Career Institute helps students discover careers
An organization to link career knowledge with students.

By Adam Wiese
Assistant News Editor

Get a job
The Career Institute helps students make better connections to potential employers.
Photo By: Shannon Vesper
Assistant Sports Editor

One of the most useful, but least known organizations on campus is the Career Institute, which is a part of the President's Office.

The Institute's goal, in short, is to improve students' knowledge of all career choices while helping employers find potential future employees to work in their industry.

"The Institute is an organization that researches topics related to career education and development," Jim Thorp, Media Relations Manager and Co-Director of the Career Institute, said. "We find out how they (students) choose careers and career paths ... and the factors that influence their career decisions."

The Institute's daily operations are handled by Jim Thorp and Dan Hurley, while being overseen by President Sederburg, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Barbara Chapman and Vice President of University Advancement and Marketing Dr. Cory Duckworth.

Out of the many surveys the Career Institute performs, one particular misconception is that a strong majority of high school and college students believe that a four-year college degree is necessary to have a good job.

"There was a huge bias among students toward earning a four-year degree," Dan Hurley, assistant to the President and co-director of the Career Institute, stated. "However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the national average number of years of college necessary to perform a majority of jobs is around two years.

"Due to that misconception, we at the Career Institute feel that high schools and other public schools should have better career counseling for their students," Hurley asserted. "We want students to critically analyze if college is truly necessary to enter their chosen field and to find the true amount of years of college needed to enter a chosen career."

Another revelation that the Career Institute has uncovered is that college students get most of their career guidance from their parents.

"If you think about it, most parents have a pretty narrow frame of reference on careers," Thorp stated. "The same holds true for teachers and counselors; they know what they do, but perhaps not much about other opportunities."

"At the same time, business leaders are clamoring for employees with certain skills and training-not even a degree necessarily, but just certain skills that are in short supply," Thorp said. "The Institute's work is to bring everybody to the same point, so that everyone sees what's available and what's needed."

The next goal the Career Institute has set is to advance public policy of their research data.

The Institute plans to have the Ferris website remodeled to implement concepts of a high school career research program called Career Pathways.

"Ferris is home to a great deal of knowledge regarding career education and career development," Thorp admits. "The Ferris Career Institute is a way of pulling that expertise together and putting it to work in the broad public."

For more information about the Career Institute, call 591-2044 or visit their website at http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/administration/president/CI/ .

Ferris campus shows off with awards won
Both students and faculty are recognized for their recent efforts.

By Jessica Wortley
Ferris State Torch

Best in the business
Robert Barnum and his wife Lisa at the awards ceremony where he was recognized as "Michigan Artist of the Year."
Courtesy Photo

The Ferris community is proud to recognize the following members for their achievements during the past few weeks: faculty member Robert Barnum and students Robert D. Smith, Albert Wolschleger and Heather Brazelton.

Barnum, an art professor and artist-in-residence, was recognized as the Michigan Artist of the Year during the 17th Annual Governors' Awards for the Arts and Culture held on Nov. 19 in Dearborn.

According to a University news release, "Barnum was recognized in particular for his current work-in-progress: a monumental 130-by-20-foot canvas tracing the evolution of human intellectual progress."

This mural, Barnum's largest project so far, will be hung next fall on the serpentine wall in the extended study area of the FLITE Building.

A television program featuring Barnum and the other art award recipients will air on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on public stations WCMU and WGVU.

Smith, an applied speech communications major, was recently awarded the Stanley J. Dean Memorial Endowed Scholarship from Ferris.

This scholarship was established by Dean's family to recognize students who demonstrate leadership and participation in campus and community activities as part of the student's education.

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be full-time Ferris students at the junior level with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, have demonstrated leadership potential in campus and/or community activities, submit letters of recommendation and write a personal essay.

Wolschleger, a television and digital media production major, recently received the 2003 Bill Rigstad Scholarship from the Media Communications Association International Detroit Chapter at the 19th Annual Golden Cassette Awards.

The scholarship includes partial school funding, an internship in the television field in the Detroit area and a two-year membership to the MCA Detroit Chapter.

The award recipients must have an interest in the communication field, be involved in campus activities, submit a personal essay and letters of recommendation, and attend an interview with the selection committee.

