Volume: 1Issue: 1Date: April 2011

Thoth

What’s inside:qShades of Relief qGas prices go crazyqDieting do’s and don’ts

10 things to do in Dubuque you didn’t know you needed to do

Check out our interview with a local “Grandma”

National News Japan realing after being

hit by multiple disastersMany of us college students don’t know what is going on

outside of campus, let alone outside of the nation. But you would have to live under a rock to have not heard about the tragedy that befell Japan earlier this March.

On Mar. 11 at 9:46 pm, Japan time, an earthquake struck Japan hitting the northeaster part of the country with a staggering measurement of 8.6 on the Richter Scale. This earthquake was the largest in Japan history, and fifth largest in world history. But the earthquake was only the first of major disasters to hit this country. The earthquake created a huge tsunami that swept across the northeastern part of Japan. The death toll has been upwards of 8,450 with many still missing.

Throughout the rest of the night more than 25 after-shocks occurred many over the 6.0 measure on the Richter Scale.

Tsunami warnings were sent out to Hawaii and much of the western coast of the United States around 9 am, central time.

This was only the start of the horrors, as the earthquake has shaken the foundations of several Japanese nuclear reactors in Fukushima Daiichi. These were shut down to prevent a meltdown but radiation has still leaked out. Caus-ing contamination across the northern half of the nation.

“The United States will continue to offer any assistance we can and we will stand with the people of Japan in the difficult days ahead,” said president Barack Obama.

Today the nuclear crisis appears to be slowly stabilizing as crippled reactor cooling systems were able to be hooked up to power lines. Out of the six units three are operable with the rest soon to follow. With this helping the workers,

the cores will be able to be cooled to prevent a meltdown.“The fact that offsite power is close to being available

for use by plant equipment is the first optimistic sign that things could be turning around,” Bill Borchardt told ABC News, executive director of the Nuclear Regulatory Com-mission Operations.

Although the people of Japan are not out of the woods yet. Contamination has been found in vegetation and water supplies which raised alarms across the country. The government has ordered a stop shipment from four regions around Fukushima.

“The crisis has still not been resolved and the situation at the [plant] remains very serious,” Mr. Amano, the head of the IAEA, told BBC News.

The U.S. has issued potassium iodide tablets to the U.S. government personnel and their families stationed in Japan. The government has also told several ships near the Japan coast to move further out to sea. Villagers around the power plants have been told not to drink the tap water for far of higher levels of radiation.

The World Health Organization has found no evidence of further contamination in other countries around the area. Still countries such as China and Taiwan have vowed to check Japanese imports more carefully.

There is still a long way to go as 350,000 people are living in evacuation centers, and 900,000 households are without water.

However, there is some good to come of this disaster. Over 60 nations around the world have pledged their help to Japan, showing how many people are willing to aid a country in need. It is in these times of crisis where the true human nature of charity is shown.

Japan was hit with multiple disasters in 2011 that destroyed roadways just like this one.

photo by NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

written by MATHEW DROSOPOULOS

National News

Gas prices are going, going, and still going

Gas prices have hit record highs in many places. Experts predict once summer comes, prices could reach an astonishing $5 per gallon. As of right now there doesn’t seem to be a fall in prices anywhere on the herizon.

photo by ASHLEy SLOTA

Students at Loras College naturally feel the pinch of rising gas prices when they fill up their cars. For students who commute it has become an increasing cost to drive to school every day.

Kyle Soeder, a senior at Loras College, commuted to school every day. “Just in the last couple months my gas costs have gone up about $100 a month,” he commented, “which is pretty tough considering school has started and I can only work 20-30 hours a week.”

The average gas price in Iowa jumped to $3.45 for regular gas; two cents below the national average, an increase of about $0.78 more than this time last year. In the last two weeks the prices has gone up $0.33 per gallon, causing a hard jump for commuter to get to school and work. This can create a big problem for those students who commute to school every day.

According to Laddie Sula, economic professor at Loras College, “For students who work, have to travel home to help parents, want to go on spring break to Florida or Texas- these activities will be more costly. You should also realize that most of the products we buy at the store come via truck – so sooner or later the high price of gas will push up the price of many of the commodities we buy.”

For a car that has a 14-gallon they will pay an extra $10.92 than last year. At this rate, filling up their tank at least once a week will cost an extra $327.60 this school year compared to last.

According to a recent poll done by the New York Times, students are starting to opt for online courses as opposed to driving to campus every day. If the price of gas continues to rise this could start to become a common

trend for those driving to class. Mostly students commute to save money while living at home with their parents but the continuous rise of gas prices makes it very difficult.

