A Dancer's Guide to Boston

Delicate, classical melodies float from a sleek piano nestled in the corner of a brightly lit room. A sea of pink ballet slippers skims, brushes and pitter-patters on the worn floors. A diverse crowd of dancers step away from the double-barre and gather in the center of the room, prepared to learn an adagio combination of chasses, leaps and twirls. This is not a scene from a popular dance film; this is the vibrant atmosphere of an adult open class at the Boston Ballet.

            Located at 19 Clarendon Street in Boston’s South End neighborhood, the Boston Ballet provides the opportunity for students and recreational dancers to train in their 60,000 square foot, air-conditioned facility. According to their website, students under the age of 25 with a valid ID can register for multi-level ballet, modern and pilates and pay only $14 per class.

            “I think the classes offer a whole range of wonderful assets, from physicality to cardio, posture and musicality,” says Rachel Cossar, a dancer in Boston Ballet’s Corps de Ballet. “Not to mention, the people you might find in an open ballet class range through all ages and experience and can become a fantastic way to meet people and discover the city.”

            If classical ballet is not your forte, Boston offers an array of traditional and cultural dance styles such as ballroom and salsa. The Havana Club, located near Central Square in Cambridge, hosts Rueda Thursdays, an 18+ event that allows students of all levels to practice salsa with or without a partner. Admission is free during the month of May, but for the rest of the year $5 will include an hour-long lesson, coat check and an evening of dancing. Salsa lessons at the Havana Club are also available on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.

            In recent years, popular television shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “Dance Moms” have increased interest in learning both studio and street styles of dance such as jazz, contemporary, musical theater and hip hop. If you are searching for a studio where you can sample different styles and improve your versatility, drop-in on one of Jeannette Neill Dance Studio’s open classes. Open six days a week, Jeannette Neill’s instructors provide a unique and fun training atmosphere for only $17. Sarah Elentukh, the Artistic Director of Static Noyze Dance Company, finds that JNDS is a positive and challenging environment for any dancer hoping to increase their repertoire.

“Every week, Static Noyze hosts a company class where we share our signature style of hip hop. Jeannette’s has become our home, a place where we recruit new talent and a common ground for dancers to meet and collaborate,” says Elentukh, 25.

The dance scene in Boston has become so vibrant that Tarikh Campbell, a 2009 graduate of MIT and well-known hip hop choreographer in Boston, decided to create an online community for dancers known as “Dance Netwerk.” Dance Netwerk is a free digital space where local dancers, instructors, choreographers and crews share videos, post open classes and promote upcoming events. In an effort to engage and inspire dancers to train and take advantage of various opportunities, Campbell makes sure to reach out and connect with artists from all different realms of dance.

“I make sure to go out and support every member of my site. I’ve taken ballet classes, popping, locking, contemporary…all things that are extremely out of my comfort zone. Dance Netwerk gives dancers a chance to branch out and build bonds,” says Campbell, 26.

In addition to these well-established resources, Boston’s cultivated identity as a college town implies that there is a wide amount of dance opportunities available on campus. While various universities include dance in their schedule of fitness classes, many campuses have not one, but several student-run organizations devoted solely to dance. Joining a team often involves an audition process, but most teams host their own open dance workshops, often for free or extremely cheap prices. Tiffany Feng, a 22-year-old senior at Boston University, is a member of BU’s Fusion Hip Hop Dance Troupe and believes that participating in collegiate dance transformed her entire college experience.

“If you love to dance, or want to dance, or think you want to dance, go out and dance,” says Feng. “Joining a team on campus meant finding a tight-knit friendship group where we all bonded over our passion for movement and need for a creative outlet. We became a family, it doesn’t get much more real than that.”

Building Cultural Connections with the MFA Film Program

            “I used to be a nobody, until I discovered the Internet,” says Zola, a 27-year-old investigative reporter who makes his living as a produce vendor in China’s Hunan province.

In the film “High Tech, Low Life,” an award-winning documentary that juxtaposes the journeys of two citizen journalists, Zola represents a generation of young, brash and self-interested reporters hoping to make a name for themselves and take down China’s Great Firewall. China’s first citizen reporter, Tiger Temple, the other half of the film’s central pair, portrays a contrasting sense of idealism and endeavors to provide a voice for the suffering. Despite their different philosophies, these men paint a picture of individuals searching for truth and trying to improve freedom despite overwhelming obstacles and pressure from authorities.

Through these separate narratives, the film’s director, Stephen Maing, unveils the complex relationship between a country, its citizens and the government. Moreover, Maing’s vision carefully weaves the significance of technology and the responsibility that comes with using said technology to disperse information and communicate discovered news or scandals.

According to Kristen Lauerman, the manager and assistant programmer of film and video for Boston’s Museum of Fine Art, these themes attracted the museum and inspired several exclusive screenings of Maing’s documentary throughout the month of April.

“Within the past few years, social media and the internet have gained monumental significance throughout the world,” says Lauerman. “The internet not only serves as a social platform, but it also serves a vital role in communicating world issues and connecting conversations.”

Lauerman, 29, earned her masters in film studies from Boston University and has been working for the MFA’s film department for over four years. The department aims to exhibit the finest in foreign, independent, classic and documentary cinema from around the world. Lauerman particularly seeks out films with strong, cultural relevance.

“We have a robust, year round program. We search for films that are strong enough to stand on their own and have a fascinating or timely subject matter. Boston is such a tech-oriented city, it makes sense to show films such as Maing’s documentary,” says Lauerman.

