Every year, on the 15th day of the month of Nissan, Jewish families around the world gather to begin the eight-day celebration of Pesach, or Passover. Because the day begins at sundown the first night of Passover was April 23 this year.

Passover is the celebration of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Scriptures say that during this time Moses, the adopted brother of the great Pharaoh Ramses II, demanded that Pharaoh release the enslaved Hebrew people or suffer the wrath of God.

Time and time again, Pharaoh refused, regardless of the plagues that fell upon his nation.

Moses then instructed the Hebrews to spread the blood of a lamb over their doorways so that their houses would be passed over while God struck down the first-born son of all the houses of Egypt.

Pharaoh finally gave in and released the Israelites. The group hadn’t gotten far before Pharaoh’s armies tracked them down. With one last miracle, Moses parted the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites passed safely to the other side. While they were destined to wander in the desert for 40 years, they were able to do so as free people.

Today, lavish meals, called Seders, adorn the tables of Jewish families on the first two nights of Passover.

Many families use special foods, plates and silverware for these meals. Foods containing yeast are not allowed during Passover.

Instead families eat foods containing matzoh, to commemorate the Israelites who didn’t have time for their bread to rise and baked the dough into hard crackers in the desert.

Families also retell the story of the exodus during the celebration. The songs, stories and food make the Seder the focal point of Passover.

Holidays are an important part of modern life. Often, they are the only times families can get together.

Holidays can celebrate many things – our freedom, our faith or our families. One thing they all have in common is sharing good company.

Dear Edward,

My first year of college has been really great. I’ve managed to keep my grades decent and have a lot of fun at the same time. I have also made some terrific friends and met a great guy. School is almost over, though, and I don’t want it to be. I know this isn’t normally a problem but in my case, it’s a major issue.

I live in the Black Hills, my boyfriend lives in Minnesota and we are going to have to spend the whole summer apart. My parents would never approve of me driving out there and I know they won’t allow him to come here and see me. So what can I do to make sure he and I stay connected and don’t feel like strangers again next fall?

~Summer’s Sad Girl

Dear Sad Girl,

Yes, kids, there is a darker side to summer break. But every dark side has a light side; you just have to have the right perspective.

I am fairly certain you have been told a thousand times, “If your relationship is strong then you have nothing to worry about.” Truth be told, that is the last thing you need to hear right now because you are worried and that only makes you doubt your relationship’s future even more. Instead, let’s look at some solutions to your problem.

First off, you are a big girl now and you can make your own decisions. Your parents may not be comfortable with the idea of you going to see him, or vise versa, but that is because you are still their little girl. If you approach the situation like an adult and show them you can make arrangements to see each other that they would be comfortable with, things will probably work out for the best.

Because I have a little girl of my own, I feel the need to warn you: Your father will

probably never be comfortable with it.

Onthat note, you may want to use your mother as the “go-to”parent.

Next, invest in a good wireless plan. Many wireless plans let you talk to other members for free so you should be able to keep in touch. This is the 21st century. No matter how far away someone is, technology has made it so that they can always be right there. Even if you can’t see each other, daily e-mails or chats on instant messengers will make it seem like he is right next to you. Maintaining a good relationship over a long distance is not nearly as hard as it used to be.

Just for future reference, there are ways to avoid the problem altogether next summer. I suggest finding a good job here in Brookings and enrolling in some summer classes. It will take a lot of the vacation out of your summer, but if you want to stay closer, it will be worth it.

Contact Edward and Kristin at collegianadvice@yahoo.com if you have any questions you needed answered.

#1.885073:938218600.jpg:edwardmug.jpg:Edward Kearns:

Dear Edward,

I love my girlfriend very much. In fact, I have even considered asking her to marry me. While at a party a few weeks ago something completely unexpected happened. Lets just say I found her in a “more than friendly” position with one of her girl friends. I don’t have anything against homosexuals but this is my girlfriend and I am having a hard time dealing with this. She spends a lot of time with this girl and I can’t help but think that this has happened more than once. I don’t want this to cause a big problem in our relationship, but everything seems more uncomfortable now. I want to talk to her about it and straighten everything out but I don’t know how. Can you help?

~Seriously Confused

Dear Seriously Confused,

I can really understand how this is causing a certain level of discomfort. Anytime you catch someone in an intimate act there can be a level of tension between you for a while. I can only imagine how high that level is when it is something as unexpected as this.

First, I have to ask if this party involved alcohol. I keep asking myself, how many times does this happen to young couples at college? Having first hand knowledge of all the stupid things a person will do when alcohol is involved, I am assuming it happens a lot. That being said, it could have very well been a one-time thing.

