes off as second-rate pulp television. Despite all this, the show has its entertaining moments. There are memorable lines, including, "Re-raise, bitch!" The preposterous twists and poker playing provide for a show worthy of a drinking game. Yet there is still a dark cloud hanging over "Tilt." It miserably fails to meet the expectations of younger poker players, and when a show cannot even reach its target audience, there's no way it can make it past the river.

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News

Burglaries are a wake-up call

January 27

At first glance, it's easy to believe that Medford and Somerville are quiet towns where crime doesn't exist. Most students share this perception of Tufts and the surrounding area for the four years we live here. For the most part our area is safe, but the unfortunate burglaries that occurred over winter break should serve as a warning to the Tufts community. In many ways, Tufts acts as a bubble, protecting many of us from the grim realities of urban life. Peers at NYU or BU have to deal with the threat of burglaries and violence - but why should we worry about it at Tufts? Because college students are prime targets for burglars. Students have a reputation for collecting valuable hi-tech toys - laptops, video game consoles, iPods - and are known to be gone for weeks at a time in late December and early January. It's a burglar's dream. The apparent connection between drugs and the burglaries should alert the Tufts community even more. The Medford Police Department said that illegal OxyContin and heroin use is on the rise in Medford, and addicts, trying to raise funds to buy more drugs, could have committed the burglaries. It is too soon to tell if increased drug use will lead to more violence in the Medford area, but Tufts students should be aware of the higher risk of burglary. It could be easy for some students to write off these thefts, since they all occurred in off-campus apartments on the north side of campus. But if the drug problem spreads, so will the crime. Students who live in dorms especially should be aware of who they let into the building. It would be wise for those who live in off-campus apartments to invest in added security, ensuring that doors and windows have secure locks and perhaps using computerized keys, like those given to the house burgled on Capen Street. Tufts must also take an active role in fighting increased drug use and subsequent crime in Medford and Somerville. As one Medford police officer pointed out, any drug problem in the town will spread onto campus. The University can also work with local authorities to help residents secure their homes and develop programs to curb drug use in the area. By proactively fighting the spread of heroin and OxyContin, Tufts can improve its reputation for giving back to the local community in a time of need.

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News

Jumbos kick-start season with five-game win streak

January 27

With Tuesday night's 4-2 win over Johnson and Wales, the Tufts hockey team has already matched the victory total of last winter's squad. And with eight more regular season games remaining for the Jumbos, the team has ample opportunity to surpass last season's mark. Tufts, who was 8-15-1 at the end of the 2003-04 season, currently sits at 8-7-1 overall and 4-6-1 in the NESCAC/ECAC East. On Tuesday night on home ice at the Valley Forum II in Malden, the team was led by two goals from junior Matt McCarthy, while junior Matt Ninnemann had 29 saves in net. The Jumbos are on a roll with a five-game unbeaten stretch that has made their overall record a winning one. The first time the team has had more wins than losses since January 17, 2003, when it sat at 4-3-2. This weekend the Jumbos will have to maintain the same level of play as they try to improve their record against Southern Maine and Salem State on their home ice. "These games are very important as we try to narrow the gap between us and the teams above us in the standings. We need to go out and get points," said sophomore Matt Dalton, who netted his first goal of the season and the first of the game against Colby last Friday night at home. "We are looking to build on the momentum we got from this past weekend, and go out and play our game and work hard." On Friday at 7:30 p.m. the men will face the University of Southern Maine Huskies, a team that currently holds a record of 8-7-2 overall and 5-5-1 in the NESCAC/ECAC East. The Huskies are coming off an 8-0 win against UMass Boston. The last time these two teams faced-off was last year, resulting in a 3-3 tie in overtime. "We've been playing well lately," Ninnemann said. "But this weekend is all about building on the positive things our team has done recently." On Saturday, the Jumbos will go head-to-head with the Salem State Vikings. The Vikings are returning 22 players from last year's roster, which includes seven of its top ten scorers from 2003-04. Last year the Jumbos defeated the Vikings 6-3, scoring three goals in the final period to hold off a late Salem State comeback attempt. That win put Tufts into ninth place in NESCAC competition, with the top eight teams qualifying for the conference playoffs. Saturday, the Jumbo forwards will have to be aggressive early against Salem State, who returns this season with sophomore goaltender Kevin Adam. Adam is looking to improve upon a phenomenal freshman year in which he turned back 30 shots a game, surrendering 70 goals in 20 games for a save percentage of 89.6. "Recently, we have been playing as a group and doing all the little things to get a win as a team," Ninnemann said. "That's something that wasn't happening consistently earlier in the year. Tufts enters this weekend on the heels of two exceptional performances last weekend. Friday the Jumbos knocked out a big 4-1 win over the nationally-ranked Colby Mules, as freshman goalie James Kalec turned away 60 shots in net, breaking a school record that had stood since the 1955-56 season. The team followed that up with a tie over another nationally-ranked school, the Bowdoin Polar Bears, when freshman Matt Tosto notched his first collegiate goal midway through the third period to ensure the 3-3 tie. The Jumbos will have to keep up the strong goal tending with solid network from both Kalec and Ninnemann, who together have turned away 89.9 percent of shots on the Jumbo goal. Both Salem State and Southern Maine will have to keep their eyes out for leading Jumbo scorers senior Jason Boudrow (4-16-20), McCarthy (13-6-19), and freshman offensive sensation Greg O'Connell (8-10-18). "We have to continue to play consistent defense against both these teams and to work hard all over the ice." Ninnemann said. If they do, the Jumbos could be in for a very rewarding weekend.

