February 20, 1997

Eating disorders week works to educate students
Jeremy Ball
Assistant Features Editor

We live in a society which constantly bombards us with ideal images of what our bodies should look like. Just turn on any soap opera or stay up one night and count the number of "get slim fast" info-mercials. You'll see why it's no wonder that 11 percent of female college students suffer from bulimia nervosa.

The Appalachian community is recognizing the fact that although it is certain that a significant percentage of the student body suffers from eating disorders, few actually seek out help or even know where to start. In response to the need to create awareness about eating disorders, ten different campus organizations will be sponsoring an Eating Disorders Awareness Week starting this Monday.

Denise Glassman, a counselor in the Counseling Center and the chair of the newly developed Eating Disorders Task Force, says that the purpose of this week is to "turn up the volume" and increase awareness about eating disorders.

"Eating disorders are often considered to be a secret, which only adds to the feeling of loneliness that often begins the disorder. The increased feeling of loneliness only adds to the problem," says Glassman. She says she hopes that this week will help to get some of the issues out in the open and talked about.

Glassman stresses that eating disorders are only signs of much deeper emotional problems. Focusing on food is often an outlet for emotional pain that victims don't know how to cope with.

The awareness week will start on Monday at 12 p.m. in the New River Room with an "Uncle Sigmund" lecture entitled "How not to Crash Diet into a Bikini."

On Tuesday, Dr. Pat Geiger will present a lecture at 12 p.m. in the Watauga River Room on the medical complications with dieting and eating disorders.

At 8 p.m. that same night there will a presentation in Calloway Peaks of the film "Slim Hopes - Advertising and the Obsession with Slimness." This film will focus on our society's obsession with thinness and what our response should be. Counseling center staff will also be present after the film to help any students who wish to asses their own eating disorders.

On Wednesday, the weeks events will continue with two lectures by Appalachian staff in the Student Union. In the Watauga River Room at 12:00 staff from the counseling center will be showing how to help someone you care about with their eating disorder.

Glassman says that she stresses that there is a deeper problem behind eating disorders. Focusing your attention on your friend, lover or family member's physical appearance will only heighten their dependence on that outlet for feeling self worth and gaining identity. When you're trying to help someone with an eating disorder, Glassman says, you should "acknowledge your concerns for them, but focus on their emotional hurts and how you can help them with that. It's a feeling disorder, not an eating disorder."

The second lecture on Wednesday will be in the Roan Mountain Room at 12:00. The topic will be on how parents can help to prevent eating disorders in their children.

That night one of the highlights of the week will be in Valborg Theatre. Alicia Quintano, a professional actress who trained with the Barter Theater in VA, will be giving a talk on coming of age in our culture. Again, focusing on the concept that eating disorders are deeper problems, Quintano will talk on how to develop through the "twenty something" years healthily. She is both enlightening and entertaining. Quintano has appeared before the United Nations Women's Guild.

On Thursday, "Slim Hopes" will be shown again in Calloway Peaks at 12:00.

Glassman stresses that eating disorders are nothing to be ashamed of. She says, "Just go to someone who you know will listen and talk about it".

Glassman also stresses that students can go to Counseling Services, the Wellness Center, the Medical Center or a coach if they know they have a problem. There is also a group which meets on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 in the counseling Center to discuss eating disorders and to help each other.

Considering that 8 million Americans suffer from Anorexia or Bulimia, the topic of eating disorders would seem to be a pressing subject, especially during a time in students lives when we are barraged with new emotions and experiences. Hopefully, this week of awareness will help us to learn how to deal with life without damaging ourselves in the process.

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Eastwood, Hackman are strong, but no Absolute Power
Jason Foster
Reporter

Absolute Power
Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman

Over the past five decades, Clint Eastwood has become one of the most respected actor/directors in Hollywood.

Eastwood's latest project as producer/director is the political suspense drama Absolute Power.

The film centers around an aging professional thief/master of disguise and intrigue, Luther Whitney (played by Eastwood), who secretly witnesses a bizarre murder involving the young wife of one of the wealthiest men in the country, Walter Sullivan (E. G. Marshall) and his protégé Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman), who are having an affair. The situation is unique because Richmond also happens to be the current President of the United States.

