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Valentine’s Day Tips page 6

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Triassic crocodile discovered by ASU professor by Chamian Cruz

Intern News Reporter

fter more than a decade of studying numerous fossils with a focus on the Late Triassic Period, an Appalachian State University professor was recently involved in the identification and naming of a previously unknown species of the crocodile family. Andrew Heckert, a vertebrate paleontologist and professor in the Department of Geology helped to identify a new genus and species of the aetosaur. Heckert led an article published Jan. 24 in “The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology,” where he described his discovery of the new species and made its name official. Aetosaurs are primitive reptiles related to crocodiles and are thought to be herbivores that roamed the earth on the supercontinent Pangea when North Carolina was farther south and the climate was much warmer, Heckert said. Aetosaurs are not very common – fewer than 10 aetosaur fossils have been found in North Carolina, with the one Heckert identified being one of the best in terms of its condition. Heckert said the new genus and species he helped to identify must have been about 4-5 feet in length and is

unique because of a band of armor plates around its neck. “Crocodiles also have plates like these, but this aetosaur happens to be very spiny, and so presumably this was used as a defense mechanism,” Heckert said. With the help of staff members and volunteers from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and an expert from Scotland, the new genus and species of the aetosaur was named Gorgetosuchus pekinensis. Heckert said the dinosaur’s name means “neck-ringed crocodile.” Gorgetosuchus comes from the French world “gorget,” the metal neck ring that medieval knights wore for protection, and the ancient greek word “suchus,” meaning crocodile. Pekinenis refers to the Upper Pekin Formation that runs through today’s central part of North Carolina where the fossils were found. “They are not real famous and no one gets famous by working on these aetosaurs, because they’re not on dinosaur terrain,” Heckert said. The fossils were discovered in 2004, but preparing the rock to be broken into in order to take out the fossils took about a year. It then took about two to three months to get the fossils out.

SEE TRIASSIC PAGE 5

Jordan Kimbrell

Andrew Heckert of Appalachian State University discovered fossils dating back to 230 million years ago and helped name the species Gorgetosuchus Pekinensis.

A total of 19 plates were found all jumbled up in Triassic rock in Raleigh, which had been removed from a mining operation to access mud used in brick-making. Heckert said the plates date back to about 230 million years ago. “What a lot of people don’t appreciate about fossils is that a lot of times, they come all jumbled and broken and so, it takes a lot of effort for somebody to take this away and show what the different

pieces are,” he said. Beginning in 2012, Heckert began traveling to Raleigh once or twice a year to work on the fossils. Heckert also sought out the help of Devin Hoffman, junior Appalachian geology major, to scan and make the necessary models of the plates that were found to allow other researchers to see the distinct features of this particular aetosaur. Hoffman said they used two techniques to make the

molds and casts. One technique was to use 3D scans, which took about 12 hours to make and then about another 12 hours to print. The second technique to make the casts out of silicone rubber involved pouring polyurethane resin into a mold. Vincent Schneider, curator of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and one of the co-authors of Heckert’s article, said molds were used to produce about five or six copies of the

Proposed renovation seeks approval DWIs increase among Appalachian students

by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

by Mary Wood The developer of a proposed 145-unit mixed-use apartment complex went before a planning commission seeking a recommendation for conditional district rezoning on Monday. The recommendation allows for the request to be considered by the town council on Feb. 19. The proposed development, known as the Rivers Walk Project, is proposed to be built on the corner of Poplar Grove Road and Water Street.

SEE RENOVATIONS PAGE 4

News Intern Reporter

Sarah Weiffenbach

The Rivers Walk Project will be a mixed-use construction with commercial use on the bottom floor and housing on the second floor.

Appalachian State University has seen an increase in the number of DWI arrests on campus this year, despite no increase in patrol from University Police, Officer William Watson said. DWI stands for driving while impaired. According to www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina, a driver’s blood alcohol concentration is the most common way North Carolina police officers determine whether they are legally impaired. The BAC limit is 0.08

percent for a driver 21 years old or older; 0.04 percent for commercial drivers; 0.04 percent for drivers with prior DWI arrests and any alcohol concentration for drivers younger than 21 years old. According to www.police. appstate.edu, there were three DWI arrests on campus just this past week. “The amount of patrol cars we send out on the weekend has not increased,” Watson said. “In January alone, I charged seven DWIs.” Watson said since March of last year, he alone has writ-

SEE DWI PAGE 4

news

Warrior Fund aids veterans, their children in attending ASU by Nicole Caporaso Senior News Reporter

Emma Kovasckitz

Leah Hubbard, the director of University Scholarships, said the Warrior Fund will consist of a minimum of a $500 scholarship that go to veterans and their children.

ppalachian State University will begin a new scholarship program for veterans and their children. The Appalachian Warrior Fund will aid disabled and honorably discharged veterans or their children in attending the university. Director of University Scholarships Leah Beth Hubbard said veterans must first be admitted to the university, be a resident of North Carolina and have a minimum 2.8 GPA. Children of veterans are required to have at least a 3.0 GPA and also be residents of North Carolina. The disability rating must fall between 10 and 50 percent and be awarded

by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Chancellor Sheri N. Everts said the recently completed Campaign for Appalachian, which surpassed its $200 million goal, is helping to aid in the program. “Scholarships are an important part of those resources, and the Appalachian Warriors Fund combines Appalachian’s history of supporting our military veterans with our commitment to broaden access to higher education,” Everts said. Hubbard said the money for the scholarship came from a donor, but it will be added upon by the university. “Right now the money is strictly from the donor,” Hubbard said. “But this will be a scholarship which money will grow from, so the

school will invest it in order for it to help grow and support it.” The scholarship will be a minimum of $500, but depending on the funds available, more money can be given, based upon the decision of a scholarship committee, Hubbard said. Since 2010 Appalachian has been listed as a “Military Friendly School” by Victory Media. “We are committed to working with our veterans, as well as our students that are still in the service,” Hubbard said. “We believe that they too should have the same advantages as everybody else. The goal is this will hopefully trigger more scholarships to help with our military students.”

