NBA Talk: The Delay of Rose

Posted by Andrew Shi

On Wednesday, the Bulls, without Derrick Rose, without Joakim Noah and without two more of their supporting cast members, defeated the red hot Miami Heat. They took the lead early but allowed the Heat to catch up before winning by four points. The Bulls' victory ended a 27 game streak that had put the Heat on the cusp of breaking the '71-'72 Lakers record of 33 games won in a row.

There had been three teams that could have plausibly ended the Heat's streak: The Spurs, the Knicks, and, tentatively, the Bulls -- very tentatively. What's important to take away from this game, though, is not the remorse of coming close to experiencing one of the greatest win streaks in NBA history, but the pressing thought of what would be the current seeding if the Bulls had Derrick Rose.

The Bulls were able to overcome the Heat without their eccentric center, Joakim Noah. But Noah has been intact for most of the season and the Bulls are just barely clinging to fifth place in the Eastern conference. If Derrick Rose, 2011 season MVP, was back, would the picture be different? Undoubtedly, yes. Many critics, analysts, commentators, fans and bandwagoners agree that the only threat to the Heat for the Eastern Conference championship is the Bulls with Derrick Rose.

Fortunately for every fan that just wishes to watch the Heat burn, rumors are circulating that the return of Rose is imminent, and many had expected him to return for the Heat game. But he didn't, and perhaps he shouldn't.

It might be best if Rose took the rest of the season off. It's possible that a Bulls rearmed with Rose could seriously challenge the Heat for the Eastern Conference, but Rose hasn't played a game all season; he's practiced, but that is much different than games.

There will be contact in games, especially in the playoffs. The same rumors percolating through the web also reveal that the only thing holding Rose back from the court is not a doctor's note (his doctor has been quoted as saying Rose is ready to return), but that Rose lacks the confidence to return. And that is fair; a knee injury as severe as his (torn ACL) is a frightening thing to return from.

For that reason, it's unlikely that the Bulls, with an overly cautious Rose who is unsure of his own abilities and body, can take on the Heat.

It may be best for the Bulls to let this season go and permit Rose to take off the rest of the season and summer to train and restore the confidence that allowed him to lead his team to victory and the best record in league in the 2011-2012 season. After Jordan, the Bulls waited a long time for another superstar of this caliber that could lead them to another championship. They can wait one more year.

A glimpse into the origins of fetishism

Posted by Kate Butler

On the evening of Mar. 20, 2013, Dr. Elizabeth Perez of Dartmouth College brought the culture and history of fetishism and voodoo to life for the students and faculty gathered in Emerson Auditorium.

In her lecture, titled "Inventing the Fetish: Voodoo, Religion and the European Thing for African Objects," sponsored by the College's religion and philosophy departments, Perez discussed the origins and evolution of voodoo in Africa spurred by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, its new roots in the New World and its distorted image in European viewpoints and representations in popular culture today.

The spiritually and ritually significant objects known as fetishes were similar to talismans in voodoo worship, but did not have same connotations they carry today. Perez claims that while the Europeans discovered fetishes, the objects were actually invented during the evolution and demonization of voodoo in the New World, a process caused primarily by European interference and misinterpretation, as well as the slave trade. The exoticism and power of African objects fascinated Europeans, but they considered ritual objects to be connected to an unfamiliar polytheistic tradition that was viewed as sacrilegious, much in the same way that Africans were considered to be subhuman.

These objects of worship were made from a variety of materials and were unique to their owner. Slaves brought these talismans from their homes to the plantations of the New World, only to have them confiscated by plantation owners or missionaries. Already stripped of their independence, the slaves also lost these important objects, which were deemed inferior and replaced by "worthy" religious objects like rosaries.

The creation and use of the term "fetish" and the glorification of a supposedly viable religion reinforced the "worthless" and unreligious view of the objects and the style of worship they represented. This created and emphasized a contrast between religion, especially Christianity, and fetishism, setting them as opposites.

Despite the confiscation of fetishes, the spiritual rituals and traditions survived, as can be seen by the spread of voodoo throughout areas of the New World like the American South and the Caribbean. However, the European viewpoint and mindset of fetishism has also survived in many ways, impacting the views and portrayals of voodoo and fetishes in popular culture today. Although there have been many negative and distorted depictions of voodoo and its followers, it continues to endure despite the stereotypes. As Perez concluded, in the end worship is a private matter, and one's ideas about what constitutes religion depend on personal beliefs of ritual and faith. 

SGA: the passing thought in need of change

Posted by The Editorial Board

As Student Government Association elections are happening, it is a relevant time to consider how we hope to improve SGA in the upcoming year.

Skidmore's student body is very involved -- we have an impressive number of clubs, which contrasts the lack of interest in SGA. SGA should be the most important organization on campus; it represents the study body to the administration, organizes the few events that bind this college as a community, and is responsible for the budgets and finances of other clubs. Yet SGA often doesn't garner enough interest to even fill its open positions. An organization chartered to fulfill so many important roles should be a topic of interest among students; the fact that it is not is a gross failure.  

This shortcoming cannot be attributed to a single party, but to both SGA and the Skidmore student body.

SGA needs to advertise itself better, and part of this issue can be addressed by making SGA more visible to the community, as many of the candidates on Speech Night pointed out. When important topics of interest arise, why not survey the community on their opinion? It would not only make the jobs of SGA officers easier, but include the rest of the student body. Perhaps every once in a while the Class Presidents can hold a short thirty minute session at the SPA to update interested classmates on current events and plans, and to answer any of their questions. The occasional email and open-around-the-clock front desk are both helpful, but are clearly not enough. More visibility in students' lives will directly lead to an increase in the importance that students attach to SGA, which in turn will galvanize more student involvement.