The Film Program at the MFA was founded in 1956 under the direction of Katharine Stone White. Carter Long, the current head curator, states that the program operates with the guiding philosophy that film is an important contemporary art form that fits perfectly in the context of one of the world’s foremost encyclopedic museums. Similar to his colleague Lauerman, Long strives to select films that provide a unique perspective on society and culture.

“I always look for films that provide a new experience, films that somehow subvert our expectations for cinema,” says Long, 33. “One of the things that continues to amaze me about film is its capacity to provide a window into other cultures, whether across the globe or across the states.”

Annually, the film program hosts more than four hundred screenings, many of which are screened as a part of numerous film festivals. These yearly festivals include the Boston French Film Festival (July,) Boston Festival of Films from Iran (January), Boston LGBT Film Festival (May), Boston Jewish Film Festival (November), the Boston Palestine Film Festival (October), and the Roxbury International Film Festival (June).

Although the MFA Film Program chooses to screen complex, contemporary and classic world cinema, Long insists that students in the greater Boston area have much to gain from their program.

“I believe strongly that watching films can be an incredible educational experience, not just in an academic sense, but in a way that can expand the individual and collective consciousness and inspire compassion for others in a way that is unmatched across other artistic disciplines,” says Long.

When the Film Program is not participating in their wide range of annual festivals, Long and Lauerman focus on integrating their program with exhibits throughout the museum and searching for new ways to appeal to the younger crowd that makes up a significant amount of the neighboring population.

“We have found that many of our retrospective series draw large student crowds. This past February we hosted a Stanley Kubrick retrospective which brought in more than 2000 people, many of which were students,” recalls Long.

Moreover, the MFA Film Program often arranges for visitors and students to interact with accomplished directors, such as Maing, during panel Q&A sessions.  These opportunities, as well as regular screenings, are available for $5 to undergraduates who present a current student ID. Tickets can be reserved over the phone, on the museum’s website or in person.

Museum of Fine Arts

1-800-440-6975

Mon-Sat 9 am to 9 pm


Sun 9 am to 6 pm

Austin, TX: Audacious and Appetizing

            Picture an eclectic city where hipsters and cowboys coexist together in perfect equilibrium. Imagine a utopia where people regularly indulge in calorie-laden barbecue and top it off with a scoop of ice cream made from natural and organic ingredients. Excite in the interactive experiences that result from uprooting some of the nation’s upcoming tech and mobile geniuses and transporting them to the center of the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Hop on a bicycle and enjoy a scenic view of college students, young professionals and trendy families engaging in community and appreciating the often-forgotten “great good places” such as the local coffee shop or spectacular public park.

This urban paradise is Austin, Texas. Austin has arrived, and it’s here to stay.

            On a breezy, late afternoon in March, the Zilker Metropolitan Park proved to be a great introductory location for basking in Austin’s bright blue skies, perfect 70 degree weather and not-so-far sights of humble but impressive sky line. The atmosphere pulsed with energy as families, large groups and individuals alike spread across the 351 acre park riding bicycles, flying kites, having picnics and simply relishing the outdoors. Zilker Park, located literally in the heart of Austin, includes Barton Springs Pool, a public swimming area fed by natural, underground springs.

After paying a $5 parking fee, my eager group of college spring breakers leapt from our vans and ran towards the open, beautifully manicured area of grass. After quick deliberations, we retreated to the waterfront and caught the last wave of kayak and paddle board rentals for the evening. Each boat rental cost $12, seats three people and includes a life jacket for each visitor. The sun set over Austin’s city backdrop as we paddled and raced along the lake.

            In search for a vegetarian-friendly and casual, outdoor dining experience where we could sample traditional Texan BBQ, we headed towards Barton Springs’ nearby “Restaurant Row.” Our GPS led us to the parking lot of Shady Grove, a restaurant with a funky patio decorated with Christmas lights and Austin-inspired memorabilia. The hostesses and wait staff donned tie-dyed shirts emblazoned with Austin’s signature slogan, “Keep Austin Weird.” While taking our order, our waiter cheerfully informed us that the term was coined by Red Wassenich, a college librarian frustrated and displeased about Austin’s developing culture.

            Shady Grove’s relaxed atmosphere and fun menu has something to satisfy every palette. Those searching for southern comfort food can enjoy traditional favorites such as chicken fried steak. Others pumped up the authentic Tex-Mex flavors by asking the waiter to “make it shady,” a request that amps up your entree with jack cheese and Hatch green chili sauce. Vegetarians and health-conscious diners can opt for lighter options such as a protein-packed dinner salad or the ‘Hippie Sandwich.’ This crowd favorite paired a delicious medley of roasted and sautéed vegetables with melty mozzarella cheese and hearty rustic bread.

Although our entire party left full and satisfied, we were determined to experience dessert from Amy’s Ice cream, a well-known, artisan ice cream shop. According to the brightly illustrated board above the cash register, Amy’s rotates over 350 flavors ranging from a peculiarly fantastic avocado flavor to an undeniably-sinfully-perfect bourbon pecan spice. Their ice cream not only uses local and natural ingredients, but also has dairy free fruit and low fat frozen yogurt options.

I did not think my taste buds could handle anything too extreme, so after a few samplings I decided on a small size of their world famous Mexican vanilla mixed with cookie dough. Although I expected a weird, spicy kick, the ice cream was the best vanilla I have ever eaten. I was subtly reminded of Austin’s quirky and tech-conscious character as I chatted with my curly red server about spirit animals and signed my signature on the electronic receipt of an iPad.