WYN, Enharmonix partner for non-traditional Valentine’s by Madison Barlow Intern News Reporter

This year, the a capella group Enharmonix is collaborating with Western Youth Network to provide students with an alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day experience. WYN is an independent nonprofit organization with the mission to “provide children with the tools they need to succeed,” according to its website. The organization has four main programs for children, and although they are independent, they work in close collaboration with the university and other area schools. Director of Development for WYN Faith Motter said the idea of selling singing phone telegrams came from a conversation she had with Associate Director of Student Programs Jenny Koehn. “Jenny works in the [Appalachian and the Community Together] office, and she is also a WYN board member,” Motter said. “Our goal for this year

was to really get WYN’s name out to the community even more, so one day we were talking about how to do an interactive fundraiser. That’s when Jenny mentioned partnering with Enharmonix.” Soon after that conversation, the two groups set up a meeting and discussed details of the event. Joe Wrenn, sophomore social work major and Enharmonix’s public relations officer said the group is excited to be involved with a non-profit that works with locals. “This year we had set a goal for ourselves to do more service, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity,” Wrenn said. “Our group travels a lot, so it will be nice to give back in our own community.” The group is currently taking orders for phone calls to be sent to “anyone and everyone,” Wrenn said. All calls will take place on Feb. 13 and will include a live song clip and a message explaining who the call came from and that the

proceeds benefit WYN. “We have a total of seven songs for purchasers to choose from, and have been practicing them all this week,” Wrenn said. “We tried to stick with songs that are classic and well known.” Enharmonix and WYN aren’t the only groups involved in this event, however. Senior sustainable development major Stephanie Rzonca is a member of a group of six students from a non-profit service learning class, who partnered with them. “Throughout the class, we are continuously trying to partner with non-profits to gain experience with all that goes into the organizations,” Rzonca said. “WYN was at the top of my personal list of nonprofits that I wanted to work with. I really like WYN’s mission, and think this is a really unique fundraising idea.” Rzonca said she and her team have been working on marketing the event. “We set up a Facebook group

for the event, and invited over 1,200 people from that platform alone,” she said. “It’s definitely a tag team effort. Enharmonix members are sort of the talking heads of the event, since they will be doing the calls. My group is doing more of the elbow grease work. It’s been a great experience.” Freshman Enharmonix member Lexis Warren said she is excited to participate in this event because it gives her the opportunity to give back while doing what she loves. “I think this event is so unique because no one else has done anything like it before,” Warren said. “People love the idea of having their friends and family serenaded, and our group is absolutely overwhelmed with excitement at the fact that we’re the ones who get to make it happen.” To order a singing telegram, visit www.heartforkids.wufoo.com/forms/singing-valentines. One telegram cost $5, but the group is offering a deal – $20 for five phone calls.

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Sigma Alpha Omega raises awareness for ovarian cancer by Chamian Cruz

Intern News Reporter

Sigma Alpha Omega works throughout the academic year to spread awareness about ovarian cancer, and the sorority has recently started raising money for Relay For Life for the event on April 24 at Appalachian State University. Some of the work SAO has done throughout the year includes hosting events and fundraisers to create awareness, donating money to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and raising money for the sorority to continue holding events in the future. “Right now we have a Comeback Shack fundraiser for the sorority, so that we can support things like ovarian cancer awareness and to be able to have events to not only benefit the sisters, but to benefit other organizations for a good cause,” said Allison Whitaker, junior elementary education major and fundraising chair of SAO. Some of the funds raised from the Comeback Shack fundraiser will go to OCNA, said Emily Carter, senior psychology major and public relations chair for SAO. Last year, SAO raised over $500 for

RENOVATIONS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Rivers Walk Project consists of five connected buildings for commercial and residential purposes. The ground floors will be used for commercial and retail purposes, while the upper levels will be used as apartments. Jim Deal, the attorney for the developers, said the project will clean up a neglected section of downtown. “It’s a renovation of a blighted area,” Deal said. “There are very old, dilapidated buildings that are boarded up right now. There’s also soil con-

DWI

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 -ten up more than 50 DWIs, not in-

Relay For Life. So far this year they have raised $180, said Alexa Roseman, junior social work major and service chair of SAO. Unlike breast cancer, ovarian cancer is not widely talked about, but it accounts for about three percent of cancers among women and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system, according to the American Cancer Society. “Ovarian cancer is actually more common than breast cancer, but you get huge foundations like Susan G. Komen that radiate breast cancer awareness,” said Jodi Hoagland, junior biology major and philanthropy chair for SAO. “One of the things we’re trying to do is support the things that people don’t know as much about.” Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begin in the ovaries and begin as tumors that can either be cancerous or noncancerous, according to OCNA. Noncancerous tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, but cancerous tumors can spread to other organs in the pelvis and abdomen or to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymph nodes. Among the factors that increase

the risk of getting ovarian cancer are obesity, women over the age of 63, women who have never or have not carried a child to term after the age of 35, talcum powder that touches the genitals and history of breast cancer or other cancer types since ovarian cancer is hereditary, according to the American Cancer Society. “As far as the importance of Relay For Life, a couple of our sisters have been directly impacted by family members who have passed away from cancer,” Roseman said. “We are a family, so it is vital that we stick together and raise money to show our love and support for those who need it the most.” As a Christian sorority, SAO spreads their mission – spreading God’s love through sisterhood, encouragement of spiritual development and participation in evangelical and philanthropic endeavors – by also visiting patients in the Watauga Medical Center who have ovarian cancer. “We write hospital cards for the patients, so we’ve gotten to meet quite a few people with ovarian cancer,” Hoagland said. “It is a unifying experience for us and it also helps them.” Another one of the sorority’s projects this semester will be sending letters to Congress, thanking them

for their donations to the Omnibus Fund, which raises money to support research that is being done on ovarian cancer. This semester, the sorority is also planning to raise awareness by hosting events at Appalachian’s baseball games where they will be passing out ribbons, information cards and have a donation jar available. “It’s not just the sorority making money – it’s the campus knowing what’s going on and giving them the opportunity to participate,” Hoagland said. “I think our main goal is to get the whole campus involved, not just the sorority.” Recent research has led to a few breakthroughs, such as getting closer to identifying the exact risk factors and causes of ovarian cancer, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, according to the American Cancer Society. “I don’t think research will ever end unless there is one solid cure-all, which there usually isn’t,” Hoagland said. “I think that as long as we can participate and as long as we can help and continue that research and continue the progress, I think we’re doing the best we can with it.”