What may dissuade students from joining SGA, though, is that they do not know exactly what the SGA does. One too many people at Skidmore understand SGA as a glorified party-planner. While SGA is responsible for organizing events such as Fun Day and Moorebid, it does much more than that. SGA needs to better convey what the exact functions of each and every one of its offices are --from SGA President to Class Secretary to Senator.  And feel free to glorify these roles as much as you please. Send students these descriptions, post them on your website, and certainly post them on your underutilized Facebook page.

If the student body understood the purpose of SGA, a few more students might just run for open offices, and it would certainly be encouraging if so many candidates running for office did not do so unopposed.  Wednesday night's Speech Night quickly grew long as the few who attended listened to countless monologues and endured pointless Q & A sessions directed at the sole candidate.

The lack of interest in our SGA and community is an embarrassment, and SGA needs to do what it can to improve its current stature among students. Hopefully, the new SGA will bring the needed change it has promised.  Albeit, most of those who will take their seats at fall's first SGA meeting will be the same that led this current SGA.

But SGA can do only so much. Students at Skidmore need to take an interest in their school; being involved does not require one to run for office, just to read the occasional email from SGA and bring your needs and ideas to their attention. SGA's officers have expressed many times their eagerness to listen, and while they are ultimately responsible for the change that will improve our school and community, they cannot do it alone, and as mere representatives of the student body, they shouldn't have to.

Campus Safety Reports: March 15 to 21

Incidents of Note:
?  Sunday, March 17-Campus Safety Assist: A scrape reported at 6:10 p.m. on the reporting person's vehicle's rear bumper that was sustained when parked in Falstaff's parking lot over the spring break. Unknown cause or perpetrator at this time. Report issued.
?  Tuesday, March 19-Accident: Vehicle reported 11:57 a.m. off of Perimeter Road. Officer reported that a co-worker had pulled the van back onto the road. No damage to the vehicle or College property. Report issued.
?  Tuesday, March 19-Alarm: Alarm activation received at 2:04 p.m. for the panic alarm of the Cashiers Office in the Barrett Center. Officers and the Saratoga Springs Police Department dispatched. Prior to the SSPD's arrival, the activation was determined to be in error.
Further Incidents:
Friday, March 15:
?  Emergency Phone: Emergency blue light activation received at 7:27 p.m. at the Hillside Apartments. Officer dispatched reported no one in the area. False activation.
Saturday, March 16:
?  Power Outage: Campus-wide planned power outage initiated at 7 a.m. Prepared procedures initiated. Full National Grid restored at 2:15 p.m.
Sunday, March 17:
?  College Violation: Excessively loud stereo reported at 2:40 a.m. in McClellan Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the resident complied with the request to lower the volume.
?  Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 5:53 a.m. for the Hillside Apartments. Officers, the Saratoga Springs Fire Department and maintenance advised. Cause of activation determined to be burnt food. Report issued.
?  Criminal Mischief: Criminal mischief reported at 4:45 p.m. at McClellan Hall. Report issued.
?  Campus Safety Assist: An escort requested at 7:33 p.m. for a student from Case Center to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room. Transport completed. Report issued.
Monday, March 18:
?  College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:05 a.m. at Whitman Way. Officers dispatched reported that residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
?  Campus Safety Assist: Officer reported a wooden bench seat broken at 3:44 a.m. outside of Starbuck Center. Unknown damage due to vandalism or weathering. Damage recorded.
Tuesday, March 19:
?  Campus Safety Assist: An escort requested at 3:10 a.m. from the Saratoga Springs Emergency Room back to her residence. Officer provided the transport.
?  Accident: Report received at 6:15 a.m. that a plow truck had hit a light pole in the Arthur Zankel Music Building parking lot. No personal injury reported. Damage recorded. Report issued.
?  Campus Safety Assist: Three subjects reported at 5:10 p.m. sliding on the roof of the Tang Teaching Museum disrupting cameras. Subjects requested to vacate the area and they complied.
?  Solicitation: Males reported at 6:18 p.m. soliciting at Cane Crossing. Dispatched officers located the subjects and escorted them off campus. Report issued.
?  College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 11:56 p.m. coming from an apartment at Dayton Drive. Dispatched officers reported that the subjects lowered the volume upon request.
Wednesday, March 20:
?  Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 4:46 p.m. at McClellan Hall. Dispatched all officers, the Saratoga Springs Fire Department and maintenance. Alarm activation determined to be from burnt food. Report issued.
?  Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:39 p.m. outside of Starbuck Center near Wiecking Hall. Subjects fled from the area as the officer approached.
Thursday, March 21:
?  Campus Safety Assist: Transport requested at 5:20 p.m. to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room. Dispatched officer completed the transport.
?  College Violation: A loud noise reported at 8:13 p.m. at a Hillside Apartment. Officer dispatched reported that the resident lowered the volume upon request.
?  College Violation: A loud stereo reported at 10:36 p.m. at Moore Way. Officer dispatched reported that the resident lowered the volume upon request.

Film Forum: Amour: Michael Haneke's honest portrayal of love and loss is a cathartic experience

Posted by Kathryn Butler

Elderly couple Georges and Anne (Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva) have for decades shared their lives and their great love for music and, most of all, for each other,. Now in their eighties, the couple seems peacefully settled; their only daughter, Eva (Isabelle Huppert), has grown up into a musician herself and is living abroad with her own family, and Georges and Anne are content in their retirement from teaching. One evening, they happily attend the concert of Anne's former student (Alexandre Tharaud), unaware that it will be one of the last nights they enjoy together.
A few mornings later, their lives change forever in a single moment-the moment when Anne freezes during breakfast, suffering a stroke that goes unnoticed by them both, before snapping back to the present. Although neither one notices this brief lapse, its repercussions are devastating to them both. Georges can only watch helplessly as his beloved wife fades rapidly, signaling the end of their love and life together.
Michael Haneke's Oscar-winning film offers a brutally honest and wrenching view of life and death, yet celebrates the strength and bond of love that lasts a lifetime.
Amour will be showing in French with English subtitles at the Saratoga Film Forum at 320 Broadway this Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, March 31 at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for students.

