My cell phone rang with my dad on the other line. “Hey, where are you? And who are you with?” That was the first thing that my father said to me. My first reaction was that I was in some kind of trouble. The tone of his voice was very stern, yet also shaky at the same time. I knew something was wrong, but my guilty conscience convinced me it had something to do with the night before, my 21st birthday. Boy, I was way off! April 10 was a day that I knew would come, but I had no idea when. I will never forget this day. It is the day that Pop-pop died.

Even when you know it is coming, you can never be prepared for death. After suffering for 15 months from terminal brain cancer, my grandfather was finally at peace. He passed away in a hospital bed in the living room of his home; this is where he spent the last year of his life. On March 26th, he turned the “young” age of 75. He was extremely healthy until the age of 73. Pop-pop was the happiest man I have ever known, but now he is no longer with us.

My grandfather was a strong, healthy man before last January. He had to undergo a routine biopsy to detect cancer on a brain tumor. No matter how routine, brain surgery is very risky. During the surgery he had a stroke, which paralyzed his left side and impaired his speech and motor skills. Brain surgery is like gambling with God, only he knows your hand.

Ironically, the night before my grandpa passed away, I was gambling with something else, money. Even though money is tangible, you cannot hold on to it long enough. Money can’t buy love. There is no comparison to family. My family is so richly blessed to have each other at a time so hard to bear. The love that we share with each other is the glue that keeps us together and the energy that keeps us going.

My grandfather left behind five children, seven grandchildren and a beloved wife. During the time that my grandfather suffered from cancer on his death bed, we were all by his side. He lived the last days of his life through us. He would listen to stories about how us, the grandkids, were doing, what we saw and where we have been. The saddest part was that he could not respond to us in words because he started to lose his sense of communication. I knew he had a million things he wanted to tell us. I just wish I could have heard them all.

Now that he is in heaven, he will be able to be with us wherever we are. I know there is never a good time for death, but I really think in his case, the sooner the better. We want to remember him how he was before he was sick.

I remember him as the man who started taking up new things at an old age. He became younger everyday. As a 70-year-ol,d he started taking yoga classes. His smile is so genuine that I could never forget it. During the summer I have many memories of him catching waves at the Jersey shore. He used to stay in the water the longest and never wanted to go home. He enjoyed every second of his life and has inspired me to do the same. Every opportunity that I am given to experience life in a new way, I take it.

This hard situation for my family could not have been any timelier. This year the public has been watching the case of Terri Schiavo. Her family has been caught up in an extreme case dealing with euthanasia. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and only God can decide when a person’s battle with life is completed. The fight that my grandfather had been overcoming finally came to an end. His bravery will never be forgotten. “God’s picking the All-Star team, first the pope, now Pop-pop,” said a family friend at the wake.

Posted to the web by Shane Evans

Products with 10 milligrams or less of Ephedra have recently been ruled legal in the United States. Ephedra is an herbal supplement that is also known as ma huang. Prior to the recent courts decisions, federal law stated that the selling of Ephedra was illegal according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Tena Campbell, U.S. District Judge in Salt Lake City, Utah, made the decision that the FDA’s needed to be altered based on dosage. Campbell’s point was that there was no proof of low does of Ephedra causing any harm to users.

Everyone who is trying to lose weight is seeking a fast and easy way. There is no such thing as “magic pills” that will help you shed off pounds without endangering health. Ephedra, a plant that is turned into the chemical ephedrine is a common ingredient in most diet pills.

Last April, ephedrine was banned from the market as an illegal drug. Top selling weight loss pills were yanked off the shelf. Some products that contain a high amount of ephedrine were “Metabolife, Ripped Fuel, Diet Fuel, Stacker 3, Hydroxycut, Metabolift and Xenadrine RFA-1,” according to webmd.com.

