Month: April 2008

Allegations send Clemens for a curve ball; Former Yankee pitcher denies steroid use

Brandilee Panebianco Sports , ,

BOSTON — Roger Clemens’s legacy as one of baseball’s greatest pitchers was severely challenged by the recent allegations contained in the Mitchell Report, that a strength and conditioning coach injected him with anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) over a three-year period beginning in 1998.

Since the release of this information in December, Clemens’ has taken no proper path to deal with the issue. He spoke under oath for about five hours to congressional lawyers last Tuesday, then said he told them he did not use performance-enhancing drugs. Denying charges, avoiding press, and being all around moot on the topic of this issue certainly is not working in Clemens’ favor. Not only has he lost his spot in the Hall of Fame, he has also lost the trust of many fans. Continue reading →

Oh rats!

Ted Karczewski Community , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

istock_000005350490xsmall.jpgBOSTON — The overabundance of rats in the North End of Boston is creating a community-wide disturbance. The rats have repeatedly spread garbage around the community by taking advantage of the penetrable white plastic bags left out on trash nights.

The rat population has not gone without notice. On Dec. 11, 2007, author Brian R. Ballou reported via The Boston Globe that a national rodent control company, d-CON, “rated Boston as the third most likely city to experience a surge in the rat population.” However, no solution to the surge has been ultimately successful. Continue reading →

I’m blue, and if I was green I would die

Georgia Papagiannopoulos Fashion, Art & Culture

BOSTON — It is crazy, comedic and blue all over. It comes in three’s, and it can even perform tricks. What could it be? The Blue Man Group of course.Blue Men GroupMarch 22, on a Saturday night at the Charles Playhouse on 74 Warrenton Street in Boston, Mass., three men in all blue paint gave their performance to an excited crowd of fans of all ages.

“They are phenomenal,” said Kerry Mooney of the North End. “The show was so different than anything else I had ever seen.”

That is the sentiment of many after leaving the Blue Man Group. During a typical show, the Blue Man Group throws toilet paper at the crowd, grabs volunteers from the audience and involves them in the show, and gets everyone pumped with the steady beat of their three giant drum heads. Strobe lights flashing at different intervals give an unearthly view and feel to the theater. Continue reading →

Unity Week Showcase at Suffolk University

Nhi Tran Community , , , ,

uw_2008_sidebar.gifBOSTON — It was a quiet evening, a week after spring break when ushers stood on the side of each doorway at the C. Walsh Theatre awaiting audiences. The crowd gradually walked through the doors of the theatre as 35 performers prepare for their acts.

“Attendance might be lower this year because of spring break,” said Carlye Crosby, president of Program Council and the director of Unity Week Showcase.

As friends, families, faculty, and staff took their seats, performers were ready to begin. The masters of ceremonies Jared Cain and Janc Noble began the event as the audiences laughed, shouted, and clapped.

Singing, dancing, and poetry reading filled the eyes and ears of about 100 people in the C. Walsh Theatre on the evening of March 27, 2008 as Suffolk University expressed unity and celebrated diversity through its 7th annual Unity Week Showcase. Continue reading →

Students gain valuable experience from studying abroad

Amber Owens Fashion, Art & Culture , ,

BOSTON — Students at universities all over the United States are choosing to study in other countries across the globe. Most students who have studied abroad view it as a unique learning opportunity that they benefited from greatly.

“It is a constant learning experience,” said Suffolk University sophomore Ashley Parisa Sadrnoori, about her current studies in Madrid, Spain. Sadrnoori says she is having a more “hands on experience” learning in Madrid verses learning in Boston. “We have traveled to so many different places around Spain for different classes and it has been so exciting.” Continue reading →

Mining your obsessions

Jess Huckins Fashion, Art & Culture , , , , , ,

BOSTON — “Write what you know,” the old adage goes. Finding connections between what you’re writing and what you care about can sometimes be a challenge for writers, no matter what format or genre you write in.

This was one of the many topics covered at Boskone, a regional science fiction and fantasy convention held at Boston’s Westin Waterfront Hotel every February. Genre writers from all over the country fly in to lead panels and discussions about all aspects of the genre and writing within it. Every writer, whether he or she is an author or a poet or a reporter, should learn to use his or her obsessions to craft well-thought out and interesting stories. One of the most interesting panels of the convention was on that very subject. Continue reading →

Spring Break: Safety first

Brooks Barnard Community , , ,

BOSTON — Class is no longer in session, the beaches are packed, and a week of rest and relaxation is in order. It’s Spring Break time again, one of the most anticipated holidays of the year.

This year, however, the focus shifts from pleasure to safety. Since the turn of the century, safety measures have become noticeably more ineffective than in the past, and changes must occur.

Whether due to the terror attacks of September 11th, the insurgency in foreign countries, political instability, or the disappearance of Natalie Holloway, parents have more than just a few drinks to worry about this Spring Break. The biggest concern about Spring Break this year is safety. Continue reading →

Boston real estate: Dorm, apartment, or commute?

Brooks Barnard Community , , , , ,

BOSTON — Students studying at Boston colleges are finding it increasingly difficult to find decent and affordable living situations. One of the main issues for the men and women at Suffolk University is that their school is located in the affluent Beacon Hill area, which provides very few inexpensive options.Nathan R. Miller Residence HallScholars may be asking themselves, well where do I live now? Suffolk has two dorms: 150 Tremont St. and Nathan R. Miller Hall. The newly added 10 West ‘student apartments’ were built to accommodate more students, however the three dorms can only accommodate a small portion of the school.

