Jill Jepsen, a Michigan native from Grand Haven, addresses the issue of conflict and the identity that people may have with textile designs or patterns.

“What I’m trying to do is integrate different cultures into one unified piece. They may be two different cultures that are in conflict, or cultures that are right next to each other,” said Jepsen,

“I think that each piece has some association to our everyday lives in the textiles that we choose or don’t choose, and it might spark a memory from the past,” said Jepsen, who received her master’s degree in fine arts at Western Michigan University.

Jepsen’s art, currently on display in Rankin, is a collection of abstract collages which feature many types of mixed-media and drawings of abstract organic shapes. Each piece is a buildup of layers with added textile designs from other cultures.

Jepsen’s favorite piece on display is entitled “Parisian Lavender Mint Tangled with Izmir Velvet Orchids I, II, and III.” It is a triptych, which means it has three separate panels to the piece.

“The space in the piece is very open, there are a lot of concentrated areas, and also white spaces where your eyes can go to rest and then travel back to the piece,” said Jepsen.

When asked how she names each artwork, Jepsen revealed her reference to paint chips, which each have a unique name. She also relates her work to that particular piece’s textile design or culture.

Gallery coordinator Carrie Weis said she wanted to give Jepsen the opportunity to exhibit her work at the gallery because she is a fairly new professor on campus who has done a wonderful job inspiring her art students.

“I think it’s very important that students have the opportunity to see the work that their professors are doing and I think it’s important for art students to understand that their professors are not just instructors but also viable artists,” said Weis.

A reception will be held for Jepsen’s exhibit on Thursday, Jan. 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Rankin Gallery. Jepsen will be present to answer any questions.

There will be refreshments available as well as live piano playing from Ferris professor Catherine Arroe, who will be accompanied by a singer.

When asked how she would like people to feel when they view her art, Jepsen replied, “I want them to be able to spark something that they may be familiar to or draw an association towards. I’m really interested in the idea of what is familiar to us.”

Jepsen has received several awards and honors throughout her career, but says the most fulfilling was her exhibition at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, which is an honorable exhibit that one must apply and be accepted to.

Most of Jepsen’s artwork has been exhibited in Michigan with the exception of Augusta State University in Georgia and the College Art Association Conference in Chicago.

One of Jepsen’s biggest influences came from a graduate school professor who introduced her to abstract collage as an outlet when she was struggling with painting.

Abstract expressionists Conrad Marca-Relli and Alberto Burri, as well as contemporary sculptress Louise Bourgeois, have also helped motivate Jepsen along the way.

When it is time to get inspired, Jepsen resorts to visiting fabric shops and antique markets where she looks for a variety of styles from different eras.

She also looks to artist books, interior design magazines, and her collection of textile designs for inspiration.

“Her art is original in a sense that we have not shown work that is similar in content or technique,” said Weis, “It is always a pleasure to bring something new for our students to interact with.”

Jepsen’s art will be on display in the Rankin Art Gallery until Jan. 30. You can also find her work at the Nines Gallery in Holland, Mich., or by visiting jilljepsen.com.

“Recalling how February usually brings us gray days in the dead of winter here in Big Rapids, a burst of sunshine would be most welcome,” Bruce Dilg, associate professor of Architectural Technology at FSU, said of the upcoming Festival of the Arts.

This festival is meant as a celebration of art within our community. With many people in the West Central Michigan area trying to express themselves, Ferris and Artworks want to give them an outlet to do so.

On the FSU website, a message from Karl W. Linebaugh and Jack Batdorff, co-presidents of Artworks, express a promise of these events to relax, inspire, and challenge those who attend through the display of many FSU and community artists.

“Each of these events will share a piece of a dream with those who attend,” co-presidents Linebaugh and Batdorff stated.

Dilg’s vision for this festival is to build a bridge that will bring people together within all the different aspects of the Big Rapids community, “including students and townies, faculty and business people, administration and city commissioners,” he said.

“We hope that the 33 days of the Festival of the Arts is like the culminating display at the end of a fireworks show,” Dilg said. “After many individual beautiful displays, the culmination brings together an enormous display of multiple blasts lighting the entire sky.”

