Howard Libov, an associate professor at the College at Florham, showed his film,“Favorite Son,” at the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park on April 5.

Libov directed and co-wrote the film, and will be also be screening it at the Houston WorldFest on April 23.

“Favorite Son” is the story of a loner and minor league baseball player David Paxton who becomes obsessed with his childhood friend Joan and her troubled teenage son Ross. David is quickly rejected by Joan, but becomes friends with her son. David eventually goes after Bill Houston who threatens to get between him and Ross. It all leads to a violent confrontation that brings out unlikley character traits in David, according to a press realease on FDU.edu.

The 90-minute film was made with Screen Actors Guild (SAG) actors and crew largely comprised of current and former FDU film students. “Favorite Son” was produced and shot under the SAG Ultra Low Budget Agreement.

“This agreement is pretty new in the industry; it allowed us to hire union actors at low rates,” said Libov.
Libov co-wrote the movie with Michael Stewart. Stewart also co-wrote the screenplays for feature films, “Bad Dreams” and “Eye of the Storm.” Also with Libov, Stewart co-wrote “Midnight Edition,” Libov’s first feature film.

“The script of ‘Favorite Son’ was ultimately written for a film project in New York City,” said Libov. “We kept tweaking it to make the final product. The overall project took two years.”
“Favorite Son” took 30 days to shoot. “Thirty days is a little long for an independent film, but I considered it would be better work with more days and less hours per day especially with a younger crew,” said Libov.

The film was shot in a 50 mile radius around New Jersey, according to Libov. “Two or three scenes were shot in Madison and Jones’ house was shot in Chatham,” he said. “Some other shots were taken in Boonton and Bridgewater.”

“Favorite Son,” stars Pablo Schreiber, best known for his portrayal as Eben Cabot in “Desire Under the Elms,” which opens on Broadway this month. “Favorite Son” also stars Conner Paolo, who can be seen on HBO’s “The Wire” and in Woody Allen’s 2008 film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
“Feature films have more character development and deeper story lines,” said Libov. “Overall, directing ‘Favorite Son,’ the crew was terrific and worked very hard ’til the end.”

The movie is based on an earlier short film by Libov, “Little Man,” which starred Frankie Muniz of the popular television show “Malcolm in the Middle.” “Little Man” played at over 25 film festivals and earned several awards, including Best Dramatic Short at the World Festival of SportFilm, and the Silver Illumination Award at The Crested Butte Reelfest.

Libov also directed and co-wrote the award-winning feature film “Midnight Edition” and directed the nationally-syndicated comedic short “Men Will be Boys.” He also filmed the documentary “Fourteen Stations” about Madison, N.J. artist Arie Galles’ ten-year quest to complete a series of drawings he anticipated finishing in only a year.

“I always felt my successes and failures drive me in the classroom,” said Libov.
He also said his experiences with filmmaking have allowed him to relate better to his students.
“I have had many frustrations while film making, with that said; it allows me to identify with the students when they are faced with stress and frustrations in the classroom.”

SAMANTHA BOYCE
Assistant Editor

In the beginning of spring semester the College at Florham added a new organization to the campus life.

The Women’s Coalition is a place to “give female and male students at FDU an outlet in which they can unite and grow stronger as a community,” said Kristin Fulton, president of the organization.

In the fall 2008 semester, Fulton attended a lecture at FDU including powerful female professors on campus. The lecture was about women’s issues, centered on what goes on in the work place. “It was a very informal setting, but it had a great impact on me,” said Fulton, reflecting on the lecture that made her come up with the idea of creating a Women’s Coalition on campus. “It was a great experience.”
At the end of the lecture, Fulton, who also is involved in SVA and The Metro, was inspired to start an organization for women on campus. After speaking with Assistant Professor Robyn Schiffman and Assistant Professor Krista Jenkins, Fulton found support in creating this new club on campus.

In order to make an active organization on campus, Fulton had to follow several steps. The first process was to find an advisor to support and guide the club. Jenkins is the advisor for the club. The next step was creating a mission statement and a constitution. Finally, Fulton needed to gather ten members who were interested in the group.

