News

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Tarantula venom jumpstarts new pharmaceutical company

Fred Sachs, Ph.D, distinguished professor of physiology and biophysics, has decided to take things into his own hands to revolutionize the world of medicine. Sachs and his colleagues have teamed up to start their own pharmaceutical company, Rose Pharmaceutical, to advance the clinical testing of a certain protein that they believe has the potential to treat a slew of diseases. Sachs discovered a protein in the venom of a tarantula known as GsMTx4, a place he admits would seem unlikely to find such a therapeutic substance. The mechanism by which the protein works is completely unheard of in the realm of drug therapies. Where most medical drugs act on various chemical receptors found on the different cells of the body, GsMTx4 acts on a type of sensor on cell membranes sensitive to mechanical stress. The researchers at Sachs's lab were the first to discover, accidently about 20 years ago, that such structures even existed on cells. According to Sachs, these sensors are still at such an early stage of being researched that their actual function is still the subject of much debate. 'Exactly what they do for a living remains to be determined,' Sachs said. 'The current model we have is that you could look at them as pain receptors at a cellular level. What they're looking for is weak spots on the reinforcement to the membrane.' Sachs's lab discovered – through an act of serendipity – that GsMTx4 acted on these stress-sensitive structures to produce a number of extremely positive effects in the bodies of test mice. These included an increase in muscle strength, pain inhibition and a correction of cardiac arrhythmia. Sachs was quick to try to market the protein. With the experimental research to prove it, Sachs attempted to advance the protein as a treatment for muscular dystrophy, sickle-cell anemia, cardiac arrhythmia, and peripheral neuropathic pain. Sachs gave seminars to all the large pharmaceutical companies. Unfortunately, they were uninterested or not capable of accepting the discovery he had made. Sachs said the companies' hesitation to advance the drug was due almost entirely to its complete novelty and the unconventional way in which it functioned. 'Big pharmaceutical companies didn't pick up on this,' Sachs said. 'I tried. I gave them a lot of seminars and stuff, but the idea of working with biomechanics and drugs was so [unorthodox] that no one wanted anything to do with it.' According to Sachs, he gave up completely and decided to do the science and let someone else pick up on his research in the future. The next step found him. A local stockbroker with a 2-year-old grandson diagnosed with muscular dystrophy found Sachs' work on the Internet, and the two discussed his work over lunch. This encounter and their subsequent correspondence eventually led to the formation of Rose Pharmaceuticals this past July. The company is affectionately named after the lab's pet tarantula, 'Rose.' Although they are hopeful about the progress they will make, the company is still in its infancy and facing one major problem. 'Like all start-ups we don't have the money,' Sachs said. 'We have the idea, but we don't have the money, so we'll keep working on it.' The next step is to get FDA approval. 'There's no obvious reason this wouldn't work at this point,' Sachs said. 'So we're going after four of these diseases because we have data that it can be active on these four diseases, and anything you learn from any one of them can be applied to the other. So there is really only one set of toxicity tests that need to be done with this.' E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Police Blotter

1/10?A person tampered with a security camera at the Center for the Arts.

