4 News
U.S. Postal Service may close two branches on campus
THU JULY 28, 2011
6
the upside of
‘Unhappiness’
Opinion Vriezen: Congress must compromise to end debt debacle
8
Ames247
Daily Photo: Jordan Maurice/Iowa State
The Anytime is heading south — and not coming back
THURSDAY
Volume 206 | Number 171 | 40 cents | An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890. | www.iowastatedaily.com
2 games for $8 + free shoe rental 2fer domestic draws 2fer 8’’ & 16’’ pizzas Games 1/2 price (6pm-Midnight) 1320 Dickinson Ave • 515-598-BOWL (2695) Buy 2 get 1 free laser tag perfectgamesinc.com
ON THE PATIO
$1 Hamburgers (7-10pm Patio only) $2 -20oz Miller Lite Draws (7-10pm) $1 Hot Dogs (7-10pm Patio only) Bags on the Patio
Page 2 | Iowa State Daily | Thursday, July 28, 2011
Daily Snapshot
Weather | Provided by weather.gov Thu
70|86
Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind between 3 and 6 mph.
Sat
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sun
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
70|88
73|93
This day in 1981:
BUSINESS: Borders liquidation sale
Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and heavy rain across portions of western Iowa. In Calhoun County 67,000 acres of crops were totally destroyed in a 30 mile long swath.
Police Blotter: June 24 Katrina Holz, 29, of 930 6th St., was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Lincoln Way. She was transported the the Story County Justice Center (reported at 12:42 a.m.). Jarwhan Johnson, 18, of 1314 Idaho St., was arrested and charged with probation violation (reported at 1:02 a.m.). Kimberely Condon, 23, of 220 Raphael Ave. #6, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated at the intersection of Knapp Street and Stanton Avenue. She was transported to the Story County Justice Center (reported at 1:56 a.m.) Bradley Teplicky, 21, of 217 Welch Ave. #207, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated at Lincoln Way and Stanton Avenue. She was transported to the Story County
Ames, ISU Police Departments
Many books and other items are now on sale at the Borders in Ames due to the recent announcement that the store will soon be closing. Due to the company filing for bankruptcy, all of the remaining Borders stores will now be closing. Photo: Jordan Maurice/Iowa State Daily
Iowa State Daily Office 294-4120
n
Justice Center (reported at 2:42 a.m.) Chance Crooks, 20, of 2227 280th Place, was arrested and charged with willful injury, interference with official acts (simple), driving under suspension, driving while license is denied, careless driving, possession of a schedule V substance, operating while intoxicated, , reckless driving, failure to obey a stop or yield sign, no seat belt, possession of a controlled substance and fraudulent use of registration plates (reported at 3:12 a.m.) Officers assisted a man who was experiencing emotional difficulties at Union Drive and Welch Road. The individual was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center for treatment (reported at 3:13 a.m.) Emily Hayes, 22, of 1110 Roosevelt Ave., was arrested and charged with forgery (reported at 8:28 p.m.).
Iowa State Daily Publication Board
Retail Advertising 294-2403
Classified Advertising 294-4123
Dan Peek, one of the founders of the Grammy-winning band America, has died according to a posting on Peek’s web site. Visitors to DanPeek.com are greeted with the words “Dan went to Heaven on July 24 2011” and a video of Peek performing “Lonely People.” On the band’s site, America members Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley expressed their sympathies. “We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dan Peek yesterday,” a statement said.” Our thoughts and prayers are with the Peek family.” According to Billboard, America had three platinum and gold albums as well as eight Top 40 hits between 1971-75. Peek launched a solo career in 1979 with the Christian contemporary hit, “All Things Are Possible” after becoming a born-again Christian and leaving the band.
CNN wire staff
The information in the log comes from the ISU and City of Ames police departments’ records. All those accused of violating the law are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Tamara Holder, 44, of Nevada, was arrested and charged with public consumption (reported at 9:38 p.m.). Daniel Smith, 31, of 56750 Lincoln Way, was arrested and charged with driving under suspension (reported at 11:00 p.m.).
June 25 Melissa McCormick, 48, of 411 Hartford Drive, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated (reported at 2:13 a.m.). Brandon Gobble, 25, of 510 Billy Sunday Road. #302, was arrested and charged with possession of a Schedule V substance (reported at 6:35 p.m.). Cody Usher, 20, of 1311 Mayfield Drive #108, was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance (reported at 6:35 p.m.). Eliezer Ramirez, 21, of 4912 Mortensen Drive, was arrested
General information: © Copyright 2011
Notes and events.
Co-founder of the band America dies
Fri
69|86
! fact
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy.
Celebrity News
and charged with public intoxication (second) (reported at 7:30 p.m.). Timothy Vandelune, 24, of Urbandale, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated at the intersection of Hayward Avenue and Mortensen Parkway. He was transported to the Story County Justice Center (reported at 1:34 a.m.). Nicole Finley, 22, of Story City, was arrested and charged with public intoxication at Cap Timm Field. She was transported to the Story County Justice Center (reported at 2:18 a.m.). Emma Oeltjenbruns, 21, of 158B University Village, was arrested and charged with public intoxication on the 2500 block of Chamberlain Street. She was transported to the Story County Justice Center (reported at 2:45 a.m.). Officers released a dog that had been locked in an office to its owner at Lagomarcino Hall
(reported at 6:15 p.m.). A woman reported that a man approached her and was asking questions about a restaurant in Ames at Haber Road and University Boulevard. She stated that the entire situation made her uncomfortable (reported at 9:31 p.m.).
June 26 Nathan Goodpaster, 26, of Lehigh, was arrested and charged with public consumption and disorderly conduct (reported at 1:57 a.m.). Rachel Parrish, 19, of Eden Prairie, Minn., was cited for underage possession of alcohol at the 300 block of Welch Avenue (reported at 1:19 a.m.). Robert Starace, 43, of 1100 Pinon Dr. #5, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated (reported at 2:11 a.m.). Implied consent was invoked on a driver who refused to
submit to field sobriety testing at the intersection of Mortensen Parkway and State Avenue (reported at 2:18 a.m.). Xi Wu, 22, of 6136 Frederiksen Court, was arrested and charged with driving while barred and driving under suspension at 6th Street and University Boulevard. He was transported to the Story County Justice Center (reported at 6:15 p.m.).
June 27 An individual reported the loss of a passport at the Armory Building (reported at 9:07 p.m.).
June 28 A staff member reported the theft of three Mac Mini computers and a monitor at Gilman Hall (reported at 8:13 a.m.). Scott Harrison, 50, of 2815 Heathrow Dr. #77, was arrested and charged with domestic abuse (simple) (reported at 10:50 a.m.).
Leslie Millard L.A.S., Business
Heath Verhasselt MIS
Government of the Student Body.
holidays, scheduled breaks and the finals week.
The Iowa State Daily is an independent student newspaper established in 1890 and written, edited, and sold by students.
Nickolas Shell Business
Prof. Russell Laczniak College of Business
Summer sessions:
Nicole Stafford Business
Publication Board:
Sarani Rangarajan L.A.S.
Prof. Barbara Mack Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Paid subscriptions are 40 cents per copy or $40, annually, for mailed subscriptions to ISU students, faculty and staff; subscriptions are $62, annually, for the general public.
Emily Kienzle chairperson English
Lami Khandkar vice chairperson Engineering
Megan Culp English Elizabeth Hanson Journalism
Sarah Barthole The Members Group
Publication:
ISU students subscribe to the Iowa State Daily through activity fees paid to the
The Iowa State Daily is published Monday through Friday during the ninemonth academic year, except for university
The Iowa State Daily is published as a semiweekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except during finals week.
The Publication Board meets at 5 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month during the academic school year in Hamilton Hall.
Postmaster: (USPS 796-870)
Opinions expressed in editorials belong to the Iowa State Daily Editorial Board.
Send address changes to:
The Daily is published by the Iowa State Daily Publication Board, Room 108 Hamilton Hall, Ames, Iowa, 50011.