Men's lacrosse falls to Williams

Posted by Katie Peverada

With 6:26 left to play in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, the men's lacrosse team looked poised to rally from being down 13-9. Their attempt to overcome their second four-goal deficit of the game was not enough, as they fell to the Ephs of Williams College 13-11.
Williams won the opening face off, and Conor Roddy soon scored for them. Less than five minutes later, Skidmore came right back on a man-down goal by Mike Perlow '13, which would prove to be the first of his season-high five goals. Williams, though, would up their lead to four goals as the Thoroughbreds found themselves trailing 5-1 with 13:53 left to play in the second quarter.
The Thoroughbreds went on a tear, scoring five of the game's next six goals, evening the score at 6-6. Perlow tallied his second and third goals on the run, while JP Sullivan '13 added two and Bryan Connolly 13' added one.
But the Ephs never allowed the Thoroughbreds to take the lead, as they scored seven of the next 10 goals to task Skidmore with overcoming a 13-9 deficit. And while the Thoroughbreds made a charge, late goals from Sullivan and Kevin Mulvey '16 were not enough to complete the comeback.
Offensively, Perlow's five goals proved to be the game-high, while Sullivan finished with three goals, and Mulvey and Matt Ohara '15 each had one. Connolly ended with one goal and one assist. Jon Hoeg '13 added two assists while Taylor Best '14 added one. Conor Roddy and Evan Dedominicis each had three goals to lead the Ephs.
Defensively, Matt Diaco '14 finished with 10 saves on 13 shots. Sam Christiansen '15 had six groundballs and Thomas Park '15 had four.
The Thoroughbreds fall to 2-6 on the year, but look to get back on track in Liberty League action Saturday in a home game against Vassar at 1 p.m.

Corita Kent Day inspires participants to "think, act, and love": Corita Art Day encouraged

Posted by Gabrielle Gignoux-Wolfsohn

"She was driven by poetic, liberally-minded humanism," Michael Duncan, a Los Angeles Curator said of artist Corita Kent during a panel discussion dedicated to her at the Tang Museum last Thursday, March 21. The discussion was part of "Corita Art Day," a day devoted to Kent's activism, artwork, and life. The day was in conjunction with an exhibition of her work currently on display at the Tang.

Throughout the panel discussion, which featured three scholars of her life and work, the audience got a sense for how unique Corita's artwork and her teaching styles were. Each of the panelists offered a different expertise: Michael Duncan focused on the distinction of her work from others; Cynthia Burlingham, director of the Grunwald Center for Graphic Arts, discussed Kent's unorthodox teaching style; and Sasha Carrerra, who is the director of the Corita Kent Center, offered quotes and accounts from people who knew Kent personally.

Kent, once known as Sister Mary Corita, was a nun at the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Los Angeles. She worked exclusively in the medium of screen-printing for many years, but her style changed greatly over time. She began by printing scenes with religious figures but, after the Catholic Church deemed the artwork to be offensive, she began to more subtly incorporate her religious messages into her artwork. She then turned her focus to advertisements, manipulating ad images and printing scripture within the lettering. As Michael Duncan described it, she was "tweaking the sanctity and power of advertising."

Kent continued to extend her alternative vision in the way she taught when she was made head of the Art Department at the Immaculate Heart College. She stressed to her students that they were experimenting, not making art, and that it was the process that mattered, not the product. Students recall her assigning impossible tasks such as to read all of the books in the library or create five hundred drawings in a short amount of time, or-during a three-hour class-draw three inches of a student's forearm. When students objected to the latter assignment, Kent would slyly respond, "you can choose any part of your forearm." After leaving the order in 1968, Kent moved to Boston to work exclusively on her artwork until her death in 1986.

Following the panel discussion, we watched a video of Kent leading a lecture and exercise that was devoted to bringing strangers out of their social comfort zone. After, we were instructed to look under our seat, where we found a small paper bag containing the objects that those in the video had just been using: colorful tissue paper, a plastic glove, a confetti popper, and a poem. We placed the tissue paper around the head of a stranger, blew up our plastic gloves and read the poem to them holding the glove to their ear. After this exercise, we put our poppers in the air and pulled the string. A sense of intimacy, fun and love filled the room-a fitting tribute to Kent's art. 

Outside the Payne room, the Tang was filled with screen-printing stations with Corita's stencils, old magazines, glue and scissors for collaging. Mary Leigh Roohan played music to accompany the activities. Someday Is Now, containing over two hundred of Corita's pieces, invites us to observe, think, act and love. The exhibit will be in the Tang until July 28, 2013.

SGA Holds Spring Elections: Contested positions include VP of Financial Affairs, Senior Class President and SGA President

