Macon Statement Volume 42, Issue 11

VolumeVolume 42, 42, Issue Issue 1111

February 7,February 7, 2011 2011maconstatement.commaconstatement.com

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Luther Williams Field, historic former home to the minor league teams of the Pittsburg Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and the Atlanta Braves, is now called home by the Blue Storm.

Blue Storm baseball club’s fi rst game of the season is on Feb. 12 starting at 2 p.m. at Luther Williams Field against Georgia Tech. To mark the importance of the occasion, David A. Bell, president of Macon State College, will be throwing out the fi rst pitch.

The baseball club has come a long way from their start. In 2010 the fi rst year team began their

season by making a name for themselves with their dominating pitching staff and a powerhouse line up.

They did not have a fi eld to call home, so they competed all of their home games at the local Westside High School’s baseball fi eld. Macon State’s fi rst year baseball club fought and won the opportunity to play ball at Point Stadium in Johnsonville, Pennsylvania during the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) Division 2 College World Series. The baseball club ended their eye

opening fi rst season with a trip to the World Series, and ranking number 6 in the nation with a regular season record of 17-9.

Because of the success of their fi rst season, Director of Recreation and Wellness, James Hagler

signed a lease with the local Macon Pinetoppers. This gave birth to Macon State’s fi rst true home baseball fi eld. Like the All Star players Chipper Jones and Raphael Furcal, Blue Storm baseball will have a chance to make history at Luther Williams Field.

What can we expect

from the baseball club this year? According to NCBA polls, Macon State College’s Blue Storm baseball club is projected to be number seven in the nation during the upcoming season.

Who are Blue Storm’s top prospects this year? Starting fi rst baseman, junior Clae Mathis, is on multiple Major League Teams’ radars due to his impeccable power at the plate. Ace number one starter, crafty left handed veteran, junior Brandon Bryan is returning after last season. Behind the plate, veteran catcher, junior Tyler Sailors was recognized in a professional combine in Atlanta for having the

Is there a safe way to drink alcohol?By Kaleb ClarkStaff Writer

Do you think that there is a safe way to drink alcohol?

No matter how you think, there is going to be someone who believes diff erently. This is because everyone has diff erent views of drinking alcohol, people have diff erent experiences, and people are ill informed on the eff ects alcohol has on your body and your brain.

The media is partially responsible for people’s view of drinking alcohol. Commercials advertising beautiful people having a fun time can give you an image that there is a safe way to drink alcohol. While other commercials such as the governor’s offi ce of public safety’s zero tolerance advertisements give you an image that there isn’t a safe way to drink alcohol.

This article will explain the positive and negative eff ects of drinking alcohol by addressing quotes from people with diff erent backgrounds and then

back each of their views of drinking alcohol with hard facts from professors, literature, and research studies.

How can alcohol aff ect your life?Positively

The people who view drinking alcohol positively take in to account the depressing aff ects that alcohol has on the brain’s functions and neural transmitters.

Socially - Macon State student, Nicholes Lang said, “Drinking helps people’s self confi dence. It helps the socially awkward.”

According to the textbook “Psychology” (edition nine) by David G. Myers, drinking alcohol aff ects the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that processes information from the senses and it processes thoughts. This leads to a decrease

in inhibition, a person becoming more talkative, more confi dent, and it makes people do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do.

This means drinking alcohol can help you to socialize easier, but according to nursing major Sarah

Walker, “There are two diff erent types of drinking socially.” She explained that it is safer to drink at

home with your family then to drink at parties where you are not in a controlled environment.

Sleep- Health and physical education major, Lonnie Castellano said, “Alcohol helps you chill and go to sleep.”

Myer’s textbook, “Psychology” (edition nine), also stated, drinking alcohol depresses the medulla (brain stem), the part of the brain that controls your heart

rate, breathing, and temperature. In small doses, alcohol will induce sleep, but in larger doses, alcohol can cause you to loose consciousness involuntarily.

Pippa Sale’s book titled “Alcohol Abuse-Strait Talk-Strait Answers” argues that drinking alcohol to fall asleep can make your later sleeping hours to be fi tful, leaving you not feeling rested in the morning.

De Stressor- History major, Leila Beckham said, “Drinking can be a de stressor.” According to Myer’s textbook, “Psychology” (edition nine), after suff ering a loss, ending a romantic relationship, or dealing with other depressing situations, drinking alcohol can help by lowering your self awareness. This loss of self awareness is because alcohol slows your neural activity and your body’s functions.