Brazelton, a junior at Ferris, recently had the chance to save a life when she helped rescue a 12-year-old boy from drowning during mid-November.

Brazelton was waiting for her instructor to return during an introductory canoeing class on the Muskegon River when the boy was tipped from his canoe into the water.

Brazelton and her boyfriend Joe Bowan, a 2001 Ferris graduate, were able to help an older gentleman, who was fishing with the young boy, pull the boy to safety.

According to a University press release, Brazelton said, "He had waders on and luckily grabbed onto a tree branch before going all the way under. If that tree hadn't fallen at that precise spot, there is no knowing what would have happened. He was very lucky."

Editor's note: Information in this article was gathered from four Ferris State University Relations news releases.

Lecturer speaks of "sacred fire"
Steven Potter speaks of the circular nature of life.

By Adam Wiese
Assistant News Editor

Native American History
Steven Potter educates his FSU audience about his beliefs
and Native American background.
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Steven Potter, otherwise known as "Two Dogs," a Native American Ottawa Indian, performed a lecture on Nov. 21 in the Rankin Center President's Room as part of Native American History Celebration Month.

Potter spoke on many different aspects of his culture, and began the speech with a ceremonial prayer and burning of incense.

The first topic Potter discussed was his other name, Two Dogs.

"The meaning of Two Dogs, according to my grandpa, is that there are two dogs in all of us," Potter admonished. "One (dog) represents good and the other is evil. Whichever one you 'feed' as you grow is the one that will become your human self."

Steven then approached the topic of sacred fire in his culture.

"Sacred fire' is a central belief in my culture," Potter stated. "The fire gives all of us life. Even the sun in Ottawa means 'fire on earth with us.' The fire itself is alive as it dances, flickers and flows from the wood."

Potter then began to talk of the importance of religion to our society.

"Most religions speak of having unconditional love to others and being non-judgmental towards other people," Potter said. "However, you must 'walk the walk' in order to truly hold those ideas in your heart. Just speaking of your religion isn't good enough."

"Simple and easy are two words that should not be used with one another in religion," Potter continued. "Loving others and helping people is simple to do in theory. But it is not 'easy' to perform. 'Walking the walk' is a hard thing to do in life."

After speaking for a few more minutes, Potter was asked a question from an audience member about whether he wants to be called a Native American or an Indian, etc.

"I don't like labels," Potter answered. "Everyone is on the same level as everyone else. We are all in a circle and it depends on where you are on that circle. Where you are at on the circle determines your point of view and role on life."

Potter continued his lecture and spoke of the "spirit" he continually referred to throughout his speech.

"Spirit can be represented through a hollow bone," Potter asserted. "As we live our lives, the spirit takes pieces of this bone. When we die, the bone falls apart and becomes one with the earth again. The spirit guides us in our circular lives."

Once Potter's speech was concluded, he ended the lecture with a ceremonial song in the Ottawa language in which he thanked us for listening to him.

"My intention tonight is for you to go out and discover what God/Creator meant for you to be on this Earth," Potter stated. "Only then can you truly help other people and 'walk the walk.'"

Making the grade, taking the CLEP
Testing center offers an alternate method of getting class credit.

By Abby Bearman
News Editor

Ever had to take a class where you sat there and thought, "What am I doing? I already know all of this!"

Well, you may want to look into taking some tests from the Institutional Research and Testing center in the Timme Center for Student Services (CSS).

The testing center here at Ferris participates in the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and offers 34 different tests in five subject areas: composition and literature, foreign languages, science and mathematics, history and social sciences and business.

However, Ferris itself does not offer credit for all of the exams that are available.

According to Penny Bouman, manager of the testing center, "This is a national program and we have people from all over come to take these tests, not just Ferris students."

Bouman also wanted to make it known that while some students would like to see tests offered for more subjects, they can only work with the tests that are offered by the CLEP, which is owned by the Educational Testing Service, a national company.

In determining which of the CLEP tests will be accepted for credit here at Ferris, the staff in each of the subjects has to look over the test descriptions.

"The faculty reads the test specifications and after review they decide if there are any courses here at Ferris that match the material that is covered in that examination," Bouman said.

She continued, "For example, with business law, there is a CLEP test offered, but Ferris does not give credit for it due to the fact that the material covered in that exam does not match what is taught in our courses."

