To a large crowd of eager Augusta music fans, the Harlem String Quartet delivered a mesmerizing performance that showcased their dedication and command of string instruments.

On April 15 at 7:30 p.m., inside a dimly lit Maxwell Theatre, a large and diverse crowd attended the Harlem String Quartet’s first Augusta concert. Brought to campus by the Harry Jacobs Chamber of Music Society, the classical and contemporary ensemble performed a wide variety of songs.

Founded in 2006, the Harlem String Quartet made its debut at both the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, N.Y. and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Comprised of two brilliant violinists, one accomplished violist and a talented cellist, the ensemble’s credits include performing twice at the White House for guests of President Obama and the first lady and on NBC’s “Today Show” on Christmas morning.

The haunting melodies and rhythm of the “Quartet No. 7 in F-sharp” by Dmitri Shostakovich immediately amazed the audience as the group’s first number. The string players sounded more like a 10-piece ensemble as they sat in a close-knit circle. As the players four instruments filled the entire theater, the heavy cello was compelling underneath the dreamy, yet forceful sounds of the violins and viola.

White, who is a recent graduate of Curtis Institute of Music, studied under the direction of Ida Kavafian. White’s fellow violinist, Ilmar Gavilan is a native of Havana and has studied and taught at some of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world. Juan-Miguel Hernandez is a native of Canada and is the viola player for the ensemble; his career included numerous national awards and stellar performances. Paul Wiancko, the newest member of the quartet, is the cellist and has performed for many composers including Yo-Yo Ma, a world-famous cellist.

The show included sets by Ludwig van Beethoven, Alexander Borodin and Chick Corea.

Midway through the concert, the audience appeared to be captured by the passion the musicians exhibited as they made each bow stroke. At moments of crescendo, the musicians swayed back and forth in their seats.

“I feel like you can’t forget your passion,” White said. “Take time to break the rules. You will find that the world is so much bigger.”

After a standing ovation, the group came back on stage to deliver a gorgeous string performance of Duke Ellington’s “Take the ‘A’ Train;” this, too, received a standing ovation from the audience.

The gifted musicians clearly took pleasure in bringing their great talent to the Augusta stage.

“We’ve loved Augusta,” White said on stage after offering a humorous story to the audience.

Backstage the ensemble greeted fans and spoke one-on-one with student musicians. Juan-Miguel Hernandez said to those who want to make music for a living, it is being perceptive.

“The important part of performing is understanding the music,” Hernandez said. “It has a deeper meaning, so you have to get acquainted with the music; there is always more to discover.”

The Harlem String Quartet will continue touring the United States throughout the summer and bringing what some critics call “a new attitude to classical music, one that is fresh, bracing, and intelligent.”

A touch of Cuban culture will grace the campus when Juan de Marcos and The Afro-Cuban All Stars perform at the Maxwell Theatre.

The bandleader and his generationally diverse musicians play a mixture of many types of Cuban music. Their orchestra incorporates styles like bolero, salsa, son montuno, timba, guajira, rumba and abakua.

“(Cuban music) makes people dance, and it is special in terms of other cultures coming together,” said Juan de Marcos (González), the bandleader, tres player and producer for the Afro-Cuban All Stars. “Cuban people come from different countries. And there are different cultures from these countries. So for centuries, there have been Spanish people, which is a multi-tribal country. And then there are people from countries in Africa. And the combination of all these cultures make one.”

De Marcos, who was born in the Pueblo Nuevo barrio of Havana, is the son of Marcos González Mauriz, a vocalist under the leadership of conductor Arsenio Rodrguez.

De Marcos said his love for Cuban music and culture is a product of the his upbringing.

“My father used to be a singer,” de Marcos said. “So we used to have musicians over our house all the time.”

De Marcos, who is known for his tres playing ability, said the instrument “has a very special sound.” The tres, which is a 3-course, 6-string chordophone, is an instrument that was created in Cuba.

Despite this, de Marcos, received his doctorate in hydraulic engineering and began teaching at several universities. Yet in order to honor his father and culture, de Marcos said he decided to form a band that would merge the many cultures of Cuba.

“The first line-up featured people of my generation,” de Marcos said. “It was much more traditional.”

However, de Marcos expanded his orchestra to include younger generations as his line-ups began to change.

“The only way to preserve what we have is to (be apart of it),” de Marcos said. Today, the Afro-Cuban All Stars incorporates many instruments like the conga drums, flugelhorns, trumpets, trombones, a timbale, piano, bass and clarinet, as well as multiple singers with their own unique styles.

“In musical terms, I do write the music for the arrangements,” de Marcos said. “Sometimes I play the tres, sometimes I play the guitar, but normally I conduct the band.”

According to music critic Daniel Gioffre, the music of The Afro-Cuban All Stars “manages to sound both relaxed and forceful at the same time,” as the trumpets “blare with traditional Cuban bravado, evoking gentle romance and fiery passion with equal ease.”

As the key player in the Grammy Award-nominated band, de Marcos emphasized that he also receives help from his wife as a producer for the group, as well as his daughters who are musicians in the orchestra.

De Marcos said the bond with his fellow musicians is also what makes his job so wonderful.

As a native Spanish speaker, de Marcos fluently speaks English, Russian and other languages. The bandleader emphasized that it is important to learn and experience different ways of life around the world.

“You have to be in touch with people of this earth,” he said. “It is so important to know different cultures.”

And as advice to Augusta State University students who would like to become musicians in the future, de Marcos said it is hard work.

“You have to be straight with your ideas,” he said. “And if you want to make something really important for yourself, you have to stand on your (two feet).”

Although he and his band have performed all over the world, including Europe, Japan and Atlanta, de Marcos said he and his band are excited to perform for an Augusta crowd.

“We are going to show them different styles of Cuban music,” de Macros said. “… And I want people to be happier after they have left my show.”

The Afro-Cuban All Stars will make their debut performance in Augusta at the Maxwell Theatre on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m.

Eighty-six years ago, Carter Woodson, a black historian, created Negro History Week in February of 1925; little did he know his week would become a nation-wide, monthlong celebration for blacks.

Seizing “the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans… throughout our history,” President Gerald Ford designated February as Black History Month for all students to observe. And while Americans today are still taught the histories of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman as early as Kindergarten, according to Black Student Union member, Terence Barber, many do not know the smaller, less celebrated contributions that escape textbooks.

“Blacks have done more than just contribute to the Civil Rights Movement,” Barber said. “They have done things to contribute to medicine, inventions and American culture in general.

Barber said many do not know the story of James Derham. Derham, who is considered America’s first black doctor, was a slave in 1762. Despite never receiving his medical license, Derham worked as a nurse to buy his freedom. As a result, by the age of 26, Derham opened his first medical practice in Philadelphia.

Barber said Derham’s accomplishment is often overlooked in favor of Daniel Hale Williams, who was the first black doctor to receive his doctor of medicine degree. Williams is renowned for being the first person in the United States to repair a pericardium, essentially performing open-heart surgery.

An even lesser known fact Barber said he researched deals with the acknowledgement of the black maids and nannies during slavery. In 1923, Congressmen of Mississippi along with the Virginia chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy suggested that “a monument in memory of the faithful, colored mammies of the South” be erected on the National Mall in Distric of Columbia.

According to Barber, occurrences like these show the less appealing, but important role blacks played in society, regardless of their class.

Barber said the contribution of the Buffalo Soldiers during the 1800s is also overlooked in favor of typical heroes. As black soldiers of the 10th regiment in the U.S. Army in 1866, the Buffalo Soldiers are considered by Congress to be the “first peacetime allblack regiment” in the U.S. Army. Barber said Augusta State University’s Cowboy Mike, an assistant professor of history, is the perfect person to go to for black history and its importance.

“Cowboy Mike is really active in educating people about black history,” Barber said. “His classes have taught so many people so much about the culture. And he makes it so interesting that people take his courses because they know they will learn something new about (black history).”

Barber said while Cowboy Mike hosted the Black Student Union’s Black History Jeopardy earlier this month, Cowboy Mike will hold a discussion about Buffalo Soldiers on Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Barber mentioned that Black Student Union has not let the contributions of blacks go unnoticed either. The on-campus organization that strives to educate and bring black students, as well as other races and ethnicities together, hosted an improvisation session. In addition it will host a discussion panel for minority students later this month.

“We try to keep people informed,” Barber said. “… We do a lot of community service because it is important for people to see us trying to carry on the legacy.”

For Emmanuel Nzeh, a student at a historically black college, said that while his parents are foreign-born, he is still inspired by black history and its heros.

“Each year, I learn more and more about black history,” Nzeh said. “No matter where we come from, we all have been impacted by the contributions of blacks.”

Barber said he feels that while all of the contributions of blacks may never be known, he is happy learning a new fact every year.

“I think we all look forward to the day where we just celebrate all American history month,” Barber said. “… But until that day, reminding the world each year, once a month about black history is not that bad.”

Groundhog Day is popular national holiday that is held on Feb. 2; however, many people wonder why we celebrate it.

According to Groundhog Day tradition, if Punxsutawney Phil, the uniquely named national groundhog, comes out of his home and sees his shadow, he will go back inside, signifying that six more weeks of winter will follow. However, if he does not see his shadow, he will stay outside and begin to burrow, meaning there will be an early spring.

According to many historians, Groundhog Day is considered the American version of a German tradition. The tradition holds that if the sun comes out on Candlemas, the hedgehog will see its shadow and six more weeks of winter will follow.

As a result, German immigrants, who settled in Pennsylvania, continued the tradition, modifying the animal associated with it. Goodbye, Hedgehog Day and hello Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Day was first celebrated on Feb. 2, 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pa., explaining Punxsutawney Phil’s name.

According to the National Climatic Data Center, Phil’s prediction’s have been correct 39 percent of the time. Yet, this number is in conflict with Phil’s club, which states he has been right 100 percent of the time.

Also, Punxsutawney Phil has definitely adapted to the times. He can now text you his Tuesday weather prediction. Just text “Groundhog” to 247365 on Groundhog Day.

According to the website Groundhog.org, legend has it that during Prohibition, Punxsutawney Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he was not allowed a drink.

So however one decides to celebrate the second day of every February, keep Punxsutawney Phil in mind, and make sure you plan your wardrobe for what he says.

Sources: Groundhog.org and Huffingtonpost.com

Campus club lambda Alliance offers support to homosexual students while promoting equality for both gay and straight individuals.

Lambda Alliance is an on-campus club with a mission to promote equal rights for both gay and straight students. It is often referred to as the Gay-Straight Alliance.

“We believe that rights are even rights, no matter who you are,” said lambda Alliance club treasurer Julie Hudson, a public administration graduate student. “You don’t have to be gay to believe in gay rights. There are all kinds of issues that affect every facet of the community, but disproportionately affect gay people.”

Robert White, the club secretary and a freshman early childhood major, is homosexual, and said he told his family about his sexual orientation when he was in middle school.

“It felt like a big burden on my shoulders- a secret that I had to tell someone,” White said. “So I eventually got up the nerve to write my mother a letter… and I taped it to my bedroom door… And eventually, I came out to everyone, and it felt so great not to have that burden on me.”

White said that although he and his partner of seven years have encountered some stares over the course of their relationship, his experience at Augusta State University has been largely accepting.

“I think ASU is pretty accepting of homosexuals,” White said. “I took a speech class and all of my topics were about homosexuality. I am very open about my homosexuality… Many people need to know that homosexuality is not a choice, contrary to popular belief.”

Hudson, who is heterosexual, said she initially joined lambda Alliance to show support for her nephew who was having trouble coming out of with his homosexuality. In the process, she said the club was able to help him feel more comfortable and unashamed of his sexuality.

“To see his face and how happy it made him to see that there are other people (like he is) was amazing,” Hudson said. Hudson said the environment of the club on campus is what really stood out to her and kept her an active member. According to Hudson, people on campus are mature and welcoming about the club and its values. “We found that everyone who joins lambda Alliance is already out,” Hudson said. “But they all have their stories; they all have their struggles.”

Lambda Alliance also participated in community events like the Augusta’s first official Pride Parade in 2010. White and Hudson expressed that they hope to be able to reach more people on campus and in the community.

“I would really like to do outreach into the school system,” Hudson said. “I think that’s really important because of things like the recent events of kids killing themselves from bullying. Of course kids before that and after that are still being picked on. Whether they are gay or straight, they are because they don’t prescribe gender roles. They should have every right to be who they want to be without going home everyday and feeling bad about who they are.”

Following the club’s first meeting of the semester on Jan. 26 in the JSAC, White and other members encouraged students to attend the Parents, Families and Friends of lesbians and Gays (PFlAG) meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta on Jan. 29. According to White, the new Augusta chapter of PFlAG is an “advocacy, education and support organization” that shares “similar core values and goals” with lambda Alliance.

Hudson and White both said they hope to see membership rise even higher this semester and they are always sure to remind people that lambda Alliance is a club for the gay, straight, tall, short, black, white and all between.

“I really want people to remember that no matter who you are, be who you are,” Hudson said.

For more questions about lambda Alliance and its events, contact Julie Hudson at [email protected] and Robert White at [email protected].

As the last semester of my college career kicks off, a rumor that the Tuesday pick-me-up cleverly deemed as the “Free Lunch Day” is in jeopardy.

The Wesley Foundation, a club that is affiliated with nearby church, Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, offers lunch to Augusta State University Students every Tuesday of each semester for the very low price of $3 in its dining and fellowship hall.

These Tuesday lunches could serve anything from homemade pizza to homemade fried chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables with a large glass of water or sweet tea. The quality of the food is far greater than what is served in the JSAC cafeteria, and the atmosphere is more welcoming.

Besides the quality of the food and service, the most unique aspect of the Wesley Foundation’s lunch is the superb service from the women and men who prepare and serve the food. It is no secret that the women in the kitchen work very hard to create delicious, nutritious and stomach-filling meals for college students like myself; however, many of us seem to not give back enough.

Although it may be clear that many of us are the typical college students with low funds, we have taken advantage of the organization’s kindness. For example, before walking through the kitchen doors, each Tuesday, there is a notebook with a place to write one’s name and relevant question about young adult life next to a pouch in which students are “encouraged” to put in their $3.

However, when many students bypass the pouch after filling out their name, the members of the Wesley Foundation does not receive anything, instead only wishing him or her a great day. This type of forgiveness is what is so appealing about the lunches, but according to highly informed rumors, the lunches may be no more for that very reason.

Although it may seem as though I am placing the blame on the Wesley Foundation’s obvious forgiveness, but I feel quite the contrary. Despite the fact that many students cannot pay their $3 in cash every Tuesday, why can we not put $6 in the pouch next time we dine to cover our shortcomings from last week? The problem is that we have taken advantage of the Wesley Foundation’s kindness and for the students who have paid their $3 each time they visited, we (myself and many, many other poor college students) thank you.

I may not be able to pay bills with the check I receive from being a Writing Center tutor, but I love what I do there. And I sympathize with the women in the kitchen, because I’m sure their hard work is not awarded with the pay they deserve.

And while the church appears to serve a congregation of upper-middle class followers, this perception does not erase the fact that the Wesley Foundation cannot continue to foot the entire bill to serve hundreds of our students each week. If you want to continue to partake in truly the most delicious and heartwarming meals on campus, pay your $3 every Tuesday, thank the kind, dedicated women who serve you, and don’t let these lunches die

The smells of grill smoke and sweet tea filled the air. The CSRA Vegetarian Group quietly conversed about cheese, breads and meatless recipes. This highly diverse group of individuals had much to discuss besides food. This grill out, which featured veggie burgers, fresh fruit, coleslaw with almonds and chocolate brownies, was the perfect fall gathering for a group of hungry vegetarians; and the event cost less than $50.

“The most beneficial part of being vegetarian for me is being able to look at animals and the world around me and feel at peace,” said Scarlett Blaess, host and organizer for the Vegetarian Group.

There are approximately seven million vegetarians in the United States, according to Vegetarian Times Magazine. Vegans, who do not eat meat or any products made from animals, like milk or eggs, are a population of one million people. Vegetarians and vegans are technically called herbivores because they do not eat meat.

Blaess, who has been a vegan for more than three years, is one of the leaders of The CSRA Vegetarian Society. This group of vegetarians and vegans meet up once or twice a month for a vegetarian-inspired dinner or potluck to discuss their vegetarian lifestyle. The group eats exclusively vegetarian and vegan food, it welcomes meat-eaters and vegetarianlifestyle seekers to the dinners as well. Blaess, who said she feels meat is still so prevalent because it is traditional and convenient, also said people neglect to believe living without meat is affordable, tasty and healthy. However, she and other vegetarians say this is not so.

“It can be very cheap to be a vegan,” Dilip Barman, president of the Triangle Vegetarian Society in Raleigh, N.C. said. “You can eat beans and rice and all sorts of grain, which can be very, very healthy for you. You can eat for pennies on the meal, if you want to.”

Barman, a vegetarian for nearly all of his life, made a recent change to veganism within the last seven years. He said the change has not affected his life, because he still eats a large variety of foods and does not have to empty his pockets to be fulfilled.

“I find that people who move from a meat diet to a vegan diet, their choices, ironically enough, expand,” Barman said. “It’s because when you are eating meat, you’ll choose from a handful of meats and some potatoes and a bit of broccoli. Whereas with vegetarian and vegan food, it turns out that most of the world’s cuisine is largely, not perhaps all, but largely vegan.”

The vegetarian and vegan foods that Barman refers to are simple foods like Russet potatoes, ripe yellow bananas, deep-orange carrots, shiny, granny smith apples and even rice and pastas.

“For lunch, a tortilla wrap with lettuce, beans, olives and any other vegetables of your choosing, with a side of fresh fruit would be a very nice lunch,” Barman said.

Barman emphasized that vegetarians and vegans can choose to eat processed foods that do not contain meat, but still strive to eat as much fresh produce as possible. Yet, in a world where processed, boxed and prepackaged foods reign supreme when it comes to price and convenience, Barman insists fresh produce, especially organic fruits and vegetables, are the way to go.

On the other hand, conventionally grown and raised produce and animals are usually cheaper although they contain chemically rendered substances. Often times, the prices of conventional produce and organic produce are the ultimate deciding factors for many who can not afford to break the bank.

At a local Kroger, a pint of organic blueberries is $3.79; a pint of conventionally grown blueberries costs $2.89. This 90 cent difference can surely add up when buying a large amount of produce. However, the prices of meat in a local Augusta grocery store is much higher than the produce. A pound of ground beef was $1.99, and a pack of boneless chicken cost $6.44.

A vegetarian breakfast could consist of something as simple as a fresh banana. The price of bananas in a Kroger grocery store is .49 per pound.

With one banana weighing about six ounces, a person could buy eight fresh bananas for around $1.50. For lunch one head of iceberg lettuce is $1.39. By adding carrots and tomatoes to make a basic salad, it would add $1.99 to one’s checkbook. Also, an Italian vegetarian dinner could consist of a meatless lasagna. This meal costs $15.84. On the other hand, another Italian dinner with meat is a simple spaghetti, which can cost as little as $13.53 all together. Moreover, the cooking time for both of these meals is around 40 minutes, with spaghetti requiring more preparation time.

Surprisingly, the comparable fiscal and timely costs of a vegetarian and meat-eater’s diet shows that life without meat can be within a person’s means. Yet, in a country where eating meat goes along with the time and convenience of a busy life, cooking a vegetarian meal needs to be just as accessible as the ingredients themselves. Products that are prepackaged and processed require little to no cooking, and vegetarians can find meals like vegetarian pizzas cheap and tasty.

“How can it be difficult when vegetarian food is so good?” Blaess said. “I had already gone vegetarian by the time I had my own house, so I’ve never had to cook meat. Cooking vegetarian to me is so natural.” Yet, for vegetarians who look for food outside of their home, there are restaurants that offer dishes for the nonmeat eater’s taste buds too.

At Augusta State University there are some, but few alternatives for vegetarian students. At Augusta State, a cup of mixed, fruit can go for $2.19 to $3.99, while a veggie burger costs $2.69. This is quite comparable to the $3.19 needed to buy a beef cheeseburger from the school’s cafeteria.

Upon looking at the recent accessibility of a vegetarian diet, some like Jackie Hinson, the owner of the Heavenly Ham in Statesboro, Ga., still do not contemplate foregoing meat, regardless of the cost, taste, or accessibility.

“I feel like I haven’t eaten a meal if there isn’t some kind of meat with it,” Hinson said. “It’s just part of my diet, and I was raised that way. I guess my body craves it; so therefore… I eat meat three meals a day.”

However, Hinson said while his store typically sells freshly prepared and cooked meats, Heavenly Ham also offers a veggie burger for those who do not eat meat. Upon learning some people are allergic to certain types of meat, Hinson said he respects the decision of those who do not eat meat, whether for religious reasons or even ethical stances against the treatment of animals in slaughterhouses.

“I’ll probably die eating (meat),” Hinson said. “… (So) I have no intention of changing the way I eat.”

Hinson said an added and important reason he will remain a meat-eater is due to the nutritional value the protein in meat products gives to the human body.

According to the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, protein is an amino acid that provides strength and growth to muscles in the human body. Meat is considered one of the primary sources in which most people obtain these acids. A body without proper protein can develop dangerous ailments. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, research has correlated the lack of protein to the lack of body tissue building and diseases, like breast cancer, colon cancer, and heart disease. Also, the study found that vegetarians are apt to obtaining nutrient shortfalls when it pertains to other nutrients like vitamin E, calcium and magnesium. The lack of these nutrients can cause infertility, osteoporosis and even cardiovascular problems.

Aubrey Nazarro, the community relations coordinator at Earth Fare, an upscale grocery store located in Martinez, Ga., which caters to health and animal-conscious customers, agrees with the research on vegetarian risks thus far. “If people are looking to go vegetarian or vegan, they really need to do their homework and go to the doctor,” Nazarro said. “It’s easy to say, ‘I’m going to cut out meat,’ or ‘I’m going to cut out fish,’ but you need to supplement it properly. And I think that’s something that a lot of people in that lifestyle lack.”

Narazzo, who was a vegetarian for three months, said beginning to live a vegetarian lifestyle was somewhat difficult for her. However, while she properly supplemented her protein and other essential nutrients that she couldn’t receive through vegetables and fruits alone, the transition back to a meat-eater may have been even harder.

“Afterwards, when I went back to eating meat, I ate red meat right away, like I had a steak right when I got out of it, and I got so sick,” Nazarro said. “It was unbelievable. It was jacking up my iron so high, so fast, that I felt lethargic and nauseous. It was awful.”

Aubrey loveless, the specialty department manager at Earth Fare, has been a vegan since she was a teenager and knows of various ways to supplement the vegetarian or vegan’s meatless diet.

“You can find your protein, your iron and your calcium all in beans, legumes and produce,” loveless said. “It really can be found there. With things like omega 3 [fatty acids], you might have to take a supplement.”

Furthermore, loveless and Nazarro both said dark greens, like collard greens and broccoli are great sources of calcium, which are very healthy for women. Also, according to the University of Georgia Earth Center, good protein can be provided through foods like nuts, seeds and peas, while spinach and dried fruit are great sources of iron.

Another slightly more expensive way to get protein and other essential nutrients is eating products like soy or tofu.

However, to some, this idea of “specialty” products is what seems to drive up costs on vegetarian products, especially those offered in typical grocery stores. Nazarro admits that most of the meats on Earth Fare’s shelves cost more than the meat on display in a local Kroger or Publix because Earth Fare provides special free-range and humanely-raised animal products, a practice not nearly as common in large grocery stores. However, she said because Earth Fare is a specialty store that offers fruits, vegetables and products that cater to vegetarians and vegans, it is able to buy and sell specialty products, like soy and tofu, much cheaper than other stores.

“We have so many vegans and vegetarians who shop here,” Nazarro said. “Really the one thing that everybody has in common when they shop here is they are shopping for their health. That’s the big one. It’s the thing that separates us from other area grocery stores.”

However, the $4.75 cost of each four-pack box of veggie burgers is well worth the money for vegetarians, like Blaess, because her ethical stance on the mistreatment of animals transcends any fiscal issue.

“I decided that it wasn’t enough to just say I love animals,” Blaess said. “I needed to prove it.”

Barman, who has strong ethical beliefs attached to his vegan lifestyle, said he and his organization, Triangle Vegetarian Society, hosts America’s largest meatless Thanksgiving dinner.

“It’s the most compassionate thing to do,” Barman said. “Not killing makes good sense. But there’s more and more evidence that suggests it’s the healthiest way to eat.”

Barman’s claims are supported by a British Medical Journal report that found “in health conscious individuals, daily consumption of fresh fruit is associated with a reduced mortality from ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and other comparable diseases.”

“Later on down the road, you will end up saving money on doctor bills,”loveless said.

Nevertheless, for the overwhelming United States omnivorous population, like Hinson, the taste and nutritional benefits of eating meat give no reason to eliminate it from one’s diet. In contrast, for countless vegetarians, the savings they see in their pockets and changes they feel in their health eclipse the concept of needing to cut into that juicy steak. The decision to forgo meat or animal products may not be easy, but if one decides to make the change, he or

The Hull College of Business added accolade to its already prestigious name: helping a needy family by participating in ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

After local resident Earnie Graham and her household discovered they had been chosen to receive a free home renovation from the popular ABC show, the community rallied around the effort; Hull College was no exception.

Hull College’s own Rachel Jay, an adjunct professor of management, proved to be one of the most instrumental people in the project.

“It was totally amazing,” Jay said. “(It all) started when a student in the Hull College asked a professor in the Hull College to join the team.”

The student Jay referred to is Susan Erway, who is also the vice president of Bill Beazley Homes, Inc., the company Extreme Makeover chose to contract to rebuild the Graham family’s home. According to Jay, after a few conversations with both Erway and Dowling, the professor said she was approached by Erway about getting involved with the team.

“Naturally, I agreed,” Jay said. “I thought, ‘What a great opportunity.’”

Jay was brought on board as the volunteer coordinator for the entire project. And while the renovation was planned for early December 2010, Jay said that the eclectic team was given less than a month to plan the renovation as they began meeting in November. However, she said it was a welcomed challenge.

“Extreme Makeover has a packet, if you will, of information that they give to each builder that gets on board with the project,” Jay said. “And it pretty much is a project plan to make it simple, and it outlines from beginning to end everything that needs to be done to successfully execute the build.”

A problem, Jay said, the team encountered was keeping the plans secret as news began to break in late November about the show’s pending arrival. “We were trying to keep it hush-hush from the media because ‘Extreme’ did not want anyone to know where the house was until they had secured the area with their own security,” Jay said.

Jay said once word broke of the show’s location and future arrival, the “flood started.” However, she said once the project began, not only was the giving spirit present, but also the positive spirit.

“Everyone certainly had their own unique experience, but for me, I was just in awe of the overall spirit,” Jay said. “People were just so willing and helpful to one another and just supportive. It was such a team environment. You just throw all of these people together and here is the objective: let’s go get it done. It was like ants building an ant hill. It was teamwork at its best.”

Tracy Dowling, a career adviser for the business school, was instrumental in recruiting student volunteers. Dowling, who worked at a refreshment booth with many students, said she felt the same spirit and teamwork Jay encountered.

“I wish I would have been one of the skilled laborers,” Dowling said. “I think if I had that much fun just talking to the skilled laborers and giving them refreshments, I can’t imagine what it would have been like to actually help build the house.”

Dowling said in the late hours of the night, she and others who were with her saw the home go from a framed skeleton to a sheet-rocked and fully roofer home with windows.

“It was so interesting to see this phenomenon happen over night,” Dowling said.

Dowling mentioned that although there were many student volunteers, she wished many more would have gotten involved.

“Think about it, if you were going through a stack of resumes, and you saw the one with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition volunteer, wouldn’t you want to ask them about that?” Dowling said. “It’s really interesting… a once in a lifetime experience.”

Jay said she also felt the magnitude of her involvement. As a representative of the Hull College and Augusta State University, Jay said she often finds herself excited to tell her students about the amazing experience.

“All experiences now will be compared to this one,” Jay said.

ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Augusta Home episode is tentatively scheduled to air on Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.

My brother, Prince, still lives at home with my family and me. He’s extremely independent and has a great personality. He has long black hair that elegantly covers his attractive face. And although he’s not very tall, he is very strong and agile.

He rarely speaks, besides the sharp remarks he makes when he does not approve of dinner. He is 24 years old, and at 21 myself, I remember the day Mom brought him home to me and my 12-yearold sister. That day, we named him Prince Monaco Freeman, and ever since, he has been the feisty and spirited big brother I always wanted. However, right now, I am a little concerned. It’s been 24 years, and Prince has never had a girlfriend, thus meaning, he has never been laid.

I think back to one of my favorite movies, “American Pie.” All the plot consisted of were sporadic moments of teenage boys trying to get laid. In the end, they did, but for poor Prince, the movie hasn’t come to a conclusion or climax. He idly waits, looking for the girl of his dreams who may never exist.

I’ve never told a soul, but Prince is adopted. As a full-blooded Welsh Corgi Pembroke, he was expensive, but his love and happiness are priceless to me. As a result, when I hear him howl at night beneath my upstairs window, I am saddened.

