Oasis, a new ministry for college students in the Brookings area, offers a time and place for students to spiritually connect and unwind.

Sunday nights at 8 p.m. the service is held at Brookings Wesleyan Church’s (BWC) Fellowship Hall. To prepare for the service each week the hall is decorated with candles, soft lighting, fabric tablecloths and draperies to create a peaceful homey mood. In fact, early comers can even snag seats on a few couches in the hall. Students who attend the service describe it as comfy and peaceful.

The man behind the scenes of Oasis, Rick Wipf, BWC’s college pastor, says, “Oasis is basically designed to be a place of rest, renewal and refreshment. You can come after a busy week and rest in god’s presence.”

The service consists of prayer and worship as well as a short devotional. Wipf describes the service as a blend of church styles.

“We have a lot of contemporary stuff but we also include hymns and choruses,” Wipf says.

The service also incorporates creeds and serves communion once a month.

“I would call it a next-gen type of service,” Wipf says.

The first Oasis service was help Jan. 23, but Wipf says the idea for the service has been in the works for a long time.

“The first time I had the idea was last May,” he says. “I was feeling like we needed to expand our college services.”

Over the summer others started to “catch the vision” for Wipf’s idea. Much of the eight months of planning was spent in prayer. Wipf was also concerned about finding talented and spiritually strong band members.

“So much of Oasis is singing and worship so they [the band] had to be good,” Wipf says. “It was a lot easier to find the band than I thought it would be.”

The major element of the service, the devotionals, required quite a bit of thought as well. The topics of the devotionals are meant to personally apply the messages BWC covers in their Sunday Morning Services. The devotionals are also connected to the Oasis prayer time.

“It’s kind of like here’s some stuff to think about and pray about,” Wipf says.

Evan Delaney, an integral part of Oasis’ “talented” band, is freshman music major from Brookings.

“As worship leader, I organize the music and prayer time and I decide who plays and sings when,” Delaney says.

Delaney’s goal for the music is to help people to establish a worshipful connection with God.

“Oasis services are about an hour-long gathering, to just help people release some of the tensions of the day or week relating to school, work relationships, and just basically whatever can build up bog down the mind,” Delaney says. “It is meant to rebuild and refresh.”

The worship group is comprised of college age individuals from all of the out reach groups on campus including, Navigators, Campus Crusade and InterVarsity.

Michelle Westerbur, a junior parks management major from Ihlen, Minn., says she likes the worship but not just because of the band.

“Even though the band does a fantastic job,” Westerbur says. ‘I like the mix of prayer and worship that makes for a really restful environment.”

Westerbur uses Oasis as a escape from the difficulties of college life.

“If you’re really overloaded,” she says, “it’s a good retreat and a good place to drop your burdens and meet with God.”

For Paisley Stewart, a sophomore early childhood education major from Brookings, Oasis is an encouragement.

“The atmosphere is a really laid back a peaceful setting,” Stewart says. “You are able to worship the way you want to whether that’s sitting and bowing or if you want to stand up and raise your hands. Oasis is a good time to concentrate and focus on God.”

#1.885340:1311665552.jpg:Oasis.jpg:During practice graduate student Alaina Burt closes her eyes in worships as she plays the bass for Oasis´ praise band.:

You sit, hour after hour. Slouching over your books and hunched toiling over the computer. So you’re a diligent student … okay, maybe you’re an avid video-gamer.

Either way, if you write, watch TV, or type at a computer for more than an hour at a time it is very likely that you slouch while you’re doing it. That means you could be seriously hurting your back and shoulder muscles.

Slouching, which is for the most part inevitable when seated for over 20 minutes, can cause tightness in certain areas and atrophy in others.

While proper posture is difficult to maintain, chiropractor Ericka Dickinson recommends students always avoid crossing their legs.

Dickinson and other chiropractors recommend students take a break once an hour and stretch one or more body parts. When stretching it is important to hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds. Be sure not to bounce or jerk while stretching.