Posted by Julia Martin

On March 28, Skidmore SGA held Speech Night, which featured candidates running for Executive Committee and Inter-Class Council positions. Each candidate was given the opportunity to speak for a maximum of three minutes, followed by a question and answer session. Amanda Seres '13, VP of Communications and Outreach moderated the elections.
The majority of candidates are running unopposed for their selected position. This included the Sophomore Class President candidate Prince Tsabedze and Junior Class President candidate Soraya Attia . Both are returning candidates, Tsabedze having served as First-Year Class President for the class of 2016 and Attia having served as First-Year and Sophomore Class President for the class of 2015. Addison Bennett '16 is running unopposed for the position of VP of Club Affairs; Madeleine Kanazawa '15 is running unopposed for VP of Communications; Jonathan Lynn '16 is running unopposed for VP of Diversity Affairs and Andrew Lowy '15 is running unopposed for VP of Academic Affairs.
Two candidates are competing for the position as VP of Financial Affairs. Ben Bechand '14 and Eric Bereguete '15. Bechand cited his experience as co-president of Skidaiko as attributing to his knowledge of the club funding process. Bechand promised to help coordinate co-sponsorship agreements for club events when SGA funding isn't enough. Bereguete referenced his experience on the Budget and Finance Committee and promised to represent the student voice on the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee (IPPC). Both candidates expressed desire to make the club funding process less intimidating for students.
The position for Senior Class President is also being pursued by two candidates: Xavier Hatten '14 and Laura Venner '14. In his speech, Hatten expressed goals to "make Skidmore a closer and more inclusive place," adding, "we should consistently be looking out for new methods for making Skidmore more cohesive." Hatten spoke of plans to strengthen connections with the Saratoga Community through sponsorship of more community-wide events. Hatten elaborated on his dedication to the Skidmore community, stating "the job is not done when the meeting has finished or the event has ended." Venner aims to increase the number of events for students, as well as host the events in off-campus venues. Venner's platform cites her openness through office hours (she was the first class president to do so), her leadership of the Good Sex is" campaign and involvement in the planning of the 5K fundraiser for the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Venner's plans for next year include monthly pub-crawls and bar-hops to raise money for senior week, stating "the senior class needs to go out with a bang."
During the question and answer portion, the two expressed goals of greater involvement of the senior class in the selection of commencement speakers-citing the recent selection of controversial businesswoman Cynthia Carroll as the 2013 commencement speaker. Venner expressed desire to "cater to student's ideas" for campus events and Hatten spoke of goals to "improve the efficiency and visibility" of the Inter-Class Council's inner-workings.
The position for SGA President is being pursued by Sam Harris '15 and Jess Sonnenfeld '14. Harris opened by stating that "experience is not measured by years in a seat or semesters in a classroom, but by the quality of one's accomplishments." Harris referenced his founding of Skidmore Organizing for Collaborative Change, a club aimed at galvanizing on-campus student involvement, mentioning his aims to "hold students to higher standards." Sonnenfeld referenced her strength of connections. "What sets me apart is my experience in working and forming relationships with members of the administration." She expressed her capability in acting as an advocate for potentially intimidated students who wish to have contact with members of the administration. "I've worked tirelessly to put myself in a position to help students with their projects."
Harris currently serves as VP of Club Affairs and Sonnenfeld currently serves as VP for Residential Affairs and Junior Class Treasurer.
Sonnenfeld is responsible for starting the first Fall Fun Day, which took place in September 2012, and co-chaired the committee that founded the Committee on Student Life. She wishes to increase transparency between students and the administration and create a sense of unity among students.
Harris helped create the Skidmore Engaged Leadership Program and amended the chartering process for clubs. He wishes to increase civic engagement on campus and strengthen the voice of individuals, SGA and the student body as a whole.
When asked their proudest moment serving SGA, Sonnenfeld cited her experience co-chairing the committee to evaluate the Inter-Hall Board and her formation of the Committee on Student Life. Harris cited his work with members of SOCC. Harris was asked how he would understand senior needs as a member of the rising junior class and Sonnenfeld was asked how she would understand the needs of underclassmen as a member of the rising senior class. Sonnenfeld spoke of plans to eat three meals a week in D-hall to speak and connect to underclassmen. Harris spoke of his relationships with members of the current senior class which he says has given him a glimpse into their lives and needs. In regards to a question pertaining to the marginalization of certain student demographics on campus, Harris spoke of plans to increase campus dialogue. Sonnenfeld expressed her aims in making herself accessible to all students.
The event lasted two and a half hours, and was attended by roughly 35 students (including the candidates)-less then 2% of the student body. Candidates and members of the audience were engaged and active, even asking detailed questions of the candidates running for uncontested positions. Many of the candidates spoke of the lack of student involvement and knowledge of the inner-workings of SGA.
Voting for SGA candidates will be open all day Thursday, March 28. Voting booths will be available in the dining hall and in Case center. Students may also access the voting ballot through SGA's website.

March Madness: Busted brackets, Harvard and Dunk City

Posted by Katie Peverada

Every year around this time, sports fans dutifully fill out a bracket for the NCAA tournament. Usually there's an upset or two, but by the Sweet Sixteen most of the teams that are supposed to be alive still are, and besides the expected 12 seed upset over the 5 seed, our brackets are in good shape.
But let's face it: this year, everyone's bracket is toast. We've been busted by teams we've never even heard of, or by teams that weren't supposed to win. How were we supposed to know a team that just started Division I competition a few years ago is going to pull off two upsets in a row? Or that a school known more for its non-athletic alumni would be victorious? That's the thing, though: we aren't supposed to know those things. And it's what makes having our brackets blown-up bearable, or even fun. But while this year seems like it's particularly mad, it really isn't.
Usually, these teams all have a similar blueprint. Take Virginia Commonwealth University in the 2011 NCAA tournament. They made a run all the way from the First Four, the play-in games, to the Final Four, becoming known for their young coach's
"Havoc" defense. Or take a look at the No. 5 seed Butler Bulldogs in the 2010 tournament. A school of just 4,500 advanced all the way to the National Championship under the tutelage of young Brad Stevens and his "Butler Way" system. Frankly, this year is no different than those before it.
On Dec. 22, 2012, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles lost to the University of Maine Blackbears 84-78 in front of 980 people in Orono, Maine. Now the No. 15 seeded Eagles have grabbed the spotlight and their Cinderella story is being shared across the country. After upsetting No. 2 seeded Georgetown, they went on to beat No. 7 seeded San Diego State. They are the first ever 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16. The Eagles are built like all the past Cinderella teams, with an upstart coach, Andy Enfield, and a certain style of play that is being broadcasted everywhere, "Dunk City." The Eagles have gone from losing to a team from arguably one of the least-competitive conferences in Division I Basketball to having their victorious smiles plastered all over the Internet.
And then there's No. 14, Harvard. While you might think Harvard has a stellar basketball program because of last year's Linsanity craze, it's not what you think. Harvard plays in the Ivy League, a conference whose schools don't even give out athletic scholarships. Harvard has the second-worst all-time win percentage in that conference, behind only Brown. It has to deal with tougher admissions requirements, as well as the stigma that they're just a team of nerds. That's what made their upset of No. 3 New Mexico, Harvard's first ever NCAA tournament victory, so great. The Crimson finally won somewhere else than in the classroom.
Meanwhile, three No. 12 seeds scored victories over No. 5 seeds, with the Cal, Ole Miss and Oregon defeating UNLV, Wisconsin and Oklahoma State, respectively. And No. 13 La Salle beat No. 4 seed Kansas State to move on. Doesn't it seem like a lot of upsets? Not really.
Take a step back, and look: most of the big names are still in it, with Indiana, Duke, Florida, Michigan and Ohio State still standing. All in all, there are still three No. 1 seeds, three No. 2 seeds, three No. three seeds and two No. 4 seeds.
So really, the only difference between this year and years past is that there is more parity in the earlier rounds. The country is simply getting to see smaller-market teams play good basketball, something that will most likely come to an end following this tournament. Hopefully it won't, though, and the Eagles will keep rolling.

