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Graphic by: Paige Hendrick

Alyssa Buecker, Overland Park Senior, sets the speed to 1.5. She chooses her favorite song, Break Down. She goes to choose her level of difficulty and moves the arrow back and forth between expert and challenge. She finally decides to start on expert and work her way up on her next song choice. As the TV asks "Are you Ready?" Alyssa takes her position, one foot on either side of the mat.

The arrows begin scrolling at what looks like an uncontrollable speed.  She scores one perfect after another. As the song goes on her heart races and she begins to break a sweat.

"It's a great workout!" Buecker said. "Play a couple songs in a row and I feel like I've ran a mile."

Alternative forms of exercise have given people who normally would not exercise the opportunity to do it in a fun and more creative way. With the help of Hoop Dancing and Game systems like Dance Dance Revolution and the Nintendo Wii people are really getting up on their feet and giving exercise a try.

"I hate exercise. Yoga and treadmills have never really been my thing, but if you put a DDR mat in front of me I will play till I almost can't move my legs anymore," Buecker said.

Dance Dance Revolution

Video game creator Konami created Dance Dance Revoultion in Japan. DDR is a video game that can be played at home on any Playstation, Xbox, Gamecube or Wii. It is also commonly found in arcades on a large DDR machine. A player can choose from around 50 songs, depending on the version of the game, and choose from five levels.  According to Konami's official website, 3 million copies of the game have been sold since it was introduced on American consoles in 2001.

There is also a "workout mode" on the game that allows players to track their progress.  Instead of showing players how many arrows were scored correctly, it tracks things like a players weight, calories burned, distance traveled, and minutes played.

"I've never really used the 'workout mode' but I get a good enough workout without doing that," Buecker said. "The higher skill level you are, the more of a workout you're going to get. I just love it."

This craze has caught the attention of many school officials in the past five years as a form of exercise to help get students excited about exercise. In fact, in 2006 school districts in West Virginia decided to make DDR a part of their physical education curriculum. It was decided that the game would be used in all of West Virginia's 765 public schools.

Mike Ivanuska, Overland Park Senior, works up a sweat playing DDR with some friends. Photo by: Paige Hendrick

The University of Kansas has also added DDR to its curriculum. Taught by Susan Hoffman, the game is considered a Health Sport and Exercise Science class. The class can be taken for credit twice.

"I have several students who come back for a second round," Hoffman said.  "It gives a lot of students a break from their hectic class schedule and they get a great workout."

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii came out in 2006 and has sold more than 11 million consoles in America alone since its release.  With the Wii, players must use actual physical movements to play the games, forcing players to get up out of their seats. The game uses a wireless controller that can sense a player's motion.

In 2008 a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin recruited 16 volunteers between the ages of 20 to 29 years old to test just how great the benefits are. The results of the study showed that some games, mostly the sports games, increased heart rate and the amount of calories burned. The study said that the golf game, which burned the fewest amount of calories, allowed players to burn two to three times the amount of calories as opposed to sitting a and playing a video game.

"I have a Wii and we use it all of the time," Brooke Maves, Overland Park mother, said. "It was expensive but I think it was worth it just so my kids aren't sitting around all of the time."

Since the Wii came out, Nintendo has also added the Wii fit to their list of games. The Wii fit, much like DDR, allows players to track their progress and participate in activities like yoga and down hill skiing, all in their living room.

"I love using it but it is a little weird when I step on the Wii fit and it says to me 'Hello Brooke, It has been a while'. It's so advanced it scares me," Maves said.

The game is also being used for what doctors are calling "Wii-Habilitation".  The game is being turned into a rehab tool for stroke victims or patients with brain injuries to help recover their motor skills. In 2008, the University of South Carolina was given a $2 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to research the effectiveness of these games on recovering motor skills and the research is still in progress.

Kim Brown, Topeka Cognitive Therapist, has also begun using the Wii on her patients. Overall she treats patients who have been in serious accidents and are in need of physical exercise but don't have the motor skills to do normal activities.

"I had a friend who used a Wii and I had read a lot about them and it just seemed like a no brainer to me," Brown said. "My patients needed something to do at home to speed up their recovery and this so far has been the best exercise I have come up with."