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News

Jumbos looking for a win this weekend

January 27

The last thing Tufts needs right now is to take on one of the best teams in the country. Unfortunately, that is exactly what it is doing Friday night when the Jumbos host Wesleyan University. Losers of six straight and seven of their last eight, the Jumbos will have "upset" on their minds against the 23rd ranked Cardinals, and will try to get their season heading back in the right direction. To do so, they will have to overcome Wesleyan's interior trio of juniors Hannah Stubbs, Ashley Mastrangelo, and Meghan Robinson. The three combine for an average of 41 points and 23 rebounds per game. Tufts may use a few other defenses in addition to its normal pressure man-to-man in order to take away Wesleyan's inside scoring. "We might go a little zone," Tufts coach Carla Berube said. "We're definitely going to take care of the inside and show them some different looks. We're going to play some of the defense we're best at: pressure man-to-man, but we'll probably also play some sagging man. We're not going to allow their post players to have a field day. We're going to limit their opportunities." Wesleyan's inside prowess also presents the Jumbos with a challenge on the boards. Tufts gave up 14 offensive rebounds in last Saturday's 68-59 loss to Middlebury, and the team cannot expect to win if it surrenders that many again. "[Rebounding] is always an emphasis, and definitely this week it has been overemphasized," Berube said. "We don't have a dominant rebounder, so all five players have to box out. We have to get team rebounds." In addition to Wesleyan's big three inside, Tufts will also try to limit point guard Nora Bowman. Bowman has done a good job distributing and protecting the ball this year and is, in Berube's words, "a good defender." And despite averaging less than eight points-per-game this year, she is second on the team in free throw attempts, a testament to her penetrating ability and aggressiveness. "She likes to penetrate," Berube said. "We'll do our best to keep her out of the lane. I think we'll play her straight up and try to pressure her. In our pressure defense we want to get in the passing lanes. I've been saying all week, it's not about the other team, it's about what we're doing and our execution." Offensively, the Jumbos will look to push the ball up the court to take advantage of their talent on the perimeter. Even without point guard Julia Verplank, who was lost with a knee injury seven games ago, Tufts is deeper than Wesleyan, particularly in the backcourt. "I'd love to push the ball - in a smart way," Berube said. "We don't want to force things. But an up-tempo game is definitely in our favor. If that's not there, I feel comfortable with our offensive execution. We want to pound the ball inside; we're not going to just settle for three pointers." The Jumbos need to shoot better than they did over the losing streak. Junior guard Jessica Powers, the team's second leading scorer, has shot just 30 percent over the last six games. Powers, one of the better players in the NESCAC, needs to return to form for Tufts to shake their current struggles. A win would be huge for Tufts, and would go a long way in turning the season around. It is hard to imagine Berube not coming out fired up and ready to play. "After losing six games in a row, it shouldn't matter who we're playing," Berube said. "Playing such a good team makes it an added challenge for us. I think we'll be up for it, and play to the best of our ability."

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News

Students gather to remember tsunami victims

January 27

A dark and somber mood filled Goddard Chapel Thursday evening as a small group of students and religious authorities gathered to remember the dead and injured from the Dec. 26 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. "The enormity of the disaster goes beyond comprehension," said Ann Penick, Associate Catholic Chaplain at Tufts. "I live in Cambridge, which as a population of [more than] 100,000 people. It was like wiping out all of Cambridge in one day." Reverend David O'Leary, University Chaplain, and Tufts Community Union (TCU) President David Baumwoll began the vigil by lighting 12 candles, one for each country hit by the tsunami. Prayers, words of wisdom and songs followed from leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, Protestant and Buddhist communities at Tufts. "When disasters like this one occur, people ask us where God is. He is in the relief workers. Whenever we raise up those fallen by tragedy, our hands become God's hands," said Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, Associate Jewish Chaplain at Tufts. The speakers and singers encouraged donations, in the form of both money and supplies, to numerous organizations, including the American Red Cross, Americares, Oxfam America, and the United Nations World Food Program, that are currently pursuing relief efforts in the hardest-hit regions. "The devastation is sad - a lot of people died in just a few minutes," Imam Hawat, Associate Muslim Chaplain, said in his speech. "If this happened in America, we would want others around the world to help us. Please think of this when you are considering donating to [the relief efforts." The United States remains vulnerable to the threat of tsunamis. The massive waves have hit the Hawaiian Islands multiple times, most recently in 1975. The West and East coasts have tsunami early-warning systems, a system lacking in Southeast Asia and Africa. The tsunami, an extremely large ocean wave caused by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake on the ocean floor, struck nearly a dozen countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, leaving a trail of devastation and death in its wake. Relief workers and officials estimate that 144,000 people have died and 146,000 people remain missing. For more information regarding donations to tsunami relief funds, contact any of the Chaplains on campus.

