Daily Helmsman

All nighter agony

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's like there aren't enough hours in a day. Consumed with preparing for the tests, roommates pass each other silently. Others skip meals to create more time for studying. For them, this lifestyle isn't a choice - it's a must. It's make or break. It's exam week.

With final exams looming, student excuses don't make the grade

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

No one remembers exactly where it originated, but it's been retold time after time - the story of two students who spent all night drinking and partying when they should have been studying for their chemistry final exam the following morning. The students knew they wouldn't be ready for the test so they blew it off and came up with an excuse.

Some students pass on exam week

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The end of the year is approaching, but as some students are studying and preparing for exams, others are already gone.

Final exam week is scheduled for April 25 - May1. The week is designed to provide extra study time and brief breaks for students, which many anticipate.

Anderson, Dozier to test draft waters

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With his coach as their main motivator, junior Memphis guard Antonio Anderson and Junior forward Robert Dozier will enter the NBA Draft without hiring an agent. Coach Calipari advised them to test the waters in order to get into the NBA pre-draft game and see what how they stacks up in the eyes of NBA scouts.

Here's to the moment and to the future

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

My five years are up. There's no more denying it or putting it out of mind. This is the last column, the last thing I will write as the sports editor of The Daily Helmsman. I considered doing a cliché send-off about how leaving college sucks, but TJ already beat me to it.

As the heat looms, another blockbuster summer kicks off

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Many critics love the fall, when all the high Oscar prestige flicks open. But for me, summer is easily my favorite time for movies. I truly want to be dazzled. I want a movie to blow me through the back of my chair. I want it to replace my Adderall. I need my summer movies to medicate me, take away all distractions and own my existence for two hours.

Summer blockbuster extravaganza: Part Deux

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Normally, after the July 4th weekend, the quality of movies plummets. Not so, with this year's crop. If anything, the films will get better and better.

JULY 4

"Hancock"

As if family issues and guilt didn't plague superheroes enough, let's make a movie where the hero is a hard-drinking jackass! It's "Superman" meets "Leaving Las Vegas!"

Will Smith plays an apathetic superhero who does much more property damage to the city than life saving.

Alt-rock trio, the Murdocks, 'Roar' on newest release

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last semester, I reviewed MIA's "Kala" and Pinback's "Autumn of the Seraphs." This time around, I bring you another album by a band you probably haven't heard of - The Murdocks. Of course, in my traditional style, I waited until the last minute to write this, which explains why you're only just now reading a review for "Roar!", a CD that came out on April 1.

The Game of Life

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When you're a kid, playing the board game LIFE is full of happy anticipation - which career card will I draw? Will I get to live in a big house? How many children will I have?

Maybe you'll land on the space that wins you a Noble Prize and $100,000. But even if you land on a bad space like "Tornado Hits House," not to worry - just spin the wheel again and go on to something better.

Growing up delayed for some

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

David Plunk, a 22-year-old spring 2006 graduate of the University of Tennessee, lives at home with his mom and sees no reason to rush out the door to quickly settle down with a career, wife and family.

Plunk is part of a growing trend of millions to marry later in life, go to school longer and generally take longer to "find themselves" in life.

Game over

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When Jason Radish pledged Kappa Sigma in the fall of his freshman year of college at The University of Memphis, he was well aware of the infamous fraternity lifestyle.

"My brother was already a member," said Radish. "I wanted to be a part of the good times.

It's in the air: Many health problems pollution-related

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Imagine exposing 320 bus loads of children to unhealthy air for an entire summer. Put another way, nearly 27,000 children suffer from some form of respiratory problems due to poor air quality in Memphis, according to environmentaldefense.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to informing the public about environmental hazards.

Preyed Upon

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Imagine one of your earliest memories as a child. Do you have it in mind? Are you thinking of a tender hug from mom or a fun-filled pillow fight with a sibling? Now replace that image with one of an unstable uncle's hand on your under-developed genitalia, while he whispers things in your ear that you've never heard, but instinctively know aren't quite right.

Hide and Seek

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When students enter the computer labs on campus, they will notice a sign on the door. No, it isn't the "turn off your cell phone" sign. This one is bigger and brighter. This neon sign states in bold letters: "NO MYSPACE, FACEBOOK OR GAMES WHILE OTHER PEOPLE ARE WAITING.

