xt7wdb7vqr9n https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7wdb7vqr9n/data/mets.xml The Kentucky Kernel Kentucky -- Lexington The Kentucky Kernel 2008-01-31 Earlier Titles: Idea of University of Kentucky, The State College Cadet newspapers  English   Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Kentucky Kernel  The Kentucky Kernel, January 31, 2008 text The Kentucky Kernel, January 31, 2008 2008 2008-01-31 2020 true xt7wdb7vqr9n section xt7wdb7vqr9n FABULOUS: Star brings advice for students

seeking careers in fashion world

 

See page 3

 

WWW. KYKERNEL. COM

KENTUCKY KERNEL

 

CELEBRATING 37 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

JANUARY 31, 2008

 

Senate passes partner benefits ban

By Jill mtg

jlaster®kykernelcom

The state Senate approved a bill
yesterday that would ban public uni-
versities and state institutions from
providing domestic—partner benefits to
their employees. The legislation easily
passed in a 30—5 vote.

If the bill is approved by the Ken-
tucky House of Representatives, it
would change statutes so that health
benefits for state workers would only
apply to the employee and the em-
ployee‘s spouse and family members.

“A statement like this kind of sig-

nals to the rest of the country we‘re a
backward state." said state Sen.
Ernesto Scorsone. D-Lexington.

Scorsone. the only openly gay
member of the legislature. said a do-
mesticapartner benefits ban would neg-
atively affect both current employees
and potential recruits to universities.

To hire first-rate researchers. UK
and other state agencies can‘t offer a
second-rate health plan. Scorsone
said.

Rep. Stan Lee. R-Lexington. said
the costs of domestic-partner benefits
would be an unnecessary burden on
Kentucky. especially at a time when

state finances are low.

“It will cost money.“ Lee said. "To
say it won‘t cost money is fiction."

The bill will now go to the House
of Representatives. where it will be
assigned to a committee. During the
last legislative session in 2007, a bill
banning domestic-partner benefits
passed in the Senate and then entered
a House committee. where it died af—
ter an 8-8 committee vote that would
have moved it to the House floor.

Part of Lee‘s job as the House mi-
nority whip is to gauge how represen—
tatives feel about legislation. he said.
lf the current bill made it past the

committee onto the House floor “it
would pass overwhelmingly." Lee
said.

Scorsone said he doesn‘t believe
the bill has enough support to pass in
the House.

Right now about 60 UK employ-
ees benefit from domestic-partner
benefits. said UK spokesman Jay
Blanton. The University of Louisville
was the first public university to pro-
vide domestic-partner benefits. which
started January 2007. UK added do-
mestic-partners to its opt-in health
plan during the April meeting of the

See Benefits on page 5

Sconone Lee

" .. This has
been a
continuing issue
for a few years,
and it’s time to
debate it."

” .. This kind of
signals to the
rest of the
country we're
a backward
state."

 

Appalachia
stereotypes
subject of
dialogue

By Rebecce Sweeney

rsweenev©kykernelcom

When Kristy Tsou came to UK.
she was afraid to participate and
ask questions during class because
of how she felt her peers would
perceive her.

Tsou. a sociology graduate stu-
dent. was one of five panelists who
told personal stories about being
from Appalachia during last night’s
Diversity Dialogue. titled “Talk
from Appalachia." sponsored by
the Student Diversity Engagement
and the Office of Multicultural Stu-
dent Affairs.

Tsou was afraid that because of
her accent. people would assume
that all of the stereotypes about Ap-
palachian people would apply to
her.

“Generally. redneck jokes are
more accepted than other racial
jokes." Tsou said.

Stereotypes affect the group of
people they're about. but they also
change how outsiders view the
group. Tsou said.

Many Appalachian economies
are moving from extraction-based
industries, such as coal mines. to
service industries. which will re-
quire more people. Tsou said.

“People might be afraid to en-
ter the Appalachian region because
of stereotypes they've heard
about." she said.

Tsou recommended keeping
lines of communication open be-
tween people of different groups
and encouraged Appalachians to
“strive to show people how capable
we are.“

Karima Samadi. dietetics major
and College of Agriculture ambas-
sador. moved to Harlan. Ky.. from
Albuquerque. N.M.. and discussed
the difficult time she had adjusting.