After the products were banned from using Ephedra as an ingredient, some substitutes were made. Caffeine has similar effects of Ephedra and also contains risky side effects. For example, Metabolife, a diet pill, contains 75 mg of caffeine. This is enough caffeine to make the user experience a rapid heart rate, fatigue and even fainting.

Ephedra’s main purpose is to build muscle and burn fat. Sounds harmless, but it is very dangerous to the heart and circulatory system. Fatal side effects were the main reason for the initial banning of ephedrine. A death that set precedent for the legalities of Ephedra was 23-year-old Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler. He died after taking Ephedra as an athletic enhancer. Public attention over the death of Bechler sparked the FDA to take action and ban Ephedra. There are about 150 other cases of death that are directly linked to the use of products that contain Ephedra.

Now that there is a minimum dosage for the legality of Ephedra users are encouraged to stay aware of the side effects. Potential harm is still a possibility with all drugs. Read all labels on dietary supplements very carefully.

Some of the side effects that are very common are high blood pressure, tremores, rapid heart beat, seizures, heart attack, stroke and in most severe cases even death.

Many users or potenital users shoudl consult a doctor before the use of any dietary supplement because it can lead to further health problems.

Much of this information was unstained from an article written by Jennifer Warner, medical news webmd.com. To stay updated on this issue, visit webmd.com for current information.

Shane Evans

Lively new music was performed at the CD release party of Jenn Stang and Emmit Stang. Talent runs in the family of these two young aspiring artists. The Grape Street Philadelphia in Manayunk hosted the night with an open bar, hors d’ouvres and a comfortable atmosphere. The crowd was very enthusiastic for the performance to begin, since the audience was witnessing the music of both artists for the first time.

The CDs released were prerecorded live performances at the Grape Street Pub in Philadelphia. Two nights in December, the siblings took stage with a mission in mind. The music was taken to the studio and edited to create two CDs and two DVDs.

Jenn Stang was first to perform with her younger brother, Emmit, 17, backing her up on the guitar. Jenn is only 20 years old, but one would never know her youth because of her mature voice and large tonal range of sounds.

“She sounds great. Her music is a cross between Tori Amos and Fleetwood Mac,” said a fan in attendance.

Jenn includes a lot of influences from past experiences. Her family has lived in South America, Europe and Canada. Her music has a lot of soul in it and is pleasant to listen to.

Emmit Stang was second to take the stage at the Grape Street Philadelphia and rocked the place. Compared to his sister’s music, it would fall in the category of a more rock genre. He has been in love with music since childhood and plans to pursue a professional career that will take him places. His fingers move so gracefully on the strings of the guitar and he makes it look easy.

Aside from their last name, Jenn and Emmit also share the same bass player. His talent helps bring their music to life. A bass player can either make or break a band. His music was the backbone to both performances.

This significant night marks the first time for both to have a CD out to the public. The work that they have put into this night has reflected their seriousness about their music. No better arrangements could have been made with the Grape Street Philadelphia.

Outside of the stage area there was an arrangement of tables that were full of promotional giveaways from local establishments such as Lucky Brand Jeans of Manayunk. Everyone in attendance was fortunate to walk away with a free copy of two CDs: “Jenn Stang” and “Stang.”

Posted to the web by Shane Evans

Shawn Rice

Cabrini’s men tennis team’s weak record, 3-12, has shocked fans this season. A match at Maywood University Saturday April 9 marked the third victory of the season. As a team the Cavaliers have not been gaining enough points to pull through. Individual have still managed to set high goals for themselves a lead the team. Matt Ingram is at the top of his game and has a current singles record of 4-3 in the PAC. Another teammate who is excelling individually is Mike Digman with a singles record of 3-4.

The season is not over yet, but as of now Cabrini is the fourth in the PAC. Last two year Cabrini held the runner up spot in the PAC. 2000 and 2001 Men’s tennis took home the PAC Champion title. Keep your fingers crossed, and come out to support the Men’s tennis team as they conclude their season.