Commuters aren’t the only ones affected by high gas prices. Students who live far from home will fork out big money to visit their families. For a student who lives on the other side of the state of Iowa or further, it can cost $100 or more just to drive home and back.

Experts predict gas prices will reach $4-S5 per gallon. Sula stated, “It is likely that this summer the gas prices will go up even more because people will start going on vacation so the demand will increase.”

Students will have to find different means of saving money to compensate for filling up their tank. Sula sug-gests, “To save money, you need to substitute other forms of travel. For example, get other people to drive you where you want to go, now that the weather is better walk when you can and the exercise will make you more productive in your studies, and finally, review your budget and see what you can cut out; three chocolate chip cookies in the snack bar is equal to one gallon of gas.

*Prices were dated as of March 2011

“It is likely that this summer the gas prices will go up even more because people will start going on vacation so the demand will increase.”

- Laddie SulaEconomic Professor at Loras College

written by ASHLEy SLOTA

National News

Egypt faces a political overhaul unrivaled in its history. Over the past 10 days, protesters have clashed in the streets. Angry citizens are demanding that the Mubarak regime, which has been in power since 1981, be disbanded.

Originally, Hosni Mubarak was the Egyptian vice presi-dent, serving under Anwar El Sadat. Sadat was assassinated in 1981, passing over presidential power to Mubarak. For years, Mubarak has denied opposition to his presidency and has implemented many laws that Egyptian citizens are against.

Egypt, a semi-presidential republic, has one law, in particular, that is reason for protests. The law is called the Emergency Law, and it’s a by-product of the Sadat assas-sination in 1981. This law allows the Egyptian police and military to arrest anyone without pressing any charges, and to detain prisoners for unlimited amounts of time. The law states these actions may be done even though they are against the country’s constitution. According to Mubarak and his regime, this is done in the interest of national security. Throughout Mubarak’s rule, the government has endured rampant corruption and passed many such un-constitutional laws.

The current protests are nothing new. Egyptian citizens have been against Mubarak’s rule for years, but this current bout of protests is the largest and most violent.

Many Egyptians hoped Mubarak would not continue his reign this year following a recent bladder surgery. Instead, he kept his power, infuriating the citizens even more.

Now, all throughout the country, the pro-tests are in full force. In the beginning of the protests, individuals rioted in the streets, sparking a massive response from the Egyptian government. Riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets, to no avail. The police force, which has been

known to torture citizens, was not success-

ful in quell-

ing the riots either. The

Egyptian government turned off internet access in hopes of limiting citizens’ commu-nication with one another. In response, citizens began using

telegraphs to communicate.The same day, Mubarak

asked his entire cabinet to step down, especially after

President Obama became involved. Obama threatened dras-tic cuts in American aid to Egypt if drastic changes were not made. Mubarak then made Omar Suleiman, the director of military intelligence, vice president. Amidst the cabinet shuffling, Mubarak angered protesters further by not step-ping down himself.

On Feb. 1, Mubarak announced he would not seek re-election in September, following Pres. Obama’s orders. However, this did not seem to be enough for the protesters, as the rioting continued.

Those for and against the Mubarak regime continue to fight—in some cases to their death—in Cairo and surround-ing areas. The backlash of the on-going protests is felt all across the Middle East. Israelis and Palestinians, continual enemies, are no closer to peace and are feeling the reper-cussions of another governmental protest looming. Tunisia, which has recently undergone its own series of protests and governmental upheaval, is still in a rough state, as former president Adibine Ben Ali fled, taking 1.5 tons of the coun-try’s gold with him. A world-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Ben Ali.

The United States and a number of Euro-pean countries is trying to propose a com-promise, which would remove Mubarak from power, although not immediately.

Egypt has more than just mummies on

their minds

written by NICK JOOS

Who’s afraid of Twitter? My guess would be this guy. Either that or it’s the creepy mummy chasing him.

Entertainm

ent

MondayThe first day of the week is always the most dreaded day. The weekend has come to an end and it’s time to head back

to work or school. But after the day is finished there are some great places to stop by for some drinks and entertainment to brighten anyone’s day. The Busted Lift, located at 180 Main Street, is the perfect first stop on a Monday night. During the week the environment is very relaxing and mellow. Order yourself a Bob Marley and enjoy. It may be a bit expensive but it’s worth every penny.