tamination from a former oil company that was located there that’ll be cleaned up.” The project should be a huge boost for downtown businesses, said Bill Bailey, the head of Boone Planning and Inspections. “There will be more people living downtown,” Bailey said. “Those people will be patronizing the businesses a lot more.” However, Bailey said he thinks the economic benefits are only a portion of the good the Rivers Walk Project can do. “There are also security benefits to be had,” Bailey explained. “If you have people living downtown, there

will be that ‘after-hours security’ feeling, where people will be paying attention, so that if there’s a scream in the middle of the night, someone will hear it and call the police.” The Rivers Walk Project has faced numerous obstacles since being proposed in September 2014. The developer is looking to rezone the adjacent area of Rivers Park. Rivers Park is currently zoned as an R-1 district, which designates it as an area for single-family residences. However, there are no single-family residences in the area. The reason it’s an R-1 zone is because the land, which was deeded to the Town of Boone by the Rivers-Coffey family,

was originally a residential area. “The town is in the process of determining how it should appropriately be zoned, because it clearly should not be zoned R-1,” Deal said. The property also lies on a floodway, or an area with a high danger of flooding. This forced the developers to redesign the layout of the facility. The initial plan originally had all the parking underground, which increased the risk of flooding even more. The developers changed the architectural design to put the parking garage on the higher end of the property. Bailey said construction is expected to be completed by the fall of 2016.

rests on campus during the 2014 calender year, not including those off campus. So far in 2015, there have been 8 DWI arrests on campus. University Police conducts random checkpoints throughout the year. There are two forms of checkpoints – one is known as a license check, and the other is known as a DWI check. During a license check, police officers only check if the driver has a valid license. It isn’t unless the officer smells or suspects something illegal – such as marijuana – that they check for possession or consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. During one of two annual DWI checkpoints, Watson said they bring in a vehicle called the “Batmobile.” “The Batmobile is a black van we bring that has tools and equipment that allow us to breathalyze and test

an individual for consumption of a substance,” Watson said. Though “beeping” is illegal and punishable by law, University Police suggests the use of the “beeper” system if absolutely necessary. “We’re for and against it – it’s quite difficult to say,” Watson said. Watson suggested that people talk to their beeper before entering the car to ensure sobriety and the truthfulness of the individual. “I tend to be lenient when it comes to beeping,” Watson said. “When there is a sober driver driving intoxicated individuals, I tend to let them go due to making the right choice in taking a sober driver.” If anyone has any questions or concerns dealing with DWIs, he or she is encouraged to contact University Police at 828-262-2150.

cluding other police officers’ writeups. According to www.police.appstate. edu, there were 58 recorded DWI ar-

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Faculty-led trip to Iceland offers students geology credits by Nicole Caporaso Senior News Reporter

For the second year in a row, Appalachian State University geology professors are taking students on a trip to Iceland the end of July through the beginning of August. Geology lecturer Brian Zimmer and associate geology professor Scott Marshall plan to take 12 students. The trip will give student participants up to six course credits – four in Geology and two optional credits in Effective Leadership and Group Development in International Expeditions. Zimmer said the trip is very geology intensive, but the first eight days of the trip will include sightseeing and frequent stops to various tourist attractions. “The trip has two parts – the first part is with a vehicle, so a bus or large van – and we’ll travel around the southern part of Iceland and see volcanoes and glaciers,” Zimmer said. “We’ll go on a lagoon boat ride, go to an island off the southern coast where a town was buried in an eruption in 1973.” The second half of the

TRIASSIC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A total of 19 plates were found jumbled up in Triassic rock in Raleigh, which had been removed from a mining operation to access mud used in brick-making. Heckert said the plates date back to about 230 million years ago. “What a lot of people don’t appreciate about fossils is that a lot of times, they come all jumbled and broken and so, it takes a lot of effort for somebody to take this away and show what the different pieces are,” he said. Beginning in 2012, Heckert traveled to Raleigh once or twice a year to work on the fossils. Heckert also sought out the help of Devin Hoffman, junior Appalachian geology major, to scan and make the necessary models of the plates that were found to allow other researchers to see the distinct features of this particular aetosaur. Hoffman said they used two techniques to make the molds and casts. One technique was to use 3D scans, which took about 12 hours to make and then about another 12 hours to print. The second technique to make the casts out of silicone rubber involved pouring polyurethane resin into a mold. Vincent Schneider, curator of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of

trip, the remaining 6 days, involves camping and backpacking through volcanic highlands, Zimmer said. The budget for the trip is $3,750 per attendee, which covers airfare and in-country expenses. “That covers bus hire, food, the different tours, ferry costs, and for the glacial hike, we have to hire guides because I prefer to have somebody who does it on a regular basis,” Zimmer said. “Iceland is a fairly expensive country, but we can do pretty well with this group trip. We’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.” Zimmer said the curriculum for the course is very experiential. “If we’re talking about lava tubes, we’ll go to a lava tube,” Zimmer said. “Each student is responsible for writing one chapter of our field guide. We’ll take them to different places and give insights that way, and also journaling, that’s part of it.” Marshall said the year before the last trip they took students, he and Zimmer went to Iceland to plan out the trip and ended up making minimal changes the following year.