Naturally, a huge cover-up is put into place with the help of the President's Chief of Staff, Gloria Russell (Judy Davis) and two hard-nosed Secret Service agents, Bill Burton (Scott Glenn) and Tim Collin (Dennis Haysbert). When it is discovered that Luther Whitney was a witness to the crime, the focus of the cover-up shifts to putting the blame on him.

Screenwriter William Goldman does a good job of making the story cinematically viable, but in the process turns it into a "smart" film, meaning that some things aren't explained clearly, and leaving the viewers to think for themselves. Elements that appear to be possible plot holes or paradoxes might not be that at all, but just parts that you have to figure out for yourself: no spoon-feeding.

The acting performances here are first rate. Eastwood gives a performance filled with his usual mannerisms and soft-spoken voice, which is always what makes his characters who they are.

Gene Hackman gives another great performance as an intelligent but evil anti-hero, a character he's gotten a good grasp on. Hackman is always convincing, no matter what the role.

Members of the supporting cast also perform well. Ed Harris gives his usual strong performance, this time as the Washington Homicide detective in charge of the investigation.

The other performances all fall into the respectable job category. E. G. Marshall is adequate as Walter Sullivan, almost making you feel the character's pain. The performances by Judy Davis and Dennis Haysbert are also only semi-impressive.

Scott Glenn gives his usual performance of a fairly soft-spoken, but intelligent character. Its kind of funny, the characters Glenn plays are usually people who could have a lot to say, but only speaks (with a low-toned voice) when spoken to, or to reassure someone that something is or isn't going to happen (i.e.-"Don't worry. Everything will be okay."). Glenn can be a great actor, as he is in The Right Stuff (1983), but his roles do become virtually the same after a while.

The technical aspects of the film all fit together nicely. The editing is well-done, allowing the film to flow fairly well and the cinematography, music, and sound also do their part to create the right mood.

Eastwood is a good director, and this film is an example of his talent. Political thrillers can easily be over the top and cheesy. Fortunately, this one is not.

(Absolute Power is now playing at Litchfield Theaters.)

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Downtown growth good for Boone
Jeff Simms
Reporter

Ask ten people what they like about Boone, and chances are that nine of them would mention something about its quaint, hometown feel.

That atmosphere, which is probably most well defined by the downtown area on King Street, is what the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) works to preserve, while still fostering healthy economic growth and expansion.

The past year has seen nine new businesses start up, six existing businesses expand and the beginning of a major construction site with the new public library. This growth is all facilitated by the DBDA's membership in the North Carolina Mainstreet Program.

According to Boone Downtown Coordinator Kaye Edmisten, the Mainstreet Program includes 37 N.C. cities in which property owners, business owners and downtown employees work to reestablish downtown areas as the "heart of the community."

As for how any of this affects Boone, Edmisten said that the N.C. Mainstreet Program has allocated $12,000 to our town for a streetscape plan to take place this spring.

The plan would bring in architects to improve the appearance of Boone's downtown, with areas to be dealt with, including lighting, entryways, pedestrian access and the overall appearance of downtown.

Edmisten added that the goal of streetscape would be to "make definite improvements in the appearance of downtown," while still "preserving the historical integrity and fabric of downtowns."

The question that invariably arises is whether Boone can continue to grow in this fashion and still maintain its small-town feel. Edmisten said that property owners and merchants are asked to make maximum usage of their space in order to minimize new construction. She alluded to the Wilcox Emporium space as an example.

After the Wilcox people took over that building from its previous occupants, rather than tearing the building down, they were able to use the existing space, and incorporate over 160 retail outlets into that one building.

Not only did the Wilcox Emporium open with no new construction necessary, but it also made an immediate economic impact, as the number of people employed in that building had tripled from its previous figure.

Bob Mowery, owner of King Street's Our Daily Bread and chairman of the DBDA, also welcomes downtown growth as beneficial to all, saying, "More people coming downtown brings more stability to downtown merchants."

He added, "A stable (economic) environment will ultimately attract more people."

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Pay your money, take your chances
Jeff Sprouse
Staff Writer

The nickel ante poker games with friends aren't as fun as they used to be. You lost too much money with your bookie, or your bookie went bust, or you can't understand what an over under means or you don't know what a bookie is. Boone has no Off-Track Betting, so you can't play the ponies. You can't afford a trip up to Atlantic City or Las Vegas, and if you went there you wouldn't know how to play any of the games.