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News

Tufts faces critical weekend

January 27

One week after running its conference record to 4-0 with big wins over Williams and Middlebury, the men's basketball team is looking to keep its hot streak going this weekend with road games against the Wesleyan Cardinals and Connecticut College Camels. "We've got a lot of momentum right now," coach Bob Sheldon said. "We're 4-0 in the conference going into two conference games. Things are rolling right now. We got a big win against Williams and then came up with a gutsy win against Middlebury." Having won nine of their last 12 games, the Jumbos have their sights set high. "The goal is first place [in the conference]," freshman Jake Weitzen said. "If we have to go undefeated, then we'll go undefeated. We just have to win and then win in the tournament." The Jumbos, sitting tied atop the NESCAC, will continue that quest for a conference title this weekend at Wesleyan and Connecticut College. To retain its spot top, Tufts likely will have to beat both teams. The Jumbos will open the weekend at 7 p.m. tonight against the Cardinals. While Wesleyan's conference record is just 2-2, Sheldon foresees a tough matchup. "They beat Williams and Middlebury, the two teams we just beat and they lost to [No. 5] Amherst and [No. 25] Trinity who are two of the top teams in New England right now," Sheldon said. "Despite the fact that we're 4-0 and they're 2-2, this is definitely going to be a battle." Indeed, Wesleyan was 2-0 in the conference and 11-5 overall heading into this weekend. The team could not handle road games against Amherst and Trinity, however. The losses dropped the Cardinals to 11-7 overall. With the Jumbo offense clicking right now - averaging 83.1 points per game this year - the team is most concerned about defense. The Cardinal offense will be tough to stop because Wesleyan has two big scorers. While the Cardinals are led by senior guard Tim Holland, who is averaging 17.9 points a game, he is aided by 6'7" junior center Robert Kelly, who is averaging 16.4 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. Stopping these two scorers is the priority for the game. "We've been playing great defense," Weitzen said. "Dan [Martin] and Reggie [Stovell] have been playing really tough in the post and Drew [Kaklamanos] has been great, too. Everyone else has to lock down on the two scorers." The Jumbos' test will be made more difficult by the fact that they will be playing their fourth and fifth games on an eight game road trip. "It's always tougher to shoot in somebody else's gym," Weitzen said. "Also, the crowd might get into some people's heads. They try to heckle and try to bother you." If the team can overcome the Cardinals in their gym on Friday, Tufts will head to Connecticut College on Saturday looking for a perfect 6-0 conference record. The Camels, a team with only two upperclassmen, are considered the less formidable team the Jumbos will face this weekend as they are winless in the conference. "Connecticut College is down a little this year," Sheldon said. "They're a young team, with all freshmen and sophomores. They have a new head coach and these are his guys. They're going to try to catch somebody by surprise." Weitzen echoed Sheldon's concern. "Connecticut College is typically a weak team, but in the NESCAC any team can beat any other team on any day," Weitzen said. "If we take them lightly, they'll beat us." The Jumbos are looking at this game as a possible cushion and confidence builder before the team moves to the part of the schedule where it must play Bates, Trinity and Amherst, arguably the three best teams in the conference. "If we can get both wins, we are going into the toughest part of the schedule undefeated," Weitzen said. "If we take care of these two games, we can only improve." Yet, Sheldon sees a more immediate ramification of winning the two games this weekend. "We want to play a home game [in the NESCAC Tournament]," Sheldon said. "Obviously, we'd like to win the whole thing, but our first goal right now is to get a home game."

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News

Rash of January robberies hits close to campus

January 27

At least three Medford houses rented by Tufts students were burglarized over the winter holiday, and both the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) and the Medford Police Department (MPD) suspect the crimes may have been drug-instigated. According to Lt. Paul Cavino, the public information officer of the MPD, in January alone there have been 20 break-ins all over the city while the monthly average has usually been zero to five. Cavino believes that this may be due to both a downward trend in the national economy and the increased presence of drugs in the city. According to him, use of heroin and OxyContin, the narcotic drug approved for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, has risen noticeably in Medford during recent months. "Users can't go long without them and can't afford OxyContin so they steal for it. Soon they're on heroin and at that point they'll do anything," he said. According to Cavino, in this area, one milligram of OxyContin costs about one dollar and the average-sized pill being sold on the street is 80 milligrams, making each such pill total cost about $80. Heroin, on the other hand, is much cheaper, selling at about six dollars for a one-shot bag. Detective Lt. Charles Lonero of the TUPD agrees with Cavino's assessment. "It's quite possible that most of these housebreaks and robberies are drug-related," he said. According to Cavino, heroin and OxyContin are "definitely a campus problem too." He said that the TUPD has informed the MPD that they suspect a "couple" of Tufts students of dealing OxyContin. Lonero said that the TUPD has undercover police officers working and that they caught someone breaking into Paige Hall last Friday night at 5 p.m. "The person was arrested and found to have an extensive record but we do not know if the person is related to the breaks in homes," he said. None of the burglary crime scenes are exactly the same, Lonero said. "Access entries have been different and show that different people may behind all this. We have several suspects." According to him, the three off-campus houses occupied by Tufts students that were burglarized over the winter recess were all located in Medford on Capen Street, Boston Avenue and Emery Street. The burglaries at Capen and Boston, under the jurisdiction of the MPD, were confirmed by Cavino. At press time, he did not find records to confirm a burglary on Emery. MPD's records show that 351 Boston Avenue was broken into sometime between Jan. 6 and 14 and that it took place at night. A window that was "possibly unlocked" was found with its screen cut and is suspected to have been the perpetrator's mode of entry. The three victims reported U.S. currency as missing. Resident and Tufts senior Susannah Jabaily says that her laptop, valued at $1,700, was also stolen from her room. "It was not a bad break-in in the sense that things were not really thrown around," senior Isabel Alonso, also a resident, said. "They took her laptop and my money and left."Since the burglary, Alonso says their landlord has helped with money and has installed new locks all over the house. Official records show that 25 Capen Street was broken into on Jan. 16 sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. while the residents were out. The point of entry appears to have been the front door and a 46-inch television, a laptop, and $400 in U.S. currency were filed as missing. Upstairs resident Dan Hake, a graduate student in the Engineering School, later discovered an X-Box system and a Playstation2 system missing from his apartment.According to junior Jolanta Griffiths, who lives on the first floor, their landlord has also put new locks on their front doors and the door that opens into their porch and installed deadbolts inside. Additionally, computerized keys have been given to all residents of the house so that if one tenant loses his or her key all the others have to change theirs as well. According to Alonso, MPD officers asked her if friends could have stolen her money. Though she does not believe so, she said a Tufts student "looking for a quick fix" could potentially be responsible for the burglary at her house. Alonso's housemate Jabaily noted that the robbery was especially "clean" and that the perpetrators knew to take her Ethernet and USB cords with them but left her DVD collection untouched. Hake felt the same about the robbery at his home. "The people were able to take a 46-inch TV out of our front door; we feel it was someone who knew it was there - maybe a delivery guy or someone who saw it from the window," he said. "It seems somewhat calculated - they knew no one was there on Sunday [Jan. 16]." According to Cavino, college students sometimes put themselves at risk by inviting acquaintances over to their homes. "Students are prone to having other young adults over, and there's a good chance that there's someone in that crowd you don't know that well," he said. "They now know the layout of your house, they know what's in there, and they know when you'll be in class." Hake, who studied at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore as an undergraduate, said that at his alma mater, "you see people who look like bums, etc., but here it's not as apparent as you expect it so people are lazy with safety. People should make sure they have secure locks and windows and talk to their landlords." Drug problems are everywhere, Cavino says. "From the smallest town in the world to the largest, there they are."