“I found my niche in two
clubs." Samadi said. She said black
people embraced her because of
her skin color. and the drama club
was where she felt that she fit in
with the nerds.

Samadi said sometimes stereo-
types can be true.

“To me. mountain people are
polite.“ she said. "They make
homemade biscuits and the best ap-
ple butter you'll ever taste.“

Lara May Vest. a student affairs
officer at UK from West Liberty.
Ky.. in Morgan County. didn‘t real-
ize that she was Appalachian until
she received a letter from UK invit-
ing her. as an Appalachian UK stu-
dent. to attend a leadership pro-
gram.

Vest minored in Appalachian
studies while a student at UK and
said she thought it was awesome
that people were writing books
about and studying Appalachians.

“I love this region. and I want
people to appreciate it for what it
stands for." she said.

Neomia Hagans graduated
from UK in the first class of
Robinson Scholars. a program that
began in 1997 to support students
who might encounter economic.
cultural or institutional set backs
while trying to complete their col-
lege degrees. She said it‘s difficult
for Appalachian students to transi-
tion from their hometowns to col-
lege.

See Diversity on page 5

 

 

 

Mackenzie Sorensen. 8, sits on the couch in her livin

part of DanceBlue for the past three years.

Putting a face on the fight

DanceBIue's Adopt-a-Family program
pairs students with cancer patients

By Katie Salt:
ksaltz@kykernel.com

Some 5-year-olds are scared to go
to sleep for fear of monsters under the
bed. But Mackenzie Sorensen's fear
of sleeping was different.

“I was scared when night came to
go to sleep or to take a nap." Macken-
zie said. “I was scared I would not
wake up. I would die and wake up in
heaven."

Mackenzie was diagnosed with
acute lymphocytic leukemia in 2005
when she was 5 years old. She was
treated at the Pediatric Oncology
Clinic at UK Hospital. finishing her
chemotherapy about four months ago.
Now Mackenzie is 8 and in remis—
sion.

Being in and out of the hospital
for the past three years. Mackenzie
has had the support of the UK chapter
of the Kappa Delta sorority through

this year. KD was paired with
Mackenzie in the first year of her
treatment. Sorority member Emily
Zengal. a journalism junior. said her
fellow members have developed a re-

 

m mnutws | STAFF

9 room Tuesday evening. Mackenzie was diagnosed wrth cancer in 2005 and has been adopted by Kappa Delta sorority as

said Renee Sorensen. Mackenzie‘s
mother. It was one of the many ges-
tures they‘ve made that Renee said
has encouraged her daughter.

“It‘s been nice to have the girls

the DanceBlue Adopt-a-Family pro-
gram.

DanceBlue is a yearlong fundrais-
ing project that raises money for UK's
Pediatric Oncology Clinic and ends
with a 24-hour dance marathon. The
Family Relations Committee for
DanceBlue organizes the Adopt—a-
Family program. which pairs Dance-
Blue teams with families who have a
child with cancer. Committee chair
Rachel Botto said the program bene-
fits both the families and the teams.

“lt is important that families know
there are students on campus that sup-
port them in what can be a difficult
time." Botto said. "Also. for the
adopting organizations. the program
puts a face on pediatric cancer. These
organizations now realize these are
real children facing a very real and se-
rious fight."

The Sorensens are one of l2 fam-
ilies in the Adopt-a-Family program

lationship with Mackenzie and re-
quested her for the past two years.

Adopt-a-Family is just a pan of
DanceBlue. but it is one aspect that
can make an amazing impact on a
personal level. Botto said. This year.
one student donated UK basketball
tickets to a child at the clinic. and an-
other team traveled out of town to
watch a child be baptized.

“Organizations are reaching out to
families in ways that we never could
have dreamed." Botto said. “We have
organizations cooking meals. raking
yards and helping clean these fami.
lies‘ houses.”

When Mackenzie was in isolation
in the hospital. she couldn't go to the
clinic library. When she wanted to
read. she could only choose from
books people brought to her room.
For her birthday. Mackenzie asked
members of KD to collect and donate
children‘s books to the clinic‘s library.

around because it gives Mackenzie
somebody to look up to." she said.

KD members visit Mackenzie in
and out of the hospital. Zengal said.
and they gave her gifts when she
came to the KD Christmas party.

