Kentucky helps Japan

          Where were you when the massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan? For the most part, Americans were living life unaffected. However, Steve Riggs, a Kentucky representative was giving his best effort in persuading Kentuckians to provide a helping hand to Japan by encouraging donations from Kentuckians, donating a substancial amount himself and askig troops to help them clean up the disaster.

            On March 11, 2011, Japan suffered from an earthquake and tsunami that caused a great amount of hardship to the country. Along with the economic inconveniences and loss of resources, the fatality rate was extremely high. A likelihood of 10,000 people died as a result of this disaster and 17,443 are still missing according to the New York Times.  

            Kentucky representative Steve Riggs is in charge of the Jefferson County jurisdiction, House District 31. He has served under this position since 1991 until present. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and pursued a career in insurance sales before obtaining his position in the house.

            Representative Riggs is making an effort in helping form relief groups in Kentucky to support the natural disaster that Japan is experiencing. He has developed relief groups throughout the state of Kentucky with hopes that people will follow his example and lend a comforting hand to the situation.

            A local news station, WKYT, provided Kentuckians with a brief comment from Rep. Riggs. He stated, “Kentucky has an especially close relationship with Japan because of our many economic ties, highlighted by the fact that about 150 of their companies provide more than 31,000 jobs here in the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Riggs, D-Jeffersontown. “We also have a storied history of reaching out to help others in time of need, as we did a little more than a year ago following Haiti’s devastating earthquake. I’m sponsoring this resolution to give our citizens suggestions on what, exactly, they can do.” 

        Rep. Riggs has provided the state with information on why it is so important to reach out in this hard time. Also Rep. Riggs stated to WKYT that he also “would like to see us do something through state government, because a crisis of this magnitude needs as much support as possible. That could include possibly having Governor Beshear make a request to the federal government to consider utilizing our Kentucky National Guard as well as having state agencies coordinating local volunteer efforts. Either of these, but preferably both, could really make a difference.”

            When asking Sgt. Daniel Fugitt, a member of the Kentucky Nation Guard what he thought about contributing to the relief groups he stated, “I think that helping such a great cause would be very life-changing and beneficial to us. We need to be there to support our fellow countries as they support us.”

            Rep. Riggs also mentioned that humanitarian organizations such  as the United Methodist Committee on Relief, International Red Cross and Doctors without Borders have already been established and are making efforts to help Japan in every way they can. More information about these groups can be found by calling 502-209-9630.

            The Japanese-American Society of Kentucky is collecting money for the relief of the earthquake and tsunami. Although money is greatly needed, Rep. Riggs has also encouraged the Kentucky Blood Center to promote giving blood to send to Japan. This is a good way to help provide help without making it financially inconvenient for Kentuckians. Donors will receive T-Shirts that are in support of the Japanese relief efforts. All of the money will be donated to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Rep. Riggs is making an effort to provide support to the devastation in the country and let Japan know that Kentucky is greatly supporting them through these hard times.

Taco Bell Controversy

Contact: Thomas Davin

Tel: 626-799-9898

Fax- 626-372-8288

Address- 1683 Walnut Grove Avenue

Rosemead, California 91770

            Last month, Taco Bell suffered tremendously after the idea of the “mystery meat” was brought to everyone’s attention.  After this occurred, the company owned by Yum! Brands Inc., based in Louisville, Ky., launched a multimedia campaign to reassure consumers that their meat was indeed everything they claimed it was, and offered their secret recipe online.

            Since this problem came to the attention of the media, the fast-food chain has since made great improvements to make their restaurant more qualified.They launched a commerical to confirm their credibility. Our seasoned beef is 88 percent premium ground beef and 12 percent signature recipe," the employee says in the spot. "If you want to see that signature recipe, go to tacobell.com. It's right there." This was stated on the commerical they launched.

            When going into a local Taco Bell food chain, an employee, Heather McCall stated, “Prior to the new ads on TV, the business was starting to fade; But since the company reassured consumers of our recipe, sales have increased."

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If you would like to know more about this topic, contact the Taco Bell food chain or Yum! Brands Inc., or contact Thomas Davin at 626-799-9898.

Patriot Park in Progress

In November of 2010, the University of the Cumberlands began working on the landscaping in the area in front of the Hutton School of Business; which is otherwise known as the Patriot Park. The changes being made to the park are new sidewalks and memorial statues. Many events are planned there throughout the year. This renovation is creating more plaza space to accommodate such activities.

