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Hurricane exclusive: Behind Brock Berlin’s Helmet

The Miami Hurricane
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While most people can rack off Brock Berlin’s on the field stats, few can say they actually know the quarterback off the field. Some may know that his favorite movie is Tombstone, or that he spends his spare time playing poker with his roommates.

“I’m just a student like everyone else,” Berlin said. “I go to class, study and hang out with my friends.”

Berlin, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, has just begun pursuing his second degree-in Sports Management-to complement the degree that he received in Sociology last May.

While most students would have a hard time balancing such a demanding schedule, Berlin takes it all in stride.

“I’ve been playing football all my life so I’m used to being busy,” Berlin said.

In the little free time that he has Berlin plays golf and listens to country music.

Berlin begins his day at 6 a.m. He has no time to hit the snooze because he has to be in the university’s film room by 6:30 to watch tapes of old games he has played. He does this for an hour and a half before working out for the next hour and a half. Then it is off to class.

“For most people, sports is an outlet from class and their daily lives,” Berlin said. “But for me, sports is my life, so class is a nice break”

The break, however, does not last long. At two in the afternoon the football team meets to discuss upcoming games and strategies. These meetings are followed by practice from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m.

Berlin usually does dinner with some of his teammates after practice, then hangs out with his friends before heading home.

“I try to see my friends as much as I can, but sometimes practice runs late or I have a lot of homework and I just don’t have time,” he said.

Once Berlin starts his homework, he keeps going until he is done.

“I am too busy in the mornings to do what I don’t finish the night before, so I can’t procrastinate. I treat my homework like a football game-you just keep going until it’s done,” Berlin said.

Berlin aims to be in bed by 11 pm, so he can wake up the next morning and do it all again.

Leigha Taber can be contacted at ltaber@miami.edu

‘Canes pumped for Monday Night Football

The Miami Hurricane
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The Miami Hurricanes’ initiation in the ACC will take place Monday night when they take on their biggest rival, the Florida State Seminoles.

The ‘Canes have won five in a row against the Seminoles and a school-record eight straight games on opening day. These are good signs for the No. 5 Hurricanes when they meet the No. 6 Seminoles in the Orange Bowl.

“FSU is always a big rival, but this is an NFL-type Monday Night Football game,” cornerback Kelly Jennings said. “I’ve tried to just work on getting better in practice and not think about it yet, but a couple days before the game, it will sink in that we are playing on Monday Night Football.”

Miami beat the Seminoles twice last season, including a 16-14 win in the Fed Ex Orange Bowl. As a matter of fact, Florida State quarterback Chris Rix has never beaten the Hurricanes in his entire career. With this being his senior season, it could be his last chance to beat the Hurricanes and get that monkey off his back once and for all.

One thing that bodes well for the Seminoles is that they are 5-3 against the Hurricanes all-time when they open against Miami, although Miami has won the last two season openers against the ‘Noles. Miami holds a 28-20 overall series lead.

If the Hurricanes are going to win for the sixth straight time, they will need to be consistent on both sides of the ball.

“Florida State is an outstanding team with great athletes, and obviously the coaching goes without saying. It is going to be a tough, tough football game,” Head Coach Larry Coker said. “Florida State is a tough team, and that is the way they play. They are physical. We are going to have to respond, and that has been the attitude we have been taking as coaches and as players.”

Rix has struggled as a Florida State starter. As the first ever four-year starter under Head Coach Bobby Bowden, Rix, who has looked brilliant at times, has always been hapless against the Hurricanes. He has a 24-10 overall record as a starting quarterback, with four of his 10 losses coming against the Hurricanes. However, this year could be different. In fact, Florida State is predicted by most experts to win the ACC this season over Miami, and the Seminoles are actually rated higher in the Associated Press poll, where the ‘Noles are fifth.

“FSU is FSU, we know that they are going to be strong and consistent, so we just have to make sure each person on our team is ready for anything they throw our way,” Jennings said.