Helping Haiti

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that recently hit Haiti was felt well beyond the Caribbean country's borders, shaking the hearts of those who wanted to help in any way they could. When the members of Caribbean Student Association heard the news, they knew they needed to jump into action by holding a clothing drive. 'My reaction [to the earthquake] was shocking, just because it was two countries,' said Jay Stevens, a senior management major and President of the Caribbean Student Association. 'Haiti is already a poor country, and for this to happen to them, it's just devastating… words can't explain it.' The Caribbean SA is accepting anything and everything that will aid the quake-stricken country. Water, food, clothing and blankets will all be collected Wednesday in the Student Union lobby from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m., or they can be dropped off at the Caribbean SA office, located in 307 Student Union. Stevens said that they're giving all the donated items to the Red Cross of WNY, but also wanted to donate to an organization in the Dominican Rebublic as well. Like many people in the U.S., Jonathan Joseph, a senior legal studies major, has family connections to Haiti and is concerned with the status of the country and it's citizens. 'A lot of homes were lost and ruined… I know my uncle owned personal property there and it was destroyed,' Joseph said. 'When I first heard about [the earthquake], I thought it was tragic. My family is devastated too. That is where they were born and raised… They have relatives out there that they could not reach.' The unexpected natural disaster has deeply impacted Joseph and his family, and the uncertainty he sees in their eyes is a haunting image that has stayed with him since news of the earthquake. 'My father has a really good friend that recently just went over there, and he hasn't heard from him yet. He's been trying to get into contact with him,' Joseph said. In addition to a clothing drive, the Caribbean SA is working to set up a larger fundraiser, like an ice-skating event, to help the victims of the earthquake. They encourage other clubs and campus organizations to join in on their effort. While Joseph and others were grieving, others had no idea what had happened in the Caribbean country. Some students did not know about the earthquake in Haiti until it was discussed in one of their classes, like Carla Schory, a freshman business major. 'I didn't really know where Haiti was or what happened there until my teacher talked about it,' Schory said. 'And my English teacher mentioned it too. He told us we needed to go online and research [the earthquake], so I did.' After hearing around campus that more and more organizations are getting involved with helping Haiti, Schory feels like she needs to do her part as well. 'I can't even fit all my clothes in my bins in my dorms, so I have stuff to get rid of,' Schory said. 'I'll definitely donate. I really want to help.' E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

It's always 4:20 in New Jersey

'You may have Princeton, but that doesn't make you classy.' 'So… did you go to high school with Pauly D?' 'Is fist pumping the only way you know how to dance?' Etc., etc., etc. Going to school in Buffalo can be aggravating when people find out that I'm from New Jersey. In addition to getting asked the less-than-clever questions above, I'm also frequently talked to in a horrific 'New Joisey' accent (even though I've been told that I don't have one) and then harangued about all the things that my state doesn't have to offer. Well guess what, New York? The grass is finally greener on the power plant-polluted other side. Jerseyans suffering from serious diseases like AIDS, Crohn's disease, glaucoma and cancer now have a new, smoky way to alleviate their pain. Patients can now buy up to two ounces of marijuana, without any retribution, as long as they have a card given to them by their primary physician. According to www.nj.com, the 'dirty Jerz' joined 14 other states on Monday when it signed legislation granting chronically ill patients legal access to marijuana. This will go into effect in six months. Doctors can provide recommendations that make it legal for chronically ill patients to use marijuana as therapy. According to the Web site, there will be new pharmacies called alternate treatment centers that will produce and distribute marijuana. Before my fellow Garden State reps pull back the drapes to show off the halogen lights growing their basement bud, I should tell you that it's still illegal for the public to grow and sell marijuana. It's also still illegal to drive while high. According to Assembly Sponsor Reed Gusciora, New Jersey's medical marijuana law is the strictest in the country, as stated in an article by The Buffalo News. There has been a constant struggle for the legalization of marijuana ever since it was banned by the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, and like many college-aged young adults, I don't quite understand why the government still makes such a big deal over the seemingly harmless plant. Marijuana is much safer than alcohol, which is available to any person at least 21 years old (or younger if you have 'alternate identification'). In fact, in a recent study done by the University of California, San Diego, it was proven that marijuana blocks damage to your brain caused by binge drinking. According to an article written by David F. Musto in The Child Study Center, School of Medicine, and the Department of History, at Yale University, the Act was put in place because the government was pressured by enforcement agencies and other groups who feared that marijuana was produced and spread by Mexicans. Racist much? That being said, there was really no valid reason for marijuana to be banned in the U.S., and hopefully other states will follow through in their pursuit to legalize medical marijuana. Until then, smoke up, oh ye injured of New Jersey. You deserve it. And for New York? Stick to alcohol and painkillers – as if you had a choice, anyway. E-mail: rachel.lamb@ubspectrum.com

