If you’re like me, then the idea of attractive, young-looking, Irish man-twins launching a semi-successful pop career through various music contests and the obsessions of ten year old Irish girls is like the best thing ever. Fortunately for us, Jedward exists. Made up of 20 year old . . . → Read More: New(ish) Music: Jedward]]>

Just look at those pretty, pout-y faces!

If you’re like me, then the idea of attractive, young-looking, Irish man-twins launching a semi-successful pop career through various music contests and the obsessions of ten year old Irish girls is like the best thing ever. Fortunately for us, Jedward exists. Made up of 20 year old (its okay, they’re legal) twins John and Edward, Jedward rose to a mild level of fame among tween girls in the UK and Ireland after their appearance on The X Factor in 2009. They were described by then-judge Simon Cowell as being “Not very good and incredibly annoying” (which is actually how most people would describe Simon Cowell, so whatever), and lost the competition. Then they released a CD of all the songs they covered on the X Factor, and did some other stuff, including releasing another album, modeling, doing charity whatever, being real cute, and representing Ireland in the 2011 and 2012 Eurovision contests.

No, they cannot sing well. No, they cannot dance well (although they do cartwheels and handstands and stuff sometimes). Yes, you will want to mute your computer and pretend to be looking at something else when you watch the videos below and someone walks past. But, if you are like me, you’ll probably enjoy it all the same. And if you dig it, don’t worry. They have another album coming out next month.

Jedward – Waterline (Ireland’s 2012 EuroVision entry)

Jedward – Lipstick (Ireland’s 2011 EuroVision entry)

-Petra Seitz

On Tuesday May 1st, the ‘Sco housed another option for electronic music for those who thought Fracture was really not enough. Addison Groove, a.k.a. Headhunter, but who introduces himself as Tony, played a very eclectic but very accessible set of house, drum and bass, minimalist, dubstep, juke, mixing genres and samples from many realms . . . → Read More: Addison Groove Post-Game Recap]]>

On Tuesday May 1^st, the ‘Sco housed another option for electronic music for those who thought Fracture was really not enough. Addison Groove, a.k.a. Headhunter, but who introduces himself as Tony, played a very eclectic but very accessible set of house, drum and bass, minimalist, dubstep, juke, mixing genres and samples from many realms of danceable music. Considering how varied the styles he played were, it might seem that the concert was disjointed or going in too many directions, which couldn’t be further from the truth. What makes Addison Groove so special is actually somewhat evident in his moniker; groove. He never loses the groove. Though the styles varied, the beat prevailed and the crowd both of first-time listeners and more-than-one time listeners responded.

His new album as Addison Groove for 50 Weapons, Transistor Rhythm, dominated the first part of the set, but towards the end, he displayed his eclectic tastes and skills as a DJ. He also mixed on real vinyl which always looks shiny. For anybody who wants something new, check out Addison Groove and Headhunter.

Here’s a track off Transistor Rhythm, Superlooper.

-Kevin Messinger

Oberlin’s Resource Conservation Team, Oberlin Garden Resource Outreach Workers, and Slow Food, in a combined effort, have just finished the Johnson House Garden’s recycled wooden framed raised beds and are in the process of installing deer fences to help extend the planting season, reduce weeds, reduce the need to use poor native soil, and . . . → Read More: Johnson House Garden Ready for Life]]>

Oberlin’s Resource Conservation Team, Oberlin Garden Resource Outreach Workers, and Slow Food, in a combined effort, have just finished the Johnson House Garden’s recycled wooden framed raised beds and are in the process of installing deer fences to help extend the planting season, reduce weeds, reduce the need to use poor native soil, and protect the garden against deer this upcoming season.

This season the garden will have potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, a variety of winter greens, corn, squash, and melons. This summer’s produce will go to CDS, and the Fall’s will be split between CDS and OSCA.

The garden was begun in the Spring of 2010 when a group of five students grouped together to write a Green Edge Fund proposal, to provide students with hands on experience in their studies of food systems, and encourage teamwork and connections with the broader Oberlin community. The proposal stated the garden as being “a crucial component of the Oberlin College experience” as “students and faculty are concerned with the environmental, health, social and economic implications of the industrialized food system, and have expressed a strong desire for an alternative way to feed themselves.” The proposal stated no tangible outlet for expression of these interests.

Furthermore, the garden gained space in Section IV of the College’s Environmental Policy, stating the “’Oberlin College’s landscape, no less than its classrooms, laboratories, and other teaching facilities, is part of the educational apparatus of the institution.’

In 2011, management of the garden fell under the responsibility of the Resource Conservation Team, a group of students employed by the Department of Facilities. Currently several paid members of the RCT maintain the garden, and work with OGROW and Slow Food Oberlin to organize volunteers.

The two new additions are of a larger movement of expansion to the garden this year. Last Fall, the beds were re-oriented to run east-west for maximal sunlight, doubling the cultivated area. Five cold frames, or mini-greenhouse boxes, were also built to experiment with growing greens throughout the winter.

These developments will be productive in the garden’s larger objective of developing “a student-managed orchard and food garden to provide ample opportunities for students,” says the garden’s mission statement. The garden committee hopes to sell herbs and other produce to OSCA, and OSCA’s Local Foods Committee is considering giving hours to its representatives for working in the garden every week. The garden will also continue to have weekly Garden Hours, and is discussing the addition of a garden speaker system, gazebo, and picnic area to generate more volunteer interest and incorporate more of the community.

However, this is not to say the group has not come across any challenges. Among others, low seedling mortality rates due to heat and thirst, Ohio’s mercurial weather, and low volunteer turnout, have made the process difficult. “The garden relies on thorough line of commitment for continuity of planning and logistics,” says Sylvia Channing, sophomore Environmental Studies major and Garden Manager. Channing says organization has been challenging, planning is tough, but essential and makes a difference once out in the garden directing a group.

Nevertheless, the garden has been a great experience for the small yet passionate group of students involved. “Gardens have a unique way of bringing people from all areas of the Oberlin college and community with shared experiences and knowledge,” says Channing, “the forum of a garden brings everyone to the same level, everyone is effectively a teacher and a student.”

-Abby Collier

Nicholas Kuipers reports on the issues behind the Oberlin College no trespass list.

-Robben Muñoz

-Robben Muñoz