gaming

#7

Gaming is Taking Over

Call of Duty Rules Today’s Youth

By Jake Kelly and Zuzka Tomcikovva

                The loud sound of artillery fire fills the room. Grenades go off in the distance followed by the sounds of the Russian made AK-47. An AC-130 gunship rains down suppressive fire from above kicking up dust and sand from an Afghani mountain top. Although appears to be some distant battle-field it is just the sound of the video game Call of Duty (C.O.D.). This is the most played and highest grossing video game to date and portrays very vivid and realistic war simulation game play. The game is so realistic that it was dubbed a necessary battle simulation program for the United States Military. This “simulation” however, depicts real combat scenarios and some students can't get enough it.

                “I would say I probably play C.O.D. a minimum of two hours a day,” said sophomore football player Brian Leonhardt. “There’s nothing better to do in between classes, or to pass some time, then to log on and start poning.” “Poning” is one of many new slang terms common among these types of first person shooter games. It is meant to describe a player’s domination on the virtual battlefield over other gamers. This is done through an online network where one can log on and instantly be connected to people from all around the world. These people can all play together in online matches where actual battle scenarios are simulated and each person is responsible for their own “icon” or character.

                This game is so riveting amongst today’s youth that some people will wait for hours in line to get a copy of the game. “When Call of Duty Black Ops came out I waited outside Wall Mart for three hours before the game was released at midnight,” said sophomore business major Brian Renkes. “I wanted to be the first one of my friends to have it. Plus, I heard this was supposed to be the best one yet.” Black Ops is the latest in a series of C.O.D. games succeeding Modern Warfare 1 and 2, as well as, World at War.

                “I like all of them but I would say that Black Ops is the best probably because it’s the most recent,” said senior business major Derek Edholm. “The night Black Ops came out I played it the entire night until about six in the morning when I just couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.” This type of all night gaming is not unheard of in fact it’s actually somewhat common. Out of 50 BSU students surveyed 19 reported they had been guilty of playing through the night on several occasions. “I get so mixed up in the game sometimes that I completely lose track of time,” said junior history major Cory Immerman. “It almost becomes personal when I’m not doing well in the game and it has definitely caused me to miss a few classes.”

            MTV's True Life did a special episode on addiction to gaming and in that episode the characteristics, and habits of the people portrayed were not unlike many gamers at BSU. The virtual world of modern video games allows players to escape reality and be part of a fantasy world that some people like better than the real one. “Honestly when I’m sitting in class or working all I think about is gaming,” said junior marketing major Tyler Chaple, “even if I have homework or something important to do I just game until at least three in the morning almost every day.”

            This amount of television exposure could prove to be detrimental as many studies have shown how television and gaming have adverse effects on the mind. The excess game play can cause some people to skip meals and develop irregular sleeping habits which can be very harmful over a long period of time. “I would say I skip at least three or four classes a week due to gaming,” said Immerman. “Sometimes I do feel a little dizzy after I’ve played for a few hours straight, and it’s not uncommon to get a small headache either.”

            Gaming is only going to get more realistic and provide an even more interactive medium for gamers. Technological advances in modern gaming systems have made it possible for gamers to use their own body movement, instead of a traditional controller, to relay commands to the system. “I love systems like the Wii and the Kinect where you use your whole body to play,” said freshman nursing major, Alexa Schillenger. With these advances in interactive gaming, the realness of the games themselves will continue to captivate and occupy gamers.

This is the Call of Duty Black Ops Cover, the latest of the highest grossing game series to date.

Cory Immerman, taking a brief moment to give his thoughts on gaming.

 This actual game play footage captures the realness of the game.



The Microsoft Kinect is the latest advancement in gaming technology.



Keeping it Real

71 Bar and Grill Cherishes Community

By Natalie Reque

Just some of the decorations at the restaurant.

            Nestled in the woods off Highway 71 north, one can find a warm meal of fresh barbeque ribs and steaming potatoes or a freshly tossed salad and fried chicken. These are just some of the many items found on the 71 Bar and Grill's menu. it offers a warm setting with a fireplace and a friendly staff who will cater to every customer's need.

