Category: Arts & Life

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Arts & Life Featured

The elements of fall fashion ’10

By Elizabeth Tamkin

Arts & Life Editor

It’s that time of year when the crisp cold of the morning conflicts with the warmth of the sun in the afternoon. The fall season has always been fashion-lovers’ domain when it comes to dressing and layering in favorite designers’ fall and winter lines to balance out inconvenient temperature changes throughout the day.

Fashion week just happens to fall early in the glamorous season. When it comes to fall fashion 2010, designer royalty such as Marc Jacobs and Rag and Bone are turning to the “Model-Off-Duty” look—that simple and carefree look of layers and casual comfort. Women all over New York City streets are finding ways to outsmart the conflicting weather patterns of the fall: a floral dress with cable-knit socks and chunky-heeled leather booties with a thick cardigan layered under an anorak is perfect as you can lose the anorak later in the day when the temperature rises.

Shorts don’t end with the summer season—fashionistas pair plaid wool shorts with thick cable-knit stockings. Leather oxfords weren’t only for prep school as this season women wear oxfords with stockings to pay some tribute to the menswear obsession. Don’t forget your briefcase—or satchel—as menswear doesn’t stop at shoes. Reasonably affordable brands like Tory Burch and J.Crew added sharp leather satchels to their collections this fall.

The blazer has stood strong for over a year now—with variations of the trend from sharp padded shoulders to cropped and double breasted editions. The menswear blazer has found company from the varsity jacket, a tribute to the 1950s.

“My blazer is my favorite article of clothing. Blazers can be worn for any occasion and they also work for every season, depending on the material it’s made from,” Meg Brenner ’14 said.

And the poncho and high-waisted pant didn’t die with the 1970s either. Ponchos have popped back up in fashion lines. Chloé, Alexander Wang and the resurrected Halston Heritage have each personalized this hot trend. Ponchos are found as cozy knits and thick woolen coats to keep the trendy warm. High-waisted pants have been sported only by the fashion elite. They tend to be one of those biased trends, as only a certain body type can wear them.

PETA would be proud—faux fur has been popping up in stores this season. Stylist Rachel Zoe of Bravo’s “The Rachel Zoe Project,” which just completed its third season, has expressed her love of the faux fur fashion trend via her newest line for QVC; the line includes reasonably priced faux fur vests and cropped coats.

“My faux fur vest looks pretty real, and I love wearing it with jeans or when dressing up, with a dress,” Julie Fraenkel ’14 said about the popular faux fur trend. “The only problem is, you can’t wear it in the rain.”

What PETA may not love is the plethora of shearling jackets of Helmut Lang or 3.1 Phillip Lim, who have included these jackets in their fall lines. But some brands, like TopShop and Juicy Couture, have turned the shearling jacket animal-friendly by incorporating faux leather and faux fur versions.

For those trendsetters and followers known as “shoe people,” the dainty ballet flat stays in the spotlight, joined by the western-styled bootie and second-year-strong over-the-knee boot.

“If you can’t tell, I love these boots,” Christina Maloomian ’14 said as she pointed to her own over-the-knee boots. “I’m considering asking for another pair.”

Women cannot get enough of the skinny-pant-chunky-shoe look to make petite frames look even more petite. Fashion icons Kim Kardashian, Kate Moss and Blake Lively have promoted the over-the-knee boot, and it doesn’t hurt that it has hit the runway again, either.

The fashion capitals of the world—New York, Paris, Milan and London—each proved deserving of their titles over recent months, starting with New York City Fashion Week in the beginning of September. While the shows were previews of the spring/summer styles for 2011, the women and men who attended the shows sported the trends of the current season. Because half of the excitement of fashion shows is what the audience chooses to wear, it wouldn’t be fair not to mention the exotic street styles. Women followed the trends but made them their own by adding various pops of color or the random statement accessories.

