So, as I sat down to write, I looked outside at the crisp, bright snow melting as it hit the ground. It made me remember why I love the holidays (with the exception of commuting in the snow, of course).

As my grandma would say, if everyone was as nice as they were during the holidays, the world would be a much better place. So, instead of giving you advice on how to get the most out of college, I want to ask for a favor.

The holidays are a time of giving. I’d guess that every student at John Carroll has at least one thing to be grateful for this year. So, think of all of the ways you might be able to enrich someone else’s year.

The other day, I stumbled upon something in my Facebook feed that made me take a moment to remember what’s important in my life. Above a call for donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, my cousin’s post read, “The family stayed here when Rosie was sick – it was a blessing to be so close to the hospital and not have to pay for a hotel room.”

My cousin Rosie passed away several years ago at the age of five. She was outgoing and she loved to dance. She died of a rare form of brain cancer that there was no specific treatment for at the time.

For that reason, every time I get a letter in the mail asking for a donation to a medical research fund or if someone at a department store asks me if I’d like to donate a dollar to help a charitable cause, I always give. Even if it’s as little as a dollar, someday it might help cure someone like Rosie.

The favor that I am asking of you is this: do something to help someone this year. Donate to a cause, volunteer at a hospice center, participate in a food drive, or just simply say “yes” the next time you are out shopping and a cashier asks if you’d like to donate a dollar to an organization like St. Jude’s or the Ronald McDonald House.

It doesn’t take much on your part, but you could make a world of difference in someone else’s life. There are plenty of organizations at John Carroll that I’m sure would be happy to have your help. Last year I spent the day with a fabulous little boy at Circle K’s “Through the Eyes of a Child” event, and this year I plan to spend Christmas Day helping to feed the homeless for Labre.

During the holiday season, when you’re surrounded by family, friends and everything that you are thankful for this year, remember that there’s always someone that’s less fortunate than you. The smallest gesture of kindness or support can go a long way.

“Our mission as a Jesuit Catholic university calls for each of us to care for one another,” said Mark McCarthy, JCU’s vice president for student affairs. “This commitment means that all of us need to take care of ourselves and seek assistance for our friends when experiencing stress and depression.”

Frank Kinmonth and Cody Gullette were both found deceased in their dorm rooms earlier this semester. Kinmonth was found dead the morning of Sept. 20 in Millor Hall by his roommate. On the morning of Oct. 25, Gullette was also found unresponsive in his dorm room in Campion Hall by a friend.

Following the deaths of the two JCU sophomores, the university reacted by immediately setting up extended counseling center hours and finding additional ways to support the campus community.

“Many people in the campus community continue to take action to further the healing process in the aftermath of the tragic loss of two of its members,” said McCarthy.

In addition to the extended counseling center hours, which end today, Nov. 12, the university added counseling personnel, brought therapy dogs to campus, gave presentations on responding to students in distress, and continues to plan future grief support and preventative measures.

John Ropar, director of the JCU Counseling Center, said the center will halt their extended hours because students do not seem interested.

“There’s nobody accessing the services,” said Ropar.

In an e-mail to students on Oct. 28, University President the Rev. Robert Niehoff said, “We will continue to plan and implement more long term responses in the coming weeks and months.”

JCU is bringing a gatekeeper training program for faculty, staff and students to campus on Dec. 3. Campus Connect is tailored to improve knowledge and awareness concerning student suicide.

Ropar said the program was set sometime in July or August of this year, prior to the campus deaths.

The program objectives are to make participants more aware of suicide warning signs and referral points for students who may be at risk for suicide. Also, the plan is to increase the campus’ ability to respond to at-risk students and to improve participants’ self-efficacy in reacting to at-risk students.

Ropar said Campus Connect is a positive program. “I’m glad we’ve been able to implement it,” he said.

For more information on mental health and grieving resources, visit http://www.jcu.edu/campuslife/wellness/student/index.htm.

The Counseling Center is located at 2567 South Belvoir Road, two doors down from the tennis courts. Staff can be reached at any time via Campus Safety Services at (216) 397-1234.

But, for each one of those instances, there’s also a way to make sure that chick never speaks to you again. So, for the fellas, here are a few things you should consider when you start dating someone new.

Do not, under any circumstances, tell a girl that you think her friend is hot. Regardless of the situation (or your blood alcohol content), this will never produce positive results.

If you’re just starting to date a girl, don’t call her more than once a day; you’ll scare her away. I can say with certainty that the majority of the girls you’ll find will have caller ID and they’ll know how to check a voicemail. Unless you’re in a life-threatening situation, one call is enough.

You are in college; chances are you have a lot going on between classes, athletics, volunteer work, creeping on Facebook, reading the latest issue of The Carroll News cover to cover and whatever else you deem a priority.

Thus, giving the girl you are head over heels for a detailed run down of what you plan to do each day is not only annoying, but also a little creepy. We don’t care that you plan to check your mail today or eat a sandwich at exactly 1:30 p.m. We have more important things to worry about.

Say you pay for dinner every time the two of you go out, and just to be nice, your girlfriend offers to pay one night. Do not respond by saying, “Great! Let’s order an appetizer.” If you do, it will undoubtedly be the last time she offers, possibly even the last time you see her.

If you’ve just started dating a girl and you’re hanging out at your place, it’s probably not a good idea to randomly say, “Get into my bed, I want to see what you look like when you sleep.” That’s a bit creepy.

Finally, know when to move on. When a girl tells you to leave her alone, it is not a suggestion. Do not call, e-mail, text or send flowers. Just find someone else.

There are plenty of options out there. Why would you pursue someone that is clearly no longer  interested?

Now that I’ve told you what not to do, here are a couple things that will most likely work well on a majority of women.

Show up with flowers. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive, even if it’s a single bloom. Believe it or not, it really is the thought that counts.

Be creative. Dinner and a movie is always good, but sometimes it’s the random, seemingly spontaneous adventures that make for the best dates.

I hope this advice helps some of you. And, if the things that I’ve told you seem a bit ridiculous, you’re right. These situations are a bit ridiculous, but sadly these are all real experiences that either myself or one of my fellow female CNer’s have encountered.