Paterson calls for tuition control

On Jan. 15, Governor David Paterson announced that he plans to give SUNY schools authority to raise and lower tuition at their discretion. This plan, referred to as the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, grants SUNY more autonomy from the state. Governor Paterson calls these reforms 'the most significant reforms to the state's system of public higher education in a generation' and said under this proposal, the tuition process would be taken out of the state budget process and turned over to SUNY. As of now, SUNY tuition for in-state students is $4,970, a 2 percent increase from last year to this year. In the past, tuition had been state-controlled, leaving tuition hikes up to Albany. They could occur with little to no notice, making paying for college an ongoing struggle for students and parents. This new plan, many believe, will help regulate tuition and keep it affordable. 'The innovation proposal provides students and their families with the ability to budget and plan for their investment,' said John Della Contrada, senior director of Media Relations, 'all while increasing excellence and maintaining access and diversity.' President John B. Simpson, who has been working toward this in the form of his UB2020 project, is excited for this development and considers it a big leap forward. 'This is a manifestation of what UB has been talking about for three years – tuition is not an educational device but a political one controlled by the legislature,' said Simpson. 'I think the act, if it should become law, will allow SUNY institutions to increase their quality and do business in the community.' The plan addresses the problem of university autonomy and allows the individual college to dictate where money is invested and needed and where it isn't. Under current regulation, money is distributed based on a governmental process and isn't necessarily being distributed based on the individual needs of the university inside the SUNY system. Those against the plan cite that this is simply the first step toward privatization of public colleges. A statement addressing these issues, released by John Della Contrada, states that this plan is a reform of the old, out-of-date process. Its goal is to provide SUNY schools with the tools they need and should not be viewed as privatization, but as a realistic response to unprecedented economic times. This statement provides evidence that this new legislation will create over 10,000 new direct jobs and over 30,000 construction jobs at SUNY's public research universities over the next ten years. Supporters believe it will jumpstart jobs in New York and help aid in the end of the recession. 'Our current system is not as effective as it could be,' said Della Contrada. 'These reforms will enable SUNY to realize its full potential to serve the state and avoid being hampered by unnecessary pre-approval processes that add time, complexity and cost to the taxpayer.' E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

If it ain't broke ...

At last, the cure for homosexuality is here! At least, that's what therapist Richard Cohen is claiming. Supposedly, Cohen is an ex-gay who has been living on the straight and narrow – complete with wife and kids – for 20 years. He's got a Web site called the International Healing Foundation, where he sells materials that promise to help anyone get rid of their 'unwanted Same Sex Attraction (SSA).' Got that, everyone? Just buy his products and you can be cured. What's most baffling to me is this mentality that homosexuality is a disease. I've never understood how that can even be possible. Think about schizophrenia, agoraphobia or anorexia – all of them are debilitating in some way. Liking the same sex is not debilitating in and of itself. Oh, did I mention that he's not actually a licensed therapist and has been kicked out of numerous psychiatric associations? The worst part, however, is that people are taking him seriously. In an interview with Rachel Maddow, she pointed out that Uganda is using his material as justification to execute gays. When she read out parts of his book that upheld Uganda's view, he didn't know what she was talking about, and eventually admitted that the things she was reading – such as race being a factor in turning someone gay – were false. He literally didn't know what was in his own book. Rather than helping gays become accepted in society, Cohen is using his status as an 'ex-gay' to promote the idea that being gay is wrong, bad and should be fixed. In the interview, he told Maddow that he supports gays who want to continue living a homosexual lifestyle, but everything he sells on his Web site promotes the opposite view. We've all learned about the prejudice of the past, when blacks were treated as less than human and people thought that allowing interracial marriage would cause the destruction of society. Today, it's unthinkable for most people to treat a black person that way. You're considered – rightly so – to be a bad person if you do, because being black is something that can't be chosen and has no bearing on personality. Yet when these same arguments are used to justify the equal treatment of gays, people don't want to listen. Gradually society is coming to terms with the idea that there's nothing wrong with being gay, but people like Cohen are setting us back at every turn. Not only that, they are providing other societies, like Uganda, with justification for their anti-gay views. Being gay is a personal thing. Gay people are not dangerous to others, and allowing them to marry and adopt will not cause society to degenerate. A person's gayness has absolutely no effect on anyone but that person and his or her partner. There will always be people who persist in holding prejudiced views, but we can at least work toward a majority consensus. Years from now, our children and grandchildren will hopefully be saying that we were ridiculous for ever trying to stop gays from marrying, just as we now think that banning interracial marriage was an absurd idea. E-mail: jennifer.lombardo@ubspectrum.com