            However, the 71 Bar and Frill is not just a bar and restaurant. It is a place where the community of Turtle River and the surrounding Bemidji area can come and get together in an atmosphere that is a happy and pleasant one. "Our restaurant is more than just  a restaurant, but more like a community center for the local folk, and that's the way it was intended," said Marg Seitz, owner of the 71 Bar.

            The 71 Bar and Grill has been a fixture in the community for many decades, but Wes and Marg Seitz came to own it in 2008. Wes was co-owner with the previous owner Greg Earl, who was fondly nicknamed Squirrel, since 2006, but then he and his wife Marg took over. "It's been here awhile, and we want to keep it the way it is," he said.

            Wes and Marg know a little something about keeping things the way they were. They were born and raised in Bemidji area and have lived her for most of their lives. Most would think that they were high school sweethearts, but they actually met at a dance at Pinegrove in 1966. "Yep, Marg and I have been married for 41 years; that's almost a lifetime!" chimed in Wes.

            Keeping close ties to family and friends is what they do best and the restaurant relates that. "I love coming here first for the good food of course, but also for the great atmosphere," said one happy customer, Mathieu Dugas. "It feels like coming home and sitting down at my family's table for a meal."



71 Bar menu reflects the atmosphere of the place.

             The restaurant offers a full menu with food ranging from renown walleye to a mucho nacho grande dish. However, just recently Marg and Wes decided to redo the menu and cut some things out. They tried it for one week, and soon were getting too many negative remarks back. According to Marg, people were not happy with the new changes. "Customers were complaining about the menu change. Not that the food was bad all of a sudden, but because they wanted the old choices back," she said with a smile. " It just back to prove that people love what was there before."

            Besides the dining there is also a full-back bar room and a half-bar in the front. Some of the things that draws people to the bar are the activities that Wes and Marg have at the bar. there is bar bingo every Monday night, happy hour, and a dinner special usually every night. Also, families can come there and host birthday parties and anniversaries. For example, last week a couple who had been married for 43 years came with their families and celebrated the wonderful day. They were so grateful that they added a thank-you to the 71 Bar and Grill in their thank you note posted in the local paper. In the past there has also been funeral services held there too.



Wes and Marg Seitz relaxing after a  busy Sunday night.

             There are many words that describe Wes and Marg, but the first word would be hard working. Wes has a Navy background and graduated from Bemidji State University with a business degree. Marge is a registered nurse who still works full time for the Minnesota State Health Department. Wes also owns Wes's Plumbing and Heating, which was started by his father in 1964. Wes joined in the company when he came out of the Navy in 1971. Wes's Plumbing and Heating was serving many of the Great Plain states but now is mostly contained to the Bemidji area. They had two sons, John and Jason, but unfortunately, John passed away leaving behind him a wife and two sons. However, even though the tragedy and busy schedules, Marg and Wes spends every moment they can with their families. Marg's parents are still alive (her mother is 88 and her father is 92), and caring for their needs is just part of  Marg's compassionate ways.

            "I'm living in the very same housr that my own grandfather built," said Wes with a smile on his face. "We love family and the community ans we want to be around to make sure taht everything stays the same." They do hope to retire in the near future, and have listed the restaurant under a realtor. However, they both still want to be somwhat involved with the new owner to make sure that the 71 Bar stays teh same way that the community likes it.

            "I believe in hard work and love," said Marg. "Working full-time, managing the bar and keeping familiy a priotiy keeps me on my toes. It makes me upset when someon says that they are tired and don't want to work. I say if you have time to lean you have time to clean."

            Family, love and hard work is what has made up Marg's and Wes's life. Marg said it best when someone commented how close she and her husband are. "Well, he's the love of my life! Why wouldn't we be?"

Word count: 911

The half bar is a small area that can fix anyones thirst.

Fast service is always a factor at the 71 Bar and Grill.

The band Wes has been playing in for twenty years still brings out a crowd.