So, for those of you who do in fact live in your own secluded existence, here’s what went down: Last month a CBS employee attempted to extort Letterman out of $2 million in exchange for not revealing that he had affairs with some of his female staff members.

In response, Letterman had the man that tried to blackmail him set up with a fake check. Ultimately, the man was arrested. The late-night TV host announced the situation last week on his show, detailing everything that had happened and poking fun at the situation. Rather than paying the ridiculous $2 million or just denying the allegations, Letterman chose to lighten the mood by doing what he does best – turning the situation into something humorous, and gaining a good amount of laughter from the audience. 

“Would it be embarrassing if it were made public,” said Letterman during his show. “Perhaps it would. Perhaps it would. Especially for the women!” Attaching his comedic wit to the situation allowed Letterman to turn something that he could have been attacked for, into something that simply got him more applause.

Even during his on-air apology to his wife, whom he married this past March, Letterman still kept audiences laughing.

This is brilliant. The publicity spin he put on the scandal was genius… why hide something that you know is true? Only Letterman would think to turn something that is probably tearing his family apart into something that has increased his ratings.

Yet, other talk show hosts are still attempting to poke fun at Letterman. Jay Leno said at the start of one of his shows, “If you came here tonight for sex with a talk show host, you’ve got the wrong studio.” Weak, Jay. Weak!

You can’t legitimately make fun of someone that has already made a joke out of his own situation.

Now I should probably clarify that I do not condone infidelity in any way, shape or form. There’s never a valid excuse for cheating. And, it would be hard not to feel sorry for Letterman’s wife, who is inevitably suffering from her husband’s extra-marital activities. However, it does happen. And, in terms of the way he handled the incident, I give Letterman props for stepping up, admitting what he did and turning the scandal into a ratings booster.

So, I started to write my column this week about Issue 3 and the fact that it’s a bad idea to encourage something that could bring more problems to Ohio. Sure it’ll bring jobs, but at what cost?

However, as I began writing down all of the reasons I think that allowing casinos to be constructed in Cleveland and other cities in Ohio (i.e. attracting degenerate gamblers), it occurred to me that there is a very good possibility that many of the students at JCU may not care about Issue 3.

You might not even know what it is (until I just told you a couple paragraphs ago), or the trouble that it could bring if passed.  

The fact is most of you probably won’t even vote. This worries me. 

And, please don’t use the excuse that you aren’t an Ohio resident, it isn’t a sound argument. Any student living in University Heights can vote, even if you’re only here temporarily. 

The right to vote in the Democratic process is one that not everyone has, you should take advantage of that. Even if you don’t care about Issue 3, there are many other matters that I’m sure you have an opinion on. 

You have a voice, so let it be heard. Voting is the best way to let your opinions and beliefs be known. There are enough JCU students to make a drastic difference in voting results on Nov. 3. So, why not take advantage of that?

This upcoming election is especially important because for the first time in as long as any of us (the average college undergraduate) have been alive, University Heights will have a new mayor. And, let’s face it: We all know that the University has not had the best of luck with the current U.H. administration. 

As informed college students we have a moral obligation to do what we feel is best I’m not telling you who to vote for… just vote. 

As trite as it sounds, you really can make a difference in the city and the way it approaches it’s relationship with John Carroll. Anyone with a modicum of respect and concern for Carroll would, and should, do whatever they could to help ease the University’s relationship with the city.  

Oct. 5 is the last day to register. And if you do plan to vote, be informed. Know the candidates; know the issues – because you aren’t helping anyone by playing eeny-meeny-miny-moe with your selection. 

And if in doubt, you can always write in Bob Seeholzer (if you aren’t smiling right now, read page 18).

Paul Murphy’s son, Daniel Murphy.

The 15-year-old son of a John Carroll University faculty member died in an ATV accident this past weekend.

Daniel Murphy, son of Paul V. Murphy, JCU’s director of the Institute of Catholic Studies, and Marcia Leous Murphy, was a sophomore at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, where he was a member of the crew team.

Matthew Previts, head coach for crew and director of information systems at St. Ignatius, said, “Murphy was an exemplary oarsmen, friend and young man. Our lives were enriched by his presence.”

According to Lt. Chris Viland of the Solon Police Department, Daniel was one of four teens involved in the ATV accident that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Solon, Ohio. Daniel was declared dead when Solon police arrived on the scene after a 9-1-1 call was placed at 3:35 p.m.

One of the other teens was life-flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center for injuries to his leg and head. The other two teens involved feeling at this time. However, we are, above all else, people of faith who know that our beautiful son Daniel is in Jesus’ hands today.”

The family also extended gratitude for support from John Carroll, Gesu parish, St. Ignatius High School, the Beaumont School and others.

JCU was quick to organize a prayer service on Sunday for both Murphy and JCU sophomore Frank Kinmonth who died on campus that morning.

St. Ignatius Principal Peter Corrigan Jr. said, “Daniel was a quiet leader who showed his heart through his work. He loved being a student here and wasn’t afraid to show it. He was often seen wearing Ignatius sportswear after school, on and off campus.”

Previts recalled the day he met Murphy during his freshman year at St. Ignatius.

“I met ‘Murph,’ as we called him, on Aug. 28, 2008,” said Previts. “He was the first freshman waiting outside my office door. He was there to express his interest in rowing for crew. That was Murph, first one there, last one to leave.”

A funeral mass was scheduled for Murphy at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at Gesu Church.

It never fails to amaze me how much the incoming JCU classes stick out each year, like red socks in a basket full of white laundry.

Friday I was walking through the English department and coming toward me was a pack of freshmen, looking as though they were desperately trying to make sure that everyone saw that they had friends. FYI, no one cares how many friends you have.

And as if they weren’t obvious enough, two of them were wearing pajamas. Now, I’m all about comfort. You’ll often see me in worn-out jeans and T-shirts. But, PJs are just a bit too lax.

Allow me to give you some advice that may make the next four years easier for you. You’ve chosen to go to a Jesuit College … act like it! You are paying good money to attend a prestigious school, so have respect for it.

The professors that I’ve had the pleasure of taking courses with at John Carroll have done amazing things in the professional world. Do you think that they want to stare at some kid in their flannel PJ pants?

Not only are you showing a lack of respect for your educators, but you’re showing a lack of respect for yourself. You are in college now, your mommy isn’t here to dress you (though I wish she was, for your sake).