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Deborah Campbell/Guest Photographer

The men’s lacrosse team has completely turned around its season. Their rough start of three consecutive loses is now overshadowed by their recent streak of five straight wins. The Cavaliers now hold a record of five and three going into Saturday’s game against Pennsylvania Athletic Conference rival Wesley College.

Men’s lacrosse is undefeated in conference play with wins against Neumann College, Villa Julie College and Shenandoah University.

Their most recent win was against the Shenandoah Hornets. Traveling nearly four hours to Virginia, the men beat the Hornets by an 18-three margin. The game was originally scheduled for Sat., April 2, but due to torrential down pours of rain it was moved to Sunday where weather conditions were not much better. The game had a slow start due to extremely strong winds that kept the speed of the game at a near standstill. The Cavaliers managed to pick it up as the game progressed and take control of the game.

“The team is really starting to come together. We are learning to play more as a team then individuals for a team,” said junior midfielder Dave Barba.

Saturday promises to be the Cavalier’s toughest competition in the PAC. Last season Wesley College hosted Cabrini and nearly gave them their first conference loss in three years. This year Cabrini will host the Wolverines and try and extend their conference-winning streak.

The team has had a few setbacks though as they ripped through their schedule. The team has been without starting defensemen, Bill Cordts has been sidelined due to a stress fracture in his foot. Filling the void has been sophomore transfer Bob Tinsley. Coming from local Ridley High School, Tinsley fit right in with the team as it now has six players from Ridley.

“I knew it would take sometime to get used to different styles of play, but this team is extremely talented and I’m really happy to be a part of it,” said Tinsley.

The team has five regular season games left on the schedule. It includes two non-conference games and three PAC games. The Cavaliers will need to keep rolling on this winning steak to host the PAC playoffs.

Cecelia Francisco

Track’s Lady Cavaliers have taken Cabrini to the National level in running. 15 school records have been broken this year by the women’s track team, and it is only the beginning. Last weekend marked the opening of the outdoor season for the Lady Cavs at the University of Pennsylvania. Winning a national title is the common goal that the Lady Cavs plan on reaching in the next few years.

Head coach James Williams is the new driving force behind the women’s team. “If I could turn in my coach of the year plaque for a few more points at nationals I would do it,” Williams said. Recently Williams was named the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Mideast Region Indoor Track Coach of the Year.

This is his first year coaching at Cabrini, but he is no stranger to the campus. Williams graduated from Cabrini in 1999 and was an essential asset to the start of the track program. He was coached by Tom O’Hora, current men’s track coach. Prior to coaching at Cabrini, Williams was a Division I coach at West Chester University for two years, and three years at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

As a student at Cabrini Williams majored in history and Dr. Girard was a role model to Williams as his professor and also in life situations including sports. Other influential people in Williams’ Cabrini experience was Coach Dzik. During Williams’s time as a Cabrini student-athlete Dzik was the athletic director who encouraged Williams in track. Williams commemorates the time that Dzik has put into Cabrini. “I don’t plan on spending 25 years as coach here, but I’m not leaving until I get a national title,” Williams said.

Williams was responsible for the recruiting process of the current season. He has successfully attracted Division I and II ranked athletes. “It takes a special kid to do it; you have to love the sport. It’s like a part time job here. The NCAA allows us to train 20 hours a week and we train 20 hours a week,” Williams said.

The absence of a track on Cabrini’s campus has been a burden to the team. “It is hard to attract an athlete to take part in a sport that does not have the facilities that are needed,” Williams said. “We really want to stress the importance of getting a track on campus. We really need it,” junior Michelle Phan said. “I chose Cabrini because I trusted Williams opinion of the school since he is an alum,” freshman Sabrina Shaw said.

Shaw of Simon Gratz, Philadelphia, is Cabrini’s first to become All-American. Shaw finished eighth in the 55-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track National Championships. She finished with the time of 8.52 seconds in the finals.