Memphis Kids Play A New Tune

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

It is a Wednesday afternoon, and the sounds of music legends like Isaac Hayes and Booker T. & The MG's can be heard through the halls of the Soulsville Charter School.

Patrick Nolan, a seventh grader at Soulsville Charter School, said his grades have gotten much better since he came to the school in the sixth grade.

Memphis' infant mortality rate highest among US cities

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

People don't usually think of Memphis when they hear the term "third world."

Most probably think of far away places where children are starving and people drink from the same river they bathe in.

But most people probably don't know that in 2002, when the statistics were last made available, 31 babies out of 1,000 didn't see their first birthday in the 38108 ZIP code alone.

Tennessee: hot spot for meth

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When Sam first tried crystal meth at the age of 26, he was a little worried about getting addicted.

"I'd always heard stories of people getting hooked on it and having a tough time getting off when, and if, they decided to quit," said Sam, who asked not to be identified.

On the map

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Michael Heidingsfield doesn't want job security. Many people would be happy if he didn't have a job, but they're safer because he does.

Heidingsfield, CEO and president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, is one of many people who fight violent crime in Memphis, but that mission is becoming tougher.

Rolling the dice too risky for most

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Sometimes having cash in your wallet can be a bad thing, especially when you're alone in the desert and you just want a drink.

From bars to gas stations and even grocery stores, no matter where you go in Reno, it is hard to escape gambling, said Jim Lester, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Drowning memories...

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Things that are considered "normal" while growing up can be anything from bumps and bruises from childhood accidents, making promises to be best friends forever with your kindergarten friends and learning about the world in general.

But what if "normal" includes watching a parent in a drunken stupor?

"I always thought that it was normal for someone to drink," said Bryan, a former U of M student who asked not to be identified.

Hookah's less-dangerous reputation a myth

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

For some college students, a typical weekend activity involves sitting around the coffee table and passing a waterpipe, legally. Hookah smoking among college students has increased in recent years, which has many health officials worried about the health risks and the potential for further tobacco addiction.

Transportation woes plague city

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Judy Ruth clenched her blue jacket a little tighter around her body. Huddled inside the bus stop at Cooper and Union Avenue, she waited for the No. 2 bus to take her to "Mr. Gadd's" barber shop.

"I used to ride the No. 2 and cross the street to see my barber, Lisa, to get my hair cut, but now they (MATA) put that right turn in on Union," said Ruth.

Immigrants to US come with hope

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

For the 1.1 million immigrants who entered the United States legally in 2005, there is the promise of a new life.

Their reasons for immigrating - a needed job skill, joining family or having refugee status - doesn't really matter. What matters most is that they have permission to be here.

Grades released early for SETE participation

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After hours of studying for finals, it can sometimes feel as though the wait to see your grades is more agonizing than the exam itself. But starting this semester, students who complete their instructor evaluations (SETE) will be able to see their grades early.

Grievances again delay SGA election

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Exams are looming and classes are coming to a close, but no end is in sight for the Student Government Association elections.

Two more grievances were filed yesterday by the A.G.E.N.C.Y. party, less than thirty minutes away from the 4:30 p.m. deadline to file grievances, one against the M.

Former U of M accountant murders mother, waits until morning to call 911

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It started when he went to get some ice for a coke and ended with his 82-year-old mother dead in the backyard.

John Brunner, 56, a former U of M accountant, was found guilty of murdering his mother, Opal Brunner, 82, last week.

"Brunner killed his mother on July 23, 2006, but didn't call 911 until the next morning," said Jennifer Donnals, communications director for the Shelby County District Attorney's Office.

University golf cart stolen by joy riders

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last Tuesday, in a suspected "joyriding" case, a golf cart disappeared from the front of Scates Hall only to be found later at Spottswood Avenue and Echles Street. It was returned to the Arts and Science Department. There are no suspects at this time.

Bruce Harber, director of police services, said although the perpetrator probably did not intend to actually steal the cart, it is statistically recognized as theft.

Rate your teacher or search for other peer reviews

Fri, 04 Feb 2005 05:00:00 GMT

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