This leaves the rest of the campus population relying on finding an apartment or commuting from a neighboring city.

Although convenient, even the dorms are marked at high prices. A double/triple room costs $5,560 a semester and a single room costs $6,310 a semester. Suffolk’s dorms are rated as the second most expensive dorms in the country. Continue reading →

Ruthie Alcaide provides ‘Unity Week’ clarity

Brooks Barnard Entertainment , , , , ,

BOSTON — Most know Ruthie Alcaide from MTV’s Real World: Hawaii as the binge drinking, trouble-making Filipino, but most are unaware of the woman behind the televised persona.

Alcaide, 21, is currently on MTV’s College Road Trip, sharing her experiences behind the scenes on the Real World to teach young adults about the entertainment industry, prejudice, drug/alcohol awareness, diversity, sexuality, and racism. As part of this tour, Alcaide visited Suffolk University on Tuesday, March 25 and gave a presentation, “Discussing Diversity with Ruthie” to support the university’s ‘Unity Week.’ Nearly 30 students came to the Donahue Café to hear her speak. Continue reading →

Radical transformation

Brooks Barnard Features, Health & Science , , , , ,

BOSTON — Most college students live in fear of the dreaded ‘freshman 15’; however, during my sophomore year of college, I experienced the opposite with my ‘sophomore 110’.

RT1 The most popular unhealthy college activities include excessive drinking, late night junk food, pizzas, fast food, and ‘café runs.’ Despite the common misconceptions about gaining weight in college, there are ways to avoid temptations and maintain, and even create, a healthy lifestyle.

The majority of college students experience anxiety over exams, all-night drinking binges, and trepidation about classes, but I experienced euphoria in a form I had never known before. In my first month of sophomore year, I weighed in at 260.5 pounds. By second semester, I had transformed my life by dropping 110 pounds in a mere five months. Continue reading →

Marilyn Plotkins: Actor, director, aficionada

Felicia Homan Fashion, Art & Culture , , ,

BOSTON — “Do you want me to sing for you?” said young Marilyn Plotkins with a giddy smile and wide eyes.

This question was posed to every guest that walked through the front door of her large, middle-class family’s home. At a young age Plotkins knew that she loved to sing. Her challenge was to find the right outlet to express her joyful noise. After attending her first play, Gypsy with Ethel Merman, she knew theatre was her destiny.

Marilyn Plotkins is the Chair and Director for Suffolk University’s Theatre Department, founding Director of Boston Music Theatre Project, and author of The A.R.T. Reference Book: The Brustein Years about the American Repertory Theatre. Plotkins is involved with theatre on nearly every level as an actor, director, professor, and aficionada. Continue reading →

Randall Preston: Karmic Juggernaut prodigy

Brooks Barnard Entertainment , ,

BOSTON — Randall ‘Randy’ Preston is known for being a quirky and laid-back guitarist, but his relaxed persona does not match his wild lifestyle.

Preston’s friends describe him as an original and down-to-earth guy with a huge heart. “Randy has always been eccentric. He marches to his own drum, but everyone loves him for being just like that.

“He’s unique, and in today’s world, that’s special,” said close friend, Samantha Boyd. Born in Wall, New Jersey, the 19-year-old prodigy has big dreams for his future. His dreams are not stinted by his staggering height of 5’4. Continue reading →

SOULS Alternative Spring Break

Felicia Homan Community , ,

BOSTON — Put away the bathing suits and flip flops and break out the work boots and jeans. Suffolk University students are partaking in a different, less party-oriented kind of spring break this year.

Suffolk University’s S.O.U.L.S organization is hosting an alternative spring break program in Texas and Mississippi during this year’s regularly scheduled break. Volunteers will participate in poverty relief projects through Habitat for Humanity in Texas and Katrina relief in Mississippi through Community Collaborations International. Continue reading →

The world is at your fingertips — study abroad!

Felicia Homan Fashion, Art & Culture , , , ,

BOSTON — The world is at your fingertips and it’s time to reach out and grab it. Studying abroad will tighten your grip on today’s world; educationally, culturally, and socially.

Suffolk University’s Center for International Education offers roughly 25 study abroad programs in over 55 countries around the world. Students have the option of studying in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Regardless of the season or country selected, an expansive educational and rich cultural experience is guaranteed. Continue reading →

March to madness

Scott Largay Sports , , 


BOSTON — The National Collegiate Athletic Association 2008 Men’s basketball Tournament is well under way; four brackets and 64 of the best collegiate teams in America have been whittled down to the final four: UCLA, North Carolina, Memphis, and Kansas are still in the chase for an invitation to The Big Dance.




The 2008 bracket is a study in dashed hopes and dreams with some of the best teams in the field bowing out in early rounds. March, a month of big upsets and unthinkable buzzer beaters, is now securely tucked away in the history books. April however, promises to be the month where basketball super giants reign supreme. Continue reading →

					

		
		
	



			
				


	

		

					
Things to do in Boston for budget-minded students

								

								 Nhi Tran
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BOSTON — On a chilly weekend, Casey has been sitting in front of her laptop surfing the internet for hours. Facebook has become her addiction. She walks back and forth to the kitchen several times in an hour before settling down on the couch to watch an episode of “The Office.”


istock_000004919083xsmall.jpgCasey Suter, a sophomore at Suffolk University, has a small amount of money in her purse and no desire to drink alcohol this weekend. She does not know what do on this frigid Friday without the burden of burning a hole in her wallet.


Many Suffolk University students share the same predicament as Casey but little do they know, Boston offers a wide variety of things to do when the weather is cold and students are low on cash. Continue reading →