Because the program inxolves the
whole family. Zengal said the KDs try
to buy Mackenzie's older brother.
Parker Sorensen. gifts as well so he
doesn't feel left out. This Christmas.
Parker. 14. received a football signed
by the seniors of the UK football
team.

“So much of it is on Mackenzie.
so we try to include her brother too."
Zengal said. “We talk to him about
school and normal things like that."

Parker said his sister‘s sickness
doesn't affect his life that much. but it
was good to see the KDs care about
Mackenzie.

‘jThey all just took her under their

See DeneeBlue on page 5

Prof to speak on global importance of Pakistan

81 Netti] Memornfl

news®kytterneicom

Pakistan is a country easily over-
looked when discussions of the Mid—
dle East arise. but with nuclear capa-
bilities and links to terrorism it is a
“hotspot” in the region. a UK profes-
sor said.

The rapidly growing country is the
focus of a presentation by John Stem-
pel. a professor in the Patterson School
of Diplomacy and lntemational Com-
merce. His lecture is titled “Pakistan ,_
At the Center of the Storm" and will be
held tonight at 7 in room 249 in the
Student Center.

JhlleuheJehe'euh-eefleen.

Students Taking Action
Globally" and the Bluegrass
Chapter of the United Nations
Association are hosting the
event. which is free to the pub-
lic. A question and answer ses-
sion will follow the presenta-
tion.

Stempel said Americans
should leam about Pakistan be-
cause of controversial issues
surrounding the country.

Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan's former-
prime minister and then-candidate for
the office was assassinated Dec. 27. and
the country is now in a state of emer-
gency. Stempel said. The county‘s plans

Stempel

to hold free elections were put
on hold since the assassina-
tion,

The current political situa-
tion and the possible presence
of Osama bin Laden. who has
been thought to be hiding in
Pakistan. and other terrorist
groups makes the region dan-
gerous. Stempel said.

“Pakistan could be
next place terrorism breaks out."
said.

Richard Mitchell. a member of the
Bluegrass Chapter of the United Na-
tions Association and a professor at
UK's College of Dentistry. said it is

the
he

crucial for America to ally itself with
Pakistan. The region also has the sec-
ond largest Muslim population in the
world. Mitchell said. and it is impor~
tant for people across the world to
learn more about the country and its
culture.

As a fomicr director of the Patter-
son School and a known expert on the
region. Stempel is qualified to talk on
the country and conflicts. Mitchell said.

The country and its problems are
very complex. Mitchell said. and stu-
dents and faculty members interested
in the politics and the direction of the
Middle East should attend the
speech.

Mm 257-1915; M 257-287?

J I

 

 PAGEZI Thursday. January 31, 2099 -- _, ., ,. 7 .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    
    
  
   
   
       
        

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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W

By Linda C. Black

To get the advantage, Check the
day's rating: .10 IS the easiest day, 0
the most challenging,

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Today
is a 7 — Focus on financial matters
in total privacy. Listen, but don't
even offer advice. The situation is
rapidly changing. Take care of your
old obligations before incurring
more.

Taurus (April 20 — May 20) Today
IS a B — You can be supportive, but
keep control of the checkbook. Don't
allow your partner to spend your
money without permissron There
may be an attempt, so vigilance is
required.

Gemini (May 21 — June 21) Today
is a 7 ~— Wait just a little bit longer
before launching new projects
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Leo (July 23 — Aug. 22) Today )5 a
6 ~ Something that used to be
hard is almost becoming fun Don't
let problems scare you: tame them
And don't let them sense fear It
turns them into monsters

Virgo (Aug. 23 — Sept. 22) Today is
a 7 It's still best to watch and Its
ten. but don't say very much let
people assume you know more than
you actually do Then, go and find
the right answers, lecture onihar
rassing questions

Libra (Sept. 23 — Oct. 22) Today is
an 8 . As the day progresses, your
attitude will Improve greatly Dont
just sit there, helplessly, lilVCSll'
gate, The more research you do, the
better you'll feel.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 — Nov. 21) Today
is a 8 Keep your ears open and
you'll discover a great bargain. You

can get something for your home at
an awesome price It could be
troops or food, but it's more likely
electrical
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 — Dec. 21)
Today is a 7 - You can find anoth—
er way to achieve your objective.
The old way is blocked, but don't
waste time worrying about that. Ask
an old friend for a favor
Capricorn (Dec. 2 — Jan. 19) To-
day ts a 6 ~ You still have a lot of
loose odds and ends that need to be
tidied up Avoid annoying criticism
by cleaning up messes in private
Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) To»
day is a / . Keep quiet for a while
longer, around authority figures. You
don't have to agree, just don't insti-
gate a confrontation. There are oth-
er ways to prove your point, later,
Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) To-
day is a 6 - Finish up the task at
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Latifah talks weight
loss, babies and
TomKat with Us