I remember walking with him around the neighborhood and seeing a gorgeous light brown Cocker Spaniel pass by. I knew Prince was enamored, but even his wagging tail could not get him closer to her. Mom wouldn’t like it. She always said sticking to “his kind” was best for him… although she emphasized that my sister and I could date outside of our race as much as we liked. So why not Prince?

Maybe the answer lied in the fact that Prince was a hefty investment for Mom. Her perception of him is based on love but formed from the fiscal responsibility of having such a revered pup. Thus, she has planned to “breed” Prince for the past 3 years, but has not due to “not finding the right pure-bred female Corgi.”

I recalled the KKK protest on campus that occurred a few weeks ago and remembered being hurt by the strong beliefs in racial superiority or separation. Prince, too, experienced this because unlike most dogs, or mutts, Prince isn’t allowed to sniff other dogs’ butts or frolic with a different girl of his choosing because they may have “too much fun.”

It all sounded strange to me, so much so, that I contemplated taking Prince to Pet Smart and letting him find a lover during retail therapy like so many others. Then I thought of putting him on Match.com, but after I discovered the cost of site, going to the plain old park seemed to be the most logical plan.

Mom’s voice rang in my head as I saw Prince scurry his short legs over to a blonde Shih Tzu. As I pulled him away, I knew he understood, but, like most people, he still yearned for animal love. I play Frisbee with him every day, and I can tell he still enjoys life. Thank goodness he hasn’t been laid; he doesn’t yet know what he’s missing.

As the holiday season approaches, African-American fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, shows its spirit by giving back to the community.

The Augusta State University chapter of Omega Psi Phi obtained its campus charter in 1976. According to the organization’s Web site, the first African-American national fraternity encourages its members to aspire to “bond together by friendship, knowledge, brotherhood, common goals and aspirations.”

Bearing the fraternity’s colors, royal purple and gold, Marqus Jackson, a key member of the on-campus Omega Psi Phi chapter and junior psychology major, said the group of black men “strive for excellence” while helping communities in need.

“I’m a psychology major, and I have an interest in kids and criminals,” Jackson said. “I have a testimony, and my whole reason for joining this fraternity was to help people in these difficult situations… And working with those kids is an amazing experience.

Jackson explained that when he lost his father, he did not have many African-American males to turn to. However, instead of succumbing to the difficulties in his life by turning to crime, he became determined to be a positive mentor to children in his situation.

Howard Brown, an active member of Omega Psi Phi and senior kinesiology major, emphasized the group’s presence in the black community is imperative to the lives of the children they touch.

Brown and Jackson said they annually donate to many organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House, the United Negro College Fund and the American Cancer Society. Some of the annual events include the annual “Toys for Tots” in November, Miss Omega Pageant, canned food drives and numerous car washes. Also, with other campus fraternities and sororities on campus, Omega Psi Phi participated in the Alcohol Awareness Week in October.

The group’s motto, “Friendship is essential to the soul,” and other passions keep the members focused, according to Almard Smith, an active member and senior psychology major.

“We strive to have one common goal as one common bond,” Smith said. “We are a secret society that is not a secret. We can turn to one another and confide in each other. It’s truly a brotherhood.

Although Jackson said that the fraternity does not continuously seek members, they are open to all races and creeds of men.

“(Omega Psi Phi) gives us many networking opportunities,” Brown said. ” And we don’t discriminate. There is no exclusion.”

As African-American, Brown emphasized the importance of befriending men who aspire for unity.

“Sixty percent of black men don’t graduate from college,” Brown said. “We are a loving fraternity, and we are like-minded individuals.”

Brown said that as a former athlete himself, he sees the importance in showing the community that black males can be industrious in college outside of sports.

The fraternity has high profile members, like Langston Hughes, Bill Cosby, Steve Harvey and multiple historically black college presidents.

As a historically black fraternity, the fraternity brothers emphasized that being involved with the NAACP and other advocates for the advancement of blacks is a meaningful inspiration. Jackson said the act of helping others as a team is an endeavor the members share with their grand chair member, Emmanuel Finney, and hope to carry on after they graduate.

“We (blacks) are losing our lives,” Jackson said. “It is important to mentor the children in the black community. As young, successful black men, we want to inspire them.”