“The year before we went to plan it out, so it was a practice run the first year,” Marshall said. “We shortened the hike, the last day was brutal, something like 15 miles. No way that we’d ever have students where everybody could do that, it’s a long walk to us, but there’s people not used to that physical activity and part of the experience is being physically challenged in an environment where you can’t quit because there’s no where to go.” Conditions while in Iceland can be extreme, Marshall said. “When we’re there the temperatures typically vary,” Marshall said. “We had one day last year that was in the mid 60s and then we had one night where it hailed and snowed and it was probably 20-25 degrees, definitely below freezing, and that was in August or the end of July.” Zimmer said he is excited to return to Iceland as he believes it is a magical and beautiful place. “If there is something in life you can never have too much of, it’s perspective, so I want students to get a whole new perspective,” Zimmer said.

Natural Sciences and one of the co-authors of Heckert’s article, said molds were used to produce about five or six copies of the plates that went around the neck and they will be sent out to other institutions, so that they have copies of this new specimen. Heckert said casts of the fossils of Gorgetosuchus pekinensis will go on display in the Triassic exhibit soon. The actual fossils will remain at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. “All fossils that are scientifically studied have to end up in some sort of museum where you can be confident that they will still be there 100 years from now,” Heckert said. “Even though I am a paleontologist, I have essentially no fossil collection, because all the fossils that I’ve studied are at museums.” Personally, Heckert said he is not planning on doing any additional research on the fossils soon. Instead, he has begun working on another specimen of a different animal. “Part of what makes science replicable is that if other researches now find something similar to [Gorgetosuchus pekinensis], they will refer to my article or travel to Raleigh to look at the fossils for comparison.”

Courtesy of Brian Zimmer

The class of geology students that professors Brian Zimmer and Scott Marshall led in Iceland last year. The professors will be taking a new group of 12 students to Iceland again this year.

“These people constantly live in the shadow of major geologic hazards, and the people thrive in this environment and do so in a sustainable way.” Marshall said he has never seen a student on the trip look bored. “I want them to get an experience where they’re taken out of their comfort zone because I think you can learn a lot about yourself when you’re in a situation that makes you uncomfortable,” Marshall said. “When you’re

in a classroom some might think it’s boring, but when you’re standing on a glacier, if you don’t think that’s interesting, you should check your pulse.” Zimmer said there are a few more available spots for students to still sign up for the trip. “This is an introductory level course that is designed for the general Appalachian community,” Zimmer said. “We do have some geology majors that go on it, but it’s open for everybody.”

a&e

Valentine’s Day on a student’s budget by Liz Flamming

Intern A&E Reporter

alentine’s Day; a holiday that is celebrated and despised, anticipated and dreaded. Is Valentine’s Day a holiday invented by corporate America and the Hallmark industry to profit off the desperate need to express love through stale chocolate? Obviously. However, a genuine expression of love, whether it be to a significant other, a friend or a family member, is a beautiful way to remind someone you care. Of course, most college students can barely afford a Jimmy John’s sandwich, much less a token of affection for the love(s) in their lives. For this reason, here is Valentine’s Day on a budget: fun, meaningful gifts from the heart – all under $15.

Hand-crafted cookbook Does your special someone have a yearning for the yummy? A thoughtful, h a n d - c r a f t e d cookbook might be the gift for you. All you need is a binder or notebook, construction paper and a knowledge of someone’s favorite meals. Write or type out their favorite recipes – and maybe some of your personal favorites, too – add some pictures of the scrumptious dishes and put in all together in a personalized binder. Your foodie Valentine will appreciate the effort and love that went into putting their favorite recipes together. Before you know it, you’ll both be in the kitchen frying up some love. Personalized mixtape An oldie but a goodie, the personalized mixtape is a staple of

Casey Suglia

CoBo’s Yosef Roll is one of multiple sushi options the bistro oﬀers at a half-oﬀ price on Saturdays. House rolls are usually priced at $6-$11.

affection. Receiving a specifically customized CD from a friend or significant other is pure joy. You can purchase a pack of blank CDs from Staples, Wal-Mart or CVS for typically under $15. Then, you

just need to spend a while carefully crafting the perfect playlist. If your V-Day dearest prefers an afternoon listening to the perfect album over a box of chocolate, then perhaps a personalized CD is the best low-cost gift for him or her. Mini alcohol bottle bouquet For the inclined, a mini alcohol bouquet is a fun way to express your affection and perhaps get a little tipsy in the process. Alcohol shooters can be purchased at the Boone ABC Store for as cheap as 95 cents and range from tiny bottles of gin and flavored vodka to bourbon and tequila. To make a mini bottle bouquet, buy five to 10 colorful varieties of mini bottles and pick up some green pipe cleaners from Wal-Mart or Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff. Glue or wrap the pipe cleaners around the bottles, and voila – a beautiful alcoholic flower. Put your bottle bouquet in a vase or tall glass embellished with a ribbon or bow and your adorable mini alcohol bottle bouquet is complete. Half-price sushi at CoBo Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means half-off house rolls at CoBo Sushi Bistro and Bar after 11 p.m. House rolls are regularly priced from $6-$11 and include spicy tuna rolls, Alaskan

rolls and shrimp tempura. Sushi lovers everywhere know that a well-made, delicious roll of sushi is not cheap and that half-off house rolls are an amazing deal. Why not grab a friend or loved one and enjoy some late night –and maybe a CoBo martini as well – for cheap. Keep in mind that CoBo, located on Howard Street, is 21-and-up on Friday and Saturday nights, so have your ID ready!