The other half of the restaurant is the back bar where people can go and enjoy a drink or two plus food.

Bags of Wishes and Village of Hope, November 15, 2010, Story #5

Tara Hjermstad

BSU Helps Bemidji Community

Bags of Wishes, House of Hospitality and Beyond

                This time of the year is special to many people; it’s also the hardest time of the year for others. Known as the “season to give,” it draws heavy burden on many families, especially lately with our economy being the way it is these days, with pressure to be a part of this generous, but expensive, time of the year.

                BSU, specifically the Social Work Club, teamed up with Bemidji’s House of Hospitality homeless shelter to put on the 10t^h Annual Bags of Wishes to support struggling parts of the community from November 8^th-12th. This non-profit organization puts together a drive advertising needed help for household, food and financial support, for one week usually around Thanksgiving.

                 Last year, over $1,000 dollars and 600 household items were donated, but sadly this year wasn’t quite as high, although the exact numbers aren’t ready for exposal yet. The Bags of Wishes was started 9 years ago by the Social Work Club at BSU and has gone on every year since.

                Each year, the Social Work club sends out emails to all the students in their department asking for volunteers to help with the drive and spread the word of this community drive. Of course any students that want to take part just have to contact someone in the Social Work program.

                Donation bins were placed throughout campus, along with plastic bags on the doors of faculty/staff with wish lists and any other information needed for the drive. The bins will be left on campus until Thursday November, 18 and any donation after that can go directly to the House of Hospitality. Any further information can be obtained from Cheryl Byers in the Social Work office.

                Bailey Wethern, a Social Work major at BSU and also Vice President of the Social Work Club, ran this year’s drive, with the help of co-chair, Megan Schmitz, also a Social Work major at BSU, and three volunteer students. Wethern plans on taking part in the Bags of Wishes program again next year, “whether it be as Vice President or simply as a volunteer.”  

                All proceeds from the Social Work Club at BSU this year will go to the new addition to Bemidji’s homeless shelter, appropriately called the Village of Hope.

                BSU doesn’t stop giving at the Bags of Wishes though. According to Rebecca Hoffman, Executive Director of Ours to Serve House of Hospitality, Inc./Village of Hope and who has worked with BSU for the past five years on the Bags of Wishes, says that over the years “several students volunteer with the House of Hospitality/Village of Hope projects.”

                Each year she works with several students from the Social Work general practice 1, 2 and 3, and this year worked with students of Trek North for the first time. She has also worked with students in the applied psychology and marketing departments in the past as well. They work so closely that a graphic design student actually designed the logo for the House of Hospitality in 1995.

                Right now they are looking for volunteers to assist with meal preparations, cleaning family units, and providing children’s activities on-site.

                Any students interested can contact the Village of Hope.  

                The Village of Hope’s mission statement: “We promote self worth and independence through the provision of temporary shelter and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness.”  Their vision is to help strengthen of families through identifying and achieving goals, with their three values being:  Family, Respect and Collaboration.

                BSU Social Work Club offers other community volunteer programs all throughout the year. Anyone interested can contact the Social Work program.

Lady Beavers Break Losing Streak

Duluth Falls for the First Time in Rival's History

By Jake Kelly and Zuzka Tomcikova
story #6

            Since the establishment of the women's hockey program at BSU the beavers have never won against the University of Minnesota Duluth. With a historical record of 0-47-2 (win, loss, tie) against the Bulldogs the Beavers accomplished what they had never done before, a 1-0 win over UMD. The Sanford center was electric as the Bulldogs and Beavers took the ice. The pregame music was deafening as the players took their positions.

           

            This was a big conference game for the beavers because they had never gotten that illusive first win against the Bulldogs. "I was pretty nervous before the game," said senior forward Erin Johnson. "This is my fourth year here and I wanted to know what it feels like to be the first BSU team to beat Duluth, and it happened to be the first time we played them this year."