The man with the underwear gun

Guns, car chases, hookers and a complete lack of respect for anyone or anything: welcome to the life of international spy Sterling Archer. FX's new comedy series Archer takes the viewer inside the dysfunctional and eccentric world of the espionage agency ISIS's employees. From the unapologetic protagonist Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin, Family Guy) to his insane ex-girlfriend Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler, Bedtime Stories), Archer is one comedy that isn't afraid to insult. With only two episodes under its belt, Archer is quickly showing that there is no topic too offensive. Dead hookers, immigrants and Dane Cook's lack of talent have all become the brunt of hilariously over the top jokes. Of course, with Adam Reed, the creator of Sealab 2021, Frisky Dingo and Space Ghost Coast to Coast, penning the script, nothing less is to be expected. As incredibly hilarious and absurd as the situations that arise in this show are, it's the characters that truly bring the show to life. Archer is a series brimming with an all-star comedic cast, including Benjamin, an actor who is no stranger to crude animated humor. His various acting roles include spots on both Family Guy and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Jessica Walter (Arrested Development) does a fantastic job as the manipulative Malory Archer, Archer's mother and boss. Walter shows her willingness to push the envelope in this role with scenes including Russian phone sex and an unrelenting stream of offensive quips. In addition to both Benjamin and Walter is the quirky Chris Parnell (30 Rock). Parnell is the voice of ISIS comptroller Cyril Figgis, the nerdy anti-Archer who becomes the boyfriend of Archer's ex. The series premiered its first two sidesplitting episodes on FX Thursday night. Both episodes were equally hilarious and the plots were similarly ridiculous. If the show is able to keep up the pace that it has set, Archer is likely to become an instant classic. The first episode, 'Training Day,' doesn't ease you into the show, but rather tosses you into the deep end headfirst. The episode centers around Archer attempting to turn bookworm Cyril into a deadly field agent just like himself, while Kane attempts to unfold what, exactly, is going on. Archer goes about this in his own unique way. The accomplished spy loads up the ill-equipped Cyril with a poison pen and underwear gun before giving him any proper instruction. From there, Cyril is trained in Archer's ways by shooting at his butler and dancing with a call girl, whose occupational title is switched to hooker after a tragic accident. The second episode, 'Mole Hunt,' continues to delve deep into the outrageous lifestyle of the extravagant Archer, this time focusing in on his financial expenses. After Malory explains to him that he is spending far too much and that 'ISIS doesn't just exist so that you can jet off to whore island,' Archer places the blame on a fictional mole and sets out to change his financial records. Employing fat jokes and outlandish statements, the episode is guaranteed to have viewers laughing throughout while simultaneously feeling slightly ashamed of themselves – and that's exactly what makes it great. Despite only having aired two episodes, Archer has already shown a large amount of potential and raised the bar for today's animated comedies. The show is raunchy, obnoxious and every bit as funny as anything else currently on air. Archer is a must see original that does anything but disappoint. The series takes shots at anyone and anything and refuses to make excuses for it. Don't be surprised to see Archer in it for the long haul and making a name for itself up there with the likes of Family Guy and South Park. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com

