Different bikes for different types

Erin Weiffenbach

There are many types of bikes and terrains, each with their own set of challenges and benefits. Some bikers prefer mountain biking for its rough, exhilarating ride, while others would rather take a beach cruiser for a relaxing ride along the shore. There are those who want to go as fast as possible using their own power and those who would prefer to use their bike to facilitate flips and jumps. But no matter what one's bike of choice, Jacksonville has ample opportunity to build those biking skills - even mountain biking.

BMX
Bicycle motocross, commonly referred to as BMX, originated when bicycle riders tried to duplicate the tricks seen in motocross like flips and airs. The tricks can be done on all kinds of landscapes such as the street, parks, dirt, vertical ramps and flat land.

The Ray Greene Park located in North Jacksonville offers a dirt track with hills for riders to land tricks or race. JAX BMX, a non-profit BMX organization in Jacksonville, helps maintain the track and offers lessons for those interested in enhancing their BMX skills. Cuba Hunter Park in the San Marco area has a skate park facility with metal ramps that can be used for tricks and is open to bikers.

Road biking
Simply put, road biking is for those who want to go fast. While it can be done on any road, some roads are better than others - especially when traffic is considered. Some students use their road bikes to travel to and from school and avoid gas and parking problems, while others hop on a road bike strictly for exercise.

The North Florida Bicycle Club has organized group rides varying in length and speed on weekends in select areas around Jacksonville for those who enjoy biking with others. The 17th Annual NFBC Tour de Forts will be April 27 for road bicyclists at all different skill levels and has courses ranging from 18 to 100 miles.

Beach cruising
The least physically challenging of the biking categories, beach cruising is for those who want a leisurely ride and a chance to enjoy the scenery. Beach cruisers can be seen all around Jacksonville during sunny days and are especially plentiful around the beaches and San Marco.

Because of their slow pace, cruisers are good when biking in groups and like road bikes, are suitable anywhere there is pavement but don't usually do as well with traffic. To live up to their name, beach cruisers move easily along the hard packed sand at low tide.

Mountain biking
Florida might be short on mountains, but that doesn't mean those who own a mountain bike can't find a use for it. Guana River State Park in Ponte Vedra has miles of trails for biking. These trails offer a bit of off-road adventure and a plethora of sightseeing opportunities, as the trails are situated around the Guana River and close to the ocean. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is another area for those looking for thrill. It has 15 miles of trails winding through the trees with skill levels ranging from beginning to advanced.

Complied by Laurel Wright
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One year anniversary: park popular among skaters

By Lori Bero
STAFF WRITER

Lori Bero

Despite a rough beginning, the skate park seems to be a hit among skaters like sophomore business major Stuart Dorn.

The UNF Skate Park will celebrate it's first year of existence March 29.

The skate park was a controversial issue among Student Government, but has since been appreciated by many UNF skateboarders.

"I love it. It's the best thing that ever happened to the college lifestyle," said Trevor Coulombe, a sophomore graphic design major who frequents the UNF skate park.

Coulombe said there are a lot of good skateboarders who come out and none of the younger kids you find at other skate parks, which makes for a better skateboarding experience.

About 18 to 20 students typically sign-in on weekdays, but that only accounts for the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. time-frame when the skate park is staffed. More people use the skate park before 3 p.m. and after 6 p.m. but are not on record, said Skate Park Manager Daryel Gullet.

The weekends have a slightly higher attendance rate with about 20 to 30 people signing in, Gullet said.

"I think it's a great addition to campus," said Shane Hogan, a sophomore math major who has worked at the skate park since its opening last year.

"It's probably used as much or more than the racquetball courts."

"No one (has) ever been seriously hurt," Hogan said. "Everyone out here knows what they're doing."

Sophomore business major Stuart Dorn, who uses the UNF skate park, said the mini-ramps are the best part about the skate park, but he would like to see more skate contests and some beverage machines.

Benches for people watching and vending machines would be a great addition to the skate park, Hogan said. He said the vending machines would make money.

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'Vagina Monologues' on campus celebrates V-Day

By Laura Franco
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

V-Day On Campus

What: V-Day is a global movement aiming to raise awareness about violence against women. "The Vagina Monologues" will be performed to honor this movement.

When: March 29, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Lazzara Performance Hall

Cost: $5 for students.

Proceeds for this event will go to area women's centers.

In celebration of V-Day UNF 2008 and raising awareness about violence against women on campus, the psychology department is sponsoring a production of the critically acclaimed play, "The Vagina Monologues."

According to the V-Day Web site, www.vday.org, V-Day is a global movement to stop violence such as rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sexual slavery against women and girls.

V-Day campaigns consist of volunteers and college students setting up performances of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" to raise awareness and money for anti-violence groups within their communities. The Web site also mentions the 'V' in V-Day stands for victory, valentine and vagina.

This is the first time UNF has been involved in a V-Day campaign, said Laura Verlangieri, senior English major and the main organizer for V-Day UNF 2008.