Over the 33 days, there will be close to 50 different art events in 22 different venues, “lighting up the sky.”

Support for the execution of this festival is overwhelming. It is heavily backed by President Eisler, the Humanities Department, and the College of Technology, along with support from the city of Big Rapids, the Downtown Business Association, the Downtown Development Association, and support from many individual businesses within the Big Rapids community.

Through this support, according to Dilg, students will be able to enjoy, free of charge, the Grand Rapids Symphony, architecture workshops, origami artists, photographers, poets, liturgical dance, welding for art workshops, performance art creation, dinner theatre, sing with Gilbert and Sullivan Society from the University of Michigan, hear opera, hear organ/trumpet, attend a professional jazz concert, and much more.

“The generous financial support of the aforementioned people will give all students, regardless of their economic situation, the opportunity to have their lives enriched through many different forms of art,” Dilg said.

Students also are participating in the design and fabrication of a major piece of “civic sculpture” that will be donated to the City of Big Rapids and placed in the downtown area. The banner for the Festival of the Arts was also created by students who were awarded $800 for their design.

Dilg also mentioned that a nationally recognized HBO actor/United States Marine Major/Iraq War Veteran will be displaying his Art in War photographs and will discuss what life is like amidst war directly with students.

According to Dilg, this is the first of what will become an annual event. Plans for the 2009 Festival of the Arts are already in the works. Dilg stated this festival as a modest start, “who knows what the 2009 festival will look like, but I know if people get involved there are no limits on what we can do!” Dilg exclaimed.

“Like all college communities, students at Ferris always complain ‘there is nothing to do here’,” Dilg said. “The opportunities are vast, the potential for the future is limitless, now it is in the hands of the students, faculty and townspeople of Big Rapids to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.”

For more information about any of the upcoming events, all of the information can be found at the Festival of the Arts website located on FSU’s main page or by going to the following web address: www.ferris. edu/HTMLS/visitors/festival/ index.htm into a web browser. If any special accommodations are needed to attend any of the events, please contact Bruce Dilg at 592-8265.

Carrying on its dutiful tradition of beating the winter blues, January Jams is ready and clawing its way from the cage to rock the post-holiday sloth away.

On Jan. 31, Delta Chi is bringing the rock bands Chevelle and Unlisted to perform at Wink Arena. Starting at 8 p.m., Unlisted, a highly noted local band, will jump start the show, followed by this year’s headliner, Chevelle, to dish out some rock tunes.

Delta Chi’s January Jams has had a rich history in rocking the Ferris State scene with bands such as Blue October, Bowling for Soup, Finger Eleven, Three Doors Down, and The Verve Pipe. This year they’ve lived up to their tradition with Chevelle.

“We thought it was time to bring back a real rock band, we’ve done the pop rock thing and the alternative rock thing, but it was definitely time to redo the rock-rock thing,” said January Jams Co-Chair, Brian Bober.

Chevelle was formed in Chicago in 1995 by the Loeffler brothers; Pete, guitar and vocals; Sam, drums; and Joe, former bassist. After Joe left in 2005, current bassist Dean Bernandini joined to complete the trio.

According to the band’s official website, chevelleinc.com, they recorded their first album, “Point #1”, in 1999, which resulted in a signing with Epic Records.

They recorded their second album, “Wonder What’s Next”, in 2001, which was rocketed by the single, “Send the Pain Below,” which succeeded as hitting number one on the mainstream and modern rock charts.

In addition to this, they were also “one of the main stage attractions at that summer’s Ozzfest.”

Their third album, “This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In),” surpassed popularity of their previous albums with hits like “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)” and “The Clincher.”

They’re not letting the excitement and enthusiasm out of sight with the release of their fourth and most recent album, “Vena Sera,” which, according to the website, “revels in a renewed sense of drive and determination,” and that the band remains, “an evocative, crushing, hard rock band.”

As a prelude to Chevelle, Unlisted is scheduled to perform. Unlisted came out of Big Rapids itself, and the members have been performing together going on four years. They have been booked many times for various shows all throughout Michigan, sometimes performing even three to four times a week.

