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THE WEEKEND SCENE [02.09.12] [VOL.96 ISSUE 36]
It’s Time For Chocolate ROMANCE QUIZ pg.3
FLOWER STORY pg.4
NUTS & TREATS pg.5
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
How couples make the best out of Valentine’s Day
Students give advice on the best strategies to gift giving for that special person By Nathan Palcowski Staff Reporter For men and women all around the Western Michigan University campus, Valentine’s Day is a way to express love, or a special feeling with a significant other. The general idea is that couples go out on a date, however, that is where men often times and women can turn a loving day into
Sales Opportunity The Western Herald sales team is seeking additional account representatives in order to gain new clients locally and regionally. This is the ideal position for students who would like to learn about media planning and enjoys working with clients’ hands on developing branding campaigns while fostering strong relationships with clients.
a living nightmare. “Be creative, keep it simple and surprise them,” Jeorge Fierro, director of outreach for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion said. The Valentine’s Day date can sometimes make or break a relationship. The decision of whether to go big or go small is a decision many couples at WMU face. “I want to go out and spend a lot on a nice dinner, but I’m a col-
Western Herald Sales team seeks dedicated sales people with reliable transportation to work 15 - 20 hours a week on the road and in the Faunce Student services building. The representative will month and the following months be paid on commission scale. The job duties include: r Filling out necessary paperwork when filling an order/sale in a timely manner
r Knowing good quality advertising messaging and ad composition
lege student,” Zack Stein, a WMU freshman majoring in history, said. Men and women can both be confused on how to go about Valentine’s Day with their significant other. Some go to websites, ask friends or just simply try and make up something to do. For Fierro, his best experiences have come when his special someone least expected it.
The Western Herald connects WMU’s 26,000 students with community news and updates. For almost 100 years the Western Herald has captured pivotal moments in the western Michigan area. The Western Herald is Kalamazoo’s only newspaper that appeals to college students with cutting-edge journalism, poignant editorials, gripping photography and tasteful entertainment. More than half of the Western Herald’s readers do not read any other newspapers. The Western Herald is an independent newspaper written for students by students.
“Just remember it’s all about giving of thoughts, heart and feelings,” Fierro said. “This is the ultimate day for guys and girls who don’t share their feelings regularly to do so.” Remember, being the most expensive and extravagant is not always the best way to go. Some guys and girls like to keep it simple and low-key. “I want a guy just to be himself and not try too hard to impress me,” said Alicia Wayne, a freshman majoring in social work. The best ideas can be the most simple. Instead of worrying about what to do, just ask your boyfriend or girlfriend what they want to do. It’s easy and nobody has to stress over making plans.
Trevor Ritsema / Western Herald
There is also the thought of personalization. Instead of getting a $5.50 Valentine’s Day card with words from someone else, students can just make their own. “I’m no poet, but I think my girlfriend liked my card that I spent 10 minutes on, over the gift I bought her that I spent 100 dollars on,” WMU student Darryle Livingston said. To go along with dinner, couples usually give each other sentimental gifts to show their love. The gift can be just as important as the dinner. For any person in a relationship, do not wait until the last minute. “Don’t try and pick from the leftovers [to get] that perfect Valentine gift,” Fierro said, “only to get a ‘oh, gee, thanks’ afterwards.” The idea is to take some time, plan ahead and put creativity into finding the right Valentine gift. Students find that overthinking the gift can be detrimental to the reaction from their boyfriend or girlfriend. “I got her the totally wrong thing last year and it sucked because it took me forever to figure out what she wanted,” Jacob Morris, a Japanese literature major at WMU, said. Left: “ I believe in a relationship, you have to be able to be kind and forgive each other, and learn to not hold grudges,” Lindsay Simonds and Paul Armintrout, Feb. 8, 2012.
r Working with designers, billing and front desk assistants as needed
This position prepares students for real world selling and gives them the opportunity to independently solve problems. Employers look for students who can sell intangible
r Selling through strong negotiating
sell almost any other product. Many former sales reps have been actively recruited for marketing and sales functions.
