February dedicated to celebration of Black History

This year, expect a Black History Month filled with celebration and commemoration.

“Our theme is ‘Young, Gifted, and Black’...because around college age is when a lot of great leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr., blossomed,” Pride BSA President Laura Mann said. This year’s events aim to recognize the creative energy of young people as innovators.

Although there is growing recognition of non white history in America, such recognition was desperately needed 80 years ago.

Being a student may get more taxing

Pull out your wallets, it’s time to pay the piper. Again. If your tuiton and books didn’t cause you to take a hammer to your piggy-bank, maybe St. Paul City Council member Jay Benanav’s new proposal to charge every college student in St. Paul $25 will. $25 isn’t likely to result in shards of pink porcelin for most, but many are questioning why Benanav is targeting students.

The proposal, initally discussed in the 2003 citywide budget meetings, is motivated by a lack of funding for services such as police, fire and snowplowing.

No car a big problem

I shivered helplessly. The constant uncertainty of when I would find salvation mocked me. And then I saw the bus. Warm, safe, and a way of getting to the famed Mall of America. Sure, I would have to get off and wait for the light rail. And sure, the temperature was -2 degrees counting wind chill. But I was on a mission, and the hour of transportation was worth it.

However, when it’s not a random mission I’m attempting and instead a necessity, transportation is pretty hard to come by. I’ve had my share of scares thinking that I wouldn’t be able to get where I needed to go. For example, last weekend when I ventured back to Oregon, my state of residence, I nearly panicked when I thought my ride to the airport had forgotten about me. Trapped on campus, my only choice would have been to hope that the bus would somehow get me there in under an hour. Not likely.

With only a week left to plan . . . a few ideas for the love-struck but cash-strapped college student

It’s that time of year again. Yes, classes are starting, but that’s not it. Don’t tell me you forgot again. Valentine’s day is Feb. 14 every year, and maybe one of these years you will remember ahead of time and have the night planned to perfection.

But if you are still looking for ideas, or it just struck you that no plans have been made, don’t worry. There is plenty to do around the cities for the last minute planner. This year get away from the traditional dinner and a movie theme and come up with something original and memorable. If you can’t even do this yourself, here are a few ideas that are either cheap, creative, or a nice mix of the two that are a good fit for the budget of a college student.

Olies out for revenge on the Metrodome floor

Last Wednesday, February 1, the mens basketball squad was scheduled to travel south to St. Olaf for their final conference match up of the regular season. In their first meeting at Hutton arena, Hamline was able to take the win, setting the stage for a heated battle on the Olies’ home court. But that game would never come. St. Olaf chose to give up their home-court advantage for the chance to play on the floor of the Metrodome, which has been set up to accommodate basketball games for the upcoming NCAA Div. 1 Regional tournament.

The setting was unfamiliar for both teams, and attendance was a sparse 250 in an arena that can hold 64,000, but that didn’t change the bad taste that Hamline had left in the Olies’ mouths from their last meeting. St. Olaf was out for a little revenge.

Under the Covers

With Audition #1

Look above. It says “Audition #1.” That’s right, we’re holding auditions for our sex columnist position. Submit a column, following the instructions at the bottom of the page. Due Feb. 10. Also, let us know what you think of this column. Send comments to oracle@hamline.edu

Dear Under the Covers,
My male co-habitation partner has been dropping hints recently about how my fellatio skills haven’t been exactly what the kids call “da bomb.” What can I do to “polish up,” if you will?

Yeah, Well, My Mouth Gets Tired