According to their profile on myspace.com, the three members Dave McNeil, vocals and guitar; Jimmy Blankenship, bass; and Scotty Hicks, drums; are very energetic and passionate about their mix of “rock, pop, and alternative” music, and are devoted to delivering only the best and most exciting rock shows to their many audiences.

Their goal for this year’s January Jams, according to drummer Scotty Hicks, is to be able to see all of their friends and fans together in one place, enjoying their music.

“You can tell when people are really getting into it and feeling your music, and that’s what makes it really rewarding,” said Hicks.

Get your chance to bask in the glow of a night of live rock music. Tickets are available at Wink Arena, the Rankin Student Center Information Desk, and at starticketsplus.com at $8 each for Ferris students and $15 for non- Ferris students.

Nicole Richie, once famous for being a trouble-maker and tabloid star, has now turned face and is famous for something else since becoming pregnant last year. It looks like having a child can change priorities in one’s life.

Recently, Richie was getting rid of parties and drugs and was giving away her time and money. Near Christmas time, both Richie and the father of her child, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden, hosted a holiday party for 200 children and their parents in Los Angeles, according to E!Online.

The down-on-their-luck children and families were given a party with Santa and numerous activities, and were handed presents at the end of the holiday gathering, including teddy bears and sneakers and other various items donated by sponsoring companies.

In early December, Richie and Madden hosted their first party, this time being held for expecting mothers.

“We never really get the opportunity to share our lives on a real level with other young couples that are going through the same thing as us,” said Madden on E!Online.

More than $200,000 worth of baby items were given away to 100 expecting mothers, which included gifts like clothes and cribs.

Another good deed to Richie’s name includes the new non-profit organization named the Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation, which sponsored both parties.

Also, Richie gave all of the gifts received at her baby showers to less fortunate mothers.

Richie says that she wants her baby to have the “right priorities” and the “right frame of mind,” according to People Magazine Online.

Well, if Richie and Madden keep up these community projects, their little wonder will soon learn that it really is better to give than to receive.

To be honest, I am not all that surprised by the change in Richie’s behavior. Her time spent creating random and often rude havoc with Paris Hilton went by the wayside shortly after branching off from Hilton.

She did have a few problems with the law, including her third DUI this summer. However, no problems have happened since, and you could see real change when she was happy to go into a drug education program.

Stated in late July to Diane Sawyer, Richie stated, “I have a responsibility and it’s something that I did wrong...this is my way of paying my dues and taking responsibility and being an adult.”

Her problems with anorexia disappeared immediately after announcing that she was pregnant, stating that she knew she had to change. Drugs and alcohol were also dismissed from her life as of now (and I really feel that her partying… well, most of it…will disappear from her life completely).

“I owe this baby everything, and I have a responsibility now for someone else,” she mentioned in late July. “I have to set the right examples.”

Plus, most people grow up eventually, right?

Richie’s baby was born on Friday, Jan. 11 in Los Angeles. The child is named Harlow Winter Kate Madden.

Remember the good ole’ days when you could click on the tube and sit around watching music videos all day while you procrastinated on a much needed-to-be-finished final project?

Nowadays it’s hard to even start a final project! Reality shows have caught the attention of unsuspecting channel surfers who end up getting sucked into the reality realm, which once in, they may never return to real life.

I know this because I was once one of them. I have had my fair share of procrastination in order to catch the season finale of “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” or just to see what kind of expensive car this week’s spoiled brat on “My Super Sweet 16” received.

The birth of MTV, according to cnn.com, began in the wee hours of August 1, 1981. It was the gateway to stardom for acts like Def Leppard, Duran Duran, and even Madonna.

Currently, musicians are lucky to get a video on MTV’s washed up Total Request Live (TRL). And even then, the music videos are played for 30 seconds while the host talks over them.

In 1992, MTV really changed the world and aired the show that now holds the title for the longest-running program in MTV history.

Remember this? “The true story of seven strangers picked to live in house, work together and have their lives taped. Find out what happens when people start being polite and start getting real.”

Yes, “The Real World” started it all. And they have since then spawned a countless number of reality shows on all types of networks.