In the Spotlight: the high-waisted pant

Déjà vu? The high-waisted pant has resurrected since its last run in the ’70s. Whether used in a denim or woolen short or in a pantsuit, the high-waisted pant has proven itself prominent in the fall 2010 fashion season and seems to be continuing into the spring/summer 2011 season, as demonstrated by the most recent fashion shows. Interested in purchasing a pair to add to your wardrobe? Well, Chloé, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Emilio Pucci and Alberta Ferretti each have made this pant their own but at a cost of sometimes even $1,000. For the average fashion-forward woman, Theory, Alexander Wang and several jean companies such as J Brand or Current/Elliot have also provide you with variations of the pant. Welcome back to the ’70s!

Beyond clothes

Nails, nails, nails! Women have become obsessed with manicures, and they have injected this part of their grooming with trends. Chanel is known to be the primary nail trendsetter, as their colors tend to sell out within days of their debut. Rachel Zoe’s collection of nail polishes illustrates the love of Chanel’s nail “colours” perfectly.

Today, nail trends go beyond the perfectly polished fingernail; manicures now include a “matte finish” which dulls down the shine of the nail, or even the chipped-nail trend, which, just as it sounds, is chipped nail polish—women pay extra for this imperfect manicure. And patterns don’t end at the clothes you wear: recently, manicures include checkered prints, polka dots and animal prints. Next time you go to the nail salon, ditch the outdated bright pink and go for a “khaki brun” or even a zebra print, if you dare.

An urban gem for footwear

With so many trips to cities offered here at the University, why not take advantage of the ones to New York City, the fashion capital of the world? The bountiful amounts of stores are nothing less than spectacular and equally amazing are the women walking down the streets dressed head-to-toe in the greatest shopping finds known to mankind. David Z., located in eight different locations in the Big Apple, is home to new rustic footwear styles and classic brands. From the newest UGG boots (which by the way, include some new motorcycle-inspired boots whose edgy details make you wonder if they are even UGGs, even though they still have the warm sheepskin lining) and classic Converse fashion sneakers, to the more fashion-forward style of Jeffrey Campbell, David Z. has both comfort and style in mind. With the western-style leather bootie popping up everywhere, David Z. is a necessary visit.

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Arts & Life

Professor Tillman earns research award

By Christina Oddo

Writer

Eric Tillman, associate professor of chemistry, is a passionate teacher, collaborator and researcher of polymers here at the University.

Tillman grew up in Southern California and attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo as an undergraduate. He then attended the University of Southern California and received his Ph.D. in chemistry. At the time he received his Ph.D., Tillman was specializing in organic and polymer chemistry. He worked on polymer-sensing devices as a postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology.

“When looking for academic positions, I focused on universities that emphasized both teaching and scholarship equally,” Tillman said. “It was important that I be able to teach advanced courses in my areas of interest (mechanistic organic and polymer synthesis), as well as carry out meaningful research involving undergraduates.” The University provided exactly the type of community Tillman was looking for.

Tillman’s main area of teaching is organic chemistry but he also teaches advanced courses in organic chemistry and polymer synthesis.

Tillman currently works with two masters students and seven undergraduates in his research lab. Their research involves the synthesis of cyclic polymers, reactions of polymer radicals and stereocontrol over the polymerization reactions.

Recently, Tillman’s research group had two papers accepted for publication. Overall, Tillman’s group has published 17 peer-reviewed papers since he arrived at the University in 2002 in journals such as Polymer, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics and the Journal of Polymer Science.

This October, Tillman presented his work at a Dreyfus Foundation Teacher-Scholar Symposium in New York as a Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar. This spring, Tillman will be presenting his research on cyclic polymers at a National American Chemical Society meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

“A major direction of our future research is towards carrying out polymer reactions with minimal metal content, or ‘green’ methods,” Tillman said. “For this, we use environmentally friendly reducing agents like glucose or ascorbic acid in place of elemental copper as reducing agents.”

Besides his immense passion for the sciences, Tillman enjoys competing in triathlons. He likes to listen to Bob Dylan and play the guitar. He also loves to play softball and spend time with his kids.