You’re right, though, you do need to talk about it if for no other reason than to clear the air. Be sure to approach it very gently; you don’t want this to start out as an argument.

Having spent my life with a number of gay, lesbian and bisexual friends, I have one very important piece of advice for you – if you are thinking “threesome” stop! I can’t think of anything that would cause the conversation to turn ugly faster than that thought.

The best thing for you is to shed your assumptions going into the conversation. This will make it much easier for you to really listen to what she has to say. If you go in believing this is a regular habit the conversation is pointless. She won’t be able to change your mind.

If you learn that she really does like girls during this discussion, be ready to make some decisions about your relationship. That doesn’t just mean whether to break up with her or not, but how things are going to work. If this is the case, you will have to make your feeling on her exploration known and listen to hers as well. I’m positive that in there somewhere the two of you will work things out.

If you have a question for Edward or Kristin, send it to collegianadvice@yahoo.com.

#1.885073:938218600.jpg:edwardmug.jpg:Edward Kearns:

3 Doors Down clawed their way to the top of the rock world over the past few years. This super group has churned out hit after hit in their mainstream career and aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

Seventeen Days, released on the Universal Records label, has the potential of turning out more than a few hits, including their latest, “Let Me Go.” Even though the album starts off with the “old school rock” sound of “Right Where I Belong,” the album falls right into the hard ballad style that has made the members of 3 Doors Down superstars.

Rock legend Bob Seger makes a special appearance to help the boys out on “Landing in London.” After the success of “Here Without You,” another “life on the road” song may make you think the band is running out of material, but this song does not disappoint. The theme may be the same, but the song is much less optimistic than its predecessor.

“Father’s Son” has a little bit harder sound and a touchy subject. The lyrics tell of a 17 year old prostitute, and the man who wants it to hurt. The truth in the lyrics is enough to send a shiver down your spine. The social value of this song is immeasurable, not to mention the sound is great.

The CD ends with a great ballad with a classic theme – love. “Here by Me” is a song that will make you want to hold that guy or girl in your life just a little bit tighter.

Nowadays, far too many artists have CDs on the shelf that only have one or two really good songs. 3 Doors Down is not one of them.

Dear Edward,

I broke up with my girlfriend about a month ago. Unfortunately, she hasn’t seemed to have gotten the message yet. At first, she just kept calling me all the time, wanting to watch a movie and hang out. Then she started finding ways to reach me so she could ask me if we could talk and work out whatever was pulling us a-part. She even started calling my friends and family and saying she was worried about me and that I might hurt myself. I have no idea how to handle this. How can I get it through her head that our relationship is over?

~Desperate Ex

Dear Desperate,

You’re right to be concerned about this. Your ex seems to have a serious problem. Unfortunately, her problem is your problem.

You are going to have to break your silence with her and try and make her understand. Tell her in no uncertain terms that the two of you no longer have a relationship. Don’t dance around the subject and don’t worry about sounding like a jerk.

I know that sounds a bit overboard, but this girl seems convinced that whatever problem you had with the relationship is only temporary. You have to make her see that whatever feelings you did have for her are gone.

Also tell your family members the whole story and ask them to stop talking with her. Listening to her will just encourage her.

You may have to go a step further. Talk to the authorities. Explain to them that she refuses to quit calling you and your family members and anything else she may be doing to remain a part of your life. It is possible they can get her to stop without needing a restraining order, but keep in mind there is a possibility you will have to go that far.

Breaking up is never easy or fun. Problems like these happen when one person wants to avoid being hurt so much that they just deny it ever happened. It isn’t healthy and can even become unsafe in some cases. Do what you need to make her understand and keep her out of your life.

#1.885073:938218600.jpg:edwardmug.jpg:Edward Kearns:

Months of speculation ended this week when Mike Siegel, manager of the Brookings Country Kitchen, announced to his staff that owner Lance Park had pulled the plug on the restaurant. On Feb. 28, 2005, the restaurant will close its doors.

The closing came as no real shock to staff members. The business began struggling late in 2004 after the city closed its only direct entrance. By the beginning of January, the restaurant had already experienced a 20 percent decline in traffic.

Still, no one expected the close to happen this soon.

“I’m disappointed,” said Siegel, adding that he felt they would have enough time for one more run before closing.

“I don’t know what everybody here is going to do for work,” said Theresa Kaiser, a full-time waitress at the Country Kitchen. “Lance (Park) didn’t give the employees a lot of time to find new jobs.”

The employees of Country Kitchen will have little more than a week to find work in the Brookings area.

