he UFC 126 super card is sure to be one to excite long-time MMA fans and newcomers alike. The main card features the always-exciting Anderson “Spider” Silva defending his middleweight title against Vitor Belfort. Forrest Griffin steps back into the cage against Rich Franklin and up and comers Jon “Bones” Jones and Ryan Bader square off. Each matchup is loaded with storylines. Silva has defended his title a record seven straight times, and hopes to extend that streak against former light heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort. Forrest Griffin is fighting for the first time since Nov 2009 and hopes ring rust will not be a factor against Rich Franklin who is fresh off an impressive victory over UFC legend Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell. The most interesting storyline is that of The Ultimate Fighter season eight winner Ryan Bader and UFC poster-boy Jon Jones.
Bader holds a perfect record of 12 wins and no losses, with a notable victory over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Bader is considered one of the elite wrestlers in the UFC having won two state wrestling titles in high school and was ranked fourth best in the country at the time. He wrestled collegiately at Arizona State University with fellow UFC fighter C.B Dolloway and current UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
Bader will not be easy to control on the ground if Jones can manage to get him there. Everyone knows about his solid wrestling pedigree, but many forget that he trained under Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira on TUF 8, learning a lot about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the process.
Jon “Bones” Jones is considered one of the UFC’s hottest fighters. Jones has a record of 11-1, with his only loss coming with a controversial disqualification against Matt Hammil in a fight that he dominated. Jones has been making a big name for himself since entering the UFC in 2008 with wins over Stephan Bonnar, Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko, the final two of which he finished via elbow strikes. Jones is known for his highly unconventional striking, throwing spinning back kicks and the strike he has made popular, the spinning back elbow.
The matchup between these two fighters on the rise has been scrutinized heavily, many critics often mentioning Bader’s superior wrestling ability. While Jones didn’t wrestle at a division I college like Bader, Jones did earn a national junior college championship while Bader earned no college championship. Bader having wrestled in a program as prominent as ASU’s gives him a slight edge in wrestling over Jones.
To me, Jones has a major advantage in this fight. Jones is a superior striker, and has the longest reach in the UFC and in much of the MMA world at 84.5 inches. His reach, a full ten inches longer than Bader’s, will be the biggest factor. Jones, who utilizes a lot of kicks, also has a crucial two-inch height advantage, much of which is in his legs.
Even with a few crucial advantages such as these, I don’t see Jones being able to control Bader on the ground. Bader will try to keep the fight on the ground with some success, but Jones will find a way back to his feet. Jones wins in the second round by way of knockout.
Whichever of these two outstanding fighters wins, it is sure to shakeup the light heavyweight division in the UFC. Bader can hang with anyone and with his incredible size, can keep opponents down with strength like that of Brock Lesnar. Jones has the potential to end the fight at any moment with one of his highlight reel knockouts. With the UFC’s 205-pound division in its current state, either of these two fighters could find themselves in contention for a title shot with this win.
Jones will be more valuable to the UFC if he moves on to win this fight and get a title shot. He reminds me a lot of Anderson Silva in the flashy way the he knocks out opponents, and the way he is built. He has very long legs, and is a true student of Muay Thai in the way that he uses all eight points to handle his opponents.
If Jones gets a title shot it will boost ratings much higher than if Bader does simply because Bader isn’t a finesse kind of guy. He is an old fashioned “get it done” type of guy. Bader just finds ways to win, and certainly does it often.
Jones has the potential to control the 205 division with this win. Whoever wins will go on to fight for the number one contender spot. The 205-pound division is wide open and until Anderson Silva moves into it permanently, it will be.
The future of the light heavyweight division rests in the hands of a few fighters. The champion, Shogun Rua will likely retain his title for several months, while being challenged by Rashad Evans later this year. Other fighters who will likely be in contention are Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and Antonio Rogerio Noguiera. Jones and Bader will surely find their way into the mix, as Bader has already beaten one of these top fighters.
The title will bounce between these fighters until Anderson Silva enters the division for good and he will try to do what he has done to the middleweight division for the past few years: destroy it. The only fighter who can match up with this behemoth when he enters at 205 is Jon Jones. He is similarly built in size and speed to Silva and their fighting styles are very similar.
Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva is a fight I would be more excited to see than the epic Georges St-Pierre and Silva blockbuster every MMA fan has wet dreams about.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
3 Inches of Blood revives Iron Maiden sound
Fans of Iron Maiden all over Missouri will be flocking to Mojo’s on Saturday. No, they aren’t playing. 3 Inches of Blood are coming to town, and their sound is comparable to that of Maiden’s.