It isn’t only good for your body to take a 3-10 minute break each hour. Breaks can help your brain restart and file information away as well.

If your shoulders are suffering the aches and pains of study time…

At left, junior advertising major Amber Hoxeng demonstrates a good stretch for the lower pectorals and the muscles that wrap around ribs. Stretch all muscles gently at first so that you don’t over extend any body parts.

Below, senior business econ major Brady Jacobsen models the same stretch on the opposite side of the body. Remember, it is important to stretch both sides of the body equally.

Amber stretches her upper pectorals and her deltoid (upper shoulder) muscles in the photo at right. In this stretch it is important to try to keep your elbows and shoulders even with each other, making your upper arm parrallel to the floor.

At far right, Brady demonstrates a stretch that affects the trapeizous (shoulder muscle connected to the neck muscles) and upper back muscles. This stretch is most effective if the arm across the body is kept straight.

Hips and lower back sore from sitting too long…

You can stretch out your hips and lower back by sitting in the butterfly position and gently pushing your legs down with your elbows as Amber demonstrates at right.

The tiger stretch might be the best thing you can do for your back, shoulders and hips. Start on your knees as Amber is in the top picture at right. Curve your back and bend your head down so that you are looking at your knees. Hold this position for at least 30 seconds.

Then arch your back in the opposite direction, as Amber demonstrates in the lower right picture. Be sure to look up at the ceiling. Hold this position for at least 30 seconds as well.

If you have a pain in your neck…

You can do a simple stretch to save your neck. Lean your head to one side and then lightly place your hand on your head.

Don’t pull your head down with your hand, but let the weight of your hand ease your head down and gently stretch the sore muscles.

Repeat on the opposite side as Brady does in the picture below

For your writer’s cramp…

Whether you’ve been typing or writing stretching your wrists is important to avoid long-term damage. Stretch each wrist in both directions.

Amber stretches her upper pectoral, forearm and wrist here. Place your hand backwards on a wall and turn you body away until you feel a small amount of tension.

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So the day is almost upon us again, Valentine’s Day. For many it is a great day to celebrate the love you have. Or even celebrate a love that you hope to one day have.

For others it is a day of dread because it means picking out a gift for their significant other. This particular task wouldn’t be too bad, unless your loving other has been hinting that candy, roses, jewelry and stuffed animals are not their things.

If that’s the case you’ll have to figure out something else. If you are one of the people for whom candy and flowers just won’t cut it, or if you misguidedly think these old stand-bys are a good idea, we have help for you.

After doing a bit of research the Juice has discovered that such antiquated presents only work in special cases.

Stuffed Animal Alternatives

Kirsten Beesch, a sophomore apparel merchandising major from Marshall, Minn., told the Juice about one of her worst Valentine’s Day presents.

“I got this giant stuffed animal,” Beesch says. “It was really ugly and I had to pretend I liked it. It looked like one you win at the fair.”

Beesch says the ‘fair bear’ was a bad gift because it made her feel like her boyfriend didn’t even know her.

“I mean if I had stuffed animals all over my room and it was obvious that I loved them that would be one thing,” Beesch says, “but I don’t and a guy I’m dating should know that.”

Beesch says she thinks good presents don’t come from “Wal-Mart,” but rather from a man’s imagination and his own two hands.

“I think a great present would be something like a handmade card. Just to picture a guy cutting it all out and imagining what he’s thinking about while he makes it. That’s so sweet,” she says.

Beesch also has a friend with some plans that she finds very sweet.

“I know someone who’s going to propose to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day and we’re decorating the room with lights and flowers,” she says. “He’s writing her a poem and that is a really sweet idea for a guy to do for a girl. Even if the poem sucks at least they tried and it’s personal.”

Beesch says a person doesn’t even have to be a poet to make a good gift out of poetry.

“Even find a poem that reminds you of your boyfriend or girlfriend and read it to them, that’s really sweet too.”

In Beesch’s opinion flowers are good when you aren’t expecting them. So that probably leaves Valentine’s Day out. But she also says, “You have to know what kind of flowers to give a girl – not everyone wants red roses.”