The Hurricanes will be looking for consistency from quarterback Brock Berlin. Also, the key in recent success against Florida State has been Miami’s ability to run the football and play good defense. With the duo of Frank Gore and Tyrone Moss, the Hurricanes should be able to get the ground game going. As for the defense, the inconsistent Rix could make its job easy, but if Rix is on, the defense will have to step up and make plays. Either way, unless Hurricane Frances gets in the way, expect these two teams to be ready to meet up at the Orange Bowl Monday night, where the next chapter of this great rivalry will be written.

“We want to win every game and play at a high level,” Jennings said. “But we have been working two-a-days all summer to prepare our first game, which is FSU. We prepare for the first game like it is the biggest game of the season, which is FSU on Monday night so we will be ready.”

Darren Grossman can be contacted at d.grossman@umiami.edu.

It’s not you, it’s me: Seeing rejection in a new light

The Miami Hurricane
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The fall semester has begun and that means there is a whole slew of new people to feast your eyes on; some you will drool over, others will make you collapse in an epileptic fit of disgust. For those of you new to the “game,” Jovanni has some advice for you. So brush your shoulder off, playa’; I got you.

Those of you who don’t need advice and are visiting the clinic to grab a fist-full of fancifully colored condoms; die, I don’t like you. The rest of us, well, we’re going to get rejected harder than an American basketball player at the Olympic games. But, Jovanni will tell you how to take rejection like a pro (not that I’ve been rejected much myself…cough…).

You must realize that love, attraction and lust are subjective and not objective. Now I know some of you will say, “OMG, everyone knows that, foo’!” Hear me out: You see, when you date someone, generally you’re looking for someone who has a certain set of traits that you want, and, likewise, the person who likes you is seeking a certain set of traits that you fit into.

Let me give you an example: You have two guys and one girl. Guy One has Trait-Set: Athletic, and Guy Two has Trait-Set: Intelligent. Now, Girl has Trait-Set: Girl-Next-Door, which both guys desire. Yet, Girl desires Trait-Set: Athletic. Does that mean that Guy Two (You) is less of a man than Guy One? Does that mean that Guy One is superior to Guy Two? No, of course not. It simply means that Girl was seeking a certain Trait-Set and Guy Two just didn’t have it. In fact, Guy Two should thank Girl for rejecting him because that way he doesn’t waste his time trying to woo her and instead focus his efforts in something else or someone who is interested in Trait-Set: Intelligent.

Like I said, love, attraction, and lust are subjective. So before you drink 40 Jamba Juices over some girl in a ruffled mini-skirt rejecting you, say to yourself: “She was probably a whore anyway.” Then realize that you’re not the problem, it’s her.

Jovanni Bello can be contacted at j.bello@umiami.edu.

Napster partnership doesn’t even dignify Mac users

The Miami Hurricane
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There’s a relatively small group in the world often not provided with the advantages the rest of the public takes for granted. They find themselves last in line for basic supplies or even completely ignored.

Recently Student Government has supported this suppression and allowed it on campus. This University celebrates its diversity and differences, but still seems to trivialize this group.

I’m not talking about a racial, religious, or cultural minority; instead, I’m talking about a modern technological one: Mac users.

Student Government’s decision to partner with Napster completely ignores Mac users. While PC users are now free to stream Nelly and Good Charlotte songs to their hearts’ desire, Mac users must still travel the back alleys of the internet using programs like getTunes, or those whispered-about file sharing applications that aren’t blocked by the University network to find free music.

There must have been a way to open the door of legal music downloading to everyone.

Apple recently introduced iTunes on Campus for both Mac and PC platforms. While the program does not allow unlimited downloading and streaming like Napster, it does allow the songs to be burned on CD.

Better yet, they’re compatible with the popular iPod. The program allows colleges to distribute iTunes freely through its computer network. The iTunes music store is the industry leader and has the biggest catalog of music. However, students are only allowed to download a limited number of files the colleges buy at a cut-rate. The program at least introduces every student to legal downloading.