Heart-shaped eggs and toast Do you have eggs? Do you have bread? Then all you need is a heartshaped cookie cutter (or a little creativity and ingenuity) and you can make heart shaped eggs and toast! A personal favorite, this easy recipe is a cute and delicious way to show your love. First, cut a heartshaped hole in the middle of a thick piece of bread with your cookie cutter. Then toast the bread by placing it in a skillet, and cooking until the bread is a light brown color. Place the cookie cutter in the heart-shaped hole and crack an egg in it. Cover the skillet for a few minutes until the egg is cooked, and then remove cookie cutter – it will be hot, so be careful – and serve. Add a side of bacon and you have breakfast perfection. This is a great idea for a romantic breakfast with your significant other or a fun brunch with the roommates.

Sunday brunch in Boone: delicious and numerous by Liz Flamming

Intern A&E Reporter

Brunch – it’s delicious, it’s trendy and it’s the perfect way to spend a late Sunday morning. Served in the lazy time between late breakfast and early lunch, brunch is massively popular among students and families alike. Many students and Boone residents have heard about Mint Indian Cuisine’s Sunday brunch (if you haven’t, two words: bottomless mimosas). If Indian food isn’t up your alley, there are many other lovely brunch places around town well worth a try. This Sunday, enjoy the hippest

meal of the day among fellow brunch experts at Proper, Canyons or Melanie’s. Proper Proper, located on S. Water Street, is known for its cozy atmosphere and irresistible home cooking styles. Proper’s Sunday brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the menu is a brunch junkie’s dream: shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, potato, spinach and cheddar scramble, quiche of the day and more. Sides include sweet bacon, berries and cream and buttermilk biscuits. Drinks include hot chocolate and Espresso News

drip coffee, and of course, the unforgettable mimosas. Brunch prices, which typically include an entree, two sides and a biscuit or cornbread, range from $11-$12. Canyons Sunday Jazz Brunch While most people in Boone have heard of Canyons, located on Highway 321 in Blowing Rock and overlooking a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, what they may not have heard of is Canyons’ Sunday jazz brunch. A tradition since 1993, Sunday jazz brunch at Canyons is served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

and currently features local jazz musicians Todd Wright and Friends. Dishes include eggs Americana, veggie omelets, pecan cakes and eggs Benedict topped with housemade jalapeno hollandaise. Prices are reasonable, with entrees ranging from $6.95 -$9.95, and the lively jazz atmosphere is guaranteed to start your day off right. Melanie’s Food Fantasy Conveniently located on W. King Street, Melanie’s is a brunch enthusiast’s heaven. Serving brunch foods all week long with Sunday brunch lasting from 8:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Melanie’s menu is

consistently fresh and delicious. Popular meals include stuffed French toast layered with raspberry cream cheese spread and topped with fresh fruit, eggs Florentine complemented with tomato slices and fresh spinach, and the classic Belgian waffles. Meal prices typically range from $6-$10, and often include homemade toast. If you’re trying to save some money go for the “Student Special,” which consists of two local farm eggs, homefries or grits and homemade toast for only $5.49. With prices and food like Melanie’s, the restaurant is indeed a foodie’s fantasy.

AppHack wins third place in VTHacks competition

EVENT BLURBS

“Space Canoe will be sending out ‘Cosmic American Vibes’ to soothe your woeful heart at 3rd Place this Valentine’s Day, so get out there and be soothed. It’s free, too.”

RUSSELL BOMER, Fat Cats Employee and Drummer of local band Way Das “You’ve got to catch the rare Fox Fire show down at Legends and then catch the Mortifying Valentine’s Day event the next night. Then you still get some time to spend with your sweetheart.”

MERRICK MARQUIE, President of the Appalachian Popular Programming Society

“Espresso News presents a night of adept and original ‘New Weird American’ music - as refreshing as it is startling. Abraham Leonard crafts devotional, cataclysmic psych-folk. Abe joins State Hospital Wilderness for haunting, high-lonesome alt-country. Locals Grow Well open with their timelessly beautiful and quirky pastoral folk.”

DEVON TUTTLE, Local booking agent and cultural curator

FRIDAY

DANNY WHUTTUNGTON THE KLEE & MIKE SHOW AND A KILLA BAND Traveling acoustic pop/ rock 8 p.m. @ Lost Province R&B, funk FREE / ALL AGES 8 p.m. @ Lost Province FREE / ALL AGES

THE FOX FIRE Three-piece folk band 9 p.m. @ Legends $4 ADVANCE / $6 AT DOOR ALL AGES

FRIDAY

MORTIFYING VALENTINE’S DAY Embarrassing love letters and poetry 7 p.m. @ Espresso News FREE / ALL AGES

LUNCHBAG, UGLY JOHN AND SOMEDAY RUMBLE Rap, acoustic and emo 8:30 p.m. @ Wood Circle House FREE / ALL AGES

SATURDAY FEB

together. AppHack is open to anyone who is willing to attend the events, regardless of their major, said Tashakkori. “I think people get intimidated. I think they think it’s like you have to be world renown, hot-shot coder and we want, instead, to be a beginner,” Tashakkori said. “We always keep track of our first time members because that’s our success, that’s our value. Anyone can learn how to program.” AppHack meets on the third floor of Anne Belk Hall and will be participating in BattleHack in Raleigh April 18.

SPACE CANOE ‘Cosmic American’ music 7 p.m. @ The 3rd Place FREE / ALL AGES MAUREEN RENIHAN JAZZ QUARTET Jazz and blues, contemporary popular music and show tunes 8 p.m. @ Lost Province FREE / ALL AGES

SUNDAY ALIGNING MINDS, C.SHREVE THE PROFESSOR, MUSASHI ABRAHAM LEONARD W/ XERO, DAVID GARRET STATE WILDERNESS HOSAND SASS PITAL AND GROW WELL Hip-hop, rap and dubstep Lo-fi indie and alternative folk 10 p.m. @ The Local 9 p.m. @ Espresso News $5 / 21+ $5 / ALL AGES

