December 1,2010

Indiana University South Bend’s Publication Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Inside this Issue

Sports reportPage 2

Credit cards Page 7

Keeping toastyPage 3

By KRYSTAL VIVIAN Staff Writer

I n a vote of 6-3, the South Bend Common Council voted down Substitute Bill Number 30-10, which called to provide protection from discrimination for all people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Civil Rights Heritage Club, in response, has released a statement to the students of IU South Bend reaffirming their stance on discrimination against any and all people for a multi-tude of reasons, including sexual orientation and gender identity. “We exist to honor and educate the community about South Bend’s civil rights struggle and now find ourselves in the midst of a new struggle that bears multiple parallels to struggles of the past,” said the released statement. The statement not only comes as a response because of the vote on the behalf of the coun-cil, but in order to draw the line between the Civil Rights Heritage Club and the Civil Rights Heritage Center board member, Karen White, serving on the South Bend Council who voted down the bill. “Karen White has every right to represent her constituency as she sees fit, but there has been an obvious conflict between her vote and our vision-we’re simply offering some clarifi-

cation as to where we stand,” said Jason Moreno, treasurer of the Club. White declined comment on the issue. However, she was only one of six Council members who voted down the bill. Council President Derrick Dieter also voted against the bill. “I think [the proposal] would cause more harm than good to small businesses,” said Dieter. Under the present Human Rights Ordinance in South Bend, citizens are presently pro-vided protection from discrimination and segregation based on “race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry, and familial status in housing.” The statement made parallels between SB 30-10 and previous movements in America’s Civil Rights history. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed and protected blacks and wom-en from discrimination. Those in the Civil Rights Heritage Club see no difference between the discrimination experienced by blacks and women and the discrimination experienced by the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, and Queer community. “It’s sad how soon some of us in this nation forget our recent dark history of intolerance and the justifications used to enforce it,” said the statement. “If we remembered these things, we would not embark on new forms of arbitrary discrimination like sexual orientation.”

See HARRY/ Page 2

IUSB’s Civil Rights Heritage Club responds to SB 30-10

By KRYSTAL VIVIAN Staff Writer

I walked into the theatre shaking with excitement and left the theatre crying my eyes out both times I saw the movie. Oh yes, it was that good.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One” premiered on Friday, November 19 right at 12:01am all across the United States. There were people dressed up and brandishing wands, some homemade and some bought at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. As most of you know, I was really nervous that “Deathly Hallows Part One” wasn’t going to live up to the hype that it received in the months leading up to the release. Like many fans, I was still reeling in anger from the travesty of “Half-Blood Prince.” “Deathly Hallows Part One” could easily have made up for what director David Yates did to the sixth installment of the series. The movie opened with the Golden Trio separated, each in their respective homes. While this was unlike the books, it gave an intimate look at Harry, Ron, and Hermione

and their lives before they were reunited. It was a nice gesture, especially with Herm-ione, because the audience has never seen Hermione interact with her parents before. It’s bittersweet that this moment is the moment where Hermione wipes her parents’ memory of her to protect them from Lord Voldemort. The next scene was exactly how it was done in the books, which is actually how numerous scenes ended up. A lot of the more popular dialogue from the book was also included verbatim; including George Weasley’s “holey/holy saint” joke to his twin brother and fellow jokester Fred Weasley, after the loss of his ear. The movie was long, but it didn’t feel long. Everything flowed very well, and the dialogue tried to keep the audience aware of the quick passage of time. The movie begins in July and ends in March of the following year – all in two and a half hours. It was paced quickly for obvious reasons, and I’m not entirely sure everyone in the audience was aware of the timeline.

Yates redeems himself in “Deathly Hallows Part One”COURTESY OF: IMG440.IMAGESHACK.US/K

2 Preface Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The PrefaceThe Preface is the official weekly student newspaper of IU South Bend and is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters. The paper receives funding from the Student Government Association and through advertising revenue. The Preface is a student written, edited, and designed newspaper.

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South Bend, IN- Head men’s basketball Coach Chad Tapp announced on Monday that Austin Rasche, a 6-foot-5 senior from Southridge High School, will continue his academic and athletic career at Indiana University South Bend. Rasche was a second-team selection on the Courier & Press All-Southwestern Indiana team where he averaged 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds in leading the Raiders to a 15-6 record last season. Austin Rasche is the first commitment to Coach Tapp and the Titans program for the 2011 recruiting class.