The four-piece metal band from Vancouver has put out four full-length studio albums to date. Their latest, Here Waits Thy Doom, was the first album not to feature any of the band’s original members. This came after original screamer, Jamie Hooper, was unable to rejoin the band after blowing out his vocals due to the harsh style of his singing.
Just after releasing their first studio album, Battlecry Under a Wintersun, the band went on tour in support of The Darkness. Shortly after that tour ended, the band went to the studio to record Advance and Vanquish.
But 2004 was a year of downfall for them. Drummer Geoff Trawick and brother Rich left the band. Rich was the band's bassist, which left the band without any beats whatsoever. The reasons for their departure were never publicized.
Shortly thereafter, the band also lost guitarists Sunny Dhak and Bob Froese. The two said they could not tour any longer and had personal issues to resolve. At that point, the band only had one original member, Hooper.
The show in Columbia is sure to be a wild one, as they are touring with a few not-so-well known acts. In a small venue such as Mojo’s, small town bands always get a ton of support. One of the supporting acts, Creaturezoid, is participating in the battle of the bands competition being held Feb. 7 at Mojo’s.
If you’re a fan of the 70’s era heavy metal that started it all, check these guys out and give them a listen.
The four-piece metal band from Vancouver has put out four full-length studio albums to date. Their latest, Here Waits Thy Doom, was the first album not to feature any of the band’s original members. This came after original screamer, Jamie Hooper, was unable to rejoin the band after blowing out his vocals due to the harsh style of his singing.
Just after releasing their first studio album, Battlecry Under a Wintersun, the band went on tour in support of The Darkness. Shortly after that tour ended, the band went to the studio to record Advance and Vanquish.
But 2004 was a year of downfall for them. Drummer Geoff Trawick and brother Rich left the band. Rich was the band's bassist, which left the band without any beats whatsoever. The reasons for their departure were never publicized.
Shortly thereafter, the band also lost guitarists Sunny Dhak and Bob Froese. The two said they could not tour any longer and had personal issues to resolve. At that point, the band only had one original member, Hooper.
The show in Columbia is sure to be a wild one, as they are touring with a few not-so-well known acts. In a small venue such as Mojo’s, small town bands always get a ton of support. One of the supporting acts, Creaturezoid, is participating in the battle of the bands competition being held Feb. 7 at Mojo’s.
If you’re a fan of the 70’s era heavy metal that started it all, check these guys out and give them a listen.
Missouri wrestling to face Nebraska in conference opener
The Missouri Tigers' wrestling squad will take on Nebraska in the first conference dual of the season Sunday. The Tigers are 14-5 in dual meets this year and are ranked No. 7 in the nation, the second highest school in the Big 12.
The young Tiger squad has been through its toughest schedule to date. Missouri scheduled a number of non-conference foes that ended up being much better than expected.
“The schedule this year for us was really unexpected,” coach Brian Smith said. “We were told a few of the programs we scheduled this year were down, but all of our opponents came out strong.”
Squads like Hofstra, American and Lehigh were some of the dark horses in Missouri’s schedule. In the week’s latest rankings, Lehigh held the 12 spot, American 19 and Hofstra was just a few votes shy of making the Top 25.
“After surviving a non-conference schedule like that and still maintaining a number seven ranking,” coach Smith said. “I’m one hundred percent confident in our squad going into this Big 12 season.”
Missouri wrestling has been focusing on the finer things in practice lately. Conditioning, setting up takedowns and keeping opponents down are the main focus of practice as a team.
“As a team we try to focus on broader concepts,” Smith said. “In such an individual sport, you really have to tailor the training to the guy you’re working with.”
Smith also said the word of the day was “uncomfortable.”
“We want to get ourselves into situations in practice where it’s uncomfortable for our bodies to be there,” he said. “This way we can teach the guys how to maneuver out of them not only in a way that makes them more comfortable but won’t put them in a more compromising position.”
Freshman standout Alan Waters said that practice has been focused on mechanics more than anything.
“Coach is drilling us on getting bonus points for the team,” Waters said. “If you have the win, work on scoring some more points for the team so we can win the meet overall.”
Even though they cannot compete in the duals, even a few of Missouri’s redshirts have noticed the change in pace of practice.