            It was a back-and-forth game as neither team would let up. After a scoreless first two periods it was clear this was a defensive game and any score could be the one to win it. That moment came whensophomore forward Emily Erickson scored the first and only goal of the game with just over five minutes to play in regulation. "When I saw my shot go in I was so excited," she said. "It was probably the most important goal I've ever had, I couldn't be distracted by it, though, because we still had enough time left for UMD to score so the mindset went from offense to defense."

            The Bulldogs are ranked third in the country and have a roster that includes four Olympians. This is the second time this season the Beavers have beaten a ranked opponent. The first victory was over, at the time, number one ranked Mercyhurst. This is a big accomplishment for BSU's women's hockey program and marks a turning point in their season. "Even though we tied the series with Duluth, the fact that were capable of beating anyone gives us a lot of confidence," said junior defender Montana Vichorek. "If we continue to play at the high level we're at now, I think this could be one of the most successful seasons we've ever had."

            Head Coach Steve Sertich is in his fifth year at BSU, and since his arrival, the team has improved significantly, allowing them to compete with anyone. "We had a great season last year when we made it to the final four, which was another first for us," said Sertich, "and I knew that the girls wanted to maintain the momentum we had from last year. I believe that with our constant improvement we are earning respect in our league." 

            Erin Cody, a senior forward and team captain, was the top scorer last year and has continued to put pucks in the net this year. She was the offensive player of the week, scoring seven points against St. Cloud State on Oct. 29th and 30th. "I credit any goal I have to my team, because every time I or anyone else gets an opportunity it's because everyone is doing their jobs," said Cody. "Each goal is a team effort and it doesn't matter who scores it as long as we work together."

            Though excited about the win the Beavers look to move forward with their season squaring up against the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota University. Some players hope that this big win doesn't distract the team from the task at hand. Sophomore forward Sadie Lundquist said " It's great that we won last week but we can't let that define our season. We have a lot of really good teams left to play and we can't let ourselves get over-excited especially when we have to play North Dakota."

            North Dakota is ranked seventh in the country and has a lot of talented players. The games are set to be played at the Sanford Center Nov. 12/13 at two p.m. "I always tell the players that the points you get from the wins are the most important," Said Sertich. " We just need to find a way to stay focused and keep winning." 



Senior Forward Erin Cody taking a shot at goal against UMD. Photos from bsubeavers.com



Emily Erickson scores the only goal of the game. photos from

bsubeavers.com

Head coach Steve Sertich. Photos from

bsubeavers.com

The team celebrates after Erickson's goal. Photos from bsubeavers.com

Time Goes By

The International Clocks have Been Forgotten

By Natalie Reque

Going through the halls of BSU, a visitor will be able to take in many beautiful sites. Whether it is from the many pieces of art work, sculptors and paintings, to the many plants and flowers that make the campus more lively, Bemidji State University has variety. To add to this variety, found in the halls throughout the campus are clocks of international time.

These clocks were first brought to Bemidji State University under the President Quistgaard’s supervision. He wanted to bring about more variety to the school and open up the feeling of being a part of something bigger. “Dr. Quistgaard was very interested in international studies, relationships, and students, and thought that keeping the campus community aware of what time it was in other parts of the world would remind us of our global village,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Nancy Erickson.

However, now some of these clocks have been neglected and are just sitting on the walls without a proper battery in them. Originally, the upkeep of these international clocks was assigned to a group of foreign exchange students about five years ago when the clocks first arrived. Unfortunately, these students have now graduated or moved away, and the clocks lay untouched.

 “Dr. Jon Quistgaard asked if I would undertake the project to order clocks,” said Nancy Erickson. “I was actually under the impression that our general maintenance staff was in charge of keeping the clocks on the correct time. Perhaps this is a project that could again be undertaken by the International Students group, or a segment of that body. There would then be no issues of how the clocks would be changed.”

When asked in an interview whether maintenance now takes care of them, Physical Plant manager Jeff Sande said that they have never taken care of them and that no one above him has said anything. “We haven’t been assigned to them, but if the school wants to assign them to us we would be more than willing to fix them.”