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Arts & Life Columns Cooking Corner

Cooking Corner: Butterscotch Brownies

By Emily Fry

Staff Writer

Butterscotch Brownies

If you’re looking for a nice break from studying, try these bars.  This recipe is super easy and only takes an hour from start to finish.  Even if you’ll never master calculus, anyone can master this recipe.  Happy baking!

Ingredients:

6 Tbsp. butter

1 3/4 cups brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a medium size saucepan, then remove from heat.

2. Add brown sugar and vanilla to the saucepan. Stir to combine.

3. Mix in eggs.

4. In separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.

5. Add the flour mixture to the saucepan and mix just until blended. Batter will be thicker than traditional brownie batter.

6. Place batter in a 13×9 greased pan and bake in 350 F oven for 20-25 minutes.

Source: Sandy Fry

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Arts & Life Review Television

Off the tube: House

By Katie Monigan

Arts & Life Editor

This season of House is decidedly different from the last, and it’s a refreshing change.

Last season, House struggled with addiction issues, and the people around him were especially timid, even after he returned to work.

This season, he’s mostly back to his old, grumpy self, minus the Vicodin.  What makes things much more interesting is that House’s circumstances have changed yet again. He is finally sleeping with Cuddy (after season upon season of sexual tension) even though she now has a toddler. His addiction drama is gone, and it’s back to the usual medical oddities.

In the most recent episode, Cuddy asks House to help care for her daughter and has him babysit one evening. He orders Chinese food, and when he and Wilson argue outside for a minute or two, they come back inside to find her eating the change. In another medical case, a woman with two types of cancer passes it on to her newborn, but House is constantly concerned with whether or not his neglect will kill Cuddy’s daughter.

Earlier this season, Thirteen left work, claiming to be entering a clinical trial for Huntington’s disease. She never actually went, and the team has no idea where she actually is. House decides to replace her with a new female doctor but so far, none has been accepted.

The two main sources of conflict this season, House’s relationship with Cuddy and the disappearance of Thirteen, are much more entertaining than those of the past. The medical mysteries are as interesting as ever, and the writing is still clever. Despite the negative changes last season, the new season has a tone reminiscent of very early episodes of House, and considering its former success, this current season is sure to be successful as well.

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Arts & Life Headline

Fall Dance Showcase to open tomorrow

By Katie Monigan

Arts & Life Editor

This year’s fall dance showcase is larger and more professional than ever—evidence of the growth of the dance program as a whole.

The showcase will use the same framework as in the past, but this semester will feature more than 60 dancers, 20 dances, two acts and at least a dozen genres of dance.

A big change this year comes from the choreographers’ dedication to professionalism. According to co-student director Leigh Bryant ’11, each of the student choreographers had to submit a proposal detailing the number of dancers they would need, the genre, staging and whatever other accommodations they would need before beginning casting. In addition, the choreographers attended rehearsals to ensure their pieces were on track.

“It brings a higher standard to the show, which creates higher confidence in our work,” Bryant said.

In addition to their growth in professionalism, the program seems to have grown in sheer numbers as well. Lindsay Machen ’11, who has danced for all four years of her University career, was appointed rehearsal director for an additional large piece that accommodated extra dancers with the desire to perform. The dance is called “Smoke Rings,” and Machen performed in this piece as a first-year. It involves 13 dancers, making it one of the largest pieces in the showcase. The piece features robotic movements that are not physically difficult to master but are amusing to watch.

The showcase consists of dances from a variety of sources. Several are simply cast early in the semester and rehearsed for an hour or two a week, like ballet and jazz numbers. Others are classified as “residencies,” choreographed by guest artists and learned and staged from start to finish in one weekend. Rosie Dimal ’14 recently experienced her first residency and was shocked by the number of hours required.

“It was a lot more dancing than I was used to doing in high school,” Dimal said. “We were dancing for about four hours Friday, eight hours Saturday and six on Sunday.”

