Etc...

Slopes aren't just for the pros
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

Hey skiers and snow boarders... it’s that time once again! You know, when we all blow off classes to claim first tracks on that six inches of fresh powder. And according to the groundhog, the woolly worm, all those foggy days in August or whatever mountain superstition you happen to take to heart regarding the weather, there should be plenty of fresh powder this winter. So, when you are ready to blow off those classes, here’s a guide to the area’s cheapest slope excursions... Sugar Mountain: (student ID required); Day or Twilight Ticket for $16, Half Day Ticket for $11 and Night Ticket for $11 Hawksnest: College Night every Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. for $10 and rentals for $10 (students, faculty and staff); every Sunday race for $10 in the Rolling Rock Snow Sports Bash (snowboarders and skiers) Beech Mountain: providing discounts through the voucher program in the ASU phone directory Appalachian Ski Mountain: weekdays up through Dec. 14 student tickets are $16 and after that they will be $18

As snow begins to fall in Boone, experienced skiers and snowboarders may be eyeing the slopes with excitement and anticipation.

Meanwhile, those new to winter sports may be having visions of broken limbs, or at the very least, major embarrassment, as they face a looming mountain for the first time. What’s a novice to do?

Any person interested in learning to ski or snowboard has several options available to him or her, including classes offered by various ski resorts or classes offered by Appalachian State for physical education credit.

Upon arriving at a mountain, a first-time skier may wish to take a class taught by instructors employed by the mountain. According to Len Bauer, director of the ski school at Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk, a one-hour lesson can be given individually or in a group. Individual lessons at Sugar Mountain are $40, while group lessons are offered for $15, Bauer said.

According to Bauer, an initial lesson for a novice skier consists of several basic activities. "We focus on the whole ski experience," he said.

Bauer said that instructors first attempt to calm the nerves of a new skier and to help him or her relax. "We try to ease (a skier’s) worries before (he or she) puts the skis on," he said.

A lesson will also introduce a skier to carrying skis, walking in ski boots, putting skis on and picking skis up, Bauer said. Lessons also focus on various balancing exercises.

According to Bauer, beginning lessons will begin with a straight run. "The main thing in teaching a beginner is choosing the right terrain," he said. "A nice, easy terrain is what we shoot for."

Other concepts, such as the gliding wedge and turning, are also gradually introduced, Bauer said.

In addition to skiing lessons, Sugar Mountain also offers private lessons in snowboarding, also for $40 per hour lesson. As with skiing, basic fundamentals are taught in these lessons.

Lessons have been beneficial for some students and not helpful for others. Corey A. Teague, a sophomore from Hickory, said that he would not have learned to snowboard without the help of a lesson. "It’s important to get out on the slope and try to experiment, but it’s also important to take a lesson and learn what you should try to do on the slopes," he said.

However, Jason R. Ballard, a freshman from Gastonia, disagrees. "A ski lesson didn’t help me," said Ballard. "No matter what (the instructor) told me, I still couldn’t ski until I had first-hand experience. Explanations are no substitute for experience."

Lessons are offered at Sugar Mountain every hour, on the hour from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, Bauer said. Standard skiing equipment is suggested for a lesson.

ASU students also have an option not available to any other North Carolina university: the opportunity to take a snow-skiing class for physical education credit.

According to James Cottrell, course instructor, the ski class is offered at both the beginning and intermediate levels.

Cottrell said that the class teaches students how to ski through guidance and instruction, which is described by Cottrell as "the best way to learn (to ski)."

"This class is geared to all levels of ability," Cottrell said. "We guarantee that anyone (who takes the class) will be skiing on intermediate terrain after five weeks."

According to Cottrell, classes are held at the French-Swiss Ski College of Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock. Classes are held Sun.-Thurs. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Students who enroll in either the beginning or intermediate ski course will pay a fee of $108, Cottrell said. This will cover the cost of five four-hour sessions of skiing and instruction, all equipment (skis, boots, and poles), a textbook, and ski tickets.

Those who have their own equipment need only pay $99, and those who need instruction only (those who have a ski pass or who are employed by Appalachian Ski Mountain) are only charged $45.

In addition, students needing bus transportation to and from the mountain can pay an additional $10, Cottrell said.

While classes as a whole will be large , Cottrell said that each class will be broken down into small groups for more detailed instruction. Aggressive skiers are separated from those who would rather learn more slowly. Additionally, those most in need of help can receive individual instruction, Cottrell said.

According to Cottrell, the two skiing classes offered at ASU are an excellent and safe way to learn to ski. "If (students) put forth effort, we will have them skiing," he said.

Whatever method a novice may use to learn how to ski or snowboard, Cottrell said that students should definitely take time to learn a winter sport.

"ASU students are fortunate in that they have the opportunity to gain proficiency in a lifetime sport that’s fun to do, and that is affordable and accessible while (they are) at ASU," he said.

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Concert coming to Charlotte over holiday
Ric Beard
Staff Writer

Thanksgiving is almost here. Time for family, friends, and football. If you are one of those people who become bored with being at home the day after Thanksgiving and you’re going to be in the Charlotte area, you might want to check out "Carolina Jam."

This concert, being promoted by Raycom and L’Express Group and held in conjunction with the "Food Lion Carolina’s Clash" football game between NC State and ECU, will feature national recording artist Jupiter Coyote and regional bands Far Too Jones and Purple Schoolbus.