Now, I’m honestly not trying to pick on you. On the contrary – I’m trying to make your lives easier. Trust me, you’ll get a lot further in life if you take a little pride in your appearance.

The other thing that really got to me this week, happened just outside O’Malley. A student, who I can only assume was a freshman based on his lack of tact, was on his cell phone having what was clearly a private conversation.

The young man’s voice was noticeably elevated and he was swinging his arms emphatically as he said, “This is a little more important than coffee, Dad! I don’t know if you know that or not.”

I was standing at least 30 feet away from him, and yet I could still hear every word that was said. There’s a proper time and place to have private conversations. And, in between afternoon classes, in front of O’Malley Center, isn’t it. You’re in college now. For the first time, you don’t have your parents around to make your decisions for you.

With this newfound freedom comes responsibility. There’s no one to blame if you make an ass of yourself. Your actions are your own. 

So, make sure that the person you’re molding yourself to be is someone that you’re proud of.

College, among many other things, is an opportunity to start fresh; to leave behind all of those high school embarrassments. Do you want to be the guy or girl who doesn’t care about his or her appearance and screams at their parents on the phone in public?

Freshmen, I’d encourage you to ask yourselves the following questions when you are about to do something you are unsure of. First, what does this say about the person that you want to be? Second, is this something that you want other people to remember you for?

Last week I had approximately 24 hours of sleep. That’s less than half of the recommended 49 to 56 hours that one should get over the course of seven days. This is pretty standard for me; generally I get about four hours of shut-eye per night (if I’m lucky), with the exception of Tuesdays.

Thanks to this wonderful publication you’re currently reading, I’ve been entirely deprived of any sleep on Tuesday nights/Wednesday mornings. That’s not to say that spending 15 plus consecutive hours with my lovely staff on Tuesday night (our print deadline night) isn’t entertaining, but let’s face it, getting out of the office before the sun comes up on Wednesday would be rather amazing. (It’s a goal I hope to achieve some time next semester.)

Over the course of my years at Carroll, I’ve become accustomed to sleep deprivation, as I’m sure many of my peers have as well. In high school, I took my eight hours per night for granted, not realizing that someday a full night’s rest would become as elusive as the tooth fairy is to a 4-year-old.

In all honesty, I don’t necessarily mind my sleep deprivation. While I cherish my slumber time, each hour that I spend awake, I accomplish something. So, it isn’t as if I’m wasting my time.

Sure I could drop an extracurricular activity or opt out of one of my jobs, but let’s face it, we’re in college. If higher education teaches us anything outside of the classroom, it’s how to survive with the least amount of sleep possible.

It’s funny, prior to college I couldn’t function after staying up all night. Sleep was essential – kind of like eating or bathing. Now, sleep is more of a privilege than a need.

Caffeine and coffee, more specifically cappuccino and Pepsi, have become my main sources of energy. The foamy goodness of a French-vanilla cappuccino has become a prerequisite to the start of my day. And, the tried and true pop machines cater to my mid-day/evening/wee hours of the morning caffeine needs.

Earlier this year and last, I was spending just shy of $4 a day on Starbucks, but as my nights of rest became less frequent, I began to realize that my bank account just couldn’t handle such a luxury. Thus, I quickly discovered that a $1.19 machine-made pick-me-up from my local gas station could provide the same affects as the over-priced venti latte from Starbucks.

I am not the biggest fan of coffee. It isn’t a taste that I crave, or something that I simply must have. However, without it, I fear I would be dead to the world – a walking zombie.

For these reasons, I simply can’t wait for summer. While I will be working full time and participating in an internship or two, it will be the first time in many moons that I’ll be able to go home and not have anything that I absolutely have to get done.

My jobs don’t require any type of “homework” and my internships shouldn’t require much at-home effort. I look forward to being able to leave my work at work and come home to my bed – my dear old friend. Sleep and I have been separated for some time now, and I look forward to May 8, when we can reunite for a full eight hours of uninterrupted snoozing.

Amazed by how Twitter allows one person to have as big a presence as an entire media company, Kutcher posted a video on qik.com last week, challenging the media giant to see who could reach 1 million followers first. Prior to this dare, no Twitter user had hit the 1 million mark, according to TwitterCounter.

During the online video, shot inside Kutcher’s vehicle, he said, “I just thought that was just kind of an amazing comment on the state of our media, and I said that, if I beat CNN to 1 million viewers, then I would ding-dong ditch Ted Turner – because I don’t think it’s gonna’ happen.”

I agree, this is an astonishing comment on the state of our news media. I personally was rooting for CNN. It may not be my first choice for gathering information, however, it’s the principle of the challenge.

Kutcher was right; he didn’t beat CNN, and as of Tuesday afternoon, Kutcher had 1,137,100 followers and CNN Breaking News had 1,302,790 followers.

One person can be as “followed” or as popular as an entire news outlet. That is disturbing to me. That’s not to say that I am not a Kutcher fan, but I don’t believe that he is more important than the news.

For those of you who haven’t Twittered, Twitter is a social media Web site that allows you to post 140-character updates as often as you like. It is a way of micro blogging, in a sense.

For news outlets specifically, it allows a constant flow of the day’s news, literally at your fingertips, in real time. Media outlets, such as CNN Breaking News, have used the site to form a conversation with their audiences. Considering CNN’s phenomenal amount of followers, the idea of news as conversation is really taking off.

But I find it remarkable that one person, such as Kutcher can have the same effect on people as CNN Breaking News.

This truly does say something about the state of our media. More and more, we’re seeing a decline in print journalism.

Some claim that print publications are dying and that they’ll soon cease to exist. I would contend that this is a bit harsh. Print is declining, but I believe and hope that it will always be around in some capacity.

If you follow news regularly, regardless of the publication, you’ve probably read that many print media outlets are cutting back their publication areas, reducing the number of days they publish and shrinking their circulation, while others have either moved entirely to the Internet or completely folded.

As someone who hopes to pursue a career in journalism post-graduation, it is scary to see such a decline.

This year’s Pulitzer Prize winners were announced this past Monday, and reading an article on the winners, I was shocked to find that one of them had recently been laid off.