This positive eff ect of

Blue Storm Baseball, a history in the makingBy Kaleb ClarkStaff Writer

Egyptian citizens are rioting against their government; will it aff ect you?

The Macon Statement is asking readers of this newspaper to send letters to the Editor to respond to this question.

If you feel there will be repercussions to the United States and that ultimately you as a citizen will feel those repercussions, what do you think they will be and how will they aff ect you?

Unrest is also occurring in other countries throughout the Middle East. What, if any aff ect will the problems in that part of the world have on the United States?

What do you think the policy of the United States should be regarding governments that have been politically and fi nancially supported in the past in light of the unrest in the world?

An incorrect statement was included in the Jan. 24 issue in the article on “Enforcement of the new smoking policy will begin when signs are posted.” According to the Tobacco Policy eff ective Jan. 1, 2011, individuals can walk on campus while smoking but the use of tobacco is “prohibited within 50 feet, approximately 20 paces, of the main entrance to all campus buildings; including residence halls with the exception of College designated smoking areas.” The Macon Statement regrets the error.

Call For Letters

Correction

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Staff Photo

e-mail us at [email protected]

staff478-757-3605 FAX 478-757-2626 OFFICE: SLC-120 www.maconstatement.com

LETTERS POLICY: The editor of the Macon Statement will try to print all letters received. Letters should be, at maximum, 250 to 300 words long. The writer must include: full name, professional title if a Macon State employee or Georgia resident, or year and major if a student. An address and phone number are required with all letters sent, but this personal information will not be published. The student newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for style, possible libel, or length. The newspaper

will not, under any circumstance, withhold names. Please address all correspondence to Letter to the Editor at [email protected]. Where current events are concerned, priority will be given to those letters written by students, faculty, and staff of Macon State College.

DISCLAIMER: The Macon Statement is the recognized student newspaper of Macon State College and is published biweekly (Mondays)

during fall and spring semesters. Opinions and ideas expressed in the student newspaper are those of the individual artists, authors, or student editors, and are not those of Macon State College, its Board of Regents, the student body, or the advertisers. The Macon Statement is paid for, in part, through student activity fees. For a review of all Macon Statement policies, see The Macon Statement Handbook at http://www.maconstate.edu/studentlife/statementmedia.aspx

February 7, 2011 February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com2222

Editor-in-Chief: Norma Jean PerkinsManaging Editor: Summer LeverettCopy Editor: Marian G. BrewerCopy Editor: Alexis Meeks

Layout Editor: Lily Billingsley Photo Editor: Kimberly WaddeltonSports Editor: Kaleb ClarkWebmaster: Harry Underwood

Staff Writer: Allison BoutwellStaff Writer: Carrie GinestStaff Photographer: Kayla Barton

&EDITORIALSEDITORIALS OPINIONSOPINIONS

GraduationReminder

Students must apply for graduation two semesters prior to the anticipated graduation term. A student who fi les an application to graduate in the spring term after April 1 is not eligible to participate in the annual commencement ceremony in May. Contact the Registrar’s Offi ce should you have questions at 478-471-2853.

WantedDo you fi nd yourself standing in line

at the movie theatre when you fi rst hear your favorite star or action hero’s latest fi lm is about to be released? Can you tell just enough of the story to entice others to buy a ticket on your word alone? Why not be a FILM REVIEWER? You can be paid and published! Friends will envy you! Apply at The Macon Statement, in the Media Room 120 in the Student Life Center.

February 7, 2011February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com

alcohol should be viewed with caution because, “When you loose control, someone else will have the opportunity to take control,” said Charles Matson, director of respiratory therapy and fi rst aid responder. Negatively

The people who view drinking alcohol negatively attack alcohol’s stripping of people’s inhibitions and they address the medical side eff ects alcohol can cause.

Inhibition- Criminal justice major, Samantha Hagan said, “There is no positive way of drinking alcohol. You never know what is going to happen.”

According to Myer’s textbook titled “Psychology” (edition nine), drinking alcohol depresses your inhibitions. You can say you wouldn’t do something or you won’t do something, but alcohol alters your brain’s cerebral cortex, the part of your brain that controls how you process information and think. This is one of the reasons why, “People do things they regret because of drinking,” said Marshall Rhoades, IT Major.

Family and Relationships - Rhoades also said, “Alcohol can mess up families and relationships.”

Stephanie Brown’s academic book, “Treating Adult Children of Alcoholics: A Developmental Perspective”, says that alcoholism is a family disease. Each member of the family is aff ected in some way whether it is emotionally, economically, socially, and sometimes physically. Alcoholic fathers are known and more prone to physically or sexually abuse their children while alcoholic mothers are more likely to abuse their children through neglect.

