by Nicole Collins

Staff Reporter

A Box Office Blackjack

21 THE MOVIE - sonypictures.com

Card counter Jeff Ma of the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) blackjack team dropped his pseudonym and anonymity this year in the epilogue of Ben Mezrich’s Bringing Down the House, an inside scoop on six MIT students who won millions in Las Vegas in the late 90s.

Now a major motion picture that debuted worldwide Friday, Ma’s story scored number one in the box office and earned $24.1 million under the title “21” in it’s first weekend.
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But it’s not the greed that gets me going, it’s the vicarious thrill of watching these guys beat systems that aren’t supposed to be beat.
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Ma’s secret lasted a decade after his MIT escapade and six years after Mezrich’s novel had first been published. Not only was Ma’s name published, he also appeared on the big screen in a handful of shots as Planet Hollywood Dealer Jeff.

“The climate around gambling back then—it wasn’t the same as it is today,” said Ma in an interview with Mezrich in Vegas last year. “This was before the poker craze, and the resurgence of Vegas. Gambling was still kind of dirty—it wasn’t socially acceptable.”

Ma came from a conservative upbringing in upper-middle-class New England suburbia where he was shipped to Exeter Academy at twelve and naturally transitioned to MIT from there.

Because he feared how he would be perceived, especially by his father, for playing blackjack, Ma kept weekend card-counting expeditions a secret and separate from his life in Boston where he graduated from MIT and first worked as an investment banker at a firm in Chicago.

His double life was preserved on-screen by Ben Cambell (Jim Sturgess, Across the Universe), an MIT whizkid accepted early to Harvard Medical School – an elite educational opportunity he could not afford.

Although the real story is quite compelling, Hollywood naturally found a way to kick it up a notch with fictitious conflict, crafted struggles (tuition for Harvard Med, a fatherless protagonist, teammate love interest, estranged friendship from leading a double life, illegal interrogation by U.S. casino security…), and stretched ending.

“The movie didn’t do the book justice,” is a cliché that can be thrown away here. Yes: there were enough card-counting flaws and strays from the real story to annoy any informed viewer. But the movie wasn’t about teaching moviegoers how to count cards or train team play.

It was about retelling the MIT blackjack experience, a real tale fit for the big screen.

“I am turned on by stories that involve young kids making huge fortunes, and living large,” wrote Mezrich in the Epilogue of his book renamed 21, “But it’s not the greed that gets me going, it’s the vicarious thrill of watching these guys beat systems that aren’t supposed to be beat.”

And they beat the system because they aren’t gambling. Instead, they use large bankrolls to invest in their two percent edge over the casino.

“It’s a combination of math and acting. If you do it right, you make money; if the casinos catch you doing it, they kick you out,” wrote Mezrich, “That’s the purest evidence that its not gambling—casinos love gamblers. They hate card counters.”

Students Serve Over Spring Break

THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE & "SAY YES" AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM - Lauren Dawn Rosko

Bridging Urban Mission Project (BUMP) and 20 Trinity International University (TIU) students partnered again to serve the Brooklyn communities of Bay Ridge and Sunset Park over spring break.

Brooklyn’s First Evangelical Free Church (EFC) National BUMP ministries coordinator Renee Young hosted TIU’s group in a large basement that also housed college students serving through the Center for Student Missions (CSM).

The TIU students partnered with Brooklyn’s First and Second EFCs, and the Vroom St Church in Jersey City, tutoring at after school programs and teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Arab American Friendship Building and the Dorcas Chinese Community Center.
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Love them so they ask why.
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The group was lead by Director of College Activities & Leadership Development and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) student Adam Gustine, who desires to pastor someday in an urban setting.

“Leading this trip has been a remarkable learning experience for me,” said Gustine. “As I learn about urban ministry and the work of God through the church in the city, I can't help but be intrigued by it. I love leading this trip because I get to interact with students as we encounter the city together. I am already excited about this trip next year.”

At the Arab center, TIU junior Abigail Seeland continued teaching two women how to write and pronounce the English language alphabet. Moroccan immigrant Fatnaarjz, 60, spoke Arabic and understood a little French, but was illiterate. The grandmother had the passion of a kindergartener as she copied Seeland’s English letters on the pages of her journal.

“It was one of the most humbling experiences of the trip for me,” said Seeland. “To see their desire to learn and thankfulness was moving, and to experience love through smiles because it could not be expressed through words was powerful. It made me want to pursue ESL in the future, even if it is just through volunteering at a local school.” This was Seeland’s second New York mission trip through TIU.

Direct proselytizing is not welcome at the Arab center, as most students are Muslim. EFCA missionary Nomi Naeem converted from Islam six years after her immigration from Palestine to the United States forty years ago.

“Love them so they ask why,” said Naeem, who does not fear proclaiming her faith openly to fellow Arabs. Naeem is a member of First EFCs Arab Evangelical Church that has a regular attendance of 35. There are more than 70 thousand Arab Americans living in Bay Ridge Brooklyn.

TIU alumni and Urban Target Outreach Project in America (UTOPIA) missionary Ben Dodd lives in Jersey City across from the Vroom Street Church where he directs the after school program. Dodd is indispensable to the church, as he also sings and plays guitar in the worship service.

“Half of the world’s people live in cities,” said Dodd, “That’s why I’m here.”

Both Brooklyn EFCs are in need of summer interns and students who can commit as a UTOPIA missionary for one or two years. The six-week summer job pays $1,500 and the student can match that amount with a stipend through raised support.

"UTOPIA missionaries are a bright light to the churches of New York City," said Brooklyn’s First EFC pastor Dan Reeve. Reeve is a church planter in Bay Ridge and a TEDS graduate.

UTOPIA missionary Emily Green lead Second EFC’s first ever after school program “Say Yes!” in the heart of Brooklyn’s China Town. The program is a youth mentoring ministry that opens church doors to inner-city children during after school hours, providing them a safe and productive educational atmosphere off the streets, while teaching them about Jesus Christ.

The TIU New York mission group completed work projects for First EFC, painting the UTOPIA room and stairwell, and designing and creating board games for the after school programs at Second EFC and Vroom Street Church.

The team also broke into groups of three to four and designated a few hours to walk through Sunset and Boro Park to observe and pray for the people, and community life – these are called “neighborhood walks.”

“God lit a fire in my heart for urban ministry last week,” said TIU senior Nicole Calvin, “We all individually have forms of capitol, some unique, to offer to underprivileged people. In New York I was a friend, a teacher, a servant, a student, a learner… these are things all people can be to each other wherever they live.”

Coffeehouse Features Local Music

ZACH PIETRINI & THE BROKEN BONES - Hollis Lewis

The local music scene surfaced by way of Coffeehouse this past weekend.

Trinity International University’s (TIU) Johnson Hall Lounge (JHL) was filled with a predominantly college student audience to see Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones Friday.

“Wow! I didn’t know people actually came to these things,” said one student.

“This is a fire hazard,” teased another.

The sound management was lacking as vocalist Hollis Lewis and violinist Mary Flowe could not be heard beyond the first table and drummer Nicholas Greener and guitarist Josh Connell both dominated the waves.

“I'm not exactly sure what happened with the sound,” said Lewis.

After the opener, Connell and bassist Michael Mehlan swapped for an awkward performance.

“Why is the guy looking at himself in the mirror?” asked a spectator. JHL unfortunately had floor to ceiling decorative mirrors. Watching Mehlan’s sensual reflection was as uncomfortable for the audience as the peeping of his butt crack when he dropped to his knees in an emotional guitar solo.

The full band returned and was redeemed with a powerful moment that couldn’t be rehearsed – the veins in Pietrini’s neck testified to the effort of his voice as he attempted to sing over the noise, and his failure to project was dismissed by a first row choir who sang out every lyric for him with pride.