"We also offer classroom proficiency exams for approximately 90 percent of the courses here at Ferris," Bouman said.

To find out if there is a classroom proficiency exam for a specific class, contact the department head or program coordinator for that class.

The cost for a classroom proficiency exam is $25 per credit hour that the class in question would be worth.

Recently the CLEP testing was computerized, eliminating the paper-and-pencil method that everyone was familiar with, along with the long waiting period for test results.

"We used to be able to test 200 students at a time with the pencil and paper, but now we just don't have the space for that in our testing labs," Bouman stated.

There is a small computer lab in the CSS as well as one in the IRC that can be used, but space in both of those is limited.

As a result however, individual testing has increased.

"We're just testing more often now. We're testing almost every day," Bouman said

Bouman said that students who are interested in taking one or more of the CLEP exams should to talk to their academic counselor or advisor first.

"You need to make sure that you will receive credit for the exam if you take it. It is the responsibility of the advisors to decide whether or not to recommend taking an exam," Bouman said.

The cost for taking a CLEP exam is $70. Of that, $50 goes to CLEP and $20 goes to Ferris as the administration fee.

If students pass the exam, they do not have to pay for the credits that they test out of.

Approximately 300-400 students take CLEP exams every year, and between 600 and 800 tests are given each year.

For more information on CLEP testing, you can look on their website at www.ferris.edu/admissions by clicking on the 'testing' link. You can also contact Penny Bouman at 591-2643 or Sue Tobin at 591-3628, or stop by the Testing Center in CSS 313.






Best friends living together
Living with a best friend is not always the best solution.

By Thelisha A. Woods
Knight Ridder Tribune

Katrina Westbrook and Kassidy Ratledge have been best friends since the fifth grade. Even when they moved to separate cities in middle school, they knew they would remain close.

"We'd always talk and say we're going to college together and would be roommates," said Ratledge, 19, of Hudson, Mich.

Although some students question whether they should live with a friend or a stranger in college, selecting a roommate was not an issue for Westbrook and Ratledge, who are both sophomores at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

"When I was applying to Central, I would tell Kassidy you have to go there with me," said Westbrook, 19, of Canton, Mich. "I was nervous at first but I was excited when I found out (they were accepted) and that we would be roommates."

Although Westbrook, a French and English double major, and Ratledge, a fashion merchandising major, have lived together since their freshman year, many college advisers discourage best friends from rooming together.

"I strongly recommend students to not live with best friends in college," said Jennifer Wilder, assistant director of university housing at North Carolina State University. "In high school you see your friends during the day, and they do not go home with you, so they might not be what you want in a roommate."

Ratledge and Westbrook, however, were not worried.

"I always knew that Katrina and I would stay friends," Ratledge said. "No problems would be worth our friendship."

Last year, Central University housing placed Westbrook and Ratledge with three other girls, which allowed them to live with a friend and with strangers.

"The benefit (of living with friends) is that you already know their living style, know how they were at home and know their family, so it's easy to adjust with that support system," Westbrook said.

Ratledge has found one drawback to living with Westbrook.

"It can be hard because there are times when you are at home, and you know you are supposed to be studying and you end up talking or chatting," Ratledge said. "So sometimes I'll go to the coffee shop or library to study."

This year the students decided to room with Paige Hansen, one of Ratledge's classmates.

"I met Kassidy on campus last year because we have the same major, and we had tons of fun," said Hansen, 19, of Manistee, Mich. "I asked if I could room with them because I didn't get along with my roommates last year."

Hansen found living with new acquaintances was better for her.

"To go in with strangers made it the best experience because I have so many more friends (now), and (have) met so many more people," Hansen said.

Ratledge still believes it is better to live with someone you know.

"I would have been nervous going in completely blind. Living with a stranger where you don't have that background ... it can be easy to hold a grudge."

Wilder believes this could happen with friends as well.

"Some are able to do it, but it is very possible they will end up disliking each other and separating."

This was the case for 21-year-old Teresa Smith of Myra, Texas.

Smith, who will be attending Southeastern Oklahoma University for graduate school next year, will not live with any of her friends after her undergraduate experience at North Central Texas.