Paul Gibbon, who with Ryan Gabrielson, won a Pulitzer for local reporting, for their work on a five part immigration piece that ran in the East Valley Tribune, was laid off this past October.

According to an article by Robert MacMillian on Reuters, the East Valley Tribune cut its staff by 40 percent, in addition to reducing its publication and distribution area. If a Pulitzer winner can’t keep a job, there isn’t much hope for the rest of us.

While Kutcher’s challenge may not seem like anything important – just a game – it is an indication of the trouble that our media outlets are in.

And while print media is probably having the most trouble, they aren’t the only ones that need to step up their game. If Kutcher’s provocation has taught us anything, its that entertainment has become just as important to the public as actual news. This is a frightening concept to grapple with.

So, if you care at all about the pirates in Somalia, the coverage of a campus sex crime or the latest political coverage, please put down US Weekly or Cosmo (I know its difficult, I love it too), and pick up The Wall Street Journal. Stop checking the post secret tweets on Twitter and follow CNN Breaking News or whatever other media outlet you prefer to get your news from.

The neighborhood’s rich history led the way for the cultivation of Cleveland’s very own art nook. The area is known for its many galleries, featuring a diverse collection of art from both local and national artists.

Located at 761 Starkweather Ave., Lilly’s Handmade Chocolates has creative, delicious confections and an extensive collection of wine.

Many of the galleries, like Asterisk* and The Doubting Thomas Gallery, feature local artists with different themes throughout the year.

The galleries offer everything from paintings and drawings to sculptures made of outlandish products to unique art, like glass-blown dishes and jewelry or art made from bricks collected from the shores of Lake Erie.

Walking into The Paul Duda Gallery, you’ll find paintings and prints of popular parts of the Cleveland area, such as the downtown skyline or a well-known West Side bridge. Galleries such as Piccadilly’s have a more traditional selection of high-priced art.

Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or a novice, Tremont has something for everyone to enjoy. While each art gallery has its own weekly hours of operation, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the second Friday of every month many of the galleries and other area attractions open their doors to visitors for the Tremont Art Walk.

This event began in 1993 with only seven participating businesses. Since then, according to tremontartwalk.org, more than 100 Tremont attractions have participated and together have shown the work of more than 1,000 artists. Each month, upwards of 20 locations participate in the Art Walk.

Stylish venues such as the 806 Wine and Martini Bar and The Tree House also participate in the Art Walks. The owner of 806, Lisa Gottshalt, is proud to be a part of the area. Referring to the artwork adorning the walls of her establishment, Gottshalt said, “We try to feature a couple different artists from the area.”

Other businesses in the area also feature local artwork, including La Bodega. The small but successful soup, salad and sandwich shop has been offering affordable yet delicious meals for over six years now. Dale Prunchak, a La Bodega employee of two years, said, “We’re different – a lot of our sandwiches are unique. We have stuff other places don’t have, like the peanut butter, banana and honey sub.”

The area’s rich culture and unique night life has paved the way for more upscale, trendy restaurants to move in as well. Quality restaurants, such as Fahrenheit, Lago and Parallax are just a few of the eateries that call Tremont home.
Michael Symon, winner of the 2007 Food Network reality show “The Next Iron Chef,” chose Tremont as the location for his chic upscale restaurant Lolita.

With a creative Mediterranean menu, featuring dishes like the spaghetti with puttanesca sauce, shrimp, capers and anchovies, and a casual yet distinctive atmosphere, Lolita offers a unique dining experience.

In addition to the galleries, bars and restaurants, Tremont also offers unique shopping venues. Visible Voice Books, the area’s only bookstore, features not only a wide selection of books, but also a wine bar, giving patrons the option to relax with a glass of Zinfandel or Merlot while perusing their more than 10,000 titles.

If you’re looking to purchase something less educational, but still fun, The Banyan Tree has everything from handmade jewelry and earthy clothing to novel kitchen items.

The Tremont Art Walk is held whether the sun is shining or there’s snow on the ground, with the next one taking place on Friday, April 10. For more information or to find out which venues will be participating in future Art Walks, visit tremontartwalk.org.

With summer internship interviews, fun nights out and other events that called for dressing up, I’ve spent most of the last week in exceptionally tall heels. Glossy red pumps, printed wedges and black stilettos worked together this week to bring me many blisters and dire back pain.

And it got me thinking about all of the money we women spend on designer shoes, only to purposefully put ourselves in pain. One could argue that the key here is to purchase a pair of high heels that are stylish yet comfortable, but I would have to contend that such a shoe doesn’t exist. The words high heel and comfort simply don’t mix.

Pain is just something that women must endure to dress up. We’ve been raised to tolerate the blisters and the agony that comes along with our fashionable high heels – it’s what’s expected of us; a part of womanhood, if you will. So much so that women are now getting fat injected into their feet in order to continue wearing their adorable Jimmy Choo platforms or sexy Manolo Blahnik stilettos.

That’s right: There are podiatric surgeons who now offer aesthetic foot treatments like injectable foot cushions and even Botox treatments.

Sara Bouraee, a podiatric surgeon in Philadelphia, Pa., specializes in cosmetic foot surgery and “Facial for the Foot” treatments, according to her Web site, drsarabouraee.com. Bouraee offers surgeries that help women continue to wear their stylish high heels, including fat injections to the ball of the foot, shots of Botox to help with hammer-toe spasms and, for the true designer high heel wearer, the removal of foot bones to allow for a better fit in high-priced narrow heels.

Forgive me, but this just seems a little unreal to me. I can’t imagine turning to surgery simply for the sake of my pretty Steve Madden’s. But it comes back to this idea that it’s expected (the wearing of high heels, not surgery). As women, we are socialized into the idea that high heels are something that makes us attractive, a weapon of sorts. Just as a suit is vital to any business person, a high heel (sometimes dangerously high) is necessary to every woman.

Even as children, females dress up in their mothers’ high heels. When we are young, they are part of the magical world that is womanhood. They rank right up there with lipstick and skirts.

Yet, I have to wonder: Are we taking it too far? We all subject ourselves to podiatric distress in the name of womanly fashion, but when are we going too far?

I love my stilettos as much as the next girl, but blisters and Botox are two very different things. The blisters are worth it, but I’d rather opt for flats than put my feet under the knife. I would argue that when you reach the point of turning to bone removal, it’s time to ditch the fancy footwear and pull out the sneakers.