An author to watch for

Blackberries, computers and television can make life such a drag. In a time when technology controls so much of people's lives, many seem to forget the value of a good book on a cold winter's night. British novelist Anita Brookner has quietly become one of the world's most prodigious writers. Brookner's slim novels depict lonely, isolated individuals trying their best to adapt to the harsh and often cruel world around them. Her characters are usually quiet bookworms, secure in their finances, but little else. It is in these modest corners of society where Ms. Brookner creates entire worlds that define the universal human psyche. Brookner's first novel, 'A Start in Life,' was published in 1981. She has published 24 novels since, with the most recent being 'Strangers' from 2009. Her most famous work is arguably her fourth novel, 'Hotel du Lac.' Chronicling the solitary adventures of a romance novelist at an out of season ski resort, the novel won the Man Booker Prize in 1984. As a stylist, Brookner has been called an heir to Henry James. Her drawing room scenes and profound inner monologue allow a merging to occur between the reader and the character, resulting in a beautiful marriage of intellect and artistry. In addition to her distinguished literary career, she is internationally renowned as an art historian and in 1967, she became the first woman to hold the Slade Professorship at Cambridge University. Her other notable novels include 'Look at Me,' 'Family and Friends,' 'A Misalliance,' 'A Friend From England,' 'Dolly,' 'Incidents in the Rue Laugier,' 'The Bay of Angels,' 'Making Things Better' and 'Leaving Home.' Brookner's novels prove that it's never too late to learn life's lessons, and that retired eighty-something art history professors can still be the best teachers. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

Returning with a capital H

Artist: Motion City SoundtrackAlbum: My Dinosaur LifeLabel: ColumbiaGrade: A

Bills find their man in Gailey

The search for a head coach in Orchard Park is finally over. After two months of rabid rumors and a whirlwind of speculation, the Buffalo Bills have found their man. Though Chan Gailey's name may not widen eyes nor jump off the paper, he is exactly what the Bills have been looking for. New general manager Buddy Nix introduced Gailey as the franchises' 15th head coach on Tuesday afternoon at One Bills Drive. Immediately after the firing of Dick Jauron on Nov. 17, media outlets in Western New York and across the country began to speculate on big name coaches as candidates for the position. While the Bills remained as silent as possible in their search, names such as Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and Marty Schottenheimer began to appear. As far as fans were concerned, it was a near certainty that Buffalo would be welcoming aboard a multi-million dollar head coach. As the interview process began, however, rumored candidates quickly declined interest in the position. Whether it is the team's lack of a franchise quarterback, its 91-year-old owner, or its questionable future in the city of Buffalo, candidates declined the opportunity for an interview. When it looked like the Bills would be in for the long haul to find their next leader, Gailey's name appeared out of the woodwork. While he isn't the 'A-list' head coach that Bills' fans were hoping for, Gailey met the criteria that Nix sought. The 58-year-old Gailey has experience both as an NFL and collegiate head coach, as well as an offensive coordinator. He also briefly worked as a defensive coordinator and special teams coach early in his career. 'I wanted to have a head coach that's been successful in this league. I didn't want to go through having to have a guy learn the NFL and the workings of the NFL… I wanted an offensive-minded coach,' Nix said in a press conference. 'We also wanted to find a guy that had character and wasn't going to embarrass this organization. He's going to lead by doing things right. He's a good teacher and has good leadership skills… I want a guy that will help us win games and we found that guy.' Gailey was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-99. He took over a 6-10 team and led Dallas to a 10-6 record and a division title. The following year Dallas finished 8-8 and earned a wild-card berth. After being abruptly fired after two successful seasons, Gailey failed to get an opportunity at another NFL head coaching job and admitted that he was unsure if he'd ever get another chance. "If you sit there and say you lose confidence in yourself, no you don't,' Gailey said. 'But then you see opportunities go by. And you hope that your body of work will speak for itself. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, that's just the way it is.' Gailey moved to the collegiate level and became head coach at Georgia Tech from 2002 through 2007. He compiled a 44-33 record and led the Yellow Jackets to bowl appearances in each of his six seasons, including the Humanitarian and Champs Sports Bowl victories in 2003 and 2004, respectively. During his 38-year coaching career, Gailey has spent 15 seasons in the NFL and had various stints as an offensive coordinator with Denver, Pittsburgh, Miami and Kansas City. During his career, Gailey has worked with some of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history, including John Elway and Troy Aikman. He has also gotten rave reviews for getting production out of lesser talents such as Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh, Jay Fielder in Miami and Tyler Thigpen with Kansas City. For a team with so many question marks surrounding the quarterback position, Nix recognized that his new coach had to have previous success with signal-callers. 'We wanted somebody that had developed quarterbacks,' Nix said. 'Those with good quarterbacks are winning and those with bad quarterbacks are losing. It's not that hard to get.' Gailey will need to bring stability to the position in Buffalo. With two inconsistent quarterbacks and an unproven rookie on the current roster, he acknowledged that it will take time to assess the position. 'Until I get in there, watch film and evaluate, it's unfair for me to sit here and say what's going to happen,' Gailey said. 'I want to make sure we do a thorough evaluation, thorough study and do a great job at deciding. Then we'll talk about what needs to go on in the future.' The Bills' offense was stagnant this season. Buffalo finished 30th in the NFL in both total offense (4,382) and passing yards (2,515) and converted an NFL worst 51 percent on 3rd down. As he did in Dallas, Gailey will also assume the role of offensive coordinator. The run-first oriented coach will implement an offensive system that he can have control over and be familiar with. 'I'm going to run the offense to start with,' Gailey said. 'If you want to get it the way you believe it needs to be done from the start, then you need to do it. You have to get it the way you want it and what you believe in. Even if over time I distance myself a little from it, I'll still have the basis and know exactly what's going on.' Gailey inherits a team that has not been to the playoffs in 10 years and has finished sub .500 the past five seasons. While there is much work to be done until the team can get back to a winning tradition, Gailey is up for the challenge in his second stint as a head coach. 'I understand the challenge that's ahead of us. The challenge to get the Buffalo Bills back to a winning franchise on a consistent basis and that is the plan.' Gailey said. 'I know it's going to be a tough task and will take a lot of hard work. It's not going to be something that's done easily and the only way to get it done is for everyone to be on the same page.' E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com