Two weeks after winter break, this semester, Fulton held her first Women’s Coalition meeting.
“Women’s Coalition has a lot of potential to be great, and I think as a new organization we are off with a great start,” said Elise Kaplan, a junior at FDU and the treasurer of the Women’s Coalition. “There are a lot of interesting events coming up for all students that we have planned for this semester, such as self-defense courses, Mother’s Day breakfast, and Latin dancing in New York City.”

A motivated and determined advocate of the Women’s Coalition, Fulton said, “As a woman, I think it is important for all women to understand and recognize the challenges we face each day and to know that we are not alone.”

Fulton makes it clear that though this club is called Women’s Coalition, it is for the entire student body, including males.

“It is important to educate the men as well so they understand us more and vice versa,” said Fulton. “In the end, we all have to work together and the more we know about each other, the better off we’ll be.”

“Women’s Coalition has given me a support system. It has shown me that there are other women out there that feel and think the same way as I do,” said Kaplan. “It gives me comfort to know that I am not alone, especially being away from home, living on campus.”

As the new club on campus begins to promote its existence and recruit more members, there are several events already planned.

“We want to have a Mother’s Day luncheon in May for students and their mothers,” said Fulton.
Fulton is enthusiastic about the events that they already have held, such as the Women’s History Month opening ceremony and movie night, as well as “Vagina Monologues.”

“At the end of the day, we are all in the same boat, all women can support each other,” said Fulton, reflecting on her feelings behind the new club. “Most importantly, I think sometimes we are separated on campus by independents and Greek life. It’s time we bridge that gap and unite on campus, here at FDU.”

SAMANTHA BOYCE
Assistant Editor

Cpl. Brian Konopka lives each day juggling the life as a full-time student at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a United States Marine.

An engaging, enthusiastic political science major, Konopka, a junior at FDU, not only has to worry about completing all assignments on time, but also about preparing for deployment to Iraq.

Konopka signed the papers to become a Marine on Jan. 17, 2007, during his freshman year at FDU. He always wanted to join, yet knew that school was one of his top priorities, as well.

“I did not want to go active and have to go back to school when everyone else my age would already be finished,” Konopka said. Konopka was faced with a lack of support from his family and girlfriend, who were afraid for his safety and opposed to the war.

Ever since high school, Konopka’s family knew that he was interested in becoming a United States Marine, “but I never thought that he would actually choose to earn the title until after his freshman year at FDU, when he told me he joined,” said Sharon Konopka, Brian’s mother.

As a member of the Marine Reserves, Konopka had to sign a six-year contract, which requires training the first weekend of every month and two weeks during the summer. In addition, he must be ready to be deployed at any time.

Konopka had to go through the same boot camp requirements that all Marines have to go through, located in Parris Island, S.C. He went to boot camp on May 21, 2007, for the full three-month training session. This took up Konopka’s summer, followed by Marine Combat Training in North Carolina, which caused him to have to take off fall semester of 2007.

“Those three months will stay with me for the rest of my life,” said Konopka, while reflecting on what he went through. “We would get up at 4 a.m. every morning. Had five minutes to shower and shave. Did PT (Physical Training) everyday. Rifle range tests. Swimming tests. Lastly, the Crucible, which is a 54-hour event that occurs at the end of boot camp and it features little sleep, little food, over 40 miles of forced marches and 32 stations that test physical toughness and mental agility.”

Konopka touched upon a specific moment that he will never forget, which ultimately sets him apart from many of his peers at FDU. “It was 120 degrees outside when I was doing the Crucible, with lack of food and sleep; a guy fell to the ground while marching and all I heard from the Drill Instructors was ‘this is not good,’” said Konopka. “That was the last time I saw that recruit.”

Coming out of boot camp as a United States Marine, “I see myself to be a composed and disciplined individual. On top of being exposed to more life experiences and being self-regimented, I am a much cleaner person now,” Konopka said. “As a Marine and a student, I am definitely more squared away than most other students on campus. I probably have one of the cleanest bathrooms on campus because of my routine I have come accustomed to.”

Military life has not only changed Konopka, but it also affects those who play such an important role in his life. “I have actually gotten pretty used to military life by now,” said Jessica Hardy, Brian’s girlfriend of six years. “It is just hard when plans get ruined due to military duty that Brian has to partake in, whenever they call him.”