Professor Crystal Dea Moore wins 2013 Mit Joyner Gerontology Leadership Award: The national honor recognizes leaders in the field of gerontology

Posted by Julia Martin

Associate professor and Chair of the Social Work Program Crystal Dea Moore received the 2013 Mit Joyner Gerontology Leadership Award at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Director's annual conference on March 8 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The award recognizes leaders in the field of gerontology who have inspired undergraduate students through scholarship, best practices and community connections. Moore was nominated for the national honor by colleagues from the University of West Virginia and the University of Portland, and letters of support were submitted by numerous students and faculty members.
The purpose of the Mit Joyner Gerontology Leadership Award is to advance leadership in the field of gerontology, the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging, for undergraduates. It was created in honor of Mildred "Mit" Joyner, a professor and chair emeriti of the undergraduate social work department at West Chester University. The award pays tribute to Joyner's leadership and vision in the work of gerontology social work.
Moore earned her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Behavioral Sciences from California State University, and went on to earn a Master of Social Work and PhD in Social Welfare at the University of Albany. In 2005 Moore published the award-winning book: Palliative Practices: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Moore has also received the National Community Action Award from the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, a fellowship from the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, and the Anita Rosen Award for Best Practices in Gerontological Infusion in Baccalaureate Social Work Curricula from the Council on Social Work Education Gero-Ed Center. Moore recently worked as a visiting professor in Sweden and serves on the Advisory Committee of Saratoga Vital Aging Network.

Moore's research and work with elders primarily focuses on family care-giving and communication among elders, family members and health care professionals. One of her most recent studies examined alcohol consumption patterns among American and Swedish elders.
When asked what first inspired her to study gerontology, Moore said, "it seems as though I have always been interested in gerontology. I was primarily raised by my father who was an older man-people often thought he was my grandfather-and my maternal grandmother. So, I was always around older people and felt comfortable and at home with them."
Moore also cited her doctoral work at the University of Albany, where she studied with several prominent gerontologists, as the moment her personal interest in the elderly developed into a professional passion.
Although Moore is a nationally recognized expert in gerontology, much of her work and achievements are felt closer at home.

"Crystal is very inspiring and her research within social work is remarkable. She is very hard-working and is passionate about her students and the individuals she serves. I am thankful that I was able to attend the ceremony at the BPD conference because I was able to see my role model be recognized for her hard work. It was very encouraging and it also excited me. It re-emphasized how lucky I am to have her as my professor, mentor, and friend," Ashley Reynolds '14 said. Reynolds attended the conference with Moore.

"I hope to spark an interest in my students in working with older people either while at Skidmore or beyond," Moore said. "There are definitely social work opportunities with this population, it's one of the fastest growing segments of the profession-and one of the most rewarding."

Reel Talk: Life of Pi: ?Life of Pi? is a powerful and visually astounding story?even on DVD

Posted by Sean van der Heijden

Life of Pi is a spiritual journey that contemplates the meaning and existence of religion through telling the miraculous, imaginative tale of Pi's survival at sea for more than 300 days. After his family decides to leave India, Pi gets stranded in the Pacific Ocean during a terrible storm, left on a small boat with minimal supplies and, of all things, a Bengal tiger.

The relationship between Pi-who is brilliantly acted by Suraj Sharma-and the tiger is one of the most fascinating aspects of this film. Having only each other for company, the two must learn to cooperate instead of living in constant fear of one another. This relationship is at times terrifying, at times heartwarming and at times rather tragic. Director Ang Lee depicts this vivid range perfectly, using many close-ups to capture the characters' emotions, as well as sweeping wide shots that accentuate the beautiful imagery he was able to capture and create.

The film is, in one word, beautiful. The scenery is incredibly gorgeous, and all the more impressive considering a large majority of Pi's time at sea was filmed using a green screen. In fact, much of the film is computer-generated, including many of the landscapes and, for the most part, the tiger, who is given a personality of his own. He is what truly makes 'Life of Pi' a technical masterpiece. He is so lifelike; it is impossible to tell when they used a real tiger, which they did for a few scenes, and when he was computer-generated.

Considering the visual effects, this film is a massive triumph, albeit much of its success must be attributed to Mychael Danna's hauntingly beautiful score and Lee's masterful direction. (Both men earned Oscars for their work). Although this film is primarily visual, and I certainly regret not going to see it in the theaters, it still worked just as well on a smaller screen, and is definitely worth watching.

Even the Best Laid Plans...

Posted by JT Treadwell

Bon Appetit

Posted by Julia Leef

Saludos!

By the time this article goes up on The Skidmore News website, you all will be back from vacation, getting back into the swing of classes and lining up for some D-Hall food (or ordering take-out, if you live in the apartments without the convenience of a full meal-plan).

Depending on where you go in Spain, the native food isn't that much different from American food. Like any country, Spain has regional recipes, but if I'm ever craving something American, there's a Burger King, McDonald's, and three or four American-themed restaurants within walking distance.

