Spinnaker [Distributed: Wednesday, October 18, 2006]

A European vacation may seem out of reach for most college students, but with a small time investment and a little research on the internet, the savings can be found and the dream fulfilled.

There are a number of venues for getting over to Europe: travel for pleasure under the direction of a tour guide; study abroad programs; and travel for volunteer programs, both secular and religious, to name just a few.

Budget Expeditions, an Internet-based travel company offers group discount travel packages to 18 - 35 - year-old travelers at substantially reduced prices. The trips are designed for the adventure traveler who wants to travel in style and meet new friends in the process, and the only requirements are to come ready for a party.

For less than $400, you can spend a week backpacking through Europe visiting a selection of countries. Included in the price is all food and camping and cooking equipment.

Along with the expert 24/7 assistance of your group guide, travelers also benefit from the services of an on-board cook, providing nutritious meals throughout the tour. Travelers also have the advantage of modern, air-conditioned coaches with a qualified tour driver to safely get you to your destinations.

The cost of plane fare is not included in the trip, however, so students must figure in this cost to the final package price. But with the airlines constantly having price wars, the chances are good of getting a round-trip ticket for about $400, bringing the trip total to less than $1,000.

University of North Florida 2006 graduate Dave Strupp spent 50 days traveling through Europe the summer after his graduation, but instead of using the services of a tour guide, he planned the trip completely through Internet research and relied on the Eurorail for transportation.

"The experience will change your outlook on this country and the way you perceive it," Strupp said. "I promise you will have a greater appreciation for the American way of life after two months. I missed home, but I didn't want to come back. Just go."

Another European travel opportunity is volunteer programs. For those who want to contribute to humanity while seeing the world, the opportunities are endless. Religious and secular groups alike offer excellent volunteer programs where students can go to a foreign country and put their skills and compassion to work.

The Italy/Paris trip starts in bologna, Italy where travelers join hundreds of other people in the streets, and meet people from all over the world and participate in drama, dance and skate park ministries. Students take excursions to Venice, Italy; Marseilles, France and the French Riviera, where incredible sites can be found, such as the Chateau D'lf, a fortress from the 17th century where the count of Monte Cristo was based.

The trip costs about $3,500 for four weeks, no great bargain by most standards, but gex offers scholarships and offers students suggestions in creative financing.

A month spent in Europe doesn't have to be pure folly. Students who want to have a good time while learning and earning college credit can do so through a variety of programs. And what better place to study and experience the French language than at its source - the University of Paris, Sorbonne?

The College Student's Alliance matches students up with their dream destination while helping them to earn college credits. Students can spend four weeks in Paris and study in the native language, earning college credit in the process.

While CSA does not offer any scholarships or financial aid, they will assist you in using your home school's financial aid for the program. For school in Paris, no student housing is available, so advanced arrangements must be made, starting with the CSA website, csaontario.org. According to the site, housing with a French family is possible, but only after arrival and upon request to the Sorbonne student office.

The weather in France and Italy will be in the 80s during the day and in the 60s at night. A few precautions should be taken prior to traveling, according to the gex Web site. All countries have their own visa and passport requirements, which may change with short notice, so students should first check with the bureau of consular affairs at travel.state.gov for the very latest information.

The opportunities for world travel are endless. All that's needed is a small investment in time and money.

Random musical musings

Beck
"The Information"
Rock: B+

While it's usually not a good idea to do something halfway, for Beck, it might not be that bad. "The Information" finds Beck combining the psychedelic folk-rock of albums like "Mutations" and "Sea Change," with the experimental dance tracks, funk rhythms, electronic samples and Prince falsettos of Midnite Vultures and Odelay.

Recorded mostly between the somber "Sea Change" and last year's musical jumble, "Guero," it's not surprising that "The Information" sounds right in between those two albums.

Beck teams again with Nigel Godrich, the producer of his "quieter" albums, and Godrich finds a nice middle ground between Beck's two sides. On songs like the moody "Dark Star" and "Think I'm In Love," there's a lushness and warmth to the electronic sounds.

Though much of the album sounds like Beck-by-numbers, the shear scope of Beck's musical palette turns out a wonderfully kaleidoscopic picture in the end.

Island

The Killers
"Sam's Town"
Rock: C+

After the success of their first album, "Hot Fuss," the Killers were subject to backlash, perhaps undeservedly so. There wasn't anything terribly original about their new-new wave, but their synthed-out rock was some of the best.