If cutting down on illegal downloading was the University’s goal, it could have also promoted web sites that supply free legal files of cutting edge music for everyone, like BetterPropaganda.com and Epitonic.com. Students would be opened up to new and diverse music and not have to worry about being fined.

By now the ink on the Napster contract is long dry, but the next time the University is faced with a similar decision it should take into account those of us who are no longer slaves to ctrl+alt+dlt and have joined the Mac minority.

Kyle Munzenrieder can be contacted at k.munzenrieder@umiami.edu.

FSU game Berlin’s final chance out of the doghouse

The Miami Hurricane
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Everyone remembers where they were when it happened. With the hated rival University of Florida Gators holding a 33-10 lead with 6:10 left in the third quarter on Sept. 6, 2003, ‘Canes fans started pouring out of the Orange Bowl in disbelief, anger, and disappointment as Brock Berlin seemed to have single-handedly thrown the game away – literally – with two interceptions.

As I arrived home from work that evening (while the game was still in progress), I flipped on the TV only to see the insurmountable lead. Almost simultaneously, I received a call from my boys, who, somewhere within their profanity-laced tirades, said something to the effect of, “We are leaving, and Brock Berlin is not a good quarterback.” They had their reasons. In the first two and a half quarters, Brock locked into Miami receivers with such obvious emphasis that it appeared he forgot that he had transferred out of Gainesville a year earlier.

All of a sudden, something clicked. Berlin took control of the shotgun no-huddle offense, leading the team to 28 unanswered points in the game’s final minutes (capped off by a 12-yard scamper by Frank Gore). By the time the dust had settled, the ‘Canes had squeaked by with one of the greatest upsets in school history, 38-33, and Brock Berlin had saved his career.

Of course, the Florida game serves as the finest example of the two Brocks we’ve come to know: one, the former Gatorade national player of the year who compiled a 45-0 record as the starter for Evangel Christian in Louisiana; the other, the Gator transfer who failed to live up to his promise, throwing more interceptions (17) than touchdown passes (12) last season.

I should emphasize that much of the problem last year was not just Berlin. The UM offense was beset by the kinds of injuries (to starting tailback Gore and the offensive line), distractions (from certain “Soldiers”), and inexperience (that would be the receiving corps) that would put ESPN’s Playmakers to shame. Unfortunately, part of being a quarterback is knowing that you will be blamed for an offense’s shortcomings, which is exactly where fans left off last year.

In the team’s final game, the Orange Bowl, Berlin threw two picks to the Seminoles, and FSU kept the game close, eventually losing 16-14.

And so the fans will pick it up again at this season’s start, as the ‘Canes play FSU for the third time in less than a year. With five straight ‘Cane victories over our hated ACC rivals, you can best believe this game could make or break Berlin’s season, not to mention how he will be remembered in the long-run at Quarterback U.

All eyes are on Brock Berlin.

Ben Minkus can be contacted at b.minkus@umiami.edu.

Follett: Friend or foe?

The Miami Hurricane
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We are infuriated by the discovery of a Follett newsletter sent out to UM professors asking them to encourage students to buy textbooks exclusively from the on-campus bookstore. As if Follett’s textbook prices weren’t extravagant enough, it has the audacity to send out a four-page publication trying to convince professors that the bookstore provides the real “value” students want.

This is an outrage.

Follett’s plea disguised as an argument is nothing more than a desperate attempt to compete against online booksellers and off-campus stores like Book Horizons without having to lower text prices.

It’s understandable that, as a business, Follett wants (and needs) to make money. Yet, it seems unfair that it wants to make such a profit at the expense of tight-budgeted students, particularly when it holds an on-campus monopoly not only on our required textbooks, but also on office supplies and UM gear.