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News

Professor to release book on the over-extended child

January 27

Children with busy schedules may be at a developmental disadvantage, according to professor David Elkind's book, to be released later this year. "No Time for Play: The Over-Programmed Child," will discuss the concern of many psychologists that overextended children do not have enough room for creative and psychological growth. Elkind believes that parents should not feel pressured to fill up their childrens' days with activities, because a little boredom is good for a developing child's imagination. "It doesn't really take much reflection to appreciate ... over-scheduling is stressful," he said. Child Development lecturer George Scarlett shares this concern, and thinks that children are not as independent as they used to be. "I think all of us are worried by the way children spend less and less time organizing themselves, [one example being] backyard sports, and more and more time being organized by adults," he said. At the same time, Elkind said he is also concerned about the psychological under-protection that many children face, in large part thanks to an uncensored media. This problem is often combined with the physical overprotection that parents often impose. "Over the last few decades, thanks in part to the media that makes every reported child accident seem too omnipresent, we now protect our children physically," he said. "But we don't seem to protect children psychologically, and expect them to deal with issues like divorce, AIDS, child abuse and so on at an early age." He explains that children now face the negative effects of both increased psychological stress and decreased amounts of risk-taking experiences than they did in the first half of the twentieth century. Scarlett raised the additional concern that children don't spend as much time with their parents as they should. "In late afternoons, [children are left] home alone before parents come home from work," he said. One possible solution to this "seemingly contradictory picture," as Scarlett termed it, of children kept too dependent in some ways and forced to be too independent in others, is that parents coordinate their agendas with those of their children. "Ideally, then, there [should be] some balance, and there should always be some effort to foster positive and close relationships," he said. "That is key." Another issue that parents face is how much time to allow children to watch TV and surf the Internet. Elkind believes that too much exposure to electronics can be damaging. "Some television, computer games, and net-surfing makes sense as children get older, but it needs to be limited and children need to be given time to engage in free, unstructured play," he said. "Such play provides learning experiences children cannot encounter in any other way." Elkind also noted that parents too often give in to their child's demands for presents because they feel guilty about not spending enough time with them. "A good set of wooden blocks is the best gift parents can give their young children. As they grow older, children will use the blocks in more organized and imaginative ways," he said. Scarlett also noted that the commercialization of children's toys is a topic of concern for Elkind. "Big business now makes the toys and toy material for children, with children's best interests [taking a back seat to] what will make money," he said. "Professor Elkind is concerned that this trend furthers a separation between children and the best values in our society."

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Cops and villains join together in 'Precinct 13'

January 27

The 2005 version of John Carpenter's "Assault on Precinct 13" is the epitome of the good cop/bad cop action genre. In this case, however, it is good cop versus bad cop versus gangsters. The story follows Sergeant Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke) as he struggles with the decisions he's made in his past and the dead end that he sees in his future. Eight months earlier, Roenick was a head undercover agent for the Detroit Police Department when he lost his two best friends in a botched sting attempt. He holds himself responsible for giving the orders that led to his friends' deaths. Though he only suffered a bullet wound, Roenick then chose to hide behind his injury and keep a desk job at Precinct 13, afraid of the responsibility that would come with a field position. And that is where we find our hero on Dec. 31, manning the front desk at the run-down Precinct 13, a station that is due to be shut down the very next day. Roenick works the New Year's Eve shift with a few other officers including grizzled veteran cop Jasper O'Shea, wonderfully portrayed by Brian Dennehy, who is planning to retire after this last shift, and Iris Ferry (Drea de Matteo), the saucy secretary who takes a shine to her bad-boy inmates and constantly teases the officers with too-short skirts and too-high-heeled leather boots. As a blizzard moves into Detroit, the three hunker down with their vodka and noisemakers to ring in the New Year and the end of Precinct 13. Coincidentally, a legendary gangster, the ruthless Marion Bishop (Laurence Fishburne), and three other criminals are being transported that same night across town to a holding facility to await a bail hearing. Due to the storm, their bus cannot make the trip, and the prisoners must be held at Precinct 13 until the weather clears. But no sooner does Bishop's cell door clink shut than a shadowy band of anonymous attackers begins an invasion to get him out - or is it to get even? Either way, Roenick and the rest find themselves trapped in the crossfire, and what unfolds is not the typical "good cop saves the innocent and punishes the sinners"; instead, the gentle twists and turns keep "Assault on Precinct 13" interesting despite its relatively clich?©d storyline. Originally written by John Carpenter (who in turn adapted his film from Howard Hawks' "Rio Bravo"), this latest version of "Precinct" is adapted by James DeMonaco, writer of the 1998 thriller, "The Negotiator." There are common threads seen in both of DeMonaco's films: corrupt cops, explosions, and plenty of heavy artillery. What is so brilliant about "Assault on Precinct 13," however, is that it breaks the mold and refuses to follow the formula - at least cinematographically - for cops-'n-robbers movies. Director of photography Robert Gantz' tight camera angles and murky lighting allow viewers not only to visualize the claustrophobia of those under siege inside the precinct, but to actually feel the stress and fright of fish in the barrel, waiting to be killed. "Assault on Precinct 13" provides more than simply an exciting escape from reality through high-octane action. It goes beyond that, just as Ethan Hawke's previous film, "Training Day" did, to spice up the typical police drama with diverse characters and suspenseful directing. The supporting cast features a bevy of intriguing cameos, including an overly-hyper junkie (John Leguizamo) and his cell-mate Smiley (Ja Rule), who ironically never smiles. When it comes right down to it, a film like this can only be as good as its plot. In which case, it must be said that "Assault on Precinct 13" is not much more than a stupid action movie; it has never presented itself any differently. It is, however, a very clever and well-done stupid action movie. As you watch Gabriel Byrne, the classically cold-blooded villain, glare through his night-vision goggles at his next target, or watch the faceless assailants in head-to-toe black storming a decaying building holding a motley crew of heroes, you realize that you've seen this somewhere before. And you have. But just not like this. Not as beautifully shot or as carefully orchestrated. The yin of the mindless action and the yang of the mindful cinematography combine to create an American film much like its Japanese samurai counterparts, where the beauty is just as important as the horrific violence and slightly predictable plot.