“Practices are a lot more intense now,” redshirt freshman Phillip Perry said. “We’re working on hand fighting to get ourselves in position. Really it’s just a lot of technical stuff.”
The marquee matchup in this contest will be Missouri’s Zach Toal, a redshirt freshman, versus Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs who is a senior. Burroughs is No. 1 in the nation at 165 pounds, where Toal is No. 11.
“Zach did not begin the year as a starter but has worked his way into that spot,” Smith said. “He has earned his way into the lineup through hard work and dedication to getting better.”
Another intriguing matchup is between one of Missouri’s best in junior Dom Bradley and junior Tucker Lane of Nebraska. Bradley is the No. 9 heavyweight in the country, and Lane comes in at No. 11.
Smith said that his squad is self-motivated and they don’t need much encouragement. They just get the job done.
“I don’t really do the whole big motivational speech thing before a big meet,” he said. “With this sport, you give them the tools to win, and the tools to believe they can win.”
Missouri wrestling is a program that can sustain itself on and off the mat. This weekend’s meet is part of the “Wrestling Supporting Wrestling” program. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward the Missouri Wrestling Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $5 and the action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hearnes Center.
The young Tiger squad has been through its toughest schedule to date. Missouri scheduled a number of non-conference foes that ended up being much better than expected.
“The schedule this year for us was really unexpected,” coach Brian Smith said. “We were told a few of the programs we scheduled this year were down, but all of our opponents came out strong.”
Squads like Hofstra, American and Lehigh were some of the dark horses in Missouri’s schedule. In the week’s latest rankings, Lehigh held the 12 spot, American 19 and Hofstra was just a few votes shy of making the Top 25.
“After surviving a non-conference schedule like that and still maintaining a number seven ranking,” coach Smith said. “I’m one hundred percent confident in our squad going into this Big 12 season.”
Missouri wrestling has been focusing on the finer things in practice lately. Conditioning, setting up takedowns and keeping opponents down are the main focus of practice as a team.
“As a team we try to focus on broader concepts,” Smith said. “In such an individual sport, you really have to tailor the training to the guy you’re working with.”
Smith also said the word of the day was “uncomfortable.”
“We want to get ourselves into situations in practice where it’s uncomfortable for our bodies to be there,” he said. “This way we can teach the guys how to maneuver out of them not only in a way that makes them more comfortable but won’t put them in a more compromising position.”
Freshman standout Alan Waters said that practice has been focused on mechanics more than anything.
“Coach is drilling us on getting bonus points for the team,” Waters said. “If you have the win, work on scoring some more points for the team so we can win the meet overall.”
Even though they cannot compete in the duals, even a few of Missouri’s redshirts have noticed the change in pace of practice.
“Practices are a lot more intense now,” redshirt freshman Phillip Perry said. “We’re working on hand fighting to get ourselves in position. Really it’s just a lot of technical stuff.”
The marquee matchup in this contest will be Missouri’s Zach Toal, a redshirt freshman, versus Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs who is a senior. Burroughs is No. 1 in the nation at 165 pounds, where Toal is No. 11.
“Zach did not begin the year as a starter but has worked his way into that spot,” Smith said. “He has earned his way into the lineup through hard work and dedication to getting better.”
Another intriguing matchup is between one of Missouri’s best in junior Dom Bradley and junior Tucker Lane of Nebraska. Bradley is the No. 9 heavyweight in the country, and Lane comes in at No. 11.
Smith said that his squad is self-motivated and they don’t need much encouragement. They just get the job done.
“I don’t really do the whole big motivational speech thing before a big meet,” he said. “With this sport, you give them the tools to win, and the tools to believe they can win.”
Missouri wrestling is a program that can sustain itself on and off the mat. This weekend’s meet is part of the “Wrestling Supporting Wrestling” program. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward the Missouri Wrestling Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $5 and the action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hearnes Center.
Waters, Tigers wrestling team excelling heading into conference duals
The No. 7 Missouri wrestling squad is off to a stellar start for the 2011 season. Aided by eight wrestlers ranked individually inside the Top 25, the Tigers are on pace to boast a few national champions this year.
Last season, Max Askren, brother of ex-Missouri great Ben Askren, was the only national champion crowned from MU. But this season there have been a few wrestlers making a name for themselves in the fight for a championship. Among them are senior Todd Schavrien, junior Dom Bradley and freshman Alan Waters.