Bulls remain unbeaten in MAC

Akron had it coming.

UPD spent winter break in training

While the empty UB campus continued to sleep during its final week of winter holiday, the University at Buffalo Police Department conducted in-service training drills on the vacant grounds. The exercises were specifically 'active shooter' drills, in which a mock assailant with a simulated weapon is disarmed and brought into custody. The officers involved in the drills were required to attend brief lectures, and then participated in physical instruction. 'It is good policy, in general, to conduct these drills several times a year to maintain tactical skills,' said UPD Chief Gerald Schoenle. 'These drills are important to help prevent against, and to deal with, incidents like the recent armed attack in Brockport.' Still in the shadow of the attempt on Northwest flight 253 this past Christmas day, and taking into account the university's recent history with violent crime, UB students have mixed feelings in regards to the drills and their practicality. The exercises are done regularly, several times a year, 'but things are still happening,' said Brittany Sliter, a junior nursing major. 'I suppose the police can't be everywhere all the time, but it's frustrating knowing that people are getting away with armed robbery' says Sliter, as she recounted a story of a student who was assaulted with the butt of a pistol and robbed. 'It is comforting to know that the police are taking measures to remedy the campus security problem, but working nights, even on North Campus, is still pretty scary.' According to UB Crime Statistics, a majority of the violent crimes, namely aggravated assault and robbery offenses, occur on public property. 'We have the most trouble off campus, but I hardly ever see a University Police car on North Campus; it tends to be on South Campus that I see the majority of the cops,' Anthony Parrella, a sophomore business student and South Campus resident, said. But despite student worries, Schoenle still sounds confident in his plans for the future regarding campus security and its subsequent effects on student life. The drills took place on North Campus, and were fitting, yet unspecific, to the campus geography. 'They were standard drills, but important nonetheless,' Schoenle said. Aware of the concerns for North Campus, Schoenle made knowledge of the drills public 'to prevent any cause for alarm, given the drastic increase in police presence on campus. But also, perhaps just knowing that we're making efforts to improve and maintain the integrity of our policing will put some people's minds to rest.' E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Car sharing is caring