Brown wrote the state of Kansas for a grant in May of 2008 and after four months her first patient, who was the victim of a gunshot wound to the head, received a Wii for their home. Since then Brown has helped three other people with cognitive disabilities receive a Wii.

Hoop Dancing

Hoop Dancing is not a video game but it is an alternative form of exercise that is catching on particularly in Lawrence. Not only is it much cheaper than the other two options, it is something that can be done almost anywhere. Hoop dancing renovated from Hula Hooping and is all about incorporating large weighted hoops with dance.

Hoop dancing benefits the body in several ways for example building core strength, overall body toning, increases flexibility and develops balance and coordination. Ali Mangan started the only hoop dancing company in Lawrence, Hoop Mama's, three years ago. The company hosts free workshops at South Park on a weekly basis to get more people involved.

"It's one of those things that you can't knock until you've tried it," Mangan said. "Every week we have a different group of people. Of course we have our regulars but it seems there's always someone that wants to see what its all about."

Alyssa Buecker, the DDR enthusiast from above also decided to give hoop dancing a try after being contacted for this story. She attended one of the workshops in South Park this past week and she was shocked at what she got out of it.

"Its still a form of dance buts it's completely different from DDR!" Buecker said. "It is definitely something that gets you in touch with your inner self. You don't get that from a lot of things these days."

So whether it's exercising with the help of a game console or hoop dancing around South Park, these creative ways to stay fit are giving people more than enough to talk about.

Off 9^th street there is a Yellow house that many people pass by on a daily basis. It isn't the home of some rich family, or even a boring old office building. It is a factory, a factory for creativity and teamwork. It is a place where filmmakers and journalists alike can put their skills to the test.

One filmmaker in particular, Sean Saffold, sits in his edit bay making the final touches to his next masterpiece. A piece that will be premiered here in Lawrence in less than a month. A piece that Saffold knows will touch lives.

Saffold has had a connection with KU from the very beginning.  He was born in Kansas City at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1970 to a very educated family. Both his parents were given the opportunity to go to college, which wasn't surprising considering his mother attended Sumner High School in Kansas City which was a legendary all black school before it was integrated that was known for sending kids to college.  When he was two, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived until leaving for college. While in high school he was very involved in extra curricular activities and even made the all-state football team. A member of the school choir as well, Saffold kept him self busy. He was the type who liked to keep his nose clean.

"Well you see, all of the girls were in choir so that's why we did it but I had a pretty decent voice" Saffold said. 

In high school Saffold was given the opportunity to participate in the school play when his drama teacher wrote a part specifically for him. There were not any African American roles in the play but his teacher saw Saffold's potential.

After graduation Saffold accepted a football scholarship to Ohio State University but after only a year had to leave the team due to a personality conflict with his coach. He transferred to Nassau Community College where he continued to play football. After a year he was eligible to transfer back to a D1 school and he began attending Ohio University.

Saffold decided to declare himself a radio and television production major. He always knew from a young age he wanted work in movies but the idea of having a career in them seemed very far-fetched to him.

"My mother says that ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a film maker. I just thought that working in television was more realistic," Saffold said.

 After graduating from college Saffold made a connection with a big executive at ABC news in New York. The executive happened to be a football fan, so he and Saffold hit it off right away. Saffold was offered an internship, working as a production assistant 12 to 16 hours a day with ABC. He also got the opportunity to work for CNN for a short time.

After completing his internships he moved to Vegas to continue working as a production assistant, but this time he got his dream of working in the movies. He worked on such films as Casino, Bogus, Leaving Las Vegas, and Showgirls.

While working on Casino, Saffold got to know Sharon Stone fairly well and really got a taste of what the Hollywood lifestyle was like.

"I lost a lot of respect for Scoresazy. He had us shoot one scene 70 times. I just thought it was such a waste," Saffold said. 

Though Saffold has made small appearances in some of his films, production has always been where his heart was. He decided to come to KU on a Pell grant in his late twenties. Saffold wasn't the first in his family to attend KU, 20 of his relatives had attended KU before him, and one of them was KU basketball player Butch Ellison.

He began studying film at KU and was introduce to Kevin Wilmont, who was in his early thirties at the time. Wilmont had just finished his masters at NYU in screenwriting. Wilmont came to Kansas to make his film 9^th street, which Saffold took a big part in as well.

