John Carroll Junior Ty Tate, a Cleveland native and Communications major, is a rap and R&B musician making his way onto the scene.

Tate, also known as “The-Snake,” has had a passion for hip-hop since he was an 11 year- old.

But, only recently has he begun recording in a studio, partly thanks to BEDROC’s Mike Brownyard.

“We were at a party and they [BEDROC] were freestyling in front of a group of people,” said Tate.

After a friend persuaded him to jump in the freestyle, Tate’s talent caught the eye of Brownyard.

“And so I started and they actually liked it, and Mike Brownyard said that I should get in front of a microphone.”

Tate soon formed a valued relationship with BEDROC, as he said that “it’s good to have someone looking after you.”

“I really look up to them,” Tate said about his bond with the hip-hop duo. “They pretty much brought me in. Mike is kind of like an older brother to me and he’s taught me a lot.”

Tate’s “up-tempo R&B” style was originally inspired by rapper Soulja Boy, but his love for all genres plays a part in his musical creations.

“I don’t just listen to rap, I listen to all types of music and try to pick new styles and find out new ways to create new music,” he said.

Producing catchy songs that are relatable to all audiences is Tate’s main goal in creating music.

“I don’t want to do the same thing that everybody in today’s music business is doing,” he said.

Utilizing his artistic talents (he creates graphics and animations as well), Tate hopes to introduce a brand new kind of sound and look to the industry. “It’s my type of music, so why not make what I’m comfortable with?”

Writing all of his own lyrics, Tate has found his drive for music usually develops from school and his relationships. Whatever the inspiration may be, Tate has found that being compensated for his performances is just a bonus to the already enjoyable hobby.

“A lot of people say that it isn’t about the money,” said Tate. “But, eventually it will be.  You’re spending money to make music, so why not try to make money making music?”

Although life in the music industry may seem glamorous, Tate has found that it’s not always so alluring.

“One of the challenges I face is tying it in with school and work,” said Tate.

Juggling his job, studies and recording has proved to be a difficult task. He said that “[it’s difficult] finding a time to record and actually write a song when I know I have to write an essay for class.  It’s hard to put one of those things off.”

Time management, however, isn’t the only trouble Tate faces being a student solo-artist.

“One of the major things I’ve come across is scamming,” said Tate, who has received numerous e-mails from MySpace and Facebook fans, asking him to come and perform at their venues. In one case, he dodged a scam that could have cost him nearly $400.

“It’s definitely a challenge deciphering whether someone’s interested in you, or just trying to get your money,” said Tate.

Although his music career is important to him, Tate expressed his enthusiasm for being a student as well.

“Music is kind of like my backbone,” he said. “But, getting a degree from John Carroll would be my main focus.  I would say that I’d like to be a musician, but that’s not my main goal.”

Tate sees himself one day being a producer or directing music videos.

Since he has entered the scene less than a year ago, Tate has been a busy student.

“I performed with BEDROC a couple of times, and I’m performing at Relay for Life, and a Relief for Haiti performance. I also have a couple of shows with Chip the Ripper from Cleveland,” said Tate about his busy schedule.

Looking back, Tate reflects on how far he has come as a solo-artist.

“I feel pretty comfortable with where I’m at,” said Tate, whose MySpace page includes songs that have been played in five countries and 24 states. “In seven months, I’ve come a long way.”

Meyers has made a memorable Anderson Cooper, Ryan Seacrest and John Kerry, but is most known for being an anchor for “Weekend Update,” since 2006.

Meyers, a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Il., is also currently the head writer.

However, before getting his start as an “SNL” member, Meyers’ first got his feet wet in various improv sketch groups.

At Northwestern University, Meyers, an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins, and the Boston Red Sox landed a spot with an improv group called “Mee-Ow.”

He later went on to become a cast member on Boom Chicago, a sketch group based in Amsterdam, where his brother, Josh, was also a cast member.

After years of writing and acting for various comedy sketches, Meyers joined the cast of “SNL” in 2001. He was promoted to writing supervisor in 2005, and a year later became co-head writer alongside Tina Fey.