In the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” third edition, one of the anonymous writers wrote about his experience with alcohol that started at the age of 20. He explained how he graduated high school

as an honor student, joined the navy, started his own medical practice, and married a beautiful wife. Then because of his drinking he went broke, and he lost his wife and his practice. In the end he joined Alcoholic Anonymous and is now rebuilding his life alcohol free.

Diseases- Business administration major, Tawatha Berry said, “Alcohol can cause hemorrhages.” “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition, edited by Joyce Shannon, published in 2010, states that drinking alcohol can cause various health problems and diseases such as; bleeding from the stomach, fatty liver, sleep disorders, depression, strokes, and several types of cancers.Where do most people go wrong when drinking alcohol?

Matson said, “There is a safe way to drink alcohol, but most people don’t know when it becomes unsafe.”

Pacing Your Drinking- William Hervey, Chair of Health Services Administration, explained that drinking alcohol is not like eating cookies. You take one cookie and if you want another cookie then you can decide consciously whether you will eat a second or a third.

Myer’s textbook, “Psychology” (edition nine), explains when you take a drink of alcohol it lowers your self-awareness, your inhibition, and your thought process. You take your fi rst drink and it alters your ability to decide whether you should drink a second, then your second drink further alters your ability to decide whether you should drink a third drink and so on.

Matson said, “It takes alcohol 30-45 minutes to reach its peak eff ect on your body.”

Matson further explained that when you take your fi rst drink you might feel that it is safe to drink a second drink because you don’t feel the full eff ect of the fi rst drink yet. Later, the eff ects of both drinks will layer together, increasing your chance of becoming intoxicated, and your liver will struggle to process the alcohol. You can prevent this by spacing out your drinking and by

allowing your body to metabolize your previous drinks before you drink another.

Know Your Limits- When discussing drinking alcohol, physical therapy major, Albert Williams said, “You need to know your limits.”

Most people are under the misconception that if their tolerance of alcohol is higher then it is safer for them to drink alcohol. Actually if you

have a higher tolerance to alcohol then you are at a higher risk to become an alcoholic.

Information from “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition explains that dopamine neurotransmitters in your brain control movement, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. Drinking alcohol over stimulates these transmitters causing euphoric eff ects.

As a person continues to drink alcohol their brain adapts to the surges of dopamine by producing less naturally. As a result

you need to exponentially drink more alcohol to obtain the same eff ects. Then when you try to stop drinking alcohol, your brain isn’t producing enough dopamine, so you crave alcohol. This is what leads to addiction and alcoholism.Can alcohol aff ect you diff erently?

Hervey said, “Is there a safe way for everyone to drink alcohol, no.” According to, Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr. Ervin Briones, some people never develop a tolerance to alcohol.

“Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition explains in detail how alcohol aff ects people diff erently based on their; body mass, gender, genetics, ethnicity, and the way they view drinking alcohol.

Gender- Your gender plays a large role in how much alcohol your body can handle. When alcohol enters the body it is diluted by the amount of fl uid in your body, since woman have less fl uid in their body and they tend to be lighter, alcohol aff ects them stronger then men. On the other hand, men are more prone to becoming dependent on drinking alcohol because they do not feel the

eff ects of alcohol as strong as a woman.

Genetics- Research has shone that people with family history of drinking alcohol are more prone to becoming addicted to alcohol. The exact hereditary genes are still being discovered, but by studying diseases such as ADHD and Tourette Syndrome, a correlation has been discovered between genes and the developing of addictions.

Ethnicity- Compared to whites, Hispanics have been shown to be twice more at risk for developing liver disease while drinking alcohol. This is due to a prevalence of hepatitis C.

Body Mass- People with a higher body mass absorb alcohol better then those who are lighter. This leads to a dangerous concept. If your tolerance is partially dependant on your weight then your tolerance to alcohol can change when you gain or loose weight.

People’s view of drinking can cause them to abuse alcohol. Tawatha Berry said, “In Italy and France, some people drink a glass of red wine with every meal, but they don’t abuse alcohol.”

Briones explained that the placebo eff ect could lead to addiction and misuse of alcohol. When people believe alcohol is helping their problems then they will become dependent on alcohol.Medical Eff ects on Your Body and Your Brain

Sex- Briones said, “A long term eff ect of drinking alcohol is erectile dysfunction.” According to “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition, excessive drinking of alcohol can harm testicular function and male hormonal production. Alcohol may help lower your partner’s ambitions or give you more confi dence, but drinking alcohol can lower your overall sexual performance.