The top newcomer, Waters has been creating some buzz around the Big 12. The 125-pounder started his collegiate career a perfect 25-0 before dropping to Stanford’s Ryan Mango. Waters came back strong after his first loss, winning his next four matches at the Midlands Invitational including a 3-2 decision over his lone defeater, Mango.
“Honestly, it took a lot of the pressure off,” Waters said.
Waters does not like to lose, and he doesn’t do it very often. In high school, he won a total of 184 matches and only losing four. He didn’t lose a single match in his senior season.
“I have to avenge my loss to be the best,” he said. “I want it all.”
Waters’ next and only other loss to date came against Oklahoma State redshirt freshman Jon Morrison.
“I’m excited for Big 12 matches to start,” Waters said. “I want to get back in there and avenge my loss to (Morrison).”
With such a long undefeated streak, many worried about Water’s complacency. Waters said he wasn’t worried about it because he had dealt with such a streak before. He wanted to find a way to dominate his opponents.
“I wasn’t content with just winning matches,” he said. “I trained to get more points and get my win without a decision.”
Waters said he chose Missouri because it had always been a dream of his to wrestle as a Tiger. Notably, the coaching staff’s experience and tradition of breeding national champions drew him to Columbia.
Waters, the only freshman not to be redshirted this season, hopes to earn a business degree in his four years at Missouri.
When coach Brian Smith was asked if any wrestlers stood out to him, Waters’ name came up almost immediately alongside such others as Dom Bradley, Todd Schavrien and Zach Toal.
“All 10 weights are doing really well,” Smith said. “You’ve got young guys like Alan who are a great asset to the team.”
Todd Schavrien, one of three seniors on the Missouri squad, and the only one to start, says he has a lot of confidence in such a young team.
“Its fun to be able to go out and help these younger guys,” Schavrien said. “Especially guys that have so much talent.”
Waters is arguably Missouri’s best true freshman ever. He currently stands ranked No. 8 in the country at 125 pounds and holds a 34-2 record and is presently on pace for a national title.
The Tigers will open the conference season with a dual meet against visiting Nebraska on Jan. 30 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.
Last season, Max Askren, brother of ex-Missouri great Ben Askren, was the only national champion crowned from MU. But this season there have been a few wrestlers making a name for themselves in the fight for a championship. Among them are senior Todd Schavrien, junior Dom Bradley and freshman Alan Waters.
The top newcomer, Waters has been creating some buzz around the Big 12. The 125-pounder started his collegiate career a perfect 25-0 before dropping to Stanford’s Ryan Mango. Waters came back strong after his first loss, winning his next four matches at the Midlands Invitational including a 3-2 decision over his lone defeater, Mango.
“Honestly, it took a lot of the pressure off,” Waters said.
Waters does not like to lose, and he doesn’t do it very often. In high school, he won a total of 184 matches and only losing four. He didn’t lose a single match in his senior season.
“I have to avenge my loss to be the best,” he said. “I want it all.”
Waters’ next and only other loss to date came against Oklahoma State redshirt freshman Jon Morrison.
“I’m excited for Big 12 matches to start,” Waters said. “I want to get back in there and avenge my loss to (Morrison).”
With such a long undefeated streak, many worried about Water’s complacency. Waters said he wasn’t worried about it because he had dealt with such a streak before. He wanted to find a way to dominate his opponents.
“I wasn’t content with just winning matches,” he said. “I trained to get more points and get my win without a decision.”
Waters said he chose Missouri because it had always been a dream of his to wrestle as a Tiger. Notably, the coaching staff’s experience and tradition of breeding national champions drew him to Columbia.
Waters, the only freshman not to be redshirted this season, hopes to earn a business degree in his four years at Missouri.
When coach Brian Smith was asked if any wrestlers stood out to him, Waters’ name came up almost immediately alongside such others as Dom Bradley, Todd Schavrien and Zach Toal.
“All 10 weights are doing really well,” Smith said. “You’ve got young guys like Alan who are a great asset to the team.”
Todd Schavrien, one of three seniors on the Missouri squad, and the only one to start, says he has a lot of confidence in such a young team.
“Its fun to be able to go out and help these younger guys,” Schavrien said. “Especially guys that have so much talent.”
Waters is arguably Missouri’s best true freshman ever. He currently stands ranked No. 8 in the country at 125 pounds and holds a 34-2 record and is presently on pace for a national title.