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Mets, Diamondbacks spend most in nabbing free agents

January 27

Most of you may not realize it, but there are other teams in Major League Baseball besides the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. In fact, there's a whole other league of teams. They play in the National League. Say it with me everyone: Nash-a-null. Very good. And there's been a pretty busy winter of free agency in the NL this off-season. Let's start out west. The NL West. After finishing a league worst 51-111, the Arizona Diamondbacks decided that perhaps they should make some changes to their team. The first change came at the helm. The Diamondbacks originally gave the job to former New York Mets third baseman Wally Backman. However Backman was fired only four days later after failing to inform the D'Backs of a DUI conviction as well as charges surrounding spousal abuse. The D'Backs then gave the job to former Seattle Mariners skipper Bob Melvin. Since then, the Diamondbacks traded Randy Johnson to the Dark Side for Javier Vazquez and let go of Shea Hillenbrand and Richie Sexson. Besides bringing in Vazquez, the D'Backs have signed pitchers Shawn Estes and Russ Ortiz, third baseman Troy Glaus and first baseman Shawn Green, making themselves contenders overnight. The division winning Los Angeles Dodgers also were major players in the free agent market after losing at least seven key contributors, most notably MVP candidate third baseman Adrian Beltre to the Mariners and Green to the D'Backs. Los Angeles is the new home of Derek Lowe (you thought he'd be with the BoSox forever?) as well as second baseman Jeff Kent and outfielder J.D. Drew. Jose Valentin will replace Alex Cora at short. The San Francisco Giants added centerfielder Moises Alou, shortstop Omar Vizquel, catcher Mike Matheny, and closer Armando Benitez after losing catcher A.J. Pierzynski and pitchers Robb Nen and Dustin Hermanson. The San Diego Padres remain closely intact after losing pitcher David Wells to Boston and bringing in pitcher Woody Williams. And the Colorado Rockies find themselves on the losing end having watched third baseman Vinny Castilla, outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, and Estes all leave town. In the NL Central, the Houston Astros were the center of activity for the past few months as the front office tried to keep centerfielder Carlos Beltran as a member of the Killer B's. Yet Houston watched Beltran and Kent (LA) leave while pitcher Wade Miller signed with Boston. However the Astros signed reliever John Franco, and convinced the Rocket (Roger Clemens) to return for another season. Houston will also have lefthander Andy Pettitte back from injury next season. The St. Louis Cardinals, the defending National League Champs, lost Matheny, second baseman Tony Womack, shortstop Edgar Renteria, and pitcher Woody Williams and so far, have brought in David Eckstein to play short and Mark Grudzielanek to play second. Their rivals, the Chicago Cubs lost not only Alou, but also pitchers Matt Clement and Kent Mercker. The bottom feeders: the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers made moves, but nothing major. The Reds brought in big-name pitcher Eric Milton and signed veterans shortstop Rich Aurilia and third baseman Joe Randa. The Brew Crew brought in pitcher Ricky Bottalico and catcher Damian Miller. And the Pirates at least made an attempt as they signed veteran catcher Benito Santiago and pitcher Todd Ritchie. But the biggest offseason winners reside in the NL East. Let's start with New York Mets. They signed Pedro Martinez (the Red Sox ace pitcher - for those of you who live in a coma here in Beantown) and landed Beltran, considered the prize of the free agency scramble this winter. Besides those two, the Mets traded for first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz (looking for some Boston magic perhaps?) and brought in second baseman Miguel Cairo, resigned pitcher Kris Benson, and signed reliever Felix Heredia. So we all know the Mets spent some dough ($194 million on Pedro, Beltran, and Benson alone), but did they come out on top? They lost pitchers Al Leiter, Franco, and Mike Stanton and replaced them with ... Pedro. He's in the twilight of his career and his velocity, durability, and effectiveness have all been called into question the last two years. Meanwhile, we have yet to see if Beltran can hit for average (career .284). He's also in a high-pressure situation and will not be surrounded by great hitters like Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Kent, and Craig Biggio like in Houston last season, where he was bound to see some good pitches. This may not turn into the Mo Vaughn-Jeromy Burnitz-Pedro Astacio-Shawn Estes-debacle that was the 2002 Mets. But if Beltran and Pedro don't produce, it could get ugly. Elsewhere, the twelve-time division winning Atlanta Braves lost Drew, outfielder Eli Marrero, closer Antonio Alfonseca, and pitchers Ortiz, Jaret Wright, and Paul Byrd. But they're the Braves. And Atlanta is that magical town where whoever arrives suddenly has a career year. Enter A's pitcher Tim Hudson, Kolb, and outfielders Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan to give them a shot at 90 wins by August. The Florida Marlins made their own splash (sorry) in the free agent market, landing a big fish (oh man), first baseman Carlos Delgado, and another great catch (geez, they keep coming) in Leiter. They also will have Alfonseca in the late innings. The newest edition to Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals will add third baseman Castilla, shortstop Cristian Guzman, and former Yankee pitcher Esteban Loiaza to their lineup. And we always save the best for last, the Philadelphia Phillies. The front office gave Larry Bowa's job to (drum roll please) ... Charlie Manuel. He's not much, but slugger Jim Thome likes the former Cleveland skipper. The Phils added pitcher Jon Lieber and watched starters Eric Milton and Kevin Millwood leave. They also added outfielder Kenny Lofton and infielder Jose Offerman. We're not impressed. And that's the free agent market from the National League, for better or worse.