TuesdayIt’s called Fat Tuesday’s for a reason, or Fat’s for short. Every Tuesday visitors can enjoy $5 pitchers of the beer of their

choice. With a friendly bartender and some great popcorn you can’t go wrong with Fat’s. To Loras students every Tuesday at Fat’s is home to Neighbor Night, an unofficial day of drinking and socializing with their apartment or dorm neighbors. Make your Tuesday full of beer, popcorn and neighbors.

Wednesday If you love Mexican food and margaritas then you’re in luck. Each Wednesday local Mexican

restaurants, such as Los Azteca’s and Salsa’s, have a $1.99 special on their margaritas. Trust me, you’re only going to need a couple of these delicious drinks before you’re seeing stars. Don’t worry, there is plenty of salsa to go along with those margaritas.

After you’ve had your fill of Mexican food, you can head over to the Walnut. This place has a great drink called the crusher, mostly because it crushes your taste buds. This little establishment is very low-key and perfect for kicking back after work for a few drinks before heading home.

ThursdayAfter a long week starts to wind down there is plenty to do once Thursday comes. If you’re feeling lucky try out either of the

two local casinos to relax and possibly win money to blow on something useless. Thursdays are also home to the buffet special at the Diamond Jo casino. You can enjoy the large variety for only $5. So if you need some time to unwind at the end of the week head to the port of Dubuque for some penny slots or even blackjack.

After hitting it big on the slot machine, or losing all your money, head over to the Rainbow Lounge for some Thursday night karaoke. What better way to enjoy yourself then getting up on stage and making a fool out of yourself. So get up there and jam out to the Rolling Stones, Britneyy Spears or anyone in between.

FridayOnce 3 p.m. on Friday hits we all love to leave work and just forget about the previous week. There are some

great places to hit up after a long, hard day at work. One of those places is Gin Rickey’s which has $1 bottled beers from 6p.m. until 12:00 a.m. If you are a beer drinker there isn’t a whole lot better than enjoying an cold

one for a low price. This is the perfect choice for a college student looking for something to do on a budget.

Another place to stop by on Fridays is The District for their $0.50 specials every Friday. The newly founded promotion includes a variety of cheap drinks that changes every Friday. One Friday the special will be on bottle beverages, while the next it will apply to mixed drinks. The District is a short walk from Gin Rickey’s so you can stop by both in the same night.

SaturdayDuring the weekend there are always many places to choose from. One favored place of the college

student is The Lounge. It’s all in the name at this place; it’s a great place to just lounge around with your friends or co-workers. Make sure to order a swampwater, the signature drink of The Lounge. This little green drink is a must have but it’s also very sweet so watch how many you have or your

stomach will be feeling it before long.

After you’ve had your fill of swampwaters and are looking for a place to cut loose, head over to The Julien for some dancing and, of course, shots. Every Saturday the Julien has $1 house shots. Some flavors include Tootsie Rolls and Washington Apples. After you’ve had a couple of shots you can try out your dance skills on the dance floor with a live DJ.

SundayThe next place is one that you can visit every night of the week but Sunday is a

good night for when you don’t want to cook. Zorro’s is a little Greek restaurant on the corner of Loras Boulevard and Central Avenue. There you can get authentic-style gyros for about $6 which is almost too big for any one person to finish. Don’t worry if you don’t like gyros, they have plenty of other options to please your needs. Plus, the owner of Zorro’s is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, so really you can’t go wrong with this place.

Get a life: a nightlife

Entertainment

Seven-year-old Isabella Milam comes here twice a week to make art. This week she made something new.

“I made this boutique. It’s a lot of fun,” Milam said.The free art classes provided by Dubuque Art Center in

downtown Dubuque pulls over 1,200 people from the com-munity every year.

Trinity Beltran, age 10, from East Dubuque, IL paints a wolf in her free art class at Dubuque Art Center in downtown Dubuque on Saturday, March 26. The center draws hundreds of kids, teens and adults from the community each year.

“The center provides creative community project which gives everyone in and around this community an entire course free of charge every single year,” said Jordan DeGree, executive director of the center.

Thanks to the generous sponsors, donors and partners who believe in the power of creativity in changing the lives in the communities, kids, teens and adults alike benefit from the classes.

“We’ve got classes for kids and adults. So ages 6 and 106 can come down here and take classes throughout the year.”

And these classes are not just fine art or painting. The center provides classes ranging from painting, drawing, sculpting to playing acoustic guitar, origami, fiber arts, pot-tery and even digital prints and filmmaking classes. The types of classes are dependent on different age groups.