The problem the Killers face is instead of embracing their place as a likeable little group who writes catchy rock, they want to be taken seriously. So in place of the propulsive charm that made it hard for even their haters to dismiss the better parts of "Hot Fuss," the Killers go out of their way to sound like the World's Most Important Band. From the Queen-style full-band chants of "Sam's Town," and the ridiculous bookend ditties "Enterlude" and Exitlude," to the U2-inspired "Bling (Confessions of a King)," this is an album of a band with the ego turned up to "11."

The Killers should take a cue from the latter's slacker ethos: the harder you try to sound serious, the sillier you seem.

Sympathy of the R.I.

Veruca Salt
"Veruca Salt IV"
Rock: B+

After a six-year hiatus, Veruca Salt - comprising the original frontwoman Louise Post, guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick, drummer Kellii Scott and bassist/back-up vocalist Nicole Fiorentino - released its fourth full-length album, "Veruca Salt IV," last month.

The 14-track disc is not full of much complexity or variety, but it's very good for being a power-pop/rock album with mostly loud, angsty, emotive female vocals; hard-driving guitars; climactic beats; and real, raw lyrics repeated over and over for emphasis. Beautiful harmonies between Post and Fiorentino (who has a voice like an angel) punctuate the disc.

Though if you like a more mainstream, radio-ready sound, check out tracks five and 10 (which could easily be on Laguna Beach with its catchy hooks).

Fall in the air means it's time for the fair

The fall weather makes the outdoors so much fun. So why stay inside when you could be going to the 52nd Annual Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair?

The fair runs Nov. 1 - Nov. 12, and this year's entertainment line-up is full of popular country artists, and don't forget about all the rides, exhibits and games.

The fair kicks off Nov. 1 with performances by Gary Nichols, Josh Turner on the 2nd, the Planetfest Battle of the Bands on the 3rd and the Colgate Country Showdown on the 4th. Other artists scheduled to perform are Phil Vassar, Andy Griggs, John Corbett, Heartland and Trent Tomlinson.

The gates will be open from 5 a.m - 11 p.m., Monday - Thursday, noon - 11 Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday. The Colgate Country Showdown begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 4. All other concerts begin at 8 p.m. Adults get in for just $8, and the concert is included. Seniors, (60 and older) and children 6 - 12 are $5, and children younger than six get in free.

There will be lots of rides, but they cost extra and you must buy tickets for them. Are you one of those people who absolutely loves the rides but doesn't want to pay a fortune to go on every single one 10 times? Then don't miss out on Midnight Madness. On Friday the 3rd and the 10th, from midnight to 5 a.m. you can have unlimited rides for only $25.

There will also be plenty of contests, livestock exhibits, judging, and arts and crafts, along with a variety of arts and crafts contests, such as general crafts, Christmas crafts and woodcarving.

Separate judging will take place for children and adult groups. A cooking contest will also be held, along with a floral competition.

A fair just isn't a fair without food, games and prizes, right? There will be dozens of food stands with the wonderful smells of hotdogs and funnel cakes floating through the air. Guys, win your girlfriend a prize by showing off your skills at one of the game booths. Or even better, girls, make your guys look bad with your awesome skills.

The Jacksonville Agricultural Fair makes fall so exciting. Every year it brings fun-filled entertainment and talented artists.

In the past, the fair has hosted singers such as Sawyer Brown, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Aaron Tippin and Tim McGraw.

So make plans to attend the 52nd Annual Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair. Don't sit around watching T.V. when the weather is so nice and there is so much to do at the fairgrounds. November is right around the corner, so get ready for the fun.

'Man of the Year' not movie of year

Oscar Wilde pointed out to us "The Importance of Being Earnest." But he never warned of the deadliness of being too "earnest."

And that's a warning Barry Levinson ("Rain Man," "Wag the Dog") and Robin Williams needed to hear before marching off to make "Man of the Year." It's a nearly tone-deaf satire of American politics and the culture of celebrity, a comedy without enough laughs, a satire without enough bite.

But it does have a killer premise. It suggests that a Jon Stewart-type might be able to become president of this distracted, shallow land of the TV and home of the naive.

You've seen that face Robin Williams wears sometimes, the pained, sad-serious "Oscar nomination" face he wears when he's playing a part that demands few laughs, or talking on a chat show about his personal demons. He wears that pretty much all the way through "Man of the Year," even as he is riffing, rapping and rattling off shots at the Republicans, the Democrats and the state of our democracy.

Williams is Tom Dobbs, a comic who hosts a popular political comedy TV show with a glib answer to every political question of the day.

"If it was unpatriotic to question the government, we'd still be English!"

He's Jon Stewart without the edge or smarts - Jay Leno, in other words.