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Combined-degree student exhibit showcases varied artistic approaches

January 27

The works of eight artists cover the Aidekman gallery, each separated into its own exhibition space. Photographs, videos, sculptures and oil paintings decorate the walls and floors, creating a lively, disparate collection that challenges visitors to examine their own perspectives even as it shows them a new point of view. The exhibition is the January installment of the Aidekman Gallery's Thesis Exhibitions. Every year, the gallery works in conjunction with Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to showcase the works of students enrolled in the joint degree program at the two institutions. The artists featured this month all come from different backgrounds and each uses a different technique or approach to communicate his or her ideas about the subject matter. Chandra Meesig may be a photographer, but her interest focuses on the side of photographs that most people never see - literally. She spent two years taking pictures of the backs of old photographs, the results of which make up her thesis exhibition. At first glance, all of Meesig's photographs look alike - plain, mute canvasses similar in that they are all varying shades of tans and browns - but subtle differences emerge upon closer examination. Small cracks and variations are visible from photograph to photograph: an ink stain here, a dark smear there. The simplicity of Meesig's subject matter allows the viewer to interpret the calming image for himself. The work of Maria Raponi similarly depends on one's point of view, but this time, it does so in an entirely literal way. Raponi describes in her artist's statement that she has always been fascinated by stereoscopes and the cinema. For her thesis, she created small dioramas of movie sets that offer minute changes in perspective as the viewer steps to one side or the other. The miniscule dioramas are presented from the viewpoint of a character within the film, and the result is a dizzy, tilted perspective that often demands to be examined twice. Everything is just a bit off-kilter, from the theater seat that looks down onto a stage to the tiny ticking bicycle moving through Raponi's manufactured streets. Samantha Fields began her thesis project with the idea that the walls of a house function as a literal boundary in our everyday lives, separating the indoors from the outdoors. In the course of her work on the exhibit, "The Game of Life: Atopia," she dislocated objects from their prior life in order to give them a new purpose by using them in her sculptures. More than anything, Fields' work looks like an otherworldly playground: a carousel made of painted chairs sits to the side, while a wheelchair blended out of yarn and furniture legs turns in the middle. To the side is a swing-set, sitting on top of a pile of hand-knitted rugs, while a welcome mat modeled off of the "Life" game board greets visitors to this strange world. The sketches of Jason Bartsch look like they would be as much at home in the margins of someone's sketchpad as in an art gallery. However, his simple, cartoon-like style is eye-catching, even from across the room. Bartsch's large-scale works, which are displayed on the wall, were derived from smaller original sketches, all of which are on display in albums alongside the final creations. The subject matter of his drawings knows no bounds. Hung-over party victims exist alongside grumpy birds and cool, cell phone-chattering cats. In one sketch, called "In Love" (2003), two bushes hold leaf-like hands, beaming out at the viewer. Though none of them is related in theme, they all clearly capture the artist's sense of humor, as well as his belief that "laughter is the best medicine." Also on display are the works of Jay Bordage, Latoyna Hicks, Luanne Stovall and Vanessa Platacis. The current collection is the second of the 2004-2005 school year. It will remain on display through this weekend. Art, as much as anything else, is about challenging perspectives and creating something new. With the culmination of the January Thesis Exhibition this weekend, whether they use dioramas or oil paintings, it is clear that each of the featured artists has succeeded in showing the world their individual perspectives.

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News

Tsunami's effects felt in Medford

January 27

The tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on Dec. 26 was massive both in devastation and scope, and its effects have been felt far and wide, even here at Tufts. Over break, many students scrambled to get in touch with fellow Jumbos from Asia and friends from home traveling in hard-hit areas. Many more decided to help the relief effort by donating their time and money. Janet Mozes, a nurse practitioner at Health Services, was inspired by her teenage son's interest in helping with the relief effort. "It was so cool to see my 16-year-old son really interested in the tsunami," Mozes said. "He even broached the topic [of donating]." "He cared -- he felt it," Mozes added. "The media definitely impacted him." For students who are interested in donating money to the relief effort, there are many opportunities, most of which can be found online. Some reputable options include www.doctorswithoutborders.org, www.redcross.org, and www.worldvision.org.