IU South Bend Sports Report

HARRY/ From Page 1

BE THE STUDENT VOICE ON THE IU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Apply today to become IU’s next Student Trustee

Apply online at www.indiana.edu/~trustees. For more information, call the Trustees’ Office at (812) 855-3762 or e-mail [email protected].

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You can pick up an application at Athletics and Recreation (SAC 130), Housing and Residential Life (Community Building front desk), or the Chancellor’s Office (Administration 250).

While a lot was cut out, everything important stayed. We follow the Trio as they left the Burrow and traveled along the countryside searching for horcruxes, or bits of Lord Voldemort’s soul necessary to destroy before the Dark Lord could truly be vanquished. The movie also stayed accurate to the previous movies in that the scenes at 12 Grimmuald Place looked exactly as they did two movies ago, when Grimmuald Place was visited often. Also, the Burrow was rebuilt after it was torched in “Half-Blood Prince.” My favorite scene occurred when Ron destroyed the horcrux hidden inside the Slytherin Locket. The artistic portrayal of the horcrux and how it affected Ron was brilliant and powerful, making the scene frightening but also heartfelt. Another favorite scene of mine was Hermione’s telling of The Tale of the Three Brothers. It was an artistic, graphic rendition and the artwork was spectacular. It had a very creepy feel to it, which is fitting as it tells the story of three brothers and their relationship with Death and the Hallows. It was truly beautiful. The most impressive scene of all occurs in Malfoy Manner, where we find the Trio after being captured by a group of Lord Voldemort’s cronies. While Harry and Ron are thrown in the dungeons, Hermione is tortured in the living room by Bellatrix LeStrange, Voldemort’s most loyal and bloodthirsty follower. Though it was not in the book, LeStrange carves the racial slur ‘Mudblood’ into Hermione’s arm, as she is a witch born to non-Muggle parents. This scene is not only emotionally heavy, but the acting is simply superb. Emma Watson, who plays Hermione, has said in many interviews that she had never been tortured or experienced pain of that level. However, judging by her screams and cries of terror, her pain and fear is obvious and undeniable. The movie ends with Lord Voldemort acquiring the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows. The Elder Wand allows the owner to render any opponent powerless; why Voldemort wants this wand is no question. Overall, I loved the movie. It stayed true to the books while adding in small, minor scenes that provided necessary comic relief. Personally, I believe that Yates did the best he possibly could overall given the time that he had, and. I give it an A- and am now anxiously awaiting the July 15 release of the final installment in the series that has defined my generation.


By JESSICA STUTTSStaff writer

D espite recent temperatures in the 60’s, winter is approaching fast which means snow, sleet, and the bitter cold. While traveling on campus, it is important to know how to keep one step ahead of nature and stay warm once the temps drop.

Two simple steps will keep toasty at IU South Bend. The first however, is just practicing common sense when ventur-ing into the elements. For the second, a little bit of knowledge of the campus goes a long way when trying to stay warm. Common sense is a key preparation factor to staying warm. Dress accordingly– wear gloves, scarves, and a hat (or ear muffs) as protection from the cold. Layers are a must – a layer or two under your coat and warm socks and boots to trudge through the snow are much needed items. Despite popular belief, flip flops and shorts (though they will undoubtedly be seen around campus) are not winter apparel. Wearing summer clothing at this time of year is a virus waiting to happen. Knowing where the hot spots are on campus is a great way to warm up on a cold day. When heading to the library, take the tunnel from the ground floor of Northside. There is no need to go outside with this route. When you’re chilled to the bone and need to thaw out, IUSB students can grab a hot drink at one of the many vending machines around campus that serves hot chocolate, coffee, and lattes. Even better, you can stop by the café in the SAC for that hot drink of choice. If you’re just looking for a toasty place to catch up on homework between classes, head to Northside. Northside is kept at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees. Following these simple steps should keep you nice and toasty on campus this winter. A little bit of common sense while choosing your attire and finding the warmer areas of the university are the best ways to defend against the bitter cold. While you’re avoiding the harsh elements of winter, you can explore the campus and find even more places and ways to keep warm.

Getting toasty at IUSB

When you’re chilled to the bone and need to thaw out, IUSB students can grab a hot drink at one of the many vending machines around campus that

serves hot chocolate, coffee, and lattes.