"I believe you should live with a stranger or at least an acquaintance because living with a friend is a total nightmare and will only cause problems and possibly end the friendship," Smith said.

Smith lived with her best friend of four years for four months before the relationship soured.

According to Smith, her roommate was jealous of her, which caused tension.

It was only after her roommate moved out that they became friends again, although the relationship is still strained.

University of Utah psychology professor, Dr. Kathleen Vohs has studied the relationship between roommates in college. In one study, she found that roommates that got along were happier and healthier.

However, she does not feel there is much difference between living with friends or strangers.

"It all depends on the specific relationship, not the closeness of the person living together," Vohs said.

Whether roommates are best friends or merely acquaintances experts say communication is the key to household happiness.

Dr. Nikole Scott-Conerly works with students at Howard University in Washington as director of outreach consultation for the university's counseling service. Many students who visit the center discuss roommate issues.

"What students need to realize is that people cannot read minds, so it's important to voice needs and concerns beforehand so things don't boil over into something worse," said Scott-Conerly. "Talk it out to resolve conflicts early on and keep the lines of communication open."

Vohs offers this tip for students.

"Try to treat your roommate with respect and kindness. Treat them as you would have them treat you."

The longest snowmobile trail in Northern Michigan

The White Pine Trail State Park provides excellent outdoor activities year round.

By Matthew Gatesy
Ferris State Torch

Winter fun
Snowmobiles line up to hit the trails this winter.
Photo by: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Snowmobilers are excited about the newest state park in Michigan, White Pine Trail.

For those who have not heard of it, the White Pine Trail is a gravel-surfaced and asphalt trail which follows an old railroad bed.

When completed, it will stretch 93.5 miles from Grand Rapids to Cadillac.

A 92-mile section of the trail is open between Cadillac and Comstock Park, making it the longest rail-to-trail state park in Michigan.

Rails to Trails is a national program for states to convert their abandoned railroad corridors to trails.

The goal of Michigan's Rails to Trails program is to create the Discover Michigan Trail. The trail would be statewide and use mostly abandoned railroad corridors.

The trail surface is natural ballast and hard-packed gravel, with 13 miles of asphalt pavement from Reed City to Big Rapids and 8.5 miles of asphalt from north of Rockford to Belmont.

The trail is open to hikers and mountain bikers during the summer and snowmobilers and cross-country skiers during the winter.

With the northern 78.5 miles open to snowmobilers, this is the longest snowmobile trail in Michigan.

The snowmobile section of the trail runs from Cadillac south to Russell Road and connects to numerous other snowmobile trails along the way.

The trail winds through many different kinds of habitat-farmlands, lowlands, swamps and woods.

There are great opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife in these unique ecosystems.

The trail also offers views of the scenic Muskegon and Roger rivers and there are several fishing opportunities along the trail.

Over its 92-mile run, the White Pine Trail crosses 14 bridges through five different counties.

The largest bridge, 319 feet, is located just north of Big Rapids, across the Muskegon River.

Trailside camping is available at Paris Park, located in the town of Paris.

Other campgrounds are located within five to seven miles of the trail.

The White Pine Trail was formerly known as Penn Central Railroad or Michigan Northern.

Purchased in 1994 from the Michigan Department of Transportation, the White Pine Trail is currently managed by the Department of Natural Resources.

In addition to the DNR, a driving force behind the White Pine Trail is the non-profit group Friends of the White Pine Trail.

The group's goal is, "To see a paved trail from Cadillac to Comstock Park."

The Friends of the White Pine Trail was created in 1997 and is made up of trail users and small business owners.

They help the DNR by assisting in the trail's completion, educating people about the trail and improving the trail by obtaining funding.

Their next meeting will take place on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Plainfield Township Office.

Eventually, the White Pine Trail will connect to other Rails to Trails parks.

These parks include Kent Trails, Musketawa Trail and Paul Henry Thornapple Trail.

It is currently connected to the Pere-Marquette Trail in Reed City.

More information can be found at the Friends of the White Pine Trail web site, http://www.whitepinetrail.com.

The site is still under construction in some places, but should have any necessary information.

Jams update...
A band has yet to be signed for the annual concert.

By Matthew Gatesy
Ferris State Torch

January is fast approaching and a band has not yet been signed for the annual January Jams concert.