At one time, the Country Kitchen was a popular weekend hang-out for college students and the community. It was the only restaurant in Brookings that stayed open 24 hours on the weekends. On occasion, the restaurant would be completely full at three o’clock in the morning.

“That was the only place to go eat in the middle of the night,” said Steph Akers, 22, a senior biology major at SDSU. “The other places close at 1:00am. When you’re out having a good time with friends you don’t want to stop the party early, just to go eat.”

Even though the closing comes as no surprise to the staff, the thought of closing is not pleasant.

“I’m going to miss working here with everyone,” said Sam Holter, a part-time waitress and student at Brookings High School.

“The people here are like a family to me,” said Tami Kearns, 25, a sociology major at SDSU. “We’ve hung out and had a good time while we were here and away from work. Some have played a big part in helping me get through school and work while raising two children.”

No one at the Country Kitchen is sure what will happen to the building or the land after the closing. Rumors have circulated for months about possible businesses at the restaurant’s location, each as unlikely as the next according to employees.

Owner Lance Park was unavailable for comment at press time.

#1.885321:2116390553.jpg:countryitchenbuilding.jpg:Brookings´ Country Kitchen will close for the last time Feb. 28. The restaurant´s closing leaves few options for late-night dining that many SDSU students enjoy. “That was the only place to go eat in the middle of the night,” one student commented.:

Today, black entertainers enjoy a great deal of success in the media. It’s hard to imagine that only 50 years ago, racial inequalities forced many black artists to struggle for survival. A few managed to find success but, rarely, greatness.

In honor of Black History Month, here is a history of three blacks who had to overcome many trials and tribulations to make it in the entertainment business.

Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson Berry, better known as Chuck Berry, also had his share of success in a life that had as many highs and lows as the music charts itself.

Berry started playing the guitar after he spent time in prison for armed robbery when he was 18. Following his release, he played in a number of bar bands around St. Louis.

After meeting with Muddy Waters in 1955, Berry played his song “Ida Mae” for record producer Leonard Chess.

Chess had the song re-written turning it into “Maybellene” and Berry’s debut single hit the air waves. The song became a top five hit as well as an R&B number one.

A stream of chart success followed his debut, with songs like “Roll Over Beethoven” and “School Days.” Berry managed to cross the color barrier with songs about the teenage obsession and the generation gap. Unlike previous Black artists, Berry enjoyed chart success rather than having white artist covering his songs.

In 1961, Berry found himself in prison again for “transporting an under-age girl across state lines for immoral purposes.” He kept writing songs during his 20-month stay in prison, but was unable to record. During those two years, groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones included Berry’s songs on their albums.

By the time he was released, he had a whole new fan base. Many young people were curious about the man writing songs for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. It wasn’t until 1972 that Berry finally achieved a number one hit with “My Ding-a-Ling.”

Berry is one of the most admired stars in Rock ‘n’ Roll. John Lennon is quoted as saying “If you tried to give Rock and Roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’.”

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier enjoyed great success in his life. At age 16, Poitier moved to New York City and began working as a janitor at the American Negro Theater. While working at the theater, he was given the understudy role for Harry Belafonte in the play Days of Our Youth. Poitier’s public debut came when he filled in for Belafonte one night.

Poitier continued performing in plays until his 1950 film debut in No Way Out. The film was a tale of racial hatred and violence which made him a hero back home in the Bahamas. The British colonial government chose to censor the film and protests erupted. This eventually gave birth to a new political part that would overturn British rule.

In the 1950s, Poitier made some of the most controversial and important films of the decade and was given a nomination for an Academy Award for his role in The Defiant Ones.

In 1963, Poitier was praised for his role in Lilies of the Field. He was nominated for another Academy Award and became the first African-American to win the award for Best Actor. After 50 years in the entertainment industry, Poitier had played 55 different characters. By the end of the 1960′s he was one of the most popular stars in Hollywood. Today, he is considered one of the greatest entertainers of all times.

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker ran away from home at age 13 and began dancing in Vaudeville and on Broadway until moving to Paris in 1925. Her jazz dancing and ability to make people laugh caught the attention of the director of Folies Bergere and she was given a job. She was an instant hit and became one of the best-known entertainers in all of France and Europe.

World War II kept Baker busy. She spent her time working with the Red Cross and entertained troops in Africa and the Middle East. On top of that, she gathered intelligence against the Nazi invaders for the French resistance.

When the war ended, Baker and her husband adopted 12 children from all over the world. She returned to the stage in the 1950′s to finance her new family. Unfortunately, Baker was never as popular in the U.S.A. as she was in Europe.

