**Editor's Note: This blog was written by UP Staff Writer David Shreve.
In an attempt for my first time to ever get involved in the national Earth Day celebration, I thought it would be a good idea to look no further than the events planned at the Boca FAU campus. There were many interesting activities to choose from: free burritos from Moe’s for using public transport, a campus-wide clean-up sponsored by Center for Civic Engagement and Service and a lecture from FAU's Dining Services on purchasing animal abuse free products. I can’t vouch for the quality of any of these events, though, because I chose to attend a tree planting ceremony sponsored by FAU Housing.
Like any other pseudo-environmentalist college student attempting to give a damn about global warming, I showed up ready to work in an organic green T-shirt and gardening gloves. The event, held in the Butterfly Gardens near Heritage Park Towers, was scheduled to follow with an ice-cream social combined with a lecture on tips to live more green.
I rode up to the tree planting event on my eco-friendly bicycle ten minutes before it began. With my pen and pad in my hand, I was ready to give the Housing Department their publicity for giving back to the campus and plant a tree or two myself. I originally showed up alone, but was joined a few minutes later by fellow student accounting major, Paul Baglio. The two of us stood around for a few minutes, talked about finals and our attempts at making our lives more eco-friendly, and waited for the Housing crew to arrive.
After 20 minutes of standing around, we began to question ourselves; maybe we were in the wrong place or had the times mixed up. Surely Housing couldn’t have forgotten about their own event.
Well, they did.
Whether this was an honest mistake, lack of planning, or simply assuming nobody would show, my pen and pad would now serve a new purpose: find out why there were only two students, no Housing, and no trees to plant. During that time though, nobody working for Housing in any of the surrounding dorms had the slightest idea what I was talking about. Even at the 7:00 p.m. ice-cream social, hosted by Village Apartment employees, Adrienne Patmythes and Nicolle Gale, which did in fact take place, but without the previously informed follow-up lecture on living green. They didn’t know there was any plan to plant a tree.
In a phone conversation with Larry Faerman, Assistant Director of Housing, he said that Housing Secretary Patricia Rossi was responsible for the event. Faerman also said that although he did not oversee the event, he was told by Rossi that the event began at Indian Rivers Tower (not as advertised) and eventually moved over to the Butterfly Gardens near Heritage Park Towers around 6:20 p.m. - 20 minutes later than scheduled. All attempts to contact Rossi have been unsuccessful and resulted in an endlessly ringing phone line.
“It’s really a shame that school employees cannot follow through with their own philanthropy events,” said Baglio. “Maybe we can hope for better next year.”
If you missed out on this Earth Day celebration, voice your concerns by calling Patricia Rossi at (561) 297- 5001.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Artsy fartsy fun
Last night I got the chance to do three of my favorite things: look at art, talk to creative people and drink wine.
Thursday night was the opening night of the 2008 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Show in the Ritter Art Gallery at the Boca campus. The show, dubbed “Peripheral Vision,” featured 22 graduating seniors from the College of Arts and Letters. The works are on display at the Ritter (above the Breezeway) now through May 2.
The show is the culmination of the students’ semester in the senior seminar class, a course required for graduation for all art majors. It’s also the first time all art majors – graphic design, studio art, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking and painting – come together for one class.
As part of their final exam grade, the students were required to feature a piece of their work in the show. Some students used their class projects, others created brand new works and some even made site-specific projects for the show.
Here’s a look at my top five favorite works:
“The Eighth Continent”
By Alex C. Mescher
Graphic Design
Materials: Resin, found plastic debris and sand
Time to complete: Four days
I might be a little bias because this artist also happens to be the assistant art director for the UP. Yet, I was not the only one to admire his work. Many other gallery onlookers agreed the piece was “very powerful.”
This molded number eight took nearly four 32-ounce cans of resin and cost around $120 to complete. The items inside the eight were all found at Boca’s Spanish River Beach and include a plastic bottle, lighter, toy car and plastic rope.