"There have been attempts to host a production of 'The Vagina Monologues,'" Verlangieri said. "I believe this is the first time the event takes a major role and drives the attention of the student community and also Jacksonville's local community."

Volunteers auditioned in February and there are 24 women in the cast. Verlangieri said most of the people who came to auditions "got to at least play a minor part."

Sonia Zamot, a graduate student in the English department and a cast member, auditioned because she said she "wanted to get back into theater."

But when she found out about the significance of the V-Day movement, Zamot said she "knew that the production was bigger than just a chance to shine on stage - or at least trying to shine."

"It was to give sound to those voices that have been extinguished," Zamot said. "So, I saw this as a time to stop talking about it and be about it."

Verlangieri said this year's beneficiaries are Betty Griffin House, Quigley House and the Women's Center of Jacksonville Inc.

Betty Griffin House and Quigley House offer shelter to victims of domestic violence, and the Women's Center of Jacksonville Inc. provides support toward women's medical and psychological issues, said Nancy Schwartz, adjunct psychology professor and the assistant organizer for V-Day UNF 2008.

The content of the monologues has received criticism since the play's start more than 12 years ago, but Veralangeri said the play is not obscene.

"It is controversial because it fights against the boundaries set for women," Veralangeri said. "It fights to end the passiveness of violence."

The play contains many words that refer to the vagina, Schwartz said. Despite the nature of the language, it is not as bad as what actually happens to women, she said.

"Part of the idea of the play is to bring awareness and attention," Schwartz said. "It's funny and moving; it makes the audience want to get involved."

Whitney Carroll, a junior communication major and a volunteer for V-Day, is excited about being involved in the event and the support from UNF.

"It's exciting to be a part of a global movement that takes place in Africa, the Middle East and Asia," Carroll said. "I feel like I am really helping to contribute to something that has powerful effect on a large number of women. It's encouraging to see all the support we have from UNF and how excited the students of UNF are about V-Day."

The V-Day campaign celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. "The Vagina Monologues" is based on Ensler's interviews with 200 women.

"The Vagina Monologues" will be performed 7:30 p.m. March 29th in the Lazzara Performance Hall. Tickets are on sale at the ticket box office.

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YouTube Clip of the Week

Leah Falls Down

News editor Tami Livingston chose this video in which a girl loses her footing after having a little too much fun at a Florida-Georgia game.

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Al's Pizza pie surpasses taste test

By Chris Anderson
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the mood for a great lunch at a disproportionately low price? Try the locally famous and critically acclaimed Al's Pizza. Claiming to serve "some of the best pizza you'll ever find outside of New York," you will not be disappointed. And thankfully, neither will your wallet.

The first of five Al's locations was opened in the mid-1990s in Atlantic Beach. Built in an old auto repair shop, the place has a very unique atmosphere, right down to the clear auto shop doors, which sometimes are opened in summer, and the surfboard attached to the cooler at the bar. And every Al's has its own eclectic decor, lending each a very relaxed atmosphere.

In addition to the original beach location, there is an Al's at Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road, one in Ponte Vedra, one in Riverside and its recently opened location off Phillips Highway.

Not only are there many locations, Al's also offers a multitude of food choices. Look through the menu and you will find that in addition to its pizza, it has quite a few Italian inspired dishes. From lasagna to chicken parmigiana to fettuccine alfredo, there are plenty of non-pizza items to choose. It even serves hot and cold subs, which I have not sampled, but have heard good things about.

But the pizza is what we are here for, and boy, is the pizza great. For about $6 you get two huge slices of cheese pizza and a soda or sweet tea. Add 39 cents for any additional toppings. Or you can opt for an IBC Root Beer, at 2 cents less than a regular drink.

Pizza by the slice only comes with thin crust, which is the way to go, as the thin crust is delicious. An entire 14-inch cheese pizza is approximately $10 or $8.49 for a 12-inch.

Its garlic bread ($2 or $3 with cheese) was wonderful and a great way to pass the time. The food came out piping hot and the cheese was melted all over.

Pick a location, pick a dish, and you will be happy with anything in front of you. Check www.alspizza.com for more details.

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No-bake cookies, unique ravioli make easy meal

College Cooking with Lori

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

What you need:
2/3 c. butter, creamed
3/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. oatmeal
Powdered sugar

Preparation:
Cream butter; blend in sugar, cocoa, water and vanilla. Stir in oatmeal. Shape dough into balls and sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Store cookies in refrigerator.

Cost: About $6

Brown Butter and Sage Ravioli

What you need:
1 24-oz. package fresh cheese ravioli
6 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
16 fresh sage leaves
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:
Cook ravioli according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until it foams.

Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium, add the sage, and cook until the leaves turn crisp, about 1 1/2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Season with the salt and pepper. Return the drained ravioli to the pot, add the butter and sage, and toss gently.

Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and toss again. Divide among individual bowls and top with the remaining Parmesan.

Makes four servings.

Cost: About $9

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