Calories- “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition says alcoholic beverages supply an abundance of calories, but few essential

33ON CAMPUSON CAMPUSALCOHOLcontinued from front

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February 7, 2011February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com44 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Have you ever went searching for something new to read and found a book that seemed to have a couple elements in it that you particularly liked in a book? Yet, you were not familiar with the author and in turn unsure of the book, but you went ahead and purchased it hoping it was worth the money you spent? “The Lost Art of Gratitude” by Alexander McCall Smith was just such a book for me. It combined Scotland and mystery all in one, so I had to give it a shot. This is the sixth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series and Smith has written at least three other series.

Isabel Dalhousie is a moral philosopher, a logophile (lover of words and word play), and just a generally nice person. Being nice is what gets Isabel involved in so many problems, but it turns out she is only nice because she thinks she has a moral obligation to be so. She questions why she has to help people she does

not like in the fi rst place and gets lost in her own mind pondering words while others are speaking to her. Her fi ancé fi nds her distractions cute, but I found it rather rude and annoying to the point of distracting me from what was supposed to be happening in the book.

The majority of the book is based on Isabel’s distractions rather than a real solid plot. Isab

l’s knowledge of paintings, her use of Latin and French phrases, i.e. “a chacun son fromage” – everyone has their own cheese, and her word power, i.e. “funambulist”—a tightrope walker, are all used to indicate a higher level of intelligence. However, what it

accomplishes is to distract even more from the plot. Her use of “a chacun son fromage” was her way of getting out of an argument over cheeses that she started with Minty Auchterlonie, the party host, victim, and villain.

More than half way through the book the reader fi nds out that Isabel is a feminist as she ponders yet another

dilemma and she determines that “the barricades in this life are in the wrong place; but they are still barricades, and they have to be womanned.” With this being said, she is still a moral philosopher and thinks that Minty being a strong, successful woman is wonderful, but Minty’s villainous antics are not appropriate and need to be stopped. Unfortunately, there is nothing

that Isabel can do to stop them.

In short, if you like philosophy and constant daydreaming this is the book for you. However, if you prefer a book that has a solid plot, actual mystery, and good writing then you should probably skip “The Lost Art of Gratitude”.

“So you want to b e a screenwriter”

Just about everyone, at some point or another, thinks they have a great idea for a movie, right?

Well, every movie starts with a script and that’s where award-winning journalist Phillip Ramati comes in. Not only is he a journalist with 15 years and a few accolades under his belt but also, he’s an avid screenwriter who’s going to help you fi gure out how to get into screenwriting yourself.

Ramati will be presenting the basics of how to turn your idea into a screenplay or TV series. Learn story structure from Ramati, a 2003 Disney/ABC Screenwriting Fellowship fi nalist, who has optioned two scripts.

Ramati also was a 2006 quarterfi nalist at the Austin Film Festival, is a former student judge for the George M. Foster Peabody Awards and writes “The TV Guy” blog for The Macon Telegraph.

The workshop will be held at the Sidney Lanier Cottage House Museum located at 935 High St.,

Macon, GA.To reserve your seat, RSVP to

[email protected] and save a little cash in the process!

Early registration – $15Student registration – $10Day-of registration – $20Bring cash or check the day of

the event.Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and

the workshop begins at 10 a.m. Refreshments (coff ee, pastries, etc) are provided.

Visit www.CrossroadsWriters.org for details and a look at other upcoming events!

‘The Lost Art of Gratitude’it is actually a lost plot

By Carrie GinestStaff Writer

Staff Reports

Whoever said there is nothing to do in the Middle Georgia area? We have things to do here any time of the year wheth-er it is catching a movie on a rainy day, or picking some peaches in the summer sun; our area is fi lled with activities that are fun for all ages.Samuel Neloms, an informa-tion technology junior, said that one of his favor-ite things to do in Warner Robins is go see a movie at the Russell Parkway Cinema. “I like going to the Russell Park-way movie theatre because it is so cheap. I don’t like paying $10 to see a new movie. I can just wait the two extra months to see it at the dollar theatre.” The price to see a movie at the Russell Parkway Cinema is $1.99 and it is usually not very crowded. It’s like going to your own private viewing of your favorite movie.If being outside is more your thing, then check out Lane Packing Company in Fort Valley. Lane Packing has something going on any time of the year. Tris-

stina Yarber, a mathematics graduate of Macon State, said that going out to Lane Packing is one of her fa-vorite places to go because of their home-made peach and strawberry ice cream. “After a hot summer day picking my own peaches and pecans in their orchard

I love going inside their café and looking at their merchandise.” Not only can you pick your own seasonal produce at Lane Packing, they also have seasonal activities such as the ever popular corn maze in the fall, as well as other events on weekends throughout the year.So next time you and your friends fi nd yourselves say-ing to each other, there’s nothing to do around here, be sure to check out some of the Middle Georgia activities before jumping in your car and driving to Atlanta for the day.