Dobbs is convinced by an Internet "draft Tom" movement to run for president. He gets on the ballot in a handful of key states. He won't do TV ads. And for a time, he won't even do comedy at his campaign appearances. He talks about the issues, the failure of the money-driven two major political parties. And he shoots down the put-downs and distractions of his opposition, mocking flag burning amendments, gay marriage bans and the like.

"I'm not just a tree hugger. I'm an air breather."

But thanks to a free-form improvisation at a debate and the ditzy "this is all a game" attitude of the TV talking heads (Chris Matthews shows up, again and again, no surprise), darned if Tom doesn't have a shot. Thanks as well to something an employee at the company that has the monopoly on touch-screen voting in America figures out. Eleanor (Laura Linney) pays a high price for a glitch she spots in the software, thanks to the weasel corporate attorney (Jeff Goldblum) who calls most of the shots there.

We learn this in a long flashback, an interview after the election with Dobbs' personal manager-turned-campaign manager, played by Christopher Walken. That decision robs the story of its immediacy. "Man of the Year" never has the heat of a "Bulworth," the bitter, funny truths of "Network" or the optimism of "Dave."

Levinson, who managed to offend and amuse with his Clinton-era "Wag the Dog," seems too well intentioned, too inclined to lecture, to let "Man of the Year" ever turn entertaining. It's not smart enough to be a satire, not silly enough to become a spoof.

Levinson and Williams can rattle off talking points on what's wrong with the process and the electorate, but too many scenes fail to amuse. Some go on painfully long, with characters repeating each other in awkward conversations that go on forever.

Williams is still doing his manic stand-up bit, without the deranged shtick. Linney does yet another Miss Lonelyhearts. Comedy Central mainstay Lewis Black is muzzled. Walken is less Walken-like than usual.

For every point the movie scores about a system that rewards those who spend $200 million to get elected, and the people they're beholden to, it loses two for boring us as it does. That doesn't add up to a Person of the Week, much less a "Man of the Year."

Dealing with stress in college

Ever feel like college is just too much to handle right now? Don't stress. Worry less, because life is too short to go crazy over all that is going on. Stress can be eliminated in many ways.

The main culprit is time management. Many people stress because of deadlines and test anxieties. Procrastination is the one word that all college students know and practice most. Some students don't procrastinate while others think their best work comes from the pressure of doing things at the last minute. The assignments thrown in front of us, however, are not the only things that can cause stress.

Many people have relationships that cause them to stress. Worrying about their companion, parents and roommates can certainly lead to stress. Roommates can be nasty, rude and invade your privacy, leaving you with no sanctuary. The only way to get rid of the problem between roommates is to confront them. Let your roommate know what's wrong so they can do something about it. Don't just sit back and say things will eventually change because, guess what? It won't. If you can't say how you feel to their face, then write it down. Write down everything.

Prioritize your time on paper. If you write down what you need to do when you need to it, life will be much easier. I know that life throws things in your direction that are unpredictable, but if you make a schedule of your tasks, you will have a basis for the things that need to be done.

Some people say they want to drop out of school, but that is not the answer to anything. Giving up shouldn't be in your vocabulary. You work your behind off to get this far, so don't stop now, you deserve to be successful. If someone asks you to do something and you really don't want to do it, then just say no. You have other things you need or want to work on, and whatever that task is, may not be as important. You're not being mean; you're just being honest.

Sometimes you feel like you don't have enough money - like you're broke. Well, that's a normal feeling for college students. If you really need help financially, don't be afraid to ask a friend or relative for help. If you don't have a job, find one. There are several businesses out here that are willing to work around your school schedule. Sometimes you have to think about the opportunity costs and determine which is more important: a party at a friend's house, studying for an exam or working to make money.

Sleeping is a significant part of life; if you don't sleep, you can't function. So get as much rest as you can. It can be a nap in the middle of the day, as long as you get the rest you need and deserve. Eat healthy! Many people don't realize fast food costs more than going to the grocery store to buy food and snacks for the house. Eating healthy can only make you happier by eliminating the caffeine and the headaches.

College is a time for exploration, it's a time to discover new things you never knew about yourself. Don't just let time fly by while you're stressing about problems that can be simplified. Live life to the fullest, because you only get one. Don't think I am saying to slack off and forget about it. I am saying calm your nerves and be happy with the direction you are facing. If you don't like the way things are going, change the order and pace. It won't hurt to do things differently. So have fun, but not too much fun!

On the bench with Damien Russo

Name: Damien Russo
Year: Sophomore
Major: Undecided

S: What will you do with your major?

D: Be a rock star.

S: Why are they called apartments when they are all together?