PERIODICALS POSTAGE
Iowa State Daily Room 108 Hamilton Hall Ames, Iowa 50011
Editor: K. Klingseis, J. Ferrell | news iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.2003
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | NEWS | 3
Fiction
‘Unhappiness’ gets attention
Professor’s new novel is warmly received By Julia.Ferrell iowastatedaily.com This June, while the rest of campus was bustling to class, Dean Bakopoulos was being featured in Oprah Winfrey’s magazine. Dean Bakopoulos, assistant professor of creative and environmental writing, recently completed his second novel, “My American Unhappiness,” which has received reviews nationwide. One such notice appeared in “O, The Oprah Magazine.” The book focuses on a young man named Zeke Pappas as he spends his time working obssessively on a project called “The Inventory of American Unhappiness,” for which he asks everyone he meets why he or she is unhappy. While working on his project, Zeke is also pressured into getting married by his dying mother. If he isn’t married before she dies, he loses custody of his twin nieces that he and his mother have raised. “[Zeke] finds himself sort of caught up in the economic and political upheaval of the last three years. It’s set in 2008, the election year, and he runs a nonprofit that becomes a political and economic nightmare for him,” Bakopoulos said. “There’s this sort of personal and political message in the book.” In 2007, while Bakopoulos was busy teaching fiction and nonfiction classes, he started writing “Unhappiness.” Bakopoulos said he tries to take time to write every day, and usually takes two hours in the morning to focus on his writing before he gets ready for class. The book’s final revision was finished last summer, and was published through by the same house as Bakopoulos’ first novel, “Please Don’t Come Back from the Moon,” which was released in 2005. Because Bakopoulos already had an agent as he completed his latest book, the process of publishing was less stressful for him. “Finding an agent is usually the most difficult thing for a writer,”
Dean Bakopoulos, associate professor of English, discusses his two novels and latest successes in his office in Ross Hall. O, The Oprah Magazine recently deemed his newest book, “My American Unhappiness,” the No. 1 title to pick up in June. Photo: Jordan Maurice/Iowa State Daily
Bakopoulos said. “Once you have a good agent, they usually can find a good home for your book.” Bakopoulos found his agent soon after graduating from college. “I was working at a bookstore after college,” he said. “I was kind of discovered by an agent there. I published a short story ... a number of agents called me at the bookstore.” But his second novel still required plenty of hard work. “My American Unhappiness” went through 11 revisions before Bakopoulos was finished. Bakopoulos, however, said that amount is normal for most novels that are published. “You do a lot of revision. I tell my students, ‘What you do in this class is not going to be publishable work, even if you revise it two or three times’,” Bakopoulos said. Once the revisions are done,
Bakopoulos is able to “breathe a sigh of relief” and enjoy his favorite part of the writing process: finishing. “When you see the book come out ... you’re almost liberated to go work on something else,” Bakopoulos said. But even when the book is finished, Bakopoulos said the process is “sort of horrifying.” “[The finished book is] arduous, and you don’t know if it’s going to be any good. It never matches what you imagined it to be like,” Bakopoulos said. “You can be proud of the book, but it never lives up to your expectations of what was in your head.” When “Unhappiness” was finished, Bakopoulos was pleased to find out it had been featured in this June’s issue of “O, The Oprah Magazine” as the No. 1 “Title to Pick
Up Now.” The magazine’s website also mentioned the novel in a book club, complete with reading discussion questions. “That’s always a great endorsement to get,” Bakopoulos said. “And [‘O’] gave a great review to the first book too. It’s great support.” Bakopoulos said reviews, like the one in “O,” are more difficult for authors to receive after they write their first novels. “The first book is really intense. It gets reviewed everywhere,” Bakopoulos said. “The second book gets a lot of scrutiny ... you’re assessed critically at a harder level for your second book.” Bakopoulos said that so far, “Unhappiness” has received good reviews. There has also been some interest in making a film, he said, but “nothing too serious.” Rights to his
first book are currently owned by Lionsgate Television. It still has the potential to be adapted into a TV series, but Bakopoulos said nothing is certain as of now. “It’s a very fickle business. One day, you feel everything is all set and you’re about to get a film deal, and then it can collapse very quickly,” he said. “It’s sort of like playing the lottery for a writer. “If it happens, it’s really amazing.” With “Unhappiness” complete, Bakopoulos is not planning on taking a breather any time soon. He is already at work on his third novel, as well as a young-adult novel — something he said he has “always wanted to try.” “My American Unhappiness” is available for purchase online, as well as in the Iowa State University Bookstore.
4 | NEWS | Iowa State Daily | Thursday, July 28 , 2011
Editor: K. Klingseis, J. Ferrell | news iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.2003
Postal service
Post offices
New charges cause an outcry
The Welch Avenue U.S. Post Office has recently been put up for review by the state of Iowa. Along with the Welch Avenue branch, there are approximately 170 other branches that have been put up for the same review. Photo: Jordan Maurice/Iowa State Daily
Closures possible By Ben.Theobald iowastatedaily.com The U.S. Postal Service is considering closure of 178 Iowa post offices. Two branches in Ames — one in the Memorial Union and one on Welch Avenue — are among those that may be closed. Across the country, 3,700 of the United States 32,000 post offices will be under review by the U.S Postal Service. The Postal Service has lost billions of dollars in revenue due to a congressional mandate to provide health benefits for employees who will retire in the coming years. This is because of the passage of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act by U.S. Congress in 2006, which gave the Postal Regulatory Commission more authority with the budget.
“The service does not have the authority to not make those payments,” said Richard Watkins, spokesman for Des Moines-based Hawkeye district. “No other government agency is required to make those payments. The maximum borrowing cap is $15 billion.” Mail volume is down more than 20 percent, and in the past five years, there have been 200 million fewer visits to post offices. “This has resulted in a revenue loss of $2 billion over the past five years,” Watkins said. “35 percent of retail revenue comes from sources that are not post offices. For nearly 30 years, postal services have relied on sales of its products and services for its revenue. Not tax dollars.” The postal service has asked Congress
POST OFFICE.p20 >>
Hardscape Materials & Hearth Products
SIOUX CITY — Heads were reeling Tuesday at City Hall after officials found out how much the U.S. Postal Service wants the city to pay for documents that led to the closure of the mail processing and distribution center. The cost? $831,143.16. And by the way, send half the money up front. “When I first saw it, I thought it was a Nigerian email scam,” City Manager Paul Eckert quipped Tuesday. Postal officials announced June 17 that they planned to shut the doors at the Sioux City plant and transfer the operation to Sioux Falls. Richard Watkins, corporate communications executive for the postal service in Kansas City, Mo., said the postal service plans to have everything operational in Sioux Falls by October. When asked Tuesday to explain the $831,143 bill, Watkins said he would check. During his return telephone call, Watkins said he had talked to Steven E. Martin, manager, area mail processing and facility consolidation, in Washington, D.C., and that Martin’s letter to the city was self-explanatory. On June 24, Eckert submitted a second Freedom of Information Act request to the postal service asking for copies of documents, emails and studies that resulted in the decision to close the Sioux City plant. His first FOIA request was denied. In his reply to the second request, Martin wrote that the information would be provid-
The Associated Press
AAR
Auto Service Center
Natural (Oak, Cedar & Play Mat)
201 Freel Drive • Ames • 232-1208 • Mon.-Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-12 www.KCILANDSCAPESUPPLY.com
to involve unusual circumstances due to the extensive manual and electronic searches required in multiple departments, facilities and offices.” Martin suggested the city consider narrowing the scope of its request. Padgett and Eckert said they had forwarded Martin’s letter to Iowa’s U.S. senators, Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin, as well as to Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. All three have lobbied the postmaster general to reconsider the closure decision and to provide more information on the studies that led to that decision. Grassley also met with the postmaster general. Eckert contended that the postal service has misled the public, business community and government officials by claiming only 22 jobs would be eliminated by shutting down the mail processing plant at 2901 Murphy Drive. “It’s a loss of over 100 jobs in our community that would go away forever,” he said, including clerks, mail handlers and maintenance employees. “We believe there will be at least a day’s delay in receiving mail in every postal service category.” Postal officials have said only some mail would have two-day delivery. Eckert characterized postal officials’ attitudes as arrogant, adding that they “from the very beginning treated the mayor, council members and even our senators and congressman dismissively.”