Experience Middle Georgia on the CheapBy Katelyn E. LaconteJOUR 3131

Crossroads Writers offers screenwriters workshop

February 7, 2011February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com 55ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Macon Little Theatre (MLT) has gone through some rough fi nancial times in the past several years. But despite leaking roofs, blown A/C units and the economic downturn, the theater has managed to fi nally pay off all its debts.

According to John Jones, the manager of MLT, the problems started in 2002 when several things went wrong all at once. The roof began to leak badly, the aging air conditioner ceased to run and the theater got behind on some bills.

To deal with these problems, the theater took out a $100,000 loan and started a Save the Theatre fundraising campaign, said Jones. The repairs were completed in 2003.

Since that time, MLT has made some changes in order to cut costs and be able to pay back the loan. Some of those changes were making and reusing less expensive set pieces and costumes; instead of renting them. They also hired local guest directors who worked on a stipend rather than keeping a full time director on staff , according to Jones.

Jones said that community theaters like

MLT are not-for-profi t organizations and cannot survive on ticket sales alone. They need grants and donations as well, to prosper- a lesson that Macon’s halls of fame are learning as well.

One grant that helped MLT get back on its fi nancial feet was from the Peyton Anderson Foundation.

The type of shows MLT has done in recent years has also changed. “We plan our seasons carefully, based on community response and look for shows that would appeal to our audience,” Jones said.

One audience he admits

that MLT hasn’t attracted is students from the three colleges close to the theater: Macon State, Mercer and Wesleyan. Jones said he would love to have college students think of seeing community plays as a “fun date, or group outing.” At $10 a student ticket, it’s cheaper than a movie and snacks.

Jones remembered that Macon State used to have a student voucher that was good for one play a semester. The school no longer off ers this, but Macon State Junior Liam Copan-Kelly

said if Macon State off ered vouchers like these again, he and several of his friends would certainly make use of them.

MLT’s next off ering is the classic Tennessee Williams play, “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The show will run from Feb. 4-13.

For more information please visit: http://maconlittletheatre.org/

Macon Little Theatre, then and nowBy Paul RoadarmelJOUR 3131

As the third week in February approaches, the Macon Film Festival is gearing up for what might prove to be their best festival yet.

Terrell Sandefur, in charge of marketing and publicity for the Festival, said “there are over 100 fi lms in competition and they are from around the world.” He said there would also be fi ve special screenings in addition to the competition. Nick Moran, who play Eddy in “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” as well a Scabior in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” will be showing “The Kid” at the special screening on Feb. 19 at 8:30 p.m.

Moran directed this fi lm based on the life of English writer Kevin Lewis who struggled as he grew up with a dysfunctional family. The release on this fi lm states that Lewis was beaten and starved by his parents, bullied at school and abandoned by social services. In spite of all the diffi culties, he grew up to better himself.

In addition to participating in the question and answer session after the screening, Moran will be

conducting a workshop on Sunday, Feb. 20 about ‘Directing and Distributing Independent Films’.

The Macon Film Festival is “embracing new technology” for this year’s program. The Festival is on Facebook and Foursquare social networking sites and they are going to have a ‘tweeting section’ in the theatre, said Sandefur.

Sandefur said, “if anyone is interested in being part of this section they should send an email with their age range, twitter name and Facebook name to [email protected] with the reference line as: Consider as tweeter on MAGA.

The Macon Film Festival “has international appeal” said Sandefur. The Festival will also include the entire Savannah Film Offi ce as visitors. This will be the fi rst time the entire fi lm offi ce from Savannah has attended the Macon Film Festival, said Sandefur.

Although it is too late to submit fi lms for this festival, Sandefur off ered the following suggestions for students that might be interested in next year’s festival. “Begin in early summer even though the deadline for submissions is usually in mid-October. You will defi nitely need

to have some production stills. Films are to be submitted on the website, Withoutabox.com. This is a clearinghouse for fi lm festivals. There are many diff erent categories including niche fi lms.”

