Daily Herald the Brown
vol. cxliv, no. 18 | Friday, February 13, 2009 | Serving the community daily since 1891
Scrabblers unite for love of words By Emmy Liss Features Editor
Kim Perley / Herald
Supporters of same-sex marriage rights gathered at the State House.
Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage By Hannah Moser Senior Staff Writer
Around 200 people gathered last night in the State House rotunda to rally for the passage of a gay marriage bill in the state legislature. The Open Your Heart to Equality rally, planned by Marriage Equality Rhode Island, was part of the organization’s effort to increase awareness around Valentine’s Day every year, said Susan MacNeil, director of development and communications for MERI. “We urge the General Assembly to finally pass this legislation,” said Richard Corso, who stood with his partner, Don Laliberte, and addressed the press before the rally began. “We pay our taxes. Occasionally we go out to dinner and a movie. Our lives are a lot like everyone else’s,”
Corso said. “However, we are denied the recognition that heterosexual couples can take for granted.” The bill would remove genderspecific language from the provisions governing marriages in Rhode Island. Among the attendees at the rally were about 35 Brown students who walked down together from Faunce Arch. “I’ve been doing this a while,” said Daniel Valmas ’11, who is from Pawtucket. Valmas, a member of the Queer Political Action Committee, publicized the rally on Facebook and through tabling around campus. He said he wanted students to become more involved with politics. The legislature “can choose to hear the bill or dismiss the bill,” he said. continued on page 3
S-E-Q-U-I-N-S The tiles click against the board as the players groan. “So it’s 102 to 0 right now.” The proclamation draws spectators closer. “That’s ridiculous,” one comments. “I know,” Martha laughs. Looking over at her opponent, Jesse, shaking his head and shuffling his tiles, she smiles. “You did win the last time we played, just so you know.” Tucked away in the back corner of Julian’s Restuarant on Broadway, the Providence Scrabble Club meets weekly for casual competition. The club’s members are an unlikely mix of locals. “All we have in common is that we give up a Monday night to play Scrabble,” said Rich Lupo ’70, the club’s founder and director. Every Monday around 7 p.m., the players drift into Julian’s. New games start with each new arrival, and players settle into a row of two-person games. Once in a while, some of the players order food, but more often they stick to coffee, ginger beer and the occasional glass of wine. Squeezed in at a long table under dim lights, each game proceeds on a slightly different edition of the Scrabble board. At least half the players bring their own equipment, and there is a house set too, though it may be
Emmy Liss / Herald
An eclectic mix of Providence locals gather to play Scrabble.
missing a tile or two. Both players keep careful score, constantly checking the numbers to ensure consistency and calling out the tallies as they go along. “159-83.” “326-298.” “405-366.” In such close proximity, it’s hard not to pay attention to the other games. “I saw you looking at my tiles,” one player jokes to a seatmate, before pointing out a word he had missed himself. When a game finishes, the players carefully watch the active
boards, looking for their next opponent. Though an odd number show up on Monday, the players passed around a recent New Yorker article about Scrabble to keep the extra person entertained. Ability levels range, as do the strategies players employ. “At a big Scrabble tournament, 10 of the first 20 are computer programmers,” Lupo said. But here, there’s a lawyer, an urban planner, a newspaper columnist, a realtor. continued on page 2
Women the focus of film festival In a slumping economy, Valentines find a way
By Anita Mathews Contributing Writer
The annual French Film Festival, organized by the French and Modern Culture and Media Departments, kicks off Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Cable Car
By Brigitta Greene and Hannah Moser Senior Staff Writers
ARTS & CULTURE Cinema and Cafe. Composed of 19 films and one program of shorts, this year’s line-up has a special focus on female directors and producers. The women featured in the festival range from cinema newcomers to established veterans. Celine Sciamma is making her directorial debut with
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News.....1-4 Arts........5-6 Spor ts...7-8 Editorial..10 Opinion...11 Today........12
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Herald File Photo
The Cable Car Cinema and Cafe will host the French Film Festival, which kicks off Thursday, Feb. 19.
It’s that time of year again. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year and warm weather forecast, many Brown students are planning trips to spend the day with friends or significant others, even if it means dipping into their wallets. It may be a little tougher this year with the countr y in a deep economic recession, but Brown students aren’t letting that put a damper on their plans. “I’m taking my girlfriend to Bos-
ton to spend a weekend together,” said Jonathan Liu MD’12. “I can splurge for one day and save for the rest of the year.” Brent Lunghino ’12 even purchased round-trip plane tickets for his date to fly in for the weekend. But after buying a plane ticket, he’s not looking to spend much more on gifts or festivities. His weekend dining plans are more likely to include the Verney-Woolley Dining Hall — which, as always, is decorated for the occasion continued on page 3
Arts, 5
Sports, 7
Opinions, 11
Grand slam Andrea Gibson captivated the Hourglass Cafe with her slam poetry
En garde The fencing team is taking a stab at competition success this year.
Stimulate this Drew Harris ’11 argues the stimulus bill should help defray college tuition.
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