We understand that the price of the new edition of a textbook is expensive, since that’s the publisher’s decision. However, we don’t understand why Follett buys back used books at a meager price and then sells them three times more expensive the following semester. This makes it seem like used book prices are set arbitrarily and simply to charge students more money unnecessarily.

Luckily, professors don’t seem to have been fooled by Follett’s so-called argument. Many are actually apologetic when they realize what the selling price of their course’s required textbook is.

Besides, no professor wants to look like an ogre by asking his or her students to buy the book on campus.

If the bookstore wants to convince us to purchase its texts, it’s going to have to do more than send out a glossy ad in the form of a newsletter. It should lower the prices of its used books. The price of used books should be set in accordance to the condition of the book; tattered books would be cheaper than well-kept ones, unlike the current system where all used copies cost the same.

The bookstore should also create an on-campus bookselling website for UM students, where we could post textbooks to sell at our asking price. Once the book gets sold – to another UM student, relieving us of shipping costs – the bookstore would pocket a small, reasonable fee per book.

Another step forward would be implementing a reward-point system, where a student would earn points for buying textbooks and redeem them for store credit. This would not be as effective as lowering book prices, but it would be a place to start.

If the bookstore doesn’t begin to make changes, it will be condemned to depending on unsuspecting freshmen customers in order to survive.

Football fans gear up for big opening game

The Miami Hurricane
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The Universty of Miami-Florida State University rivalry grows in strength every year like a hurricane over warm water, and this year is no exception. The most anticipated football game of the season is rapidly approaching. Students are getting psyched for UM’s first home game this Labor Day against FSU.

“It’s a game of many firsts,” Dr. Pat Whitely, vice president of Student Affairs, said. “Not only will it be Miami’s inauguration game into the ACC, but is also the first Monday Night College Football game to be aired on ABC.”

Whitely said that arriving early to the Orange Bowl is essential. Although an extra 1,000 seats have been added to the east end zone – making a total of 8,000 seats designated to students – students are urged to come early to be guaranteed a seat. Gates will open two-and-a-half hours before the game, and most students have already planned to be there in advance, with many tailgating at the Orange Bowl with their friends.

Football season is always an exciting time at UM. The buzz around campus since the beginning of the semester has surrounded this in-state showdown between the ‘Canes and the ‘Noles.

“Seeing these two teams battle it out always makes for an exciting game and for a great environment on campus as well,” Lindsey Hall, junior, said.

Even freshmen have picked up on the intensity of the UM/FSU rivalry, and are just as hyped up as the rest of the UM community.

“The greatness of our football team is one of the reasons why I chose to attend UM,” Alex Joseph, freshman, said. “I couldn’t be more excited about this match up.”

“I’ve already begun bragging to my friends at FSU about how we’re going to dominate them. ” – MICHELLE DENTON, Junior

The outcome of the game also determines who gets the coveted bragging rights that UM has held for the past four years.

“I’ve already begun bragging to my friends at FSU about how we’re going to dominate them,” Michelle Denton, junior, said. “There is a lot on the line.”

Some students are going so far that they are putting friendships on hold for the game.

Jordon Edwards, junior, has a good friend who attends FSU.

“For one game, we’re not going to be friends,” Edwards said.

“The ‘Canes-Seminoles rivalry is one of the greatest, always ending with classic football moments, such as FSU missing yet another field goal,” Ryan McCavitt, sophomore, said.

According to junior Max Panoff, there is only one thing to say about the rivalry between the ‘Canes and the ‘Noles.

“It’s non-existent. We’ve won the last five games against them, and it’s not going to change now,” Panoff said. “There is no competition.”

Meghan Risser can be contacted at m.risser@umiami.edu.

CALENDAR

The Miami Hurricane
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TODAY
The Labor Day Weekend Hip-Hop Explosion Concert at the UM Convocation Center at 7 p.m. has been postponed. For more information please visit www.umconvocationcenter.com or email convocationcenter@miami.edu

Remember to log on to EASY before 5 p.m. to enter the lottery to get tickets to see the Dalai Lama. To sign up, follow the “Dalai Lama Lottery” prompt located on the “My Student Menu” under “Student Life.”