Molly Devine, a junior at Loras College, teaches a class called “Art like Henri Matisse.”

“There are some classes that are based off of some artists, similar to my work with Henri Matisse. Then there are some that are based off certain themes. You can learn about differ-ent artists and their techniques,” Devine said.

Besides art classes, which are more extensive, there are art parties as well.

“We also offer art parties for people of all ages,” said Lau-ren Milam, event coordinator of the center and a ‘10 Loras graduate.

She added, “It’s a great way to provide a relaxed, fun opportunity to be creative and spend time together. You can

celebrate birthday party or club outing or scout troop activi-ties here. It’s completely fun. You’re creatively working and collaborating with each other.”

The first art course can be taken for free and could be anything. They can be taken at once as a four-and-a-half hour class in one day or an hour each week for four to six weeks depending upon the class. Then further courses can be taken for $20-$35 per course that includes all the materials. The cost is only 10-20 % of the actual cost of the class. The rest of the money comes from sponsors.

The classes for adults are taught by artists and profession-als, while the kids’ classes are taught by college students who have a keen interest in art or are pursuing arts as their majors.

“The majority of the funding comes from Iowa Depart-ment of Culture as well as local businesses. We get funds from banks, shopping centers and from all sorts of places, just because they value the power of creativity,” DeGree added.

The response of the Dubuque community has been praise-worthy.

“This free art program is the largest free community arts program in the entire state of Iowa. The number of people who come here every year are the proof of its success.”

So, if you are an adult or older, but still young at heart and art, register and take free classes. You can simply call them or go to their website dbqartcenter.org to register.

Art for is for all ages

by RAJENDRA THAKURATHI “This free art program is the largest free community arts program in the entire state of Iowa. The number of people who come here every year are the proof of its success.”

- Holly DeGreeProgram Coordinator

Trinity Beltran, age 10, from East Dubuque, IL paints a wolf in her free of charge art class at the Dubuque Art Center in downtown Dubuque on Saturday, March 26. The center draws hundreds of kids, teens and adults from the community each year.

photo by RAJENDRA THAURATHI

Dubuque Hot Spots

Sometimes those decisions you don’t have to make are the hardest. Those decisions that seem so easy, yet turn into a headache-making conundrum, For instance, you may be torn between watching the latest Tyler Perry movie or Friends re-runs. What do you do? Flipping a coin may only lead to more confusion.

Every day we are faced with decisions that, on any normal day, would be a cinch. “Dubu-quers” are sometimes faced with one of these ridiculous decisions. In Dubuque, it’s hard to decide how to spend free time.

Weekends in Dubuque can sometimes be a drag, especially on Sunday, when a good portion of the city is in church until early afternoon. Here are some ideas to pass the time with.

EntertainmentMystiqueWhether you’re lucky or not, the Mystique river center and

casino is the place to be if you’re 21 or over. Their wide-array of entertainment and shows will keep you entertained the whole night through.

First off, the Mystique offers many different themes of dining experiences. You can be assured there is one for you. For starters, the Mystique offers a full sandwich bar and deli, offering hamburgers, hot dogs, and many different kinds of beverages and snacks. If you aren’t into grab-and-go foods, the Mystique is home to Houlihan’s, a great place to sit down and have a great meal with all your comfort foods. For a third option, there’s the Bon Appetit Buffett, which holds every-thing you’d think of when thinking of a good meal.

So, you’re fed and watered. What do you do now? Well, the Mystique has a greyhound track, where you can pick a dog and cheer him on as he chases the finish line. Or, if you’re not into racing, there’s always the slots, and chances to win big. The Mystique also offers table games and poker games as well, truly making your experience worthwhile.

Five Flags CenterThis is Dubuque’s main event center, offering 4,800 seats

and a floor that transforms into whatever entertainment you wish. It hosts basketball, hockey, roller derby, and countless concerts. Music and comedy performances are also a popular booking at the Five Flags Center.

But, the event center isn’t all the Five Flags Center has to offer. There is also a splendid theater, built in 1910. The theater survived the wrecking ball in 1960, and from then on, it has served the Dubuque community well with its hosting of hundreds of Broadway performances and shows. Many of the local high schools also utilize the space to put on productions. The Five Flags Center offers a wide array of opportunities to witness stage and entertainment talent from across the City, tri-state area, and nation.