With 143 feature films and 174 shorts playing over the course of ten days, the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival is everything a movie lover could ask for.

The annual festival began in 1977 and has grown steadily since its original eight-film program. Last year’s festival brought in more than 52,000 people, despite the harsh winter weather.  And this year brings several exciting new sidebars and honors.

The festival’s Artistic Director Bill Guentzler said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has honored the festival by making it a qualifying venue for two Oscar categories. “For our short films, we’re now a nominating festival, so the winners of our best live action and best animated short films can then be eligible next year for the Oscars – which is really cool,” said Guentzler.

In addition to this new aspect, two sidebars have been added to the program: Film is Art and The Sports Section. The festival’s regular sidebars include a section on empowering women, a “10%” sidebar that deals with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes, among other programs.

In his 11th year with the festival, Guentzler said, “There’s something for everybody at the festival.”

As the artistic director, Guentzler has the final say in which feature films ultimately make it into the festival. Guentzler said two of his favorite films at this year’s festival are a French-Canadian narrative film called “It’s Not Me, I Swear” and a documentary film titled, “The Way We Get By.”

“It’s Not Me, I Swear” is set in 1968 Quebec and is about a 10-year-old boy who is unhappy with his home life and contemplates running away. His father is an activist lawyer who neglects his family and his mother is a free-spirited artist who is frustrated with her suburban life.

Guentzler’s other favorite film, “The Way We Get By,” tracks three retired military troop greeters from Maine who dedicate their lives to greeting the troops coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Another aspect of this year’s festival that Guentzler feels will be of particular interest to college students are the midnight screenings held on both Fridays and Saturdays of the festival, which begins today.

The midnight screenings include several feature films and many short programs, which include six to ten short films that last roughly two hours, for the price of one ticket. “The short films are fun because you’re getting a mix of everything,” said Guentzler.

If all of them were my fault, I’d gladly take the blame. However, three, arguably four, of the incidents were completely out of my control.

The first accident occurred about six months after I bought the vehicle. I was on my way to class one December morning when I hit a patch of ice on I-480. Technically, this one was probably my fault; I can’t control the weather, but I can control my reactions to it. And of course I reacted in the worst way possible.

As I felt the car sliding out of control on the slippery pavement, I decided to stomp on my brake pedal, sending my car into a tailspin. While I didn’t hit any other vehicles, I did cause a considerable amount of damage to a guardrail (which the city of Maple Heights later billed me for).

Accident No. 2 was rather minor, but still upsetting. Last summer I came out to my vehicle to find a bright yellow scuff on the corner of my bumper – apparently someone had clipped my rear end and decided not to leave a note. I have yet to identify the culprit and while the yellow paint was able to be buffed out, several large scratches remain.

Not convinced that my car hates me? This past fall, during a wind storm, a brick just happened to come loose from the chimney on my neighbor’s home – care to guess where it landed? Yes, even though my car was parked at least seven feet away, the brick still managed to land on it. Did it jump? I just don’t get it.

At this point, I had decided that my car is simply attracted to trouble. Or perhaps it’s the opposite; maybe trouble seeks out my car. Either way I was reaching the end of my rope.

With this track record, Thanksgiving Break would not have been complete without something unfortunate happening. A day after Turkey Day, I was stopped at a red light and wouldn’t you know it, I was hit from behind. I began to think that there was a sign visible to all but me that read ‘hit me’ affixed to my car.

To make matters worse, the person who hit me decided that it would be a good idea to back up and speed off, which he would have realized was a bad idea if he had bothered to look around and notice that a police car was on the opposite side of the traffic light. The 17-year-old unlicensed, uninsured driver was caught about five minutes later, and the vehicle he hit me with did not belong to him – go figure.

Bear with me, there’s just one more. As both Summer and Thanksgiving Breaks brought accidents, it would only stand to reason that Spring Break would hold the same fate. And it did.

Unfortunately, the damages were a bit more severe than the last few incidents, costing more than $5,000 (thank God for insurance). So, the Chevy dealership decided that they’d need at least one to two weeks to repair everything. Living roughly 40 minutes away (and that’s not accounting for traffic), it isn’t exactly easy to be without a vehicle. So, my week was less than fabulous.

I’ve decided to put my car up for sale this summer. On the up side, just about every part of the car’s body has been replaced. Anyone interested in a freshly painted, possessed Chevy Cobalt? I’ll give you an excellent deal.

Eddie is initially rather content with his single-status until, by a chance encounter, he meets a blond vixen named Lila (Malin Akerman). Lila seems absolutely perfect–that is if looks are all that matter to you.

Eddie and Lila fall head over heels for each other after just a few weeks. Constantly all over each other, they never seem to have any meaningful conversations, just a strong physical connection.

Thus, when Lila informs Eddie of her possible job relocation to Rotterdam, Eddie turns to his foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed father (Jerry Stiller) and his friend, Mac (Rob Corddry) for advice.

After quite a bit of persuasion, Eddie decides to marry Lila after only a few weeks of dating. All of this just to keep her from relocating–bad decision.

As the newlyweds road trip down to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for their honeymoon, Eddie quickly begins to realize what a huge mistake he has made.

Not only is Lila unimaginably annoying, but Eddie also finds out that her aforementioned job is really a volunteer position and that she is more then twenty thousand dollars in debt.

Then, as they spend their first night together as husband and wife, Eddie discovers that Lila is intensely sexually awkward. In addition, she has a ridiculous deviated septum as a result of a past cocaine addiction. Wow, talk about not knowing someone.

Thanks to the massively hot Mexican sun and an overdose application of mineral oil, Lila ends up getting such severe sunburn that she is covered in painful boils and blisters. So, with his new wife confined to their hotel room, Eddie is able to explore Cabo all on his own.

Enter Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), a Mississippi girl-next-door on vacation, celebrating her aunt and uncle’s wedding anniversary, with several members of her extended family. Eddie soon falls in love with Miranda, who has no idea that he is married and on his honeymoon. Frantically, Eddie tries to find a way to tell Miranda the truth about his marital mistake. Unfortunately, Lila and Miranda find out about each other all on their own, leaving Eddie all alone again.