D: Um. Is this like timed? Um ...

S: Do you like your kneecaps?

D: I love my kneecaps.

S: Why?

D: Cause sometimes they get bruises on them and it makes them really colorful and they have scars on them too.

S: What do you think of the Gandhi statue?

D: I don't really like it. Gandhi doesn't seem to ... he doesn't fit in right there. Maybe somewhere else on campus. I don't know, I don't like him right there.

S: Who would fit in there?

D: Me. Givin' the thumbs up.

S: Did you know we have a soccer stadium?

D: Yeah I did.

S: What is your least favorite sport?

D: Running.

S: How would you feel if we were the UNF Pinecones?

D: That would suck.

S: You don't like pinecones?

D: Cause they fall. I got hit in the head the other day in the Village. I was outside, in the parking lot. I swear to God, a pinecone hit me.

S: What about the UNF Tadpoles?

D: I'd like that. I like swimming and they're cute.

S: Why does an alarm clock go off by going on?

Random Person (Zan Gonano): ON THE BENCH!

D: That kid knows what's up. Well first off, alarm clocks are retarded.

S: What is your ring tone on your phone right now?

D: The Distillers - "The Hunger."

S: What does acrimonious mean?

D: That's Felonious Monks little brother.

S: Do you think you are acrimonious towards others?

D: That doesn't make sense. If it's Felonious Monk's little brother? Acrimonious, that doesn't make sense.

S: Why does a chicken cross the road?

D: To get to the other side.

S: What is your least favorite part of the Spinnaker?

D: That guy that's on the street. I always skip that part. Oh. And those stupid comics.

S: What is your favorite part then?

D: The police records. The reports.

S: You should tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

D: I was raised by wolves in upstate New York.

Throught the Looking Glass

LOVELY TO LOOK AT AND FUNCTIONAL TOO
A 24-year-old woman, involved in a violent car crash in Ruse, Bulgaria, was saved from serious injury by her massive breasts that had been expanded to size 40DD by means of silicone implants. A police spokesman said, "They worked just like airbags."

UH CHIEF, THE GUY SEEMS TO BE SNIFFING HIMSELF A LOT
A drunk driver in Middlesbrough, England, was sentenced to home confinement and fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor his movements and make sure he stayed there. He cut off the bracelet, put it on his dog, and went out drinking with his friends.

MY PANTS? OK OFFICER, FUNNY STORY ...
After engaging the services of a lady of the evening, a Florida man refused to pay up, so the prostitute stole his pants. Police later arrested the man for indecent exposure because he wasn't wearing any pants.

THEY CALL HIM SUPERDOC
An Ohio chiropractor claimed that he could treat people by traveling back in time to when the injury occurred and preventing it from happening. State regulators have seized his license to practice.

SOOOO, LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT THE OLD HOO-HAW
A gynecologist in Barcelona, Spain, has been cited for sexually harassing his patients, telling nurses to leave the room during examinations and using "inappropriately colloquial language."

CALLER ID? DUDE, WHAT'S THAT?
Two teenagers made some 500 obscene phone calls to the 911 emergency line in Pennsylvania, and were easily caught because they apparently failed to realize that they could be identified through Caller ID. They were charged with harassment and obstructing emergency services.

ME!? PAY A FINE!? NEVER!
To get out of paying $200 in fines for speeding in Hyde, England, a couple fabricated a phantom Bulgarian employee, who they said was driving their Mercedes and then claimed that he had returned to his native land. The wife even flew to Bulgaria to send a postcard purporting to be from the man. A routine check by the British Embassy in Sofia revealed that the man did not exist. The fiasco wound up costing them more than $16,600.

PERHAPS WE CAN COME TO TERMS, MY DEAR
The 72-year-old mayor of Waldron, Ark., offered women a deal to have sex with him in order to keep their water from being shut off due to lack of payment. Police had one woman wear a wire to a meeting with His Honor, which resulted in his hasty resignation.

JUST LET ME GO BACK AND HIBERNATE, OFFI ...
A female bear in Lyons, Colo., became intoxicated after feasting on fermented apples, and was spotted staggering through a residential neighborhood at 7:30 in the morning. Police came and took her down with a tranquilizer dart.

Zan on the Street

It's already mid-October, how about that? Plenty of good stuff going on for the rest of the month so get ready to get out there and do something. Of course, the Florida-Georgia debacle is next week and everyone knows that's always an interesting affair. This week, we have some big name artists set to blow up Jacksonville.