MONDAY
UM vs. FSU! Go ‘Canes! Come down to the Orange Bowl and show your school pride!

TUESDAY
Student Volunteer Applications for new students (students enrolled for their first semester of classes at UM) are due at 5 p.m. in UC #228.

Auditions for Quantum Entertainment’s fall musical “Hair” begin today from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the UC Ballrooms. Students should sign up for an audition time at the Quantum table in the UC Breezeway or by sending an email to quantumcastingcall@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.gotoquantum.com or email umquantum@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAY
Presidential Debate Student Seat applications and essays are due by 5 p.m. at UC #228 or faxed to 305-284-6895. Good luck!

On the Lyrical Tip, a student organization geared at helping remedial or ill children through music and musical therapy is holding their first meeting at 6 p.m. in UC 241, welcoming anybody interested to help. For more information, contact Melissa Bent at 954-632-3081.

Interested in interdisciplinary studies? Then come by Memorial 125 for an informal welcome reception from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. to meet others and learn about opportunities. Please RSVP by calling 305-284-2017, or visit www.as.miami.edu/ids for more information.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Today’s the last day to audition for Quantum Entertainment’s fall musical “Hair” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the UC Ballrooms. Students should sign up for an audition time at the Quantum table in the UC Breezeway or by sending an email to quantumcastingcall@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.gotoquantum.com or email umquantum@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Callbacks for Quantum Entertainment’s fall musical “Hair” begin at 11 a.m. For more information, visit www.gotoquantum.com or email umquantum@yahoo.com.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Come by the Hurricane Food Court from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy some free samples during the Vendor Expo!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Career Expo will take place in the Wellness Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Representatives from a wide variety of companies & organizations will be on campus to share employment and internship opportunities with you. Professional Dress is required! For more information, including a list of the companies that will attend, visit www.toppel.miami.edu/careerexpo.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Bookstore propaganda fuels concerns about high prices

The Miami Hurricane
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After paying tuition, room and board, and parking fees before the year begins, purchasing textbooks can be stressful and financially burdening. Textbook prices are always a complaint among students, and the options available often seem limiting.

An anonymous professor at the University of Miami recently approached The Hurricane with a pamphlet that was distributed to UM faculty by Follett, the operators of UM’s on-campus bookstore. Follett “hopes that [faculty] will encourage [their] students to purchase their texts through their campus store.” The pamphlet proceeds to list a number of reasons why the faculty should direct business to the campus store.

Follett specifically addressed both online competitors as well as off-campus retail competitors. In defense of their product compared to online options, Follett charged that online sources “tend to focus on the relatively few, most popular titles adopted nationwide.” They went on to say that “in many cases, used copies are not available.” However, out of ten randomly selected book titles currently stocked in the UM Bookstore, Amazon.com carries both new and used copies of all of them.

There is also a discussion raised about textbook value versus textbook price.

“No discussion of textbook prices is complete without mentioning textbook value, or -more importantly- student perception of value,” the pamphlet reads. “When a textbook is used in class and is an integral part of the learning experience, students in the course are less likely to find its price an issue.”

While most professors were reluctant to comment on the issue, one professor agreed that such statements could be construed as Follett trying to influence classroom academics for the benefit of increasing students’ perceived value on textbooks.

Cliff Ewert, vice president of Public Relations at Follett, staunchly supports their literature.

“Follett strongly believes in the academic freedom of professors, but if a book is selected for a course, we emphasize that it should be used in class,” Ewert said.

Students had much to say regarding the pamphlet.

“[Follett] does anything but strive to save students money,” Josh Borgschulte, junior, said. “Their assertions are absurd and nothing but a marketing ploy.”

Tiffany Bojerski agreed.

“They can charge as much as they want. They know we must buy,” Bojerski said.