As students return to school and are greeted by the harsh Buffalo winter, those without wheels are made slaves to the university bus system. But luckily for them, an alternative mode of transportation is now available that allows access to not only the UB community, but the entire Queen City. It's based on a concept imposed since kindergarten - sharing. The idea started in 2007 when visionaries in the school of urban planning entered an entrepreneurial competition with a for-profit car-sharing model. Although they advanced to the finals, the group unfortunately did not win because the New York State insurance market had not yet embraced the concept of car sharing. When the students switched to a non-profit service, they were awarded insurance backing. With the help of a grant provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency and the Department of Transportation, Buffalo CarShare opened for business in June. Eight months, seven Toyotas and 175 members later, BCS has provided Buffalonians with an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to private vehicle ownership. Adam Blair, a senior environmental design major and founding research associate for BCS, explains how it works. 'You can sign up for as little as $5 a month. As long as you have two years' driving experience [without] any major infractions, we'll pass you through,' said Blair. 'To reserve a car, you can go online or call. We issue you your own key fob [to access the car], and then you return it to the same spot where you picked it up.' Car sharing is ideal for those who don't own a vehicle, but need one for the occasional errand or doctor's appointment - the reason why Creighton Randall, an urban planning graduate student and BCS's founding director, considers Buffalo a perfect market for it. 'Over 31 percent of households in Buffalo do not own a car. That is higher than almost every other medium-sized city in the country,' said Randall. 'Despite popular opinion, we have a decent transit system and people living near downtown can generally get around on the bus or train, so we have the conditions that pair well with car sharing.' With the UB bus system and a number of students without vehicles, BCS has recently begun reaching out to the university. One of its newest additions is a 2009 Toyota Yaris parked near South Campus's Townsend Lot. Emily Bauer, a senior ecology and evolutionary biology major, has been a BCS member for two months and finds the South Campus hub particularly handy. 'Since I live off campus, BSC allows me [the chance] to grab groceries and run other errands at my convenience, instead of relying solely on public transportation and other rides,' said Bauer. 'BCS is affordable and allows students without a car to have access to the Buffalo community and all its shops, services and entertainment opportunities.' Bauer, who has utilized similar car sharing programs in other cities, is happy that Buffalo is following suit. 'More car share programs in more cities mean people will have less of a reliance on their vehicles, which is good for the environment, the community and their wallet,' she said. Bauer's point is valid, according to AAA. They found that car-sharing members typically drive 20 to 40 percent less. 'When you buy a car, you're already paying for it so you drive it [frequently] to get your money's worth,' Blair said. 'If you flip that [model] and pay for your car by the hour, you're going to try to do more things all in one trip.' As more people come to realize its environmental and money-saving benefits, BCS continues to grow. A fifth of its current membership is affiliated with the university, and BCS seeks to expand on this number in the future. For more information, visit www.BuffaloCarShare.org. 'We hope to reach out to Amherst and work with the university to put hubs on North Campus,' Blair said. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