Gainesville locals Sister Hazel brings its music to Freebird Friday night. Sister Hazel came here last year and played a great show, and you may remember the interview that the Spinnaker did with them. The show is $15 if you buy tickets before the day of the show and $20 the day of the show. As with all Freebird shows, doors open at 8 p.m.

I told you there were a lot of big name bands coming this week, and I wasn't kidding. Get ready to hold on to something. Tonight Peter Frampton brings his talking guitar to the Florida Theatre. Tickets for the show range from $37-$50, and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Friday, '90s rockers Guns N' Roses come to Veteran's Memorial Arena along with Sebastian Bach and Papa Roach. Tickets range from $37-$75 and show is at 8 p.m.

Saturday, classic rocker and blues god Eric Clapton will wow fans with his six-string skills at Veteran's Memorial Arena. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are a bit pricey, ranging from $55-$95. Also as a heads up, The Doobie Brothers are playing next Wednesday the 25th.

Saturday Hank III plays Jack Rabbits. This is the son of Hank Williams Jr so the show might be worth checking out. Monday, Authority Zero visits Jack Rabbits downtown. Check out www.jackrabbitsonline.com for ticket information and times.

That is the deal for this week. Nights are getting chillier and water temps are droppin, so go out and enjoy the beautiful weather we have right now before it's 30 degrees outside. If you are counting down to g-day (graduation), like I am, there are only 40 school days left. Oh yea, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Meanwhile, in another part of town...

Craving a taste for New York-style pizza? Al's Pizza has it fresh for you! With several locations around town, Al's Pizza is perfect for dates or for a group of friends who want easy and affordable food in a clean and friendly atmosphere.

To start out, try some of their appetizers. Some favorites include fried cheese and chicken tenders. Al's originals include Pesto Cheese Bread, which is their bread topped with a creamy pesto sauce and mozzarella cheese. Another is the Chicken Empanada, which is chicken seasoned with several authentic Southwestern spices wrapped in a tortilla. Cheese, black beans and corn are wrapped inside as well.

For the lighter appetite or salad lover, try the fried chicken salad for $7.29. The salad includes romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, mozzarella and Feta cheeses topped with breaded and fried chicken strips. Other salads include tuna salad, house salad, garden salad, turkey salad, caesar salad and chicken caesar salad. Prices for salads range between $3 and $8.

In the mood for a calzone? Al's has a couple on the menu such as the steak-grilled onions and mozzarella cheese calzone, the chicken-ricotta and mozzarella cheeses calzone, and the Deluxe which include ingredients from a deluxe pizza. Calzones are priced between $5 and $8. Al's is not limited to pizza and calzones.

They also serve many choices of subs, too. For a cold sub, try the Italian Submarine, which comes with ham, salami and cheese. Check out their selection of hot subs that include the meatball parmigiana, the sausage parmigiana, the sausage sub and the BLT Sub. Other original subs you may want to try are Al's Marinated Chicken Sub and Al's Pesto Chicken Sub. Prices for subs range between $5 and $6.

Al's dishes up some traditional Italian favorites as well. Some include lasagna, ziti, chicken parmigiana, chicken marsala, fettuccine alfredo, manicotti, stuffed shells, cheese ravioli and spaghetti. Most are available for lunch in lighter portions. Prices for entrees range between $8 and $11. Lunch times for these dishes are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and prices on lunch meals range between $4 and $5.

What would Al's Pizza be without pizza? The foundation of the pizza is at the crust. Al's offers New York-style thin crust, Sicilian-style thick crust and gourmet thin crust. Sizes for whole pizzas are 12", 14" and 16" or you can get a slice of pizza instead. Al's also offers specialty toppings that go on any pizza including Feta cheese, chicken and eggplant.

For the Sicilian and New York-style pizzas, you have the choice to order a deluxe, veggie or meat pizza, and each can be ordered by the slice. If you want to try a different flavor of pizza, try Al's Original BLT Pizza, the Spicy Caribbean Chicken, Barbecue Chicken or the Hawaiian.

There's something about Italian food and dessert. After a big bowl of spaghetti or a slice of pizza, chocolate cake is that one thing that tops the meal off completely. Al's knows just that and offers Sofia's Chocolate Cake at $4.99.

For a taste, visit or call the restaurant at several locations from: 14286 Beach Blvd. 223-0991, A1A N. 543-1494, 303 Atlantic Blvd., 249-000 1620 Margaret St.388-8384.

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EXPRESSIONS

A student's guide to traveling abroad

Random musical musings

Fall in the air means it's time for the fair

'Man of the Year' not movie of year

Dealing with stress in college

On the bench with Damien Russo

Throught the Looking Glass

Zan on the Street

Meanwhile, in another part of town...

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