News

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Flying Like a Bird

When you think of the Buffalo guards, Turner Battle generally comes to mind first.And while Battle may in fact be the best player on the team as its leader, his backcourt comrade Jason Bird may have the best touch when stroking a jumper.For those unfamiliar with the 6-foot 4-inch junior, he's the sweet-shooting two-guard on the Buffalo Bulls basketball team that can be found on the wings with Battle.Hailing from Ypsilanti, Mich., Bird chose UB over schools like Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, and Marquette."The main reason was the atmosphere, the coaching staff, and the players that were coming in with me," said Bird after a long practice.

Getting Away From Stale Pop Radio

The cover of Nellie McKay's "Get Away From Me" shows the 19-year-old artist with her arms raised in joy, wearing an enormous, borderline manic smile.McKay's blissful pose is in sharp contrast not only with the album's title, but also with the parental advisory sticker in the lower left hand corner.

My All-Star Team

Okay, let's be serious for a moment here. If you're a perpetrator of this crime, immediately surrender yourself to the authorities.What I want to know is, who, in the name of all that is holy, is stuffing the NBA's All-Star ballot box?

Iraq Editorial Hits the Mark

In regards to the editorial "Intelligence Failures in Iraq" in the Feb. 9 issue of The Spectrum, I must heartily concur.

Sidelines

WrestlingUB's Mark McKnight, a freshman on the wrestling team, was named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week.

Visa Restrictions Hit Home for UB Student

A dream denied became a dream come true for Taid Rahimi.Like many students, Rahimi, a biology major, went home during the summer.

Over-the-Counter Danger

At the Center for Student Health, ill patients come in to see Dr. Frank Carnevale everyday. But sometimes, for the veteran director of Health Services & Student Wellness, diagnosing them is not so easy."When the student has a rapid heart rate, sweating, insomnia and there is no symptoms, it's usually the abuse of nonprescription meds," said Carnevale.

Keb' Mo': Grooves To Tap Your Toes To

Keb' Mo' may be from Compton, Calif., but don't expect any gangster rap collaborations on his latest release, "Keep It Simple." And although he sings the blues, he's not down in the dumps.Instead, Keb' Mo's release reflects a light-hearted, high-spirited mood.Mo's soulful voice and humorous lyrics come bearing smiles.

Preventing Number 12

For a team struggling to garner any momentum heading towards the postseason, a matchup against a team you have not beaten in 11 tries is probably not something you are not looking forward to.Especially when you're without one of your top players.

The Making of a 'Monster'

Usually beautiful and stunning, the blonde actress who portrays the "Monster" is unrecognizable; she is an unkempt, unattractive mess of a woman.With an reported additional 20 to 30 pounds packed on and a load of transforming makeup (or makedown, rather) Charlize Theron ("The Italian Job," "The Legend of Bagger Vance") morphs into Aileen Wuornos in the film, "Monster."Written and directed by Patty Jenkins, the film focuses on the life of the real-life prostitute and serial killer, who admitted to the murders of six men.

WBF - Who?

Chris Taillie thinks UB students are missing out on a chance for some intellectual excitement - major intellectual excitement.The senior history and sociology major is on a mission to raise student awareness of UB's public radio station, WBFO (88.7 FM). "For the liberal, idealistic-minded college student, WBFO is a wet dream," he said.

Upcoming Games

BuffaloM. BasketballWednesday: at Kent State, 7 p.m.W. BasketballWednesday: vs. Kent State, 7 p.m.

Train of Thought : 2.11.04

Lostprophets Found

Lostprophets are ready to "Start Something." The sophomore effort from the young Welsh men is the epitome of the term "artistic maturity."Lostprophets first came on the rock scene in 1997.

Blazing on in Our Hearts

A collective tear rolled down our nation's eye on Wednesday night as word traveled on the imminent trade of the Portland Trailblazer's star-crossed Rasheed Wallace to the Atlanta Hawks.As Jurmaine Dupri and Ludacris warm up their next version of "Welcome to Atlanta" featuring 'Sheed, we at the sports desk are in mourning over the end of a true Golden Age.Wallace's trademark post-technical foul facial expressions were the face of the Blazers franchise since the late-'90s, and now that face has gone over an extreme makeover.So, in honor of this disheartening end, we bring you the finest Portland Trailblazer moments of the Jailblazer era.But first, cue up Natalie Merchant and the 10,000 Maniacs.These are the days.These are the days you might fill with laughter until youbreak.

File Sharing Rebellion

Next time you are cruising down Millersport on the way to school, count how many times "Hey Ya" comes on the radio - and remember that is the reason why file sharing will continue to boom.Corporate radio's cookie-cutter format is about the only thing found on the airwaves these days.

Moving ECC Downtown

County Executive Joel Giambra is pushing a plan to consolidate Erie Community College in the downtown area between Dunn Tire Park and the Central Library.

"Despite Falls, Few Students Request Guardrails"

Following a string of incidents last semester in which students in the dorms fell out of lofted beds - sometimes sustaining injuries - residence hall officials have taken steps to prevent further accidents.In a move that has cost them $40,000 to date, University Residence Halls and Apartments has made guardrails available to students at no extra cost in an effort to circumvent any possible problems.Yet though some UB students want the guardrails, they say they are unaware of the offer.Paul Ehman, a freshman electrical engineering major, needed six stitches above his eye after he fell from his lofted bed last semester, yet he has not had a guardrail installed.He said he doesn't know where to go or whom to contact."I think all of us should have had them since the beginning - it would have prevented these incidents.

The Softer Side of Sandler

Forget "Happy Gilmore," forget "Big Daddy" and definitely forget "Billy Madison."In the newest Happy Madison production, "50 First Dates," Adam Sandler succeeds in overcoming his label of a crude, rude slacker.In fact, Sandler can even be deemed sensitive.

The Ultimate Challenge

Even though the Buffalo Bulls have achieved some success this season, the definitive moment is yet to come for the scrappy squad.Buffalo has won four of the last five games, but that fact is rendered moot because of two, huge, make-or-break games that loom on UB's schedule.One of them is in two weeks at home against a Kent State team that squeaked out of Alumni Arena last year with a one point win.The other comes tonight against that same Golden Flash team in Kent, Ohio, where KSU rocked Buffalo last year, 98-55.