After Fey’s departure, Meyers became the head writer for the 2006-2007 season and soon became co-anchor with Amy Poehler on “Weekend Update.” In 2008 however, Poehler left “Weekend Update” and Meyers has since been anchoring the political-based comedy sketch solo.

“‘Weekend Update’ was the only place for me,” Meyers said about finding his home during an interview with Canada’s National Post. “The only spot on the show where you get to just be yourself.”

While Meyers has been behind the scenes, creating popular bits such as Fey’s spot-on Sarah Palin parody, he has also created a number of his own impersonations. From John Kerry to Tom Cruise, Meyers has impersonated popular figures in recent pop culture.

Meyers has been performing stand-up since his early career in various improv groups.

As his stand-up act makes it’s way around the country, Meyers tells Northwestern University’s newspaper, North by Northwest, about which job he enjoys more.

“I like them both,” he said. “A stand-up show is you and your point of view for an hour, whereas writing for SNL, you have the benefit of doing smaller pieces, and using bigger casts. Stand-up is more personal.”

Meyers makes his way to perform at John Carroll University on Friday, February 19 at 8:00 p.m. at Kulas Auditorium.

With recent temperatures reaching drastic lows, taking the proper precautions to help protect your skin during those cold walks is important. 

“Winter itch” is a prevalent skin condition that develops during these cold months. 

According to sophomore Peter Croke, it is very annoying. 

“Every year it’s the same thing,” he said.  “It doesn’t help that Cleveland is as cold as it is.”

Frequent exposure to freezing temperatures will often turn skin red and scaly, resulting in itchiness and irritation. 

So why exactly does “winter itch” occur, and just what exactly is it that causes our skin to feel the way it does in the winter months? 

“Winter brings dry, cold air, which causes skin to lose oil,” said dermatologist Dr. Robert Haber of Haber Dermatology in Cleveland. 

“Skin doesn’t get the moderate moisture it needs. So it dries, as a variety of oil processes occur that cause inflammation. The skin then becomes irritated, red and itchy,” he said. 

“Every year around this time my skin seems to always be dry and itchy,” said sophomore Michael Jubec. “I take hot showers and even use moisturizer sometimes. Nothing seems to work though.” 

Should all students then resort to taking the frigid walk to CVS and purchasing expensive prescription moisturizers? 

Dr. Haber suggests cheaper, more conventional alternatives that will help us all during this season. 

“Moisturizers don’t need to be expensive,” he said. “Something as simple as Vaseline works perfectly fine.”

This helps trap moisture within the pores, keeping skin from becoming too dry and cracking.

“I’ve used multiple products, and not many seemed to work, except for moisturizers,” said Croke. “It keeps the skin from getting too red and flaky.” 

Others like Cetaphil, Aveeno Daily Mosturizing Lotion, Burts Bees products and ChapStick work well, too. 

“I’ve tried a lot of products and personally, I think cocoa butter works the best,” said sophomore Izzy Khaimov. 

Dr. Haber also addresses the myth of taking warm showers in hopes of soothing dry skin. 

“Hot showers actually do not help moisturize at all. In some cases, it can even irritate the skin more,” he said. 

According to Medical News Today, prolonged hot showers can cause Eczema, the chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, reddened, cracked and dry. 

The medical news site also suggests a number of possible remedies to help relieve winter itch.

 Adequately cleansing the skin, taking short, lukewarm showers, and purchasing a small humidifier are all possible antidotes for alleviating red, itchy skin. 

Some medical experts even propose applying honey to dry, cracking lips. 

One of the oldest foods in existence, honey was an ancient remedy for wound healing, in part because it never spoils.  

“I’ve never heard of applying honey to your lips,” said Haber.  “Wouldn’t you just want to lick it off?” 

However, according to Haber, honey does contain natural healing and antibacterial properties that can be used on open wounds. 

“I suppose it could be applied to chapped lips as well,” he said.  

So, whether it’s applying a petroleum-based cleanser or a sweet nectar to your dry lips, it’s important to keep your skin properly moisturized during those wintry walks to class.