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Show Monday, Oct. 25, 2010 Page 3 StatesmanCampus News Site assures student recreation is available Champlin's site focuses mainly on By ARIANNA REES staff writer Valley dwellers now have what some may consider a lifeline — a new website, NothingToDolnLogan.com , states that it has the most complete calendar of events in the Logan area. Announced on Oct. 8 by Natalee Champlin, a recent graduate of the Huntsman School of Business, the site is designed to provide a way for students and families in Cache Valley to be aware of the events going on around them and of what Logan has to offer. "I've lived in Logan most of my life — nearly 20 years. I was just sick of people saying, 'Logan is so boring and there's nothing to do here,"' Champlin said. After a friend posted a similar complaint on Facebook, Champlin said she was motivated to start her own calendar of events. Champlin said: "I started with USU's calendar, just went through clubs and colleges, and then I did Logan City. They have a calendar the library keeps up. I've gone to the different cities in the valley, and I spend a lot of time on the Internet researching and trying to find places. The other thing I've been doing is talking to businesses, saying, 'If you have something going on that you want to post, let me know.'" The main page of the website contains links to dozens of events and ideas, including a page for local restaurants, date ideas, contests and sweepstakes, and of course, the calendar. There are also "Picks of NATALEE CHAMPLIN, a USU alumna who received her degree in business, created a website to fill Logan residents in on local actvities. ARIANNA REES photo the Week" posts on Mondays, where Champlin reviews an activity or restaurant, and daily event updates that followers of the site can receive through e-mail or Facebook posts. Isela Phelps, a follower of the site who won tickets to Riverdale Resort because of it, said, "I think the main feature I enjoy about Nothing to Do in Logan is that I am able to find out about activities around Cache Valley by simply going to my Facebook page — since I am a follower of their page, their 'wall' announcements appear automatically on my Facebook page. I don't have to go out of my way to find out the latest happenings." Phelps said unlike sites such as cachevalleydaily.com or The Herald Journal's site, which can focus on anything from sports to politics, providing locals with something to do. Locals aren't the only ones who benefit, though. Afton Gastaldi, a sophomore at USU who lived in California for 18 years, said, "I really like this website because it gave me activities that I can do around Logan to help me become more acquainted with Logan." It also provides advertisement through a social network setting, something that small businesses in the valley are finding increasingly useful. John Ribera, a co-owner of The Logan Arthouse and Cinema, which is supporting Champlin's efforts, said, "She has the same goal as we do. Everyone says, 'How come no one ever tells me what is going on?' We've done newspapers, radio ads, a website, fliers — we've done everything and people still feel like they're uninformed." One of the best parts about the site, he said, is "the fact that if people know about that website, they can look and say, 'Hey, there's a band playing or a movie showing at the Logan Arts Cinema tonight. Let's go.' She's another branch of advertising, and it's really ideal for us. " Champlin said she encourages anyone with knowledge of upcoming events, ideas to visit the site and leave comments and feedback. The more the better, she said. "Everyone's struggling with the economy. The more we help out and get involved with the community, the better we become." — ariwrees@gmail.corn ARCC: Tolson introduces Theme: Week events to recreation center to board center around `Greekopoly' I continuedfrom page 1 I continuedfrom page 1 the events as well as prizes for the winGreeks will participate in what Peterson ners of various activities. said is every member's favorite activity Peterson said the main event for stu— the Greek Sing, held on Wednesday. dents is the showing of "Inception" on The chapters are split up into three Tuesday in the TSC ballroom. Each ticket teams where they either choose a song to is $3 and there will be one showing at 6 lip-sync or write a song of their own. p.m. and another showing at 9 p.m. "The Greek Sing is usually the favorite Dave Thomas, a member of Pi Kappa of the week," Peterson said. "It is a very Alpha, said students can talk to any deep tradition we all really enjoy." Greek if they want tickets. He said all the Derber said the Greek Sing is her money raised will go favorite part as well. to The Red Cross. "I love the lip sync "People have been "Inception is it is so fun to see really good to work definitely what I what all the houses am most pumped with us, it has all gone have come up with. It about," Thomas is a great time and a really well. We do this little friendly compesaid. "It's not even every year so I think on DVD yet and that tition," Derber