Monday, October 6th, 2008

Kansan Departments

Your guide to surviving the week.

By Christine D'Amico , Rustin Dodd (Contact), Mandy Earles , Asher Fusco (Contact), Gretchen Gier , Case Keefer (Contact), Sachiko Miyakawa (Contact), Mike Nolan , Deepa Sampat, Rebekah Scaperlanda, Brieun Scott (Contact), Jesse Temple

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

Food: Jade Garden

A change of decor doesn’t do much to improve the food at Jade Garden.

I’ve eaten at Jade Garden before, but it had been more than a year. I remember thinking the food was OK, but the restaurant seemed like a dump with unsightly qualities such as ripped up booths, dirty floors and old plastic dishes.

When I walked in last Friday, the remodeled version looked fashionable, and more importantly, clean. I was not convinced that a new look could make for better food, but at least this time I could concentrate on what I ate instead of focusing on my surroundings.

Jade Garden takes orders at the register, and then hands out numbers for each order. It felt a little too fast food for me, but I’ll sacrifice service for good food.

My food arrived quickly, and honestly the fast food feeling grew stronger. First I ordered at the counter, then they only charged me $5, and then my food came out in two minutes.

I ordered Empress Chicken, which the woman taking the order said was a popular dish. Two other people in line ordered it too, so I figured somebody knew something I did not.

When I dug into my plate of chicken and rice I noticed that the food did not receive the same sort of improvement as the restaurant’s décor. The food was edible, and for only $5 it was hard to complain too much, but I could just sense I was eating cheap food.

This probably caused the stomachache I had when I left.

I appreciate Jade Garden for trying to make the restaurant feel like a high-quality Chinese restaurant, but the new interior could not bring the food up to its level.

2 stars of 5

— Mike Nolan

---

Do it yourself: Removing greasy stains

Here are a few helpful hints to rid your clothes of those pesky grease stains

Beer and pizza go great together, but your next morning can be miserable if you are hung over and find a gruesome pepperoni stuck to your white T-shirt.

Here are easy steps you need to take to remove a greasy food stain from your clothes. Laurie Clark, general manager of Scotch Dry Cleaner’s Lawrence division, shares a tip.

1. You’ll need dish detergent and a toothbrush.

2. Test the detergent on a hidden place of your clothes. After you leave it for 15 minutes, rinse it and make sure if the detergent doesn’t alter the color of the fabric.

3. Apply the detergent on the stain.

4. Rub the spot with your hands or a toothbrush.

5. Rinse it.

6. If it doesn’t work, pour some detergent on the fabric and sit it for 15 minutes.

7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 until the stain is gone.

— Sachiko Miyakawa

---

Top 5: Hottest NBA players

Rating the hottest of the hot in the NBA.

5. Buckets Blake,

Harlem Globetrotters

He’s not in the NBA, but he’s got the moves to impress the ladies. This Globetrotter trots in at number five because of his unusual moves and his devilish smile.

4. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

He’s tall with a boyish face and slammed dunked his way into number four on our list. A devout Christian from Atlanta, Howard is sure to be a heartbreaker.

Even his male fans agree. Chris Valentino, 25, thinks Howard’s sex appeal comes from his performance on the court.

“He’s the next Shaq,” Valentino said.

3. LeBron James,

Cleveland Cavaliers

His new commercial for Vitamin Water where James sports a suit may have something to do with him making the list. He may seem cocky, but it’s the edge women can’t resist.

Jessica Steinbrueck, 20, St. Louis, agrees.

“I like a man in a suit, I find that sexy,” Steinbrueck said. “Plus he’s the closest looking to Darnell Jackson.”

2. Marcus Camby,

Denver Nuggets

Camby, who plays for my hometown heroes, is tall, sexy and confident. His good looks and presence on the court make him my number two pick for sexiest basketball players.

1. Chris Andersen,

New Orleans Hornets

His sex appeal is unmatchable, at least in the NBA. His tattooed muscular frame and wild hairstyles, tussled to perfection, makes Andersen the bad boy you can’t resist.

Laura Hall, 2008 graduate, agrees.

“He’s the sexiest because he’s a tall glass of water,” Hall said.

I couldn’t say it better myself.

— Christine D’Amico

---

Environmental Tips

How to stay cool during the dog days of summer

It’s mid-June and the warm weather proves it. Here are some ways to stay cool this summer and at the same time help the environment by conserving energy.

Tip 1) Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. Laura Lutz, account manager of Energy Efficiency at Westar Energy, said raising your thermostat at night by a couple of degrees and having a programmable thermostat can help save energy and keep you cool this summer.

Tip 2) Use ceiling fans or rotating fans whenever possible. Lutz said putting fans near windows could help with natural ventilation and it would help circulate the air better.

Tip 3) Have your air conditioning unit serviced regularly. Lutz said changing your filters once a month would help keep your AC unit at top performance. She said if you needed to install a new unit, you should install a high-efficiency heat pump, which would be a heating unit as well as an AC unit.