If you haven’t heard of Purple Schoolbus then you’ve probably been hiding in a cave for the last four years. This seven-piece band’s combination of Acid Rock, Funk, Psychedelic and improvisational genres have endeared them to many college campuses throughout the state.

The Pendulum at Elon College said it best: "If you want to take a long, psychedelic-funky-jazzy-melodic ride on one of the hottest buses around, check out Purple Schoolbus."

After the band opened for Widespread Panic, Relix Magazine said, "Purple [Schoolbus] seems stronger [than Widespread Panic] in the vocal department." WASU has Purple Schoolbus’s CD ready for requests.

Far Too Jones is a Raleigh-based band that has been touring for more than a year in promotion of their 1995, seven-song EP.

More recently, they have released a 10 song album entitled Crawling Out From Under. It was released in October.

Rolling Stone Magazine said, "Far Too Jones is an alternative-minded, quasi-acoustical, southern pop band with a rootsy touch." One concert goer in Georgia said that people won’t be sitting down because Far Too Jones is "...a dancin’ kind of band."

Jupiter Coyote has released its third album titled Lucky Day. George Graham’s Weekly Album Review said that the band uses "Funky rhythms and a predilection for changing direction within a piece" to express their passion for their Southern-Rock roots. Graham also said that part of the band’s originality is seen in the use of a "Guijo," a cross between a guitar and a banjo."

The group’s first two albums were on its Autonomous Records label and were not distributed widely, but the nation-wide release of their third album is making them more popular by the day.

If you can’t make the "Jam," all three of these bands have web sites listing their concert dates. Far Too Jones’s site hasn’t been updated yet and the last show they have listed is the "Carolina Jam."

Appalachian Sophomore Linda Ngo will be at the concert. "It’s going to be a great time," she said. "It’ll be a lot better than sitting around the house."

The Concert will take place at the Charlotte Convention Center on Nov. 29. The Convention Center’s doors will open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $10 for students with valid IDs and $12 for all others.

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Vertical Horizon takes the stage tonight
Matt Russ
Features Editor

If you like the Dave Matthews Band, or if you like the Indigo Girls or Simon and Garfunfkel or if you simply like acoustic pop music, then you’ll probably like Vertical Horizon.

Vertical Horizon was started by a New England duo whose sound has become popular in the Carolinas. They have put on some impressive live performances around these parts and even recorded a live album at Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem. And they will be back tonight performing at the Klondike.

They have a very honest acoustic sound coined by guitarist/vocalist Matt Scannell and Keith Kane which is backed up by the drumming of Ed Toth and the bass playing of Ryan Fisher.

Together they produce a progressive version of that popular college sound.

They have not only impressed the audiences they have played for, but have also caught the eyes and ears of established musicians and record producers.

Their live performances brought the attention that every band is hoping they will receive, drawing in Madonna’s Maverick Music label to sign them.

They now have two CDs out, the latest being Running On Ice which features drummer Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews Band and Jack O’Neill and Cary Pierce of Jackopierce.

The band has also opened up shows for such acts as the Allman Brothers, Better Than Ezra, Jackopierce and The Samples.

So, be sure to check them out at the Klondike tonight to see what all the buzz is about.

Doors will open at 9 p.m. and tickets will be $5 at the door.

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Cracker worth their salt
Concert Review
John Starling
Features Editor

Being someone who knows little to nothing about Cracker, beyond their radio and video hits, one might wonder what compelled me to push myself into Legends last Tuesday to see their show with Self.

It must have been curiosity and a late-born interest in lead singer David Lowery’s old band, Camper Van Beethoven. Maybe I was hoping that they would break into a Camper Van tune somewhere in the set. Maybe.

At any rate, I was sufficiently impressed with Cracker on its own merits. Their emotionally tumultuous set was a definite crowd-pleaser. Songs ranged from country-tinged numbers and ballads to flat-out rockers and punk-styled throttles. Such sonic variety is refreshing in an age of one-sided bands. Think Green Day.

Cracker did its obligatory "hits" package interspersed throughout the set. As expected, these were the ones that stirred the kiddies up. "Euro-Trash Girl" and "I Hate My Generation" were good, straight-forward readings of the album versions. "Low" stood out as a definite high-point, provoking cheers from the expectant crowd.

Of the hits, however, "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" shone through. It was particularly rollicking and as poignant as any of Bob Dylan’s most moving numbers. Some called Kurt Cobain the spokesman of our generation. As much as I dig Cobain’s work, I would gladly endorse Lowery as a more qualified candidate.

The slower numbers were almost trance inducing with their beauty. Lowery’s lyrics paint vivid pictures and evoke strong emotions with their simple imagery. In this show, Lowery’s "Big Dipper," off the band’s latest, Golden Age (Virgin), stood out as a heart-wrencher from start to finish. He’s definitely one of the finest song writers of the last ten years.

Still, it’s hard to pin down the attractiveness of Cracker. Perhaps it is simply the song writing. Maybe it’s the cross-genre quality of the music. Maybe it’s subliminal messages. Who knows? Who cares? Cracker’s a damn fine band and, unfortunately, one of the most underrated bands of the nineties.

By the way, they did dig up "Come On Darkness" from the Camper Van repertoire for the finale. It was a great ending to a great show. Cracker’s definitely worth its salt.

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