r Attending monthly meetings
and communication skills
r Forming relationships with clients and pursue new relationships
Advertising Manager: Nicole Taylor (269) 387-2107 Herald-Advertising@wmich.edu
r Adhering to agreed upon schedule r Selling to a set sales goal
WESTERN HERALD
Trevor Ritsema / Western Herald
Kelsey Klug and Rob Johnson casually sit and talk about their likes and dislikes at a local coffee shop, Feb. 8, 2012.
date?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
2
How long have you and your lover been dating?
a. Two years b. One year c. Six months d. A few weeks
c. Ginger and Citrus Sorbet
c. An occasional butt grab is perfect
d. Dulce de Leche
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d. The more the better
It’s Friday night and you feel like going out, what do you do?
a. Head to the Wine Loft b. Check out the latest gallery at the KIA c. Call your friends and go to the REC’s sauna to relax d. Grab a black shirt and catch a game at Lawson
answErs
Mostly A’s
d. Seafood
b. A kiss is great, it’s a part of life
European Hunk
c. Exotic, new things
b. Mint Chocolate Chip
Mostly B’s
b. Classic dishes with a twist
a. Neapolitan
a. Keep it simple in public and save the rest for later
Foodie’s Delight
a. Comfort food
What is your stance on PDA?
Asian Love
1
When looking over a menu you tend to decide on...
5
Mostly C’s
Complied by emily midling and Catie dymond
What’s your favorite kind of ice cream?
Spanish Ice
is right for you
3
Mostly D’s
what
3
spanisH icE
asian lovE
Dim the lights and turn up the romance at Fandango Tapas Bistro. Tuesday is half off pitchers of sangria, but don’t drink too many because up next head out to Wings Stadium for their 10th annual pink ice hockey game against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7 p.m.
If sushi is what your heart desires try Sushiya on Kalamazoo Avenue. You even have the choice to eat there or order it online at campusfood. com. Keep the party going at Oasis Hot Tub Gardens. Their private enclosures come with a fireplace for $29 an hour for two people.
FoodiE’s dEligHt Those who are obsessed with good food can search no longer. Food dance will be having a fixed three course menu starting at 4 p.m. For $45 you can feast until you drop. Then head over to Though Happy Our Art in the Oakwood Plaza. Make a “Ghost” inspired masterpiece for $25 each at this BYOB. Whether it’s a box or a bottle, it’s sure to be a good time.
EuropEan Hunk Located on the Kalamazoo Mall, Rustica is known for their desserts. Try the chocolate eclair, but beware it’s addicting. Next head over to the Civic, but get your tickets in advance, for a tour de wine at 5:30 p.m. The event costs $45 each and features 80 different wines and beers as well as a collection of acts to enterain you.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
Local flower shops have holiday options By Taylor Larson Staff Reporter
to the bouquet. Certain flowers have established meanings. Buy pansies for tender thoughts, white carnations for pure love and red roses to signify enduring passion. Due to demand, Vandersalm’s recommends placing an order at least one day before Valentine’s Day. Affordable: Rent is due, book fees for the new semester are sky high and next week is Valentine’s Day. If responsibilities keep mounting and bank accounts keep draining, there’s no shortage of low cost, high quality floral shops that are sure to do the trick. Ava’s Flowers: Every week, Ava’s offers a selection of beautiful fresh flower bouquets for only $19.99. The flowers are not wilting or long past their prime. Bright, vibrant sunflowers and tall, spiked Birds of Paradise regularly make the top of the list. Ava’s offers more traditional Valentine bouquets, marketing a Red Rose and Calla Lily Bouquet for $40 and a spectacular bundle of two dozen farm fresh red roses for $50. The Hot Deals section of Ava’s website offers even more discounted deals on unique and beautiful arrangements, offering flowers and colors of all different types. Though Ava’s is a national florist, it delivers locally to Kalamazoo, and also directly to Western Michigan University. Ambati Flowers: (1830 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo) A mere four minutes from campus, Ambati Flowers is convenient and inexpensive. The Thoughts of You Bouquet with Red Roses for $32.95 is the best deal