Shc‘s curvy and proud of it!
but that doesn't mean Queen
Latifah is opposed to dropping a
fcw pounds to stay healthy. The
37—ycar-old Ncw Jcrscy native
tcurrcntly starring in Mad Mon-
cy with Katic Holmes and Diane
Keaton) is following in the foot—
stcps of Kirstic Allcy and Va-
lcric Bcrtinclli as Jcnny Craig‘s
ncwcst cclcbrity client. But the
actrcss/singcr only plans to shed
15 to 20 pounds from her fa-
mously full-figured framc. Shc
gives Us thc scoop.

Q: Why did you sign up
with Jenny Craig?

T rcad that if you losc 5 to ll)
pcrccnt of your body weight.
you would cut your chance of
diabctcs in half. I thought. Wow.
that‘s a big. dramatic thing that
can occur. And that's only. like.
15 or 20 pounds. That's nothing.

Q: So what’s your plan to
shed the weight?

It‘s really simple: It‘s good
food! I also have a trainer and
go to the gym on my own too. I
might takc a spinning class or a
kickboxing class or a cardio
sculpt. l gct borcd easily.

Q: Hollywood has babies
on the brain. Do you?

This question keeps coming
up! It helps probably to drop
somc weight because you're go—
ing to gain a bunch when you're
prcgnant. And giving birth is
challenging. so it helps to be in

we DiSI-l

yourdaily dose of entertainment, pop culture and fun Kama ‘ Ql

THIS

 

shape.

Q: How was working with
Katie and Diane in Mad Mon-
ey?

it was cool. There was so
much going on with Katie and
Tom [Cruise] and the baby
(Suril being around. We were
sort of protective of one another.
There were no egos!

0
Project Runway's standouts

Who will sew up a place in
Fashion chk‘.’ Us handicaps
four worthy candidates.

Victorya Hong. 35

Why shc‘ll make it: After a
few missteps. the married Korea
nativc (who has her own cloth-
ing label) has provcn that her
perfectionist mentality yields cl-
cgant results. Exhibit A: That
stunning bluc prom dress.

Why she won’t: She can
also bc abrasive. bossy and
whiny A a lethal combination
come runway judgment day.

Rami Kashou. 31

Why he‘ll make it: It‘s no
wonder the attached Palestinian
has styled celebs including Tyra
Banks and Fergic — he has a
gift for draping gorgeous gowns.
And guest judge Zac Posen was
wowed by his colorful Her-
shey‘s—inspired frock.

Why he won't: The draping
got stale by midscason. it‘s time
to find a new gift.

Jillian Lewis. 26

Why shc'll make it: The
New York-reared Ralph Lauren
designer (who has a boyfriend)
has shown wide range. Who else
could pull off a chic denim en—
semble. an avant—garde trench

MINUTE

Queen’s health kick

coat and a skirt made of Twil—
zlcrs‘.’ Nizzlers. people!

Why she won't: Her time—
management problem is a disas-
ter waiting to happen.

Christian Siriano, 22

Why he‘ll make it: It’s easy
to loathe the attached Maryland
native. He’s young. obsessed
with the word fierce. ultra-cocky
— and talented. After all, his
over-thc—top organza gown led
to a rare smile from judge Nina
Garcia.

Why he won‘t: He’s had a
few misses. such as that ugly.
lacy prom dress. Sec. he's not
perfect!

Willie's dish on his pals

Willie Nelson has been in
the music biz more than 50
years. but he‘s still not ready to
park his tour bus. The Texas na-
tive. 74 (who is a married father
of six). is back with a new disc,
Moment of Forever (out January
29). He talks tunes and famous
friends with Us.

Q: What’s your secret to
career longevity?

I’ve been blessed with good
health. My band and l are no
spring chickens! We are still
working a lot every year and en—
joying it. You can't beat a deal
like that.

Q: Your pal Jessica Simp-
son is in your new video. Are
you helping her with her coun-
try album?