The Tigers will open the conference season with a dual meet against visiting Nebraska on Jan. 30 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Rock the roof off with Sevendust this weekend
“Wall of Death, Wall of Death!” is a popular chant that can be heard at almost any hard rock or metal show. If you’re passing by Friday at The Blue Note, you’ll probably hear that alongside thundering guitar riffs because Sevendust will be in town.
Sevendust is a hard rock band, formed in 1995, from Atlanta. Its sound is comparable to artists such as Earshot, Taproot and Dark New Day. One of the reasons Dark New Day might be similar is because the lead guitarist of Sevendust, Clint Lowery, is a former member of Dark New Day.
Lowery left Sevendust in 2004 to play alongside his brother, Corey. His departure was shortly after the release of Sevendust’s fourth studio album, Seasons, and the album’s supporting tour. The album was the band’s most successful at that point.
“It was healthy for me,” Lowery said. “It kept me from getting burnt out and allowed me to bring some positive energy back with me when I rejoined in 2008.”
The band released its seventh studio album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow and was reunited with Lowery for the subsequent tour.
“I really missed the guys,” Lowery said. “I learned a lot while I was gone. I took all of my good and my bad experiences back with me to Sevendust, and we’re better because of it.”
Lowery played a crucial role in the making of Cold Day Memory, the band’s highest-rated album to date. He was given no boundaries by the band and essentially told to do what he thought would sound best.
“I was gone for three records,” Lowery said. “They wanted to recapture the sound that I brought to Sevendust, so they just let me do my own thing. They wanted me to be able to retake my role in the band, and I feel I’ve done that.”
The best part of any show for a real hard rock fan is the ability to go out and knock around some of your fellow metal-heads and at the end of the day, leave the venue with bumps, severely sore necks and battle scars. Where else can you go, punch a guy to the floor, reach down and help him up, only to both bang your heads to the upcoming riff?
After having Lowery back for one full tour and by letting him get comfortable with Sevendust again, the upcoming show promises to be one of the band's best to date. The harmonizing vocals of lead singer Lajon Witherspoon and the superb screaming vocals of drummer Morgan Rose culminate to form the best duo of singer/screamer to be heard.
In retaining its members, the band hasn’t lost the love and respect of its fans — or its “family,” as the band prefers to address them. The group’s original sound has also been kept intact through its 15 years of existence.
“We started out with the intention to be as heavy as Pantera,” Lowery said. “I feel like we are as heavy as any of their records. Sure, our sound is going to be different because Lajon sings different than (Pantera lead singer) Phil (Anselmo), but that’s what we aimed for, and I think we succeeded.”
Do yourself a favor, Columbia, go see Sevendust rock the roof off The Blue Note and get some real heavy metal pumping through your veins this Homecoming weekend.
Sevendust is a hard rock band, formed in 1995, from Atlanta. Its sound is comparable to artists such as Earshot, Taproot and Dark New Day. One of the reasons Dark New Day might be similar is because the lead guitarist of Sevendust, Clint Lowery, is a former member of Dark New Day.
Lowery left Sevendust in 2004 to play alongside his brother, Corey. His departure was shortly after the release of Sevendust’s fourth studio album, Seasons, and the album’s supporting tour. The album was the band’s most successful at that point.
“It was healthy for me,” Lowery said. “It kept me from getting burnt out and allowed me to bring some positive energy back with me when I rejoined in 2008.”
The band released its seventh studio album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow and was reunited with Lowery for the subsequent tour.
“I really missed the guys,” Lowery said. “I learned a lot while I was gone. I took all of my good and my bad experiences back with me to Sevendust, and we’re better because of it.”
Lowery played a crucial role in the making of Cold Day Memory, the band’s highest-rated album to date. He was given no boundaries by the band and essentially told to do what he thought would sound best.
“I was gone for three records,” Lowery said. “They wanted to recapture the sound that I brought to Sevendust, so they just let me do my own thing. They wanted me to be able to retake my role in the band, and I feel I’ve done that.”
The best part of any show for a real hard rock fan is the ability to go out and knock around some of your fellow metal-heads and at the end of the day, leave the venue with bumps, severely sore necks and battle scars. Where else can you go, punch a guy to the floor, reach down and help him up, only to both bang your heads to the upcoming riff?
After having Lowery back for one full tour and by letting him get comfortable with Sevendust again, the upcoming show promises to be one of the band's best to date. The harmonizing vocals of lead singer Lajon Witherspoon and the superb screaming vocals of drummer Morgan Rose culminate to form the best duo of singer/screamer to be heard.