AAR
• Keystone Retaining Wall Systems • Interlock & Borgert Pavers • Decorative Rock & Boulders • Bulk Mulches • Top Soil & Compost • Natural Flagstone, Wallstone & Edging
ed but outlined the cost to the city to get it. “It seems they’re putting up a financial roadblock to our gaining the information we’re entitled to,” Mayor Mike Hobart said. Councilman Tom Padgett added, “This is a ridiculous figure ... it appears to me they have made it so onerous by the $830,000 fee that nobody in their right mind would pay it. I can’t believe it would take that much to reproduce the materials they should have in the first place.” Martin explained in his letter, “The FOIA permits agencies to charge fair and equitable fees to recover the costs of furnishing records to the public.” He cited Office of Management and Budget guidelines and postal service fee regulations. The first two hours of search time and first 100 pages would be provided at no charge, he said. The charges are for the manual search fee and computer search time. The city could incur additional charges, depending on services provided in processing the request, he warned. “We must caution you that you are liable for the fee even if certain portions of the requested records are withheld in accordance with the exemptions [in federal law] and our regulations,” Martin wrote. Although the FOIA allows agencies 20 working days to process the requests, Martin said it could take up to a year to provide all the documentation requested by the city. “We consider your request
219 Sondrol
Complete Auto Repair Services
233-9338
Editor: K. Klingseis, J. Ferrell | news iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.2003
Education summit
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | NEWS | 5
Capitol
Branstad creates new panel
Attendees take notes as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speaks at the Iowa Education Summit in Des Moines on Monday. Duncan warned Monday that Iowa’s education system is slowly sinking into mediocrity and needs a dramatic overhaul. Photo: Rodney White/Associated Press
Innovations proposed By Stephen.Koenigsfeld iowastatedaily.com Superintendents and school board leaders must now determine how to put what they discussed at this week’s Iowa Education Summit into a plan of action for the state. Monday and Tuesday were busy days for educators and staff at the Capitol building. Teachers, head learners and Gov. Terry Branstad all convened for the Iowa Education Summit. The main point of discussion among teachers, educators, business leaders and the governor was the reforms they could make to increase education standards throughout the state. One breakout session was called “Evaluation and Compensation.” Discussed in it were the criteria for evaluating teachers in the classroom and the ways that evaluations could be related to the way teachers are compensated. “In the area of the session dealing with evaluation, I think they just talked about the different strategies for approaching and evaluating youngsters at our schools and the importance of moving beyond just standardized measures,” said Carl Smith, chairman of Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State. Standardized testing was
a hot topic at the summit. Educators tried to think of means of evaluating students that didn’t involve standardized tests like the ACT and ITEDS. Mack Shelley, university professor of statistics and political science, was one of the summit’s attendees. “Having standardized scores is really essential if you want to make comparison,” said Shelley. Along with other states, Iowa has its own standardized tests, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Shelley said that it’s hard to compare student achievement throughout the country. That is because each state has their own “homegrown” kind of tests. Recent studies have shown that Iowa is sliding down the rankings in educational terms. Once a national leader, Iowa has become mediocre. However, this is not because scores are dropping, Shelley said. It is because other states have improved at much more at much faster paces. “A major theme at the conference was that Iowa needs to do something seriously — and pretty fast — to be able to get back toward the top, where we have been,” Shelley said. “And of course, the only way we know this is by ... standardized scores.” Attendees offered the gov-
ernor a wide array of ideas to not only improve standardized testing, but also improve education as a whole. Educators believe they can improve Iowa’s education system using ideas brainstormed at the summit. “I think that this summit provided a lot of information regarding the types challenges and types of areas we need to be thinking on how we can provide leadership as far as education overall,” said Carl Smith, ISU professor of Curriculum and Instruction. “I found it to be a very stimulating two days as far as potential directions for the state.” ISU history professor Charles Dobbs attended the “Better Quality Teachers” breakout session. “We talked about how states can put meaningful reforms in place,” Dobbs said. “I believe that reforms should come. It’s only a matter of time.” Ideas discussed concerned ways educators could improve the curriculum, use technology in a more up-to-date way and administer different tests and unit review assessments. “Overall, I thought [the summit] was pretty good,” Dobbs said. “But, I admit, one cannot tell from that summit, what it will produce or how [educators] will react, because it’s still up in the air.”
DES MOINES — Gov. Terry Branstad sidestepped questions seeking specifics Tuesday about his plans for education reform now that the Iowa Education Summit has ended. Instead, the governor said he intends to seek consensus from “all of the 1,650 people” who attended the conference and possibly more to draft legislation this fall before the General Assembly reconvenes in January. The 1,650 refers to the estimated number of attendees at the two-day summit that ended just before noon Tuesday. “We’re going to reach out to each of them for their ideas and suggestions and then put together those preliminary recommendations, and then have a whole series of town hall meetings all across the state,” he said. The governor spoke during a Statehouse news conference where he signed an executive order that creates a new advisory council aimed at getting more students involved in mathematics, science, engineering and technical fields.. But Branstad was careful not to give too much away about his plans for the state’s publicly educated students. The governor specifically avoided answering questions about whether he supports changing the state’s tuition-free preschool program. He pushed such a proposal during the past legislative session but was unable to maneuver it through the Democraticcontrolled Senate. “I think the preschool discussion should be dead,” said Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, who attended both days of the summit and chairs the Senate education committee. Quirmbach was referring to the vast support for early childhood education
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is introduced by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad at the Iowa Education Summit Monday afternoon in Des Moines. Christie warned that the debate over schools often gets nasty. Photo: Mary Chind/Associated Press
among the panelists and attendees of the conference. The topic turned into a running gag at the conference — whenever a speaker came out in favor of expanding preschool, having taught preschool or even attending preschool, he or she would get a round of applause. Asked if he planned to propose changes to the system as part of his reforms, Branstad would only say that he’s committed to a quality preschool program and the state has to live within its means. Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City, a retired teacher who attended both days of the summit, said she thought the administration painted a “whole gloom and doom scenario” to push a specific perspective, but consensus and
buy-in is what is needed to make sure reform is effective. “Iowa’s one of the top in graduation rates in the country, you know, none of that was mentioned, all the negative statistics were put out there,” she said. “Most of the teachers I talk to are not feeling good about being in the classroom. ” Steckman said she supports efforts to improve the system, but she was disappointed in the approach. Rep. Linda Miller, R-Bettendorf, said people can interpret data to come to different conclusions. “But when the national Secretary of Education tells you you’re not doing as well as the other states, I kind of believe him,” she said.
Don’t Let Back or Neck Pain Get You Down Our experienced staff can help with: • Headaches • Neck pain • Tight muscles • Lower back pain • Numbness in hands or feet
“Your Local Family Chiropractor”
NEW NEWPATIENTS PATIENTS WELCOME! WELCOME! Call Us Today For an Appointment
233-1709
809 Wheeler St. Suite 2 • Northern Lights Center
Opinion
™
online
Editor in Chief: Jake Lovett editor iowastatedaily.com Phone: (515) 294.5688
iowastatedaily.com/opinion
6
Editorial
Some of us are already missing the NFL lockout
NFL football is back on. Hooray for sports fans and armchair quarterbacks everywhere! Right? It may be a nice thing for most Sunday football fans, but for some, the NFL deal isn’t all that appealing. For some folks out there, the idea of no NFL had us excited that attention might be centered on the collegiate level this fall. Yes, this would’ve made up for the lack of the big, showy stars. But it would’ve really provided the opportunity to showcase some of the up-and-coming talent that might be making its way into the NFL in the future. If the NFL lockout had continued, maybe everyone would have focused on all the college games that sports fans find themselves enjoying anyway. Such attention could’ve given a muchneeded bump to college funding, or changed where support for play style sits. With focus on only those rough-around-the-edges players working the college beat, not receiving millions of dollars to get their heads beaten in, maybe fans could’ve regained an appreciation for the game that has fallen to the wayside over the years. Maybe the bigger stars would’ve started to pay attention to the beauty of the game, rather than the big checks they cash. But it was all just a dream, a little hope that crashed at the end. And so, NFL football will reign supreme come fall. But maybe, just maybe, folks out there will recall the collegelevel game and the beauty of hitting the field without players backed by bookoo bucks. Editorial Board
Jake Lovett, editor in chief Gabriel Stoffa, columnist Michael Belding, opinion editor RJ Green, columnist
Thursday, July 28, 2011 Editor: Michael Belding opinion iowastatedaily.com Iowa State Daily
Legislation
Come together to save economy By Claire.Vriezen iowastatedaily.com
O
nce again, Washington is is entangled in a mess of budget negotiations, arguments and stonewalling. We are yet again approaching a deadline — come Aug. 2, the United States of America will default on its $14.3 trillion debt, unless some course of action is agreed upon in Congress in the coming days. The fight is not particularly new. Republican representatives want to cut spending and programs while the Democrats hope for legislation that includes tax hikes. Yet once again, the problem seems to be the lack of compromise as to what is an appropriate solution to this situation. Can we get by with simply cutting government programs and reducing spending? Will tax increases for the wealthy do us any good? Clearly, neither will solve the problem. Cutting spending will limit government programs or eliminate them. Many American families rely on government programs for a variety of services. Raising taxes for the top income bracket in the US will raise revenue, but will not solve the bigger issue. There will still need to be a hard look at US spending and an effort must be made to streamline costs. According to a CNN/ORC International Poll, 64 percent of those that responded in mid-July favored a compromise that included spending cuts as well as tax increases. Less than 35 percent voted for a budget plan based only on limiting government spending. Of course, no one is particularly fond of tax increases. But the tax increases that President Obama favors apply to those that earn an excess of $250,000 a year. This income bracket of Americans constitutes about 2 percent of the population. I find it hard to object to raising taxes for a very small portion of the population: the richest. At the very least, when the other option is to cut even more money from government programs, likely at the expense of those that need them, raising taxes doesn’t seem horribly unreasonable. Yet, unsurprisingly, members of the Republican party staunchly oppose any sort of plan that includes raising taxes. Though
Feedback policy:
The Daily encourages discussion but does not guarantee its publication. We reserve the right to edit or reject any letter or online feedback.
President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) take part in a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Thursday, July 14 with Republican and Democratic leaders regarding the debt ceiling. Photo courtesy of Charles Dharapak/Associated Press
while Obama would probably still like to see a deal with some tax increases, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, proposes a solution that is free of tax hikes. Reid’s plan will cut $2.7 trillion in spending over the next 10 years, and raise the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion. This will give the government until after the 2012 elections. The debt ceiling will then become an issue once more. Additionally, a committee would be formed of House and Senate members to explore other ways of reducing national debt. The competing Republican proposal from House Speaker John Boehner would cut $1.2 trillion in spending over the next 10 years, and raise the debt ceiling enough to last the government through 2011. A later vote in Congress would raise the debt ceiling further, as long as Congress approved tax reforms and changes to entitlement programs set out by a committee of House and Senate legislators.
Send your letters to letters@iowastatedaily. com. Letters must include the name(s), phone number(s), majors and/or group affiliation(s) and year in school of the author(s). Phone numbers and addresses will not be published.
