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�e Western Michigan Uni-versity hockey team has moved up to fourth in the USCHO.com poll (one �rst-place vote) a�er sweeping its weekend series with Northern Michigan University.

It is the highest ranking WMU (5-0-3, 3-0-1-1, 2nd CCHA) has received in the history of the poll. �e Broncos also moved up to sixth in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll a�er com-ing in 10th last week.

�e Broncos are the only un-beaten team in the CCHA, and will test their mettle this week-end in Ann Arbor as they face the third ranked University of Michi-gan (6-1-1, 2-1-1-1, 5th CCHA).

�e Wolverines and Broncos currently lead the CCHA in goals at 39 and 29, respectively. �e Broncos have allowed the least amount of goals with 13, the Wol-verines are third in that depart-ment with 15 goals allowed.

Wolverine senior goaltender Shawn Hunwick is fresh o� be-ing named Gongshow Goalten-der of the Month for October. Wolverine freshman forward Phil Di Giuseppe has also just been named the Gongshow Rookie of the Month for October.

�e Broncos are coming o� an emotional victory last Saturday at Lawson Ice Arena in which they held of NMU during a �ve min-ute power play at the end of the third period to force overtime. Senior right wing and team cap-tain Ian Salter then scored a goal just twenty seconds into the extra session to earn the win.

�ough they are the only un-beaten team in the CCHA, the Broncos remain in second place due to Lake Superior State having played two more CCHA games and winning both, giving them 15 points to the Broncos’ 11.

�is weekend’s matches will both be televised with Friday’s game on Fox Sports Detroit and Saturday’s on Comcast. Both matches are scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start.

HockeyBy Patrick LittletonSta� Reporter

Thursday, November 3, 2011 3City commission voter’s guide

See VotersPage 5

By Nathan Palcowski and Dan ProczkoSta� Reporter

�e Kalamazoo City Com-mission elections on Nov. 8 have 14 candidates vying for seven positions. All the candidates are elected at-large, which means they are running as the represen-tative for the city as a whole, not for a speci�c district. �e candi-date who recieves the most votes from the at-large election will be the mayor of Kalamazoo. All can-didates serve two-year terms.

�e following ques-tions and answers are the views of the candidates. 1. What are your plans for grad-

uates to keep them in Kala-mazoo and give them jobs?

2. Where do you stand on the marijuana proposal?

3. If elected, what would be one major issue you would tackle �rst?

4. It’s been reported that the transit bus system may be taking cuts. What’s your take on that? Also, what are your plans for the budget?

Barbara Hamilton MillerIncumbent: YesAge: 58 Occupation: Volunteer

Born and raised in Kalamazoo, and up for her fourth term as Ka-lamazoo City Commissioner.

1. �ere is an obvious “brain drain” once students gradu-ate from college in this area. Job creation, with the help of Southwest Michigan First, the Chamber of Commerce and the city helping new busi-nesses cut through red tape and �nding places for them to start up companies, is our best chance in keeping graduates in town and working.

2. No, I don’t support this initia-tive. Our city attorney and po-lice chief have concerns about this issue as well. I don’t see

how an o�cer would be able to decide what is considered a “least law enforcement pri-ority” when pulling someone over. �ere is a real potential for lawsuits against the city if the proposed language is add-ed to the charter.

3. Shoring up our ever-dwin-dling budget. We need to keep that issue on the front burner in Lansing and in D.C. �e state and federal governments need to realize that we are try-ing very hard to keep our city moving forward. �ey need to help us do that, not get in our way.

4. Ridership on the transit system is up. �at is good. We need to encourage people to use this great resource.

Hannah J. McKinneyIncumbent: YesAge: 56Occupation: Professor at Ka-lamazoo College for over 20 years

She has spent 12 years as vice mayor, and was mayor for two years.

1. Graduates need to be able to �nd jobs in Kalamazoo. Over the past decade, several local entities have created oppor-tunities for graduates. Local nonpro�ts hire Americorps workers to help them gain experience in community development. Another city partner, Southwest Michigan First, has created a local pipe-line for graduates. �e sad fact is, however, that way too many graduates would like to stay here but cannot risk job-lessness.