A price analysis comparing Follett, Book Horizons – the college bookstore across campus – and Amazon.com, using five introductory textbooks, confirmed sentiments of the students interviewed. Whether new or used, Follett had the highest prices for all books but one.

Follett concluded the pamphlet by stating, “As your campus bookstore, we are asking [the faculty] directly to encourage [their] students to buy their materials from us.”

They then appealed to the University community by mentioning portions of sales benefit the University, which they assert can indirectly lower costs for students.

Don Donelson can be contacted at d.donelson@umiami.edu.

UM NEWS

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The University of Miami (UM) and Dell have signed an exclusive, campus-wide computing agreement that is expected to save the university approximately $2 million per year. Such an agreement is one for the history books, being the first of its kind. By merging the technology purchases of each school and department, UM will create a consistent technology platform across campus. Working with Dell, UM has reorganized both Intel-based client and enterprise systems throughout the campus. A Dell customer since 1985, UM was named second in ComputerWorld’s “100 Best Places to Work in IT 2004.”

In order to increase the safety and well-being of its students, UM has launched an online program aimed at preventing alcohol abuse among college students: AlcoholEDU for College. According to Dr. Pat Whitely, vice president of Student Affairs, the objective of AlcoholEDU is to keep students responsive and informed about the dangerous effects of alcohol. The program requires students to take a two-and-a-half-hour online course, which uses science-based research to educate students on alcohol’s effects, and an accompanying exam. For more information, contact the UM Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education at 305-284-6120.

Fraternity brothers from at least two different houses at the University of Southern California disregarded Interfraternity Council rush rules on dry houses and events last week, giving underage rushees access to unlimited bar tabs, alcohol and marijuana at the houses, introducing them to sorority girls, and promising at least one rushee cocaine, an undercover investigation found.

An undercover reporter from a local daily newsaper, who misrepresented himself by lying about his age, major and other personal details, attended rush events and witnessed violations occurring. The reporter found that no one checked IDs for at least two off-campus events held at bars, where all rushees could drink alcohol on the fraternities’ tab. This goes against fraternity rush rules, which require that all recruitment events be dry, and DJs and live bands cannot be present at fraternity houses. If a violation does occur, IFC’s judicial board decides what should happen, which could include a letter of reprimand or losing a day of rush depending on the number and severity of occurrences. “University staff work with student leaders to prevent and reduce risks associated with under-aged drinking at social functions on and off campus,” Michael Jackson, vice president of Student Affairs, wrote in an e-mail. “We hold students who provide alcohol to those who are under-aged responsible for their actions if they get into, or cause problems as a result of drinking too much.”

Starting September 3, the IBIS Ride will be available every Friday and Saturday to take students from Stanford Circle directly to Coconut Grove! Rides are continuous from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. and are FREE. Just show a valid Cane ID. Questions? Contact PIER 21 at 305-284-6120 or at pier21@miami.edu.

UM braces for Hurricane Frances

The Miami Hurricane
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The windows have been boarded up. Hurricane shutters are in place. UM is bracing itself for possibly the worst hurricane since Andrew in 1992. Hurricane Frances, a category 4 hurricane larger in size than the state of Florida is set to hit land on Friday. Regardless of which part of Florida the hurricane eye passes over, the university will most likely experience at least tropical storm force weather.

University preparations are in place. The Crisis Decision Team has been meeting with increasing frequency throughout the week as the hurricane has become more of a threat. Among the members of this group include President Donna Shalala, Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Whitely, Paul Dee, director of Intercollegiate Athletics, and Alan Fish, vice president of Business Services. Joining them on speakerphone were Dr. Sharanya Majumdar from the Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Rosenstiel campus, and John Clarkson, dean of the School of Medicine.

Governor Jeb Bush has requested that the UM-FSU football game scheduled for Labor Day be postponed should the hurricane hit, because he does not want the teams competing in the event of a tragedy. More than likely, FSU will be unable to travel through the state to even get to Miami. FSU is planning on bringing 1000 students down by Greyhound buses, including the band, spirit groups, various students, and the players.