Experience Dubuque River Walk/River Front areaThe Dubuque River Walk and River Front District offer

much for experiencing Dubuque. It gives you the chance to witness America’s largest river in all her glory. Dusk and Dawn are truly the best times of the day to walk the river walk. Between the sun rise/set and the colors in the water, it’s an extremely aesthetically pleasing venture.

But there are more attractions on the Riverfront, includ-ing the Mississippi River museum and Aquarium, where you can see wildlife seen in the Mississippi Valley. The Aquarium is home to a huge indoor waterfall, and a 3D/4D immersion theater, making you feel like you’re at one with the fish in the grand Mississippi.

4th St. TrolleyThis is one of Dubuque’s main landmarks, and it’s extraor-

dinary in its making. The 4th St. Trolley is the world’s “short-est and steepest scenic railway, and for only $2, you can ride it. The railway’s awkward dimensions don’t stop passengers from taking the few-minute, 296 ft. track journey up to the top of the bluff, and to the trolley’s destination, Fenelon Place.

Once standing along Fenelon place, the view is amazing. Form that height, you can view three states (Iowa, Wiscon-sin, and Illinois) and see the huge expanse that is downtown Dubuque. When standing there, you are elevated almost 200 ft. from where you began.

The Elevator is open from 8 am un-til 10 pm when the weather allows.

Nature/exerciseMines of SpainAs long as the

weather is nice, there’s nothing better than devoting an afternoon to the

Nine places in Dubuque you didn’t know you needed to know

by NICK JOOS

Dubuque Hot Spotswonderful views and trails of the Mines of Spain. Located just south of Dubuque along the great Mississippi, this park offers much for the eye to see.

Originally, the Mines of Spain played home to the Mesquakie Native American tribe. And, even before that, it is speculated that the site was home to a prehistoric tride as well. Ancient rock shelters, burial mounds, and campsites dot the terrain. Then, after Julien Dubuque found his way to the area, and the mining industry boomed during the civil war. Then, following the relapse in the mining industry, the land sat with no real purpose. Then, in 1981, an area businessman, Edward B. Lyons, wrote in his will for an interpretive nature center to be built in the Dubuque area. Then, after his death, the Lyons trust fund purchased the land from a farmer, and, well, the rest is history.

The Mines of Spain offer an interpretive nature center, amazing views of the city of Dubuque and the Mississippi river, and a wide array of hiking trails. Some trails are difficult, and some are for those amateur hikers. Whatever your case may be, you can be assured your time at the Mines of Spain will be well spent.

Heritage TrailNature is great, and hiking is also great. The mines of Spain

offer a great hiking place. However, if you’re more into the relax-ing sort of jaunt, the Heritage Trail is perfect for you. It’s a nature trail/bike trail built on top of a railroad track. Railroads are not steep by any means; they are, by law, required to be flat. So, what does that translate to? It means your walk/bike ride along Herit-age Trail will be both relaxing and scenic.

The trail curves through the northeastern Iowa countryside 26 miles. It has a dirt and pebble surface. The trail does have a $2 fee, which can be paid at local convenience stores. The fee helps keep the trail beautiful for yourself and other outdoorsy people. The trail goes through towns such as Durango, Graf, and ends in Dyersville. It’s truly a great way to experience the Iowa scenery and the beauty it holds.

FoodMario’s Italian RestaurantMario’s is a little place smack-dab in Downtown Dubuque. The pasta is amazing, and the panzerotti is to die for. But what

makes Mario’s truly spectacular is the atmosphere. My personal fondest memory of Mario’s was during the NCAA man’s basketball tournament last year, the whole restaurant was huddled around the bar, watching the UNI Panthers upset the Kansas Jayhawks. You knew this moment was special because many of those standing watching the game had left their food sitting on their tables. The sense of community is great, and the owner, Tonio Mario Bertalini, will most definitely be there to greet you. But, what else is good besides the food and the atmosphere? Price! The values are extremely good, and that makes for an all-around great dining experience.

JitterzIf you want a cute little coffee shop, with Jitterz, you got it. Jitterz boasts a huge menu of hot and cold drinks, plus a lunch

menu for the hungry patrons as well. My personal favorite is the goumet Panini grilled cheese, but there are some other great options as well. Jitterz sits in the middle of the downtown district, which means it’s close to all the great shops and entertain-ment venues. The décor has that coffee shop feel as well. The shop is in an old, old building, with antique wooden floors and high ceilings, on which the spider web of duct work is visible. If you’re in the area and need a sit down for a cup of joe and a bite, don’t look past Jitterz. You won’t be disappointed.