The residency focused on a piece choreographed by alumna Yabei Chen ’09.  Abbie Dearman ’10 also returned to choreograph.

In addition to regularly cast and rehearsed pieces and the residencies,  University groups like the Irish Step dancers and Jelani will also perform.

“The groups get to showcase their talent, even though some don’t have an independent show in the fall. This way the audience gets to know who they are, and they don’t have to coordinate or spend money on having their own show,” co-student director Abbey Mason ’11 said.

The showcase is a big time commitment for all dancers involved, but it brings the department together as a cohesive group.

“Over the years, you see this community grow, and you understand the work,” Bryant said. “When you watch someone perform, it’s rewarding to see, because you know how much work they put in.”

The Fall Dance Showcase is tomorrow only at 2 and 8 p.m. in Harvey Powers Theatre in Coleman Hall. Tickets are $4 cash at the door.

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Arts & Life

Mary Ruefle holds poetry reading

By Sarah Bookstein

Writer

The comic and mundane mingled with the humorous and the sad when visiting poet Mary Ruefle gave a reading of her poetry on Nov. 2 in Bucknell Hall.

In a poetry reading hosted by the Stadler Center for Poetry, Ruefle mixed comical elements with mundane ones, as in her piece “Mary’s Hot Dog,” which Ruefle described as “the earliest extant example of my writing.” The work was a recipe for preparing frozen hot dogs for dinner.

Ruefle read two poems about childhood entitled “Provenance” and “Middle School.” While some poets comment between readings, Ruefle joked that she likes to save all her banter for one shot. This made the poetry flow pleasantly and without disruption. Her poetry has a repetitive feel.

Ruefle also read from her more recent books, including poems “The Bunny Give us a Lesson in Eternity,” “Hold that Thought,” “The Day” and “Dodo.”

“Hearing Mary Ruefle read her poetry gave her works a unique, distinct voice,” Mary Coyne ’11 said.

Ruefle has published 10 books of poetry, one of prose and a comic book titled “Go Home and Go to Bed.” She has received many awards for her writing, including an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Whiting Writers’ Award and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Ruefle published her work in such magazines as “The American Poetry Review” and “Harper’s Magazine,” and in the anthologies “Best American Poetry” and “Great American Prose Poems,” among others.

Ruefle read from a “sample exam” for her students, inspired by a nineteenth-century penmanship workbook. Instead of rewriting the sample sentences, she followed them up with imaginary exam questions for her students. For the sentence, “Every cloud has a silver lining,” Ruefle wrote, “Think of exceptions to this statement, and write about them in an upbeat tone.”

She is known for her quirky style, as in her poem “The Estate of Single Blessedness,” written on the shell of an egg. She currently teaches in the MFA program at Vermont College.

“Ruefle was humorous, refreshing and creative. The way she ended the poetry reading showed the audience that she could work humor into her poetry as well as sadness and everyday events,” Elizabeth Macmillan ’12 said.

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Arts & Life

Children’s book author makes guest visit

By Nicole Della-cava

Contributing Writer

Many University students and Lewisburg children got their versions of “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” signed by a popular author last Friday evening.

Marjorie Priceman, children’s book writer and illustrator, held a book signing at the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University bookstore last week. Priceman, originally from Long Island, now lives in downtown Lewisburg.

“How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” features an array of colors, and the informative yet fun plot makes this children’s book enjoyable for all readers. A little girl travels around the world looking for ingredients to make an apple pie. On the inside cover, a printed map shows the destinations the little girl visits throughout her travels. Each destination shows the ingredient that is native to and available in that area.

Priceman has been illustrating children’s books for 20 years and is still in the business. Some of her other illustrated books include “Paris in the Spring with Picasso,” “Hot Air,” “Emeline at the Circus” and “The Brand New Kid.”

“Illustrating has a lot of freedom in it–the authors hand me a manuscript, then I use my imagination to draw the sketches,” Priceman said.