The immediately visible problem here is that Boehner’s proposal pushes the debt ceiling back only slightly, and it looks like Congress will simply face more haggling and stalemates in a few months. With the recent government shutdown in Minnesota and now the national budget problems America faces, I have increasingly lost faith in the possibility of civil political debate. It seems that every time there is an argument over how to proceed with governmental reforms or changes, party lines are drawn and battle axes are sharpened. I am a fan of compromise. It’s a useful tool for living realistically. Sometimes compromise is essential for any progress to be made or for anything worthwhile to come of an argument. It’s up to the politicians in Washington to work beyond party differences and perhaps attempt to solve the issue at hand before the United States defaults. Online feedback may be used if first name and last name, major and year in school are included in the post. Feedback posted online is eligible for print in the Iowa State Daily.
Editor: Michael Belding | opinion iowastatedaily.com
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | OPINION | 7
Music
After ‘Friday,’ Black joins tween-pop tradition
T
By Edward.Leonard iowastatedaily.com
he teenyboppers have returned, and with them their unique brand of bubblegum pop. Somehow The Disney Channel, with help from Canada, has managed to revive this thoroughly dead tradition of screaming, popular-image obsessed fangirls. Just now, though, we’ve begun to see the harsh reality of just how deep this cruelly upbeat rabbit hole goes. They have unleashed Rebecca Black upon the world. Stunning the world’s eardrums into painful submission with her virulently infectious single “Friday,” Rebecca Black wass credited with having made the “worst song ever.” That’s right, YouTube viewers. Rebecca’s very first ever attempt at a publicly released song has surpassed just about every music video ever made. Worse than “What What (in the Butt).” Worse than “Pants on the Ground,” or even the loosely related “My Jeans” (although some scholars have now begun theorizing that “My Jeans” and “Friday” are actually the same song). While this cacophony of unmitigated disaster did inspire some pretty amusing parodies, these attempts at finding creative outlets for society’s apparent limitless hatred for this teenage girl weren’t enough to keep the video from getting pulled from YouTube entirely. With this whale of a flop as the starting note for her career, Rebecca has, at the very least, nowhere to go but up. Armed with a hopelessly optimistic outlook, she has set about trying to make another big
hit, this time to a bit less public outcry and a bit more acclaim. With this end in mind, she turned to a medium that has, historically, not been her strong suit: the YouTube video. Not just that, but a YouTube music video. And she managed it with an unexpected grace. Rebecca recently guest-starred in an adorably funny music video by the neo-bubblegum movement’s grown-up alterego, Katy Perry. While Rebecca’s signature nasal whine was notably absent, she herself was one of the crucial actresses, transforming Katy’s nerdy, awkward, bookworm character into the beautiful, spandex-clad ‘80s party queen we all knew she could be. After recharging her batteries by riding someone else’s coattails, Rebecca put out a new video of her own, titled “My Moment.” The world held its breath in fear. This video was her way of telling off “haters,” as she put it in a recent interview. While it lacks the Bubonic Plague-esque catchiness of “Friday,” it still holds the ear, albeit in a less brutal vice grip. The much-dreaded “haters” will likely say that “My Moment” is pretty much an amalgam of every clichéd child-band sound and popstarlet video move in the book, from Brittney’s famed backup dancers to the almost nauseatingly upbeat synth-melodies of Bieber. They wouldn’t be wrong. These things, however, are clichéd for a reason: they are tried, they are true and they sell
Letter
Act before it’s too late on debt At this point in our nation’s history, students really need to pay attention to the political temperature. In the recent deficit debates, it has been noted that if an agreement is not made by Aug. 2, then the government will run out of the financial means to pay the bills. This includes student loans. This means that if you are one of the many students who are receiving federal loans at Iowa State, then you may face an interruption in your education. This is the time to get
Tara Parrott is a junior
in child, adult, and family services
involved. Contact your representative. You can find out who your representative is by checking www.house.gov. Don’t procrastinate. Do this now! What you say does matter. Remind your representative that WE hired them to work for United States. They need to put partisanship aside and work to make things better for all Americans.
Justin Bieber performs at the 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll. Bieber is a recent addition to a long line of manufactured tween-pop stars. Photo courtesy of Daniel Ogren/Wikimedia Commons
music. They’re catchy. They’re effective. Admit it — the first time you heard “Baby,” it got caught in your head. Justin’s “whoas” were stuck with you for days, and, though you’ll likely go to your grave denying it, his song had a certain toe-tapping appeal. So it is with “My Moment” — maybe not to the same degree, but it will get there. She’ll continue making more music to appeal to adolescent girls. She’ll recover from her first video, and will even be considered successful. Will it be Mozart or Zeppelin? No. Will it be,
from a technical standpoint, innovative, or even good? No. Will every song sound just like the last? Probably. But that should be nothing new. Every genre of music has those bands (like Dragonforce and Cascada) that have become successful by basically repackaging the same song over and over again, and people love it. So Rebecca Black, like it or not, will become famous and rich. She will develop a following, and will perhaps even earn recognition as a pioneer of a re-emerging genre. And she will have earned it.
Top 5 Playlist: Comeback Singles of Summer 2011
1. “Adolescents” by Incubus 2. “Up All Night” by blink-182 3. “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato 4. “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” by Coldplay 5. “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Page 8 6 Iowa State Daily July 28, 21, 2011 Editor: Julia Ferrell ames247 iowastatedaily.com
Presented by Ames247.com
Local bands
Solo artists
Keller Williams is coming to Ames. He has collaborated with bands such as the Grateful Dead and the String Cheese Incident Photo courtesy of Madison House Inc.
Williams living out his dream Ames band The Anytime will be heading to Florida for good this weekend. File photo: Yue Wu/Iowa State Daily
The Anytime goes south By Vincent Geerts Ames247 Writer A little over two years ago, local band The Anytime gave its first performance at The Maintenance Shop. This Friday at Headliners, the band will play its last show in Ames. In only a couple of weeks, it will be relocating to Orlando, Fla. “I know there’s a lot of bands trying to make it in Ames. I’ve been doing it for the last few years,” said keyboardist Tyler Higdon. “We’re all just ready for something a little bigger.” After a tour that took the band through Florida, members were introduced to their current manager, and “got a taste of the scene in Florida,” guitarist Caleb Wiggins said. “Already having a manager is a big plus, we have our foot in the door before we even get there.” Higdon said. Wiggins said Orlando is not that different from Ames. Band members will be located near a large university with a
History
Band members sat for photos. File photo: Yue Wu/Iowa State Daily
similar scene, but expect their new home to provide a bigger fan base that will be more receptive to a new style of music. “We’ve grown accustomed to the college scene,” Wiggins said. “But Orlando is a lot more than just a college town. It’s also a huge city.” The band members said they are somewhat sad to leave their fans behind, but expect them to move on as well. “In some ways, it’s bittersweet,” Higdon said. “But a lot of our fans are moving, graduating, getting grown- up jobs and leaving Ames anyway.” Fans of The Anytime have one more chance to see the
band live in Ames and talk to members after the show. When the band leaves the stage, a DJ will take over while band members spend the rest of the evening with friends from Ames. The lease on the band’s shared residence will expire at noon the following day. After spending a couple weeks crashing with friends, working and saving money, band members will load up their vehicles and hit the road for Florida, aiming to make themselves a new home. Tickets to their final show in Ames may be purchased from Headliners.
The band formed in Ames in November 2008. Their first show was at The Maintenance Shop in April 2009. The band’s self-titled EP was released in 2009. The band’s “Crave” EP was released in 2011. Members live together in Ames, but will move Saturday.
Final show in Ames When: Friday, July 29, 2011. Doors open at 9p.m. What: The Anytime will be having their final Ames show. You must be above 21 years of age to enter. Admission is $5 in advance, $8 at the door Where: Headliner’s Bar.
By Basil Rain Ames247 Writer Keller Williams was first inspired to be a musician at the age of three. Forty years later, he’s a man ready to take on the music world. Williams will perform at Nitefall On The River on July 28. Williams became interested in guitar when he watched the TV show “Hee Haw” as a child. After his friend showed him how to play a few chords, Williams wanted to expand his knowledge of the acoustic guitar. As a teenager, Williams discovered Michael Hedges, a fellow solo artist. “Hedge showed me how one guy can capture an audience as a solo artist,” Williams said. During most performances, Williams covers a few songs by his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. Williams recorded an album, titled “Dream,” with the band in 2008. For more than 10 years, Williams played the covers in local restaurants. After years of just playing acoustic, however, he wanted to give some variety to his performance, and added an element of technology.
Williams described his current music as “acid jazz.” “It’s like, you take jazz and electronic, and you fuse them,” Williams said. As a solo artist, Williams also has side projects. In the past, he’s collaborated on albums with bands like The String Cheese Incident and The Keels. Williams said his latest album, Kids, is family-oriented. “I didn’t want to make an album where the parents had to skip through certain parts.” Williams said. Williams is very proud of his work, and he hopes it will be beneficial to him and his fans in the future. “Records are a way for me to document my thoughts for when I get older,” Williams said.