For more tips about how to keep your summer cool and conserve energy, go to www.westarenergy.com

— Mandy Earles

---

Fitness tips

Former Jayhawk Julian Wright shares his workout routine

Julian Wright, forward for the New Orleans Hornets, works out about 25 hours per week during basketball season. Wright, a former Jayhawk, said workouts consisted mostly of aerobic exercise with the addition of a basketball.

“More skill work is involved,” Wright said. “It’s more conditioning than anything else, but it’s not just running like track. We do a lot of turns, twists and footwork.”

Wright said anyone could work out like an NBA player. He said the first thing to do was to make sure you are in shape by doing cardio exercises.

“You need to get your wind up,” he said.

He said the next step was to practice the fundamentals of basketball.

“You need those essentials to maintain your skill at a high level,” Wright said.

Wright said he enjoyed practicing defensive slides before a basketball game because it helped him get moving and pumped up. He said he also liked jump roping.

“It gets you anxious, but not in a negative way,” Wright said. “It’s a good warm-up because it makes you feel ready to play.”

— Deepa Sampat

---

KU Nooks & Crannies

Finding a workout behind Blake hall

Face it, Mt. Oread is big and steep. But if you love stairs and steps, this campus is for you. The KU campus is packed with them. Did you know: There are 110 steps behind Blake hall. 110.

They aren’t going to be mistaken from the Philadelphia steps from the Rocky movies. But if you need a workout, you can find it here. Even a leisurely walk to class will surely burn a few calories. So if you find yourself on Sunnyside Avenue behind Blake hall, remember, 110.

— Rustin Dodd

---

Movies: “Get Smart”

Steve Carell shines in this ordinary summer comedy.

“Get Smart” doesn’t possess the most intelligent one-liners and gags, but a cast full of recognizable stars keeps the film from being just another dumb comedy.

Steve Carell plays Maxwell Smart, a rookie secret agent who negotiates deadly scenarios and a tenuous relationship with his partner (Anne Hathaway). Carell (The Office) is dead-on as Smart, offering physical comedy along with some well-delivered punchlines.

Hathaway (The Princess Diaries) delivers a strong performance as Agent 99, a spy with some serious baggage. She isn’t hilarious, but she doesn’t need to be: Carell is the film’s main jokester. The Rock, er…Dwayne Johnson (Gridiron Gang), is better than usual as the tough-guy agent.

Director Peter Segal doesn’t pull out any fancy tricks in “Get Smart.” The plot is straightforward - albeit longwinded - and none of the jokes seem too unnatural. The film mostly stays away from raunchy humor and probably could have passed with a PG rating if not for a few scenes. Many of the laughs come from physical comedy or something as innocuous as Bill Murray hiding in a tree.

“Get Smart” provides a generally pleasant viewing experience. It doesn’t engage the audience with a thick plot, but stays lively and upbeat enough to entertain.

— Asher Fusco

---

Meals on a budget

It tastes like chicken — because it is.

Tonyell Ray, assistant manager of Jayhawk Spirit, 935 Massachusetts St., shares her cheap and easy recipe.

Ingredients

1 box of minute rice

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 cups of water

1 box of onion soup mix

2 cans of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup

Flour

Butter

Directions

Begin by buttering a cake pan before placing the chicken on it. Ray said she used a cake pan because it allows her to pour the gravy on the chicken once it finishes cooking.

Flour the chicken and put it on the cake pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, put the chicken in the oven for 20 minutes on each side. At 20 minutes, flip the chicken over.

While the chicken is cooking, dump four cups of water, the onion soup mix and two cans of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup into a bowl and stir. This will be the gravy for the chicken.

To make the rice, simply bring water to a boil in a pan. Then, cook the rice, which comes in two packets.

“I do it the easiest way possible,” Ray said. “The rice comes in little servings already in the bag. It cooks itself so you don’t have to stir it or anything.”

Once the chicken finishes baking on both sides, take it out of the oven. Pour the gravy over the chicken and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. You can put the rice on the side.

“It’s easy to add concoctions to it,” Ray said. “You can even add cheese on top or Tabasco sauce.”

Ray makes the meal about twice a month and says it is good for a person’s carbohydrate intake.

“It’s one of my dad’s favorite meals that I cook,” she said.

— Jesse Temple

---

Top 5: Jayhawks in the NBA

Basketball careers don’t end at Kansas. Check out five players who made the most of their NBA career.

5. Danny Manning, Years at Kansas: 1985-1988

Knee injuries held Manning back from becoming a superstar in the NBA but he still compiled a lengthy list of achievements. Manning was the first pick of the 1988 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, a two-time All Star and the 1998 Sixth Man of the Year.

4. Clyde Lovellete, Years at Kansas: 1950-1952

Lovellette can honestly say he’s won like no one else ever has. After leading Kansas to the national title his senior year, he helped the United States win the gold medal in the 1952 Summer Olympics. In his first NBA season months later, he was part of the Minneapolis Lakers team that won the championship.

3. Jo Jo White, Years at Kansas: 1966-1969

White was a feisty point guard who lasted 13 years in the league. He won two championships with the Boston Celtics and was named to seven All Star teams. White is also regarded as one of the toughest players in NBA history because he played in all 82 games for the Celtics for five straight years in the middle of his career.