As for the acting, none of the actors in the film offer very much insight into the psychology of their characters. For the most part, all of the actors simply try too hard to be funny. With an excessive amount of cursing, over-the-top bedroom scenes and mindless humor, “The Heartbreak Kid” was just overdone.

Ben Stiller’s character had no depth and offered no real acting challenges; it’s the same character we’ve seen him play in his previous roles. Jerry Stiller wasn’t at his best, either. The constant curse words spewing from his mouth seemed completely unnatural and just didn’t suit. However, some scenes were just so dumb that you couldn’t help but laugh.

Does Eddie win back Miranda’s heart or will he be doomed to the single life indefinitely? I guess you’ll have to see for yourself.

So if you enjoy shallow humor, I suppose “The Heartbreak Kid” wouldn’t be a complete waste of time. But, I’d recommend waiting for it to come out on cable.

Located at the avenue of Tower City Center on West Second Street, it’s roughly a 20-minute drive from campus. However, it’s a little pricey, so I’d recommend going with your parents or maybe on a very special occasion, as it doesn’t quite fit into a college student’s budget.

Morton’s dining room seats 133 people and offers three boardrooms seating between fifteen and seventy-two guests. They also offer an extensive bar called Bar 12*21.

Upon entering the romantically-lit restaurant, you are immediately welcomed and taken to your beautifully arranged table. Each table is illuminated by a small oil lamp in the shape of a brass sleeping pig and covered by a bright white linen table cloth.

The very friendly server, Terri, presented the menu a la carte, meaning that each entrée item was rolled out on a cart and presented. She skillfully explained each entrée for the evening, beginning with the two types of fresh fish of the day and then moving on to the steak.

All six of the different types of steak offered on the menu were displayed on a single silver platter, raw of course. Terri took time to explain the differences, such as texture, of each type of steak and then moved on to show us the Maine lobster of the night, which she said is flown in fresh on a daily basis.

And if you’re like me and hate shelling your seafood or carving your steak, Terri said that they’re “more than happy to do it for you.”

Not sure you’ll be able to keep up with everything the server is saying? Not to worry, after the menu a la carte is shown, a written menu is given.

The appetizer, a jumbo lump crabmeat cocktail, was served on a bed of spinach with a side of mustard mayonnaise sauce.

Though the seven chilled chucks of crabmeat really didn’t seem like a very large portion for $13, it was rather tasty. The mustard mayonnaise sauce was a good creamy addition.

Next came the Morton’s house salad, which was topped with chopped egg and blue cheese dressing. The lettuce was fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing.

Now, maybe I’m just too soft-hearted, but seeing that poor little lobster kicking around on the cart kind of made me feel sorry for him, so I decided against ordering the lobster tail and chose the single cut filet mignon instead. Not a bad decision. The steak was phenomenal, extremely tender and juicy.

The sides consisted of crunchy hash browns, large potato skins, sautéed button mushrooms and steamed fresh jumbo asparagus served with a delicious hollandaise sauce. Aside from the mushrooms and the hollandaise sauce, the side dishes, though large in portion, weren’t anything special as far as taste goes.

Finally, came the dessert. Adorned with fresh raspberries, a fresh-from-the-oven, rich chocolate cake with a creamy liquid center along side vanilla ice cream was the perfect end to the Morton’s dining experience.
The service was hands down, the best. The entire staff was friendly and prompt, doing everything that they could to make sure that the guests were happy. They went as far as removing all the crumbs from the table and resetting the silverware between each course. Morton’s also offers a convenient valet parking service for $6.

I would highly recommend Morton’s steakhouse. General manager, James T. Mowbray and executive chef, Paul Kalberer offer delicious food and unbeatable service. However, with dinner for two costing roughly $170, and that’s not including gratuity, it isn’t a restaurant that I would suggest visiting on a regular basis.

Standing approximately nine feet tall, over 50 Fender Stratocaster guitars have been sponsored by different corporations, organizations and individuals, to be designed by both local and celebrity artists.

While some may be purchased back by their sponsors prior to the event, most of the guitars will be auctioned off at the GuitarMania Gala Auction on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

The guitars have been dispersed throughout the city of Cleveland since June.

However, they were recently moved to the front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum where they await their October auction.

Some artists choose to creatively paint the guitars or simply decorate them, while others went as far as sculpting their own add-ons.

For instance, Gregory Glueck, the artist responsible for the “Cleveland Rock Garden Hybrid,” sponsored by the Saint Luke’s Foundation, went a little further than decorations. Glueck’s design incorporates flowers, leaves and insects by adding vines around the guitar.

Brandon Woodle and Mike Discenzo, creators of “Forward,” which was sponsored by Hyland Software, also had a very inventive approach. Their design includes a computer monitor being impaled by the over-sized guitar, as well as a mess of computer printouts at the base of the structure.

These designs, as well as many others, make for extremely pleasing artwork. Not to mention, the art is for a good cause.

United Way of Greater Clevleand is a local, independent non-profit organization that raises money to support over 130 agencies in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties.

These agencies offer health and human care service programs for those in need. They also raise money for Vision Councils, which is a community-wide health and human service agenda, according to Cleveland.com.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum funds various educational programs that are very beneficial.

GuitarMania 2007 has raised over $1.5 million for these two beneficiaries. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, with the auction begining at 8:00 p.m. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets start at $75.

One has to do with cortisol, a stress hormone. When a person is under stress, the fight or flight response is triggered in their bodies, leading to the release of various hormones. Cortisol contributes to weight gain in several different ways.

According to www.medicinenet.com, too much cortisol can slow your metabolism, causing more weight gain than you would normally experience.

Whether it’s because of boyfriend/girlfriend problems, school or demands at work, the body responds as though it is about to be harmed.

To answer this need, the body experiences a burst of energy, shifting the metabolism and blood flow, and other changes.

If the body remains in this state for a long time due to chronic stress, a person’s health becomes at risk, according to www.advance-health.com.

People experiencing chronic stress tend to crave more fatty, salty and sugary foods. These foods are typically less healthy and lead to increased weight gain.

Prolonged stress can alter blood sugar levels, causing mood swings, fatigue, and conditions like hyperglycemia.

Too much stress has even been linked to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health concerns that can lead to greater health problems, like heart attacks and diabetes.