Delta Chi was hoping to bring in Our Lady Peace, but the band recently turned down the offer they were presented asking for more money. Delta Chi also attempted to contact Ted Nugent, only to be turned down again.

Nugent will be hunting out west come January.

No Delta Chi officials were available to comment on which band they may be still looking to bring in. Names discussed earlier in the year included Puddle of Mudd, Seven Mary Three, Eve 6, Saliva, Everclear and Reel Big Fish.

The difficulties in signing a band do not lie entirely with Delta Chi. This year the fraternity was given less money to work with in previous years. The last three years the fraternity received between $40,000-$55,000 each year. This year Delta Chi was given around $49,000.

New software may help record industry fight
Corporate piracy is becoming a big deal.

By Greg Owen
Ferris State Torch

Apreo software company announces new program to help the entertainment industry in its fight on piracy and file-sharing among Fortune 1000 organizations.

Apreo, founded in 1994, announced the availability of its new version of the QuickStart MP3 Detection Program on Nov. 13. The program includes the Apreo SoundJudgement program.

SoundJudgement detects and responds to MP3's and other online file-sharing programs on desktop and network hard drives. SoundJudgement even finds the files if they are hidden or have been renamed, and when found, SoundJudgement can automatically delete the files.

Setup is simple, taking under an hour with the default configuration, and three months of technical support and maintenance are available as well.

The program can be run on demand or a schedule basis, which is hidden from its end users.

According to the press release announcing the product, "The QuickStart MP3 Detection Program is an excellent choice for enforcing an MP3 piracy policy in Fortune 1000 companies because it provides fast, thorough detection," Gregory Coticchia, systems and security software expert, said.

Many students have probably noticed that file-sharing sites like Napster, Audiogalaxy and SongSpy do not run well through the campus network-because of a program called Packeteer.

"Packeteer looks at inbound and outbound files, everything passes through, and regulates bandwidth in order of importance with university and education activities coming first," Jeff Spedowski of Residential Network Support (RNS), said.

That is as far as the Ferris State University network goes in the way of detection, unless notified from an outside source of copyright infringement.

The QuickStart program is a great help to the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) in its Anti-Piracy campaign.

The RIAA has won several legal battles over the issue of file-sharing and piracy on company networks.

File-level protection, detection on individual computers and not just a central server, is the key to SoundJudgement's effectiveness.

File-level protection also finds all MP3 files, regardless of how they enter the computer, and is how SoundJudgement complements network-based solutions such as firewalls and Internet access monitors.

Apreo, headquartered in Orange County, Calif., acknowledges that there are always new ways to get around the detection, but in its press release states, "SoundJudgement provides an additional layer of protection by detecting files that inevitably circumvent these solutions."

The program costs $279 per 100 desktops and is compatible with all Windows operating systems.

It also supports all major networks including Novell, which is used by Ferris State.

Also in the Apreo line are AntiGame Plus and ApreoFlex. AntiGame Plus can locate games or any other application that needs to be controlled for productivity, security or IT reasons.

ApreoFlex detects application usage in real time, allowing an organization to monitor recreational use and enforce usage policies.

The introduction of the QuickStart MP3 Detection Program means little to the college student and recreational users of such file-sharing programs, but is a step in the right direction for the RIAA and the overall fight on corporate piracy.

It's time to layeth the smacketh down
The WWE's newest game "Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth" is a success.

By Matt Cherry
Opinions Editor

If you've been watching any amount of television these past few weeks, more than likely you've seen the commercial featuring Brock Lesnar, the "Next Big Thing," promoting the game "WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth" for the Playstation 2.

Regardless of what your personal feelings about wrestling are, this game is simply fun.

I mean, it's not going to win any awards for originality, but come on, wrestling hasn't been all that original for years.

"Shut Your Mouth" does bring some new wrestlers into the fold. Rob Van Dam, Booker T and Hollywood Hulk Hogan (both Red and Yellow and nWo incarnations) are just a few of the new superstars to grace this game.

If any of you have played "WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It," then you're going to be familiar with pretty much every aspect of this game.

The major redeeming factor of "Shut Your Mouth" is its improvements over its predecessor.

The best improvement has to be the save file size. It's now right around 250 kilobytes, as opposed to the 4.5 megabytes (that's right, over half of the PS2's memory card) that "Just Bring It" used up.