Samantha Burns, a freshman general education major from Rapid City, agrees with Beesch for the most part. Burns thinks a good gift is, “something thoughtful and creative.”

“One year my boyfriend got me a sweet letter, candy and flowers,” Burns says, “but the candy wasn’t that great and the letter was the best part because it was personal.”

So fellas have the responsibility of being creative, personal, thoughtful and imaginative. What do the girls have to do? The majority of people who we interviewed didn’t think Valentine’s Day was as important for guys as for girls.

Nick Dewald, a civil engineering major from Rapid City has already exchanged presents withhis girlfriend and he says, “for girls it’s hard to get a guy something.”

“I think casual jewelry is a good gift,” Dewald says as he points at the bracelet his girlfriend gave him for Valentine’s Day. “Like stuff from Pac Sun,” he says as he gestures to his ring, “or something from American Eagle,” he says again pointing to his gift from his girlfriend.

Dewald also says, “Flowers aren’t good [for guy]. Not manly.”

For a girl, an item that reminds a girl of something she misses from home is what he would recommend as a gift.

“I got my girlfriend a stuffed golden retriever because she misses her baby (puppy from home).”

He must be right about that being a good gift choice because the response of all the smiling girls around Dewald was, “awww,” and a couple of them comment that his was a really good reason to get a stuffed animal for a girl.

Dewald’s girlfriend, Kristin Jones, is a freshman psychology major from Rapid City and she agrees that it was a good gift.

“I think it was really cute,” Jones says. “It was good because it was sentimental.”

Be an Original

Communication studies and theatre major William Nolan Hayes from Sioux Falls doesn’t think Valentine’s Day presents should be reserved for boyfriends and girlfriends.

“Even if you hate Valentine’s Day the unexpected thing can be a great gift,” Hayes says.

What’s more unexpected than getting a gift when you don’t have a significant other?

“Look around, if you have friends who don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend,” Hayes says. “Even if they’re grumbling about V-day – well, if you do something nice, or even secret for them – they’ll love it and that would be good [gift giving].”

Hayes also agreed with Beesch about creating a gift.

“For a guy, if he plays the guitar he should write a song for a girl and play it for her,” Hayes says.

The truth is, a man doesn’t even have to write the song himself. Both Beesch and Burns agreed that most ladies would love a serenade no matter who authors the tune.

However, Hayes seems to think creating is the important part of a gift.

“Anything you create yourself, that makes a good gift,” he says. “Originality is the best gift; let it come from the heart.”

Going for a gift that is out of the ordinary and surprising was also recommended.

Scott Schnider, and economics major from Rapid City says, “Depending on the weather a picnic is good. It’s good because it’s unique.”

While Melissa Lamb, a freshman apparel merchandising major from Vienna, SD, says, “I got surprised with flowers once, but the surprise was the good part.”

Lamb also had a doozy of an idea that involved a blindfold.

“If he kidnapped you and blindfolded you and took you someplace special that would be great,” she says. “And he could take you different places, like dinner and then if he surprised you with something like a play or a concert, or even concert tickets!”

Kind of a complex idea for one night’s festivities, but others are content with something simple. Like Jim Harriman, a freshman from Waterville, Minn., who says, “If a girl cooked me dinner that would be a good gift, because it comes from the heart.”

Well, it might come from the heart, or it might come from a box, but the point is, that’s what Harriman would like and his girlfriend would probably know that.

Sophomore agronomy major Chet Vander Velde from Sanborn, Iowa, thinks his girl would know that clothes are a good gift for him because he hates to shop.

“Or tools,” Vander Velde says, “’cause you can never have enough tools.”

Great Gifts!

Well, whether you sing it, buy it, make it or bake it, it seems like a great gift includes thought and feeling. You may need a little luck too, because many of the old standbys don’t seem to satisfy unless they have a special meaning behind them.

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The Fourth Annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Dance Marathon was held on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Old Sanctuary on the corner of Fourth St. and Medary in Brookings.