“Large Lidded Jars”
By David McKenna
Ceramics
Materials: Ceramic and stone ware
Time to complete: 20 minutes for each pot, almost three weeks total including drying time
In an attempt to join organic nature and mechanical techniques, McKenna said he decided he wanted to create lidded jars for his final project. The jars were created with perfect precision, all three incremental sizes were smooth and shinny. The lids from all four jars were also removable.
If these jars were on sale, I would have bought them on the spot.
“I am not confused, I am just well mixed”
By Natalie Nelson
Graphic Design
Materials: Aluminum
Time to complete: Four days
This metal wall-mounted piece was done entirely in aluminum. The jumbled letters represent all of the words (and letters) in the Robert Frost quote for which it was titled. All of the aluminum used was donated, but according to the artist it would have cost upwards of $500 to purchase all the materials.
“Introspective Nebuli”
By Chris Glanzman
Graphic Design
Materials: Digital print
This artist self portrait was made up entirely of words – all of which are lyrics to from songs that hold personal meaning to the artist. Lyrics from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coheed & Cambria and Jimmy Eat Word can be found around his eyes, nose and chin.
“Untitled”
By Filiz O’Brien
Ceramics
Materials: Ceramics and wire
Time to complete: On and off for two weeks
These 37 ceramic pieces represent the five main parts of the human digestive system. Each rectangular shape had a part of an organ. According to the artist, her interest in biology and anatomy has always helped her to be aware of how the body works and this work displays that structure.
Click HERE to view more photo's from the BFA Show opening night.
Want to check out their art for yourself?
The Ritter Art Gallery is located above the Breezeway on the Boca Raton campus and is open Tuesday through Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday night was the opening night of the 2008 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Show in the Ritter Art Gallery at the Boca campus. The show, dubbed “Peripheral Vision,” featured 22 graduating seniors from the College of Arts and Letters. The works are on display at the Ritter (above the Breezeway) now through May 2.
The show is the culmination of the students’ semester in the senior seminar class, a course required for graduation for all art majors. It’s also the first time all art majors – graphic design, studio art, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking and painting – come together for one class.
As part of their final exam grade, the students were required to feature a piece of their work in the show. Some students used their class projects, others created brand new works and some even made site-specific projects for the show.
Here’s a look at my top five favorite works:
“The Eighth Continent”
By Alex C. Mescher
Graphic Design
Materials: Resin, found plastic debris and sand
Time to complete: Four days
I might be a little bias because this artist also happens to be the assistant art director for the UP. Yet, I was not the only one to admire his work. Many other gallery onlookers agreed the piece was “very powerful.”
This molded number eight took nearly four 32-ounce cans of resin and cost around $120 to complete. The items inside the eight were all found at Boca’s Spanish River Beach and include a plastic bottle, lighter, toy car and plastic rope.
“Large Lidded Jars”
By David McKenna
Ceramics
Materials: Ceramic and stone ware
Time to complete: 20 minutes for each pot, almost three weeks total including drying time
In an attempt to join organic nature and mechanical techniques, McKenna said he decided he wanted to create lidded jars for his final project. The jars were created with perfect precision, all three incremental sizes were smooth and shinny. The lids from all four jars were also removable.
If these jars were on sale, I would have bought them on the spot.
“I am not confused, I am just well mixed”
By Natalie Nelson
Graphic Design
Materials: Aluminum
Time to complete: Four days
This metal wall-mounted piece was done entirely in aluminum. The jumbled letters represent all of the words (and letters) in the Robert Frost quote for which it was titled. All of the aluminum used was donated, but according to the artist it would have cost upwards of $500 to purchase all the materials.
“Introspective Nebuli”
By Chris Glanzman
Graphic Design
Materials: Digital print
This artist self portrait was made up entirely of words – all of which are lyrics to from songs that hold personal meaning to the artist. Lyrics from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coheed & Cambria and Jimmy Eat Word can be found around his eyes, nose and chin.
“Untitled”
By Filiz O’Brien
Ceramics
Materials: Ceramics and wire
Time to complete: On and off for two weeks
These 37 ceramic pieces represent the five main parts of the human digestive system. Each rectangular shape had a part of an organ. According to the artist, her interest in biology and anatomy has always helped her to be aware of how the body works and this work displays that structure.