Yeah. She is writing with
some other folks too, and I’m
kind of watching her back.
Which is not a bad idea.

COPYRTGHT 2008 US WEEKLY

 
 

‘ sovyom‘se/fin UK Bum/s!

  
     
  

 

 

ticketmaster

 

r; filifllilfifm

203 studentlcenter ( 859.257.8867

Student Center Ticket

.00

 

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NAKED

8.00pm

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so grond bollroom

free for students!

‘ faculty/staff :: $10
general admission :2 $15

  

 

 

 

  

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 3

We’re looking up blogs, going, ‘Have you
seen this?’ And we’re going, ‘That’s not real!
We would know if he was coming.’ And
then our creators were like, ‘No, he’s really
ooming.’ "

Emily Coovert

Features Editor

Phone: 257-1915
ecoovertkakemel .com

— Sophia Bush on finding out Kevin Federline would be
guest-starring on “One Tree Hill"

 

 

fashion advice

\

//

New York City. Now.
as the host of Life-
time’s new
“How to Look Good
Naked."

By Sarah Knight

feeturas©kykernelcom

For one famously fashionable
TV star, helping men learn how
to dress isn‘t his only passion
— he also enjoys sharing his
experiences with college stu~
dents.

Carson Kressley, known
for his role as one of the “fab
five“ on the TV series “Queer
Eye for the Straight Guy,“

will be speaking tonight at 8 in
the Student Center Grand Ball-
room.

“I prefer not to call it a lec-
ture — it sounds so boring."
Kressley said. “Instead. it will
be more like a
light-hearted dis-
cussion."

With his eye

for fashion.
Kressley broke into
the fashion world
by landing a long-
term position at
Ralph Lauren in

series

Kressley

”It is important
to be yourself
at all costs.
Follow your
dream and listen
to your heart. said.
Don't worry
so much about
what others tell

and show them there is no one way
to make it in any career.

“I can‘t give all the answers.“ he
said. “But I can share my experiences.
and hopefully it will help to inspire
others."

Kressley said he also plans on
talking about the phenomenon of re-
ality television and America‘s ob-
session with celebrities. At the end
of the lecture. he will open up the
floor for a question and answer ses-
sion.

“Hopefully. with the question and
answers. 1 can give some sort of ‘in-
sider’s look‘ at celebrities.“ Kressley
said. .
Lauren Baxter, director of pop cul-
ture for Student Activities Board,
which is sponsoring the
talk. said SAB chose
Kressley to come to UK
because he brings some-
thing a little different.

“We were looking for
a speaker that deals with
topics that have not been
discussed before — in
this case. fashion." Baxter

Baxter said she
hopes the discussion
helps make students a
little more confident in

spends his time teaching
people how to feel good
in their own skin and

you to do, but do

their body image.
“I hope people realize

talking to students about

how to get their foot in

the

door of the fashion

world.

‘It is important to be

yourself at all costs."

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Kressley said. “Follow your dream
and listen to your heart. Don't
worry so much about what oth-

ers tell you to do. but do what
you want."
Kressley said he hopes
that by sharing his experi-
ences with students. he can

what you want.”

that he has an amazing
message." she said.
“(‘How to Look Good
CARSON Naked') comes out in Jan-
KRESSLEY uary and is all about being
TV Personal” comfortable in your own
skin."

Tickets are free for students with
a UK ID. $10 for UK faculty and
staff and $15 for the general public.
and they can be purchased at the
Student Center ticket office. For
more information about tonight's
event. call 257-8867 or visit the
SAB Web site (http://www.uksab.

 

 

l. 3' give them hope for their future

Film documents

 

org).

Bt’)U’i‘iQUE OF THE WEEK

 

Name: General Eccentric
Style: Unique and eccentric casual and clubbing fashion.
Hours: Monday through Saturday: 10 am. to 9 pm; 12 pm. to

activism, gender
issues in India

6 pm. on Sunday.

Price: Mid-range.

Location: Center Court at 535 8. Upper St.

Why it's cool: Students get 10 percent off by showing their stu-

By Margret Barr

foaturesOltykernelcom

An Indian activist's fight against a dam project in her home
country is coming to UK through a film presentation.
Arundhati Roy‘s film “Dam/Age.” which claims that the

dent ID, and General Eccentric receives two to three new cloth‘
ing shipments every week. Shipments include a limited number
of each size of a particular garment, whicl makes it uncommon
for students to see other people wearing the same clothing on
campus. The store also contains a wide variety of clothing. so
customers can find an outfit for any occasion.