Sandefur said the Festival is always looking for volunteers. He suggested people go on the website at www.maconfi lmfestival.com to learn more about the festival.

There will be three free fi lmmaking workshops to be held at The 567 Center for Renewal located at 533 Cherry Street. The workshops are:

Friday, Feb. 18th11 a.m. to

Noon: Wearing Multiple Hats in the World of Independent Film -Workshop with special guest, Morgan Simpson. (Star, Writer, Producer of “Black, White and Blues” which screens Friday, Feb. 18 at 8:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 19th11 a.m. to Noon: From

Story to Screenplay - Workshop with special guest Scott Seeke. (Screenwriter of “Get Low” which screens Sunday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.)

Sunday, Feb. 20th2 to 3 p.m.: Directing &

Distributing Independent Films - Workshop with special guest Nick Moran. (Director of “The Kid” which screens on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 8:30 p.m.)

*Special guests are confi rmed but subject to change.

Macon Film Festival begins its sixth year of bringing independent fi lmmakers to middle GeorgiaBy Norma Jean PerkinsEditor-in-Chief

February 7, 2011February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com66

nutrients. As a result, drinking alcohol can make it diffi cult to ingest nutrients within a person’s daily calorie limit.

Your Brain- Briones said, “Your brain’s frontal lobe is aff ected in the fi rst 5 minutes by lowering your reaction time and your ability of judgment.” According to Myer’s “Psychology” (edition nine), alcohol is a depressant. It slows down the neural activity of your brain and nervous system. Alcohol can cause memory loss, and when drinking excessively, alcohol can cause the shrinking of your brain.

Your liver- “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition explains that your liver, pancreas, and brain are responsible for processing the alcohol you drink. When you drink more alcohol than your liver can process, you can injure your liver and cause a build up of fat cells in your liver, called fatty liver. This can hurt how your liver breaks down essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Red wine- “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition says that for people over 55, drinking moderate amounts of red wine has shown light increases in HDL cholesterol, good cholesterol. Resveratrol found in some alcoholic beverages may prevent

blood platelets from sticking together. However, the American Heart Association does not recommend the use of drinking wine or other alcoholic drinks to gain these benefi ts. They claim eating healthy and exercise can give the same benefi ts.Ways people think they can make drinking alcohol safer

1. Eat before you drink alcohol and drink plenty of water beforehand

Myth- Drinking water while drinking alcohol can dilute the alcohol you absorb and eating heavy foods such as; potatoes, pasta, and bread can help your body absorb the alcohol you drink therefore making it safer to drink alcohol.

Fact- According to “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition, people who can tolerate more alcohol have false pretences that they can safely drink more alcohol. When you drink more alcohol your body produces less dopamine naturally. This leads to people craving alcohol in order to receive the dopamine surges that are associated with drinking alcohol. This is one of the reasons why people become alcoholics.

2. Have a designated driver

Fact- According to “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition, even one drink

of alcohol can severely impair your ability to drive. Having a designated driver is a way to drink with your friends lowering the risk of drinking and driving.

3. Set a limitFact- Before you drink

set a limit of how many alcoholic drinks you are going to drink and only make that much alcohol available to you. According to Matson, once you take that fi rst drink your ability to choose whether to drink more or not, is impaired.

4. If you are set on drinking alcohol, wait until the legal drinking age of 21

Fact- According to “Alcohol Sourcebook” third edition, during adolescent, the hippocampus, the part of the brain in charge of learning new things and processing your memories is not fully developed. Drinking before the age of 21 can severely alter the development of your hippocampus, causing long term learning problems. Conclusion

After reading this article you should have a clearer picture of how alcohol can positively and negatively aff ect your life and relationships. You should know what eff ects drinking alcohol has on your body and brain, and how people can go wrong when drinking alcohol. Now it is time for you to decide. Is it safe for you to drink alcohol?

ALCOHOLcontinued from page 3

There was a Call Meeting of Macon State’s Academic Council Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. to decide on the creation of a new faculty senate and the conversion of the Academic Council into an Academic Assembly.

The faculty will vote on two documents to do with the Academic Assembly and the faculty senate.

If the votes go through on these two documents and if they are approved by President David Bell and the Regents Offi ce, many of the responsibilities of Academic Council will be transferred to the faculty senate.

The idea behind the change is to transfer many responsibilities from the large Academic Council to a smaller faculty senate in order to more quickly and eff ectively make decisions about important Macon State issues.