Being in Austin during SXSW, we would have felt cheated out of the experience if we did not take an evening stroll along 6^th street. On almost every corner there was craft beer, artisanal cocktails, food trailers and live music showcasing the city’s superior nightlife. Parties and concerts spilled over from the venues and poured onto the streets, creating the vibe of an after hours block party. Despite being exhausted from our travels, the electricity buzzing through 6^th street immediately charged our spirits.

Suddenly, the sidewalk was crowded with a rowdy group of twenty-something’s frolicking through the streets in high socks, thick-framed glasses and bottom-revealing shorts; their take on modern Flinstone costumes. As I gazed wistfully at their odd, and frankly obnoxious antics, I knew that I would have to return to this unrivaled Weird-dom.

What to do:

Zilker Park Boat Rentals

2100 Barton Springs Road

Austin, TX 78746

(512) 478-3852 

Where to eat:

Shady Grove

1624 Barton Springs Rd

Austin, TX 78704

Amy’s Ice Cream

6th Street

1012 W. 6th St

Austin, TX 78703

Festivals to check out:                                                                                                         

SXSW

Keep Austin Weird Festival & 5K

23rd Annual Hot Sauce Festival 

Boston Residents Embrace Ancestral Eating

The Paleolithic diet, also known as the “Caveman diet,” is emerging as a popular lifestyle for athletes, students and young professionals in the Boston area searching for improved health and fitness levels.

“Why must you eat like such a Caveman?”

“Quit being such a Neanderthal!”

The terms “caveman” and “Neanderthal” once painted vivid images of a brute, slow-witted and boorish person armed with stone daggers, clothed in the hide of his dinner and equipped with culturally or intellectually backward ideology.

However, the ‘Stone Age’ also refers to a time period when humans lived active, hunter-gatherer lifestyles and modern day dietary illnesses such as diabetes and celiac disease were nonexistent. Hundreds of Boston residents have adopted a “Paleolithic” diet and lifestyle in attempt to achieve optimal health and nutrition.

According to Michael Cahill, the owner of Reebok Crossfit Back Bay, a fitness facility focused on intense athletic training and spa-like amenities, the “Caveman” diet is an emerging, popular trend among students, young professionals and athletes because it is simple and natural to our “primal” instincts.

 “Eating and living ‘paleo’ is neither new nor difficult to follow. The diet is basically fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat and fish. We stay away from all grains and legumes…we also avoid dairy. We embrace clean eating, light portions and full fat,” said Cahill.

In a world where inconsistent labeling and conflicting research permeates the health food market, fat and red meat have been stigmatized as ‘bad’ while whole grains and low-fat dairy have been heralded as ‘healthy’ and essential to a balanced diet and lifestyle. “Paleo-philes” beg to differ.

“Grains make you feel lethargic. Low fat dairy products have been processed like crazy and contain unnatural chemicals that our bodies cannot efficiently process. Yes, carbohydrates are important for energy but we can get them from vegetables and fruits. We don’t need refined grains and the excess sugar that comes with them,” asserted Cahill passionately. Cahill, previously a real estate agent, was laid off during the 2010 housing, mortgage and real estate crisis. Although he had already been practicing Crossfit, an elite form of athletic training, his transition into the fitness industry sparked his desire to begin following a paleo-friendly eating regimen. After approximately two years, Cahill credits the Paleolithic diet for his accelerated fitness performance, increased day-to-day energy and overall happier life.

As a strong advocate of the Paleolithic diet, Cahill introduced “Paleo Power Meals,” a catering meal service that delivers paleo entrees and sides to Boston Crossfit boxes once a week. According to their website, PPM was started by a trained, culinary chef who lost 40 pounds over the course of three months while following the paleo diet. The meals’ prices are approximately $12-15 and include meat-based proteins that are exclusively grass-fed or line caught and organic, “farm to table” produce.

For many individuals, eliminating comfort foods and American dietary staples such as bread, pasta, milk and cheese is a daunting enough task. However, people who follow “strict” paleo also take into consideration what types of oils they cook with, whether produce is organically grown and if their meat and fish are wild, sustainable or grass-fed. These details seem minute but several paleo converts believe that these qualities in food are significant and essential in living the true, primal way.

Colin Snyder, a 32-year-old Boston resident, is one of 516 members in the online group and forum, “Living Paleo in Boston.” Following the ancestral lifestyle in the greater Boston area is a challenge for everyone including seasoned veterans and the “paleo-curious.” This online support group’s provides opportunities for people to connect, share and learn through potlucks, lectures, cooking classes, farm tours and other outings. Snyder has been following an on and off primal “eatstyle” for about 10 years. After experiencing significant improvements in his energy and stamina, Snyder affirms he will “never willingly touch gluten again.” Inspired by his personal transformation, Snyder is working on what he describes as an “experimental food start-up” in which he creates and delivers pre-packaged, paleo meals.

“In the past couple of years, the overall prepared food market has been pretty stagnant, but the gourmet and specialty prepared food segments of the market have been doing very well despite that,” Snyder commented.

Snyder attributes the increased popularity of paleo ingredients as a trend response to Boston’s movement of people “eating more prescriptively,” but hopes restaurant owners will embrace paleo marketing the same as “gluten-free.” In addition to independent restaurants, Snyder has noticed the surge in paleo-friendly offerings in local Boston-based chains such as Boloco and casual, ethnic cuisine establishments such as Brazilian BBQ and Asian-style hot pot. However, Snyder asserts that the availability of paleo food in the commercial food industry is “mostly by accident rather than by design.”