for the price. The bouquet has three vibrant red roses arranged with white wax flower and huckleberry in a clear vase, tied together with red satin ribbon. A frequent best seller is the Be My Love Bouquet with Red Roses. This bouguet is a collection of red roses, white Asiatic lilies and chrysanthemums arranged in a deep red vase for $47.95. Ambati also offers extras to customize the bouquet with Mylar balloons, boxed chocolates and little stuffed bears a few of the available additions. Seivert’s Floral: (925 S. BurKallie Strazdas / Western Herald dick St, Kalamazoo) For a more With Valentine’s Day coming up, Schafer’s Flowers on Stadium Dr traditional bouquet, Seivert’s is your one stop shop for flower assortments and chocolates for offers The FTD Deeply Devoted Bouquet, a single red rose that special someone. has been operating since 1910 and recently ranked as the Kalamazoo’s favorite florist in the Kalamazoo Gazette’s Readers’ Choice Awards. On Valentine’s Day, if one is go- Carrying everything from tradiing to say anything at all, it should tional pink petals to clear, square be said with flowers. vases filled with green cymbium Delicate, fragrant and clasorchids and ti leaves, Vandersalm’s sically romantic, colorful petals is certainly not lacking in variety. attached with sweet sentiments Prices range from $22.95 for three may seem traditional and outdated, red roses up to $209.95 for a specbut girlfriends will think they are tacular three dozen rose display. anything but. Below is a full floral For those looking for something guide for every price range and slightly more unconventional, situation. Flowers sure to bring Vandersalms offers silk and tropipassion blooming like perennials cal arrangements in addition to the in no time. more traditional floral fare. There’s Best Local: Vandersalm’s Floweven a guide to meanings behind ershop (1120 S. Burdick St. Kalacertain flowers on the company mazoo) Vandersalm’s Flowershop website to add extra thoughtfulness
displayed in a red glass bud vase, for $24.99, or The FTD Promised Kisses™ Bouquet, containing a single pale pink rose in the same arrangement, for $19.99. The FTD Deep Emotions Rose Bouquet, for $34.99, is a unique take on the usual rose bouquet, with fuchsia and spray roses in summer sunset hues accented by blades of lily grass in a square, glass vase, giving the arrangement a modern touch. Bouquets at Seivert’s range in price from $19.99 for single roses to $138 for a spectacular pink rose display, but the majority of bouquets are priced between $25 and $60. Expensive: For those with discriminating taste, or looking to make an impression, the following chronicles Kalamazoo’s finest florists. Park Lane Florist—(436 S. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo) For a truly outstanding lady, Park Lane Florist offers the Lavish Collection, a list of nine exquisite bouquets, ranging in price from $82.99 to $202.99 for a magnificent display of orchids and lavender roses elegantly arranged in a cone shaped, tropical leave lined vase. Other displays feature brilliant purple orchids, massive bundles of fresh cut roses in a myriad of colors and exotic floral arrangements. Polderman’s Flower Shop, Greenhouse and Garden: (8710 Portage Road, Portage) This is the shop where things get serious. For $242.95, three dozen long stemmed, ruby red roses come in a flared glass vase, elegantly accented with various greenery. The Rose Rapture for $272.95 buys a striking assortment of what appears to be as many light pink, lavender, and fuchsia roses that could be fit into one square glass vase. For $312.95, a Premium version of the bouquet may be purchased. Exotic/Unique Creations— If red roses and stuffed toys for Valentine’s Day feel too cliché, try exotic. Featuring vibrant, highlighter hues, funky, twisting vases and playful arrangements, these artful bouquets are anything but pedestrian. Schafer’s Flowers Inc.—(3274 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo) Schafer’s provides the typical pink and red rose deal for the day of love, but a few standout pieces can be found among their selection as