Keller in DSM When: Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 7 p.m. What: Williams will be in Des Moines. Cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Where: Simon Estes Amphitheater
Editor: Julia Ferrell | ames247 iowastatedaily.com
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | 247 | 9
Sculpure
Works on campus will have new homes
By Basil Rain Ames247 Writer
New public artwork will be making an appearance on campus this fall. Pieces will be installed at various locations across campus. The Small Animal Hospital and Clinic, State Gym and the Horticulture Building will feature the new art. Art will also be featured in the Anderson Sculpture Garden. At the Small Animal Hospital and Clinic, three new sculptures are being added. Bronze sculptures “Circle Cat,” “Running Saluki” and “Midnight and Varna” will be placed on the entrance-area lawn. Sculptor Gwynn Murrill said the style of her bronze animal sculptures is all about motion. “I like the idea of the animation of doing something in motion,” Murrill said. “It’s like stop-motion in a movie.” Sarah Grant and Sticks, Inc. will install a piece called “Title” at the Small Animal Hospital and Clinic. The piece is a large mural depicting several different animals. The piece, consisting of two totem sculptures and nine wall panels, focuses mainly on companion animals such
as dogs, cats, birds and reptiles, as well as exotic animals. The State Gym is also getting a wide variety of pieces. Along with Christian Petersen’s historic bas relief sculpture, “Three Athletes,” the gym will be getting new pieces from artists Terry Allen and Eric Sealine. Allen’s piece, “Public Perception,” will be the first public art project to include a neon sculpture on campus. According to a press release put out by University Museums, Allen said he “began thinking about color, about words, about colored words and this naturally led to thinking about neoncolored words.” The second piece going up in the State Gym is called “Learning to Fly.” Constructed by Eric Sealine, the 70foot- long mosaic is being installed by the new pool. The mural depicts a diver diving into the water. “Inspiration for this piece came from one second — seeing this little kid diving into a pool,” Sealine said. The sculpture “Gentle Doctor” by Christian Petersen is also being moved from the second floor of the Scheman Building to the interior entrance of the Small Animal Hospital and Clinic.
Pictured above are several of the sculpures that will be moved in the coming months. Photos courtesy University Museums
Local music
Solo musician Sheeler to perform at Cafe Milo By Scott.MacDonald Ames247 Writer
A 15-year veteran of the Ames music scene, Ryan Sheeler had played in several local bands since his days at Iowa State. In 2006, however, he decided play solo. Since then, Sheeler has become a local fixture. He said that, in addition to performing at Tune In to Main Street and various Ames venues, he has been playing shows “almost every month for the past two or three years” at Cafe Milo in west Ames. “They try to encourage local music [at Cafe Milo],” Sheeler said. “They’re really proactive about building the music scene.” He points to a solo show he played with a backup band at Zeke’s in February of this year as another highlight of his solo career. “They’ve got a nice stage and nice sound system,” Sheeler said. “It’s a small-type venue that feels like a big show.” Sheeler released three albums with a country-rock feel between 2006 and 2011. He wanted to strip back the instrumentation for his fourth solo record, “Polk County Line,” which he released last week.
“It’s a little bit of a departure,” Sheeler said of the album, describing it as folk-based, acoustic guitar-driven work with vocals similar to Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album “Nebraska.” Lyrically, Sheeler said that the songs explore “the other side of the American dream … the back woods and back roads.” To celebrate the album’s release, Sheeler will be performing at Cafe Milo on Saturday. You can pick up “Polk County Line” at Rieman Music in Ames , Mars Cafe near the Drake campus in Des Moines and online at iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon.com.
Release Show When: Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. What: Ryan Sheeler’s release show for “Polk County Line.” Cost of attendance is free. Where: Cafe Milo, 4800 Mortensen Road #101, Ames
Local musician Ryan Sheeler will be promoting his new album on Saturday. Photo: Kara Cipolloni
10 | ADVERTISEMENT | Iowa State Daily | Thursday, July 28, 2011
2 DAY SALE! Prices Effective July 29th & 30th, 2011
6.00
99
Hy-Vee 1%, 4% 4% larg 24 oz, l
All You Care To Eat Chinese Buffet dine in only 11am-7pm
3 fo
3.90 1.99 Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters only 39¢/lb 10 lb pkg, limit 2
Hormel Always Tender Whole Boneless Pork Loin lb
2.49
Hy-Vee Thin Sliced Deli Ham lb
6 for$5
Michelina’s Entrees 4.5 - 9oz select varieties
99¢
Wine &
Family Fritos, o 13.2 - 2 select v
Fairacres Frozen Dairy Dessert 1.75 quart square creamy vanilla, cookies & cream, or neapolitan
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | ADVERTISEMENT | 11
9¢
1.99
e Cottage Cheese % small curd, or ge curd limit 2
10
Del Monte Gold Pineapple each
$ or
Spirits
Size Doritos, Cheetos, or Ruffles 22oz varieties
99¢
Hy-Vee All Purpose Flour 5 lb bleached or unbleached
49¢
Bright & Early Flavored Drinks orange, apple or grape 64 fl oz, limit 3
69¢
VO-5 Shampoo or Conditioner 15 fl oz select varieties
9.99
Pepsi Products 6 pk bottles select varieties
3.88
Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue 9 big roll
6.99
Malibu Rum 750 mL
open 24 hours a day
4 for$11
Woodchuck Hard Cider 6 pk bottles
n
7 days a week
lincoln center -
640 Lincoln Way 232 1961
n
10 for$10 Little Debbie Snacks 13oz Swiss Rolls, 12 oz Nutty Bars, 16.2 oz Oatmeal Créme Pies, 13.1 oz Cosmic Brownies
3.88
Kleenex Facial Tissues 3 pack ultra, with lotion or regular
4.99
Beringer California Collection 750 mL select varieties
two convenient locations
west location
3800 West Lincoln Way 292-5543
EMPLOYEE OWNED
In this section:
Weddings, Engagements, Civil Unions & Anniversaries PAGE 12 | Iowa State Daily | Wednesday, July 28, 2011
Sustain long-distance love by meeting, messaging Page 12 With enough effort, couples can turn summer flings into longterm love Page 14 Make the most of your dating options in Ames Page 14
Editor Leslie Millard | public_relations@iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.1032
Relationships
Sustain long-distance love by meeting, messaging
Stay in touch to keep your romance alive
“It’s great to travel to a completely new place together,” Lovan said. Exploring new places together can be a great way for couples to connect. Couples should make the most of these short visits to see each other by planning a special date. “We can go out for a really nice dinner, because we aren’t doing that very often. We can kind of splurge,” Lovan said. Planning special dates doesn’t just afford opportunities for splurging. It also gives you something to look forward to while you’re away.
By Jolie Monroe public_relations iowastatedaily.com School-year relationships often bring summertime separation. Couples are then faced with the prospect of surviving a long-distance relationship until the next school year begins. Katie Lovan, senior in art and design and advertising has been dating Mike Rayford, junior in pre-business, for a year and a half. During the school year, they spend plenty of time together, but once summer hits, she goes off to her hometown, Des Moines, and he heads back to Minneapolis. Their seperation was prolonged further when Lovan spent last spring studying abroad in Rome. How do they make the “short-term” long distance relationship last? Lovan has some answers to that question that will help any couple.
Snail mail
Old school letters or packages are an easy way to brighten your significant other’s day. While abroad, Lovan sent Rayford postcards from
Texting, talking and tweeting Sending letters is an old-fashioned way to keep things interesting and make your communication much more meaningful. Photo: Jordan Maurice/Iowa State Daily
different places she visited. Rayford has also surprised Lovan with a package from one of her favorite stores. “It’s always fun to get stuff in the mail, and you know it didn’t take them only 20 seconds, like a text would,” Lovan said. Coming up with a unique package idea, or sending a special letter shows more thought was put into
the message.
Road trips
What better way to survive a long distance relationship than to visit each other? Lovan and Rayford make trips to each other’s hometowns for visits. Recently, Rayford came to Iowa to attend the 80/35 Music Festival with Lovan. The
couple later played tennis in the 2011 Iowa Games together. “It’s fun to find something that we both enjoy so we can make an excuse to see each other and do fun things,” Lovan said. They also had the opportunity to visit Arizona, a place they’d never been to, as a couple.
Texting and Skype are the couple’s main modes of communication. They use texting for easy, on-the-go communication, while reserving Skype for special occasions. Lovan and Rayford used Skype frequently while she was abroad. Now that she’s home, it’s harder to make time “because we only have time in the evening, and sometimes he’ll go out, or I’ll go out, or we’ll both be tired,” Lovan said. When all else fails, Twitter and Facebook posts are quick and easy ways to keep in touch.
