Senior Jay Nelson and his UND teammates shutout Drake in the 2011 season opener. The newest Big Sky member will look to replicate that feat on Thursday in the 2012 opener versus South Dakota School of Mines.
I know my wife would be laughing at that last statement. So, I figured I would rant about an issue that has been thrust to the front this week. Nutritional health, it’s that subject everyone really thinks they know about, yet in reality they do not. It has taken me quite a few years and many books to figure out my diet, and even then I am still learning. First, there was low-fat, then no fat, and then eggs were bad, now they are good. The back and forth alone is enough to make a person go nuts. Even in the nutrition class I am taking, they say their way is the only way (the government recommendations on nutrition) and everything else is “quackery”. Keep in mind after no less than twenty years of research saying that fluoride is not harmful; the FDA just now released a study saying fluoride is bad for you. There is even a group on the internet dedicated to the education of the public on fluoride’s bad side effects, called the Fluoride Action Network at www.flouridealert.org. How does one figure out all of this, especially when we are bombarded with ads for foods with health claims all over them?
A great resource I have found were two books by Michael Pollan, “Food Rules” and the companion book, “In Defense of Food”. I found both books for less than $10. Pollan is an investigative journalist that researched the food industry and what he found was amazing. “Food Rules” is the simple rules of how and what to eat. “In Defense of Food” is the science behind “Food Rules.” I suggest reading both, but at the least read “Food Rules.”
What got me going on this health subject was the fact that McDonalds raised the price on their drinks. I know- shocking, right; just wait until they raise the prices in order to help pay for the $400 million it will take for them to pay for Obama Care. However, this price raise is ridiculous to say the least. I am not a coffee drinker, nor am I a soda drinker (yes, I am from the south and call it soda, not pop). I drink tea. I love tea hot or iced, however I like it plain with no sugar or additives. When I ordered an unsweetened iced tea from McDonalds I found that they had raised the price. I am all for a price being raised if the costs go up, fine. But, when you charge almost double for something that has nothing added to it, and then charge half for the sweet tea? Oh, they walked on my fighting side. So McDonald’s owners, how can you justify charging double for a product that has one less step in the process and uses fewer ingredients? Why is it that the healthier choices cost more? This stuff has gotten out of hand.
I was sad to learn of the passing of one of my heroes last weekend. Neil Armstrong passed away at the age of 82. Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon in 1969. I grew up idolizing astronauts and Neil was one of the greats. He was an awesome person and will be missed. I hope the next place he sets foot is as cool as the others.
UND FOOTBALL
UND will officially play its first game as a Big Sky and full Division I member against South Dakota School of Mines on Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Alerus Center. August games have been a rarity for the North Dakota football team, competing in only four during its history that dates back to 1894. This will be the first meeting between the two teams on the gridiron as the squads will be the first to compete on the new Astroturf 3D GameDay Grass playing surface at the Alerus Center. UND just concluded its transition to the Division I level, gaining full status in early August, while SD Mines is continuing its transition to the Division II level.
Tailgating: Don’t forget to join the throngs of UND Football fans as they party before the big game! They’ll be free food, entertainment and even a chance to win an iPad or other great prizes on the South side of the Alerus parking lot by Entrance #2. Tailgating starts at 4:30 and runs until game time.
Photo and Story courtesy of UND Media Relations
AROUND TOWN
Grand Opening: UND Art Collections
The new UND Art Collections Gallery is opening at the Empire Arts Center on Wednesday, August 29. The exhibition includes a wide variety of pieces from art of ancient Egypt to 18th and 19th century paintings and later works by such exceptional artists as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Audrey Flack, Roy Lichtenstein and many others. The UND Gallery is also committed to exhibiting works by local artists, acknowledging their contributions as influential members of the regional arts community. And there’s something else happening downtown. Street artist Melanie Stimmell and her We Talk Chalk Team will be creating a three-dimensional image to celebrate UND’s new presence downtown. During her 14 years as a street painter extraordinaire, Melanie has been awarded gold medals and first place awards in prestigious European competitions to become one of the world’s most honored street painters. Prior to connecting to We Talk Chalk, Melanie spent eight years working as the Technical Director on the television series South Park . The creation of the 3D image begins Wednesday, August 29, at 4:30 p.m., on the sidewalk next to the Empire Arts Center, with completion on Saturday, September 1. Stop by and watch the progress and visit the new UND Art Collections Gallery throughout the week!
Story courtesy of Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitor’s Bureau