 “People are realizing that if they try to have some solid standards behind what they eat, their prepared food options become limited (read: virtually non-existent).  My hope is that I can lure back some of the folks who were forced to give up on prepared food,” said Snyder.

            Matt Kim, a 26-year-old Back Bay resident, believes that Boston’s wide demographic of young professionals is an ideal niche for marketing paleo products. “Boston has a huge community of twenty, thirty-something year olds who are willing to splurge on their health. They are also scarily connected to tech and emerging trends. Crossfit and paleo exploding on the blogosphere and more and more professionals are committing their time and money to this lifestyle,” said Kim.

Kim began eating paleo earlier this year after a New Years resolution to improve his health and eating habits. Although he personally believes the diet is too strictly regimented for a lifetime commitment, Kim began noticing significant changes in his body after only a few weeks:

“My cravings for carbohydrates or sugars were completely gone. Body fat was melting off and I was getting stronger and more defined…I work in a high-stress banking environment. Switching to paleo helped my anxiety, increased my energy and improved my sleep and moods.”

Kim’s regulated moods and sleep are explained in the book Primal Body, Primal Mind: Beyond the Paleo Diet for Total Health and a Longer Life. According to the author, Nora T. Gedgaudas, the paleo diet stresses the importance of a holistic approach to wellness and an adequate omega-3 intake. Omega-3 fatty acids are critical to the human nervous system and brain function but are commonly disregarded or placed low on the health ‘priority list.’ Gedgaudas believes eliminating the modern reliance on sugar and carbohydrates for fuel is key to reaping the full mind and body benefits of the paleo diet.

 “The brain and the body simply have to have certain raw materials to work with in order to function properly.  It is abundantly clear that all the brain-training in the world cannot create a nutrient where there is none, or remove a problematic substance which does not belong,” writes Gedgaudas in the book’s preface. Although Gedgaudas insists that strict paleo is the only way to achieve prime physical and mental health, many enthusiasts understand that diets are rarely a “one-size-fits-all” and paleo may not be suitable for every lifestyle. To some, paleo seems like the “scientology” of the food and health community, but for many Boston residents it’s a straightforward path to improved health and nutrition.

Digging into Debt-ridden Pockets

The typical scenario for undergraduate students attending nationally ranked colleges is four years, top-notch academics, countless experiences and tens of thousands dollars’ worth of debt.

This upcoming May approximately 4000 Boston University students will culminate their undergraduate careers on Nickerson Field. The Class Gift Committee asks seniors to dig into debt-ridden pockets and give back to BU’s legacy before receiving their diplomas.

Schyler Cain, an employee in the Boston University Development and Alumni Relations office, works as the Class Gift Coordinator. According to Cain, many students are under the false impression that tuition alone covers the cost to operate Boston University. In actuality, revenue from government aid, alumni donations, the institution’s endowment and other sources fill the gap. Last year, approximately 39% of BU’s graduating class donated to the gift campaign. This year, Cain aims to increase that number to 45% with a grand total of $75,000 in donations.

For some students, donating to the class gift is an unnecessary and unfair expectation. Xavier Nunez, a 22-year-old senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, believes that this is another moneymaking scheme for the university.

“I have paid more than enough monetary dues to this university. Alumni relations should focus on graduates that are two or three years into their careers and have disposable incomes. Tuition, books and commencement itself are expenses I’ll be covering the next ten years of my life,” Nunez says.

Other students such as Patrick Clark O’Brien, a senior in the College of Communications and active member of the Class Gift Committee, are enthusiastic about giving back to the university despite their financial circumstances.

“I am a student who paid almost half of BU’s expensive tuition completely on my own. My parents have three children and cannot afford to pay for private university via their checkbook," says the 22-year-old O’Brien. “We only ask for a donation of $20.13. Last week, I spent that much money going out downtown and in Allston.”

In addition to increasing donor participation, Cain hopes to dispel the myths that a donation doesn't make a difference and will go “into the black hole of BU's endowment.” Last year, BU raised $8.5 million from gifts under $100. Cain believes that there is strength in numbers and seniors can really make a positive impact on the campus and future students.

“One of the wonderful things about our Class Gift program is that students have the opportunity to support any initiative on campus that they feel has impacted them. However, back in the 40s and 50s some of the classes did sponsor on campus projects like the pillars in Marsh and those are pretty cool to see,” Cain says.

Haley Smith-Fries, a member of the class of 2012, chose to donate because she was able to specifically designate where she wanted her donation to go.

“I was President of the Ballroom Club and am well aware of the costs that surround dance lessons, costumes and performances. I thought it would be a good way to say ‘thank you’ and commemorate my time at BU,” says Smith-Fries, a 23-year-old alumnae currently working as an administrative assistant at a well-known ballroom studio.

In order to encourage donor participation, the Class Gift Committee has hosted several events in hopes of enhancing the sense of community and providing incentive. In the past, Class Gift Committee has run campaigns such as Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore jumping into the Charles River and the chance to throw the first pitch at a Red Sox game. The most recent event, a dance party hosted at the popular Kenmore nightclub Tequila Rain, included VIP line access for donors and $20 credit to an account with Uber, a boutique cab service company emerging in popularity.

Kim Kinsman, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, attended the most recent event and felt as if she had been taken advantage of.

“The event was cool because I ran into some people I haven’t seen since freshman year, but capacity was filled so early that some people who donated were not even allowed in. It’s clear that they don’t follow through with their promises, so I’m skeptical about donating,” said Kinsman, 22.

Bryan Adams, a Coordinator of Programs at Student Activities Office, acknowledges that alumni donations are important for any private institution.