2. It exempli�es democracy at work. If it passes, it will change the charter but will not change day-to-day opera-tion in public safety, where it is already lowest priority as a standalone crime. So I am not thrilled with the means in the proposal, but I do think this is

an important issue. �e so-called War on Drugs has been lost at the cost of billions of dollars and thousands of wast-ed lives. We need a national discussion about drug policy.

3. �e $6 million shortfall needs to be addressed �rst. By the �rst of January, we will know how many people will take early retirement. A�er that, we need to think about how we continue to provide key services with our reduced rev-enues.

4. Every department is taking cuts. So the question is how we reorganize departments to minimize impacts on the pub-lic. Next year we will have a transit renewal millage again. �ere is lots of work to be done and I am ready to do my part.

Robert PattersonIncumbent: NoAge: 56Occupation: Retired steel worker.

1. Not too familiar with extend-ed education. I’m looking into wind turbine area, and we can get students jobs from the wind turbines. �e energy from the turbines could save money and energy, as well.

2. I think it should be legalized. We have bigger uses with her-oin, crack, cocaine. Should be in the same �eld and guide-lines as alcohol.

3. Mental health in Kalamazoo. We have a lot of homeless who need to be in housing. �ey need supervision to stay on medication. I think the issue of mental health we kicked out the door here in Kalamazoo.

4. I don’t think cuts should be made in the transit system. In fact, I think it should be ex-tended, especially out into the country. As far as budget cuts, I would be consolidating the city township, especially pub-lic services: DPS, �re, transit and etc. Combining these

services to make it better for residents to save money.

Michael A. PerrinIncumbent: NoAge: 38. Occupation: Salesman for Westside Beer Distribution.

Has been a resident of Kalamazoo for 11 years. Perrin has a master’s degree in clinical psychology at WMU.

1. My plans on creating jobs are to work with the county and state on all levels to encourage job growth and development in our area. I am very pro-business and I would like to see grants used in our area to create jobs. My wife and I are both WMU alumni.

2. I am neutral with the mari-juana ordinance. �e prob-lem is that the ordinance is still against state and federal law. Police have said even if it passes it will have no e�ect on whether they charge you with possession. My main concern is that it will cost taxpayers due to high number of court cases.

3. Property tax reductions are my top priority. �is issue a�ects WMU students when they rent in the city. I hope renters will pass the savings on to the students.

4. I think that some of the city’s services should be consoli-dated to save money. I believe we can cut spending, not jobs. I would like to see a more en-ergy e�cient “green” bussing system, not necessarily cuts to the services.

Nicholas BoydIncumbent: NoAge: 28Occupation: Local business owner; has run a bank indus-try for the past seven years. Graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and KVCC.

1. For the city of Kalamazoo we have to innovate. We have the Kalamazoo Promise, multiple universities and business re-sources. We need to advertise the many ways Kalamazoo is open for business. Get the word out to other business owners to create jobs in Kala-mazoo.

2. I have it on good authority marijuana is already the low-est priority, so when it comes to me I have no opinion about the marijuana proposal.

3. Jobs. People have come to me talking about crime. People don’t steal what they can af-ford and have at home. If they have a job they will be able to a�ord it. Jobs will make or break our future

4. I don’t agree with cuts. �ey are a Band-Aid, not a cure. We need to be sure there is proper funding for public transit. Fix the system for better coverage. Fix the problem, not symp-tom, to make a better, self-sustaining system.

David AndersonIncumbent: YesAge: 60 Occupation: Director of Housing and Facilities for Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Been on the Kalamazoo City Commission since 2005. Currently the Chair of Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission.

1. Encourage energetic, creative and hardworking individuals to stay in Kalamazoo, the city must provide them with the reasons to make that choice. I’m committed to public safety, decent streets, environmental stewardship, parks, re-devel-opment of downtown sites, bike-ability and trails. We are on the cusp of an entrepre-neurial age.

Voted as the “Best Re-publican Chapter in the Country” in 2006 by the College Republican Na-tional Committee, they are a force to be reckoned with not just politically, but socially and profes-sionally as well.

Like most RSO’s at Western Michigan Uni-versity, it has its constitu-tion along with a presi-dent, �nance director and so forth. �ey have weekly meetings at the Bernhard Center and the students meet a�er in a particular bar or eatery.