Even though these clocks add personality to the school, they have been forgotten. “Growing up in the cities, you tend to see this kind of thing more often, the different times. But it’s really neat to be able to come up to a small town that you would think would have it and see them,” said Freshman Tyler Grove. “I just think it’s sad because the school seems to have forgotten them, and acting like they aren’t important because they are international times. I highly doubt they school would just let our regular clocks die out like that.”

Saanya Chopra Dua is an international student who was born in India and had lived in the United Kingdom. Being a student who is studying international studies, she enjoys the simple leisure of knowing international time. “I don’t know who is responsible for the clocks, but I do think it’s cool to have these clocks around campus because it just keeps everyone well informed. As for being an international student it’s a feeling of being close to home.”

In the end, there are many possibilities of who can take over the responsibilities of these clocks. Nancy Erickson could assign it to the maintenance that is willing to take over them; they just need permission. Or the international department could take it upon themselves to restore the clocks. Saanya Chopra Dua is also part of the international student committee, and will bring the issue up at their next meeting. “I’m the festival of nation’s coordinator for this term. Last year I was technical director for the committee. I think with the international students being more aware of the situation, I believe that they will feel more of a responsibility to step and just take the task into their own hands.”

Word count: 736

Former President Quistgaard had originally ordered the international clocks. He retired in the spring of 2010. Photo curtesy of Bemidji State Web site.

Nancy Erickson had the clocks installed, but is not sure who should be responsible for them.

To the left, Saanya Chopra Dua is enjoying the nice weather with her friends.

Beaver Football Ends Season in Dominating Fashion - Eric Story - Story #6

Beaver Football Ends Season in Dominating Fashion

Missed opportunities hamper 2010 campaign despite milestones

Beavers take the field for final game of season
Photo by : BSU AMR

Eric Story

Story #6

On a cool overcast Saturday afternoon the Beavers were anything but, hanging 45 points on the Golden Eagles. In the final game of the season, the senior class extended their win-streak to a perfect four for four over the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The Beavers extended their all-time record to 17-1 against Crookston.

“It really hasn’t sunk in yet,” said senior wide receiver Adam Berg. “It feels good to finish off strong and we came out today and got a nice victory. It feels like yesterday I was a redshirt freshman, coming in being a boy among men. It goes by so fast and I wish I could start over and do it all again.”

The win over Crookston gave the Beavers a 6-4 record in conference action tying Winona State for fifth place. The Beavers were picked to finish fifth in the 2010 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll to start their season, but that’s not where the team felt they would finish.

“We didn’t plan on our season ending today,” stated defensive lineman Bryan Syrstad. “We had high hopes for this season, we thought we had a good shot at making the playoffs. Things just didn’t pan out.”

In their season opener BSU took to the road for their only non-conference game, with a matchup against the Minot State Beavers in the annual Beaver Bash.  BSU has dominated the annual matchup and this game was no different.

Bemidji State opened the scoring on its second drive of the game, moving the ball 91 yards that was capped by a 62-yard touchdown catch and run by junior wide receiver Adam Berg from senior quarterback Derek Edholm.

The lone bright spot for Minot State came from kick returner Johnny Lester, who broke multiple tackles and returned the kick-off from two yards inside the end zone to put MSU on the board and close the first quarter at 10-7.

Every time you thought the Beavers where going to get a win-streak rolling, a crushing defeat lay waiting around the next corner. In the home opener against Augustana, the Beavers suffered a devastating 10-0 loss in which the offense mustarded a measly 106 yards of total offense. Beaver kicker Jesse Sundby finished the afternoon with 11 punts for 394 yards.

Even with senior quarterback Derek Edholm, the school’s all-time passing leader at quarterback, leading the way the Beavers offense sputtered at times.

BSU responded the following week with a road win over Southwest Minnesota State, looking to take the momentum into their matchup on the road against nationally ranked No. 2 Minnesota Duluth.

With a chance to make a statement and knock off perennial conference power Duluth, the defense couldn’t slow the opposition and the offense couldn’t match blow for blow falling 44-24.