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WEEK END ROUND UP

THURSDAY

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Three members of AppHack at Appalachian State University students finished in third place for a bitcoin-integrated “Minecraft” game they wrote at the VTHacks competition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia last weekend. AppHack is an on-campus group that strives to increase tech entrepreneurship, savviness and and code literacy. Senior computer science majors Nathan Hernandez and Jon Johnson along with junior computer sci-

systems and social media profiles. “There’s two different meanings of hacking now,” Tashakkori said. “Hacking traditionally was brought about as someone who is exploring a technology and approaching that technology at different angles. Somewhere that kind of became synonymous with some criminal who breaks into government databases and stuff.” Johnson and King won third place at a previous hack-a-thon, HackNC, in October. Tashakkori said the competition drives students to continue to grow and build new things; the goal is to learn how to code and how to work

ence major Taylor King were three of 10 students from Appalachian State who competed in VTHacks. Hundreds of students from various universities across the nation spent 36 hours attending workshops and creating computer programs at VTHacks. The first, second and third place winners received cash prizes ranging from $125$500, and various sponsors gave away their own individual prizes. Sina Tashakkori, founder of AppHack and computer science graduate student, said hack-a-thons such as VTHacks are trying to break the stereotype of hackers as malicious people who break into computer

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Intern A&E Reporter

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by Molly Flinchum

EDITOR’S CORRECTION: Because of an editing error, an article published Feb. 10 on page 6 titled “Horn in the West begins search for talent at home” misstated the location of the Horn in the West’s auditions and gave the impression that this summer’s show will be the Horn in the West’s ﬁnal show. Auditions took place inside Valborg Theatre, not outside. This summer’s show will be the Horn in the West’s 64th season, but not its ﬁnal season.

opinion

Vaccine denial is nonsense, unfounded Kevin Griffin

Opinion Writer

Now that the insanity that is the “vaccination debate” has resurfaced, it is necessary once more to speak out about the rampant misinformation. With the resurgence of measles, the controversy over the effects of vaccines have arisen once again. Politicians such as Sen. Rand Paul and New Jersey’s Chris Christie have both made statements arguing for personal choice in childhood vaccination, with both echoing myths about the supposed health risks associated with vaccines, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Perhaps the most prominent false claim about vaccines is that they are linked to or cause autism. This myth goes back to a 1998 study published in The Lancet, a British medical journal. The article was retracted in 2010 by The Lancet when the research was shown to have numerous problems, including conflict of interest, inability of other researchers to replicate findings and most of the paper’s co-authors withdrew their support for it, according to NPR. Still, many people have continued to believe the link exists, and this has real implications for public health. These types of issues often bring out the worst tendencies in our society and media. Scientific topics such as vaccination and climate change with vast amounts of corroborating scientific evidence

are met with unnecessary debate. This is largely because these issues have important ideological implications. The idea that climate change is occurring and is anthropogenic suggests a policy based on collective efforts and regulation, both of which go against the case of traditional conservative ideology. Vaccines are a bit more complex. On an individual, it probably has a lot to do with the need of parents to explain the troubling circumstance of having a child with autism. Being able to point to vaccines can give some sense of order to what can often be frustrating, inexplicable situation. On the macro-level, the primary culprits are the general strain of conspiracy theories that runs through so much of our modern conservative ideology and these warped ideas of freedom.

Yes, individuals should have great personal freedom to make choices for themselves, but mandating a safe medical procedure for the health of the public at large is an acceptable use of government power. Fairly soon the current controversy over vaccines will blow over, even as many people continue to believe the myths about vaccines. The inappropriately ideological discourse around areas of science will continue, however, and that is a trend we should all be concerned about. Anyone who has power or influence should make a habit of calling out these ridiculous, unscientific panics whenever they arise.

Grif in, a junior journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

Emily Howard | The Appalachian

‘Fifty Shades’ romanticizes abusive relationships Kelsey Hamm Opinion Writer

With the movie release of “Fifty Shades of Grey” on Feb. 13, thousands will line up to watch one of the most mainstream erotic narratives of our time. Originally a novel trilogy by E.L. James, the story follows protagonist Ana Steele as she navigates her relationship with Christian Grey, a wealthy business man with a “side interest” in BDSM – the erotic fetish and potential lifestyle choice including elements of bondage/discipline, dominance/submission and sadism/ masochism.

Despite the popularity of the novel, it romanticizes abusive relationships and portrays BDSM with dangerous misrepresentations. Grey’s childhood sex abuse and early introduction to BDSM is revealed in the first novel. While his previous sexual assault is unacceptable, it doesn’t excuse his behavior toward Steele. Examples of Grey’s abusive behavior include refusing to let Steele use vehicles because of her “unsafe” driving and policing her body and food intake by forcing her to eat, dress and style her hair in a particular fashion. The Red Flag Campaign defines signs of detecting abusive relationships. These signs include identifying a partner who acts excessively jealous and possessive, controls another’s actions, keeps one from seeing friends or family, does constant check-ups, and

limits access to money, the phone or the car. Despite these similar signs of abuse, the novel trilogy ends with the couple in a married relationship, with tentative implications about Grey’s changed behavior. According to the National Domestic Violence hotline, victims in abusive relationships often stay with their partner for extended time in hopes of changing their behavior. In reality an abusive person cannot be “changed” with love and to suggest that they can is misleading. The novel also implies that interest in BDSM is tied to previous abuse. BDSM is not abuse. It’s a safe, sane and consensual activity willingly participated in by all parties – or at least should be. Steele asks Grey to show how bad BDSM can be, resulting in him whipping her with a belt. This scene is enough to

discredit the novel as safe or sane. No responsible person involved in BDSM would agree to whip someone inexperienced. People active in these intensely painful activities have built up to that level. In BDSM, it’s required that all parties be emotionally stable – Grey is not. The implications for the BDSM community due to this novel are severe as it remains heavily stigmatized. If these novels have peaked your interest in BDSM, that’s fine – but please remember that it’s not a safe depiction. It’s highly important to seek correct and accurate information before getting involved, and I suggest taking on intensive research before supporting the movie.