“We have an organiza-tion unlike any other on

campus. It’s both social and professional. Most of the people in the group become interns for vari-ous leaders. We have lots of events and guest speak-ers made up of lawyers and other professionals about every week. It is also a diverse network. It’s also fun to see a lot of presidential candi-dates and other political �gures,” says Chadwick Dillon, the Public Rela-tions Vice-Chairman of WMUGOP, another name for the WMU College Re-publicans. Dillon has met some Republican presi-dential candidates, such as Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, and worked for Fred Upton.

�e WMUGOP has had the opportunity to bring many political-as well as celebrity-�gures on campus. �ey brought such �gures as Ted Nugent in 2005 to a sold out Mill-er Auditorium, as well as conservative author Ann Coulter to a book sign-ing that same year. �ese events prompted the Col-lege Republican National Committee to name it Best College Chapter the following year.

Although the organi-zation has begun to grow not just in strength but in numbers as well, it was not always this way.

With elections ap-proaching, some Western Michigan University stu-dents are looking for ways to become politically ac-tive. �is is exactly what one student organization, the College Democrats, is looking to do.

“We’re really excited and pleased with all the new interest,” Collin Mays, the organization’s co-chair, said. “We’re honestly surprised at the amount of positive reac-tions we’ve gotten so far.”

College Democrats has been around at WMU for years, but Mays empha-sized the renewed level of action the group will be taking this year.

“It feels like we’ve been on kind of a long hiatus, but we’re ready to be ac-tive again,” Mays said. “We’re bringing law pro-fessor and Secretary of

State candidate Jocelyn Benson to do a talk on campus. We’re planning some big things.”

College Democrats also plan to work with local Obama campaign coordinators to prepare for the 2012 presidential campaign. Mays said he wanted stressed involve-ment in local, state, and national politics.

�e group is taking an active role in local gov-ernment. Following the City Commission Can-didates Public Forum held at WMU’s Fetzer Center, WMU’s College Deomcrats have decided to endorse Mayor Bobby Hopewell and incum-bent Commissioners Don Cooney, Stephanie Bell and David Anderson, as well as newcomer and WMU student, Nicholas Wikar.

“A�er watching the candidates discuss the is-sues at the WMU forum,

we have decided that these �ve individuals would best serve the interests of WMU and the city as a whole,” Phil Adams, Col-lege Democrats Co-Chair, said. “Mayor Hopewell, Dave Anderson, Don Cooney and Stephanie Bell go above and beyond to serve young people, and we hope to see Nich-olas Wikar join them in those e�orts.”

�e College Demo-crats cited programs such as the Kalamazoo Prom-ise and Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo as factors in their decision, according to a written statement. �ey described the candidates they en-dorsed as valuing WMU as an integral part of the Kalamazoo community.

College Democrats meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Bernhard Center in Room 204.

Thursday, November 3, 20114College democrats

See RepublicansPage 8

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College republicansBy Ociel TorresSta� Reporter

From Page 3

Thursday, November 3, 2011 5Voters2. I do not support the current

proposal. It addresses a non-existent city ordinance, is vague in its de�nitions and creates the opportunity for costly lawsuits. However, I support the philosophy of focusing law enforcement activities in those areas that directly a�ect public safety. I believe Kalamazoo Public Safety already does.

3. �e �rst issue on the agenda is the 2012 budget. �ere are substantial, critical cuts that have to be made. Given de-clining revenues from prop-erty taxes and state revenue sharing, the City of Kalama-zoo’s priorities must be core metropolitan services – pub-lic safety and infrastructure, including water, parks and streets.

4. I view public transportation as a critical city amenity. And in large part, Metro Transit is currently shielded from cuts because, as an Enterprise Fund, it is not part of the Gen-eral Fund where major cuts are occurring. In addition, a special millage provides tran-sit-targeted funding.

Don CooneyIncumbent: YesAge: 74 Occupation: Associate pro-fessor of social work at WMU

Been on the City Commission for 14 years. Co-founder of Kalama-zoo Communities in School and Poverty Reduction Intitative. 1. Make the city of Kalamazoo

more attractive. We need the city to be safe, beautiful and have our school systems work. We need to make sure we have jobs and help busi-nesses stay in Kalamazoo.