Konopka is now preparing to be deployed to Iraq in September 2009, leaving him no choice, but to take off next year from school. In the middle of May, he has to report to Camp Lejeune, N.C., for pre-deployment training. Konopka will then spend his last month in Mojave Viper, California for his final training before Iraq. His job within the Marines is motor transport and machine gun operator.

“I am very anxious to go to Iraq,” Konopka said. “I am ready to go because all of my friends from boot camp who are serving active duty have already gone to Iraq or are there currently. Also, I would rather go to Iraq, as a corporal, because I will be in charge of lower rank Marines, instead of being the one ordered what to do.”

Konopka feels adjusting to the heat and long hours and having to be ready at all times will be the hardest part about being in Iraq for seven months.

As Konopka’s family members prepare themselves for his deployment, it causes inner fear for all those who are involved.

“I can’t stand the thought that my son will be in Iraq serving in the Marines,” said Sharon Konopka, holding back tears. “I am so nervous! I just want him to come home safe and sound.”

Hardy also finds it hard to deal with Konopka’s deployment. She knew this day was going to come from the day that Konopka joined the Marines.

“I am sick to my stomach with the thought of my boyfriend being so far away from home, in such a dangerous environment,” Hardy said. “I am trying to be supportive to make light of this for Brian, but it is so hard.”

Not only is Konopka a corporal in the United States Marines, but he has also received the National Defense ribbon for joining during war time and the Global War on Terrorism ribbon for serving in active duty during the war on terrorism. Others include expert rifle badge and meritorious promotion to corporal.

In order to get promoted in the United States Marines, one has to have a good physical fitness test score. The best one can score is a 300. The physical fitness test includes 20 pull ups for 100 points, 100 sit-us in two minutes for 100 points, and a three mile run in 18 minutes for 100 points. “My score is a 295,” said Konopka, with excitement.

Being an E-4, another name for corporal, “entails more responsibility, motivation, and leadership,” he said.

The United States Marine Corps embraces its motto of “Semper Fidelis,” which means “always faithful.” Konopka said this motto represents that “I will remain faithful to all my brothers in the Marine Corps because when you’re overseas in a war zone, it is just you and the man next to you that matter, no one else.”

“As a Marine and a student I have gone through experiences that are by far greater than many people can understand or even imagine, with only more to come in the next couple of months,” said Konopka. “The Marine Corps has a saying, ‘once a Marine, always a Marine,’ and I hold this true everyday of my life and carry the title with a huge sense of responsibility, dignity and pride.”

SAMANTHA BOYCE
ASSISTANT EDITOR

With the doors open, the flashy lights flickering, and the ping pong balls bouncing, the newly renovated Bottle Hill room in the Student Center has a new flare this semester.

“The Bottle Hill room is a great space with a great location,” said Nicole Milazzo, a senior at Fairleigh Dickinson University, who came up with the idea for renovation. “I saw that the Bottle Hill room had so much potential to be a place where students can feel comfortable and spend time with friends.”

Milazzo was introduced to the Bottle Hill room’s need for renovation when she went to her first pub night last semester and her experience fell short of what she expected, she said. After hearing suggestions from the student body and adding her own ideas, Milazzo took action and spoke with Dean of Students Brian Mauro about future changes.

Throughout the pub’s transformation, “the entire student body was extremely supportive during the whole process,” said Milazzo. “To my pleasant surprise, I had so many helpers that it made divvying up the work load a lot easier. I had a lot of support from the Hospitality Society, Campus Life and Residence Life.”

The entire project took about three months, according to Milazzo. With the help of friends, faculty and staff, all the changes were made during winter break. The walls were painted with the school colors and the ceiling was painted black.

The left wall of the room used to be cinder block; it has since been covered with a stucco wall and repainted. The upper portion of the right wall was decorated with current and vintage FDU memorabilia donated from clubs and organizations on campus. The tables were repainted with black lacquer and plexi-glass was screwed to the tops to protect the pictures underneath.