In retaining its members, the band hasn’t lost the love and respect of its fans — or its “family,” as the band prefers to address them. The group’s original sound has also been kept intact through its 15 years of existence.
“We started out with the intention to be as heavy as Pantera,” Lowery said. “I feel like we are as heavy as any of their records. Sure, our sound is going to be different because Lajon sings different than (Pantera lead singer) Phil (Anselmo), but that’s what we aimed for, and I think we succeeded.”
Do yourself a favor, Columbia, go see Sevendust rock the roof off The Blue Note and get some real heavy metal pumping through your veins this Homecoming weekend.
Police encourage residents to protect their property
As students settle back into their Columbia homes, police suggest that students do a thorough inventory of their belongings and call the Columbia Police Department if they notice anything missing.
Over winter break, CPD worked to ensure the safety of residents' homes and property.
“Our objective was to prevent historically victimized neighborhoods from being broken into,” CPD spokeswoman Jill Wieneke said.
The department advised residents to take steps to make it look like there was someone home. Wieneke said leaving lights on or even asking someone to just walk through the recently settled snow in front of the house can deter a potential burglar.
“Not all criminals are stupid," Wieneke said. “If they have been scouting out a house for a while and realize that there are no tracks in the new fallen snow, they’re going to know someone isn’t home.”
Educating residents on how to protect themselves was one of the department’s main goals, but CPD also stepped up its patrols. Off-duty officers were given the opportunity to work overtime patrolling neighborhoods that had seen high rates of burglaries in the past. When conducting patrols, officers often used unmarked cars to conceal their identities from criminals who were scouting potential targets.
“Even if it isn’t a police officer, having a car drive through the area will deter a burglar,” Wieneke said. “They don’t want to be caught in the act by anyone.”
One of the most popular areas that CPD focused on was Rolling Rock Drive, just south of MU.
“We focused our patrols on Rolling Rock because it has a history of being burglarized, but also because it is so secluded,” Wieneke said. “Student housing was definitely on our radar.”
Student housing is especially at risk for holiday burglaries because often several neighboring houses or apartments are vacant making it easier for a burglar to make a loud entrance, like kicking in a door, without being noticed.
Residence halls were also a concern, and MU Police Department Capt. Brian Weimer said he thinks prevention efforts were successful.
“There was only one burglary reported to our department during the break period,” he said.
MUPD increased patrols around residence halls and university-owned apartments and also made it a point to secure parking lots around campus.
“We wanted to increase our patrols around not only those residence halls and apartments, but extend that to parking lots," Weimer said.
Freshman Dylan Heldman, who lives in Tiger Diggs, said MUPD told residents to take their property home with them.
“MUPD advised us to take major items like iPods, digital cameras and gaming systems home with us,” he said. “Personally, I wasn’t taking any chances. I took my PlayStation home with me.”
Over winter break, CPD worked to ensure the safety of residents' homes and property.
“Our objective was to prevent historically victimized neighborhoods from being broken into,” CPD spokeswoman Jill Wieneke said.
The department advised residents to take steps to make it look like there was someone home. Wieneke said leaving lights on or even asking someone to just walk through the recently settled snow in front of the house can deter a potential burglar.
“Not all criminals are stupid," Wieneke said. “If they have been scouting out a house for a while and realize that there are no tracks in the new fallen snow, they’re going to know someone isn’t home.”
Educating residents on how to protect themselves was one of the department’s main goals, but CPD also stepped up its patrols. Off-duty officers were given the opportunity to work overtime patrolling neighborhoods that had seen high rates of burglaries in the past. When conducting patrols, officers often used unmarked cars to conceal their identities from criminals who were scouting potential targets.
“Even if it isn’t a police officer, having a car drive through the area will deter a burglar,” Wieneke said. “They don’t want to be caught in the act by anyone.”
One of the most popular areas that CPD focused on was Rolling Rock Drive, just south of MU.
“We focused our patrols on Rolling Rock because it has a history of being burglarized, but also because it is so secluded,” Wieneke said. “Student housing was definitely on our radar.”
Student housing is especially at risk for holiday burglaries because often several neighboring houses or apartments are vacant making it easier for a burglar to make a loud entrance, like kicking in a door, without being noticed.