Justin Timberlake, the product of corporately-created pop culture, but now a qualified singer in his own right, even called for the return of more music on last fall’s MTV music awards.

But no matter how many people may beg for MTV and VH1 to rid their hands of the poorly scripted “reality” shows, the ratings are just too good to turn back.

And it isn’t just music networks that are plugging more reality. Evening sitcoms on ABC, CBS and FOX have even been overrun by shows like “Survivor”, “Wife Swap” and “American Idol.”

And can we really blame these television networks for giving people what they want to see? While MTV and VH1 were moving into a plethora of reality show re-runs, music had already found a new home.

An IBM Consumer Study conducted in August of 2007, surveyed more than 2,400 households in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Australia on their usage of the Internet and television as a media source.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they have either watched or would want to watch video online. Their reasoning was that audiences have more control and are able to filter marketing messages.

These global findings overwhelmingly suggest personal internet time rivals television time.

This also causes serious repercussions for marketers, ad agencies, broadcasters, publishers and cable networks.

It is also perhaps the reason why MTV and VH1 can’t compete with the Internet when it comes to music, which may be why they have resorted to reality to pick up the ratings.

Almost six months ago, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) over the issue of fair compensation for online media. Once their three-year studio contract expired, the WGA and AMPTP failed to reach a new agreement, causing the strike.

According to the WGA, most writers are middle class citizens. They stated that 46 percent of writers did not even work last year.

One quarter of those who did work made less than $37,700 a year and half made less than $105,000 a year. Over five years of employment and unemployment, their average yearly salary was $62,000.

Compare this to the executives that run the major studios, which pulled in over $95 billion in total revenues last year, they are severely underpaid.

Writers only see a marginal residual return for the sales revenue of their work, the amount being one-third of a penny per every dollar that the studios make on DVD sales.

The studios reluctantly offered them the same deal on the revenue generated by online distribution of media.

This is a classic example of the iniquities of corporate America. When less then 10 percent of the population holds more then 90 percent of the wealth, I see a problem.

These large companies, full of rich executives, are causing the middle class to go down the tubes. Michigan is a major sufferer of this fact. Companies like Electrolux are outsourcing their labor so the executives can have a lower bottom line.

While a socialist idea of business is the opposite of the capitalism and free enterprise that America was built on, dreamer’s aspirations are turning into pure greed.

With these top executives refusing to negotiate with the writers, many shows have ceased production. Not only are the writers not being paid, so are the even more underpaid production crews.

Being someone who aspires to get into the media industry, this is deeply disconcerting. I’ve always been irked by the fact that so many people are suffering because of the greed of corporate America.

I’m not saying our government should have more control; I just want people to care more about other people. Selflessness goes a long way to bringing peace and happiness among people.

I’ve never been in a situation where my attitude of others first didn’t bring happiness to both myself and those around me.

If corporate executives reduced the salaries by just 10-20 percent, they could probably increase the salaries of blue collar workers by the same. This is very little to ask considering how little money it takes to lead a comfortable and fulfilling life.

Stories are always told about the guy who works too hard, earns plenty of money, but lacks a real sense of fulfilment or happiness in life.

Money is merely a commodity, it serves no purpose other then to represent a perceived value. Many material possessions are the same way, merely a status symbol for how a person wants to be perceived by others.

All of this is relative, and lacks any sort of stability that real, emotionally based, relationships have.

It's like the old cliche saying, “a person’s love can’t be bought.” Happiness can also be substituted with love.

If we are to survive as a nation, inclusive of everyone’s status in life, socially and economically, this selfish business model of “every one for themselves” needs to stop.

When it gets to the point where it's getting harder and harder to innovate because those already on top are using fresh minds to further innovate under their own mantle, free enterprise begins to lose its original intent.

With the passing of the holidays, many people might find themselves with a shiny new laptop, a new phone or a new MP3 player. So the question arises; what should you do with all of that old equipment?

Before I get into the specifics, I will tell you what you shouldn’t do with your unused items. Do not simply throw them out. Most electronic components are not biodegradable and could easily overfill any landfill. Imagine that landfill on US-131 near exit 114 being three times as tall with a television and cell phone at the peak. Not a pretty sight.