“Alumni giving has a huge difference on rankings and public perception. If alumni are invested in giving back, people will see BU as a quality institution worth supporting or joining. This participation is taken into account when national publications and organizations rate us,” says Adams, 26.

In addition to senior events and incentives, enhancing BU’s reputation seems to be a huge draw for seniors graduating into an increasingly competitive workforce. Mark Guo, a 22-year-old senior in the School of Management, believes the value of his diploma increases as the school’s rankings go up.

“I want to see BU continue to rise, because I know what a great university it is. Even though I have paid so much, I can't possibly pay back the university for the opportunities I received while at BU,” says Guo.

Fatal Distraction by Gene Weingarten

Gene Weingarten’s 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning article, “Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime,” originally appeared in the Washington Post. This article reported and explained the disturbing trend of children being forgotten by otherwise watchful parents in cars and literally baking to death in the summer sun. According to the article, “the worst day in the worst year so far in a phenomenon that gives no sign of abating,” occurred in 2009 when three children died in one day. Weingarten created a dramatic narrative that not only exposed this dangerous trend, but also warned parents to be more attentive through a combination of detailed scenarios and expert explanations.

 Weingarten’s tone regarding this controversial topic was authoritative and balanced. Weingarten was able to discuss the details of the various cases without condemning or condoning the individuals mentioned. Weingarten chose various subjects who not only clearly framed the information provided, but also emphasized the point that this crime of forgetfulness could happen to anybody and is not restricted to specific demographics such as gender, economics or education. Mark Warschauer, a professor and Fulbright scholar dedicated to increasing literacy among children, is capable of committing the same exact crime as Lynn Balfour, a mother with a tumultuous upbringing and military background. Weingarten’s article demonstrated there is no criminal profile or “type” of family more likely to experience this terrible tragedy, only the shared characteristic of busy and distracted.

 During the introduction of the article, Weingarten uses vivid, grotesque imagery in order to describe Miles Harrison, one of the several case studies Weingarten included in the article. Using this type of narrative language to describe Harrison is an interesting choice because it characterizes the individual responsible for such a terrible crime as somebody just as physically appalling. Moreover, the gothic-style writing highlights the grotesque, alarming and grave nature of the article. Also, Harrison, the “diligent businessman” who was “beset by problems from work” and thus forgot to drop his son off at daycare, is the epitome of the gothic hero who has fallen from grace.

Weingarten also impressively articulates the legal and psychological aspects of these crimes. The reader gains a thorough understanding of the legal process regarding judges and their ability to decide whether the parent will be charged with the crime of involuntary manslaughter or not. Also, by interviewing various experts on psychology and behavior, the reader is able to understand, and perhaps empathize with, the case studies presented. For example, Weingarten’s description of the ‘Swiss Cheese’ model illustrates how despite natural defenses, details slip through the cracks or holes in our minds and forget things we usually wouldn’t, such as a child in the backseat. In addition to the subjects and sources, the structure of Weingarten’s article also does a good job of highlighting how closely together these completely separate incidents occur. Weingarten’s writing immerses the reader in the story of one individual and then quickly uproots the reader and places them in a narrative that occurred a few days later, hundreds of miles away. The technique successfully illustrates the fast-paced nature and timeline of each crime.

Weingarten successfully profiles the individuals in each case: their personalities, the circumstances regarding the day, the casualty of their ‘accidents’ and how their lives have progressed since. The article also serves as a public service announcement that warns readers to be more vigilant and provides advice on how to avoid it happening to you.

The LA Times' "2012 Endings: What We'll Miss Most"

The time has come for the endless fluff pieces that 'remember' 2012. I'm confident that almost every day I will see a new list on my Twitter feed touting that it has the "10 Most Shocking Celebrity Feuds" or "Best Movies of 2012." I have a love-hate relationship with these types of articles. Yes, they're interesting and I love me a great recap piece. However, the slideshows are slow to load, the captions are usually cliche and the content selected is boring more often than not. The LA Times posted in their editorial section a compilation of "What we'll miss most" that I found an extremely interesting read. The content was a great balance of serious and light-hearted events from 2012 that are noteworthy and should be remembered as we enter into a new year.

The LA Times included the loss of David Beckham never adorning his short-shorts and futbol uniform again. Let's face it, Beckham and his fabulous Posh Spice wife are kind of a big deal. They have reached a certain level of celebrity that is beyond most pro-athletes and their families (not including the now famous 'Basketball Wives). Beckham was not only important member of the L.A. Galaxy, but also played a big role in renewing American interest in the sport. His retirement is news worth including.

When it was announced that the popular snack-brand Hostess will shutter its' doors, I, along with countless other people, had flashbacks of happily unwrapping plastic-wrapped treats. Thousands flocked to stores and began hoarding Twinkies. The photographs caption comically referenced the "Twinkie defense," but also mentioned the important issue of 18,000 jobs that were lost.

Global warming is an issue that's been important to me since my fourth grade science fair project. In light of other natural disasters over the past few years, the melting of our polar ice caps have slightly been put on the back burner. Including this slide was a nice wake up call and reminder that human decisions drastically impact the environment. 

What would you include in your list of things you'll miss in the upcoming year?

Charting the Sprint & Clearwire Deal

Business pieces are often filled with jargon or information a surprising amount of Americans do not understand. Terminology about shares, profits and acquisitions are explained as carefully as possible, but the concise and brief nature of news prevents the author from providing a fuller understanding for those who are not business-savvy.

Enter The Chart

Charts are arguably one of the most helpful tools available to readers. I've been reading charts from a very young age. We spend most of our elementary to middle school careers analyzing or making our own charts that varied in difficulty and amount of information.

The bottom line is obvious: charts tell stories in clear, visual terms.

Moreover, charts show and demonstrate change over time in a way that words cannot. The LA Times' recent article about Sprint in its'"Tech Now" section is a great example of how including a chart can help the reader understand exactly what the article is saying.

As usual, the headline makes it very clear what the piece is about. "Sprint to pay $2.2 billion to acquire the rest of Clearwire."

As a reader who hasn't heard about Sprint since the age of Nextel popularity, I am prompted to ask "so what? Aren't they a non-factor in the US mobile industry nowadays?" Reading the article, I am given a slightly better clue as to how Sprint is actually still the third-largest service carrier. Really!? Cool. I then get a few quotes on how Sprint's shares and competitive position have improved. Well, that's nice I guess. Finally, at the very bottom, I see this:

Now why didn't you show me that in the first place!? This chart shows a dramatic change in the Sprint corporation over a mere seven months. Now that's a visual that leaves an impression and makes me think "Wow, Sprint must really be stepping up their game and becoming a force to be reckoned with. Maybe I should find out more info." A chart is universal and easy to understand. More journalists should be including them in their online media, especially reporters covering tech and business.

Do you think charts effectively explain concepts and facts?

Holiday Shopping? There's an App for That

It is officially T-15 days before Christmas!

Online news outlets have been amping up their holiday news coverage, particularly articles involving shopping trends, gift guides and creative ideas for our friends and family members that may have a specific niche interest. In the spirit of online, multimedia and tech, I checked out the LA Times' round up of fun and helpful mobile apps.

Irene Virbila, a Times' reporter, compiled a list titled "Upgrade your cooking skills? There's an app for that." I believe that most of these apps could be great gifts to any food or cooking enthusiast, as well as a helpful tool for anybody getting ready for endless company and numerous holiday dinners or pot lucks. Here's a list of some of my favorites in the article:

1. Easy as Pie featuring Evan Kleiman For me, nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a warm baked pie. Unfortunately, nothing says "Caution: Difficult to pull off" like a fresh, homemade pie crust. My mother, daunted by the challenge of whipping out her rolling pin, believes that the best way to serve a pie is either purchased from the bakery or purchased frozen. Perhaps this app would give her some cooking confidence!

2. Bread Baking Basics with Michael Ruhlman Have a friend who loves experimenting with recipes and new foodie challenges? Know a blogger searching for a new project? Want to encourage your spouse to wake you up to the tantalizing scent of freshly baked bread? This app seems like a great gift for all of the above.

3. Speakeasy Cocktails Now this is a tool for any 21+ friend, colleague or family member. Who doesn't want to learn how to mix specialty cocktails right in their own home? New Years Eve is just around the corner from Christmas and I'm sure any party guests would appreciate a drink more interesting than a flute of champagne. This app will give its owner the chance to take a chic yet out-of-the-box approach to their evening's libations.

Although a great, comprehensive gift guide, I do think the author took a few short cuts that made this article a little less functional or useful to the reader. Links to where the App was available, a demo of the app or even a screenshot of the featured chef or App graphics would help the reader choose which mobile app is the most appropriate for whatever purpose they're hoping to serve. However, I did like how the author included important information such as the price, publisher and a detailed description.

Would you ever purchase a mobile app as a holiday gift?

Covering Newtown with Convergence & "Click-ability"

My favorite aspect of online journalism is what I like to call "click-ability." I can't even begin to count the amount of times I started reading one article, and ended up with 5-10 other tabs and windows open with related links and information. The power to just click and find out more information is not only convenient, but also has become an essential aspect of being informed citizens.

Whenever media is dominated by an extremely controversial news story, consumers and citizens spend several hours scouring the web for as much information as possible. News outlets that compile the information and update the most frequently with "breaking" details have the most clout when it comes to reporting these types of events. On Friday, December 14, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at an elementary school located in Newtown, Connecticut. This tragedy, which involved the loss of several innocent children and their lives, is unprecedented in the United States and has sparked endless controversy regarding gun control, parenting and mental illness.

Despite where you personally land on the spectrum of the debate, I believe that the LA Times does a great and effective job in covering the events. They update their page consistently with either hard news information or relevant feature stories with a softer angle. They also take an inside glimpse into the shooter's life, his mind and what type of person would commit such an atrocity.

One of their most recent articles is "Upset by divorce? Outsider? Seeking clues in school shooter's past." This online content is a prime example of media convergence. At the very top, the author includes a video report that discusses the suspect and the relationship with his mother.



Then, a little farther down the article, the author links to a slideshow of photos from the event. In a side column, the article links to several other stories such as a piece on who the victims were, a transcript and video of Obama's speech and an interactive timeline of the deadliest massacres in the U.S. There's also a link to a "Full Coverage" page that compiles all of LA Times articles relevant to the shooting in one place. Their amount of coverage is quite extensive and provides a wide breadth of information for any reader interested in finding out more information about the tragedy.

Shocking events such as the Connecticut shooting have national impact and immense news value. The LA Times has definitely followed through on its responsibility to inform the public while successfully employing various multimedia techniques.

In the light of the recent tragedy, I'd like to take a moment of silence for the victims, their families and the entire Newtown community. Words cannot express my feelings as I hear more and more about what has happened. I hope and pray for a better tomorrow.

'Linking' the Seasons

While living abroad in Ireland and working at Food & Wine magazine, I learned a huge deal about the importance of cooking and eating locally and seasonally. During my initial interview with my soon-to-be supervisor, Ross Golden-Bannon, he said something that really stuck out. It was along the lines of:

"Seasonal cooking is exploding as a trend, but we've been doing it in Ireland for ages."

After that experience, I paid special attention to how mainstream U.S. media covers emerging food trends. For the average American consumer, seasonal cooking is a relatively novel concept that may initially seem complicated or difficult to understand. Writers are not only faced with the challenge of explaining the seasons in terms of cooking, but helping people understand how they can participate in the local and seasonal food movements.

On December 14, LA Times writer David Karp wrote a very interesting feature titled "Farmers Markets: Yes, there are seasons in Southern California." The strengths of this article, I believe, come from the links the author chose to include that help the reader understand the different seasons available in California.I also think that the author does a good job of referencing different ranches that produce seasonal items such as carrots, grapefruits, nuts and avocados.

The author does a nice job of explaining the "seasonal rhythm" of crops and how certain growers are able to harvest them and lengthen their season. Including the maturity release dates from the California Avocado Commission was a nice touch because it lent an official and authoritative source of knowledge.

Overall, I thought this feature was a great resource for seasonal eating in California. However, I think the author could have taken it a step further and included other multimedia content such as photos of current in season crops and an interactive map of farmer's market locations (or at least a link to a list). Online journalism has the unique opportunity to provide more in-depth and useful information that readers can access with an easy link. Journalists should continue to push the limits and try to use their online articles as a medium for providing as much help and knowledge as possible.

LA Times' Framework: Visual Storytelling

"Capturing the world through photography, video and multimedia."

 That is the motto of the LA Times' Framework page. I've referenced this page several times before because it is the single portion of the media outlet devoted specifically to the most vivid aspects of online journalism: photos and video.Sure, we can add links and SEO optimize all we want, but the content is what compels individuals to return time and time again. The photographs capture both the most mundane and most extraordinary aspects of life, elevating them to a form of art that all humans can appreciate. Videos record movement and sound that transplants us from our living room or local coffee shop and places us into the action. The Framework blog is truly a celebration of the technology that allows us to share and immerse ourselves in experiences from all around the world. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how I’ve been able to utilize this website while tracking the L.A. Times. I’ve come up with a list of pros and cons.

PRO: Throughout this class, it has been a great tool.

 I’ve been able to find specific stills and videos of events that I wanted to write about. When searching for online media to critique, this was my home base. The images sometimes linked to longer, in-depth articles that I could include and in general, the content was always colorful and interesting.

 PRO: The page is a rich resource of “Hey, here are examples of amazing photos and videos and how to do this thing we call multimedia storytelling RIGHT.” 

 While working on assignments involving taking my own photos and video, I sometimes found myself lost. I was unsure how to get into the action and really snag a moment. I didn’t know how to take interesting B-roll and wasn’t too fabulous at pairing relevant imagery to my reporting script.

  CON: Zero Convergence

We all know that old adage: “a picture’s worth a thousand words.” Yes, I agree, but a thousand words without context can be a dangerous thing. Framework has weekly roundups where they include captions or brief descriptions. While heartwarming and eye-opening, these were never satisfying. I wanted to know more. Who was the subject of this photo? What exactly is going on? When did this happen? The Frameworks blog definitely had the “collecting” part down, but lacked the component of convergent storytelling.

  CON: Didn't Distinguish Between Hard and Soft

As a reader, I found the leap from serious to soft content to be extreme and often jarring. I love comical relief, but seeing photos of families grieving and controversial rioting next to a montage of little kids dressed as Santa’s helpers is slightly unnerving. When put so close together, I am unable to fully appreciate any of the photos because they represent something so opposite. Perhaps categorizing their weekly round-ups differently could be an easy solution to this problem, or maybe I’m just sensitive to presentation, but I definitely think how the content is organized can be improved upon.

Boston University Students Race for $3000 Dollars

You may have heard of The Amazing Race before. You know, that awesome reality television game show on CBS where duos team up and race around the world for a million dollar cash prize. You may have even recently watched Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, two life partners and goat farmers, be crowned the winners of the official Amazing Race.


The pairs often have a pre-existing relationship with one another and their bonds, which may already be fragile, are put to extreme tests such as frying eggs in their hands or scaling really tall buildings. Now take that framework, shake it up and place it on the scale of Boston University and the greater Boston area.

According to Boston University’s 2012 Annual Report, there are approximately 33,000 students currently enrolled at the university. With such a large number of students comes a diverse, eclectic spirit that rages through every event, lecture and classroom on campus. Although BU embraces individuality, the administration also focuses on uniting the student body, faculty and staff under one umbrella movement: “Do What You Love.”

“Do What You Love” is the mantra for the Student Activities Office, a department under the Dean of Students that provides resources for students hoping to actively engage in campus life and participate in one or many of the 516 registered student organizations. One of the many functions SAO holds is planning events that will draw a large percentage of the BU community together. On December 2, 2012, SAO hosted Boston University’s 2nd Annual Amazing Race, an exciting competition that gives students the chance to explore Boston, bond with their friends and win a variety of prizes.

The rules and regulations were pretty simple: Find five friends who attend BU, sign up on SAO’s YouDo website and hand in official release forms before the day of the event. Other than that, there were no limitations on who could participate. “We wanted to make sure anyone who wanted to be involved could be. Not everyone is in a registered student group, but that shouldn’t disqualify them from participating,” said Taylor Sevigny, a Coordinator of Programs at the Student Activities Office.