Lead by senior wide receiver Andrew Schults and is career milestone, the Beavers blew past Upper Iowa University 51-12. Shults past the 1,000 career reception yards mark on a 19 yard touchdown reception as head coach Jeff Tesch improved to 11-4 in homecoming games.

“I couldn’t have written the script any better,” said Tesch. “Everybody got to play, everybody got in the lake, no one was injured, it was a beautiful day, it really couldn’t have been more of a perfect day. We controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides and played a complete game on both sides. It was a well rounded game by everybody.”

Costly mistakes lead to a yet another close loss, this time on the road against Concordia-St. Paul 20-14. The loss ended a four-game win streak against CU.

With wins over MSU Moorhead 14-6, University of Mary 23-22, and Northern State 41-13 the Beavers were finally able to put together much needed winning streak before falling at No. 25 St. Cloud State.

The Beavers entered the final weekend of action 5-4 overall, but they could hang their hat on the fact that all four losses were to the top four conference teams.

As snowflakes began to fall Edholm took his final snap at quarterback on guiding the Beavers and the seniors to one final win.

Edholm finished his BSU career as the schools most prolific passer.  He set school records for touchdown passes, passing yardage, passing attempts, passing completions, and total offensive yardage in a career.

“The guys did a lot for the program,” said Tesch. “We’re going to miss them in the locker room, the things they did in the community and just that camaraderie. They’re just a great group of kids.”

Word count: 753



Beavers look on from sideline
Photo by: Eric Story











City council comes to BSU

City council members have small debate

By Luke Landgraf

Word count:607

October 28th was the Thursday before the big election; Student Senate held a debate for the nominees for major roles in the local Bemidji government.  City council members and mayoral nominees came to BSU campus to inform the public and the students of their opinion.  Most of crowd attending the debate was BSU students, so most of the questions were orientated toward the BSU crowd.

The first part of the debate was the City council nominees opening statements and debating among each other, and that was the first hour and a half.  The second half of the debate was the mayoral opening statements and they started taking on questions.

The debate consisted of two question that came from the announcer and each nominee had two-three minutes to answer the question to the best of their ability.  After the formatted questions were asked the nominees took questions from people in the crowd.

There were six city council nominees for three positions.  Linda Lemmer and Jim Thompson for the at large position.   Rodger Hellquist and Richard Sathers for ward two candidates.    Jerry Downs and Rita Albrecht for ward four candidates.  For the mayor candidates there was Dave Larson and Ron Johnson.

“We don’t get to see debates every day, so it was really neat seeing the one that was here on campus,” said Paige Timm who is the freshman member of student senate.  “It was cool to see how candidates present themselves in a debate,” said Timm “ it was also interesting how they responded to each question on the spot like that, doing that is kind of difficult.”

The types of questions that were brought up during the debate were very diverse. Many of the questions involved students voting rights and how many residents don’t believe that they should be voting for members of the Bemidji community.  The residents think that students shouldn’t vote here because most students don’t live here year around. Most of the candidates said that they either didn’t realized that there was a problem with the people here having students vote.  Or they talked about how much income the students bring to Bemidji so they should be able to vote here.  BSU brings in a revenue of about 50 million dollars a year according to Richard Sathers who ran for second ward.  Other topics that were brought up included: the lakeside property, budgeting, and how Bemidji can go green.  Each candidate had their own spin on their responses.

Most of the candidates that were running for city council were involved in the Bemidji community at one point.  Those four candidates either went to school here at one point whether it was BSU or Bemidji High School.  Another candidate was a fire fighter and a cop here in Bemidji but all of the candidates that ran for these positions take active parts in the community.

“Some of the topics the candidate talked about were really interesting,  some of the topics really hit home and others were kind of lame,” says Tom Lalond who attended the debate.  “I never really knew that some of the people in Bemidji had a problem with us voting. That’s kind of disappointing because we are a big part of this community,” said Lalond “it was cool to see a debate though cause you don’t really see those kind of things live.”

The debate took place in Hagg Sauer 100.  The Candidates were seated up on stage in front of the audience.  The Candidates took questions from many of the people that were in attendance.