Cell Phones
There are many options for your old cell phone, if it’s still working and you haven’t traded it in.

You can keep it as a backup if your new phone is dropped or mysteriously stops working. Also, if you get the same brand you might be able to use the accessories, like a car charger, with the new one. If you don’t end up using it, maybe someone else you know might need a quick fix.

If you have your heart set on getting rid of it, you should check out Cell for Cash. Cell for Cash purchases used cell phones that are still in good working order. The site reports that there are “approximately 230 million wireless users in the United States” and that they “retire their cell phones every 18 months on average.”

According to the site, “the circuit boards in cell phones contain myriad toxins such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc.” It goes on to say “the lithium- ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries contain heavy metals such as cobalt, zinc, and copper.” These are materials that could be in a landfill a long time and would cause concerns if leaked into a water supply or burned.

Selling your phone appears easy enough. The site features an easily navigable drop down list to search for the make and model of your phone and features a picture to help you recognize it.

It will then tell you how much they are willing to purchase it for. You fill out your personal information and they send you a box and prepaid shipping label to send your phone to them.

After it’s received, they will try to make a test call and verify the working condition of the phone. If it works, they will mail you a check for the agreed upon amount. They also offer free recycling for phones that do not work.

Accessories are not required other than a home charger, a working battery and battery cover. Phones that have a SIM card are not required to have the card included.

A quick search reveals that my Motorola Razr V3r pays about $40 and my brother’s Nokia E62 also yields $40. My parent’s phones would only get $4 a piece; but any phone can be traded in for a $20 dollar credit on Cell for Cash’s reselling site, replacementphones. com.

All the details for selling your phone can be found at cellforcash. com

If you are going to sell or recycle your cell phone, you’ll want to make sure that all information is erased from the phone. You can either do this manually or most phones have a master reset option buried somewhere in the options. This will reset it to its factory settings. You’ll also want to make sure the service has been stopped or transferred to another device.

MP3 Players
With many new MP3 players hitting the market, some of the older models are quickly becoming obsolete. At one point I had two iPods at the same time and it doesn’t make much sense to me to have more than one, so you probably will want to get rid of it.

Apple will recycle your old iPod for free at any Apple store. If you trade in a certain model, you can get 10 percent off the purchase of a new iPod as well.

I also found a website similar to the aforementioned one that focuses on all categories of electronics from MP3 players to digital cameras to camcorders. This site is more critical about cosmetic conditions and other factors such as having an AC adapter, original software, manuals and cables. My fifth generation iPod video is valued at around $100 here.

But your highest return will probably come from eBay. The iPod I have is still going for about $150. That’s a nice chunk of change to put towards an iPod Touch…if I wanted one.

Computers
It seems to me that computers are the fastest thing to become outdated. In most cases, if you get a new one or are planning to get a new one, the old machine that is being replaced will probably not be used. There are some things that you can do with your old computer before you decide to dispose of it.

First you can turn it into a media center for a small investment. You can purchase a TV tuner card that will allow you to hook your cable up to your computer and watch and record TV.

Higher-end cards even allow you to receive over-the-air high definition broadcasts, which means your local channels like NBC, ABC and CBS, and watch and record at the same time.

If your computer is really old, you might have to add a video card as well. In any case, start with a fresh install of your operating system for optimum performance.

Next, you can experiment with computer building. If you have some money to spend you can buy some cheap upgrades and try installing them yourself. Should you fail, you’ve only wrecked your old and dated PC. You can also experiment with other operating systems such as Linux. It has many free distributions and can be learned by about anyone, if you’re willing to put in the time searching various wikis. My favorite distribution, Ubuntu, is free for download and is quite easy to setup and use. It even has all those flashy graphical features from Mac OS. You can get it at ubuntu.com.

The Sept. 4 issue of PC Magazine offers more solutions. One is donating your unused CPU and GPU cycles to distributed computing. “Distributed computing is a method of harnessing spare CPU and GPU cycles from individual computers, via the internet, to create a virtual supercomputer.” Wikipedia’s article on distributed computing offers a slew of distributed computing projects ranging from Rosetta@Home, which looks to cure various diseases like cancer, to SETI, which is the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.