No indication of foul play in Orrange death

Early last Thursday morning, Nicholas Orrange was tragically killed in a one car accident. Orrange was a very active and busy senior, involved in the Student Association as the Special Interest Service and Hobbies Coordinator and former president of the College Democrats. Orrange lost his life after his '98 Pontiac crashed into a retaining wall located at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Harlem Road, only half a mile from where his family resides. Although his destination is unknown, he had been running errands that night, according to his mother, Cheryl Beamer. 'We know that he went to Mighty Taco that night,' Beamer said. 'He also had the habit of stopping for gas and cigarettes at a station down the road.' Beamer added there is no indication of foul play as the investigation into the accident continues. 'Police have told us that he was definitely not using his cell phone and that initial results indicate no drugs or alcohol where involved,' Beamer said. 'If it was something extreme, it would have showed up immediately.' Official toxicology results are expected within the next two weeks, according to officials at the Amherst Police Department, but no evidence of drugs or alcohol were present on Orrange's person or in the car. 'They really don't know what happened,' Beamer said. 'It could have been black ice, he could have been cut off, or he could have been reaching for something. There were no witnesses to the crash and it sounds like it could just be a tragedy.' Beamer added that Nick was always one to wear his seatbelt, although reports indicate that he was not wearing it during the crash. Orrange also had a clean driving record, with no prior tickets or history of bad driving and had taken a driver education course as well. 'We may never know [what happened],' Beamer said. 'I talked with him not too long before [the accident] and he had made plans with me the next day; he talked to my father shortly after and was going to do a couple of things for him over the weekend.' The Student Association and president Ernesto Alvarado have wasted no time in helping Orrange's family. Rubber bracelets, similar to the yellow LIVESTRONG bracelets have been ordered and will be on sale sometime next week. All proceeds will go toward a scholarship in Orrange's name at his alma mater, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Although times are tough in 350 Student Union after the loss of a close friend and colleague, Alvarado says Orrange would not want to see people moping around and being depressed. 'The wake helped out a lot – we got to meet his family and other friends, but it was rough,' Alvarado said. 'The weekend was really rough for us. There isn't a time when we don't think about Nick or that he isn't in the back of our minds.' A memorial service is being put together in honor of Orrange and his name will appear on a brick outside the Student Union through the Name a Brick program. SA Vice President Greg Robbins has temporally assumed Orrange's duties until an election can be held to fill the position, according to Alvarado. 'We're trying to move on, but not forget … we're focusing on the good times and the great things Nick did,' Alvarado said. E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Where do I go from here?

As I pop off the cap to what may very well be my thousandth beer and promptly begin to pour its contents down my throat, I can't help but notice a change. Maybe it's the nine percent alcohol-by-volume, but it's more than likely the fact that I celebrated my 21st birthday this week. There's nothing like turning 21 years old and buying alcohol for your first time. You stop to take a look back at where you came from, but also to the future and where you're headed. Five years ago, I had just turned 16 years old and was a sophomore at Ballston Spa High School. At the time, I couldn't wait to get out of town and go on to live my life. Looking back now, though, I realize that I was lucky to have grown up in that town. It's not the town itself that I often find myself longing to see, but the people I left behind who still live there. My closest friends growing up are still there and spend almost every day together. I told myself that when I left for Buffalo, things wouldn't change between us. They would forever be the people I could always count on. While my core group of friends still falls under that category, I can't help but think of all the people that I used to see every week and who I now haven't communicated with in years. As much as I hate growing apart from the people who made growing up so much fun for me, I know that part of my life is over and I have to move on. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. I was alone when I came to Buffalo for my freshman year. Since I was born, I had lived in Ballston Spa and had spent every day with the same people for 18 years. This put me at a disadvantage; I realized that until that moment, I never had to go out and make new friends. Fortunately for me, though, I was placed on the third floor of Goodyear Hall. No other spot on campus means as much to me as that floor. It was there, during a rather intense session of hallway dodgeball, that I met the people I'm happy to call my housemates and best friends. They, along with everyone else I have become friends with over the past two years, are responsible for making UB more fun then I could've ever imagined, and for that I am forever in their debt. It's with them that the next year-and-a-half of my life will be spent, and I can hardly wait to see what trouble we can get ourselves into. But once those 18 months are up, it's over. From that point, the path becomes blurred. My college career is more than halfway over and my aspirations for life are still shrouded in mystery even from myself. I know I would like to work in journalism for the rest of my life, but that's the extent of it. Maybe I will head to Cleveland where my favorite magazine is based. Or maybe even farther, to the West Coast. I'm not sure. All I know is that I'm going to make the absolute best of my remaining time here and make sure I have no regrets. E-mail: james.twigg@ubspectrum.com

Saying goodbye to Nick

Student Association Special Interest Service and Hobbies Coordinator Nicholas Orrange was killed in a one-car crash on Thursday. He was 22 years old.

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