2. I’m in support because the present laws don’t work. It also doesn’t have a practical e�ect on the community.

3. Will always be working with

people and the poor commu-nity to create support for fam-ilies and have a decent life. I’ll start with poverty and how I can start working towards less homelessness in Kalamazoo.

4. �e transit system is under the federal government, so unless the feds decide to cut it, I’m sure it won’t get cut. I’m opti-mistic that the transit bus sys-tem will stay around. As far as the budget, there are de�nite-ly cuts that need to be made. �e people are advocating for something to be done.

Andrew WordenIncumbent: NoAge: 47. Occupation: Works at Wal-Mart

A family man, Worden said he views family �rst, God second, and politics third.

1. �e future is with the college graduates today. We need to get them better paying jobs and that is possible with stu-dents knowing how to do more.

2. Need to just get rid of the pro-posal all together. I do not support it. I believe that it is adding a legal burden on the community and commission.

3. Balance the budget!4. We need to balance the bud-

get! We, as the commission, have to lead by example and it starts from the top. If the top could cut pay, we could �x the budget faster.

Jonathan David Braun (write-in)Incumbent: NoAge: 33Occupation: Unemployed

Braun has been a Kalamazoo Homeless Action Network board member since 2003.

1. College students are some-times looked over, and that doesn’t need to be done. We need the college graduates.

2. (Did not respond to question)3. �ere needs to be an inte-

gration and in-depth look

against anti-discrimination ordinances. With over 700 people homeless in Kalama-zoo, we need more a�ordable housing.

4. It’s time to pay up. We can go to the banks, and tell them that money is due. If they don’t pay up, then we’ll have to take what they got from them.

Stephanie BellIncumbent: YesAge: 39Occupation: City commis-sioner

Been on the Kalamazoo City Commission since 2007. Has 10 years of experience as a project manager and a community orga-nizer.

1. I will continue to support job growth, creation and small business sustainability while having the expectation of em-ployment access will be avail-able for students and Kalama-zoo area residents.

2. I support the measure; howev-er, I am not for certain that the State statute will uphold this ballot measure. If any fund-ing or resources are going to be utilized to address this is-sue they should go towards treatment and prevention programs rather than towards another method of penalizing people, especially those suf-fering from addiction.

3. �e budget issues facing our city need to be addressed �rst and foremost as its outcome will determine possible future work.

Bobby J. HopewellIncumbent: YesAge: 47Occupation: Director of Hospitality Services at Bor-gess

Born and raised in Kalamazoo. Current Mayor of Kalamazoo since 2007. A current student at WMU.

1. Although city government does not create jobs, it can fos-

ter a job growth environment. �at environment is created by our support of the down-town development authority and e�orts to redevelop the City. I believe we have a very attractive City to attract and maintain jobs, but we can do better.

2. While I support coming up with better strategies con-cerning drug enforcement, especially concerning mari-juana, this should be done at the state level and not the local charter level. �e cur-rent proposal would lead to a patchwork of inconsistent drug enforcement policies within Kalamazoo County.

3. While I support coming up with better strategies con-cerning drug enforcement, especially concerning mari-juana, this should be done at the state level and not the local charter level. �e cur-rent proposal would lead to a patchwork of inconsistent drug enforcement policies within Kalamazoo County.

4. �e transit system is funded by a City and County mile-ages which are up for renewal next year. I am con�dent the Kalamazoo County Trans-portation Authority will seek mileage rates that will avoid cutting services. I will work to pass those mileages to prevent any loss of services.

Nicholas WikarIncumbent: NoAge: 24. Occupation: Community/ Environmental advocate.

Currently a student at WMU, ma-joring in community and regional planning.

1. �e young graduates, we have to �x the budget problem. We need to protect the students and we have to ensure that graduates will stay.

2. According to fellow candidate Don Cooney, Nick is also in support of the marijuana pro-posal.

3. Help raise awareness of en-vironmental needs. Take advantages of start-up busi-

nesses, and that’s a big oppor-tunity for students.