The Patriot Plaza

“The park memorializes those who have given their life for our country.  As these events have taken place we have had suggestions from many to make changes to the area known as the Patriot Plaza," said Kyle Gilbert the vice president of operations. "This is a way to show the campus off and provide patriotic value to the landscape of the University." 

“The cost of the additional sidewalks is about $11,000 paid for with private donations.  Two statues, one of Washington and one of Jefferson will also be placed.  The statues were funded by private donations as well.” Gilbert said.

Although the construction is for a positive purpose, there is a problem with the timeliness of the matter. It has been approximately four months since the process began and because of the weather, the situation has been hindered.

“I feel like sometimes the construction is a distraction," said junior Kendra McCollum.  This is something that can be negatively affecting the student body without them realizing it. “It’s loud when we are in class," McCollum said.

            This should be finished by the spring in time for Independence Day and other events.

Hutton School of Business



Cumberland Idol Eliminations

On Feb. 1, 2011, Cumberland Idol started the elimination process of its fourth season of the competition. Idol is a campus activity that occurs every spring semester and is the campus' version of American Idol. Students participate against their peers and compete for a chance to win cash prizes. Contestants were paired with a partner at random, and asked to perform a duet in front of their audience in the Gatliff Chapel.

The organization behind the show is the campus activity board, (CAB) at the University of the Cumberlands. This group of students helps prepare the contest, and work each night to organize the contestants.

When asking a fellow CAB member what was different about this year, Chelsea Hill responded, “This year the first, second and third place winners all get a cash prize. I believe this is a positive change because it gives people more incentive to participate as well as rewarding those with the most votes instead of having a second place winner walk away with the same prize as the first person voted off.”

Also, the CAB members are hosting a canned food drive. “We are tying a canned food drive with idol. Every canned-good one brings in, their name will be entered in a drawing to win an xbox360. This is a great way to bring new fans in and help out a good cause," said Hill.

Everyone involved in the process is doing all that they can to help do positive things for the campus and community, as well as provide entertainment. Senior Grant Doepel is the producer of the show and his efforts have been phenominal according to the other CAB members.

This is the last year that Doepel will be directing “Idol” as he will graduate and leave this spring. When asking Doepel if he would miss it he replied, "It has been a great experience and I will definitely miss being a part of something so fun." 

According to other CAB members, Grant has done an excellent job developing a show that is so close to the real American Idol. It has given the student body a chance to reveal their talent.

“It is Grant’s last year, and we are sad to see him go. He is the brain behind the operation and such a talented person. He’s going out with a bang,” says Hill.

Senior, Grant Doepel

There is no doubt that Cumberland Idol is a huge hit on campus and the crowd has shown their dedication in the two short nights of eliminations. The next night of performances will be on February 15 in the Gatliff Chapel at 8 p.m.

I'm free to be who I want to be

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My Autobiography

When freshman Brandy Norman isn’t singing, she is dedicating her time to school and her cheerleading squad at the University of the Cumberlands.

Brandy is a communication major and plans on getting a minor in journalism. After obtaining her degree, Brandy may go to a graduate school to further her education.

Although she dreams, Brandy has not determined where she wants to be in ten years in any aspect of her life. She hopes to become a news reporter for one of the news stations in Lexington, Ky.

Brandy works in the Admissions office for her work-study position. Her part time job is being a waitress at Jerry’s Family Restaurant where she serves food.

The Lexington Herald Leader, article “Kings Island hopes towering swing ride will draw the crowds” relates to Brandy’s childhood because she always loved going to Kings Island with her family as a child.

            Lately, Brandy has watched “Easy A” and “500 Days of Summer." She loves to analyze movies in her spare time and both movies were interesting to her in that aspect.

 Brandy thoroughly enjoys music. “I don’t want to be” by Gavin DeGraw, “Unbeautiful” by Lesley Roy, and “Back to Good” by Matchbox Twenty are her most recent downloads. She relies on music to express her feelings.

The most memorable books Brandy has read are “She Said Yes” by Misty Burnall and “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair. “She Said Yes” interests her because of the Columbine shooting. “The Jungle” is only memorable to her because she was forced to read it and hated it. She also enjoys reading Cosmopolitan because it lets her escape from reality, and slip into something out of her control.

“I love being able to write my feelings on paper knowing that the paper can’t respond.” she said.