Chair of the Executive Committee of Academic Council, Kevin Cantwell, said that the purpose of the faculty senate would be to have “a smaller, more deliberate body that is more intimate to coordinate and better serves students and more eff ectively do work for the college.”

Academic Council has held numerous forums and meetings the last two months with SGA President Greg Padgett and SGA Vice President Liz Law to discuss the changes planned.

If the vote for the senate goes through, President Bell must then approve the changes and then

the Regents Offi ce must approve them as well. Modifi cations of the documents can be made atany point along the line of needed approvals.

“I am optimistic that the vote will go through,” Cantwell said.

If the proposed changes make it through the Regents Offi ce, an election will be held in mid-August of this coming fall semester to vote on who will hold the diff erent senate positions based on nominations from each department or academic school.

The potential faculty senate is planned to include approximately 20 senators and eight non-voting members, as well as the SGA president and vice president.

The Academic Assembly and the faculty senate would be separate bodies with the faculty senate meeting more often and taking over more responsibilities.

The senate would meet a minimum of two times a semester up to a projected two or more times a month. All committees would report to the faculty senate.

“We are excited about it because it brings a new chapter in shared government in the college. I think it will be good for the college, and I think it will be good for the students because the faculty senate will be able to better represent students,” Cantwell said.

MSC’s Academic Council to vote on creation of new faculty senateBy Kelly GeeslinJOUR 3131

February 7, 2011February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com 77SPORTSSPORTS

Signups for the intramural sport Ultimate Frisbee are taking place until Feb. 10 on the Intramural Sports Leagues website for all interested students taking six or more hours of college credit at Macon State College.

The season will start on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, and lasts for four weeks according to Intramural Sports Coordinator Rachel

Hardy.“That’s up to the team

captains,” Hardy said when asked when practices will be held. She said that some teams do not practice, because they have enough experience.

Registration ends Feb.10; students can form teams until that date. After registration, students cannot form teams, but they can join an existing team, according to Hardy. To register, students must go to imleagues.com to

sign up, Hardy said. “I’d like to encourage

everybody to come and sign up,” Hardy said. If students encounter any problems, Hardy encourages students to come and see her. “I want them to have an opportunity to play.”

If students do not have a team to with which to sign up, they can sign up as a free agent, and they will be assigned to a team, according to James Hagler, Director of

Recreation and Wellness.Hagler also said that

there are no requirements for playing Ultimate Frisbee or other intramural sports, except that players must be Macon State College students taking at least six credit hours.

“It’s a really simple game,” Brandon Thomason, a senior business major from Byron, said. “Pretty much anyone can pick it up and know what to do.” Thomason says he will

play if he can get enough players for a team.

Games will be on Mondays from 3-6 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m., according to Hardy. Games are free and open to the public and will be held on the track fi eld, Hardy said.

Playoff s will be the week of March 14, and food will be served on the 16th; each winner will receive an intramural championship shirt, according to Hardy.

Ultimate!!! Intramural Frisbee Sign-Ups Going On

Photo courtesy the Blue Storm Baseball ClubThe Macon State Blue Storm Baseball Club will be playing its home games this season at historic Luther Williams Field.

Photo courtesy The Blue Storm Baseball ClubThe 2011 Macon State Blue Storm Baseball Club, is (from left, back row) Brandon Byram, Austin Duckworth (assistant coach), Clae Mathis, J.P. Mitchell (head coach), Tyler Sailors, Jake Wood, (front row) Kody Patrick, Devon Crouse, Shane Smith, Travis Grimes and Kurt Thornburg. Not pictured are players Dillon Mitchell, Elijah Acklin, Blake Burriss and assistant coaches James Hagler, Chris Summerlin, Jeremy Aikin and Steve Wallace.

Help WantedLove to watch sports? Can you tell someone all about

a game and get them excited about it? How about becoming a SPORTS WRITER? You can be paid and published! Apply at The Macon Statement, in the Media Room 120 in the Student Life Center.

By Allison BoutwellStaff Writer

best pop time, meaning he was the catcher who was the fastest at throwing out base stealers at second base. With all of Blue Storm’s talent what is diff erent about the team this year?

One of the most signifi cant diff erences in baseball at Macon State is this season’s change in competition. Furman University has been removed from their division to be replaced with the addition of: Chattahoochee Tech, University of Oxford, Kennesaw State University, and West Georgia Tech. To insure that the team stays one step ahead of their competition, the team will be increasing practice

sessions from 1-2 sessions a week to 2-3.