 

Narmada dam project in India will displace up to a million peo-
ple. will be shown tonight from 7 to 9 in the Bingham-Davis
House at the Gaines Center. The showing is free and open to the
public.

The showing is part of a film series sponsored by UK's
Gender and Women‘s Studies program. Kate Black. an archivist
and library faculty member. chooses the films to be presented
each semester. This year, she said her theme was women resist—
mg.

“I always aim to have the film be international and have a
variety of perspectives," Black said.

“Dam/Age" follows Roy as she struggles against the dam
being built across the Narmada River in Gujarat. India. Roy
said the project will not provide the needed irrigation or drink-
ing water for the area.

Srimati Basu. an associate professor in Gender and
Women‘s Studies. will introduce the film and lead commentary
and discussion afterward. Black said she chose Basu to com-

 

See Dam/Ago on page 4

General Eccentric
offers students
the chance to
look fashionably
unique on cam-
pus fora reason-
able price,

CHRISTINA unou
STAFF

 

 

_ _ MICHAEL coutniuc | ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Like moths to a flame Visnors gather every evening at sunset at Uluru or

Ayers Rock in Australia.

Going global: Hot picks
for 2008 overseas travel

By Gary_A Warnc_r
The Orange County Register

Picks for overseas adventures
in 2008:

Argentina

Turn winter on its head with a
summer visit in February (the sea~
sons are reversed in the Southem
Hemisphere). Or ski in August.

Argentina is the most “Euro-
pean" of the South American
countries. Check out Bariloche. a
winter resort town that's a little
slice of Switzerland.

Bucnos Aircs is a hot spot if
you like big cities.

Southeast Asia

Development continues
across the region. with the type of
travelers changing as Western
lodgings (and prices) spread
across the region. Vietnam is the
new Thailand. Cambodia is the
new Vietnam. Laos is the new
Cambodia. Just chose your grit
comfort level. Vietnam is now an
upscale vacation destination. with
luxury hotels in Ho (‘hi Minh
City (Saigon). and plush beach
resorts in Da Nang. Golf has be-
come a growing part of the
tourism industry. Cambodia is
good for backpackers. but four—
and fivc‘star hotels are starting to
bloom in the Sicm Rcap
Province.

Cambodia is seeing an up«
grade in hotels and restaurants.
though renovations at the famed
Angkor Wat temple complcx are
controversial. Laos is still best for
experienced backpackers.

Bulgaria

Believe it or not. it‘s the hot
spot of the moment in Europe as
the crowds that once played in
Prague and Budapest are priced
out and seek new haunts. Roma—
nia is attractive to some. while
the Baltic republics are farther
along in tourism development
and areas like the Ukraine and
Serbia have lingering economic
or political issues. The further
east you go. the more bumpy (but
perhaps interesting) the trip.
Check out Beachbulgaria.com
which offers info on many Black
Sea resorts.

Australia

The dollar is getting weak
even in the traditionaily bargain-
friendly land down under. Best
bet is to get away from the big
cities of Sydney and Melboumc.
where prices are the highest. Our
summer (their winter) is an espe—

cially great time for visiting the
north and center of the country.
The Great Barrier Reef is in
prime season. Box jellyfish.
which sting many vacationers in
the summer. are gone during the
winter. Meanwhile. the usually
baking temperatures of the interi-
or have cooled. Try offbeat towns
like Silverton. Kalgoorlie.
Coober Pedy and Lightning
Ridge for a taste of outback life.
Rent a four-wheeler and drive
part of the Mereenie Loop Road
from Alice Springs to Uluru (also
known as Ayers Rock). The road
is a great adventure littered with
wrecked vehicles and hubcaps
hung in trees. Relatively frequent
traffic along the road ensures vis-
itors won’t get stranded. If you
are looking for luxury. try the
Ghan or Indian-Pacific train
routes. The main downside to
Australia is the expensive plane
tickets. A one—way ticket runs
more than $1.000.

General tips

(‘heck out booking engines
like kayak .com to compare plane
and hotel prices.