SportsDubuque Fighting SaintsThe Saints are brand new to the Dubuque scene, but they’re quickly adding steam to their backing. The team is a member of

the United States Hockey League, a tier-1 junior, hockey league. The Fighting Saints won the league this past year and are the number-one seed in the upcoming playoffs. The Saints call the Mystique Ice Canter home, and the venue sees consistent attend-ance and participation from the city of Dubuque. You can catch the Saints in action starting in October, until their season wraps up in April.

Dubuque Hot Spots

I’ve frequented many markets for the past couple years notic-ing the popularity shifting from obscurity to stigmatic. It wasn’t uncommon where I grew up to grab farm-fresh grub from a truck on the side of the road but now it seems somewhat pretentious to hand money to someone pitching sale for farm-fresh flowers. There’s a lot more to the Farmer’s Market than the produce; there are friendly quaint marketers and the beautiful scenery that accom-panies most weekends. If you don’t like this sort of thing allow me to share some of the things I have received from the Farmer’s Market.

A Word: Fifty cents might buy you a couple things from the grocery store—gum, a small candy bar, or an apple. It might buy you an hour of parking. It might seem silly to waste fifty cents on something that isn’t tangible but the word has been eerily present in my life every since I purchased it for fifty cents, (last week I used it in a debate). The word is microcosm—a miniature copy of something, especially when it represents or stands for a larger whole. A college is a microcosm of a larger community.

Bok Choy: I have no idea where this man got his Bok Choy from but I’d really like to see his other crops. Bok Choy is a type of cabbage, a leafy green like any collared vegetable. He was very excited when I told him about the Kale I had recently purchased and pulled this mutant from the back of his stand. I held it with two hands and compared it to the size of my thigh—or maybe even both of them. It was two dollars. I did not run out of Bok Choy that entire summer.

Pickles: While in grade school I thought people were teasing me when they told me pickles were cucumbers. It might especially be because the Kosher Dills didn’t taste like anything besides a Kosher Dill. While it’s true you can pickle anything, the man at the Dubuque Farmer’s Market makes it some sort of surreal art form. I scoff at the two varieties that hang out in the supermarkets. From ‘Kickers’ to ‘Garlic and Horseradish’ these cucumbers actually taste like they’ve been sitting in heavenly baths of Rome, (if Rome was smart enough to pickle things).

Belt: It’s a common occurrence to lift my shirt to show people the cool belt I got from the Farmer’s Market—no other reason. It’s the adjusted for the perfect fit, I’ve burned the ends to make the fringe disappear, but the coolest thing about it is the buckle. The buckle that is one of a kind, I almost believe it was made tailored for my life. The buckle is a small blue screen of death.

Popcorn: Are there other kinds of popcorn in the stores? Not just speaking of Orvil’s or Blockbuster’s over-buttered salt-carriers but different varieties of the actual kernel of corn. Not speaking from any sort of elitist popcorn connoisseur’s point of view, but I think that’s what should make popcorn such a treat. First, picking the kernel from what different variety of maize is like picking a wine from a certain type of grape. Then, being able to pop it your-self with the spices of your choosing is what makes the experience an actual, all-encompassing, event.

Kohlrabi: I didn’t know what it was either. It looked like a bulb from some sort of perennial that people told me I could eat.

They also said it tasted like the stem on broccoli. And that you could eat it like an apple. It ended up in my stir-fry one night along with garlic sprigs from the market, (PS: get these whenever you see them, they make stir-fry outstanding), and it was absolutely fantastic. I was so splendidly surprised I tried it raw. It’s been on my grocery list ever since.

Cookies: As well as fancy baked breads, cake balls, and all sorts of fantastic sugary treats that seem not so bad when they are cooked with fresh ingredients. This particular cookie came from an Amish cart—you will NEVER taste a cookie that is better than this. It was a peanut butter thumbprint with the chocolate kiss in the middle, only it was made with completely organic ingredients. And it was Amish. Which… anything they make is going to be amazing, I promise. From the Dubuque Farmer’s Market I suggest trying the small artisan breads for or freshly baked wheat dough-nuts for fifty cents. You’ll know the tables when you see them.

Boiled Eggs: This was a strange occurrence for me. I love boiled eggs but haven’t had them in a while. I buy fresh eggs from the market but they usually end up in my microwave as scrambled eggs with different veggies in them, (and cheese). This morning I saw them and thought, “What a great lunch!” They were huge. The lady told me there might be at least two yolks in them. I laughed and bought one for fifty cents. I ate it for dinner. There were two yolks in it.