Music
Summer provides the perfect opportunity for couples to make their own playlist of love songs. Choose songs that are meaningful to you both. Photo: Tim Reuter/Iowa State Daily
Love song playlist By Laura Bucklin public_relations iowastatedaily.com These songs are perfect for listening to in the car, or making a mix CD for that significant other. “You and I” by Ingrid Michaelson “One and Only” by Adele “Longing to Belong” by Eddie Vedder “Baby Blue Eyes” by A Rocket to the Moon “Every Morning” by Basshunter “Annie’s Song” (acoustic) by John Denver “Lean Into the Light” by Iron and Wine “I Got You” by Thompson Square “I Think You Know” by Julia Nunes “She is Love” by 3 Doors Down “The Art of Succinct Compliments” by Summertime’s End “Love Song” by Miranda Lambert “Two of Us” by the Beatles “Warm Me Up” by the Audition “A Little More of You” by Ashley Chambliss
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | ADVERTISEMENT | 13
Wedding Plans
Produce
open 24 hours a day
Catering
■
7 days a week
lincoln center 640 Lincoln Way 232-1961
■
Floral
Bakery
Wine
two convenient locations
west location 3800 West Lincoln Way 292-5543
EMPLOYEE OWNED
14 | UNIONS | Iowa State Daily | Thursday, July 28, 2011
Editor: Jolie Monroe | public_relations iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.1032
Romance
Dating
With enough effort, couples can turn summer flings into long-term love
Make the most of your date night options in Ames
By Hanna Johansen public_relations iowastatedaily.com As the hot summer days free of lectures and studying draw to a close, hot summer romances may also begin to fizzle. There seems to be an unwritten rule that says summer flings have to end once August rolls around. Why not challenge that rule this year?
Go on a real date
If you want your summer fling to turn into something more serious, the first step is to go on a real date. Pick a location where you can easily make conversation. It is important to find out if the two of you share common interests besides boating, barbeques and pool parties. Connecting on more than a physical level is key to carrying the summer lovin’ on into the rest of the year. Muriel Templeton started
To keep your relationship interesting and romantic, leave each other little notes and messages. Also try sharing your feelings and planning activities together Photo: Kendra Plathe/Iowa State Daily
her summer romance while interning at Cedar Point in Ohio last summer. “At first we just thought it was going to be a summer fling, but once we started actually getting to know each other, we both knew it was going to be so much more,” Templeton said.
Try a new activity
As the saying goes, “Couples that play together, stay together.” Find some fun activities you haven’t tried be-
fore. This will allow the two of you to share new experiences and grow as a couple. “My boyfriend and I would plan day trips to places neither of us had been. Sharing these new experiences really allowed us to bond on a deeper level,” Templeton said.
Make concrete plans
If you think your relationship has post-summer potential, make plans to attend an event in the fall such as a concert or football game. By buying tickets in advance, it will show commitment and will keep your relationship from disappearing like footprints in the sand. “While getting to know each other, my summer romance and I found we both had a love for a country singer who was going to be playing a few months after the internship got over. His enthusiasm about
going to the concert with me showed he wasn’t just looking to ditch me once the summer was over,” Templeton said.
Share your feelings
If you don’t let your crush know how you are feeling now, you may never get the chance to tell him or her again. Don’t just assume that the relationship has an early expiration date. Let your summer fling know you hope to stay in touch and see him or her. Though it is a daring move that invites the possibility of rejection, the risk may be worth it. “A few weeks before I left for home, my boyfriend really opened up to me and told me he was hoping we could try to make things work. It took a lot of courage for him to be so straightforward with me, but it definitely paid off,” Templeton said.
By Lindsey Schwarck public_relations iowastatedaily.com Sick of your typical dinner-and-a-movie Fridaynight routine? Enjoy the warm weather and keep your summer romance sizzling with fun ideas for dates around the Ames area.
1. Have a picnic:
Pack a picnic basket and blanket for a relaxing afternoon at Ada Hayden Park. After lunch, soak up the sunshine by flying a kite, playing Frisbee or taking a stroll around the lake.
2.
Take a road trip: Whether you’re taking a day trip or making a weekend getaway, compile
a CD of summer tunes and hit the open road. Try visiting some of Iowa’s attractions along the way, like the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, the Villisca Ax Murder House or the world’s largest truck stop!
3.
Play games: Grab another couple and head to Perfect Games! With bowling, laser tag and more than 60 arcade games, there is plenty for couples to do there. After you’re done, The losing team can buy supper at Kingpin Pizza!
4.
Go to the Iowa State Fair: During the day, wander the streets and try your hand at classic boardwalk games (brownie points for winning a stuffed bear!). At night, enjoy your favorite food on a stick and take in a view of the city from the top of the Ferris wheel.
5. Restaurant crawl:
The Only Tuxedo Store You’ll Ever Need • BEST SELECTION • ON-PREMISE TAILORING • COMPETITIVE PRICING • SAME DAY SERVICE • GROOM FREE WITH SIX OR MORE • NO DEPOSIT OR INSURANCE FEES
Can’t decide where to eat? Why not hit all your favorite restaurants around Ames? Kick off the night with cocktails or appetizers and then head across town for the main course. If you still have room, grab an ice cream treat for a late-night snack.
6. Ice skate:
Beat the summer heat and head to the ISU Ice Arena. The rink is often less crowded in the summer, and it offers weeknight deals to make skating with your date fun and affordable.
7. Wine and dine:
For a day of taste-testing and relaxation, start by attending the Ames Farmers’ Market full of fresh produce and baked goods. Then visit Prairie Moon Winery, which is northwest of Ames. Explore the vineyard and sample some of the locally produced wines and snacks
8. Throw a party in the DOWNTOWN AMES 515-232-3261
220 Main
www.amessilversmithing.com
232-0080
DOWNTOWN MASON CITY 641-423-5222
park: Visit www.cityofames.org and mark your calendar for upcoming outdoor concerts and live performances in Bandshell Park near Main Street.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | CLASSIFIEDS | 15
515.294.4123
www.iowastatedaily.com/classifieds
Service Showcase Therapeutic Massage Mary Dengler, RMT, IA Lic # 00477
208 5th Street 232-9474 or 1-800-705-6667 “All work done by the bodies needs.” New clients always welcome. Ames' Most Experienced Massage Therapist
Sellitonline.com The Online Auction House. Consignments, Estates, Business liquidations. Affiliate Program. Consignments. Auctions and Bidders Wanted. Antique Sale Aug 1st. (INCN)
Massage Types • Deep tissue • Swedish massage • Energy work • Chronic problems
Call us at 231-3649
• Windows • Deep Cleaning
• Rentals • Sorority
References • Insured & Bonded • 23 years Experience
PREGNANT? Considering Adoption? Call us First! Living expenses, housing, medical and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. Adopt Connect. 1-866-743-9212 (INCN)
“What we do, we do for all.” —Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus 50 years ago, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded AARP because she was inspired to help others and change the world. AARP has continued her work to help all Americans get the most out of life. Visit aarp.org/ia for the latest on AARP activities in Iowa and register for a free gift.
www.iowastatedaily.com/garagesale
294-4123
class1@iastate.edu
classified@iowastatedaily.com
ALLIED HEALTH career training- Attend college 100% online. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800481-9409 www.CenturaOnline.com (INCN)
Social Security Disability Claim Denied? We specialize in appeals and hearings. FREE CONSULTATION. Benefit Team Services, Inc. Toll Free 1-888-836-4052. (INCN)
Available Aug. Private rooms. Shared kitchens & baths. Across from Howe Hall. Includes utilities and internet. $325-$430/mo. 515-2927609 www.cyclonerent.com Next to campus. Includes utilities. $210/mo. 2921842.
!Bartending! $250/day potential. No experience necessary. Training available. 1-800-965-6520 ext. 161.
WANTED: -Dependable, hard-working person to assist local property owner with renovations, maintenance, yard work, etc. -Prefer someone with basic carpentry and construction background.
Get a Free Web Page for your business at CyberShopper.org. No HTML code. It's local, easy and FREE! (INCN)
-Must be available to work some mornings and weekends. -Flexible hours to work around classes.
10-$12/hr.
$
Please call between 8a.m.-noon 515-231-5997
HUD Publisher’s Notice
It doesn’t matter what you call your sale. We’ll advertise it for FREE! Print & Online.
Place a 25 word classified ad in over 250 newspapers in Iowa for only $300. Find out more by calling 800-2277636 or this newspaper. www.cnaads.com (INCN)
Full body or specific area
Jackson Cleaning Service • Residential Cleaning • Getting Your Home Ready For the Market
Announcements Contract salespersons to sell aerial photography of farms on commission basis, $5,000-$8,000/month. Proven product and earnings. Travel required; sales experience preferred. 1-877882-3566 (INCN)
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, family status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is a violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at 1-800-424-8590.