said. people are just ready Thursday is filled movie is a really for it when we come good time." with Greek games. Peterson agreed, around asking for help There will be games like Red Light-Green saying "Inception" and permissions." will be a "great event Light and an obstacle — Colie Peterson, course. There will for everyone who comes." public relations specialist for Greeks also be a relay race "We are really as well as a kickball excited for Inception tournament. The day because we have never done a Greek will also include a food-eating contest event for all students on campus," and capture the flag. Peterson said, "there will be two showPeterson said planning for Greek ings and we are looking forward to it Week has gone smoothly and "they are because we are expecting thousands of all looking forward to a great week." students to show up to our activity." "People have been really good to work However, Greek Week is mainly for with us, it has all gone really well. We do the fraternities and sororities. To start off this every year so I think people are just the week, each chapter will decorate their ready for it when we come around asking house in a way that will resemble this for help and permissions," Peterson said. year's theme. Along with house decorating, the — megan.b@aggiemaiLusu.edu to give a preview presentation to the higher education appropriation committee. White said he envisions this program will be funded with federal dollars so that knowledgeable staff can be hired. "This is something we should really celebrate," Foxley said. "... It's not if it happens, it's when it happens." In addition to a new doctoral program, ASUSU President Tyler Tolson and Vice President for Student Services James Morales, presented the idea of a new student center to be located where the old Agricultural Science building. Tolson and Morales have worked collaboratively on the potential building that is currently titled the Aggie Recreation and Community Center (ARCC.) The 150,000 square-foot building is estimated to cost $30-$35 million and house a bowling alley, health-themed cafe, fitness center, study lounges, ice rink and more. "It will create a life of student synergy that would become the heart of campus," Tolson said. This year, 23 intramural teams were turned away because they did not have a proper place to engage in their desired activities, Morales said. He said he and Tolson observed that the Taggart Student Center has become a building for more student services rather than student rendezvous. The Nelson Fieldhouse is crowded and the HPER building does not allow students full access to its facilities, Morales said. If the ARCC is constructed in the future, Morales said it may be plausible to turn the TSC into USU's conference center and turn the Eccles Conference Center into a building designated solely for student services such as financial aid and admissions. "These things are not without controversy," Albrecht said at the end of the presentation. Albrecht reminded the trustees that with new additions to the university, student fees may be involved, which may not be appealing to students after the athletics fee was approved last year. The Board of Trustees also unanimously approved the purchase of a building in Tremonton to accommodate students taking online and broadcast courses. David Cowley, Vice President for Business and Finance, said the building will require funding to fix-up, but is a good investment to assist those students who cannot commute to campus. — catheine.meidell@aggiemaiLusu.edu Sculpture: Monument honors one of USU's greatest athletes I continuedfrom page 1 Buswell said that when he got the opportunity to sculpt Olsen he asked Olsen how he would like to be portrayed. He said Olsen responded, "I want the sculpture to say that I was proud to be an Aggie." "He was our buddy, our leader," Mayberry said. "You know, he'd stand up for you. Whenever you needed a big play he would give it to us. If it was offense, defense, you know he's got it done for us." Mayberry, who went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, played with Olsen for two years at Utah State. "It all started when about 20 of us from California showed up out here," Mayberry said. "First day of practice there was Merlin with his big ol' smile. He said, `Welcome guys. Now get it on; get your helmets on and let's go; show us what you've got.' He got the most out of us ... He didn't fool around on the football field." Wakely-Olsen said her husband always considered himself to be lucky. She said during a recent move she found a eulogy that Olsen had written for himself, and that the main thing that struck her about the eulogy was that theme of feeling lucky. "You know, I don't know how a person can feel lucky when they know they're dying," Wakely-Olsen said, "but that was the way he felt. That was the kind of person he was." She said that part of the eulogy read: "If I was to answer the question 'what is the best thing that ever happened to you?', I would have a very simple answer: to have had the opportunity to be surrounded by the love our family and friends bring here today, and to have shared these magnificent years with you. My only regret is that the trip has to end." ASUSU Vice President of Athletics Alex Putnam said current students haven't been exposed to Olsen very much, but now students will get a better idea of the impact he had at Utah State. "He's an Aggie legend," Putnam said. "He was probably the greatest single athlete that's ever come out of Utah State. He deserves to be celebrated for that." Albrecht said, "I hope it will affect students at Utah State not only because Merlin Olsen was the greatest athlete Utah has ever produced, but also because he was a great academic." Albrecht said Oslen was the epitome of a student athlete and understood the value of what he was doing in the classroom. "You don't have to be a football player to walk by and be inspired by the man and what he's done," Albrecht said. "Just knowing his contribution to society, to life, to the quality of life — I hope everyone will learn something of his history and legacy and be inspired by it." "So many of you have loved Merlin," Wakely-Olsen said. "You've given of your time and your money. I want you to know that I really appreciate it, and our family really appreciates it. The front plaque of the statue's pedestal reads: "The focus of my life begins at home with my family, loved ones and friends. I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter and mutual success. I will protect and value integrity. I will admit and quickly correct my mistakes. I will be a self-starter. I will be a caring person. I will be a good listener with and open mind. I will continue to grow and learn. I will facilitate and celebrate the success of others." The statues stands on the south plaza of Romney Stadium. — robmjepson@gmail.corn Briefs Campus & Community Donations soughtfor mothers and infants To celebrate "Make a Difference Day - National Day of Doing Good" AmeriCorps volunteers will be encouraging customers at Maceys and Wal-Mart to shop for a pack of diapers or other mother/infant items while they are inside and to drop them off as they leave. Items can also be donated to Wilson, Ellis, Nibley, and Heritage Elementary or Bear River Head Start (behind Crystal Inn) throughout the week. The drive ends Saturday, October 30th. Donations will help children in need at the Child & Family Support Center, Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency (CAPSA), North Campus, and Riverside Elementary. Businesses and departments are urged to collect donations as an office and to call Wilson AmeriCorps members for pickup at 435-755-2340. Drive ends Saturday, October 30th. Make a Difference, Donate for Diapers! Festival to help support CAPSA USU in conjunction with the national Clothesline Project will host the second annual HOPE Festival, Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Sunburst Lounge of the Taggart Student Center. The festival will generate funds to support CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency), Cache Valley's rape crisis and domestic violence shelter. The HOPE Festival (HOPE stands for Healing, Outreach, Passion and Effort) will feature a wide variety of local businesses and artisans who will sell their goods and services. Product offerings will include home decor items, art and pottery, handcrafted woods, clothing, photography, soaps and lotions, crafts, Scensty brand scents, products from Global Village and more. The HOPE Festival is a partnership between the USU Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office, USU Access and Diversity Center, USU Center for Women and Gender, and the Cache County Coalition Against Domestic Abuse. Participating vendors will donate 25 percent their festival proceeds to CAPSA. This year's festival will include one-hour parking validation to the first 100 purchases, refreshments, live music, silent auction items and additional donation opportunities such as a product donation drive for CAPSA. Due to last year's response, the festival will extend its hours until 7 p.m. Art graduates to speak in library The Friends of the Merrill-Cazier Library's annual fall lecture features local artists Russell Case and Luke Frazier. Both artists graduated with art degrees from Utah State University and both have achieved critical acclaim for their artwork. The lecture features examples of their artwork, as well as a discussion of their artistic philosophies and methods. The lecture is Oct. 28, and begins at 6 p.m. in room 101 in the MerrillCazier Library on the USU campus. Light refreshments will accompany the event. The idea for the lecture originated from library donors and art collectors Mike and Karen Edson. Both have ties to the university and commented about the plethora of successful outdoor and wildlife artists coming through the Utah State University art program. Case makes his home in Brigham City where he was born and raised. His artistic talents were encouraged by his artist father Gary Case. Case's landscapes are reminiscent of many of the great western artists, including Maynard Dixon and Thomas Moran. 11 Co mp ile d from staff and media reports |