Cheese: Go to the Dubuque Farmer’s Market, find the Acous-tic Farm’s stand, and buy the cheese. Any cheese. Get one that you are used to or one that they’ve crafted. Spend the four dollars. The cheese will last, it will find its way into all your meals, and it will send you to heaven.

Meat: I’ve gotten brats, hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and I’m sure some other types of meat fresh from the farm. It is worth the extra dollar. It makes you feel full without being bloated and giv-ing you meat burps, (you know the kind), and you know exactly where the meat is from. I could go into the country and point out the cows I’ve eaten. I like that—I like to see that my food is there, being happy, eating what it is made to eat, and not sick. I also like to know that someone I’ve met has been the one to prepare the meat. I’m not sure why, but it feels slightly more relatable and gracious.

Mushrooms: I didn’t know people actually grew mushrooms. This stand had a veritable swath of varieties of mushrooms for sale. They grew them in their ‘cellar’. A mushroom cellar. A place that is dark, damp, and meant for growing edible fungi. I got the white mushrooms that are common cooking mushrooms because I didn’t know what to do with the other ones. They tasted of pun-gent earth, like eating the smell of the forest after it rains.

And, lastly, I have purchased flowers from the Farmer’s Market. There are so many, they are all so bright and lively, it reminds me every time I look at them of how much more alive the food and goods I buy from the market are than the stuff I buy at the store. It lasts much longer, tastes so much more amazing, and is makes me feel more connected to my environment through my body. There are some great finds from the market—let me know what you come across!

Can’t go wrong at the Farmer’s Marketby MICHAELA GREy

Health &

Nutrition

Dieting: How to do it rightYou’re heard the statistics be-

fore: two out of three Americans are overweight. There are 8 millions more cases of diabetes, on average, than in the year 2000. Heck, even 25 percent of out pets are toting around the extra poundage. We don’t need to be told twice; even once is too much. It’s obvious: America’s fat.

Those fat people come in all shapes and sizes, and they put on the pounds in different places. Some have sausage legs, while others tend to possess a bagel-belt-line. Some of the over-weight are short, some are tall. It doesn’t matter what shape, size, color, or ethnicity an overweight person is. They all have a common denominator. They’re unhealthy.

Studies upon studies have been conducted to determine the best ways to lose the pounds. Results vary like a fat man’s heart beat. The fact of the matter is, the information is so differ-ent and hard to truly get a grasp of that it’s hard to do anything about weight loss.

To begin with, we all understand that everyone’s different. It’s a cliché told for years. Our interests, hobbies, occupations, up-bringing, etc. make us who we are. Our bodies are also dif-ferent, thanks to a number of things, including genetics and outside influ-ences, such as the food consumed and the amount of stress in everyday life.

So, everyone’s different. Great. Where does that get us? Is that why there are so many dieting and exercise plans out there? Actually, yes, that’s exactly why there are literally thou-sands of diet plans available.

Our work begins here. We need to sort through the muck to find what’s truly beneficial to the casual dieter. Those who are super serious will know what to do; they’ll visit dieti-tians or join a gym. But, what about those who don’t have the time to go to the gym, or the resources to buy fat-free bread? Here’s to you.

We’ll go through basic aspects of the healthy lifestyle, and determine what might ben-efit you in both the short-term, and the long-term, because you deserve it, and so does your body.

Are you healthy?When determining overall health,

the best gauge is the Body Mass Index, or BMI. For those with Wii fit, you know what I’m talking about. A BMI is basically an analysis of weight vs. height. It determines what your healthy weight range is based on your vertical prowess. The formula to determine your BMI is easy: (weight) / (height – in inches) x (height – in inches) x 703.

BMI health goes as follows: Underweight = <18.5Normal weight = 18.5–24.9Overweight = 25–29.9Obesity = BMI of 30 or greaterThis is not the only way to find

out your overall health, but it is one factor. It’s not foolproof; in a way it penalizes shorter people who may not be overweight, but still receive a high number. It your BMI is in an over-weight or obesity, some sort of change is needed. But what changes can you do? Read on.

Eating “wrong”One of the main things we think of

when dieting comes to mind is cutting out all foods we enjoy. Chocolate, sweet drinks, and even the occasional

handful of chips must be thrown away! No, no,

that is not true at all. One of

the biggest factors of weight gain is the sheer

quantity consumed at a given

time. In fact, it’s not good

to completely cut out the foods you love, because without the occasional pleasure food, cravings become more difficult to kick. Keep them around, just eat them in moderation, or use them as a reward for eating those carrot sticks at lunch. To monitor the quantity of food eaten in your home, use smaller plates at the dinner table, or read the nutritional facts on that bottle of Ranch dressing. Just use smaller portions.