In 1951, columnist Walter Winchell accused Baker of having communist and fascist sympathies after she yelled at him for refusing to come to her aid when the famous Stork Club of New York City refused to serve her. More rumors were started by Winchell, causing her to take up the fight against racial inequality. Baker refused to play in any club or theater that was not integrated, forcing owners to break the color lines. In 1963, she spoke alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. during the march on Washington.

Baker made her comeback to the stage in 1975. Her performance at Carnegie Hall was a huge success as were the following performances in Paris. Sadly, two days after her last performance in Paris, she died from a stroke.

Dear Edward,

When my boyfriend and I started dating everything was great. Now its been three months and its like he’s a totally different person. He comes over to my place every day and wants me to cook him some food or do “other” things. Recently he has started going through my things to see what I have bought when I go to the store and demands to know where I have been whenever he isn’t around. He even demands to know who I e-mail or chat with online. I hate it but I don’t know how to make him stop. Help me please!

~Suffocating Girlfriend

Dear Suffocating,

Here is some really simple advice about how to get rid of him. There isn’t a guy on the planet that is so special he can get away with treating a girl that way – unless you let him.

I’m going to share a little secret: Women hold all the power in a relationship. That’s right guys, you do not now, nor have you ever had control in your relationship, regardless of what you may think.

For centuries, women have prepared our meals, washed our clothes, kept our houses and borne our children. Treat a woman right and she will provide you with everything you ever need; treat her wrong and she could (and should) kick you straight to the curb.

There is no woman alive that needs a man. If you aren’t willing to make her want you, I promise there are plenty of guys who will. You are replaceable.

So ladies, if you think that insensitive jerk sitting on your sofa is as good as any guy, think again. There are real men out there. Men who are willing to treat you the way you deserve and will work to keep that spot right next to you. Don’t ever settle for less than that.

If you have a question for Edward or Kristin send it to

collegianadvice@yahoo.com

#1.885073:938218600.jpg:edwardmug.jpg:Edward Kearns:

One of the most successful plays in the history of Broadway will be performed in Sioux Falls.

RENT will show one night only at the Washington Pavilion on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Director Jonathan Larson had only one dream: to change theater forever. For seven years, he wrote songs and created characters until he felt his masterpiece was perfect.

On January 25th, 1996, RENT opened on Broadway and became an instant success.

To date, it is still one of the most successful productions ever on Broadway. In 1996, RENT won 18 awards including four Tonys and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

For all of its success, RENT ‘s time on Broadway has been bittersweet. Larson never had the chance to see his dream come true. After the final dress rehearsal, Larson returned to his home where he made a cup of tea and died. His life was cut short at 35 by an aortic aneurysm. He passed just hours before the curtains went up on his masterpiece.

RENT puts a modern spin on the classic La Boheme, and touches on the most controversial subjects of our generation: homosexuality, drug abuse and AIDS, in such a way that it must be seen to be understood.

As the years have passed, the phenomenon that is RENT has not slowed down. Original cast members like Taye Diggs and Jesse L. Martin have moved on but have not forgotten where it all started for them.

In early 2005, the original cast will reunite to make a film version of RENT, with Tracie Thomas and Rosario Dawson as new additions.

Dear Edward,

I have been dating my girlfriend for a month and a half now. I just recently met her family and realized that I had hooked up with her older sister last year. Now when I’m around her sister it feels awkward. I don’t know if her sister realizes or remembers me. I haven’t told my girlfriend yet and don’t know if her sister has said anything to her about it yet. Should I tell my girlfriend that I had sex with her sister or act like nothing happened? ~Working Up the Family Tree.

Dear Family Guy,

I hate to say this, but the possibilities of this story ending well for you are slim at best. But that is the problem with having a night of casual sex.

There is no way around this one, so I suggest you sit your girlfriend down and tell her the story. She will find out one way or another.

I wish I could say she will understand that you and her hadn’t met yet, but its not likely. Sisters can be pretty competitive so its more likely she will feel her sister took something from her.

In the end, your your girlfriend may ket it go and the two of you can get on with your life. On the other hand, it might be far too awkward for her to handle and you will have to go your seperate ways.

No matter which way it could go, you always have a choice. You can keep quiet, or be honest. It’s only my opinion, but honesty is always the best policy. And keeping quiet about this puts you in a pretty deep hole, one you may never be able to climb out of.

If nothing else, you would be doing the unexpected; confessing to something she didn’t already know about.

Being straight with her may work to your advantage. By sitting down and telling her what happened, you may be showing her that you want to be honest with her about.

No matter what you choose, I wish you the best of luck, you’ll need it

#1.885073:938218600.jpg:edwardmug.jpg:Edward Kearns: