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Wesleyan bands take it to the road

Oh, spring break. Weather’s getting warm, trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and birds are chirping. And taking a hint from those baby birds who are taking wing and flying from the nest, Wes bands Duchampion, The Last Minutes, Apache Kid, Metacomet, and Ishmael are using this break as an opportunity to sing their songs in new and exciting locations. For those of you in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia who are feeling a little homesick for Wesleyan already, check out the tour dates after the jump to see when you’ll have the opportunity for a little Wes love.  I’m not listing college shows, as they might not be accessible… Oh, and Aural Wes put up a similar post with some more info on some of the bands, so if you’re curious about any of the individual bands you should check that out here. Read More »

Johanna Justin-Jinich Memorial Clinic of Kibera

From Darien Combs ‘11:

On May 6th, 2009 tragedy struck the Wesleyan community: Johanna Justin-Jinich ‘10 was murdered in a shooting at Wesleyan’s Red and Black Café. It is our belief that the best way to honor Johanna’s memory is to support causes in which she believed.  We hope to name our clinic The Johanna Justin-Jinich Memorial Clinic of Kibera–allowing Johanna’s incredible spirit to live on, continuing to touch the lives of people in need. This clinic will not become a reality without your support.

The Clinic

Due to deplorable sanitary conditions and lack of access to health care, 1 out of 5 children do not live to see their fifth birthday. Women face additional health risks: the number one killer of women in Kibera is childbirth, and extreme gender discrimination creates strong barriers for women accessing health facilities or health information. In Kibera, there are no government clinics, and current clinics run by NGOs or private entities are either too expensive, overcrowded, or poorly managed.  A working health clinic for Kibera is desperately needed—but it will not become a reality without your support.

Ours will be the first community health center in Kibera that is accessible for all residents. Our clinic will be a community-driven initiative staffed by an expert Kenyan nurse five days a week in tandem with community health workers and a full-time administrator.  The clinic will focus on delivering effective primary care: keeping up-to-date medical records, seeing patients regularly and managing chronic problems effectively. The clinic will target the most common causes of illness and death in Kibera, including maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, diarrhea, and tuberculosis—all of which are easily treated and/or prevented.

Ultimate Impact

The Shining Hope Kibera Clinic will become an integral piece of our innovative model changing the realities of women in Kibera through the integrated links between girls education and services unavailable elsewhere. The future of women in Kibera and similarly impoverished and patriarchal environments depends on integrated links between education, health, and community elevation. Simply put: our clinic will save lives, while changing the daily realities of women in the community.

Please don’t forget to support us and help us build the Johanna Justin-Jinich Clinic of Kibera by voting for the Kibera School for Girls to Win $50,000 through the Dell Social Innovation competition. The deadline is coming up!

http://www.dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com/ideaView?id=08780000000PD3oAAG

To find out more about you can help, please check out our website:

http://www.hopetoshine.org/

We cannot thank you enough for your support,

The Shining Hope Staff

Speaking of Wesleyan-themed songs…

A commenter on the WesTech post pointed out another song that sounds like a mock-up made for Rock and R&B. It’s more focused on the two most popular forms of inebriation on campus and doesn’t actually have a video–just this marvelously sexy still of a bikini-clad black squirrel. Also features lyrical shout outs to Grandma Mocon, the old late night at Summerfields, and the class of ‘09.

You Tube: Wesleyane – Wes Chirp

[Edit] “Wesleyane” has a whole YouTube channel, featuring another hit single called “LAX is Life,” uploaded yesterday. Maybe it’s a reaction to the “LAX bro” verse of MIDD KID?

How to Read a benefits package

Do you want this to sound like you on your first day at work?

“What is a 401 K?”

“How much of deductable should health insurance be?”

The answers to these questions, and more, will be revealed at this CRC event.

Tuesday, March 2 at 12

Albritton 311

Pizza! Great.

Blank Spots on the Map: State Secrecy and the Limits of the Visible

Tonight’s Center for the Humanities talk promises to be a good one:

Geographer and artist Trevor Paglen takes us on a road trip through the world of hidden budgets, state secrets, on covert military bases, and more, guiding us through a landscape that military and intelligence insiders call the “black world.” Over the course of his talk, Paglen leads us from “nonexistent” Air Force and CIA installations in the Nevada desert to secret prisons in Afghanistan and to a collection of even more obscure “black sites” startlingly close to home. Using hundreds of images he has produced and collected over the course of his work, Paglen shows how the black world’s internal contradictions give rise to a peculiar visual, aesthetic, and epistemological grammar with which to think about the contemporary moment.

Paglen actually spoke at Eclectic last year, and it was really cool. So go!

Where: Russell House

When: 8:00 PM Tonight

Geographer and artist Trevor Paglen takes us on a road trip through the
world of hidden budgets, state secrets, on covert military bases, and
more, guiding us through a landscape that military and intelligence
insiders call the "black world." Over the course of his talk, Paglen leads
us from "nonexistent" Air Force and CIA installations in the Nevada desert
to secret prisons in Afghanistan and to a collection of even more obscure
"black sites" startlingly close to home. Using hundreds of images he has
produced and collected over the course of his work, Paglen shows how the
black world's internal contradictions give rise to a peculiar visual,
aesthetic, and epistemological grammar with which to think about the
Geographer and artist Trevor Paglen takes us on a road trip through the

world of hidden budgets, state secrets, on covert military bases, and

more, guiding us through a landscape that military and intelligence

insiders call the "black world." Over the course of his talk, Paglen leads

us from "nonexistent" Air Force and CIA installations in the Nevada desert

to secret prisons in Afghanistan and to a collection of even more obscure

"black sites" startlingly close to home. Using hundreds of images he has

produced and collected over the course of his work, Paglen shows how the

black world's internal contradictions give rise to a peculiar visual,

aesthetic, and epistemological grammar with which to think about the

contemporary moment.

 

contemporary moment.Geographer and artist Trevor Paglen takes us on a road trip through the world of hidden budgets, state secrets, on covert military bases, and more, guiding us through a landscape that military and intelligence insiders call the "black world." Over the course of his talk, Paglen leads us from "nonexistent" Air Force and CIA installations in the Nevada desert to secret prisons in Afghanistan and to a collection of even more obscure "black sites" startlingly close to home. Using hundreds of images he has produced and collected over the course of his work, Paglen shows how the black world's internal contradictions give rise to a peculiar visual, aesthetic, and epistemological grammar with which to think about the contemporary moment.

Reslife Presents: WesCribs!

Wesleyan University’s Office of Residential Life presents…

WesCribsWe Scribs?

S T U D E N T     C O M P E T I T I O N

Deadline: March 5, 2010

ResLife wants to know who has the skills, the brains, and the courage to overcome small spaces and tight budgets.  Think you’ve got the hottest room on campus?  Send us some pictures and give us a tour!  The WesCribs competition is open to ALL University undergrads.  PRIZES will include $100 Visa gift cards to the 5 winners and $50 Visa gift cards to the 5 runner-ups.  For more information on how to enter your room into WesCribs please visit the ResLife website.

Good luck and may the best crib win!

**PLEASE NOTE: The room must be in full compliance with CNAC and Fire Safety regulations! **

Latest Speak Your Piece: Watch Over Me

Its that time of the week again: Speak Your Piece, Wesleyan’s favorite storytelling radio show/podcast! This week’s episode of SYP features Giana Palmer ‘10, Paolo Speirn ‘10, Rachel Miller-Howard ‘10 and Evelina Pierce ‘10.

Speak Your Piece #4: Watch Over Me

Also, past episodes of Speak Your Piece are now on itunes. To check it out, just search “Speak Your Piece” from the itunes store.

Also also, if you have any comments, or want to submit a story, you know the email: wesustories(at)gmail(dot)com

Piece out!

Waiting In Line Presents: The O-Rings Concert

Ross Shenker ‘11 writes…

Come see “Waiting In Line”, that sexy humor a cappella group, as we present our interpretation of the Olympic festivities. We have a returning member, home from her semester abroad in Prague: Samantha Pearlman ‘11 as well as a brand new member to introduce ya’ll to: Alex Miller ‘12. And of course, your returning faves…

Rachel Carpman ‘10, Mike Sandwick ‘11, Nic Wilder ‘11, Ross Shenker ‘11, Carolyn Mortell ‘12, Ala Faller ‘12, Hannah Vogel ‘13, Will Feinstein ‘13, Jake Blumenthal ‘13, Ginah Kim ‘13 and Christine Treuhold ‘13.

Date: Sunday February 28th
Time: 8pm
Place: The Exley Science Center Lobby (Church Street Side)
Cost: zero dollars as always

The Space Jam

Well it’s that time again!

The final WestCo Cafe dance party before spring break is here. The theme is the shining beacon of achievement in contemporary cinema that is SPACE JAM.

The line up consists of…

DJ Darkslope: 10:00-11:30

Flammenwerfer (1/2 of Snorlaxxx): 11:30-12:30

Guido Suave (other half of Snorlaxxx) with newcomer Ill Shortie: 12:30-1:30

Then the Facebook group says there will be a “Crazy Clusterf*ck of DJs from 1:30-2:00

Of course, it’s also free!

Date: 2/26/10
Place: WestCo Cafe
Time: 10:00pm-2:00am

What If Weekend At Bernie’s Had Been Directed By Tim Burton?

It might look something like this:

Love the Helena Bonham Carter moment.

Submit to Resonance

From Hannah Marqusee ‘10:

Have any experience in East Asia? Wrote something cool for an EAST class? Submit to Resonance, Wesleyan’s student-run East Asian Studies cultural magazine devoted to publishing student and faculty work regarding Asia. We accept poetry, prose, artwork, photography, essays or anything creative. Work can be adapted from assignments for class, or can be an original work regarding experience with Asian culture.

Send submissions to resonancemag@gmail.com by March 5 …yeah, that’d be pretty good.

“Well, Naturally We’re Liberal”: Why Your Professors Lean Left

This has nothing to do with Wesleyan specifically, but it has much to do with issues and patterns concerning higher education in general, and it’s a fascinating read.

In a compelling (and admittedly provocative) article for The Chronicle of Higher Education, Jere P. Surber, professor of philosophy at the University of Denver, eloquently tackles what the media loves to term the “liberal bias of the academy.” Surber considers the left-leaning tendency of liberal arts professors to be not a meaningless phenomenon of naïveté, but simply common sense given the nature of a liberal arts professor’s job, as well as the often skewed relationship between hir level of education and salary:

Read More »

Tonight: Movie Screening and Snow Cones

This sounds cool (literally, LOL):

UCAB will be showing the movie Happy Feet in honor of penguin awesomeness and the end of the coldest part of winter…
There will be a snow cone machine along with popcorn and movie candy. There will also be a raffle to win various movies and itunes gift cards!

Date: Feb. 25
Time: 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Place: Daniel Family Commons (3rd floor Usdan)

Daffodil Days

Daffodil DaysFrom Malilay Timbancaya ‘10:

This is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Daffodils have long been the symbol of hope for cancer patients in America. We’re going to be selling the first harvest of daffodils from Washington State. All proceeds will go to research and facilities for cancer patients through the American Cancer Society.

Bouquet of Daffodils – $10
Potted Daffodils – $15
Bear and a Bunch – $25
Gift of Hope – $25
Bear Hugs for Hope – $25

When: Feb. 25 – March 3
Where: Usdan University Center

Writing At Wesleyan Presents George Saunders

Celebrated author George Saunders will read from his work as Wesleyan’s Jacob Julien Visiting Writer TONIGHT at Memorial Chapel.

George Saunders is the author of six books, including the story collection In Persuasion Nation and the book of essays Braindead Megaphone. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s, GQ, McSweeney’s, The Guardian, and other publications. He is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He teaches in Syracuse University’s MFA program.

Seriously Wesfolks he is not to be missed!

Date: TONIGHT! Wednesday, February 24th
Time: 8 PM
Place: Memorial Chapel

Full House Potluck for Interested Applicants

Ali San Roman ‘11, the House Manager of Full House writes in:
Interested in living in Full House but have some more questions?  Want to see the house, talk with current residents and eat delicious food?  Come to our potluck dinner on Thursday, February 25 at 7pm!  Full House is located at 202 Wash, on the corner of Wash and High.
Please RSVP to Ali (at asanroman(at)wesleyan(d0t)edu) by February 24 with what you plan on bringing.
Date: Thursday, February 25
Time: 7pm
Place: Full House (202 Wash)

Risky Fresh Has a Website

What’s Risky Fresh? Looks like a collection of sweaty DJs who play in the WestCo cafe and ride the Metro North. Sweet. The only text on their new flashy site: “bitch we have a website.” Their words, not mine.

Link: Risky Fresh

Campus Climate Log Update

Dean Renee Johnson-Thornton wants to remind Wesleyan that the Campus Climate Log remains a resource for students.

____________

Dear community,

I am writing to inform you about the existence of the Campus Climate Log located at http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/climate/

The Campus Climate Log provides a way to inform the campus community about hate incidents and acts of intolerance, and it lists educational interventions and prevention efforts organized by students and staff. The Log–developed in 2007–was a collaboration between the Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA) Student Life Committee and the Office of Student Affairs/Dean’s Office. In the Fall 2009, the position of Dean of Diversity and Student Engagement was reorganized to report to the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Strategic Partnerships. As the Dean of Diversity and Student Engagement, I chair the CampusClimate Log Committee and direct the review and update of the Log.  For more information about the Campus Climate Log, please visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/climate/ or send an email to me at rjohnson01@wesleyan.edu.

Sincerely,

Dean Renee Johnson-Thornton

Apply to be on the Wesleyan Film Board!

The Wesleyan Film Series is now accepting applications for the Film Board. The Film Board is a small group of students who determine the films shown on the Wesleyan Film Series based on campus interest, budgetary concerns, and relevance.  Responsibilities include meeting with the WSA to solicit funds, advertising (posters, website, Argus column, trailers), regularly scheduled meetings, and writing the Film Series calendar blurbs.  People outside the major are encouraged to apply!

Applications are due no later than March 1st at 4pm in the Film Studies office.  Pick up applications at the Film Studies office (open from 9-5) or download a copy from the website (this website is only visible if connected to the AirWes or Wesleyan network).    We will not be accepting submissions by email, hard copies only.

Email wesleyanfilmseries@gmail.com for further information.

Glass Menagerie Help Wanted

Bennett Kirschner ‘13 is directing The Glass Menagerie this semester through Second Stage, and he’s doing the show using a crazy experimental concept. Here’s another chance to get involved:

Interested in being a part of an experimental theatre project? Want to gain the affection of your peers and loved ones? Tired of just the same ol’, same ol’? Ready to fill the void?

The Glass Menagerie: A Performance Experiment is in need of stand-ins for tech week rehearsal. The performance concept requires that the actors rehearse independently of each other and instead work with people who can perform the blocking and read the other characters’ lines. We will need people from Sunday, February 28 through Thursday, March 4. The commitment will be approximately 5 hours per person over the course of the 5 day period, and the job will be quite simple. You will be provided with snacks and other pleasantries, have your name featured in the program, and will be given a coveted pass to our rockin’ cast party. NO ACTING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED! We simply need bodies and minds! Beautiful, beautiful bodies and minds!

Did you catch that? He’s rehearsing all of the actors independently of one another. Think about how much time a cast spends rehearsing, then multiply that by the number of actors in the play. For the director, who has to be there for all of it, that’s a lot of hours. This means Bennett is (a) a little crazy and (b) super passionate about this play. If you’re interested, send him an email at bkirschner[at]wesleyan[dot]edu.

Star & Crescent Menu

Monday
Dinner –Green Salad w/ Honey Thyme Vin, BBQ Chicken/Tofu, Collard Greens and Creamy Polenta
Dessert – Lemon Poppy Cake

Tuesday
Lunch – Navratan Karma w/ Chicken/Tofu, Basmati Rice VEGAN
Dessert – Berry Yogurt

Dinner –Green Salad w/ Cilantro Dressing, Chili w/ Corn bread, Scallion, Cheddar, Sour Cream VEGAN (w/out garnish)
Dessert – Banana Cake

Wednesday
Lunch- Flank Steak/or Veg. Quesadilla w/ Chipotle Drizzle
Dessert- Coconut Cookies

Dinner- Green Salad w/ Carrot Ginger Vin, Peanut Curry w/ Chicken/Tofu, Jasmine Rice VEGAN
Dessert- Berry Cake

Thursday
Lunch- Minestrone Soup w/ Focaccia
Dessert- Brownies

Dinner- Green Salad w/ Champagne Vin, Gemeli w/ Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce Ground Beef and Pork/ Tofu
Dessert- Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

(amazing original advertisement complete w/ astrological punchline HERE)

WestCo Open House Guidance

WestCo’s presidents would like to invite all interested in joining their community to an 0pen house Guidance meeting. Guidances take place at 10:07 on Mondays in the WestCo lounge and are town hall style meetings where WestCovians can address issues pertinent to the community.

The meeting this upcoming Monday the 22nd will adopt a speed dating theme, with prospectives meeting with current WestCovians. If you’re thinking about living in WestCo next year it’ll be a great opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for the vibe.

Date: Monday, February 22nd
Time: 10:07
Place: WestCo Lounge

Speak Your Piece #3: Family + travel

We have composed this episode of Speak Your Piece, the third of its kind, for your listening pleasure. Things which will be listened to include: Allison Quantz ’10, Susanna Myrseth ’10, Buru Style (specifically Brian Papish ’10, Eric Sherman ’10, and Jake Gold ’09) and Sarice Greenstein ’10.

Speak Your Piece #3: Family + Travel

If you want to submit a story to Speak Your Piece, DO IT! Now! Send an email to wesustories@gmail.com with an idea, and we will send an email back telling you how great you are!

Apply to Live in Women of Color House

From Kara Ingraham ’11:

Interested in living in Woman of Color House next year?!? Well we want YOU! Come live in a house with seven fly people, a huge kitchen & living room, two bathrooms, and is crazy close to SciLi, Weshop & Freeman. We’re at 227 Pine Street.

You don’t have to be a woman of color but you must be committed to women of color issues on the campus.

Also, there will be a House-Hopping Day on Sunday, February 21st from 12pm – 5pm. It’s a great opportunity to stop by, meet the house members and take a look at all of the rooms. See you there!

If you have ANY questions about the house or the application process, please shoot Kara Ingraham (House Manager) at kingraham(at)wesleyan(dot)edu. You can access the application in you portfolio under “Student Life”.

Date: Feb. 12 – Feb. 26
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Place: 227 Pine Street

Tea and Tour of Asian/Asian-American House

From Aditi Shivaramakrishnan ’12:

Come to Asian/Asian-American House to drink tea, tour our lovely house and relax on our comfy couches! :D

Date: Feb. 21
Time: Noon – 5:00 PM
Place: AAA House, 107 High St (next to playground behind Butt B)

House Hopping at Writing House

More house hopping events today!:

Come visit Writing House this Sunday for House Hopping! We have a schedule of fun events going on all day, so stop by and we can combine our poetical, fictional, and magical abilities!

2pm – Cookie Writing Activity (yum)

3pm – Wesleyan Student Poets (Davy Knittle, Chiara Di Lello, Leia Jane Zidel) and Writing House Reading

4pm – Writer’s Block Meeting (anyone welcome!)

We look forward to meeting you and giving you tours of our beautiful space!

Date: Feb. 21
Time: Noon – 5:00 PM
Place: 202 Washington Street

Right Now: Senior Speaker Series

From Senior Class Officers ‘10:

Did you ever watch Friends? Come meet the woman who created it this Sunday at 3 PM in the DFC.

Marta Kauffman (P’10) is an Emmy-award winning television writer and producer, best known for co-creating and producing the hit sitcom Friends
. She began her career as a theater major at Brandeis University, where she met her creative partner, David Crane. Together they began to write plays, books and music, including the musicals “Personals,” and “Waiting for A Feeling.” Kauffman then moved into television to write and produce for shows including ten seasons of the Emmy-award winning “Friends,” as well as “Dream On,” “Veronica’s Closet,” “Jesse,” and “Related.” In addition to her successful career in the entertainment industry, Kauffman has also been very active in the political and Jewish communities.

RSVP now with your full name to SeniorSpeakerSeries(at)gmail(dot)com

This event is brought to you by the Senior Class Officers and the Wesleyan Alumni Association.
The Senior Speaker Series: “Navigating the Future,” gives seniors the chance to hear success stories from Wesleyan parents and alumni about post-graduation career paths, reminding seniors that it’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do with the rest of your life!

Date: Feb. 21
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Place: Daniel Family Commons

(un)Fair Trade Certified

What exactly does it mean for our coffees to be ‘Fair Trade Certified’? Matt Motta ‘13 explains the real meaning behind the label.

Tricks of the “Fair” Trade: How the Private Sector Has Turned Good Will into Profit

Most Wesleyan students would be reluctant to turn away a cup of Fair Trade Coffee at Pi Cafe.  Sure, a great number of us go out of our way to recycle, look out for the greater community through joining facebook groups donations of service, and read articles in the New York Times about corruption on Wall Street. But how often do we take time out of the day to question where our food comes from?  The answer, unfortunately, is not nearly as satisfying as the proverbial ‘pat on the back’ that seemingly goes hand-in-hand with the consumption of Fair Trade Coffee.

The Fair Trade logo is nothing more than a symbol of corporate greed; as the ‘Golden Arch’ is to imperialism, the MACK imprint is to environmental degradation, and the dollar sign is to corporate greed, the Fair Trade logo is… well, all of the above!  Fair Trade, on the surface, sounds like a socially responsible practice – what, after all, could possibly be wrong with applying free market concepts to food imports?  (Aside from some minor mishaps surrounding subprime mortgages, pyramid schemes, and economic recession, it’s not surprising that consumers are still willing to trust the free market).  A deeper look into the industry, however, hints that businesses are willing to subject both consumers and international producers to corrupt logistical burdens, imperialistic permeation of market economics, environmental decay, and economic recession – all under the guise of charity.

Corporate Corruption and the Spread of Imperialism

One major flaw with the Free Trade logo is the corrupt nature of its logistics.  The logo itself is slapped on products by the Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO).  The FLO ensures that associated products are sold at market price, and often entails that local producers receive monetary kickbacks from local collection funds in individual communities.  The organization, however, pays no mind to the process by which products actually arrive on their desks for approval; their negligence, in fact, allows for corporate corruption to harm international producers.

Read More »

Right Now: Cookies+Sign Language=Amazing

From Allegra Stout ‘12:

Come make cookies with us! You’ll get to use our special hand-shaped cookie cutter, and learn some fun signs about baking and yumminess! Plus, you can take a look around the house and learn more about what it’s like to live in Sign House.

Even if you can’t make it for the event, stop by anytime between 12 and 5 p.m. for House Hopping Day. Don’t worry, you can still eat cookies.

Date: Feb. 21
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Place: Sign House: 64 Lawn Ave. (behind Exley)

Science Hall wants to give you cookies

Apply to live in Science Hall! For each of the next ten days, Science Hall is giving away a batch of delicious cookies to a lucky applicant.

Why? Cookies, a great community, our own laundry room, cookies, mostly single rooms, and a whiteboard.