The Recommends ALL ITS READERS Closely examine any offer of a job opportunity or service that sounds too good to be true; chances are it is. Before investing any money, please contact the
Des Moines Better Business Bureau at 515-243-8137
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal,*Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 888-220-3960 www.CenturaOnline.com (INCN)
CNAs, HHAs, LPNs, RNs: Positions throughout Central Iowa. Flexible Hours & Schedules. Excellent Wages. Weekly Bonuses! Paid Time Off. CBS Staffing 7611 Douglas Ave, Ste.36, Urbandale, IA 50322. 515334-7471 employment@ cbsstaffing.org (INCN)
16 | CLASSIFIEDS | Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily
ATTN: COMPUTER WORK. Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/mo. Full Time. Training provided. www.workservices9.com (INCN)
TUTORS
fall semester Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese
515-233-2185 | 515-232-5507
CHECK THIS OUT!!! Just completed high school and looking for your 1st phenomenal opportunity. Travel while earning big $$$$. No experience. Paid training. 1-877646-5050 (INCN) Get paid to go to Iowa Football games! Hiring Ushers, Security, Parking and other game day positions. Must 18 or older Call 319-3338972; email rvanderwaal@ whelansecurity.com (INCN)
Truck Drivers and Mechanics for a small Boone Truck Line. Competitive wages & benefits. Home every night. Please send resume to P.O. Box 61 Hampton, IA 50441 (INCN)
NIGHT MANAGER Full time. See our website for details.
www.yss.ames.ia.us Wanted: Company Drivers. Must have 3yrs experience, current Class-A CDL, 23 yrs of age and clean MVR. Health/Dental/Vision, Pd Vacation/401K. Call Monson and Sons, Inc. @1-800-4634097 ext107. EOE (INCN) Driver- Recession proof freight. Plenty miles. Need refresher? No out-of-pocket tuition at FFE. $1000 Bonus for CO's & $1500 Incentive for O/O's. recruit@ffex.net. 855-356-7123 (INCN)
210 Gray | Sunset View
2
Other Locations: • • • • • •
1225 Delaware 4606 Ontario 3018 Oakland 3000 Regency 1002 Duff 121 Beach
B
Need OTR, MIDWEST REGIONAL, DRIVER TRAINERS for a stable company. Must have CDL-A. Excellent pay and benefits www.jbscarriers.com call 866-298-4573 option 2 (INCN) "You got the drive, We have the Direction" OTR Drivers APU Equipped Pre-Pass EZpass Pets/passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% NO touch. 1-800-528-7825 (INCN) Drivers-Flatbed & reefer Average $1.12 to $1.24/mile (+fuel surcharge) Paid CDL Training Available & Benefits! Call Prim Inc Today! 1-800277-0212 www.primeinc. com (INCN) Driver Start a New Career! 100% Paid CDL Training! No Experience Required. Recent Grads of Exp Drivers: Sign On Bonus! CRST EXPEDITED 800-326-2278 www.JoinCRST.com (INCN)
205 Beach | Beach View
R
Now Offering Incentives
2 Get it all @
&
3
BR
Sunset View & Beach View
• • • • •
Heat Direct TV Internet Parking Washer/Dryer in every unit • Spacious Floor Plans • Walk to Campus
www.fpmofames.com • 515.292.5020
Seeking part-time certified drug & alcohol counselors to join Boone County Recovery Center. Skills for assessment, facilitating adult groups. 515-432-1519.
BLOWOUT CLEARANCE SALE on name-brand kidswear! Save 50-70% OFF Retail! Exclusive TIME LIMITED offer! Log on www. diannaskidsfashion.com or call 515-897-9778 for free catalog. (INCN) New 30’ x72’ greenhouse/ high tunnel for sale. Complete kit including double poly, drop down sides, end wall framing, etc... email for more details. alainac@iastate.edu Located in Story City. ‘99 black Honda Accord EX 4 door sedan in good condition for sale. $3800. Please contact 515-203-1224.
ROOM FOR RENT Looking for a female roommate. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. Spacious, new, and great location. Close to Iowa State Campus!! Rent includes utilities cost. Email jlpawlow@ iastate.edu
Efficiency basement apt. next to campus. $340/mo 2921842.
Spacious 1 Bedroom Apartment FREE Internet & Cable. NO Application Fee! 515232-8884 www.FurmanRealty.com 1 bedroom. Clean. Walking distance to the University. Non smoker, no pets. Available August 1. Call 515.460.2488
The BEST Rental Value In Ames! Now Leasing for 117 Beach •SE corner of campus •Walk to the stadium or Coliseum •FREE: Internet, Cable, and Laundry www.ppm-inc.com|515-232-5718|Call Today!
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | Iowa State Daily | CLASSIFIEDS | 17
1BR with most utilities included. On CyRide. Www. rentshriver.com 232-4765. •Loaded
Eff- 1 BDR - 2 BDR West Ames by red bus stop Call Sali:515.450.2899
1BR $650• •212
Hayward •Heart of Campustown •Garage Available 515-268-5485
resgi.com
FREE Internet, Cable & Heat 2 Bedroom available Aug 1st close to Walmart, Dahls & North Grand Mall. Includes Covered Parking and No Application Fee. 515-2328884 www.FurmanRealty. com
3 & 4 BR house. New carpet & air. Clean. Close to east HyVee. Available Aug. 1. 515.460.2488.
2 Bedrooms - 1 & 1/2 Bathrooms Available August 1st FREE Internet, Cable, Garage Stove, Frig & Dishwasher. 515-232-8884 www.FurmanRealty.com Offering Short Term Leases 2 Bedroom Apartments with Free Internet & Cable. 515232-8884 www.FurmanRealty.com 2 BR, 1 & 1/2 BA Cat Friendly! FREE Internet & Cable, with a Large Deck & Plenty of Storage. NO Pet Fee or Application Fee. 515232-8884 www.FurmanRealty.com 2 bedroom apartments. 117 Beach. Internet, cable, free laundry. Call PPM/2325718. 2BR in West Ames. Near Ontario/N.Dakota, garages, pay only electric. $650 www. rentshriver.com 232-4765 or 460-6660. FAST FACT: STUDENT LIVING ISU students have a variety of living options available to them: 21% live in residence halls 6% live in university owned apartments 12% live in fraternities or sororities 61 live in off-campus housing
Delaware Woods Apt. 515.292.3479 1121 Delaware • 2 Bedroom • Garages Available • $570 • Free Cable, Free Water, Free Internet
August 1st, 3BR house near campus on Story St. $720/ month. 292-1842.
NEED TO
SUBLEASE YOUR PLACE?
Let your deal be known. Let your deal be known. Let your deal be known. Let your deal be 294known. -4123 Let your deal be known. iowastatedaily.com Let your deal be known. Let Let your your deal deal be be known. known. NEED TO SUBLEASE? Put an ad in our classifieds and GET RESULTS! Call 294-4123 today! OR visit www.iowastatedaily.com
Put an ad in our Classifieds & GET RESULTS! Call or
1, 2, & 3 Bedroom Apartments Still Available 4404 Lincoln Swing
4325 Todd
Claim your space today.
515.294.4123
Campus 307 Ash
515.294.4123
3418, 3404 Coy 131 Hyland
101 Riverside duplex 1125 Kellogg duplex 420 S. 4th St.
totalpropertyames.com
Call Today!
515.292.777
www.iowastatedaily.com
FREE
Student Ad
Iowa State students can place one free 5-day ad to sell their extra stuff! (Excludes Auto’s & Rentals)
Looking
CHECK OUT THE
for a place to live?
(Check out the Iowa State Daily for latest openings in Ames.) or online at www.iowastatedaily.com
Today!
Let your deal be known. Let your deal be known. Let your deal be known. Let your deal be known. Let your be known. Claimdeal your space today. Let your deal be known. Let Let your your deal deal be be known. known.
www.horizon-properties.com
Off Campus
%
Available for Fall
3BR near Jack Trice. Heat, water, cable internet included. $900. 232-4765 or 460-6660.
Got an iastate.edu email? Post online for FREE!
Thursday, July 28 2011
Games
Crossword
what?
just sayin
Students should double check their spelling before posting on just sayin’ because all i notice is your stupidity, not what you want to get across. ••• To the guy lamenting about being single for two years, try going five then you can have the right to complain. ••• Decent looking, good morals, steady job guy. Let’s meet up. ••• “In response to the guys sayin’ YES I WILL MARRY YOU! (and now you know a Sarah) Sincerely, Sarah” ••• Sorry about giving you herpes. ••• What’s more satisfying an orgasm or a reeeeally big fart? ••• He was cute but then he took his hat off. Put it back on. ••• Grow a pair and ask her out and stop with the stupid juvenille text messaging You are pathetic. •••
Across 1 Kilmer of “Batman Forever” 4 Nostalgic soft drinks 9 Latish wake-up time 14 Object of a conquistador’s quest 15 Conjure up 16 As a friend, to François 17 What older baseball pitchers might do? 20 “Scarborough Fair” herb 21 Huey, Dewey and Louie, e.g. 22 Dull routine 23 Fetch Halloween costumes from the attic? 27 Mice and lice
29 Quick-flash link 30 French land mass 31 Early pamphleteer 35 Big name in baseball cards 39 “Can I get a word in?” 41 Muffler 43 Intimate apparel purchase 44 Wrinkle-prone fabric 46 Work with one’s hands 48 NATO founding member 49 Classy org.? 51 Dulles alternative 53 Post snide comments on a blog? 59 Italian diminutive suffix 60 “Pagliacci” clown 61 Dundee denials
64 Join the high school wrestling team? 68 Early Indo-European 69 Actress Dunne 70 Volstead __: Prohibition enabler 71 Campfire treat 72 Enjoyed, as a beach blanket 73 “Go for it!”
with coupon (reg $26.99)
DLY-8
www.dgstaphouse.com
Heatbox & Jon Wayne and the Pain
July 30 10pm $10 Cirrus Minor Cd Release Party
Aug 5 10pm $6w/free cd
Evergreen Grass Band
Aug 6 10pm $5
Tickets can be purchased online at www.dgstaphouse.com
Open Tues.-Sat. @ 4pm
located above
Down
1 Swears 2 Certain stage solo 3 Scratch 4 Composer Rorem 5 HTC smartphone 6 Mr. Fixit’s genre 7 “Don’t remind me”
STOP...