According to Priceman, the illustration process takes a long time; after Priceman sends the writers her illustrations, the authors send back the sketches with Post-It note comments. More and more illustrators are turning to the computer to save time in the work process, but Priceman draws her illustrations freehand.

Her hand sketches make the books look vibrant and robust. She thinks illustrations done on the computer look flatter.

The Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Bucknell University frequently holds book signings. On Family Weekend, the University welcomed two other authors.


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Arts & Life Featured

B.R.A.I.N. club raises money for neuroscience charities

By Carolyn Williams

Writer

The Bucknell Researchers, Advocates & Investigators in Neuroscience, or as they are more commonly called, the BRAIN Club, was created by Jacob Schaeffer ’10 in 2008. Since the club’s beginnings, members have focused attention on expansion, activities and trying to make the student body aware of their presence on campus. The club’s goal is to “to promote and involve the Bucknell community in the advancing and fascinating field of neuroscience,” according to the club’s University website.

“The club began as an academic interest group. Meetings consisted of neuroscience-related lectures, videos and activities. However, within the past two semesters, we have really tried to change the direction of the club to become mostly philanthropic,” said Alper Dincer ’11, the club’s president.

As a charity organization, the group has become a means by which students can give back to the cause that interests them.

“The club’s new purpose is to be a central fundraising source for organizations that are trying to help cure nervous system diseases,” Dincer said. “Essentially, the club finds new ways to raise money and donate to various neuroscience organizations, such as the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. For this reason, prior background [in neuroscience] is not needed to become an active member because anyone can help.”

The club meets every other week, and is looking specifically for “creative and passionate students of any major or interest who would like to become involved in fundraising for a good cause,” Dincer said. “There are not many commitments or obligations, but coming frequently to the meetings and participating in the club is enough,” he said.

Monica Burney ’14, an undeclared major, agrees that the club allows students from all fields to explore neuroscience. “I feel that the BRAIN club’s new approach will serve as a useful resource for students who are still exploring their options. Many people are often intimidated by the prospect of majoring in neuroscience—this is a great way to ease them into that field,” she said.

The BRAIN club typically gains members through its activities on campus. “We try and recruit through our activities and add those who are interested on a mailing list, where we frequently update members on meetings and news,” Dincer said. “Otherwise, joining and becoming involved is really maintained through current members telling their friends or other neuroscience majors about the club and our activities.”

The next big project the BRAIN club has planned is a t-shirt campaign called “Bucknell Brains against Tumors.”

“Currently, we are in the design stage but we hope that within the next few weeks we can start selling t-shirts in which proceeds will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,” Dincer said.

The club has received a great deal of help from the biology and psychology departments, notably from their faculty advisor, David Evans, professor of psychology.  “Since we are a fairly new club, we are still evolving quite a bit. I’m not sure in what direction the club will go next, but I’m really happy with what we’re doing now,” Dincer said.

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Arts & Life

Community college scholars excel at University

By Laura Crowley

Writer

Since the Community College Scholars program began at the University in 2007, 83 students from local community colleges have come to campus.  This fall, 17 students were admitted to the program.

Kelly McKenna ’12 came to the University this fall in pursuit of a psychology and anthropology degree.  Prior to attending the University, McKenna worked a number of jobs in retail that she found unfulfilling.  As a massage therapist, she said she was simply “pampering someone’s life” when she really wanted to be a “champion for autonomy.”

McKenna realized that she could fulfill this desire by working with the disabled population as an occupational therapist. “As an occupational therapist, you really help to create a greater sense of self worth and self-reliance in your clients,” McKenna said.  She said that her education at the University is setting her down the path to fulfill this dream.

With the price of higher education so high, McKenna said that “a financial elitism” is created.  “This scholarship is amazing because it allows [individuals to receive an education] who could never afford this caliber of higher education but who are beyond mentally capable to achieve their academic aspirations,” she said.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation selected the University in 2006 as one of 80 selective colleges in the Community College Scholars program.  The foundation has given the University $800,000 in the past four years to fund the program.  It offers full-tuition scholarships.