Another diff erence in this year’s baseball team is that the experience gained from last year’s successful season can rub off on the new recruits. New additions to the team include; junior Dillon Mitchell (OF, P), freshman Blake Burriss (third base), junior Clae Mathis (fi rst base), freshman Elijah Acklin (second base, OF), freshman Shane Smith (P, OF), and freshman Travis Grimes (OF).

The upcoming season is predetermined by the success of last season, the increase in competition, and with the addition of new players. Bearing the new name of Blue Storm, playing on a new stage, Macon State Baseball is about to begin.

BLUE STORMcontinued from front

February 7, 2011February 7, 2011 maconstatement.com maconstatement.com88 SPORTS FEATURESPORTS FEATURE

The Macon Tracks running club is holding a local race to benefi t special Olympic athletes.

The up-coming race for the Macon Tracks is the GEICO 5K, which will be held in Macon on March 5 at 9 a.m. Proceeds will benefi t the Special Olympics.

Emily Doebereiner, a Macon State teaching student, will be participating and is looking forward to “running with my best friend for a good cause. As an avid supporter of the Special Olympics, I love that the race proceeds are going to sponsor the athletes and the games.”

A non-profi t organization, the Macon Tracks Running Club is open to running enthusiasts of all levels and ages. Club members are provided access to training aids, injury forums through Piedmont Sports Medicine and discounts on local race entry fees.

Many races held or

sponsored by the Macon Tracks donate the proceeds to local charities and causes such as the 2010 Macon Labor Day Road Race, the profi ts of which went to a $4,000 donation to the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home.

Along with the fi rst-time racers, there will be the group of regular Macon Tracks members at the race who have

watched the running club grow year-by-year, and are pleased with the quality and organization of their races.

Victor Hunsicker, a regular race attendee, said “I like the new timing clock and the food provided

for the runners. I like all the volunteering from the club and the fact that they give to charity.”

Roughly three times a month races are held in the Central Georgia area, thanks to the directors associated with the Macon Tracks. The majority of these

races count towards the Piedmont Race Series.

For more information on the Macon Tracks Running Club, or to view a race calendar for 2011, visit www.macontracks.org.

Help WantedLove to watch sports? Can you tell someone all about

a game and get them excited about it? How about becoming a SPORTS WRITER? You can be paid and published! Apply at The Macon Statement, in the Media Room 120 in the Student Life Center.

Ultimate Frisbee!!!See Page 7

Greatness emanates from Georgia through all veins of fame. This nod is aimed at Georgia’s most famous woman rock climber, Robyn Erbesfi eld-Raboutou.

Atlanta born and raised, 47-year-old Erbesfi eld-Raboutou attained the moxie and distinction of women sport climbers among the ranks of Lynn Hill and Bobbi Bensman.

Erbesfi eld-Raboutou was a competitive climber and the third woman to complete a 5.14 climb. During the mid-1990s she became a four time World-Cup Champion.

The American ranking system of climbing, for all purposes needed here, begins at fi ve, which translates to a vertical surface, and ends at 5.15b. The additional points and letters defi ne the diffi culty beyond vertical.

Erbesfi eld-Raboutou began climbing recreationally in North Georgia in 1982, and by 1988 began climbing competitively.

She got her break in the U.S. team that would compete in the fi rst World Cup Event by being recognized in an Atlanta held competition called the Southeastern Bouldering Championships.

Among Erbesfi eld-Raboutou’s most notable accomplishments was that she was the fi rst woman to onsight Overdose, a 5.13c climb located in Lourmarin, France.

“To onsight a climb is to attempt it on a fi rst try and complete it without falling,” recreational climber Eric Dixon explained. “It’s like the home run of the climbing world, so to speak.”

Erbesfi eld-Raboutou resides in Colorado with a summer home in France. She married climber and French World Cup winner, Didier Raboutou, and they had two

children that developed into avid climbers as well.

Currently, Erbesfi eld-Raboutou and her husband coach a promising new generation of competitive climbers, which make up team America’s Best Climbers.

Macon State posted an event where students could hone in on their climbing technique or scale their fi rst wall. On Jan. 21, Macon State took a trip to Atlanta Rocks, an indoor climbing gym.

Intramural Sports Coordinator for Macon State, Rachel Hardy, explained that the cost of the trip was $25 and the price included gear rentals and two hours of climbing.

Interested students should look for more opportunities next fall semester to visit a climbing gym.

Georgia raised: Robyn Erbesfi eld-Raboutou rocks

Local running club races benefi t local charities

By Shanna DixonJOUR 3131

By Jacqueline HunsickerJOUR 3131