A problem with the game is the same problem with any wrestling game: it isn't up-to-date.

Of course, with how long it takes to make a video game (around eight months is the average for a basic game), and with how soon the plot twists in any given wrestling show (around every five minutes), this is totally forgivable.

Another problem, and the major one at that, is basically everything about the game.

It's just a huge remake of "Just Bring It." I mean, there are simply a few changes, and while those changes are for the better, it's not what it should be.

For instance, take the graphics.

The game looks beautiful, and the crowds are getting better with every wrestling game. The characters also look great. However, they look like the designers simply took the player models from the last game and made them rounder.

Sure, the couple of times that you get to see something like "The People's Eyebrow," it looks great, but with hair modeling that mysteriously flows into one's back, it's hard to overlook.

Also, and thankfully for this, the face models for the women actually look like women now. However, they're still a far cry from being perfect.

After the graphics comes the other low point of the game, with that being the sound.

The worst part has to be the in-game music. I mean, this stuff is MIDI quality at best. As always, the entrance music is awesome, as it's not made solely for the game.

The voice acting is also quite good. That is, it's quite good the two or three times that it's used.

The only constant voice acting you'll hear is Jerry "The King" Lawler and J.R. doing commentary. Thankfully, that's kept to a relative minimum.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that they don't repeat themselves. "Repeat themselves" as in almost every other line.

Also, the difficulty can never make up its mind. On "normal" difficulty, the game isn't that hard, unless you're in a title match. All of the sudden, the computer can beat you down with just one Smackdown! (special) move, while you need to hit the opponent with at least three to take him/her down.

However, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. And that light comes in the form of gameplay.

The Create-A-Wrestler feature is back and better than ever. You can make a base character or customize them to the smallest detail. Even with the added load time, this feature just more user-friendly

And also returning and revamped is the season mode. I mean, this feature is simply awesome. There is a catch, though.

It tends to get rather repetitive. Nevertheless, this season mode- which spans two years, by-the-bye-will keep players coming back for more.

The other great return about this game which I think really sets it apart from the other wrestling games is match types. You can have a plain old singles match, or you could have an oddball match like an elimination-captain fall-tornado-6 man tag team.

Try saying that five times fast.

With matches like those, or the ever popular TLC (Tables, Ladders, Chairs), hardcore or table matches make this game great by single-player or multi-player standards.

As with any good game, the menus look quite pleasing to the eye, and with something like the Create-A-Wrestler mode that can take around an hour to do, those menus really help.

Basically, "WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth" has a little something for everyone. Fans of wrestling and those who just like beating the crap out of your friends will have a lot of fun with this one, and I think that it's worth the money to buy.

While "WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth" for the Playstation 2 may not be the best, it is a good title to add to anyone's repertoire, and it gets 8.5 out of 10.

Skis to a board
The Torch provides a guide on how to make the transition from skis to snowboards.

By Matthew Gatesy
Ferris State Torch

Boardin'
Freshman Anna Weiss catches some brisk air on a snowboard.
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Few things are as humbling or as stimulating to a good skier as abandoning the security of a sport already mastered to become, once again, an awkward beginner.

This is true on cross-country skating skis, on telemark skis, on monoskis and especially on snowboards.

Here are some tips for someone looking to make the switch.

It may not seem like a big deal, but which foot is forward makes a difference. Snowboarding, like surfing and skateboarding, is a sideways-standing sport.

To discover your natural stance, find an icy stretch of pavement or a frozen puddle, run a few feet and let yourself slide across it.

Which foot do you instinctively stretch forward? That's your front foot on a snowboard.

To get started, pick an easy hill with soft snow.

Go across the hill first. It is much easier to gain confidence and control if a traversing/side-slipping/braking pattern is developed first, before heading straight down the fall line.

Unlike skiing, traversing across a slope on a snowboard is quite different depending on which way you're heading. You will have a backside traverse (back to the hill) and a frontside traverse (facing the hill).

The backside traverse is a stronger, easier maneuver, because the high plastic spoilers of most snowboard bindings give you more support in this direction-you can lean back against them to increase edging.

On the frontside traverse you feel like you're standing on your toes, and it takes more strength to control the board.

