In This Issue

 

GoTo Pass becomes the “go-to” play
Thanks to funds allocated by the Student Senate, with matching funds from Metropolitan State University administration, Metro Transit’s “GoTo College Pass” cards are now available to Metropolitan State students at a reduced rate —$80 as of this writing. Judging from brisk sales in September at the Founders Hall cashier window, the popularity of the GoTo College Pass has skyrocketed, and is worth your consideration if you don’t already have your card. But even at full price, cardholders have found the GoTo College Pass a genuine bargain...

Getting back to normal: The 35W bridge reopens
It was just short of 14 months ago when the widely held, widely used I-35W bridge ruinously failed its carried vehicles, plunging into the banks of theMississippi River below and galvanizing a flurry of muddled transportationissues. On Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at approximately 5 a.m., the gap of the existing bridge now filled and replaced with a new-fangled “smarter” one, opened its service to the public. Completed three months prematurely on budget (within the means of a cool $234 million), the new St. Anthony Falls (35W) Bridge—otherwise labeled as the “Smart Bridge”—is evidently different from its former. Constructed out of concrete (more specifically, concrete box girders conjoined with steel cables), the near-blinding-it’s-so-white bridge is enclosed with ...

SSC Corner
Everyone at Students for Social Change would like to encourage all students, faculty and staff to take part in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. At no other time have people been more involved and excited for a presidential election. There are some things to know before Nov. 4 arrives, so here are some helpful tips and information: Do not feel intimidated by the idea of voting and do not assume your vote does not matter. Anyone who is a citizen and over the age of 18 is eligible to vote and should do so. There are many resources for any questions you may have...

Metropolitan State announces new art exhibit featuring Irish photography
Metropolitan State University’s Third Floor Gallery is pleased to present State of Grace by Ursula Burke: a North Star Production. Theexhibit takes place in association with the American Conference for Irish Studies Midwest Regional Meeting, which is hosted by Metropolitan State Oct. 9-31. This solo exhibition, featuring the photographic work of the contemporary Irish artist’s work, addresses issues of Irish identity. As an internationally exhibited artist and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ulster, Burke explores complex questions in a rapidly changing world...

Halloween Fun
October is upon us. The leaves are beginning to fall and the air is getting brisk. It’s dark earlier and chimneys often have a slow swirl of smoke coming from them. To me this means one thing: Halloween is near! Whether or not you choose to celebrate Halloween, there are a lot of fun fall activities going on in the Twin Cities. The apple orchards are in full swing (check out Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater) and favorite summer outdoor activities are having their “last hurrah” events before they shut down for the winter—sometimes at a discount. For many outdoor venues, the last big event is Halloween. Here are a few Halloween activities to attend (scary and not), even if it is just for the free candy...

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Metropolitan State
Beginning on Sept. 15, the nation will observe Hispanic Heritage Month and you can take part in this celebration right on campus. The Chicano Latino Student Services group and the Latinos Student Organization, with the support of the Student Activity Advisory Committee, have scheduled exciting events which began on Sept. 18 and will take place through Nov. 4. The Metropolitan State University community is invited to view films, enjoy music and art, among many other events. According to Fact Monster, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated for one month beginning on Sept. 15 every year because it is the anniversary of five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. In addition to these countries, other Hispanic countries such as Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence day in mid-September. The US Census Bureau defines the term Hispanic as Spanish-speaking people of any ethnicity in the U.S...

Local band releases “Fun! Exciting! Realistic!” album
My meeting with Anoka-based band, Facing the Plastic, began in true rock star fashion: bassist and contact Mike Erickson forgot about the meeting. “This must look really professional,” Mike exhaled deeply and apologized again and again when he arrived. But then he handed me a copy of their first full-length album, “Fun! Exciting! Realistic!” and black and neon slipcover, complete with pin-up girl and “Exclusive satisfaction guarantee” sticker, and it was more than enough to beg the question: Who is this band? 2005: Facing the Plastic formed in North Minneapolis with a garage-indie approach to rock by founding members Sean Folstad, vocals and guitar; Jay Jorgenson, drums; and Mike, bass and vocals. Each member also takes on additional responsibilities...

New art exhibit opens at the Third Floor Gallery
Metropolitan State University Third Floor Gallery is pleased to present Soft Cover/Hard Copy: Contemporary Minnesotan Chapbooks. The exhibit opens with a reception on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 4–7 p.m. and continues through Oct. 3. A presentation by Eric Lorberer (Rain Taxi Review of Books editor) entitled Our Corner of the World: A History of Chapbooks, will take place during the reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Gallery hours in are Mondays–Thursdays, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Fridays–Saturdays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The gallery is located in the Library and Learning Center, 645 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul. This exhibition investigates the breadth and depth of the state’s zine and literary community by featuring the work of a number of book artists and fine presses. From one-of-a-kind hand bound books to mechanically produced limited edition publications...

Sport Explorations: Mountain Biking
“I thought I was in shape,” I panted ruefully as I stood beside my bike, leaning heavily on the handlebars and gazing at yet another towering dirt hill ahead of me. “I’ve been biking all summer, almost every day.” But I had been skimming smooth roads and paved trails—I hadn’t been mountain biking. “Fall is cool and comfortable with dry conditions and is typically the best season for bikes,” writes Steve Johnson in Mountain Biking Minnesota. I agree with him. Forget peddling through clouds of mosquitoes and getting soaked to the bone with sweat during the humid summer months. Autumn biking is simply nice in so many ways, so I guess it seemed natural to wait for fall to try mountain biking for the first time. My adventure had started earlier that afternoon when I strapped my old bike onto the car and headed out to Hillside Park in Elk River...