Charley Dirvin is an assistant coach that trains with Shaw. Ironically Dirvin was Williams high school track coach. That makes it a unique collaboration of coaches on staff at Cabrini. O’Hora was also a former coach of Williams as a running Cavalier.

Diamond Jones was just shy of qualifying for finals in the triple jump event. Jones’ tenth place jump was a leap of 37 feet, 3 inches. “I want to really make it in the outdoor nationals to redeem myself from the indoors finals,” Jones said.

Brian Shells is another assistant coach for the Lady Cavaliers and trains one on one with Jones. “Shells knows a lot about the sport, and I borrow a lot of his training techniques,” Williams said. Shells is a USTF-certified Division II coach specializing in jumps, sprints, and hurdles. His attention to details is a crucial asset to the team. Prior to coaching with the Lady Cavs he was Norristown High School’s jumps and sprints coach for seven years. There Shells lead the team to state championships numerous times.

Freshmen Lauren Deas and Jones both made program history by gaining an ECAC title. Deas won the 55-meter dash with the time of 7.22, breaking her school record. Jones hurdled with a time of 11.69 leaping to the top of competition.

The team has been coming together little by little. It is common in running to set out individual goals, but the Lady Cavs have not lost sight of the team. Teammates have grown close threw the practice and travel time they spend together. “We are dysfunctional, but what family is not,” Phan said. Next year they plan to welcome new talented athletes into the reign of Cabrini’s track team.

Shawn Rice

After an 8 hour plane ride and 6 hour time change anything is possible in Europe.

Traveling abroad is an experience that will never be forgotten. This spring break I was fortunate enough to have a closer feel to what it is like to live and study in Italy.

My week overseas was not your typical MTV spring break, but it was anything but dull.

Staying in Italy was not our first choice for the week. We had the destination of Barcelona, Spain but due to our malfunctioning airplane we never made it.

My sister and I visited a good friend who is studying in Rome for the semester. From Rome we were planning on taking a trip to Barcelona but only made it 20 minutes in the air.

I have done a lot of flying and never once have I been on a plane that had to turn around. 30,000 feet in the air the flight attendant made an announcement in English,”We will be landing back in Rome in about 20 minutes due to technical problems.”

After the three of us heard this announcement we did not think there was much of a problem because no one else on the plane even twitched.

Well that was changed when the flight attendant then repeated the announcement in Italian. How quickly we forgot that we were probably the only English speaking passengers on the plane. It was a very frantic situation. Many explanations were running through my head.

I was in denial that I was really on a plane that was in the middle of the ocean on a plane that was not functioning properly. After the most nerve wrecking 20 minutes of my life we landed safely in the same airport that we had just came from.

While we were at the airport we had to make a decision, either attempt to go to Spain again, or enjoy the country of Italy more.

We had to make alternate plans last minute that ended being very memorable.

We traveled by train from Rome to the city of Sienna. Getting around on public transportation in another country is very interesting. We made sure we asked at least three different people if we were on the right train before getting on it. Who knows where we would end up if we got on the wrong train.

Since my friend had been living in Italy for two months she grew accustomed to the culture of Italy. She taught us a lot about the people, the food and the language. Throughout the trip she ended up being our tour guide who broke the language barrier.

The landscape of Sienna was made up of breathtaking rolling hills and small village alleys full of small shops.

We were lucky to see the city covered in a blanket of snow. Our time in Sienna was full of sightseeing, shopping and wine tasting.

Next stop on our train traveling was Pisa. This was my favorite stop because of the beautiful architecture. Taking photographs of the Leaning Tower of Pisa felt very surreal.

Being a tourist in a foreign country was a great experience for me, and I wish I could have stayed longer.

For anyone who gets the chance to go abroad, take it. You may never get the chance to do it again.

I guess my plane not making it to Spain was God’s way of saying that Italy was where we were meant to be.

Posted to the web by Shawn Rice