Experienced skiers seem to react differently to snowboards than those whose only experience of sliding over snow has been on a board.

Instinctively, the skilled skier who tries snowboarding wants to develop strong edge control.

The shortest route to this end is to use hard plastic snowboarding boots rather than soft Sorel-type, felt-lined boots and wraparound bindings. Hard boots greatly strengthen your frontside edging.

While you traverse the slope, flatten and sideslip your board from time to time; to stop, push the board away from you, twisting it up the hill, while you let it slip.

And when you get in trouble, sit down!

In fact, you can sit down and flip your board around between traverses until you're ready to turn downhill.

As in skiing, the downhill turn is the soul of the sport, but don't try it until you feel comfortable just sliding sideways and across the hill.

When you're ready, start your downhill turn by committing your body in the direction you want to go-leading with your front hand-and then swivel the board with your feet to catch up to where your body already is.

The feeling is almost like falling into a turn, insecure but very effective.

This thumbnail sketch doesn't take the place of lessons, and nowadays most ski schools have become ski and snowboard schools, so it won't be hard to find good snowboarding lessons at most ski areas.

Five years ago it would have been a challenge; ten years ago, it would have been impossible.

One of the more popular places for Ferris students to ski and snowboard during the winter months is Caberfae Peaks, located 12 miles west of Cadillac.

Caberfae is scheduled to be open Dec. 7-8, with limited hills.

The early opening can be a plus for college students, as early season means discounts on lift tickets.

For more information, Caberfae Peaks can be reached at (231) 862-3000 or on the web at www.caberfaepeaks.com.

Therapy enters reel world
Viewers can learn more about themselves from some movies

By Cassandra Bruan
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.-"What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?" pleads Bill Murray's character Phil in "Groundhog Day."

Birgit Wolz asks the same question of her patients, but she adds an instructive spin by urging them to imagine how they would enrich their lives if they were "stuck" like Phil.

It's one way the Piedmont, Calif.-based psychologist is using movies as therapy in the latest trend of the psychiatry world, cinema therapy. Wolz is introducing East Bay residents to the avant-garde methods with her Cinema Therapy Group.

Movies like "American Beauty," "Annie Hall" and "Dead Poets Society" provide copious material for the eight-member group, which meets weekly for three months to discuss how the movies relate to issues in their lives.

Participants talk about why certain movie characters leave strong impressions, good or bad, and what that might say about their values and hopes. Movies can help clarify these questions, Wolz says, which can then be used as an impetus for personal growth or at least an awareness.

Wolz, who's been a practicing psychologist for 10 years, was introduced to the therapy last year at a workshop, "Movies and Mythic Imagination: Using Films in Depth Psychology," held at the Center for Symbol and Stories. It's a professional psychology training group based in California.

"I was very inspired because I always use imagination in therapy," Wolz says. "Movies are images that can be used in the same ways as dreams."

Like dream interpretation, cinematic images can be seen as symbols that represent deep, unconscious expectations and anxieties, Wolz says. But she's careful to point out that the counseling group is not appropriate for people with serious psychological disorders.

A movie fan herself, Wolz is well-aware how important these flickering images can be in a person's life. In fact, Wolz's favorite movie, "Sliding Doors," was a powerful reminder to her of the diverse directions life can take.

The 1998 film stars Gwyneth Paltrow and plays with the classic "what if?" question, exploring the alternative path Paltrow's character would have taken if she had made a different last-minute decision.

If that film opened the door for a new future for Wolz, the classic baseball film "Field of Dreams" propelled her to act on it.

"Field of Dreams' reminded me that it's really important to follow your inner guidance, as opposed to your fears. It gave me encouragement to pursue my dreams," admits the German native, who switched careers late in the game from economist to psychotherapist after recovering from a debilitating stroke.

"Sometimes we lose hope or worry how things are going to continue a movie like that reminds us to really follow these dreams."

Some critics might argue that we do this already when we grab a rental copy of "Terms of Endearment" or "Erin Brockovich."

True, says Wolz, but cinema therapy requires the movie viewer to take a more active role and consciously observe how the "reel" life reflects the "real" life.

Take "Groundhog Day," again. On the surface, the 1993 film is an absurdist romp with Murray's sarcastic, narcissistic character Phil trapped in the same endless day.