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News

First Winter Bash to be held tonight

January 27

Tufts students will be ringing in the spring semester tonight at the Winter Bash, a dance held by the Programming Board. The event, which will take place in the Gantcher Center from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., is an attempt to "kick off the semester with a huge event that everyone can enjoy," senior Nicole Masone, co-chair of the Programming Board, said. Masone, who shares her co-chair duties with fellow senior Alexis Smith, spearheaded the organization of the Winter Bash in order to "create a new campus-wide event that all students can attend." The event is in many ways the second semester counterpart to the Fall Ball, the dance held at the beginning of the fall semester. GrooveBoston, which provided entertainment and lighting for Fall Ball, is being hired again for Winter Bash. Nevertheless, Masone highlights several differences between the two events. Most notable are a series of improvements the Programming Board made as a result of the grievances that arose at previous dances. At the Winter Bash, the line set-up will be different in order to alleviate concerns regarding long lines and crowded hallways at the 2004 Fall Ball, Masone said. Although students will still enter through the pool entrance of the Gantcher Center, a different procedure will be used to check student identification cards as well as tickets. "Students will flow through that hallway quickly and feed into an amusement park-style line inside the actual Gantcher Center," Masone said. Masone explained that this line will be lit and that music will be audible so as to keep any waiting students entertained. "It will not be cramped and will hopefully be more easily controlled than the hallway during Fall Ball," she said. Also, Programming Board will offer a shuttle bus to take students to the dance. It will stop at the Olin Center and the campus center before arriving at Gantcher. According to Masone, this service will allow students to attend the event without having to worry about cold temperatures. "We figured that some students might be reluctant to attend if they had to walk all the way to Gantcher in the cold, so we're trying to make it easier and more convenient," she said. This is the first year that a campus-wide dance is being offered in the winter. In previous years, the Programming Board held an indoor carnival called A Tid Bit Nippy in the campus center. According to Masone, the location of the event led to overcrowding and long lines. Unlike the Fall Ball or A Tid Bit Nippy, however, the Winter Bash will cost students five dollars to attend. The tickets, available in the campus center, can be paid for through the points system. Tufts Community Union (TCU) Associate Treasurer, Harish Perkari explained that this cost is a result of the event's late inception. "The Winter Bash was a last minute decision after the success of Fall Ball," he said. This price, he said, is the result of the difference in expense to the Programming Board between A Tid Bit Nippy and the more costly Winter Bash. "We took the funding that was already allocated for Tid Bit Nippy and put that towards Winter Bash, and the only way we could cover the rest of the unforeseen expenses was by charging tickets," Perkari said. The price of the ticket is not a deterrent for sophomore Lauren Capraro-Gentuso. "I think there's a lot of incentive [to attend the Winter Bash] because you can pay with points - that's basically your parents' money!" she said. Capraro-Gentuso is excited at the prospect of such a social event in the midst of the currently dismal weather. This year's Fall Ball was attended by 3,700 students. As for attendance to the Winter Bash, "we aren't quite sure what to expect, but we are optimistic," Masone said.

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AL teams have busy offseason

January 27

It's going to be a few months before we see baseball players return to the field (and some might be hard to recognize due to the new steroid agreement), but battles are being waged just as fiercely as ever off the field between many playoff contenders. Let's start with the New York Yankees, who as usual targeted a player (Randy Johnson) and got him no matter what the cost. It's hard to fault the Yankees because if there is one player who can transform a team, especially in the postseason, it's the Big Unit. Despite his advanced age, he's still getting better and he only needs to stay healthy to succeed. The Bombers also upgraded their pitching by signing Carl Pavano to a four year, $40 million deal. Pavano has a history of injury problems and has had only one sterling season (2004), yet he has shown signs of becoming a very consistent starter recently thanks to improved control. Pavano's strikeout to walk ratio has improved in each of the last three seasons. The other major move by New York was a head scratcher of sorts. The Yankees signed pitcher Jaret Wright to a three year, $21 million deal. Wright had a great 2004 season, but how many times have we seen other teams overvalue Atlanta Braves starters? Whether it is Bobby Cox, Leo Mazzone, the Braves equipment manager, or something else, Atlanta pitchers always seem to outperform their expectations in Atlanta and flop everywhere else (see Millwood, Kevin and Avery, Steve). Of course the Boston Red Sox were active as well this offseason. Boston's number one objective was to resign Jason Varitek and that was accomplished when he signed a four year, $40 million contract. The contract might be a tad expensive, but Varitek's intangibles are tough to measure. Pitcher Curt Schilling claimed the club would have had "no chance" of repeating as champions if Varitek was not re-signed. Another major splash by Boston was the acquisition of shortstop Edgar Renteria, who also agreed to a four year, $40 million contract. Again, it looks like Boston overpaid to a degree, yet the shortstop market was limited and Boston wisely chose to go all out for the most consistent shortstop on the market. Everyone loved Orlando Cabrera and his animated handshakes in the dugout, but considering Ocab got a four year, $32 million deal, Boston looks like it got better value for its money (more on this later). Boston also bolstered its rotation by adding Matt Clement, David Wells, and Wade Miller. The Miller signing was a stroke of genius, as the 28-year-old has excellent stuff and just needs to stay healthy (which is a big "if" as he is recovering from a labrum injury). The Wells signing also made a lot of sense for Boston. The Sox will finally have a decent lefthander in the rotation and Wells is a strike-throwing machine. Boomer's back could be a problem, but Boston wisely signed him to an incentive-laden deal to compensate for the risk. Clement has had some fine seasons, but if he really starts to put things together, he could be dominant. The Seattle Mariners made big waves in the free agent market by signing both third baseman Adrian Beltre and first baseman Richie Sexson to long term deals. Yet both players present some considerable risk. Beltre might be a one-hit wonder: his 2004 season was spectacular, but his six other seasons were fairly mediocre. But he's still only 25 and he has developed into a more patient hitter, which should serve him well in the future. Sexson is a question mark because he is coming off serious shoulder surgery. Also, moving to the spacious grounds of Safeco Field won't help the home run hitter either, so this signing looks like a mistake considering it will cost the Mariners $50 million over four seasons. The Minnesota Twins accomplished their goal of keeping Brad Radke. Radke wins the "We Need More Players Like This in Sports Award" for quickly signing a two-year, $18 million contract when he probably could have gotten more from other teams. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (yes, in case you haven't been paying attention that's the idiotic new name of the team) weren't quite the big players that everyone thought they might be this offseason. Some expected Anaheim to go after Nomar Garciaparra and Carlos Beltran, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Golden State of California decided to go after centerfielder Steve Finley and Orlando Cabrera. Finley represented a more affordable solution at centerfield; despite being 39 he's continuing to put up decent numbers. Meanwhile, Cabrera is a solid player but the four year, $32 million deal probably has a lot to do with increased World Series exposure (the same goes for Derek Lowe and the Los Angeles Dodgers). Cabrera is an excellent defender and had good 2001 and 2003 seasons, but he's not really a standout hitter and at 30-years-old he's not likely to get much better. Finally, though the Oakland A's didn't make much of a splash in the free agent market (surprise!) they did make two major trades as they dealt two of their "big three" starters, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson. The two deals are like the opposite of every New York Yankee trade: they should hurt the A's a bit in the short term, but should be a long term improvement because the A's wouldn't have been able to keep Hudson and Mulder anyways.