Click HERE to view more photo's from the BFA Show opening night.
Want to check out their art for yourself?
The Ritter Art Gallery is located above the Breezeway on the Boca Raton campus and is open Tuesday through Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Rock on
Two weeks ago a DJ from Owl Radio came into our newsroom to tell us about their annual Battle of the Bands concert. But this year, the station is teaming up with the Program Board – FAU’s student-funded concert committee – and bringing a Woodstock music festival feel to the daylong concert.
So this Satursday’s Battle of the Bands is FAU’s stab at Woodstock: Hootstock. No, we’re not in upstate New York and we’ve got a few hundred thousand less people, but hey, we can try.
The coolest part? They’ve asked me to be a judge.
Yeah, I may not look like a punk-rock or hippie band kinda chick, but I love music so this should be very exciting.
There will be 11 bands performing Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., all vying for the judges' votes. The winning band will get to be the opening act at Program Board’s Rock the Owl concert in fall.
And since I’m a judge, I’ve got the inside scoop on what we’re looking for. The bands will be judged on six categories: sound, voice, performance energy, interaction with the audience, audience response and overall performance. I think we even get a nifty score sheet.
After all the bands compete there will be a special performance by the Fort Lauderdale band, the Mission Veo. Then, I and my fellow judges - Paul Cohen, an Owl Radio DJ; Dan Ross, Program Board marketing director; and Joe Adams, SG student controller and former FAU Idol judge, will pick the Hootstock winner.
Be sure to bring your blanket and cooler to chill out and listen to some bands. And if one particularly strikes your fancy, be sure to come up and tell me.
Make it to the Show
What: Hootstock '08
Where: Boca campus Housing Lawn
When: Saturday, April 12, noon to 9 p.m.
The Bands:
Bell Tower Falls
Stone High
The Joyness
Man Down, Man Down
The Gist
A New Start
Lights Out
Aveo
Leading the Heroes
Leone
Meridian Sky
So this Satursday’s Battle of the Bands is FAU’s stab at Woodstock: Hootstock. No, we’re not in upstate New York and we’ve got a few hundred thousand less people, but hey, we can try.
The coolest part? They’ve asked me to be a judge.
Yeah, I may not look like a punk-rock or hippie band kinda chick, but I love music so this should be very exciting.
There will be 11 bands performing Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., all vying for the judges' votes. The winning band will get to be the opening act at Program Board’s Rock the Owl concert in fall.
And since I’m a judge, I’ve got the inside scoop on what we’re looking for. The bands will be judged on six categories: sound, voice, performance energy, interaction with the audience, audience response and overall performance. I think we even get a nifty score sheet.
After all the bands compete there will be a special performance by the Fort Lauderdale band, the Mission Veo. Then, I and my fellow judges - Paul Cohen, an Owl Radio DJ; Dan Ross, Program Board marketing director; and Joe Adams, SG student controller and former FAU Idol judge, will pick the Hootstock winner.
Be sure to bring your blanket and cooler to chill out and listen to some bands. And if one particularly strikes your fancy, be sure to come up and tell me.
Make it to the Show
What: Hootstock '08
Where: Boca campus Housing Lawn
When: Saturday, April 12, noon to 9 p.m.
The Bands:
Bell Tower Falls
Stone High
The Joyness
Man Down, Man Down
The Gist
A New Start
Lights Out
Aveo
Leading the Heroes
Leone
Meridian Sky
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I want big Jugs!
**Editor's note: This blog was written by Amanda Leth, University Press Staff Writer
Young women all around Boca have been talking about the dangers of plastic surgery since last week's 18-year-old West Boca High School cheerleader died because of a reaction to anesthesia during an operation to correct the teen’s inverted nipples, click here to read more.
Even though the surgery was corrective, not cosmetic, both procedures are equally as dangerous.
It seems like plastic surgery has gotten more and more common every day. A few weeks before graduation day in high school, a friend of mine told me that she was getting new boobs as a graduation gift from her parents. I wasn’t sure how to react — so I just didn’t react at all. I just sat there like an idiot and replaced the word “boobs” with the word “laptop” in my head so that we could get through the conversation as quickly as possible.
