News

---

Renew My Holiday Hope

I'm not a religious person, but Christmas is significant to me. I don't accept the proclamations of any established religion, but I'm grateful that enough people follow such an ideally giving and forgiving belief system that I can enjoy an entire month of shared goodwill.I'm also grateful for the music that helps enhance that feeling and that experience for me.However, I have a seething hatred that "burns with the intensity of a thousand suns" for music that desecrates and violates the aura that surrounds the sacred month.Christmas music is borderline worthless these days.I imagine there was a time when festive seasonal music had a "cheering" effect on its listeners.

Scoreboard

Men

The Death of Vicious Freddy

What would drive a band that has been together for over seven years, with an established fan base and experience touring in different areas of the country to change their name?

Captain's Senior Year Is a Sister Act

On a gray afternoon in the first few days of December, Allison Bennett entered the sports office fresh off practice with her brow still damp and her ankle braces still strung tight.But after a strenuous three-hour practice, Bennett's demeanor showed that she was ready for another.Bennett, who is known for her tough-as-nails work ethic, is still adjusting to her role as senior co-captain for the UB Bulls women's basketball team.

Students End Semester With Eight Days of Hanukkah

With Hanukkah set to start tomorrow night, hundreds of Jewish students at UB will celebrate the Festival of Lights for the next eight days by either going home to family, or lighting candles and swapping presents with friends on campus."I am so excited to go home for Hanukkah," said Jon Goldberg, a junior communications major.

'Blade' Cuts the Mustard

As holidays pass every year, it's interesting to see which films make it to their crucial deadline, and which do not."Seed of Chucky," for example, was obviously intended to come out sometime before Halloween, not in mid-November."Blade: Trinity" can probably be chalked up to similar error.

Student Soldiers Ship Out to Iraq

When the Pentagon announced Wednesday the United States would be soon sending thousands more troops to Iraq, UB student Justin Haag was already getting ready to pack his bags."At the beginning of the war, we thought we'd be sent then.

Public Growing Silent as War Escalates

Amid allegations of massive fraud in the Ukrainian presidential run-off election, thousands of people have filled the streets in protest.

Haiti Gets a Helping Hand From UB Minister

While the image of dejected families picking through soggy rubble and telling of despair has disappeared from most news sources, the disastrous effects of this year's tropical storms have all but faded for those who were most affected.Tropical storm Jeanne hit the Caribbean and southern parts of the United States in October, leaving death and destruction in its wake.Jeanne was the last and most devastating in a succession of tropical disturbances that passed through Haiti this year.

"On Sunday, Veterans Remember Pearl Harbor"

Sixty-three years ago, on the morning of Sun., Dec. 7, Japanese air forces attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, launching the nation into World War II.President Franklin Roosevelt called it a date that would live in infamy, but today Pearl Harbor Day is often remembered quietly by citizens and veterans, passing by without many students taking notice.The Niagara Frontier chapter of the Air Force Association held its annual Pearl Harbor remembrance event Sunday with a short film about the 8th Air Force squadron that flew over Europe during World War II."In the past we have had speakers and programs put on, but this year we are just focusing on the unity of the people that come to this event every year.

"Miami, Northern Illinois Shine As MAC Play Begins"

It is generally believed among the college basketball faithful that the genuine college basketball season begins with the commencement of league play.

"Bulls Falter, Then Collapse Against Broncos"

If there was any game for the Bulls to make a statement and to live up to the hype surrounding the team this season, it was Saturday night's match-up against the defending conference champion Western Michigan Broncos at home.But thanks to poor shooting, sloppy defense, and a late first half collapse, the Bulls fell to the Broncos, 70-53, in front of a frustrated Alumni Arena crowd of 3,603."You could see this one coming from a couple days ago, I don't know if we just needed it but clearly we got out butts kicked," said UB head coach Reggie Witherspoon.

Ben Sargent Cartoon: 12.6.04

Sidelines

Hot GoalieUB men's club hockey goalie John Czaplinski was named the American Collegiate Hockey Association Goalie of the Month for the month of October.

Cops Closer to Proving Yalem Killer's Identity

After 14 years of dead ends and red herrings, the Buffalo Police Department has a new lead on the identity of the man who raped and killed UB student Linda Yalem.Although it was previously believed Yalem's attacker was linked to similar cases, until last year there was little evidence.

Tainted Trees Bear Rotten Fruit

Anyone who knows anything about New York City schools usually gives me a look of amazement and utters a little "oh..." when I tell them the name of the high school from which I graduated.I attribute this reaction to the fact that I don't seem like the kind of person who could have survived four years in South Shore High School.The NYC Department of Education's Web site published a press release earlier this year that offers some insight into why most people think of my alma mater as a war zone.Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and Police Commissioner Raymond E.

Students Get Help in Navigating the College Bar Scene

Early one morning, Brandon O'Brien was driving from Purdue University, where he is now a senior, to a dentist appointment a few hours away.

"BSU Stresses Unity, Values at Kwanzaa Teach-In"

When the Christmas trees and menorahs go up in homes and storefronts every December, few people need to ask what they stand for - such symbols are almost inescapable during the holiday season.When decorations go up for Kwanzaa, however, many people are left to ask what exactly this third December holiday is all about.Saturday night in the Student Union, over 100 UB students, staff and alumni gathered to shed some light on the lesser-known holiday and celebrating Kwanzaa at an annual dinner sponsored by the Black Student Union."For people who don't really understand what Kwanzaa is about, this dinner is a great experience for them," said Christopher Brown, a first year graduate student and BSU member.

Upcoming Games

Men

Faculty Pledge to Support New Research Office

When President John B. Simpson took office at UB, he pledged a greater commitment to research, and The Faculty Senate Executive Committee appears to be pursuing that goal by supporting the creation of a Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowship during a meeting Wednesday.According to officials, the office will provide a centralized location, on the ground floor of Capen Hall, for information about undergraduate research opportunities all across campus."The majority of research universities offer some form of an undergraduate research experience to their students," said Timothy Tryjankowski, the program's coordinator.