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Tufts student band together for tsunami relief efforts

January 27

Most Tufts students witnessed the damage caused by the tsunami that decimated Southeast Asia's coastlines on Dec. 26 secondhand. But for some, the effects of the massive tsunami -- which resulted from an earthquake in the depths of the Indian Ocean -- hit closer to home. Now students at Tufts, along with millions around the world, are donating their time and money to relief efforts for the tsunami's victims. Sophomore Jocelyn Halim is from Jakarta, Indonesia, which is located not far from Aceh, a province that was hit hard by the tsunami. Halim is the founder of the Jumbo Tsunami Relief Fund, an initiative that will take place from Jan. 30 - Feb. 11 and will include fundraisers like raffles, a Singaporean dessert sale, origami folding and a service auction. Although Halim lives far enough from Aceh that she was not in grave danger when the tsunami hit over winter break, she feels that the disaster has involved her entire country, and she is eager to help. "Even though [Aceh is] a different island, everyone is affected [by such a disaster]," she said. In the days after the tsunami hit, Halim recalls soldiers going door-to-door asking for donations of food and clothing. Sophomore Pongrat Aroonvatanaporn of Thailand is another one of the Fund's organizers. He and his family were also unaffected by the tsunami, since they were trekking in Northern Thailand at the time. "We were not aware of the degree of the disaster," said Aroonvatanaporn, who had initially only heard about the tsunami through a brief phone conversation. "The degree of the disaster was beyond our imagination, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I first learned of the death toll." Aroonvatanaporn did not know any of the victims personally, but the youngest daughter of his mother's friend, who lived in Khao Lak -- one of the hardest-hit regions in Thailand -- died. She was a student at Rhode Island School of Design. Senior Niki Luhur, a native of Jakarta, Indonesia, was shocked to learn the extent of the damage. "[I saw] images of corpses floating in the tide," Luhur said. The coverage by the media was "definitely one hundred times more graphic in Indonesia [than it was in the United States]." "I arrived home the day before [the tsunami struck], on Christmas Day," said senior Avantika Taneja, who is also from Jakarta. "The event severely darkened the holiday season all around Indonesia." According to both Taneja and Luhur, there is currently a politically contentious situation that exists between the devastated Aceh province and the rest of Indonesia. "When the tsunami hit, the area was essentially attempting a separatist movement and in a state of emergency, and thus was very isolated," Luhur said. "[That's why] the leaders of the province have demanded all foreign aid workers must leave by Mar. 31." Taneja agreed that the region is divided. "There was a national mourning period, but the fragmented island prohibited great national unity," Taneja said. "I didn't feel an overwhelming sense of nationhood like in Thailand, where volunteers could travel from all corners of the country to help." All three of these Indonesian students felt a great surge of support and a willingness to help from both the worldwide community and the Tufts community. "It's great how every nation put everything aside and focused on helping," said Luhur, who received a plethora of e-mails from concerned friends at Tufts. Taneja, too, valued the tremendous international response and the concern from the Tufts community. She took part in clothing and food drives for much of her winter break. "A large portion of my break was spent receiving and returning e-mails from worried friends," said Taneja, who added that a few of her friends even donated aid on her behalf. "I even got a letter from the Tufts International Center, which was sent out to students to make sure of their safety." Luhur urges Tufts students to continue donating to legitimate humanitarian aid agencies. (See today's Campus Comment.) They can also become involved with the Jumbo Tsunami Relief Fund, which aims to spread awareness of the tragedy at Tufts and to raise money for the long-term recovery of the children affected by the disaster. The group has been joined by a number of other existing organizations on campus hoping to help, including the Indonesian Club, the Thai Club, and the Singapore Students Association. Through fundraisers and donations, the Relief Fund hopes to raise at least $10,000 for UNICEF over its two-week span. The Fund will also continue collecting after Feb. 11, aided by organizations like the Tufts Association of South Asians, which will donate the money raised from its culture show later in the semester to tsunami relief efforts.

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