To me having plastic surgery was like smoking cigarettes — we've all sat through the D.A.R.E. program that tries to keep kids off drugs, and we’ve all seen the Montel Williams and Oprah specials about When Plastic Surgery goes horribly wrong. But like cigarettes, having plastic surgery seems popular despite all of the after school specials warning us against it.
I never did get to see Kelly after the operation, but a mutual friend later told me that she “really loves her new boobs.”
Even though it was barely four years ago — it seems like a long time ago. Four years ago it was rare for a barely 18-year old girl to get plastic surgery and be so open about it. Times have changed, and the trend for young women getting plastic surgery has increased by nearly 15-20% over the last few years, according to a Boca Raton plastic surgeon in this article from the Palm Beach Post.
One reason surgeries might becoming more popular, is because there aren't as many financial setbacks for women who want bigger jugs. Now women can put their silicone breasts on layaway. Thanks to some surgeons and medical companies who are providing load-type services to help every woman, even ones with bad credit, can now achieve an unrealistic standard of beauty.
This popular Web site is designed by women, for women, who are interested in getting plastic surgery. They use Jessica Rabbit as one of their icons — if your goal in life is to look like a cartoon that was obviously drawn by a perverted man, then a minor surgery isn’t going to help you very much.
On this Web site there are testimonials from women on what they did to save money for their surgery,
“Well, I stopped going to school for one whole quarter, and picked up a second job. I wouldn't even go visit my boyfriend as much because I didn't want to waste the gas!" wrote one woman.
This woman sacrificed getting her education and spending time with her boyfriend just to save up for plastic surgery--and I thought that the point of getting plastic surgery was to attract more attention from men.
Young women all around Boca have been talking about the dangers of plastic surgery since last week's 18-year-old West Boca High School cheerleader died because of a reaction to anesthesia during an operation to correct the teen’s inverted nipples, click here to read more.
Even though the surgery was corrective, not cosmetic, both procedures are equally as dangerous.
It seems like plastic surgery has gotten more and more common every day. A few weeks before graduation day in high school, a friend of mine told me that she was getting new boobs as a graduation gift from her parents. I wasn’t sure how to react — so I just didn’t react at all. I just sat there like an idiot and replaced the word “boobs” with the word “laptop” in my head so that we could get through the conversation as quickly as possible.
To me having plastic surgery was like smoking cigarettes — we've all sat through the D.A.R.E. program that tries to keep kids off drugs, and we’ve all seen the Montel Williams and Oprah specials about When Plastic Surgery goes horribly wrong. But like cigarettes, having plastic surgery seems popular despite all of the after school specials warning us against it.
I never did get to see Kelly after the operation, but a mutual friend later told me that she “really loves her new boobs.”
Even though it was barely four years ago — it seems like a long time ago. Four years ago it was rare for a barely 18-year old girl to get plastic surgery and be so open about it. Times have changed, and the trend for young women getting plastic surgery has increased by nearly 15-20% over the last few years, according to a Boca Raton plastic surgeon in this article from the Palm Beach Post.
One reason surgeries might becoming more popular, is because there aren't as many financial setbacks for women who want bigger jugs. Now women can put their silicone breasts on layaway. Thanks to some surgeons and medical companies who are providing load-type services to help every woman, even ones with bad credit, can now achieve an unrealistic standard of beauty.
This popular Web site is designed by women, for women, who are interested in getting plastic surgery. They use Jessica Rabbit as one of their icons — if your goal in life is to look like a cartoon that was obviously drawn by a perverted man, then a minor surgery isn’t going to help you very much.
On this Web site there are testimonials from women on what they did to save money for their surgery,
“Well, I stopped going to school for one whole quarter, and picked up a second job. I wouldn't even go visit my boyfriend as much because I didn't want to waste the gas!" wrote one woman.
This woman sacrificed getting her education and spending time with her boyfriend just to save up for plastic surgery--and I thought that the point of getting plastic surgery was to attract more attention from men.
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