But if this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can look into donating your old PC. You can start off by checking with a local school or church that might be able to put it to good use. They will most likely look for a full package, including computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. A quick Google search reveals a plethora of sites that can help you with donating your computer. Dell offers a donation program. They will take your old Dell PC, donate it and may even offer you a 10 percent discount on electronics and accessories online.

If your PC is way too old to be donated, then recycling is the only answer. Most companies will take back their old computers rather than see them in a landfill. Before 2000, most junk machines ended up in China in massive landfills. Once it became illegal, there was lots of pressure put on the PC companies to implement recycling programs. However, some may charge fees.

If the fees are too much to handle, go to the E-Cycling Central website at eiae.org to search for a verified recycler near your hometown. There may be fees from site to site but they are relatively low, usually less than $10 per large piece (i.e. towers and monitors).

Should you choose to donate or recycle your PC, you need to completely wipe the hard drive to make sure there is no data and that data that was on there is not recoverable. A Google search for “free disk wipe” returns many free options for wiping your hard drive. If it’s a desktop, you might even be able to put the old hard drive in the new machine for some extra storage.

Whether it’s a computer, cell phone, MP3 player or any other kind of electronic equipment, be sure to dispose of it properly. It’s not that hard to do! I have some personal items that need recycling that are lying around my house. Over the past two summers at my internship at BISSELL, Homecare in Grand Rapids, I recycled over 10,000 pounds of used equipment that won’t end up in a landfill. So join in with me because it’s the environmentally right thing to do.

I watch a fair amount of television. I don’t spend every waking moment in front of the tube nor do I have tapes of shows that I haven’t gotten around to watching, but I watch enough TV to become unhappy when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in early November.

The WGA is striking against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) who employ the writers. The two sides cannot reach a new contract agreement and are arguing about many key issues, the most important being compensation for DVD and cassette sales and new media content. New media content, according to the WGA website, refers to anything “written for (or distributed through) emerging digital technology such as the Internet.”

Currently, for DVD and cassette sales, the writers get 0.3 percent of the first $1 million in sales and 0.36 percent after that. This averages out to about four cents per sale. The WGA is proposing an increase to 0.6 percent for the first $1 million and 0.72 percent after that. With the increase, the cost would rise to eight cents per sale.

My fellow late-night viewers and I were given some relief after the New Year when the major after-hours shows came back on the air, most sans writers. Personally, I think that there were mixed reasons for these shows to come back on the air, but the biggest was that their staff would have been fired if they didn’t put something on the air. Conan O’Brien was quoted in Variety Magazine as saying, “An unwritten version of ‘Late Night,’ though not desirable, is possible and no one has to be fired.”

What do we get without writers? At the very least, I can say it’s a unique form of entertainment.

“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”
Leno has made it blatantly obvious that he wants the writers back. He explains on almost every show that he cannot write his monologue due to the strike, but instead he thinks of jokes and memorizes them after running them by his wife. Jokes that don’t go over well with that crowd are followed by some comment about how badly they need the writers back.

No Writers Grade: B

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien”
I’ve been a huge “Late Night” fan and was very curious as to what I was going to get. O’Brien came out in a full beard and explained it was in support of the writers. He featured some odd yet entertaining bits including seeing how long he could spin his wedding ring on his desk, reminiscing of the “Walker, Texas Ranger” Lever, a self documentary on what he has been doing during the strike and him playing with his band, Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg Seven. I still laughed.

The best was when he showed a viewer submitted video of a toddler imitating O’Brien’s unique entrance routine.

No Writers Grade: B+

“A Daily Show with Jon Stewart”/”The Colbert Report”
With no writers, both shows have kind of melded into each with all the political happenings. Stewart was caught scribbling on his desk “where a script would be” and Colbert wasted air time by seeing what he could find under his desk. Not the best kind of entertainment and the political humor only goes so far.

No Writers Grade: C

Editor’s Note: “The Late Show With David Letterman” and “The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson” were not mentioned because these shows have their own production company, Worldwide Pants, Inc., which has negotiated a separate contract with the WGA.