Of course, it goes without saying that some foods are just plain bad for you. Therefore, it’s important ot make little changes in yor diet that are some-times barely noticeable. Maybe, add a side salad with your lunch, and over time, start making that salad a bit big-ger and the main course a bit smaller. Or, put skin milk over your cereal instead of one that contains milk-fat. What you eat matters, but don’t drasti-cally change your diet. A little bit at a time goes a long way.

Exercising frequently:Now with the weather turning nice,

there’s no excuse to not get outside and hop in the ol’ Schwinn and go for a loop around he neighborhood. Or maybe you prefer jogging. Whatever the case may be, exercise is a great way to burn off the extra calories and stress. There are different exercises and activities that benefit different parts of the body, and, because of that, may not fit your needs as much as someone else’s. For instance, to burn overall body fat, everything needs to be in motion. If walking outside, bring resistance bands, or wear a backpack with something moderately heavy in it. It’ll help tone your body without restricting where you go on your spring-time walk.

written by NICK JOOS

Health & Nutrition

If you are more concerned with cardiovascular health, you’ll need something that speeds up the heart rate. Any sort of exercise works to do this: bike riding, jogging, jump rope. Just don’t make your rest periods too long, or you’ll lose that edge you’re looking for, and your heart rate will slow down.

“You’re too old to exercise”Maybe you think you’re too old to

exercise. There’s no point in exercis-ing when you’ve got nothing to be in shape for…right? Wrong! Don’t be over the hill, put on our running shoes and go over the hill, the good way.

When you’re a little older (or wiser, as many like to be referred to as) your muscles are small and deteriorate. It’s

nothing with your doing, it’s a fact of life. It’s important to put as little strain on your remaining muscles as possible, because a little bit goes a long way. It’s never good to work out the same muscle groups two days in a row, So, for one day, maybe go outside and walk holding a 2lb. weight in each hand. Then, the next day, try doing some sit ups of basic stretches on the living room floor. Really, this will go a long way, and you’ll feel great. At first, these exercises may be difficult, but breathing as much as possible will alleviate some of the stress on both your heart and your muscles. Oxygen makes the whole body feel good, so don’t hold it in!

“What’s the point, I’m still young”

It’s never too early to begin think-ing about your long-term health. For parents, simply limiting the time spent in front of a video game works wonders on a child’s health. While a child’s metabolism may be high when they are young, supporting it with healthy activities is important. And for those older kids, say in their early years of college, you’ll notice a little bit of a belly starting to grow. That’s the tough transition period

when you aren’t a kid anymore, but you don’t necessarily have adult tastes yet. Never fear, the same eating habits mentioned above work for you too. Just be careful, eat in moderation, and stay active. Many colleges and local YMCA’s offer rec and intramural sports. Joining a structured team will ensure you get that weekly heartbeat-raise you need.

While this list is small, it can mean big things (ironically enough). Dieting and exercise don’t need to be difficult and time-consuming. Making small changes to your daily routine and eating habits could mean big changes down the road, and isn’t that what we all want in the end? Good luck pursu-ing your health goals, and encourage others to join you as well.

ThothThothThoth

Meet the Staff

Sudoku Did you know?

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor

Ashley SlotaExecutive Editor

“Cotton Candy”

Mathew DrosopoulosStaff Writer

“Dark Chocolate”

Michaela GreyStaff Writer

“Charlie Sheen”

Rajendra ThakurathiStaff Writer/Photographer

“Butter Pecan”

Nick JoosStaff Writer

“Bunny Tracks”

1 6

3

7 9

1

1 7

9

3

8

2

4

5

3

2

6

2

6

5 2

3

9 5

5

7 4

Here are some fun facts you might not know about but we feel that you should:pThe Bible, the world’s best-selling book, is also the world’s most shop-lifted book.pIce Cream is chinese food.pMore than ten people a year are killed by vending machines.pIn Ancient Egypt, some people paid their taxes in honey.pA lot of lovemaking can unblock a stuffy nose. Sex is a natural an-tihistamine. It can help combat asthma and hay fever.pCashews are related to poison ivy.pThe Brothers Grimm didn’t write much of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. They simply recorded the stories they were told by locals, and gathered them together in a collection.