While the food itself may not be radically different from what I'm used to, the times and quantity of the meals are. Nearly three months into my study abroad experience, and I still don't think I've completely adjusted to the food schedule yet.

Breakfast in Spain is a small, individual affair. Most people only grab an apple or a piece of toast before heading off to work or school, and the commercialized "part of a complete breakfast" meals are atypical of the average Spanish household.

Lunch, however, which for many people in the United States is a considerably larger affair to get you through the rest of the day, is also a small meal. In fact, while "desayunar" (to eat breakfast) and "cenar" (to eat dinner) are common vocabulary terms, the verb "to eat lunch" (almorzar) is uncommon in everyday conversation. Instead, people simply say "comer" or "to eat," and lunch is referred to as "la comida."

However, this may be disputable. In doing some browsing online, I saw that lunch is actually considered the biggest meal in Spanish culture, with multiple courses followed by a siesta to sleep it off. While the siesta bit is true, in my experience I've found that lunch isn't really a huge meal, which may have to do in part with the changing times.

While traditional families would have set aside time in the workday for a big meal, I have observed that people nowadays are more occupied and scattered during the day, which makes a group, several hour-long meal impossible. At least, this is what I've seen in my time here, and it is very likely something that varies with each family.

For me, the hardest meal to get used to by far is dinner, mostly because Spaniards don't eat until 9 or 10 p.m.. This has been pretty difficult to adjust to, since I get hungry around 5 or 6 p.m. but still have hours ahead of me before I can eat. But when we finally eat, we eat.

Spaghetti, salads, sausage, bread and tortillas are not options, they're courses. I can barely get through two plates myself, but still my host mother insists, "come m??s! come m??s!" It's a good thing that dinner is a long affair for us, because I need time to digest before I can eat more.

In my time here, I've tried many new foods, and I'd like to share with you the recipe of one of my favorites: tortilla de patatas. If you're not a fan of meat, you can still enjoy this, although, considering people in Spain put meat, especially ham, in everything (I mean it, ask for a vegetable sandwich and you still get ham and tuna), it's pretty rare to find a vegetarian tortilla de patatas.
Ingredients
? 6-7 medium-sized potatoes, peeled
? 1 yellow onion
? 5-6 large eggs
? 2-3 cups of olive oil
? salt

1. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and then slice these into thin strips. One-eighth of an inch is the optimal size for this recipe.
2. Peel and chop the onion into small pieces about a quarter of an inch. Mix these with the potato slices into a bowl and salt the mixture.
3. Heat the olive oil on medium heat in a non-stick frying pan. Place the potato-onion mixture in so that the oil almost covers it. If the potatoes start to burn, turn down the heat.
4. Once the potatoes and onions have fully cooked, remove them from the frying pan and let the oil drain away.
5. Crack the eggs into a larger bowl and whisk them together. Pour in the potatoes and onions and mix them thoroughly.
6. Pour one to two tablespoons of the olive oil into a frying pan (the size of which will determine the size of your tortilla, so a 9-10 inch pan is best) on medium heat. Pour the potatoes and onions into the pan and spread them out evenly.
7. When the mixture has browned on the bottom (the inside should not be completely cooked, like a pancake) flip it over to cook the other side. When it's ready, flip it onto a plate.
8. Put the frying pan back on the stove and pour in enough oil to cover the bottom and sides. Let it warm for approximately 30 seconds and slide the tortilla back into the frying pan and let it cook for three to four minutes. Then turn the heat off and let it sit for two more minutes.

This recipe creates six servings. Many Spanish bars will also serve the tortilla de patatas as part of the appetizers (tapas) in bite-sized pieces. Enjoy!

Un abrazo,
Julia 

Julia Leef is a junior at Skidmore currently studying abroad in Spain. She worked for the Skidmore News as Editor in Chief in the fall and is a contributing columnist this semester.

Film Forum: Silver Linings Playbook: Catch the Oscar-nominated movie at the Saratoga Film Forum this weekend!

Posted by Kathryn Butler

After an eight-month stint in a state mental institution, bipolar Pat Solatano's (Bradley Cooper) life seems to have fallen apart-he has lost his wife, his job, his house and even his independence. Following the terms of his plea-bargain, he moves in with his Philadelphia Eagles-obsessed parents and starts a healthy living routine based on a positive outlook.

Solatano is determined to turn his life around and ultimately win back his estranged wife, proving to her, to his family and to himself that he has changed. However, his plans go awry when he meets the beautiful, but equally complex Tiffany (Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence), a young widow who uses her sexual appetite to conceal her grief. Tiffany soon sets her sights on Pat, proposing a deal he can't resist: she offers to deliver a letter to his wife, but in return Pat has to be her partner in a ballroom dancing competition. As Pat and Tiffany train, they form an unexpected bond, finding solace and strength in one another's quirks.

Following the ups and downs of their relationship, the hilarious misunderstandings and the occasional football brawl, this movie is definitely not just another romantic comedy-it will keep you rolling on the floor while reaching to your heart. Silver Linings Playbook defies categorization as it manages to be simultaneously dramatic and hilarious.

Silver Linings Playbook will screen at the Saratoga Film Forum at 320 Broadway this Thursday, March 21th and Friday, March 22th at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, March 24th at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for students.

Cynthia Carroll, Controversial?

Posted by The Editorial Board

There has been, in the past few weeks, a notable rumbling amongst the Skidmore student body about a topic few people pay much attention to until graduation day - the commencement speaker. Earlier this month, in a letter to the senior class and their families, President Glotzbach announced that David Brooks of the New York Times would speak, as would Cynthia Carroll, a 1978 alumnus of Skidmore, and former CEO of the mining conglomerate Anglo-American. David Brooks seems not to have spurred much attention (which is a shame, he is a great reporter). Ms. Carroll, conversely, has caused much outcry. Students have pointed out that Anglo-American has a less than perfect environmental record, and has been accused by some of human rights violations.  Others are upset that even just the name of her former employer - Anglo-American - is a slap in the face to students of color.