Too much stress even affects where the body tends to store fat. Higher levels of stress are linked to greater levels of abdominal fat.

Another way that stress and weight gain are connected is through emotional eating.

Increased levels of cortisol not only makes the body crave unhealthy food, but excess nervous energy can often cause people to eat more than they normally would.

Eating fast food and being too busy to exercise can also cause weight gain.

Fortunately, there are things that can be done to reverse the pattern of weight gain and actually reduce stress levels and waistlines at the same time.

Do things like go for a walk, call up a friend and go somewhere, walk instead of drive, eat more fruit, drink more water and less soda and bake food instead of fry it.

Though the distance may be inconvenient, Ballentine’s atmosphere, food and drinks are a good excuse for a Saturday night trip to Willoughby.

The restaurant opened earlier this year bringing the gastropubs trend of New York to Cleveland.
“Gastropub” is simply a fancy word for a pub with good dining, something Ballentine achieves quite successfully.

Ballentine blends elegance and comfort well in their cool, relaxed vibe. It is dark like a typical pub, but also has a classy interior design that reminds one of a newer Geracie’s.

The place is friendly and casual with good bar music (DMB, classic rock, and country) and nice comfy booths, as well as tables and the bar.

There are a few TV’s around the bar for a good view of the game if you wanted to watch it.
Being a pub, the place is geared to those of legal drinking age, however, because it is also a restaurant, anyone can find something. For those who are 21 years old they have an amazingly large selection of alcohol.

They have 29 draught beers on tap and over 56 available in bottles. That’s not including beers like Miller and Heineken, which they also serve. Their wine and cocktails list are also quite extensive. They offer over thirty wines by the glass, ranging from $5 to $14.

Even the coffee is spiked. But don’t get me wrong, as I said before, there are options for those of us who are underage. If you’re looking for festive drinks they offer “The Four Virgins.”

These drinks are fruity concoctions varying from the “Not So Bloody” Mary to the Sparkling Berry Bellini. Ballentine also offers the usual soft drinks and iced tea options. And they have root beer on tap.

Even though the drink menu is bigger than the food menu, there is still plenty to choose from.
They serve everything from burgers and pizza to linguini and steak. The pizza choices were endless, with over five specialty pizzas to choose from in either 10” or 16”.

If you enjoy spicy food, the “Hot chicken and lots of peppers” pizza is for you. It’s a colorful pizza that looks nice and innocent at first, but then attacks your mouth with fire. The pizza is crazy kickin’ because the chicken is sautéed in Tabasco sauce and then joined on the pizza by jalapeños and other spicy surprises.

But, not all the specialty pizzas are hot. In fact, if none of the specialty options sound quite as delectable as you would like, you can build your own choosing from fresh vegetables, various sauces, and meats.

Not a pizza fan? They also have sandwiches, salads and both large and small platter meals as well.
With names like “Peeky Toe Crab Cakes,” “The Po’boy Sandwich,” and “Spinach and Pear salad,” there are many interesting things to try.

There were also dinner entrees serving chicken, fish, pasta and steak, all at reasonable prices ranging from around $13 to $24. The tomato-basil fettuccini was the preferred dish at our table. It was served with spinach and the option of adding salmon or chicken for a fee.

When choosing the added salmon you receive a whole fillet, which is heaven to a salmon fan like me. The dish had good flavor, most of the basic food groups, plus it supplied a great escape for the mouth after trying the “Hot chicken pizza.”

The service is friendly and on task, never leaving a glass empty for long and Manny, the manager, comes to check on how your meal is going and tell you a little about the place.
By Manny’s description of the five other bars that are owned by the same people, my bias opinion says that Ballentine is by far the best.

Sophomore Laura McRickard said, “I really enjoyed the upscale restaurant/bar. Its friendly atmosphere and tasty food created a cool hangout for my friends and me. I’d definitely go back.”

Q: What is it like working in Hollywood?
A: Hollywood is anything but glamorous. It’s just entertainment and some people take it too far. It is full of treachery and deceit.

Q: How did John Carroll help your career?
A: I learned a very valuable lesson in a class taught by Fr. Costa. You shouldn’t just question authority, question everything.

Q: You’ve been both a producer and director. What is it like working with a show like “24”?
A: It taught me to think on my feet. As a producer and director, I had to deal with the unexpected. Each day I wake up and think Dear Lord, help me to do this as a good Christian man today. And then I ask God to help me and those working with me to feel rewarded at the end of the day.

Q: What is most satisfying about directing TV?
A: The director has the first and last word on casting and does more of the story-telling aspect. As a director, I like working with actors and making it all come together, visuals and pictures.

Q: Any advice for students wanting to get into this business?
A: In order to succeed in this business you must a) move to Hollywood and b) have a moral compass. It takes a lot of strength to do this job. You have to believe in what you are doing, stand for something, set a goal and go for it.

-Contributions by Erica Miller

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you may want to consider trying a mind and body exercise to distress and energize yourself.

An advanced yogic pose.

Stress is defined as a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance. Yoga, pilates and tai chi are just a few of many mind and body practices that help to reduce stress and anxiety by gaining balance and energy while getting a great work-out as well.

Yoga has become increasingly popular over the last five years. The ultimate goal of this practice is the attainment of an eternal state of perfect consciousness. In an attempt to gain this consciousness, we are able to de-stress through concentration that leads to meditation.

The goal is to concentrate on a fine point of sensation, in many cases your breathing. This single-pointed concentration eventually leads to meditation. The outcome of meditation is a feeling of peace, joy and a sense of oneness.

Yoga can alleviate anxiety through focusing on postures as well. Yoga postures work to calm the heart and mind while balancing our emotions and releasing body tensions. Also very relaxing is the calming effect of yogic breathing, referred to as pranayama. These breathing practices alone can help us de-stress and release our negative thinking.

Pilates focuses on control, and if we’re in control than we are able to de-stress. This exercise encourages the use of our minds in order to control our muscles.

The key principles of the pilates method are centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movement.

Through centering and concentration, we are able to fuse the mind and body to act as one, thus gaining control over the routine and mastering the flowing movement.

Pilates teaches us to center ourselves through our core muscles, or our “power house.”