well. For the environmentalist, the FTD Go Green Bouquet, arranged with vibrant yellow Asiatic lilies and matching Alstroemeria in a biodegradable, eco-friendly vase, is only $39.99. For anyone looking to impress, the FTD Tropical Bright Arrangement ($71.99) is sure to do the trick. Blood orange Birds of Paradise rise above yellow pincushion protea, accented with bright greenery in a thick rectangular vase in this towering display. Bloomers—(8801 N. 32nd, Richland, MI) Mounted on a kiwi green square base, the Zen Artistry bouquet is about as untraditional as it gets. A razor cut palm leaf fans out behind a stretch of deep purple orchids and spray of tropical flowers, with long sticks of bamboo serving as a backdrop and living ladder for the orchids to coil around. The basic arrangement is on sale for $42.95, with Deluxe and Premium options available for $52.95 and $62.95, respectively. The upgrades offer the addition of more floras, giving the piece a fuller, more put together look. If flowers themselves seem too typical, Bloomers has just the thing. Money alone may not be enough to buy love, but it can buy a tree that just might return a profit. The Money Tree ($32.95), also known as a Pachira, is believed to bring good luck to whoever it is given to. This happy little tree, with twisted trunk and bamboo like leaves, sits in the middle of a square black container, sprouting from deerfoot moss and arranged with black and white rocks reminiscent of Zen gardens. Longjohns Floral Shoppe and Greenhouses—(4038 N. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo) Hardy, with an understated, soft beauty, the Be Still My Heart Valentine Bamboo ($39.99) is as decided a departure away from the traditional rose bouquet as the Valentine’s Pachira. Two bright green bamboo stalks entwine in the shape of a heart in a square vase filled with red decorative rocks, creating a unique and tasteful design that’s sure to stand out. As with most holidays, it’s the thought that counts. However, Valentine’s Day tends to be the exception. Know the person being shopped for, and choose wisely. With all the options listed above, the only hard part will be deciding.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
WMU softball prepares to start season
By nathan Palcowski Staff Reporter
Not only do the Broncos have hitting, but the pitching will be just as dominant as well. Meredith Whitney, a senior, is coming back with the chance to sketch her name into WMU softball galore. Whitney is only 99 strikeouts away from having the most strikeouts in a career. “I’m excited for her and expect big things from her this season,” Leitke said. WMU is no stranger to facing ranked opponents in their nonconference schedule. Last year, WMU faced four ranked teams in their first 10 games. National softball powerhouses including Arizona State, Oklahoma, Alabama and Missouri. Overall the Broncos this year will face four nationally ranked teams, which is a decline from 2011 when they faced seven. “We are going to work on our game, and play well,” Leitke said. “We are going to play the same way every time, fundamentally sound.” WMU is the pre-season favorite to win the MAC tournament and the MAC West Division. The Broncos start their quest at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9, as they try to pull the upset against defending national champion Arizona State.
The Western Michigan Bronco softball team begins their journey towards a MAC West division title this weekend against the defending national champion, and number one seeded Arizona State Sun Devils in the Kajikawa Classic. While down at the Kajikawa Classic, a tournament spanding from Feb 9-12, the Broncos will face Utah, New Mexico, Cal-State Northridge, and Bradley. WMU will end the tournament against number nine ranked Tennessee. But until the end, Arizona State is the only game on the mind of reigning MAC coach of the year Kathy Leitke. “We won’t get another chance like this,” Leitke said. “We just have to go down there and play fundamentally sound softball.” Fundamentally sound softball is the core of the Broncos this season. The team brings back MAC player of the year Gracie Barstad, who last year hit a team best .373 and tied a school record for the second highest batting average in a season. Along with Barstad, WMU returns three of the top five hitters from last year in Courtney Rousseau (.286), Meredith Whitney (.277) Western Herald File Photo and Tara Buchanan (.265) Senior Meredith Whitney (10) “We have a great hitting core pitches. coming back for their senior season,” Leitke said.