Phil is initially bitter and negative. As one token parochial character puts it, referring to his half-drunk glass of beer, "I bet you he is a 'the glass is half empty' kind of guy. Am I right?"

"First he was his old self, hitting the wall, and then something shifted and he tried to use it in a way that benefits him," Wolz says. "Then finally, he surrenders and tries to make the best of it, and discovers his true self."

When Wolz asked members what they would do to enrich their lives if they were "stuck" like Phil, one participant used it as a way to make a change in her repetitive daily schedule.

Wolz admits not everyone is ready for "action," but at the very least the therapy gets people thinking and talking about questions they either couldn't talk about or weren't even aware were there.

"I've used movies in individual settings, but for me the inspiration came when I led groups," Wolz says. "When we discover things about ourselves with witnesses, it is very powerful. People inspire each other in the group. It can deepen the experience."

But with more witnesses come more tastes, and as they say, everyone's a critic. So what happens when someone simply dislikes a particular film?

"That's always a case," admits Wolz. "One person didn't like 'Forrest Gump.' It's more about being moved that can also be in a negative way. We can learn from what we don't want to look at in life, and that can be very valuable."

Still, Wolz says she tries to steer the conversation away from critiques. At the first session she establishes guidelines that include a gentle reminder about respecting others' opinions.

But for those who don't work well with others, Wolz says, you can use similar methods from your own couch.

Celebrate around the world
Grand Rapids offers a taste of Christmas from all around the globe without leaving town.

By Mary Gurnee
A&E Editor

Pretty, pretty, pretty
Christmas decorations light the walkways of Big Rapids.
Photo By: Alicia LaFrance
Assistant Photo Editor

For the month of December, every Thursday evening will be filled with holiday joy and laughter.

On Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 5:30-9 p.m., Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, located in Grand Rapids, will open up and treat visitors to a nighttime display.

For visitors who love winter outdoors activities, such as a lit winter walk or a private horse and carriage ride, this will suit beautifully.

Carriage rides run at the same time and dates except Dec. 26. Tickets are $20 and go on sale at 5 p.m. every Thursday evening. Rides are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In addition to the holiday festivities there will be a sculpture exhibition featuring Picasso at the Gardens.

This display will be taking place through the holidays until Dec. 31.

Visitors don't have to leave the festivities for food or drinks, as the Taste of the Gardens Café will be open. The café will be serving up hot cocoa, cookies and sandwiches.

The café also offers children's puzzles and activities to keep the children occupied while their parents are taking in the winter sights around them, such as the different choirs that will be performing every Thursday night at 7 p.m.

In addition to the Thursday night festivities, there are themes on the weekends that will focus on one country or holiday celebration. The countries and celebrations that were selected for this year are Denmark, Mexico, Lithuania, Kwanzaa, United States and Hanukkah.

Included in these are gift bearers, entertainment, storytelling and children's activities. There are activities for visitors of all ages.

Lined up with the themed weekends are a handful of musicians and choirs to entertain all visitors.

In addition to the previously stated countries there are also forty additional countries being featured. Visitors and guests may learn more about each country's traditions by purchasing the 2002 Christmas Around the World and Holiday Traditions Keepsake Guidebook for $5.

Not only will the guidebook help guide visitors around the exhibits, it will also entail an international recipe book, and commemorative souvenir.

A preview of what a visitor may expect to see when at the Gardens are the different decorated trees of countries, decorations for traditions, and speak with knowledgeable people about other traditions and cultures.

The Denmark tree is one example of the trees will be on display. The tree is decorated with candles and hand-made ornaments such as woven hearts, flags, straw ornaments and cornucopias.

Another tree that will be on display is the Mexican tree. This tree is decorated with bright piñatas and copper, tin and paper ornaments.

In Mexico, the people decorate everything from cactus to the more common pine tree when they celebrate the holiday season.

There will also be displays of traditions in Lithuania. This tradition includes delicately woven straw ornaments. These straw ornaments are called siaudinukai. Crosses and stars are also very popular.

At the Gardens, there will be a sculpture exhibition featuring Picasso.

This display will be taking place through the holidays until Dec. 31.

The admission price for the exhibit is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students and $3.50 for children ages 5-13.