Submit your just sayin’ to iowastatedaily.net/games
8 Attach, in a way 9 Most likely to crack 10 Bring down the curtain 11 Tiny Pacific republic 12 Rally, as a crowd 13 Thin sprays 18 Think 19 Actress Swenson 24 Fall (over) 25 Geneticist’s concerns 26 Art colony town 27 Medicine chest item 28 K-12 32 “Ew!” 33 Mary Bobbsey’s older daughter 34 Poetic preposition 36 Keeps at it 37 Galileo Galilei Airport city 38 Attention __ 40 Choice reading? 42 Casino game 45 Its largest moon is Triton 47 Drops on a blade? 50 Each 52 Monument word 53 Gyro essentials 54 Render weaponless 55 Godzilla’s stomping ground 56 “Wait __ Dark”: 1967 film 57 Pageant trophy 58 “Okey-__!” 62 Verb-to-noun suffix 63 Droop-nosed fliers 65 Mr. Potato Head piece 66 “Small Craft on a Milk Sea” musician 67 Home viewing room
...in to Ames’ newest, quick-lube and experience the difference.
Daily Free Drink Pool Sundays! Specials Today’s Solution
Iowa State Daily | Page 18
ENJOY...
...a free cup of Caribou coffee and relax in our Northwoods lounge or stay in your car.
125 Main St. - 232-1528
GO...
...in 3 to 5 minutes your oil is changed and you’re “good to GO!
Games
Thursday July 28, 2011 Iowa State Daily | Page 19
Over 140 DIFFERENT liqours to choose from...
Including Maker’s Mark • Tanqueray • Grey Goose • Patron • Glenlivet • Midori So Many Choices
2-2334 9 2 / . e v A h 207 Welc own
26
ampust Clocktower/C
All Liquor Top Shelf Thursday $2.50 Singles // $4.75 Doubles
Weekly Horoscope : by Nancy Black and Stephanie Clements
Taurus: Trust love! Week of June 21 - June 28, 2011 Aries, Mar. 21-Apr. 19 Give time to clearing out space at home. Weed out closets, clutter and the garden. It may seem boring, but the results feel so good. And they look that way, too. Taurus, Apr. 20-May 20 If you discover an unexpected roadblock, try a new route. Trust love. There’s more than enough to go around. Explore every lead and share opportunities. Be flexible. Gemini, May 21-June 21 Things might seem difficult today. Does that glass look half empty? A shift in perspective opens new possibilities. Try counting your blessings. Be kind to yourself. Cancer, June 22-July 22 Communications could be deceptive or incomplete today. Look for extra meaning beneath the words, and research the back-story. Keep a low profile to complete a job.
Leo, July 23-Aug. 22 Tell your worries you’ll get back to them later. They keep trying to delude you into emotional outbursts. Instead, focus on the reality of the situation. It all works out.
Sagittarius, Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Watch what comes out of your mouth, as interactions are likely to get murky today. Think it over before you speak. Or just quietly check those tasks off the list.
Virgo, Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Rather than tripping again on the same rock, learn from it. Map it out for others. Describe how it feels. You’ll save a lot of feet.
Capricorn, Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You may have some explaining to do, but getting your point across could prove difficult in the abstract. Try to keep it concrete. Just the facts, Ma’am.
Libra, Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Have you considered a more creative career? You can break the cliche of the starving artist and find success ... add artistry to the career you have now. Scorpio, Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Unarticulated dreams and visions could confuse what folks think you’re up to. You feel a bit shy, but if you tell them what you’re thinking, they can ease the way.
It’s MUG DAY & NIGHT at Es Tas! $3 Domestic Fills, $5 Well Fills, and $5 Fills of Blue Moon, Fat Tire, Boulevard, and Dos XX Amber
Why go anywhere else?
Word of the Day: pigeon-livered
Adjective 1: Gentle, mild
Example: Then there are the officials who often display a pigeon-livered attitude in return for some form of bribery
Level: 1
2
3
4
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLE
Aquarius, Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Glitchy speech could create misunderstandings now. Keep the channels clear, and invent a new way. Repeat the message until they get it. Patience. Pisces, Feb. 19-March 20 You may encounter some bumps in your romantic life. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember what you’re committed to. Focus on your new ideas, as crazy as they may seem.
- \PIJ-un-liv-erd\
5/2/11
© 2011 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
Get the weekend specials and all of our specials delivered to your Facebook news feed by liking us on Facebook. See ya here!
20 | NEWS | Iowa State Daily | Thursday, July 28, 2011
Editor: K. Klingseis, J. Ferrell | news iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.2003
The Memorial Union post office has been put up for review by the state, as well as the Welch Avenue branch. There are many other branches around the state of Iowa that will be going through the same review. Photo: Jordan Maurice/Iowa State Daily
>>POST OFFICE.p4 to change the length of the postal service’s delivery week from Monday through Saturday to Monday through Friday. “For those customers who need Saturday delivery, they can still get their mail with a
P.O. box,” Watkins said. “Then, the mail will be delivered, because that mail doesn’t require a carrier to deliver it.” Some students expect that the possible closure of the MU post office would inconvenience them during the school year. “Most students are very
s e o
D
. . . is
busy during the week with going to class, and many times working on campus,” said Sarah McClanahan, International Student and Scholars member. “Even for staff, those working full-time during normal post office hours aren’t able to mail things, unless it’s on their lunch hour or on a Saturday morning.” Ali Soltanshahi, an adviser for International Students and Scholars, thinks that the post offices should keep the people they work for in mind. “Although it is important for the post office to look at spending cuts in order to meet the economical challenges of today’s world, it is also imperative and equally important to keep in perspective the population they serve,” Soltanshahi said. Soltanshahi said that the post offices should advertise their on-campus services more aggressively. “I am not sure how well they have advertised to ... the campus community.”
rid
icu loo lo k us y to
th
ou
?!
(it looks ridiculous to us that you’d eat anywhere else)
129 Main St. 515.232.4263
Flooding
This photo from June 14, 2011 shows the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant surrounded by flood waters from the Missouri River, in Fort Calhoun, Neb. Officials said Wednesday that the plant may not reopen until the fall. Photo: Nati Harnik/Associated Press
Omaha plant still inundated OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — When the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant will be able to restart is still not clear, because the utility that operates it won’t be able to inspect it for damage until floodwaters from the overflowing Missouri River recede, officials said Wednesday. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission met with Omaha Public Power District officials to discuss what steps will be needed before the plant can reopen. Utility officials and regulators emphasized safety throughout the public meeting. “Regardless of the river level, we will not restart the plant until it is safe to do so,” said OPPD’s Chief Nuclear Officer Dave Bannister. Much of the nuclear plant about 20 miles north of Omaha has been surrounded by Missouri River floodwaters since at least June, but the plant itself remains dry inside. Fort Calhoun has been shut down since April because it was being refueled before the flooding began. Utility officials say they have no set timeline for restarting it because they won’t know what work is needed until after the water level drops. The plant may reopen this fall, but it could even be delayed until next spring depending upon repairs, inspections and the weather. In addition to making repairs and inspecting parts,
OPPD will also have to complete the normal refueling maintenance that has been on hold since April. Those tasks alone might take about two weeks to complete. The NRC must approve of the plan for inspections and repairs at Fort Calhoun, which remains under a lowlevel emergency status called a “notification of unusual event” because of the flooding. NRC officials promised to closely monitor the efforts to ensure the plant is safe and doesn’t represent a threat to the public. “We’ll do what we need to do to verify the station is ready to return to power,” said Elmo Collins, the NRC’s regional administrator. Within the next two weeks, OPPD will submit a detailed recovery plan for Fort Calhoun to the NRC. But that framework will likely be updated and revised once officials get a chance to fully inspect the facility. Fort Calhoun employees have been using an elevated catwalk more than a quarter-mile long each day to cross the flooded parking lot. But the utility has been able to keep the inside of its buildings and key equipment mostly dry with a network of flood barriers and a number of pumps. The main building at Fort Calhoun is at 1,004 feet above sea level, which is about two feet below Wednesday’s river
level of 1,005 feet, 9 inches. Last month, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko visited Fort Calhoun and the state’s other nuclear power plant run by the Nebraska Public Power District. Jaczko said both Fort Calhoun and Cooper were safe, and that the utilities had taken prudent steps to protect the public. NPPD’s Cooper plant in southeast Nebraska is more elevated than Fort Calhoun, so the floodwaters didn’t ever get as close to the facility. Cooper was able to continue operating throughout the flooding. NPPD officially lifted the “notification of unusual event” status at Cooper on June 13 after the floodwaters began to recede. The base of the Cooper plant, which is about 70 miles south of Omaha, sits at 903.5 feet above sea level, nearly three feet above the highest point reached by the Missouri River’s floodwaters. The Missouri River may not return to within its banks until sometime in September, because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to release massive amounts of water from the upstream reservoirs. The corps says the flooding was caused by heavy spring rains in the upper Plains and substantial Rocky Mountain snowpack melting into the river basin.