Hamm, a sophomore computer science major from Cary, is an A&E reporter.

classifieds

CRIME LOG BOONE

Feb. 10 6:50 p.m. | Vandalism Living Learning Center This incident is awaiting a further disposition. Feb. 10 6:30 p.m. | Vandalism 3rd Floor Living Learning Center This incident is awaiting a further disposition.

the possession of marijuana. Feb. 9 10:02 p.m. | DWI - Alcohol and/or Drugs Hardee’s Parking Lot An arrest was made for a DWI involving alcohol and/ or drugs.

Feb. 10 1:20 p.m. | Vandalism Living Learning Center This incident is awaiting a further disposition.

Feb. 9 12:03 a.m. | Possession of Marijuana Hardee’s Parking Lot An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana.

Feb. 10 Noon | Possession of Marijuana East Hall An arrest was made for

Feb. 9 Midnight | Vandalism Living Learning Center This incident is awaiting a further disposition.

Feb. 8 10:55 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Lovill Hall An arrest was made for the underage consumption of alcohol. Feb. 8 12:28 p.m. | Possession of Marijuana Roof Area of Founders Hall An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana. Feb. 7 10:16 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Bowie Hall An arrest was made for the underage consumption of alcohol.

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WHO ARE WE? The Appalachian, a student-run publication at Appalachian State University, strives to provide fair and accurate news for the campus community; to inform, entertain and create a forum for ideas; to provide an outlet for reader's opinions; to be a champion for student, faculty, staff, and community interests; and to remain independent, exercise and ensure its First Amendment rights.

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Editor-in-Chief Joshua Farmer Managing Editor Gerrit Van Genderen Visual Managing Editor Malik Rahili Chief Copy Editor Abbi Pittman News Editor Laney Rucksthul A&E Editor Emma Speckman Sports Editor Cory Spiers Graphics Editor Samantha Cordialini Photo Editor Alex Gates Video Editor Chris Deverell Enterprise Editor Michael Bragg

BUSINESS OFFICE Business Manager Paul Heckert

ONLINE Web Manager Justin Perry Community Outreach Stephanie Sansoucy

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Contact Information EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (828) 262-6149 BUSINESS OFFICE (828) 262-2157 ADVISER OFFICE (828) 262-2245

Associated Collegiate Press

app news

10 Submit Announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference given for events that are free or have a nominal cost. Student Leadership Awards Nominations are open for Student Leadership Awards through Feb. 23. Nominations are requested for students who provide significant leadership and service and go beyond what would normally be expected of them in their particular leader or service role. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Development. Two forms (nomination and student data form) are required for a complete nomination, and are available at studentdev.appstate.edu/leadership-and-serviceawards. Each year, Appalachian State University recognizes Student Leaders for their service and leadership to the university at a Student Leadership Award Ceremony sponsored by the Office of Student Development. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 24, Parkway Ballroom, PSU. Free tax assistance ASU’s Walker College of Busi-

ness will provide free tax assistance for individuals or families with a combined household income of $60,000 or less. Anyone can prepare and e-file their own federal and state income taxes for free using www.myfreetaxes.com. The Free Tax Help Lab, will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, through April 15, room 2014, Peacock Hall. Email hofmannma@ appstate.edu. Suicide prevention trainers The Suicide Prevention Program is seeking graduate students, faculty and staff who are interested in becoming suicide prevention trainers. Participants must complete a 6-hour training workshop on Feb. 21 or 22, complete an online training program, attend two in-person training sessions, attend one at-risk training session, and read the book “Myths of Suicide” by Dr. Thomas Joiner (book provided). Deadline to apply is Feb. 13. Trainers will be chosen after an application review and interview. Go to preventsuicide.appstate. edu or call 828-262-8284. Expressive Arts (EXA) Studio The studio seeks to engage Appalachian faculty, staff and graduate students in exploring how art-making can sustain individuals and communities. Will be held 3-5:30 p.m. in room 301 in the College of Education. Email platok@appstate.edu. • Feb. 13: EXA Soul Collage • Feb. 20: EXA Open Studio • Feb. 27: EXA Studio TBA

tor, Aug. 10-14, 2015 Joseph Bathanti Author Event The book signing and talk with the faculty member and former North Carolina Poet Laureate will be held 2 p.m. Feb. 18, The Scholars Bookshop, Appalachian State University Bookstore. The event is in celebration of his new novel, “The Life of the World to Come.” Dance Marathon The 15-hour experience will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 and end at 1 a.m., Legends. To participate, students register with the online database, and pledge to raise $150 to support Western Youth Network and Parent to Parent Family Support Network. Last year $33,246.49 was raised to benefit Western Youth Network & Parent to Parent Family Support Network. Visit act.appstate.edu/ dancemarathon to register. Outdoor education certifications University Recreation recently created a partnership with Landmark Learning, a wilderness certification provider education center to offer wilderness medicine, emergency medicine and leave no trace outdoor ethics courses for students and the community. For more information, go to https://op.appstate.edu/certifications--trainings. • Feb. 21-22, Wilderness First Aid • March 7-15, Wilderness First Responder • April 10-12, Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification • Leave No Trace Master Educa-

Suicide prevention training Learn how to help someone who is showing signs of emotional distress. By the end of this training, participants will know the warning signs for suicide, how to intervene, and where to go for more help. All training sessions will be held in Three Top Mountain, PSU. • noon-2 p.m. Feb. 23 • 6-8 p.m. March 25 • 10 a.m.-noon April 21, 5:307:30 p.m. April 22, 6-8 p.m. April 27, 3-5 p.m. April 28 and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 29

Intramural sports Hot Shot Contest and Softball registration will be open until Feb. 24. Men’s, women’s, and co-rec divisions offered. Registration is free and available to all students and full-time faculty and staff. Visit imsports.appstate.edu or call 828262-2100.

