THE ITHACAN

Documenting teamwork

By Mike Berlin, Contributing Writer • December 15, 2006

Juniors Kimberly Pitkin and Anthony Bisalti found themselves in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart in Sioux Falls, S.D., with a big problem on Election Day. Pitkin said the TV purchased to tape local coverage couldn’t fit in the car. “We had no choice but to get the shopping cart,” she said. Using a stolen…

Homemade for the holidays

By Olivia Rebert and Andy Swift, Chief Copy Editor and Assistant Accent Editor • December 15, 2006

The pleasant aroma of homemade lavender mint soap permeated the Cayuga Artisan Holiday Shop on The Commons as Tammy Alt browsed the merchandise Saturday, waiting for the right product to catch her eye. Shelves of colorful dishware, vibrant jewelry and knit wool clothing filled the store. Alt, who is visiting from North Carolina, is one…

Living a second life

By Vanessa Schneider, Editor In Chief • December 8, 2006

Snotrag Steiner was on a mission to find vampires. Flying from virtual island to virtual island in the online world Second Life, Snotrag, the virtual representation of sophomore Matt McLaughlin, eventually found himself in Vampire Empire, a pixilated town with torch lamps and dark skies. This is just one of many digital spaces built for…

OK Go holds a bag full of goodies

By Amanda Winters, Contributing Writer • December 8, 2006

Despite being a pop-rock band, OK Go may be better known to some for its fancy footwork on treadmills in the music video for its song “Here It Goes Again.” Contributing writer Amanda Winters spoke with drummer Dan Konopka via e-mail about how the band plans to continue to go the distance in the music…

Student DJ shares the electronic love

By Aaron Arm, Staff Writer • December 8, 2006

Sophomore Andrew Garcia adjusts the knobs and dials on his mixer as he inserts a CD. A thumping bass and a repeating synthetic melody fill his room Nov. 16 in Emerson Hall. Thanks to the tracks he bought online, he freely mixes and spins his own electronic music. Garcia has been listening to Armin Van…

Rippin’ red-hot funk rock

By Ian Holliday, Staff Writer • December 1, 2006

Sophomore Revi Roza unpacks the “tangled mess of wires” from her Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” backpack and sets up the first guitar she ever owned. Its name is Bambi. She’s not sure why she called it that. Within a few minutes, the rest of Roza’s band, The Rozatones, joins her at a…

Under pressure

By Josh Mellman, Accent Editor • December 1, 2006

During hour-long blocks between classes, sophomore Rob Yaple goes back to his room in the Terraces to relax. He takes out his coffee maker, all ready with hot water, and walks over to his collection of tea. To de-stress from homework for 11 classes, podcasts for the Student Government Association and resident assistant duty, Yaple…

Yardvarks inspired by classic rock

By Andrew Longcore, Contributing Writer • December 1, 2006

With its eclectic mix of folk and rock, and a repertoire that includes a sing-along, local band The Yardvarks promises a lively performance that always gets audience members involved. Contributing writer Andrew Longcore spoke with Ken Zeserson, guitarist and saxophonist, about the band’s inspirations. Andrew Longcore: How did your band get its name? Ken Zeserson:…

Let there be music

By Virginia Moore, Contributing Writer • November 17, 2006

In Ford Hall on Sunday, Adam arose from the dirt in the Garden of Eden. Brought to life by the low tones of the bassoon, he slowly awoke and was joined by a parade of dancers as birds and gazelles. Together, they leapt and spun across the stage. A silent audience sat enraptured not only…

The psychology of theater

By Chelsea Theis, Staff Writer • November 17, 2006

The clock read 4:48 a.m., and senior Christina “Teeny” Lamothe was awake. She was not suffering from insomnia or a late-night study session. She was just trying to find some clarity. Lamothe’s alarm went off at this time for a week straight. Disoriented, she gave in to the beeping and got out of bed to…

Exploring identities through art

By Aaron Arm, Staff Writer • November 16, 2006

A life-size cutout of a woman stands in the middle of the Handwerker Gallery, two holes carved in her to reveal looping video screens. On one screen, fastened between her legs, her father explains how he once believed childbirth occurred in the breast. Behind her right breast, artist Itty Neuhaus explains her own encounter with…

Alum gives crash course in comedy

By Laura Lanz-Frolio, Staff Writer • November 11, 2006

Take eight of the funniest Park students, add a seasoned comedy writer, stick them in a conference room together for a weekend, and keep the coffee and take-out flowing. The result: possibly a hit sitcom. At least that’s what Rick Shaw ’77 hopes for. Shaw, who wrote for sitcoms like “The Nanny” and “The Love…