4. I will get blue lights installed for safety at night. High pri-ority to �x the budget.

Robert CinabroIncumbent: YesAge: 63Occupation: Attorney and private practice lawyer

Member of the Kalamazoo His-toric District Commission.

1. �e city cannot create jobs, but we can create a climate for job creation by keeping the area safe, clean and open for busi-ness.

2. I support medical use of mari-juana, but I believe the current proposal will have no e�ect as it cannot supersede state and national law.

3. We have a serious budget is-sue for 2012-2013. We have a $6M shortfall that needs to be addressed.

4. We’ve been focusing on the Department of Public Safety. I’m a strong supporter of pub-lic transit. I cannot promise something I can’t delivery. I can promise I will work hard to keep high priority services running.

Antwon J. HunterIncumbent: NoAge: 22. Occupation: Unemployed; seeking higher education

Born and raised in Kalamazoo. Graduated from Kalamazoo Pub-lic Schools.

1. Want to have a�ordable hous-ing and safer neighborhoods for people to stay in Kalama-zoo.

2. I do not support the proposal. I want to keep that drug o� of the streets in general.

3. $6 million dollar debt. �ere is no “I” in Kalamazoo, and we need to �x that budget.

4. I feel as if we need to shrink some services, but combine them and make them strong and we could also save money in the process.

Thursday, November 3, 20116

See PlaysPage 8

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Men’s club soccer tournamentBy Catie DymondSta� Reporter

The Laurence Soccer Com-plex in Indianapolis hosted the WMU Men’s Club Soccer over last weekend on Oct. 29 and 30. The regional tournament consist-ed of 12 college teams from four Midwest divisions that battled it out for a chance to compete at Nationals in Phoenix, Ariz. This is the soccer team’s third year qualifying for regionals.

Last year, the WMU club soccer team won regional’s and qualified quarter finals at the Na-tional soccer event. They were ‘unofficially’ ranked within the top 16 teams out of 150 club soc-cer teams in the country.

“We went into regionals last year with no particular expecta-tions. Many of us had never been to a regional competition and didn’t know what to anticipate. We focused on one game at a time and took it step-by-step. It

was such an incredible feeling when we ended up in first place,” said Dylan Green, president and team captain.

“Seventeen new players have filled the team this year, seven of which are freshman. Our team has been studying past games, paying attention to technicalities and forming new drills around mistakes to prepare for the game,” said Green.

Many of the players have sus-tained injuries and this factor has

limited how many players are available to play during games. The team started with 21 players and now has 15 players without injury for the upcoming competi-tion.

The club’s record is eight wins, two losses and one tie. So far, they have played games against Butler, Eastern Michigan, Purdue, Grand Valley, Michigan and Michigan State. Team cap-tains include Dylan Green, Doug Coffman, Drew Dreikosen and

Bryce Bowers. Practices are two hours long, five days a week.

“I’m feeling very confident about this weekend. Our team knows we have serious competi-tion and that gives us ambition,” said Bryce Bowers.

The first game will start at 8 a.m. against North Western and then they will play against Miami of Ohio at 12:30 p.m. If they rank within one of the top teams from their pool, they will continue on to the national competition.

The Western Michigan University Theatre Depart-ment will be simultaneously joining more than 40 other theatres across the world

in raising awareness about marriage equality in a series of plays titled “Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Mar-riage Plays” Monday, Nov. 7 in the D. Terry Williams the-atre at 8 p.m.

With previous participa-tion in a worldwide read-ings in years past, Joan Herrington, WMU Theatre Department Chair, believes this will send an important message.

“The shows have been written by some of the most well-known contemporary playwrights and some shows are humorous, some serious and some are quite sad; but they all address the questions of equality and equal rights for all citizens very effective-ly,” Herrington said.

Comprised of nine short plays, this show, according to the Standing on Ceremony webpage, offers a night of witty, warm, and occasionally wacky vows to the blessings of equality, where the uni-versal challenges of relation-ships and the often hilarious power of love occurs during unique moments before, dur-ing and after the ‘I do.’