Breathing is key in both yoga and pilates practices, because when we concentrate our breathing we are able to calm our bodies and release wastes out of our bloodstreams that are associated with fatigue.

If neither yoga nor pilates work for you, you can also try tai chi. Tai chi is described as a form of meditating while in motion. It originated in China as a form of self-defense but has become a great exercise for the mind as well.

Like yoga and pilates, tai chi reduces stress, increases balance and improves flexibility. It does this by a process of relaxing your muscular tensions and improving posture and breathing, in the same ways that yoga does.

So, if you’re looking for a way to shed some stress before finals, consider one of these mind and body techniques and see how relaxed you can become.

Over the last few decades the event has come a long way. This year there are over 120 films and 110 short subjects, from nearly 60 different countries. The 31st annual Cleveland International Film Festival began on March 15 and will run through March 25 at Tower City Cinemas.

CIFF brings to Cleveland 100 guest filmmakers as well, one of which is an Australian director named Rolf de Heer. Rolf de Heer is this year’s winner of the CIFF Director’s Spotlight award. Since the debut of his first film in 1984, de Heer has been known for crossing the lines of genre and style.

The first Cleveland screening of de Heer’s work came during the 17th annual CIFF with a film called “Bad Boy Bubby.” Several of his films are being screened at this year’s festival, including “Alexandra’s Project,” “Bad Boy Bubby,” “Dingo,” “The Old Man Who Read Love Stories,” “Tail of a Tiger,” “The Tracker” and his latest film “Ten Canoes.”

Rolf de Heer was present at the festival on March 18, to introduce the first and only screening for CIFF of his newest film, “Ten Canoes.” De Heer said that the “shoot was unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” as he described working in swamp conditions surrounded by leeches and mosquitoes while directing actors whom many of which had never acted before.

“Ten Canoes” tells us the story of two brothers, Minygululu and Dyindi, as they prepare to hunt goose eggs. It is set in the Australian swamplands one thousand years ago and is meant to experience the Aboriginal oral tradition. De Heer exceeds expectations as he tells a story of “love, lust, sorcery and revenge” in “Ten Canoes.”

Though de Heer says that he dislikes traveling and staying in hotels, which he jokingly refers to as “dog boxes,” he says that the Cleveland Film Society has been so great that “I can’t say I won’t be back because I might.”

Another director whose work is being screened this year is Arni Olaful Asgeirsson from Iceland. His 2006 film “Blódbönd,” read as “Thicker Than Water” in English, takes the audience through the mind of Pétur, the main character during a shocking and troubling time in his life. The film is in Icelandic with English subtitles.

Pétur finds out in the beginning of the film that his son, Örn, who is eight years old, is really not his biological child. He is forced to deal with the betrayal and deceit of his wife’s past and to make his journey even more difficult, his wife Ásta is currently pregnant with another child. The film takes the audience into the inner workings of Pétur’s emotional revelation as he tries to decide what to do with this life-altering information.

Also playing at this years festival is “Beautiful Ohio” directed by Chad Lowe, a Dayton native. It is set in Cleveland during the early 1970’s. A boy is trying to find his own identity while in the shadow of his older brother, a math prodigy.

If you’re in need of a genuinely enriching experience, stop by the 31st annual Cleveland International Film Festival now through March 25, 2007.

In addition to over 120 features and guest directors, you can also catch an interactive discussion on the art, craft, and business of filmmaking on March 24-25 at Cleveland State University titled “Confessions of the Filmmaker.”

If you’re a real film buff, the “Confessions of the Filmmaker” might interest you.

Saturday March 24 there is a discussion on “Local Heroes: The Importance of Regional Filmmaking” from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. and from 1p.m.-2:30 p.m. “On a Shoestring: The Challenges and Rewards of Low Budget Production.” From 3p.m.-4:30 p.m. Shooting with a Purpose: “The Socially Conscious Filmmaker.”

Sunday March 25, from 12 p.m.-1:30p.m. “Getting it Seen: Film Festivals, Distribution, and Finding an Audience” and from 2 p.m.-3:30p.m. “Old and New Media: The Intersection of Film and Digital Technology.”

Opening the week of March 5 are “300,” “The Ex,” “The Namesake,” “Nomad: The Warrior” and “Beyond the Gates.”

Amanda Peet (Sophia) and Zach Braff (Tom) play wife and husband in the movie, “The Ex.”

“300” is based on a novel by Frank Miller. The movie retells the story of the battle of Thermopylae. For those that are unfamiliar with the ancient battle, in a feat that unites all of Greece against the Persian army, King Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler, as well as 300 Spartans go into an inspiring battle with the Persian army led by Xerxes.

“The Ex” stars Zach Braff as an underachiever named Tom who relies on his loving wife, Sophia, played by Amanda Peet. Peet plays a happy and established lawyer in New York City.

However, after having their first child together, Sophia decides that she wants to stay home and take care of her baby rather than go back to work.

After getting fired from his job in New York, Tom finds himself working for his father-in-law in Ohio. Neither Tom nor Sophia find themselves happy in this new situation.

Thus this comedy takes on a journey that attempts to get this new family back on the right track.

“The Namesake” follows the lives of the Ganguli family as they attempt to hold on to their culture and native home in Calcutta while adjusting to a whole new environment in New York. The move is the result of Ashoke and Ashima (Irfan Kahn, Tabu) yearning for a better life for their children.

The movie tracks their son’s journey to find himself while still retaining his Indian heritage.

If you’re in the mood for drama, “Nomad: The Warrior” is set in the 18th century and tracks a boy who seems destined to unite the three tribes in Kazakhstan that have been at war against invaders and enemies for centuries.

Michael Caton-Jones’ “Beyond the Gates” tells the story of Joe Connor, a man who wants to make a difference, and goes to teach in Rwanda.

The film aims to teach people that even events that occur on the other side of the world affect us and that our choices make a difference.

And last but not least, “Premonition” opens March 16 and stars Sandra Bullock in a mystery that drags the audience into a mind-boggling and seemingly paranormal world.

Bullock plays a housewife who loses her husband to a car accident and then wakes up the next day to realize that her husband is alive and what happened didn’t really happen.

This so-called premonition occurs over and over leading her on a chase to save her husband’s life.

Either on vacation or in your hometown, check out these movies this break and come back with something to talk to about.