"We have been together ever since," Saffold said. "I'd definitely say he is one of my closest friends."

Last year Saffold and Wilmont entered their most recent movie "The only good Indian" in The Sundance movie festival. Saffold is currently working on his masters here at KU and in his time here, has worked with a lot of prominent people in show biz. Some KU grads that he was given the opportunity to know include Neil Labute, Laura Kirk, and Paul Rudd.

"Paul was in a few of my classes. He told everyone he was leaving school to make it in Hollywood and we didn't hear from him for a while," Saffold said. "Before we knew it we saw him in '40 year old virgin'," Saffold said. 

Currently Saffold is working on a documentary tentatively titled "The Reunion". The movie is about the 1988 KU national championship basketball team. Recently the whole team came back for a reunion and Saffold and his team of people who are working on this project were able to get interviews with all of the players and coaches about their experiences.

"We are making this movie because this is a team that was never supposed to win. It was one of the greatest upsets of all time," Saffold said. "This movie just shows that sometimes it's not about talent. It's also about what you have in your heart and in your mind."

Sean Saffold, right, with his production partner Brendan Glad. They are currently working on "The Reunion" together

In the future Saffold plans to finish up his masters and go on to receive his doctorate here at KU. He ultimately hopes to become a professor of Afro American film history. 

"The thing about Sean is he has such a good presence about him. I mean people who hadn't seen each other for twenty years at time stayed with us for like an hour," Brendan Glad, Saffold's production partner, said. "I was amazed at how comfortable people become around Sean. He keeps me fired up "

"The Reunion" will premiere on August 28^th at Liberty Hall.  Saffold along side partner Brendan Glad shot nearly four hours of film and are still working to cut the film down to about an hour and twenty minutes.  They two still have a few interviews to complete but they expect to stay on schedule for the premiere. 

Graphic by: Paige Hendrick

                       It was November 11, 2007. We had just gotten home from the bars. We always seemed to fight when alcohol was involved. All of the sudden everything took a turn for the worse. Before I had a chance to move out of the way, a glass Bacardi bottle hit me right in the back of the head. When I woke up my roommate was applying ice to my head. I knew I had to call the police.

            That wasn't the first time Ricky Morena Jr. had been assaulted by his girlfriend. This became a common occurrence for the two, both 22 the time.

            "I knew our relationship was a bit dysfunctional but I never thought I would have to resort to calling the cops," Morena said. "She was my girlfriend!"

            When Morena called the police, two officers came to his apartment where he and his girlfriend lived together. She was arrested on the spot.

            His girlfriend was released from county jail the following evening and a restraining was automatically put in place for the safety of both of them. She was forced to move out and collect her personal belongings with the help of a police escort. Ricky was not allowed to be present while she was in the apartment.

            Morena said, "Cutting ties with her was harder than I ever thought it would be. But that's why were together as long as we were."

         Morena was able to move on after breaking ties with his girlfriend of three years but many men are not as lucky. Currently in Lawrence there are several facilities to help female victims of domestic violence but for men, well their resources are very limited.

            Domestic battery in the state of Kansas according to chapter 21, article 34 in the Kansas statutes is "intentionally or recklessly causing bodily harm by a family or household member against a family or household member by a family or household member." On July 1, 2008 the statute was expanded to include dating relationships as household member. The statute now reads "A family or household member means persons 18 years of age or older who are spouses, former spouses, parents or stepparents and children or stepchildren, and persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, and persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time. Family or household member also includes a man and a woman if the woman is pregnant and the man is the alleged to be the father, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time."

            The only place in Lawrence that is designated to help men in a violent relationship is the Lawrence Community Shelter.

            "If someone comes in with that problem we will always take them in," Loring Henderson, Lawrence Community Shelter Director, said. "Then all we can really do for them is refer them to a case manager."

            The shelter does see this situation on occasion but what Henderson has noticed is that many of the men who are being abused are homeless as well.  In fact, according to a survey done by the U.S. Conference of Mayors 46% of cities surveyed have identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness. Also, a 1990 Ford Foundation study found that 50% of homeless women and children were fleeing from abuse.  