Plays for equalityBy Cody JanczewskiSta� Reporter

Thursday, November 3, 2011 7Vine neighborhood art galleryBy Taylor LarsonSta� Reporter

MODA unveils designs at Bernhard centerBy Katey StapletonSta� Reporter

A rediscovered venue, brand new executive board and fresh attitude has set the tone for what is sure to be one of Merchandising Op-portunities and Design As-sociation’s (M.O.D.A.) most successful fashion shows in its 14-year history this fall.

Western Michigan Univer-sity’s student-run M.O.D.A. will be illuminating the Bernhard Center Nov. 18 and 19 with 15 hand-crafted fashion lines, 45 models, and a whole lot of glamour.

Senior public relations chair of M.O.D.A., Lance Brown, said that rather than having the bi-annual event at The Radisson Hotel down-town, he and the rest of the executive board would pre-fer that the Bernhard Center play host in an effort to in-volve more students.

“We’re changing the venue back to the Bernhard Center

because we want to cater to the actual students and we want them to feel more at home. Freshman don’tt have cars, and it was a challenge getting everyone to the ven-ues off campus,” said Brown.

Along with easy-access for students, the heart of west campus may also have more to offer than meets the eye.

“There is way more space at the Bernhard Center and I believe we can create a really cool runway and have it be visible to more than just the �rst three rows. There won’t be any obstacles blocking the view,” Courtney Gula, 22, a designer in the show, said.

Gula said in past years the stages were not set up at the most optimal angle for each ticket-holder to get a fair view of the designs. And this is only the beginning of the changes being made for the 2011 show.

“This year’s show is luxu-rious, extravagant and ba-sically bringing New York

fashion week and the pres-tige that it has onto West-ern’s campus,” Brown said. “It’s going to be glamorous. It will be simple, not over-done, not too much...but it will be fabulous.”

“M.O.D.A. Presents: Lu-minesce” is promising to be not only a spectacle, but a charitable one at that. This semester’s proceeds will go to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.

“The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission has sent us a list of needs, necessities and wants,” Brown said. “We will go purchase children’s toys with the pro�ts and make sure everyone has a special holiday. The overall goal of M.O.D.A. is to actually take the talent that all the mem-bers have and translate it into a philanthropic goal. This is so we can support the com-munity that has supported us through our fashion en-deavors over the years.”

Ticket sales for the event

have begun. Booths are set-up in the Bernhard Center every Monday and Wednes-day between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. across from the Subway in the student common area. Students ($5), adults ($10), and V.I.P.’s ($20), can also purchase tickets from www.modawmu.info.com.

For those who have never attended a M.O.D.A show before, there is much to be discovered, Gula said.

“If you love fashion, then you would love this,” Gula said. “It feels like a real fash-ion show because it truly is one. Every ticket will be sup-porting a really good, stu-dent-run organization, and it will be an incredible two-night event.”

Piecing together an old perfume ad here, a faded patch of fabric there and a rib-bon stretched across the top, Beverly Fitzpatrick is making art. While some may see it as a mishmash of ideas, a frantic, disassociated combination of odds and ends, baubles and trinkets, Fitzpatrick is trans-forming these seemingly un-related pieces into the recy-clable, DIY style of collage.

When she is not serving up lattes at Fourth Coast Cof-fee, Fitzpatrick is collecting—round, shiny buttons, colored pompoms, strips of lace and turning them into her own creation.

Sewing patterns and faded

glossies from Women’s Day are just a few sources that make up Fitzpatrick’s recent work.

“I’m a collector,” Fitzpat-rick said. “I scrounge around thri� stores, yard sales and especially the library. People are always bringing me stacks of magazines, which is great. Right now I’m really into us-ing old women’s magazines—Good Housekeeping, Women’s Day—to make my collages.”

Depending on the level of detail, a single collage for Fitz-patrick may take anywhere from two to thirty hours.

Like many artists, Fitzger-ald dabbled in multiple medi-ums over the course of her ca-reer before �nding her niche. In high school, she spent her time putting together zines, or

small, interest-speci�c publi-cations, before moving on to begin Exquisite Corpse artist’s collective and curate, a collage show for the Arts Council.

“Collage isn’t the most re-spected art form, but it’s what makes me happiest,” Fitzger-ald said.