Sevigny and her committee of 10 student employees and professional staff began planning The Amazing Race back in September, almost immediately after the school year began. Together, the committee carefully selected 13 locations and seven pit stops for teams to find and complete challenges. Although finding these locations based on clues may not be too difficult for somebody knowledgeable about the Boston area, students were required to leave all technology including cell phones behind during the race, a curveball that proved difficult for the 23 participating teams.

"I quickly realized what a crutch my smartphone is. I couldn't Google any of the clue details and we definitely couldn't use a GPS. We had to do it the good, old-fashioned way: hopping on public transit, running and relying on strangers for directions. It was definitely interesting," said Eric Baker, a senior at BU and member of the third place team, "General Biographers."

The race's route expanded over 10.5 miles around Boston. In order to get to the first location, students were required to trek to the South End and visit the Medieval Manor. From there, students raced to popular locations such as the SoWa Open Market, TD Garden and the Museum of Science. The race took approximately seven hours to complete and several teams, including the previous years' champs, Students Helping Honduras, dropped out due to exhaustion.
 
View Boston University's Amazing Race 2013 in a larger map

James Ligot, a member of "Arvin's Acrobatic Angels," said that although the race was grueling, he and his team enjoyed themselves. "One of our members sprained her ankle early on in the day. Even though the volunteers were willing to make an exception and allow us to continue on without her, she didn't want to give up. We carried her the whole way and made it to the very end. Even though we didn't win, it was such a cool and motivating experience to see a teammate push through despite injury," said Ligot.

What could possibly motivate students to spend an entire day racing around Boston in rainy weather? A hefty cash prize is what kept most teams going. For individuals that were competing on behalf of a student group, the prize would be $3000 dollars deposited directly into their student group's bank account. This is a significant amount for student groups that often rely on the university's limited funding to program and plan events. For teams of friends that were competing independently, they would be given $1,500 to split among themselves.

After a long day of harassing strangers, embarrassing challenges, and many uses of Boston public transportation, the Razzle Dazzle Rompers came out on top as The Amazing Race 2012 champions. The members of the winning team were Anna Wolf, Shannon Johnson, Jack Long, Jason Gan, Steph Braman, and Helena Van Troy Duran.

PRIDE 5 Rocks the East Coast Dance Community

 

 Over the past few years, hip-hop dance culture has become immensely popular in mainstream society. Television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew have increased awareness of the pure skill, athleticism and dedication required of a professional dancer. Moreover, the role of a dancer has shifted from the background, supporting character of musicians to being an artist in his or her own right. The different types of clothing, music and “swagger” associated with urban, hip-hop culture have overtaken communities of young people, particularly of Asian background or descent.

 As a result of dance’s increasing popularity, college campuses often have several teams or student organizations devoted to sharing, practicing and performing dance. Cultural groups, sororities, fraternities and community service organizations are hosting dance shows in attempt to raise awareness or garner profit. On-campus dance crews are traveling regionally to compete in showcases and win cash prizes or bragging rights. The struggle for respect and credibility is constant as dancers work diligently to place higher, take risks and produce a set more creative than their last. 

 PRIDE 5 Dance Competition began as a competition for local New Jersey teams held at Rutgers University. Kappa Phi Lambda is the first and largest Asian-interest sorority devoted to service and cultural diversity and began hosting the competition in 2008. The founder’s goal was to fuse elements of music, fashion, art and dance in a celebration of emerging, urban culture. Within five years, PRIDE quickly emerged as a significant event and outlet for members of the east coast dance community. Prominent crews from the Jersey and Tri-state area sought out the opportunity to perform at the annual event and showcase what their teams have been working on.

New Jersey and New York were pioneers of the East Coast hip hop scene, but crews have been cropping up in cities all over the country. The New England and DMV areas, specifically, have begun to make their mark with a completely different, theatrical approach to hip hop dance. While most teams perform to a typical hip-hop soundtrack, Boston teams were some of the first to execute complex storylines and incorporate non-traditional hip hop styles such as contemporary or lyrical, classical jazz and musical theater.

Static Noyze Dance Company, the first place winner, is a prime example of a hip-hop crew that went an alternative route. Their winning performance was based off of the storyline from Jim Carrey’s famous movie “The Mask.” The choreography and staging was similar to that of a professional Broadway production and included only one “hip-hop” piece: a remixed version of “Big Spender,” a song from the musical “Sweet Charity.” They danced to popular songs from the movie’s soundtrack such as “Hey Pachuco” and “Cuban Pete” and cleverly used foundational hip hop styles such as locking and break dancing. The other two Boston teams representing at the competition did similar themes intended to garner crowd appeal. CONcept Artists performed a Toy Store set and PROject Nailz created a Mean Girls parody set.

There are various schools of thought surrounding hip-hop dance culture. Although there are several purists that do not respect the themes and theatrics, most hip hop lovers and dancers prefer the newfound emphasis on storytelling and entertaining through unexpected and surprising song or style choice. Regardless of where dancers fall on this spectrum, PRIDE 5 is meant to unite the east coast dance community and provide an outlet for creative expression. Rivalry may exist in all forms of competition but in the dance community it all melts away once the trophies and winners are announced. Members from different teams mingled after the competition, gave each other props and spent the rest of the evening bonding and sharing their opinions on each other’s performances.

“At the end of the day, we all are here for one person. We’re passionate about movement and entertaining. We’re passionate about our community. We see each other multiple times a year for different competitions and showcases. If we can’t get along and see past the competition aspect of dancing then we are doing something wrong and forgetting what dance is all about,” said Tarikh Campbell, Artistic Director of CONcept Artists.