Residence halls were also a concern, and MU Police Department Capt. Brian Weimer said he thinks prevention efforts were successful.
“There was only one burglary reported to our department during the break period,” he said.
MUPD increased patrols around residence halls and university-owned apartments and also made it a point to secure parking lots around campus.
“We wanted to increase our patrols around not only those residence halls and apartments, but extend that to parking lots," Weimer said.
Freshman Dylan Heldman, who lives in Tiger Diggs, said MUPD told residents to take their property home with them.
“MUPD advised us to take major items like iPods, digital cameras and gaming systems home with us,” he said. “Personally, I wasn’t taking any chances. I took my PlayStation home with me.”
Light up your Christmas with this classic
This Christmas season, celebrate with the Griswolds and go back in time to revisit the 1989 classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” This hilarious tale of a Christmas gone horribly wrong stars famous faces such as Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid and Doris Roberts of “Everybody Loves Raymond” fame.
The film opens with the Griswold family packing into the old family station wagon and traveling to get the Christmas tree. The family is in high spirits, singing Christmas carols when, suddenly, an old pickup tries to race their station wagon.
The father, Clark, gives in and provokes them, eventually landing himself under a semi- truck. They manage to find their way out from under the truck and skyrocket into a field of trees for sale.
Ironic as their landing place is, they manage to find a suitable Christmas tree. It’s obvious gargantuan size is epitomized by Clark’s son, Rusty, saying, “Dad, that tree wouldn’t fit in our yard!” Rusty then comes back with another quip, inquiring as to whether his father remembered a saw. Clark doesn’t respond, but the next scene shows the clearly uprooted tree, roots and all, tied to the top of the station wagon.
The story continues to follow the family as they get ready for a “good ol’-fashioned family Christmas” at the Griswold house. All of the relatives are coming over and Clark wants it to be the perfect Christmas.
Clark proceeds to decorate the house in extravagant fashion, with 25,000 lights, and in the process, manages to fall off the house multiple times. In the end, the lights on the house do not light and Clark goes absolutely bananas. He proceeds to beat down a plastic Santa, send his eight tiny reindeer to the moon and trample a “Merry Christmas” sign.
The family finally figures out the problem and the house bursts into light. It is at this point that Clark’s cousin Eddie shows up with his family. They clamber out of their musty, rusty trailer with their dog Snots, and greet the rest of the family.
Throughout the course of Christmas, the Griswold family deals with flaming trees, Snots chasing a squirrel through the house and the arrival of the local SWAT team, because Eddie kidnapped Clark’s boss.
"National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" is a must-own for any family. Find out all of the hilarious mishaps en route to the perfect Christmas and pick up this classic for under $15 at any local retailer.
The film opens with the Griswold family packing into the old family station wagon and traveling to get the Christmas tree. The family is in high spirits, singing Christmas carols when, suddenly, an old pickup tries to race their station wagon.
The father, Clark, gives in and provokes them, eventually landing himself under a semi- truck. They manage to find their way out from under the truck and skyrocket into a field of trees for sale.
Ironic as their landing place is, they manage to find a suitable Christmas tree. It’s obvious gargantuan size is epitomized by Clark’s son, Rusty, saying, “Dad, that tree wouldn’t fit in our yard!” Rusty then comes back with another quip, inquiring as to whether his father remembered a saw. Clark doesn’t respond, but the next scene shows the clearly uprooted tree, roots and all, tied to the top of the station wagon.
The story continues to follow the family as they get ready for a “good ol’-fashioned family Christmas” at the Griswold house. All of the relatives are coming over and Clark wants it to be the perfect Christmas.
Clark proceeds to decorate the house in extravagant fashion, with 25,000 lights, and in the process, manages to fall off the house multiple times. In the end, the lights on the house do not light and Clark goes absolutely bananas. He proceeds to beat down a plastic Santa, send his eight tiny reindeer to the moon and trample a “Merry Christmas” sign.
The family finally figures out the problem and the house bursts into light. It is at this point that Clark’s cousin Eddie shows up with his family. They clamber out of their musty, rusty trailer with their dog Snots, and greet the rest of the family.
Throughout the course of Christmas, the Griswold family deals with flaming trees, Snots chasing a squirrel through the house and the arrival of the local SWAT team, because Eddie kidnapped Clark’s boss.
"National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" is a must-own for any family. Find out all of the hilarious mishaps en route to the perfect Christmas and pick up this classic for under $15 at any local retailer.
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