The University Program Council coordinates the dance-a-thon to raise money for CMN, an international network that helps injured, sick and disabled children. The UPC organized the event with the local chapter of the CMN and the Sioux Valley Children’s Hospital (SVCH).

Eleven families involved with the organization participated in the event.

The event was held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the group played games and participated in many fun activities. The packed schedule included ice-skating, dancing, music and attending the SDSU men’s basketball game. All participants were given a free T-shirt, commemorating the event.

The theme for the event this year was “Olympics.” The kids were grouped with students and they played “morale games.”

Jesse Wolfe, the social awareness coordinator for the UPC, said the goal was to raise $15,000 this year.

At the end of the day, the total amount of money raised was over $10,000, but more contributions are expected to be made.

“We will be having more money come in over the rest of the semester, and we’ll know the actual amount raised then,” Wolfe said.

Amy Sumner, the regional CMN director, said the money donated to CMN can be used to help families travel to see doctors, for lodging while seeking treatment and for SVCH to purchase life-saving medical equipment and supplies.

“Our funds directly help the sick and injured children in many ways,” Sumner said.

Spencer Collins is a fifth grader from Sioux Falls who was chosen by CMN to come to the event. He and his family attended the festivities last year as well.

Spencer’s mother, Kristin Collins, said Spencer suffers from cerebral palsy and ADHD.

“CMN sponsors Spencer’s trips to Camp Courage, a summer camp for kids with disorders,” Collins said. “He gets to be normal for a week.”

Joe Collins, Spencer’s father, said the students who take part in the event, “don’t realize what a big impact it has.”

Josh Clark, a sophomore biology major, participated in the project along with other members of his fraternity, Delta Chi. This was his second year being involved with the marathon.

“It was fun last year, and it’s a good way to get involved at the school,” Clark said.

Several local businesses helped to make the event possible. SDSU Dining Services donated food for the event, the Brookings Ice Arena donated three hours of free skate time and SDSU gave 300 tickets for the SDSU men’s basketball game against Upper Iowa. Other businesses that made donations included Subway, Papa John’s, Papa Murphy’s and Coca-Cola.

Top individual money-raisers were Matt Anderson, Melissa Bonander and Tonya Hohenthaner. Leading Greek money raisers were Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega and Delta Chi.

#1.885412:3806662157.jpg:miracledance.jpg:Several students participated in the CMN Dance Marathon fundraiser. Juniors Carrie Siepker (right) and Jennifer Hansen (left) played “morale games” at the event.:

During the 11th annual Screen Actor’s Guild Awards Saturday, Feb. 5, the first Actor Award for Outstanding Performance of a Cast in a Feature-length Motion Picture went to the cast of Sideways.

I, for one, wholeheartedly agree with this decision. The more I think about the film, the higher it ranks among my all-time favorites.

At first glance, Sideways seemed to be a movie about the friendship between a divorced, middle-aged eighth-grade English teacher and his outrageous, fun actor friend.

However, as the audience is acquainted with the characters it becomes evident that things aren’t as they have seemed.

Although the actor is getting married, he’s not exactly faithful. And although the teacher is thwarted at every turn, he emerges as quite a hero by the end of the film.

You’ll like this flick if …

… you don’t mind thinking about the things in life that are certainly uncertain. This tragicomedy examines the pathetic with a lighthearted view and much of the humor is funny because it is so sad.

You won’t like this flick if …

… you want rip-roaring action and non-stop gut laughs. While it is a funny film, it takes introspective turns that cause tearful moments that are almost equal in opposition to the chuckles.

Plus, anyone who wants to avoid life lessons while at the theatre should avoid Sideways.

It also has a possibly annoying twist at the end.

In the end …

… the film is poignant and insightful and still manages to be funny. I think it will be taught in school someday – in almost every class.

It is a great trip though the California countryside and the psyches of all the personalities involved.

By the time the film comes to the end of these journeys, the audience is given the opportunity to learn the difference between being a character and having character.

All Five Stars