The Wellness Workshops Presented by the Counseling Center, The Wellness Workshops: Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood. Call 828-262-3180 or visit counseling.appstate.edu • Survive and Thrive: Suicide Prevention Training, noon-2 p.m. Feb. 23, Three Top Mountain, PSU • It’s NOT all about the BASE: Crafting a Compassionate Sense of Self, 4:15-5:15 p.m. March 3, Rough Ridge, PSU • Talk to the Paw: Come Destress with Allstar, the Dog, 4-5 p.m. March 26, Three Top Mountain, PSU

February

sunday

monday 8

tuesday 9

wednesday 10

Build-A-Pet, 11 a.m., Grandfather Mountain Ballroom, PSU, free Fracking: Facts and Fiction, 3:30 p.m., Parkway Ballroom, PSU

friday

thursday 12

Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, 2 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free

“Dear White People” The Fox Fire concert, “Thoroughly Modern 9:30 p.m., Legends, screening, 7 p.m., Millie” screening, $4 advance, $6 door 7 p.m., Greenbriar, I.G. Greer, freee PSU, $1 “Thoroughly Modern “Big Hero 6” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 “Big Hero 6” screenMillie” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 ing, 7 p.m. and 9:30 PSU, $1 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

14 “Big Hero 6” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

Healing our Soils: True Sustainability for Field, Farm, and Forest, 9 a.m., Samantha Frye Stu- Cooperative Extendent Voice Recital, sion Conference 6 p.m., Recital Hall, Center free Healing Arts Todd Wright’s Val- Yoga, 10:30 a.m., entine Evening, 8 Turchin Center, p.m., Rosen Concert $5-$10 Hall, free

Bored and Bril“Dear White People” liant: The Lost Art of Spacing Out, 11 screening, 7 p.m., a.m., Three Top I.G. Greer, free Mountain, PSU Campus safety concerns, 5:30 p.m., room 110, Anne Belk Hall, free

saturday

Tai Chi, 5 p.m., Turchin Center, free for students

Outdoor Jobs Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Grandfather Ballroom, PSU

CareerFest, noon-4 p.m., Holmes Convocation Center

Jazz Ensemble I, 8 p.m., Schaefer Center, free

Wind Ensemble & Symphony Band, 8 p.m., Schaefer Center, free

HSOM String Faculty Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall, free

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

Painting class, 7-9 p.m., Turchin Center, Spring Leadership Fair, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free for students International Hall, PSU Mardi Gras Feast, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Rivers Street Cafe in “Victor Victoria” screening, 7 p.m., Roess Dining Hall, Greenbriar, PSU, $1 Park Place Cafe in Trivette Hall Axiom Brass Quintet, 8 p.m., Rosen APPropos!, 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, Concert Hall, free free

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” screening, 7 “Victor Victoria” p.m. and 9:30 p.m., screening, 7 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 Greenbriar, PSU, $1

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 Dance Marathon, begins 10 a.m., Legends, registration required

sports

Positive progress continues for men’s by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

Confidence after Troy The Mountaineers (912, 6-6) played a solid game against the Trojans, but relaxed a bit too much in the second half and let Troy claw back into the game. However, App State remained calm and collected to pull out a threepoint win, which was exactly what the doctor ordered for a team that had lost two straight prior to the matchup. The Mountaineers should be a confident team after closing out the Trojans, not to mention that they have won five of their last seven and have already matched the win total from last year with nine.

Going deep If there was one advantage that App State had over Troy in its last game, it was depth. The Trojans used only three subs while the Mountaineers were able to bring in seven bench players to relieve their starters. Off the bench, head coach Jim Fox can place several players into key game situations, such as freshman forward Milos Kostic and sophomore forward Mike Kobani. App State’s starters have been solid, but depth is important especially at this point in the season with the wear of the schedule weighing on the squad.

App State M E N ‘ S

B A S K E T B A L L

Feb.12 vs. UALR (9-14, 4-9 Sun Belt) 7:30 p.m. Boone Feb. 14 @ ULM (16-8, 10-3 Sun Belt) 5 p.m. Monroe, Louisiana

LAST GAME

FIRST MATCH

65-62 W

of the season against

ULM

vs. Troy

App State's win over Troy snapped a two-game losing streak. The Mountaineers have won five of their last seven games. STEALS PER GAME

FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE

3.9 POINTS PER GAME

63.6

PLAYER TO WATCH

MICHAEL OBACHA

Junior forward Michael Obacha got the Mountaineers going early against Troy by scoring the team's first six points. If Obacha can score early again this week, it could generate considerable momentum.

W O M E N ‘ S

B A S K E T B A L L

Feb.12 vs. UALR (19-3, 12-1 Sun Belt) 5 p.m. Boone Feb. 14 @ ULM (10-12, 6-7 Sun Belt) 1 p.m. Monroe, Louisiana

LAST GAME

FIRST MATCH

108-87 L

of the season against

ULM

vs. Troy

The Mountaineers have lost two straight and have only one win in their last four games. STEALS PER GAME

FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE

8.6 POINTS PER GAME

71.4

PLAYER TO WATCH

JOI JONES

Sophomore guard Joi Jones got a lot of playing time in the loss against Troy, playing a team-high 30 minutes and ending up three rebounds shy of a double-double. She should be confident and ready to go for App State's next two games.

game day

App State

Women’s must fight out of rut by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

Defense first In App State’s tough stretch over the last four games, the defense has struggled to stop the opposition. This was especially true in App State’s last game against Troy in which the team gave up 108 points – its highest total allowed since the season opener against Kentucky. Head coach Angel Elderkin said after the loss that defense is the key as asking the offense to keep up impossible scoring paces night after night is not a formula for winning. Tough challenges Things don’t get any easier for the Mountaineers (10-11, 5-7) who have dropped two straight. UALR (19-3, 12-1) is the best team in the Sun Belt and have lost only once in conference play and three times overall. ULM is no pushover, either, so the Mountaineers have their work cut out for them in their next two, which could serve as a measuring stick of the resilience of Elderkin’s team.