Students in the University’s program are recruited from five local community colleges: Lehigh Carbon Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, Garrett College in Maryland, Harrisburg Area Community College and Montgomery County Community College.

Admission into the program is competitive.  Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 at their community college.  Those admitted must first attend a six-week summer program to acclimate themselves to the demands of the University.  Of the 30 students enrolled in the summer program this year, only 17 were admitted to enroll full-time at the University.

Tricia Suveg ’12 graduated from beauty school in 2006 and enrolled in classes at Lehigh Carbon Community College after she became disinterested in the field of beauty.  One of her professors at LCCC suggested that she apply to the University’s scholarship program due to her high academic standing.  She is now a sociology major with a certification in education.

Suveg is thankful for her opportunity. “[The University] offers a broad education, enabling students to study a wide variety of subjects, rather than just one specialized field,” Suveg said. “[This education] is a gateway to be involved in almost anything you want as far as internships, organizations, research and so forth.”

Suveg hopes to attend graduate school to earn a Masters degree in Sociology.  “I see myself being an educator. I truly love to learn, and I think my passion for education will translate to students,” she said.

The Community College Scholars program benefits the University as well as its members. McKenna believes it brings diversity to our community.  “Even if you didn’t know my background, it comes out in the interactions I have in class and with fellow students,” she said.

The Community College Scholars program provides students like McKenna and Suveg the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. “Bucknell will open doors I could never have imagined,” Suveg said.

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Arts & Life Featured

Exclusive interview with B.o.B.

By Courtney Flagg

News Editor

Courtney Flagg ’12 chatted with B.o.B. in an interview Friday night before the fall concert to discover the real Bobby Ray.

Q”: You started off in a group called Klinik. What made you decide to continue with music as a solo artist?

A: It was really just a matter of interest. My cousin wanted to go to college to learn business, and I wanted to jump in [to the music industry] and learn from experience, so we kind of just went separate ways. In 2006, that’s when I got signed.

Q: So you knew you wanted to continue with music. Nothing else?

A: There was no Plan B. Plan B was to start from Plan A again.

Q: You have collaborated with a lot of different artists. When you write your songs do you have certain artists in mind?

A: Not really, unless I’m making something with the artist there, usually it depends on who I may run into each time we have to get a song done. If it’s not a lot of time usually it will just be the artist on a song that’s already finished—they might just be featured on it.

Q: What determines whether or not an artist will work with you on a song?

A: Really the artists are typically very busy, unless they’re just recording. It usually just depends on who you run into. Honestly, it’s just if the stars align in the right way, because even if you do meet someone you might want to collaborate with, they may be in a different vibe or it may be hard to get them in the studio. Really I think it’s just meant to happen because I wish I could work with a lot of different artists. The probability of that actually happening is so slim. It really just depends.

Q: If you could work with any artist, dead or alive, who would that be?

A: Picasso.

Q: Picasso? Would you be working on something musical with him?

A: I don’t know. It would be a combination of both.

Q: A music video?

A: It would be a music gallery.

Q: Your music videos are really creative. How do you think of them?

A: I think I’m still learning about how to reflect my music in my music videos. Each video that you do continuously gets better. Even still, I have many different places I want to go, that I want to show people.

Q: What would those be?

A: You just have to wait until the next album to find out.

Q: When does your next album come out?

A: I don’t know yet, it’s still being recorded. But I am releasing a mixed tape this December.

Q: Are any different artists collaborating on that one?

A: Just me and Bob.

Q: You play a bunch of different instruments. How did you start?

A: Well first I started out playing the spoons, then I moved onto the kazoo. Eventually, in sixth grade I started playing on the desk. Now I play the guitar, the trumpet and the piano and a few other instruments.

Q: What inspires you to write songs?

A: The inspiration comes from life experiences. It comes from meeting people. It comes from shows. It’s really just me taking my interpretation of reality here and putting it into a comprehendible song and making music with it.