If you, like me, get bit by the gambling bug every once in a while, there is no legal outlet in Boone. Fortunately, there is something you can do. Drive three hours south to the Cherokee Indian Reservation, nestled at the mouth of Smoky Mountains National Park.

Located at the far edge of a bustling tourist town, where a drive down the main drag gives the tourist multiple opportunities to buy "genuine" Indian souvenirs, there is a large, aluminum sided warehouse that houses the Tribal Casino. This is the temporary sight while mega-resort company, Harrah's, builds a new one.

There is ample parking and, conveniently, three large hotels are within a short walk. Buses of snow-birds and church groups line up at the door, disgorging grandmas and grandpas of their pockets full of change.

While the outer appearance is somewhat drab, wait until you get inside. It too is drab. This is not Atlantic City. There are no waitresses bringing drinks to gamblers. In fact, no alcohol is served on the premises. Cigarette smoking is allowed, and the room hangs heavy with clouds of smoke. The clings and jangles and beeps of video poker, slots and blackjack fill the air.

Cherokee is light on the amenities, but you sure can gamble. There is something for all. If you are a high or low or holy roller, you can be accommodated. While crowded on the weekends, if you go during the week you are sure to find a spot at your favorite game.

My favorite game happens to be blackjack. On my first trip down, however, I was somewhat disappointed. In Atlantic City or Vegas or on a Riverboat in numerous places along the Mississippi, a real live flesh and blood person deals the cards. When you lose, there is a face to blame. Plus, you can be relatively sure there is no cheating, because you actually see the cards being shuffled and dealt.

At Cherokee, there are blackjack tables where four or five people can sit, but the dealer is the computer, manifested in the form of a computer monitor above the table. The "cards" are dealt to each individual's little monitor. You do not see a shuffle. If you want a hit or want to stay, you press a button. The subtleties of hand signals are obsolete. One must rest their faith in the hands of those who programmed the machine.

And if you should lose, as I usually do at Cherokee, you can't glare at the computer, and instead have to gripe to the old woman with a cigarette dangling from her mouth that is sitting next to you.

If you're one of the lucky few who actually wins money, there are plenty of opportunities to spend it in the area. Just take a scenic drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on the other side is Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a favorite spot for honeymooners, and home of Ripley's Believe or Not and the Lee Greenwood Museum. Or head on over to Ghost Town in Maggie Valley or spend the day in Dollywood.

Just remember that gambling is supposed to be fun. Bet with your head, not over it.

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Group brings deficit concerns to Boone
Any Foster
Staff Writer

"Congratulations! You have just been elected to Congress!" said Tom Rogers, head of The Concord Coalition, to a group of Watauga county residents.

Balancing the federal budget is no easy task, and a group of residents that gathered at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center, Monday night, found that out.

The workshop, Debtbusters 2002, was invented in 1992 by The Concord Coalition, which is a nonpartisan group. The goal of the workshop was to help people understand how difficult it is for Congress to try to balance the budget each year.

Every person who registered to participate had a voice in the decision making, and voice their opinions they did. Walking by each table, people let one another know how they felt on issues such as health care, transportation, education, national security, technology, energy and several other programs.

The groups had 90 minutes to dissolve the federal government's annual deficits by 2002. Presently, the US government receives $700 billion with revenues, which is what each group was to try and reach by deciding where to set tax rates, without going over. This turned out to be very difficult to achieve. One group's budget came to $1.3 trillion!

The chairman of the political-science program, Dennis Grady, said, "Many people would say, 'If we could get rid of waste, fraud, and abuse, then we would be fine." People don't realize how difficult it is to balance the budget. It's a lot more complex than it seems."

The Concord Coalition is based in Washington and has sponsored hundreds of these workshops at colleges, high schools, and cities all over the country.

Representative Richard Burr, R-NC, said, "I am passionate about the need to balance the budget." He then showed in 1996, $247 billion that went toward interest on money the federal government owes.

This workshop encouraged the people of the community to come out and experience some of what Congress has to go through each year by discussing the largest problem of this country.

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