When I’m not reporting for the Free Press, compulsively updating Twitter or avoiding homework, I like to read trashy books about cut-throat political campaigns. The most recent contribution, Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, has captivated my attention for the past week with its fly-on-the-wall look at the 2008 presidential race, so revealing that at times I physically cringe while reading.
Letter from the Student body President
I hope this message finds you enjoying the beginning of the semester. Much has already changed at USM this academic year, and that my friend, is just the beginning. Due to the current financial climate of our state and our university, the administration is forced to make difficult decisions regarding what aspects of USM to preserve and what not to.
Candy Shop
“Do you have a Band-Aid?” I had cut myself and stopped into my campus’ Health Center.
“No, we don’t. Sorry.” As the lady behind the desk looked up at me and my blood, I waited for the punchline. When none came, I looked around for the sign that would assure me that I was in the right place.
Why short term deficits don’t matter, sort of
Last Friday, in his column in The New York Times, Paul Krugman fired back against what he calls “the sudden ubiquity of deficit scare stories.” Krugman claims that the short-term deficits are no cause for major concern. He equates the current “hysteria” with the groupthink prevalent amongst Americans in 2003, which helped support the decision to invade Iraq.
From the Student Senate
Greetings USM Students! In order to keep all of you better informed about what’s going on with your student activity fee money and with what student government is doing to make your voice heard by the university administration we are going to be writing a press release every few weeks telling you what SGA has been up to.
The Leftovers Take Europe: Part I
Europe for a month. And this was coming after only being home for two days. I was not prepared. I wasn’t trying to be, and I didn’t pretend to be, but by then we were all used to being on the road together. It was an old hat. We just took it off for a few days, put it in the wash and put it back on before it was dry.
Restaurant Review: Yosaku
If you’re ever wandering around the Old Port craving sushi, head down to Yosaku for some excellent Japanese cuisine. Yosaku is located at 1 Danforth Street, just outside the Old Port. In less complicated terms, it’s just a walk to the far end of Fore Street to Gorham’s Corner.
Book Reviews
A friend of mine explained, “it’s like ‘Harry Potter’ except with Greek Gods,” which turned out to be an apt description of “The Lightning Thief,” the first in a five book series by Rick Riordan. Perseus “Percy” Jackson is a “troubled” kid. He’s an aggressive, sarcastic, ADHD dyslexic with terrible grades, who gets into fights on a daily basis. Percy’s been to five boarding schools in six years and is about to get kicked out of his sixth. When his pre-algebra teacher morphs into a Fury, right out of Greek mythology, and tries to kill him, a chain of events is set in motion leading him to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for children of divine parentage. It turns out that Percy is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the seas and is suspected of a supernatural theft. Percy, his satyr friend Grover, and Annabeth – daughter of Athena and wholly unimpressed with Percy – are sent on a cross-country divine quest to the underworld to retrieve Zeus’ thunderbolt from the fiery depths of Hades and prevent Olympian war.
Movie Review: It’s Complicated
Ladies, are you looking for a girls’ night out movie? Tired of the same old chick flicks? You know, the ones with a really obvious plot line and poorly written jokes? Despite the fact that this film is aimed at a middle-aged female audience, “It’s Complicated” is the type of movie that will make you laugh until you cry.
Don’t underestimate the openers
The anticipation radiated from everyone in front of the stage before the band came on. As the lights went down, the chatter stopped and hands went up as the band ran in front of eager fans. They picked up their instruments and played the first chord as the fans’ hands flew into the air and they got ready to rock.
Husky Hero: Collin Henry
This year’s baseball team is going to be very different than any other team I’ve been a part of here at USM. This year we have a very young lineup as we lost our entire starting defense besides four players. However, we have a very experienced pitching staff that has a lot of depth both in starting and relief pitching. If our young players can play up to their ability and our pitchers can pitch as we are capable, then we should have a very successful season. The LEC is a very tough conference each and every year, but I believe we will have another good year and will be competing for the conference championship in May.
Huskies slip past UMass Dartmouth
The USM women’s basketball team was back in action on Saturday and did not disappoint. With the help of a 25-point performance from star freshman Curran Leighton (Dover, N.H.), the Huskies defeated UMass Dartmouth 63-56 in a hard fought Little East Conference game at Hill Gymnasium.
UMass Dartmouth heats up, sinks USM
UMass Dartmouth had two players who scored in double figures while combining to score more than half their points, as they cruised to a 92-75 win over the USM Huskies in a Little East Conference match-up at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham Saturday.
UMD junior forward Brandon Stephens and sophomore guard Paul Rose combined to score 55 of the Corsairs 92 points to help earn their 15th overall victory of the season and their seventh LEC win.
USM swipes 2010 Maine State Track and Field Championships
The USM men’s indoor track and field team held off a strong Bates team Saturday night to capture the Maine State Indoor Tack and Field Collegiate Chamionships.
Huskies hosting cancer awareness event
The USM athletic department announced Feb. 4 that they will be hosting a charity event called “Think Pink,” which will be held Saturday, Feb. 13 to help raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and research.
This is the first year that the department of athletics will be hosting the charitable event, according to USM Athletic Director Al Bean, who also mentioned it’s the perfect time for USM to bring attention to this important issue.
USM surveys strengths at Convocation
Roughly 500 people attended a day-long convocation at the Sullivan Fitness Complex on the Portland campus last Friday to discuss USM’s strengths and assets as administrators and faculty begin drafting a restructuring plan to guide the university toward fiscal sustainability.
Aramark looks locally for better bean
A survey this week will give students a chance weigh in on the future of USM’s coffee offerings, as dining services seeks to switch to a local supplier in a push for a ‘greener’ bean.
Botman changes tune
President Selma Botman last Wednesday invited three faculty senators to serve on the restructuring committee, reversing her previous avowal that no faculty would be involved in drafting the plan to reorganize the university.
Student with dark past now serves as mentor
Someone once convinced Ben Skillings to improve his life and enroll at USM. He now repays the favor to anyone who approaches him, looking for help moving their life forward.
Skillings, 28, is a communications major and the President of the Phoenix Network at USM, an organization consisting of a network of mentors and advocates who support those currently or formerly in foster care and anyone homeless, incarcerated, or recently resettled.
Police increase liquor patrols
While underage drinking has been a perennial problem on campus, USM Police recently increased their efforts to curb drinking with liquor patrols and undercover details on the Gorham campus.
“We have been actively involved in extra details on liquor enforcement,” said Lieutenant Ronald Saindon.
Is the iPad the future of personal computing?
Last Wednesday in San Francisco, Steve Jobs got onto a stage and revealed the iPad, Apple’s new tablet PC. With its 9-inch multi-touch screen, the iPad may just be a larger version of the iPhone-in fact, it’s running the iPhone operating system (OS) with access to all of the iPhone apps.
Campus news and upcoming events
The Muskie dean steps down, Hughes named as director of development of USM, business school reaccreditted, Gubernatorial hopeful to speak at USM, and WMPG holding Fat Tuesday Celebration.
Letter from the Editor
I’m the first to admit I spend way too much time on Twitter. I use it constantly to find and share news stories, post irreverent haiku, and stalk professional journalists. To many, the social networking sight seems pointless. But as a journalist, Twitter is invaluable.
The Time Is Now
During his State of the Union speech, President Obama focused on the American economy. Successfully pinpointing its plight, he proposed a jobs bill to help get Americans back to work and stimulate the economy. The President also proposed increasing exports through trade agreements, investing in the skills and education of Americans, reforming health care and bringing down budget deficits.