            Although domestic violence against men is not a huge issue in Lawrence it is very common here in the United States. In the July 2000 Centers for Disease Control report of the 8,000 men called for a phone interview 7.5% of those men reported being raped or assaulted by a significant other at some time in their lifetime. From that same source, each year 834,000 men are raped or physically assaulted by intimate partners an average of 3.5 times a year.

            Domestic violence in homosexual's couples is incredible higher. In the same CDC report as above it was reported that 23% of men who had lived with a man as a couple reported being raped or physically assaulted by their significant other. The one advantage that homosexual men have over heterosexual men is that homosexuals have more resources when they are being abused by their partner. Even here in Kansas City, a homosexual man can go and receive more help than a heterosexual man could.

            In addition to all of the reports of domestic violence against men, a majority of the cases go unreported. Building on this reputation there have even been fact-based movies on the issue, one CBS TV even titled "Men Don't tell".  Many men are even inclined to find it amusing. MensStuff.org did a survey of college students that showed 20% of men who had been attacked by their girlfriends had found it funny.

            "At first I thought it was funny too," Morena said after being told about that survey. "It just wasn't very funny when she started throwing things at my head."

            If a man is being abused in Lawrence he has a few options. He can go to the Lawrence Community Shelter and get connected with a caseworker; he can contact the Alliance Against Family Violence in Lenexa. If he feels his life is in danger he can file for a Protection From Abuse Order. In fact, there were 7,942 Protection from Abuse Order filed in Kansas last year. And for those men who do not feel comfortable talking to someone in person there is also the National Domestic Abuse Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE).

            Advocates for this cause are doing their best to get the word out but until more men start coming forward their efforts may be halted. 

Graphic By: Paige Hendrick

The natural mindset.

Holistic practices.

10 years ago these ideas were reserved for the hippies and the free spirits of the world, but now, Lawrence residents are becoming a little more free-spirited themselves. Not just for their health, but for their furry friends too.

New pet owners are given option after option on how to raise their little ones. Heart Guard or Tri-Heart? Frontline or Advantage? To breed or to Fix?  Crate train or snuggle up together in bed?  At times it can get a little overwhelming but now many pet owners are giving themselves one more decision to make.

"People really need to know what they are feeding their animals," Mike Bonella, CEO of Sunflower Natural Pet Supplies, said. "It's amazing to me how many people do not read the labels. They just look at how much am I going to feed them and how much does it cost me."

Sunflower Natural Pet Supplies is the third natural pet food store to open in Lawrence. With the high number of animals being dropped off at the humane society on a regular basis, it is hard to imagine how these pet owners are affording the "natural" prices.

Conveniently located next door to The Merc, Bonella hopes to attract people who share a similar outlook on health as he does. Previously the manager of the Natural Food Cooperative in Manhattan, he was looking for a way to integrate the natural and holistic mindset into the pet industry.

"Nutrition is a very important part of being a pet owner. I feel that we can meet the need of any pet owner whether it be financially or just educating them a little more on pet health," Bonella said.

Natural pet foods are higher in cost at first glance, but depending on your animals needs could end up being cheaper in the long run. Vet bills can accumulate very quickly and many animals with allergies could cost up to hundreds of dollars in lab work just to find out what their specific allergy is.

"I think it's worth it," Amanda Coon, Overland Park junior, said. "You love your dog, you want them to be healthy. If you are going to pay three dollars extra I think it is totally worth it."

Many of the less expensive pet foods contain ingredients that are common allergens such as corn, wheat, and soy. Natural pet foods are free of most allergens, eliminating the risk of many complications.  Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Matthew Coles, often recommends to his clients who have pets with allergies to look into natural pet food.

"There are a number of dogs that really require better foods because of digestive problems and allergy problems and really need those higher quality pet foods. Natural pet foods certainly have a place in that," Coles said.

Bonella chooses the brands of pet food that he sells based on quality of ingredients and how much belief he has in the product. All of the foods sold at Sunflower Natural Pet Supplies are human grade.

When Bonella was asked how his customers view their furry friends, he replied, "As a family member."

Sunflower Natural Pet Supplies plans to team up with the Lawrence Humane Society by offering a free bag of dog food and a discount on other products when someone adopts a pet. Bonella has helped adopt out over 300 animals for the shelter in Manhattan and hopes to have the same success here.

 "We want what's best for your pet too," Bonella said. "We want what's best for all animals."