2. Paul Pierce, Years at Kansas: 1996-1998

Add an NBA Finals MVP trophy to Pierce’s distinguished résumé. He’s been the face of the Boston Celtic franchise for the last ten years and a six-time All Star, not to mention he still has a couple of years left in his prime and a championship to defend next season.

1. Wilt Chamberlain, Years at Kansas: 1957-1958

Kansas coach Bill Self says no Jayhawk basketball player will ever be as good as Wilt. He’s absolutely right. Chamberlain, who famously scored 100 points in a game in 1962, was named an All Star every year he was in the NBA, won four MVP trophies and was a two-time champion. He’s considered one of the greatest of all-time.

— Case Keefer

---

Weekend Project: Inside fun

How to build a kite on a rainy day

Let’s face it, the weather has been downright miserable. How do you beat the rainy days when all you’re dreaming about is the summer sun? Find a project you can do indoors that will prepare you for when the sun comes out. The perfect rainy day activity is building your own kite. Put it together when it’s less than perfect outside and you’ll be ready to fly high when the sun comes.

First things first, gather your materials. Some things you may have lying around your house, others you may need to take a trip to Hobby Lobby for unless you’re a kindergarten teacher.

The supplies: One 24-inch stick, one 20-inch stick, large piece of paper (at least 26” x 26”), tape, lightweight string or rope, craft knife, ruler, pencil, scissors, ribbon and crayons or markers

Now that you have your supplies together it’s time to start building your masterpiece. You’ll be ready to hit the park in no time. First, take your two sticks and make them into a cross. Next, tie the two sticks together and make an “x” with your string. Add glue to the rope to make the bond sturdier. Then, cut a small slice in the bottom of each stick. Make sure they’re deep enough for the string to fit through. Loop the string through the notches creating the diamond frame of your kite. Make sure the string is firm.

After you have the string tight, pull the ends back to the middle of the kite. Wrap the string around both sticks. Make another “x”. Tie it in a knot when you’re complete. After that, cut the paper to be slightly larger than your diamond frame. Fold the edges and either tape or glue the edges down.

Next, make small holes at the end of the shorter stick. Cut a 2-foot piece of string and knot the string through your ready-made holes, making your kite’s “bridle”.

Tie the rest of the string halfway down the bridle. This excess string is used to fly your kite. Take a 2-foot piece of string and tie it to the bottom of your kite to make a tail. The tail will make the kite more stable and adding bows along the rope will make it look more like a classic kite. The final touch is to decorate your kite to make it original. Once a sunny day comes along, take a cue from Mary Poppins and go fly your kite up to the highest height and send it soaring.

—Rebekah Scaperlanda

---

Books: "Out of Bounds"

“Out of Bounds - Inside the NBA’s Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime“ — by Jeff Benedict

Jeff Benedict is a bit sensational in his book about violence in the NBA culture, proposing that every NBA player cited for marijuana use is a violent criminal. He does make several solid points and has documentation to prove his claims that basketball players live in a world where people cater to their every self-indulgence. His theory that an NBA player’s life on the road and access to groupies, is the perfect environment for allegations of sexual assault, is proven again and again. Some of the crimes detailed include Patrick Ewing and Ruben Patterson, who through force or celebrity status, took advantage of their power over others. Money-hungry lawyers and agents only multiply the excess of a professional athlete’s life-style. Benedict summarizes his novel best, saying, “In a culture that heaps wildly disproportionate rewards on the athletically gifted, fame can become confused with such true hallmarks of heroism as courage, loyalty, and self-restraint.”

— Gretchen Gier

---

Music: “Seeing Sounds” by N.E.R.D.

Pharrell Williams and co. return with a satisfying mix of sounds.

Everyone knows that when the Neptunes touch a song, they stir up everything, literally. Tunes are changed, beats are added and the song has just been made over. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo put their midas touch on any song.

Now back together with third member of No One Ever Really Dies, Shae Haley, they are ready to once again put their signature on the thriving culture of music.

After announcing their break-up in 2005, N.E.R.D. is back with a follow-up album that will definitely get fans’ attention. “Seeing Sounds,” named after the neurological phenomenon known as synesthesia, is one of their best albums.

N.E.R.D. offers punk rock and hip hop in a hot mixture in “Anti Matter.” In “Everyone Noise,” fans experience the diverse sound and beats. It changes tune from funk, rock music to slow sing-songy sound. The combination definitely works.

Later in the song “You Know What,” N.E.R.D. changes everything up by experimenting with pop and changing melodies at the bridge.

This album is full of unpredictable mixtures of sound, beat and genre combinations. Although risky, N.E.R.D. pulls it off by giving fans fun combinations. But this is the norm for them, like Pharell says in “Time For Some Action,” “Yeah you know the scenario/Images circle ur mind like a merry go/If u just tune that into ur stereo/ Turn this bitch up her we go.”

four out five stars

— Brieun Scott

Discussion

All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.

111 Stauffer-Flint Hall • 1435 Jayhawk Blvd. • Lawrence, Kansas 66045 • (785) 864-4810