By KELSIE FERGUSON Staff Writer

B oredom is just as common as the cold during the dull and dreary winter months, and many IU South Bend students are feeling its familiar symptoms. Fear not however, there is a cure! Countless winter activities are available for anyone

tracking down a good time. “We have a modified sled at home made from the roof of an old truck (so it’s extra big). Every year we take everyone out on it for a good time,” admits IUSB student, Kyle Howard. “Hot chocolate is also a must.” Typical activities include; skiing, sledding, ice skating, enjoying hot cocoa and singing Christmas carols. While these are all good and fun, sometimes it’s the unordinary solutions that wind up being the best. Staying inside is often a good idea. Chicago has countless means of entertainment, one being museums. What better way to enjoy the holiday seasons than to experience culture and art. Meanwhile, you get to stay warm and avoid slippery outdoor situations. “I work 24/7, when I don’t work, I run. I don’t really get down in the winter but I guess that’s just because I love the cold, to be honest,” declares IUSB student, Andrew Weingart. Just because the holidays are renowned for making people gain weight doesn’t mean you have to live up to that tradition year after year. Why not hit the gym and shed a few pounds? You get to be inside, stay warm, and improve your body all at once. If the gym isn’t your kind of place, lots of outdoor winter diversions require physical activity. Snowball fights, skiing, and snowboarding are only a few. Winter offers countless opportunities for students to get in shape. “During the winter I lift weights, do wrestling, Brazilian Jujitsu, and cross country skiing. I’m always active,” states IUSB student, Mark Niespodiziany. Volunteer your time. Several programs are in need of caring volunteers to spend a bit of time helping out. Soup kitchens can be extremely understaffed during the holiday seasons. Humane societies are also always in need of people who want to spend time with the animals. Not nearly as many people are willing to walk dogs in the cold, and thus many of the animals are stuck in their kennels during the long, lonely winter months. Maybe a walk will do you both good. Don’t forget movie nights are a must when the temps drop. Getting your friends or family together to watch a good movie, complete with homemade popcorn, can be a cheap and cozy way to avoid the winter blues. If you’re feeling really festive, you could pop in a nice traditional holiday movie to get you in the spirit of things. IUSB student, Cynthia Sterling, confesses that in the winter she would rather, “curl up

on the couch with a nice blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.” If all these seem like a little too much work, or maybe you’re just seeking some alone time, settling down with a good piece of literature can often soothe some tension. Maybe even a good video game or two can cut down the pent up stress involved in the winter months. In the end there’s no excuse not to enjoy the cold season, just so long as you’re willing to find what suits your style.

Finding the cure for winter blues

Sledding is one fun way to celebrate the snow.

COURTESY OF: WAUSAUBLOG.WORDPRESS.COM


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By: Joseph GrafStaff Writer

I t’s not every day that a local South Bend band opens a show for a mainstream band, but that’s exactly what Second Season will do on November 27 when they open for the mainstream radio rock group Cavo at a Club Fever concert.

“Competition was tough to get the show,” said Broc Bramlett, the drummer for the local rock group. In a town like South Bend, which isn’t really known for its music scene, it is very rare to get a chance to play a show with a nationally-known band. “There were a lot of bands interested, including many that I know personally. But in the end, Second Season won.” The group formed in the fall of 2008, and consists of four members; Shawn on vocals, Jeremy on guitar, Oz on bass, and Broc a.k.a. B-roc on drums. They play new-age heavy rock, most of which is radio friendly. “Our sound is a mix between 3 Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, and even a little Creed,” said Bramlett. Within the last year, the band has played an average of three to six shows a month, and even took second place out of 36 bands in the annual Woodwind and Brasswind Battle of the Bands. “Originally 36 bands sent in a demo tape, and the top six got to battle it out on stage,” said Bramlett. The group came in second place to the popular Indiana-based reggae band Midwest Hype. In recent weeks, the Second Season’s show with Cavo at Club Fever has been hyped up by the radio station 103.9 WRBR, or “The Bear” as it is more commonly known. “It seems like they play the commercial for the show every half hour, sometimes even every 15 minutes!” said Bramlett. On November 21, the band even did a live talk show with the internet-based Golden Image Radio. “We came in for a few hours, talked about our songs, they played some of our tracks, and we just chilled with the radio hosts,” said Bramlett. “They were really laid back, and asked us questions like what were the best pranks we’ve pulled on each other.” Second Season has gained popularity throughout the Northern Indiana and surrounding area over the last few years; doing shows in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Michigan City, Kalamazoo, and of course in South Bend. “We actually just booked a gig in Cleveland, Ohio, which is a good five hours away. That’s about the farthest away from South Bend that we have played so far” said Bramlett. “We are looking at some booking agencies to get us gigs even further away from South Bend.” Second Season is set to go to the studio to record their first official full-length album on December 4, which will include approximately 12 songs. “Right now, all we have out are a few four-track demos. This is going to be our first real CD. The album is going to have everything we have on our demos, redone, and a few newer songs that we have been saving. We don’t have a title for the album yet, that is something we will figure out later,” said Bramlett. As far as winning a gig to open for a nationally-known group like Cavo, the group couldn’t be more excited. “It feels great, but it’s also humbling. It lets you know that the hard work really does pay off, but it also lets you know that you have a lot of hard work to do still,” said Bramlett. “We have a long way to go before we get on their level. We got to keep grinding.”