It shows—over 12 years, Fitzpatrick has constructed anywhere from 100 to 200 col-lages, the exact number being uncertain. Her most recent exhibit, entitled No Satisfac-tion, is currently on display at the Vine Art Gallery until Nov. 22. �e exhibit features Fitzpatrick’s collages, as well as modular origami—the Ru-bix cube of the cra�.

Much more complex than the standard cranes, modu-lar origami features di�er-

ent folded structures pieced together to create a �nal 3D geometric shape.

“I was inspired by existence and what people require in order to be happy,” Fitzgerald said of the exhibit. “Society constantly needs something new, something upgraded... People are never satis�ed with what they have. �e song also kind of inspired my work.”

For No Satisfaction, Fitzgerald plans on producing a diorama scene alongside the collages and origami in the window of the Vine Art Gal-lery.

All exhibits at the Vine are free of charge, featuring a di�erent artist every month with a gallery reception tak-ing place the last Friday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to

9 p.m. For the artistically in-clined, the Vine Art Gallery is currently accepting show ap-plications for 2012.

“I think we have a great art scene here in Kalamazoo, and I’d like to see it grow,” said Fitzpatrick. “I don’t want Ka-lamazoo to just be a college town.”

�e gallery seems to share her view. Vine Art encourag-es student and group shows, with preference given to those local to the Vine or who have not had work previously dis-played at the gallery. With its professional feel and prime location, the Vine Art Gallery doubles as an optimal venue for a �rst showing and an ac-cessible gallery to encourage area artists like Fitzpatrick.

Western Herald File Photo

Quick HitsWho: M.O.D.AWhat: Fashion ShowWhere: Bernhard CenterWhen: Nov. 18 and 19Tickets: $5 students, $10 adults, $20 VIP

�e gourmet food truck expe-rience has �nally rolled into Ka-lamazoo. Chef Noel A. Corwin is bringing culinary expertise from the world over and serving his art from the side of his humble food truck. World �avors brought to-gether with local Kalamazoo in-gredients form the backbone of the Gorilla Gourmet experience.

Chef Corwin’s creativity can easily be traced back to a long history with food. He started cooking school in California in 1998, and from there his experi-ence only grew. Moving on a�er �e Culinary Institute of Ameri-ca, Chef Corwin worked his �rst season in the Napa Valley.

“It was an amazing experi-ence,” Corwin said. “To be part of the seasons of the grapes… I got to work with some really tal-ented people there, and learned a ton.”

�e Asian in�uence in the food is explained by his almost seven month backpacking trip.

“I had my midlife crisis at 30,” Corwin said. “I didn’t know where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. I ended up packing all my shit up, was burnt out on cooking, and, uh, went to Asia… It completely changed my pal-ette.”

In fact, Bánh mì (a Vietnam-ese street food), Latin �avors, and local ingredients all play a part

in the dynamic �avors Gorilla Gourmet o�ers.

“I’m just constantly inspired by it, and so much of my menu is driven by it–what’s happening at the farmer’s market,” Corwin said.

Last week’s menu included smoked beef tongue tacos which are not only unheard of to be executed from a food truck, but almost unheard of in any restau-rant. �e menu follows what’s in season, as well as whatever Cor-win feels like cooking. �ere’s a common table, so not even the dinner guests are the same. �e restaurant doesn’t even close at a speci�ed time. Gorilla Gourmet closes when it runs out of �avor.

Corwin knows that the future of Gorilla Gourmet doesn’t rely on the food truck itself, but the food he serves.

“We know that the novelty of the food truck wears o� a�er the �rst visit,” Corwin said.

�e future looks bright for the

food truck scene, according to Corwin.

“I see for Kalamazoo- opening up the food truck scene and really embraces it… we’re building the Gorilla Army,” he said.

He admits looking forward to a gourmet food truck serving farm direct food, and going com-pletely organic, but admits such visions are pretty far o�.

“We’ve got to, you know, we’ve got to bang out a lot of grinders.”

In the nearer future, the Goril-la Gourmet truck is moving. For adventurous eaters looking for a good time, the Gorilla Gourmet truck will soon be parked at 305 Oakland and South Street, and the hours of operation are from 11 a.m. until the �avor runs out, Monday through Friday. Regard-less of how late the truck is open, or what is on the menu, one thing is for certain: making the choice where to eat in Kalamazoo just got a little bit wild.