Students reflect on Valentine’s Day experiences out well. “All I want from my boyfriend is for him to be here with me,” Somers said. Valentine’s Day is fast approachAs of right now, Somers’ boying. It’s that time of the year when friend Cpl. John Steiner is in the Hollywood begins their annual Marine Corps Base Camp Pendlerun of sappy, tear-jerking romantic ton in California. The pair began comedies. It is also the time of the dating two years ago, when they year when flower shops get a boost were set up on a Valentine’s Day in profits and restaurants make date. those nice specials for every couple She plans on sending him a out there. bracelet with both of their names Valentine’s Day also means engraved inside the locket. searching for the perfect gift for a “I made it, so this is something significant other. For many people, really special to me,” she said. this can be a harrowing experiOn the other hand, Somers ence. But for others, like freshman still doesn’t know what Steiner Jessica Somers, a fashion merchan- will send to her, or if he has done dising major, the endeavor works anything at all.
By Ociel Torres Staff Reporter
“I know John is busy in training, so I shouldn’t get my hopes up as much,” Somers said. Somers knew from the beginning that Steiner wanted to be in the Army and she knew that being in a long distance relationship would bring difficulties. “I know that him being in California and I here in Michigan that it will be hard. This is going to be a very hard time for us, especially Valentine’s Day. We met on that holiday, and it means something very special for both of us.” While plenty of people sigh and swoon over loving displays of affection, others like sophomore fine arts major Tom Dean has never liked Valentine’s Day.
“I just think that the day is a big marketing scheme and brings in more pressure to couples,” Dean said. Dean and his boyfriend Mark Lindsey have been together for more than 18 months. He admits to being stubborn and does not always know when to give the right gifts. “I have always told my boyfriend that I am not always the greatest gift giver,” he said. That’s exactly what happened last year when he gave Lindsey, who goes to Central Michigan University, a sarcastic shirt rather than the standard treats and dinner. “I thought it was a very thoughtful and meaningful gift,
but I guess he took it the wrong way,” he said. “In a way, I’m kind of happy I didn’t get stuck with someone who is too superficial. He did get a little upset, no doubt about it, but he took it in stride.” Such experiences can lead to disdain or indifference towards this quintessential romantic holiday. “I don’t think too much about the day. For me it’s a holiday that could disappear,” said Dean. Others, though, will always have a special place for Valentine’s Day in their hearts. “Many people take this holiday for granted, but Valentine’s Day is a special holiday for me,” Somers said.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Sweets for sweethearts By Kassie Charnley Staff Reporter
with us here at Heilman’s when she is not at cosmetology school,” Herder said. With rows and rows of shelves Whether someone is looking for stocked with packages of chocolates, a gift of chocolates for that special nuts, peanut brittle, caramel corn someone for Valentine’s Day, or a and even coffee, one can’t go wrong package of their parents’ favorite when shopping at Heilman’s. nuts, students should look no fur“For Valentine’s Day, we have ther than Heilman’s and Confections with Convictions. These two many heart shaped boxes for sale. Kalamazoo businesses have a lot to We’re even famous for our chocolate offer in the area of specialized and covered strawberries,” Herder said. “For the entire month of February, locally made treats. Heilman’s Nuts and Confections not just Valentine’s Day, we actually have a deal online. With the purLocated on the southwest corner chase of any size order, customers of South Westnedge avenue and will receive a ¼ lb. heart shaped box Howard Street, Heilman’s offers a of chocolates for free when they variety of chocolates and nuts to its customers. Founded in 1988 by enter a special code online.” Herder said that they try to acAl Heilman, the business has been commodate everyone at the local serving the Kalamazoo area for business. 