IMAGE COURTESY OF MYSPACE.COM/SECONDSEASONSB

Second Season


By REBECCA GIBSONColumnistAfter I graduated high school in 1999, I unfortunately had to face down a very bad reputation. You know how people talk—with the best intentions, of course, but we know what is said about the best intentions; the road to hell is paved with them. Now, I am facing down a good reputation. It is as deserved as the bad one was not, but still there are problems with it. And now you are waiting for me to explain why I am telling you all of this, so here it is: One of the things I hear a lot is, “But Rebecca, you don’t fail!” And were I inclined to be vain, mean-spirited, or petty, I could agree with that statement, and lord it over them. However, I am not inclined to be those things, and besides, the statement is incorrect. I do fail. I fail at quite a few of the things I attempt. We all do. In fact, when I first came to IU South Bend, I failed very, very badly leaving our school with a GPA of less than 2.0. After failing out of IUSB, I then failed at keeping a job for more than six months, and I did that repeatedly for four years. It is not that I do not fail, it is rather that I do not consider myself a failure, and I never considered each instance of failure to be cumulative or permanent. Failing at what we attempt does not make us failures, rather it is because we get up off the ground and keep trying that makes us successes. And there is a reason I say I am facing down a good reputation and that I do not want to hear people say that I do not fail. It is because when they say this, they are comparing themselves to what they see of me, and they are comparing themselves negatively. What they really mean is that they despair of doing as well as I am doing. That I am doing something that they cannot, which is simply not true. I believe in the power of trying again, of trying harder, of continuing to try until there is nothing left to try with. I believe that if you keep going to classes you can salvage your grade, or drop classes if that is a better option. If you the type of person that takes tests when you have the option or turn in late papers rather than not turning them in at all, if you accept that you will not win everything but you keep going anyway, then you will win in the long run. This semester has been very difficult. I have failed at more than one thing I have attempted, in academics, extra-curricular activities, and personally. We all have, but success is right around the corner with the next opportunity. And I am a success, even though I fail. So are you. So are we all.

MANNERISMS

The best of intentions

BY Mandi SteffeyStaff writer

S ince the holiday season is fast approaching us, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of what needs to be done on our “to do” lists. Between shopping, cooking, and visiting family, it seems like there’s not enough time to do anything. There is something,

though, that should make it to the top of everyone’s priorities this year: volunteering. Charitable donations and volunteer work are scarcer now than they have been in recent years because of the economic downturn—but this can be changed with a little more effort. Especially during this time of the year, giving back to the community can help fulfill the holiday spirit that you may have been lacking. The amount of people participating in charitable donations and volunteering has declined drastically in the last year alone. Universities in Michiana in particular have seen a severe downward spike this year. Indiana University and Notre Dame have seen upwards of one third of their donations cease. Since universities use some of their donations to fund clubs who host fundraisers for the community, it is not only the university that suffers, but the area as a whole. This is unfortunate for especially the areas surrounding these particu-lar universities, as Michiana has been dealing with a high unemployment rate for a few years. This means that help is needed now more than ever. An easy way to get involved right here on the IUSB campus is to get in contact with the Student Alumni Association. This year, they are participating with the Adopt-A-Family program. The Student Alumni Association is responsible for meeting the needs to two Michiana families that are in need of Christmas presents for their children and food for the holiday season. To acquire a list of desired items, check your IUSB bulletin e-mail or contact the Student Alumni office. All donations go to these two families in need. Another on-campus charity event is the Toys for Tots programs at upcoming men’s and women’s basketball games. At these games, toy and cash donations will be accepted to go towards Christmas gifts for children in the community. The dates for these games are December 2, 7, and 18.

While there are many people who do try to find time to volunteer, there are always a good percentage of people who find excuses to not participate. A deciding factor can be whether or not you can afford to donate or participate in charitable events, so finding somewhere close to home is a good start. In the South Bend area, there are hundreds of opportunities to give back. Some of the obvious charities like The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and The United Way are easy starting positions. Any amount of money or time, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated and ultimately goes towards bettering the lives of those who are less fortunate in the Michiana community.