The pictures include photos taken from FDU yearbooks dating as far back as the 1950s to present day students and events. New mirrors and lighting were installed behind the bar, and there are now 12 new dance floor lights that make for great atmosphere. There is also a new layout for the furniture. The high tables are on the outside of the room and the couches are arranged in the middle, while window seating in the front of the room has been added. On top of the new improvement to the pub area, there is also a brand new ping pong table and a shuffle board table to enhance the game room.
“The goal was that all the students could come back from winter break with something to look forward to and be excited about,” Milazzo said.

Students quickly noticed the changes in the Bottle Hill room.

“When I came back to the Florham campus this semester, after being in Wroxton, I was taken away from how the pub has transformed,” said Heather Lonergan, a junior. “It is the first time that I actually hear people taking about the pub area and game room.”

Junior Donna Zepponi was also impressed.

“Walking by the Bottle Hill room, the first day of school, I couldn’t believe the improvement and total transformation of the pub’s atmosphere,” she said. “I look forward to going there and enjoying the student-friendly environment.”

Milazzo was not open to talking about the total expense of the project; however, Mauro has said in a recent discussion that the overall renovation was fairly inexpensive.

“I really appreciated all the donations from the dean of students office, campus life and student government that assisted in funding this project,” said Milazzo.

Milazzo hopes that the room will now be used for a variety of programs, meetings and events.
“I am hoping the enthusiasm for the new design will carry over into the excitement to hold programs and events in there now,” she said. “I am hoping that the stigma of ‘it’s only for people over 21’ dissipates and the entire student body feels as though the space is for them and whatever their needs are.”

Any student is allowed to use the pub room and the new equipment that has been added since winter break.

“I hope that all students, no matter age, clique, or organization can utilize that space,” said Milazzo. The Bottle Hill room offers wireless connection, games, television, and even just a new atmosphere to hang out in.”

BY SAMANTHA BOYCE
ASSISTANT EDITOR

Morristown welcomed a classy, warm, and comfortable bar with its grand opening of Sona Thirteen on Thursday, Oct. 9. Sona Thirteen is located at 13 South St., in Morristown, the location of the former bar Funky Monkey.

Newly renovated, Sona Thirteen presents itself with flat screen, high definition televisions on the walls. They also have three bar areas, two upstairs where you enter the bar and another bar area downstairs. Sona Thirteen modernized the menu and seating area so that they have booths on all on the sides of the room for people to order food or just have a more personal conversation with friends.

Sona 13 portrays itself as an Irish bar. “Sona means lucky, for which that is the name of the bar,” said Allison Apodaca, a bartender at Sona Thirteen, “thirteen because it is located at 13 South St.” Furthermore, “the owners, Dave and Chris, have hired five people from Ireland to make a more authentic Irish atmosphere,” said Apodaca.

Looking at the limited, but well constructed, menu. The live band, dim lights and friendly people just made it an enjoyable evening. The appetizers ranged from $7 to $9 and salads were all around $7 to $8. Turning the menu over, there were sandwiches and entrees, as well. The sandwich prices varied from $8 to $12 and the entrees were between $12 to $20. Although there was a small, limited menu, everything looked appealing. Some of the entrees consisted of ribs, fish, chicken, and steak. There were a variety of salads and sandwiches to choose from. While enjoying the night out, I shared an order of the fried calamari appetizer and jumbo grilled shrimp. Compared to other calamari platters I’ve tasted, this was some of the best I’ve ever had. The calamari was served with three different sauces. After the calamari, I moved on to the jumbo shrimp, which came five grilled shrimp that were mouth watering. They were also served with an Asian type sauce, which was a great condiment.

Overall, the crowd consists of a true local mix. It varied from local college students to young professionals mostly between 25-35 years old. “The mix of people make a great working experience,” said Apodaca.

When the food stops being served at 10 p.m., the crowd moves into the true bar scene, where the variety of drinks fill the room. They include mixed drinks, beers, wine, and shots. The bar was packed from wall to wall, with people socializing and enjoying the new hot spot in town. The drink prices were consistent with other local bars in the Morristown and Madison area. The beers were $5, a cosmopolitan was $8, and shots varied in price.

“I love it here,” said Rachel Bensimon, former FDU student. “The overall environment has totally improved since the former Funky Monkey.”

SAMANTHA BOYCE
Assistant Editor