The \llc skims from many
traveling Web sites. including ma-
jor sites like cxpcdiacom and
chcaptickcts.com

(‘heck for travel warnings on
the US. State Department Web
site as well as the Australian gov-
crnment (www.smartravelleizgov
.2111) and British Foreign dz (‘omv
monwealth Office (wwwlcouk.
gov/travel)

A couple of my favorite Web
sites for trading information
about travel are vagabloggingnet
and worldhumcom. They have
good message boards about even
the most obscure destinations.
But be careful when using travel
message boards; some posters
tend to exaggerate to “show their
bravado" and may try to tell you
that ii place is all right for travel
though you might be uncomfort»
able. The further off the beaten
track. the bctter to consider trav -
cling with a friend or even a
group.

Go anyway: Prognosticators
are often wrong. but the general
consensus is that a weak dollar
and high gas prices will be stick-
ing around for aw hllC.

A “wait ‘til next year" attitude
probably isn‘t going to sine you
any money. (io now and just
shorten your trip by a day or two
to make up for the difference. Or
just figure you‘ll deal with the
credit card bills when you get
home.

 

 

 

 PAGE 4 I Thursday, January 31. 2008

‘America’s Next Top
Model’ winner a
strong competitor

By Tonia PM"

Newsday

Don‘t let the girl-next—door
looks and demeanor fool you.
Saleisha Stowers. the latest
winner of “America‘s Next Top
Model." is one tough cookie.

“It takes a strong black
woman to get out there and
work the fashion industry."
Stowers said in an interview
with Newsday. “And I am a
strong black woman."

Stowers will need to be
strong. The modeling world.
which The CW‘s “Top Model"
demonstrates repeatedly. is not
for the faint of heart. It also
doesn‘t seem to be the place
where there are many African—
Americans.

“I would love to see more
African-American faces."
Stowers says. "We are beauti-
ful. There should be more of
us on the runway."

There aren‘t. though. And
despite her win, Stowers‘ well-
publicized strut into the world
of high fashion has been con—
troversial and somewhat wob—
bly. Critics groused that the 5—
foot-9 former receptionist
from Califomia had an unfair
advantage over the other con-
testants because of her previ-
ous modeling experience and
ties with Tyra Banks, who pro-
duces and presides over the
show. Stowers attended
Banks‘ T-Zone camp for girls
when she was 14 and reported-
ly has appeared twice as an
extra on Banks” talk show.

Stowers says she got on the
show "fair and square." Early on

in the competition. she defended
herself against two housemates
who implied through their ques-
tioning that she did not deserve
to be there. “Honestly it‘s a
competition." said Stowers, who
was so riled that she leapt onto a
bed. "I don‘t care who attacks
me. I‘m here to win and l proba-
bly will.“

She did. With razor—sharp
focus. a cheery personality and
a knock-‘em-dead strut, Stow-
ers took down her competitors
one by one, including Bianca
Golden. who once called her
"almost plus-sized“ and Chan—
tal Jones. a stunning blue—eyed
blonde _ who many fans
thought was a shoo-in to win.

Stowers is the third
African-American model to
win on the reality show. She
received a management deal
with Elite Model Manage—
ment. a $100,000 contract with
CoverGirl cosmetics. and the
cover and a six-page fashion
spread in the January iSsue of
Seventeen magazine.

Still, Stowers knows that
winning the TV show does not
guarantee career success. You
won’t see her on the runway
during the upcoming Fashion
Week because her agency is
not sending her to any castings.

“Saleisha already has com-
mitments including CoverGirl
and doing publicity for ‘Amer—
ica‘s Next Top Model’." says
Jose Covarrubias. her booking
agent at Elite. She also needs
to become more seasoned, he
adds. However. he says. "We
will definitely send her to the
next one."

 

DAM/AGE

 

Continued from page 3

ment on the film because of her expertise on gender in India.
Roy‘s first novel, “The God of Small Things." won the
Booker Prize in I997 and the Lannan Cultural Freedom Prize in
2002. Roy also wrote an extended essay. “The Greater Common
Good." protesting the dam construction. She donated her Booker
Prize money and other book royalties to the Narmada Bachao
Andolan. a non—govemmental organization that opposes the Nar-

mada dam project.

WHY CHOOSE

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I‘IPIIS

ontap Sitters?

TONIGHT -

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
w/ The Ivan Milev Band