The university has ordered 60,000 bottles of water to last three days, as well as lunch and dinner to last three days, which amounts to 10,000 meals per day. These preparations should be sufficient for 4,000 people, including resident students and essential staff members. They are stressing that UM is not a designated hurricane shelter.

Experts are encouraging local students to stay at home and resident students to remain in their dorm rooms. They do not advise anyone to leave Miami. The university will be updating students on any decisions as news becomes available.

Resident students attended mandatory floor meetings last Tuesday, where they were briefed on hurricane safety tips, various protocols, and what to expect during the hurricane. The meetings also covered the possibility of a potential lockdown, as well as a zero-alcohol policy regardless of age. Housing is being prepared accordingly and taking all necessary measures as the hurricane nears.

The University has a Rumor Control Hotline with updated information available 24 hours a day.

>> For the latest UM news on Hurricane Frances, visit www.miami.edu/prepare or call the Rumor Control Hotline at 305-284-5151.

Megha Garg can be contacted at m.garg2@umiami.edu.

HOW TO PREPARE

3Fill several small containers with water for drinking. Ditto for bath tubs. They will be needed for washing and flushing toilets.

3Car owners should set the emergency brake and make sure that the car is in reverse gear or park. Close windows and lock car doors.

3Fill up on gas because gas pumps won’t work if there is a power outage.

3If you have Venetian blinds, RAISE them all the way to the top. If you have shutters, close them in all rooms.

3Stock up on non-perishable snack foods, such as crackers, cookies, peanuts, etc.

3All furniture, including beds, should be pulled away from windows. All electronic equipment should be placed off the floor, preferably in a closet.

3Make sure you have flashlights and plenty of batteries to last until the power can be restored.

3Stay indoors during the storm and stay updated via battery-powered radio as to the progress of the storm, and other important info for dealing with the aftermath.

LX: the series

The Miami Hurricane
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Painfully expensive cars line the street, bobbling outdoor umbrellas adorn the sidewalks, and side-by-side are some of South Miami’s most illustrious boutiques. Sunset Drive is home to over a dozen boutiques that cater to Miami’s high-brow clientele, including two boutiques with one major commonality: the same name. Studio LX and the new Project LX collectively cater to a wide demographic, with Studio LX supplying designer threads to ladies and Project LX serving up some hot duds for the men.

For the females, Studio LX is filled with designer labels, in both clothing and accessories. Separated by color, the hanging racks of clothing are stuffed with baby soft James Perse Tee’s, graphic Diane Von Furstenberg halters and eight or nine brands of designer denims. Priced a bit higher than the norm, the pieces are worth their price tags, as both the fabrics and their reputations are incomparable to pieces found in chains such as Gap, Banana Republic, and Forever 21.

A few stores over, Project LX is a futuristic space with a flair for style that would suit a wide range of men. Complete with curved walls and a flat screen TV, the simplistic layout allows the clothing to speak for itself. Divided by style, neatly folded denims line the wall while brightly colored, incredibly soft, button-ups hang by designer from a silver bar. Following the same price standard of its partner store, Project LX’s price tags scream numbers anywhere from $98 to $275, often for a single shirt. Rightly so, Project LX carries such renowned brands as Seven, Ben Sherman, James Perse, Diesel, French Connection, and even Dolce & Gabana. If clothing isn’t your thing, Project LX also caries a wide variety of stylish kicks and bags by brands like Puma, Nike, and Pony.

Despite the lack of completely accessible parking, both Studio LX and Project LX are worth the visit, providing a shopping outlet unlike any other in the immediate area. Any purchase in either store is likely to supply you with endless comments whether you strut your stuff running errands, in the Grove, or shakin’ it at one of SoBe’s popular clubs.

Joanna Davila can be contacted at j.davila1@umiami.edu.

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