We, however, defend the choice of Ms. Carroll as a commencement speaker. The purpose of a commencement speech is - if we may steal words from a commencement speech given by David Foster Wallace in 2005 - to be "about your liberal arts education's meaning, to try to explain why the degree you are about to receive has actual human value." The purpose too, of a commencement speech, is to broadly instill upon the graduating class a final piece of advice that will somehow help those graduates after they leave college And, for the love of god, to do it in less than half an hour. And there is no arguing that Ms. Carroll has been successful - she was named Forbes' fourth most powerful woman in 2007, and ran the second largest mining firm in the world. It is in this that we see the virtue of Ms. Carroll as a commencement speaker, as surely, somewhere in her long path, she has gleaned some piece of insight into how to live, and how to be successful at whatever you choose.

Students have questioned what message the choice of a former CEO of a mining company with a dubious environmental record sends, especially after Skidmore just won a national environmental award.  We feel the need to point out that Ms. Carroll has not been brought in to give a speech on environmental activism - which would rightly require much outrage - nor has she been asked to give a speech as an advocate of the mining industry. She has been asked to give a speech as a Skidmore graduate, as a woman, and as a successful woman. She has been asked to give a speech as someone who has worked hard, who has managed to balance a rich family life as the mother of four children with a distinguished career. She has been asked to give a speech, most importantly of all, as someone who the board of trustees think might just be able to impart some wisdom upon the graduating class. We ask only that they listen. 

Miami Heat and Chicago Blackhawks go streaking

Posted by Katie Peverada

The Chicago Blackhawks opened the season without being beaten in regulation in 24 straight games, an NHL record (if you include last season, the streak grows to 30 games of being unbeaten). And while it did fall short of the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers' 35-game unbeaten streak, it was very impressive. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have won 24 straight games in the middle of the NBA season. The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers hold the all-time record with 33 wins in a row. Both Chicago and Miami's winning streaks are impressive, but which one is more impressive? Chicago.
Over the course of their winning streaks, both teams have had notable comebacks in individual games. Twice the Blackhawks had to rally from two goals down, beating the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime, and scoring four unanswered goals to beat the San Jose Sharks 5-3. The Miami Heat have had to comeback too, with their biggest coming Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers when they overcame a 27-point deficit to win 98-95.
Both teams have dominated offensively, as the Heat are averaging 105.4 points per game, with notable blowouts of the LA Clippers and Philadelphia Sixers. The Blackhawks scored at least five goals in five of their games and won eight games by more than one goal. Chicago also outshot its opponent in 16 games. They have so far scored 75 goals, good enough for 3.13 per game. Both teams are seeing dominating offensive output from their stars: LeBron James is third in the league in scoring with 1,759 points, and his 476 assists are sixth best in the league. Chicago's Patrick Kane put up 27 points over the course of the 24 games and registered at least one point in 19 of those games.
Both streaks were undoubtedly kept alive by defensive efforts as well. The Heat have been limiting their opponents to 94.2 points per game. That's an 11.2 point differential, with the all-time season record of 12.3 being shared by those 1971-72 Lakers and the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks. Chicago received great goaltending over the course of their streak, giving up 43 goals, or 1.79 goals per game.
But which streak is more impressive? In order to tell, we have to compare apples to apples.
The Heat still have to win 9 straight games to tie the record. Their streak is pretty impressive, but long streaks are pretty common in the NBA. During the 2007-08 season, the Houston Rockets won 22 straight games, and the next year the Celtics won 19 in a row. Just this season, the LA Clippers won 17 straight games. The NBA also tends to see the same teams over and over in the playoffs. Since 2000, only six different teams have won the championship and none lower than a sixth seed has ever won.
The NHL is far more equal, making the Blackhawks' streak all the more impressive. Out of the last 12 Stanley Cup Finals played, 10 different teams have won, including eight different teams in the last eight seasons. Since 2006, 29 of the 30 NHL teams have made the playoffs, and just last year the eighth seed LA Kings won the Cup. The parity in the Western Conference itself, Chicago's conference, is incredible, as places three through 13 in the standings are separated by a mere seven points.
According to Richard Cleary, a mathematician at Bentley University, starting a season like the Hawks only happens once every 700 years. So, even if you ignore for a second that the Blackhawks' streak came during a lockout-shortened season in which they had a week of training camp and once played five games in seven days and had five back-to-backs, their streak is more impressive. Don't get me wrong, the Heat have been impressive. However, I feel like I've seen something like it before.

Late night cooking: an adventure in making vegan pancakes

Posted by Erin Dillon

Pancakes: the antidote to an existential crisis, the common cold, a broken heart, what have you. Who hasn't thrown their hands up in the air and declared, "Screw it. I'm making pancakes"? Anybody? Bueller? Just me? An hour ago in the library, defeated from a homework-filled and dehydrated Sunday, I reached that get-me-a-pancake moment, printed my essay, and marched home to my Northwoods apartment to get cooking.

The best part about pancakes? They don't discriminate. Even if you are a vegan like me, hardly know how to cook without using a microwave, or lack time, energy, or desire to do anything but snuggle in your jammies upon arriving home, you no longer have to forgo pancake therapy.

I am writing this article with a stack of "Whole Wheat Banana and Chocolate Chip Pancakes" in my tummy, thanks to my Betty Goes Vegan cookbook. The recipe is easy, inexpensive, relatively healthy, and it positively oozes chocolate. Need I say more? I adapted the recipe and I now present you with the answer to your pancake prayers.