While you’re decorating your home or spending time with your family this holiday season, remember those who are less fortunate and try to do your part in helping out. Volunteering is not only good for our community during these cold winter months—it can give you a sense of satisfaction all year-round.

South Bend area charities reaching out for the holidays


By JEFF TATAYStaff Writer

C redit cards can help students manage their way through the expenses of college life, but a responsible approach is required in order to avoid graduating with credit card debt, student loan debt and bad credit.

Financial author Dave Ramsey, of “The Dave Ramsey Show,” has gained huge success in the last few years with his books, financial programs and radio show where he teaches his audience to become debt free and never use credit again. However, some-times college students are often faced with no where to turn but credit lenders. “It is nice to be debt free but students don’t always have a large amount of income to pay for school and necessities so they have to take out loans, apply for credit cards and go into debt,” said IU South Bend student, Martin Schultz. Although some believe that it is beneficial and/or necessary to use credit cards to get through school, there are dangers in using credit cards that can leave students in a state of financial disaster. “If you don’t have a job or income you won’t be able to pay off your credit cards and it will ruin your credit score when you want to get a loan for a house or car,” said IUSB student, Jessica Yeh. Credit card use paired with a lack of income can ruin a student’s credit score if timely payments are not made to the lender. Having no income while using credit cards will also lead to mountains of debt that may take many years to payoff when combined with student loan debt. “The pitfall of credit cards is that they can literally ruin you financially if you get behind on your payments. Make sure you have the income to make your payments, said IUSB student, Jacob Koppel. Payments made on a credit card have a significant financial affect on the cardholder. Large payments, or paying the card “in full” (paying off the entire balance on the card each month) will keep the cardholder from having to pay large amounts in interest rates. “Credit cards can be useful but they can also be a hindrance,” said Schultz. “I strictly use them for buying books and gas. Each month I pay then in full.” Small payments, however, will cause the cardholder to have to pay interest rates on the borrowed credit for a longer duration of time and can often lead to paying many times more than the amount that was originally borrowed through the credit card provider. “A lot of people get stuck paying the minimal and that hurts them in the long run. You end up paying more for the money you borrowed,” said Schultz. Although irresponsible use of credit cards can lead to bad credit and financial ruin, some students have discovered that a responsible and informed use of credit cards is

mostly harmless and often times necessary and useful. “They are useful if you can keep them under control. I got mine through my bank. It only has a $300 limit but it’s good for getting me through college and it helps me build credit, said Koppel. “You need to establish credit in order to get loans for a house or car etc.” The financial problems that credit cards have caused students has called for a new reform law that was passed on May 22, 2009, and protects people under 21 from being offered credit cards by credit card companies. People under 21 have to either have a co-signer or prove that they can repay charges on their own. Credit cards have caused enough financial problems for students in the past that congress was able to pass new reform laws, but the laws do not keep students from choosing to pay the minimal balance, skip payments or use their cards irresponsibly. Individual responsibility, although often overlooked, is still an issue for the cardholder. “If you get a credit card only use it on small necessary purchases that you can payback in a short period of time, said Schultz.

Students and credit cards: Mostly harmless or mostly disastrous?

PHOTO BY JEFF TATAY“Although some believe that it is beneficial and/or necessary to use credit cards to get through school, there are

dangers in using credit cards that can leave students in a state of financial disaster

By REBECCA GIBSONColumnist

Heart healthy and bright red, cranberries are as American as apple pie. More so, actually. Cranberries, named such because their flowers resemble cranes, are indig-

enous to North America, and have been used since before colonial times in food, medicine, dyeing, and ceremony. Delicious fresh, cooked, dried, or juiced, the cranberry is versatile, and since the first Thanksgiving has been a fall tradition. It is also nutritious and has several medicinal properties which are well regarded by modern doctors and scientists. Cranberries are as full of flavor as blueberries, to which they are related. These are antioxidants, which slow the effects of aging and are beneficial to the heart muscle. The small red berries also make bacteria less likely to stick to its hiding places in the body, which is why cranberry juice is occasionally recommended to prevent or to help treat bladder infections.* This property is currently under study by The Cranberry Institute, a non-for-profit organization which studies all uses of the berry. Able to be grown in acidic soil at relatively cold temperatures, cranberries are found in the Northwest and Northeast, and grow on vines in bogs. One harvesting method is to flood the bog; ripe and healthy cranberries float, whereas any berry that has gone bad will sink. Another method of dividing bad berries from good is the use of a bounce-board—good berries bounce, while bad ones stick to the board. Finally, cranberries are delightfully easy to prepare. Here is a recipe for ginger lime cranberry sauce that takes about 15 minutes:

Ingredients:12 oz/1 package cranberries½ cup sugar½ cup maple syrup1cup water1 lime-zested and juicedDiced candied ginger to taste Directions: Dice ginger and zest and juice lime, set to the side. In a medium sauce pan over low heat combine water, sugar and maple syrup. Stir until sugar dissolves, then add cranber-ries. Continue stirring. When cranberries begin to pop, add lime zest and juice and diced candied ginger. Stir continuously until all berries are popped and the sauce has changed to a bright cranberry color. When sauce begins to thicken, it is done and can be enjoyed warm from the stove, or cold at a later time. Makes enough to share, or if you want it all for yourself you will finish it before you are tired of it. Be careful to stir carefully and keep heat relatively low when berries are popping—hot berry can spray from the pan and burn.

*This is not meant to be medical advice—talk to your doctor before self-medicating with cranberry juice.

A new look at an old berry: Cranberries for health and flavor


Why idle away in winter?By KRISTINE BAILEY Columnist

T hey stink, they’re wasteful, and they dump pollution into the air we breathe. Yes, I’m talking about cars. More specifically, I am talking about car exhaust. All winter it pours out of cars even when they are going nowhere, even when no one

is in them. They sit there, not doing anything, not going anywhere, because we think they need to be “warmed up.” This is not the case – we like them to be warm so we don’t need to suffer a moment of cold in the winter. We scurry from our homes to our pre-heated cars and complain about the cold. Well, it is nearly winter in Michiana, when it gets cold and it snows. Dress warm. Idling cars in the winter is a dirty habit we have come to accept as “the way things are.” Actually, it is a choice we make, a decision to let them run for the sake of conve-nience. The effect on your vehicle, and on your wallet, as well as the larger effect on the environment, is worth considering.

Think of your car:• Restarting instead of idling has much less impact on the engine, the starter

motor and the battery (see Vermont Agency of Natural Resources for data). • Vehicles only need 30 seconds of idling time in order to circulate the oil and

‘warm up,’ even in cold temperatures. Practice the 10 - 30 rule: Turn off the engine when parked or stopped (except in traffic) for more than 10 seconds. Reduce vehicle warm-up idling to 30 seconds or less, even in subfreezing temperatures.

• Remember, the best way to warm up a car is to drive it.

Think of your wallet:• An idling car gets zero (0) miles to the gallon. • Idling just 10 minutes a day every day for a year uses more than 27 gallons of

fuel, according to figures from Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency. • Idling even two minutes uses the same amount of fuel as driving about one

mile; letting a vehicle idle for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine. (See data from California Energy Commission to learn more)

Think of people and planet (this includes you!):• Fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource. Conserving not only saves money, it

saves resources for future use. Additionally, less idling leads to less noise pollution.

• Less burning of fuels means less exhaust and pollution containing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene and several other toxic chemicals that impair our lungs and heart.

• No one likes to breathe in exhaust. Less idling means fewer emissions, which have been linked to asthma symptoms, cardiopulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Sensitive individuals such as children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma are especially affected. (See Mid-America Regional Council for more about emissions effects on populations)

Cold weather is settling in, so be prepared to keep warm and to keep the crisp winter

air clean. Although South Bend, and certainly not the State of Indiana, have not taken an active stance on promoting “Idle Free” campaigns or zones, other states and commu-nities have addressed the issue. Many communities across the continent are promoting “Idle Free” zones and habits. Vermont’s “Idle Free VT” program, Idle Free Utah, and Canada’s federal Idle-Free Zone are longstanding examples of how this issue is being addressed. They have provided many tips for their drivers who must deal with cold weather driving.

• Consider using spray de-icer or make a solution with half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle. If necessary, scrape/de-ice and clear the vehicle off first. Then, start the engine, immediately blast the defroster, and go in 30 seconds. Start out slowly to moderately to get the lubricants flowing.

• If it is too cold to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine off, seek warmth inside a building if at all possible.

• Dress for the weather and be prepared with window scrapers.

For more information, data, and tips on going “Idle Free”:

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - http://idlefreevt.org Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency - http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportationCalifornia Energy Commission - www.energy.ca.gov/climatechangeMid-America Regional Council www.marc.org/Environment/airQ/idling

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