24 years. In 2006, Dan and Rose “Customers can purchase any of Herder bought the business from our treats at any quantity. They don’t Heilman and haven’t changed a have to purchase a pound of something. The couple manages the thing, they can pick the quantity business in Kalamazoo with help from their three daughters, despite and we will package it up for them in any way,” she said. the distance. Confections with Convictions “One of our daughters lives in is a local business that has a lot to Texas and another lives in Grand offer, especially when it comes to Rapids. Our third daughter works providing help to young people in ravemotionpictures the community who have had court involvement. What started out as CITYPLACE 14 an idea to employ and train youth South & Portage - Downtown Kzoo 269-381-5732 became a much bigger idea after Times Valid for Friday to Sunday Dale Anderson bought a box of *Woman In Black - PG13 1:20p 4:20p 7:55p 9:45p 10:45p chocolates and joked about opening his own chocolate shop. *Dangerous Method - R 12:25p 3:50p 6:55p 9:40p After studying and practicing the *Chronicle - PG13 art of making chocolate for three 12:45p 4:25p 7:25p 10:20p years, Anderson put his construc*Grey, The - R 12:20p 3:30p 7:30p 10:30p tion skills to work and renovated a *Man on a Ledge - PG13 building for his shop on Crosstown 1:05p 3:35p 7:40p 10:10p Parkway in Kalamazoo. The busi*One For the Money - PG13 12:10a 3:20p 7:00p 9:50p ness has been around for just over *Artist - PG13 a year and has a variety of special 12:05p 3:40p 6:45p 9:35p treats available to customers. *Red Tails - PG13 12:30p 3:55p 7:35p 10:25p “We have 18 handmade cara*Underworld Awakening - R mels, from plain to exotic kinds of 12:55p 4:10p 8:05p 10:40p caramel. We make and have about *Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - R 4:15p 7:10p 10:05p 35 different kinds of truffles avail*Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - PG13 able in the shop, also a variety, from 12:50p plain milk chocolate truffles to rasp*The Descendants - R 12:35p 3:15p 7:15p 9:55p berry truffles. We even have vegan *Contraband - R truffles for anyone who is vegan but 1:00p 3:45p 8:00p 10:35p would still like to enjoy a truffle,” *Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - R said Anderson. “We also have things 12:00p 3:25p 6:50p 10:15p called Bites, which are toasted *Hugo - PG 12:15p 3:10p 6:40p almonds coated in chocolate.” Confections has handmade truffles made in Kalamazoo from organic and Fair Trade chocolate. They also have chocolate bars from For Group Sales Events, Field Trips. Toll Free 1-866-678-7066 Ti m es g o o d f or F r i d ay different companies that are organic * Special Engagement - No Passes or Discount Tix + D i g it a l P r o j ect i o n and Fair Trade certified Anderson www.ravemotionpictures.com
said. Anderson said that as a local business, Confections with Convictions supports Fair Trade because it not only offers fair pricing, but also allows the farmers and farm workers from which the company gets their supply from to protect the environment, and develop the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. The price for one truffle is $1.75, but Anderson said that the more truffles you buy, the lower the price per truffle. “For Valentine’s Day, we have some special truffles that are constructed using ingredients from love potions from around the world. One is centered on peach, rose, raspberry and other secret ingredients,” Anderson said. Anderson said that each new truffle that he makes becomes his favorite for a while, but one of his first truffle recipes remains his favorite of all the truffles he has ever made. “It was a 65 percent Peruvian chocolate truffle with a little bit of orange infused flavoring on top,” he said. Besides simply selling such a wide variety of chocolate treats, Anderson’s business is a community outreach program. “Confections with Convictions offers a fresh start to young people with criminal records. We train them and provide them with a job when they just might need it the most,” Anderson said. Anderson encourages chocolate lovers to pay a visit to Confections with Convictions. “First timers get a free sample out of the case, so you’ll be supporting a local business by buying from a company that supports and works with Fair Trade, but you’ll also be getting a free truffle out of it,” Anderson said. Heilman’s Nuts and Confections with Convictions are locally owned businesses that supply a variety of special treats, like chocolates, nuts, truffles and so much more to the community of Kalamazoo. Not only do these two businesses offer special treats for Valentine’s Day, but they also offer these treats year-round. When looking for something for your significant other, Heilman’s Nuts or Confections with Convictions might just be your first stop.