Midnight Vegan Banana Dark Chocolate Chunk Pancakes
Adapted from Betty Goes Vegan

Recipe notes: I don't know about your college apartment's kitchen, but mine is less than professional; I tweaked the Betty Goes Vegan recipe to accommodate my lack of all-purpose flour, Himalayan salt, chocolate chips, and electric mixer (the pancakes are still divine, I promise). This recipe yields about 2 large or 4 small servings. Additionally, be sure that your chocolate is dairy-free! Happy cooking.

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 cup whole wheat flour
? cup soy milk (add more if batter is too thick)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 teaspoons baking powder
? teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegan chocolate chunks (I sliced a Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar)
Olive oil for skillet

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine banana, flour, soymilk, sugar, olive oil, baking powder, and salt until smooth. Gently fold in chocolate chunks. Add more soy milk if your batter is too thick.

Heat a frying pan or skillet over medium heat. When hot, add just enough oil to prevent the pancakes from sticking. Spoon on batter, keeping in mind that it will immediately begin to cook, so know how big you want your 'cakes ahead of time. When bubbles begin to appear, flip your pancake until it's golden on each side.

I told you it would be easy. If you're a purist (or a broke college kid), serve pancakes by their beautiful selves, or top 'em with syrup, fruit, or peanut butter. Eat these puppies (that sounded morbid) soon, while the chocolate is still gushing. And since the recipe is 100% vegan, you're obligated to lick the bowl. 

Entertainment industry pioneer to give Skidmore's Harder lecture April 5

Paula Wagner, a pioneer in the film and entertainment industry, will discuss "Entrepreneurship and Entertainment" when she gives the F. William Harder Lecture at Skidmore College at 6 p.m. Friday, April 5, in Gannett Auditorium.

Wagner is an entertainment industry entrepreneur.  She began her career as an actress, performing on and off Broadway. She went on to become one of the top talent agents at Creative Artists, representing stars such as Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Val Kilmer, Demi Moore, Liam Neeson, Robert Towne and Kathryn Bigelow.

She then founded Cruise/Wagner Productions, with Tom Cruise, and for the next 13 years produced a number of films, including the Mission: Impossible trilogy and Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds. During Wagner's tenure as CEO of Cruise/Wagner Films, the company produced films that earned more than $3 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

Most recently, Wagner founded Chestnut Ridge Productions.  Chestnut Ridge produced the Broadway theatrical revival of the Tony Award-winning play The Heiress, starring Jessica Chastain and David Strathairn and Craig Wright's acclaimed play Grace, starring Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon, Kate Arrington and Ed Asner.

Among her many honors are the Chicago Film Festival's Renaissance Award (2011), the Swarovski President's Award from the Costume Designers Guild (2008), and the Sherry Lansing Award from Big Brothers-Big Sisters (2006). In 2007 she and her husband, Rick Nicita, received the ACLU Bill of Rights Award for championing numerous film projects that highlight civil rights and civil liberties issues.

Wagner is the mother of Zachary Nicita, who graduated from Skidmore in 2010 and is currently touring with his band MS MR in Europe.

Skidmore's annual F. William Harder Lecture in Business Administration was inaugurated in 1985 through the generosity of F. William Harder, a Skidmore parent who served as trustee from 1968 to 1980. The lecture brings together students and faculty with industry leaders to explore the current business environment and upcoming challenges.

The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in the Class of 1967 Lobby of the Palamountain/Dana complex.

Liberty League, ECAC honor male athletes

Posted by Katie Peverada

            The Skidmore male athletes had successful winter seasons, with all teams making the playoffs. Several of the individuals on those teams have been honored for their hard work.

            Men's Basketball: Aldin Medunjanin '16 earned Liberty League Rookie of the Year and was voted first-team all-league as well as the all-rookie team. Medunjanin was also named the ECAC Rookie of the Year and the D3hoops.com All-East Region Rookie of the Year. Medunjanin led the Thoroughbreds in points per game (15), assists per game (4.9) and in rebounds per game (5.6). Conor Merrill '15 was named to the second-team all-league and Tanner Brooks '16 was tabbed for the all-rookie team and was also voted to the honorable mention roster.

Men's Ice Hockey: The ECAC recognized three members of the ice hockey team for their efforts this season. Zach Menard '13 was nominated to the first-team on the strength of his scoring (9 goals, 19 assists), as he led Skidmore's defense and placed third among defensemen in the ECAC. Vlad Gavrik '14, who led Skidmore's offense with 25 points (10 G, 15 A), was elected to the second-team. Jack Even '16, who was second among Skidmore's defense with 12 points (3 G, 9 A), was tabbed for the all-rookie team.

Men's Swimming and Diving: While the Liberty League honors have yet to be announced, the men's swimming and diving team has been recognized for their work in the classroom. With an overall team GPA of 3.29, the men ranked 19^th in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Fall 2012 Scholar All America Division III team honors.

Female Thoroughbreds recognized for their hard work

Posted by Katie Peverada

Over the past few weeks, several winter athletes have been honored for their performance this winter, with a few awards continuing to roll in.
Women's Swimming and Diving: While the Liberty League honors have yet to be announced, the women's swimming and diving team has been recognized for their work in the classroom. With an overall team GPA of 3.34, the women ranked 45th overall in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Fall 2012 Scholar All America Division III team honors.
Women's Basketball: Jordyn Wartts '14 was tabbed as the Liberty league Defensive Player of the Year and was voted to the honorable mention team. Angela Botiba '15, who led Skidmore in points per game (10.2) and rebounds per game (7.1), as well as overall steals (42) and blocks (37), was voted first team. Dani DeGregory '16 and Skylar Caligaris 16' were both named to the all-rookie team.
Logan Frederick '13 was recognized for her hard work off the court, one of 10 women selected to the Allstate Women's Basketball Coaches Association Good Works Team. Frederick, a captain, will be recognized at the NCAA Division 1 Women's Final Four. She acts as a volunteer firefighter/EMT, tutors in math and geosciences, volunteers at a local church, and serves as president of the Newman Club and Resident Assistant. Frederick started all 26 games for the team this past season, averaging 4.8 points per game.