Thursday, November 3, 20118

PlaysAccording to the WMU

Department of Theatre, to date, more than 40 theatres and universities are con-firmed to participate in 25 states across America, which include Texas, North Dakota, Florida, Kansas and Michi-gan, where both gay marriage and civil unions are banned; North Carolina, where the vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay mar-riage was moved up to 2012; California, where gay mar-riage was legalized and then overturned by the passage of Proposition 8 in 2008; and many states where marriage equality is not yet a reality, as well as beyond America; the-atres in Sydney, Australia will also participate, making this a truly international event.

Not only is this show send-ing a significant message via

a theatrical event, but also a portion of ticket sales will be donated to organizations.

The WMU Theatre De-partment is performing this event for free, however, pa-trons will have the opportu-nity to make an optional do-nation to the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource center.

The department is also hosting a talkback.

“We encourage all mem-bers of our community to come and participate where we will use our WMU actors and actresses in the reading that we do here,” Herrington said.

Join the University The-atre and thousands of other patrons across the nation in a night of raising awareness and supporting marriage equality in this one time per-formance.

Umphrey’s McGee is playing this Friday, Nov. 4. at the State �eater. �e six piece band al-ways surprises audiences with shows and new albums but fans are never let down. �e band con-sists of Brendan Bayliss on guitar and vocals, Jake Cinninger also on guitar and vocals, Joel Cummins on keyboard, piano and vocals, Andy Farag on percussion, Kris Myers on drums and vocals and Ryan Stasik on bass.

Umphrey’s has been together since 1998 when they started at University of Notre Dame with just Stasik and Bayliss. �ey then joined another band which Cum-mins was a part of. In 2003 all the guys came together and they’ve been the same six-piece since.

While talking about struggles, Stasik said anything you want to be good at takes work, “We feel very blessed to be able to make music for a living and we have the great-est fans in the world and for them to come out and be a part of what we do and appreciate what we do makes us feel really blessed.”

Although the band’s families are mostly in the midwest they also travel all over the world and have been to places like Japan, Australia, �e Carribean, Mexico and participate in a Jam Cruise in Jan.

When it comes to inspiration Stasik said the six all listen to di�erent types of music. He said it’s not easy to pinpoint just one or two but they all work to keep their ears open trying to listen to everything new and pay attention to what’s going around. �ey also are always trying to see some live shows when they’re not playing.

Umphrey’s has about 10 al-bums. �e most recent, which the band is currently touring to promote is called Death By Stereo which was released Sept. 13.

Kzoo gets wild: Gorilla GourmetBy Baxter GillSta� Reporter

From Page 6Republicans

While the stronger years of the RSO where in the mid-2000’s, the RSO hit an all-time low in 2008.

“It was kind of a downer for most people,” said Troy Hudson, a ��h year senior and chairman of the RSO. “But in 2010 there was more excitement.”

By 2010, the group rose in at-tendance and popularity follow-ing the 2010 midterm elections.

�e group has about 450 reg-istered e-mails but has about 45 to 50 members attend each meet-ing. Most of the meetings are compromised of a speaker, either at the local or state level, and get-ting ready for special events as well as social gatherings.

Hudson is one of the people that puts all the weekly meetings into place and informs the group of future events, along with try-ing to get funds for events.

“He really focuses on the group and in the party itself,”

said Dillon. “He tries relentlessly to bring in elected o�cials to talk to us, tries to inform us on op-portunities. He was the one that was able to take us to a College Republican Mackinaw conven-tion. We were able to meet Mitt Romney there.”

Even though their main goal is to get republicans elected and have as many republican repre-sentatives in o�ce as possible, WMUGOP does not consider themselves a political group.

Although they do not spe-ci�cally endorse one presidential candidate, they do keep tabs on the current debates and current events that involve republican presidential candidates. �ey even crack jokes and jeer at one another over each other’s pre-ferred presidential candidate.

From Page 4

Umphrey’s McGee at the StateBy Alexandra BatsonSta� Reporter

Dan Morgner/Western HeraldThe Poblano chicken tacos with house slaw are one of Gorilla Gourmet’s staple dishes.