“We had an hour worth of music prepared,” said Lewis.

But after the band blew two amps and performed three-ish songs, including the awkward duet, they exited the stage and the lounge numbers were cut in half.

Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones played Saturday at Taylor University in Indiana, where Lewis signed her first CD for a fan. They also had a show at Wheaton College at the beginning of the month, which went a little smoother.

“The Wheaton concert was the most fun I've had performing yet,” said Lewis. “We had a group of around 50 Trinity people come out to show their support and sing along. Wheaton's old chapel was packed out and you could feel the energy on stage”

Information about their albums “Mending the Broken” and “The Broken Season Turning” are available at the band’s MySpace website where a band biography, pictures and songs are posted.

Fans will have to follow the band live to hear the new tunes not yet recorded. They play at South Union Arts Gallery in Chicago Mar. 14.

The performance that won best entertainment for Friday night was trio Ben Krogh, Tim Ophus and Ryan Ebling who replaced one of the amps. One mic was used for Ebling’s banjo, and the other mic was shared by Ophus and Krogh for an unusual effect. Each switched off for lead vocals.

“That was on purpose,” said Ophus mid-lyrics when feedback roared through the speaker. He didn’t miss a beat.

Listeners socialized over drinks and treats at tables clothed in black poster paper and equipped with drawing chalk, compliments of JHL Residence Life Staff and the Acting on Aids Team. Tshirts were being sold to promote prayer and raise money for Spring Break and May term mission trips.

Ex-Student Opens Gunfire at NIU

STUDENTS GATHER AND PRAY FOR THE NIU COMMUNITY - mlive.com

Valentine’s Day was horrifically marred by a former Northern Illinois University (NIU) student who opened fire in a class with 162 enrolled, wounding 16 and killing five before turning the gun on himself Thursday afternoon.
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Kazmierczak fired over 50 shots within seconds.
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“He came in with a shotgun on his hip and just opened fire right into the crowd,” said NIU student Shane Pope. “And from that point on I just went into panic mode and quick-turned and ducked down and ran out of there as soon as I could and just hoping that everybody else could get out too. It was madness!”

The motive of gunman Stephen P. Kazmierczak, 27, has not been identified by police. No connection has been found between the Kazmierczak and the ocean sciences class or the students in Cole Hall that day.

“He was an outstanding student, he was an awarded student, he was someone revered by the faculty and staff and students alike,” said NIU Police Chief Donald Grady.

Kazmierczak stopped taking his depressant medication around the time he purchased two of the three weapons, a pump-action Remington shotgun and a glock 9mm handgun, concealed in a guitar case on the day of the shooting.

“The shooter enters the room and doesn’t have any expression on his face, doesn’t say a word, just points his gun and opens fire in the largest section of the crowd,” said George Gainer, a student who was inside Cole Hall during the shooting. “As I’m running, there were people around me and we were all just asking ourselves ‘What’s going on – is this real?’”

From the lecture hall stage Kazmierczak fired over 50 shots within seconds.

The gun dealer who sold a handgun to the Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho reported through topglock.com that he had sold accessories to Kazmierczak, who ordered his weapons Feb. 4 and received them Tuesday.

In the days after the shooting, the NIU community mourned those killed: Ryanne Mace, 19, Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia and Daniel Parmenter, 20, and Julianna Gehant, 32.

“People were gathered around singing hymns and joining together to remember those affected by this tragedy,” said NIU student Elaine Eliadis.

Crosses are mounted for each victim, as well as posters, candles, pictures, cards, flowers and stuffed animals. Students gathered around the memorials holding hands, crying and singing, “We are all Huskies.”

Cole Hall is still blocked off and the door that Kazmierczak shattered and entered has been fixed. Classes and athletic events are all pushed back a week and will resume Monday.

“This event will change everything that happens for the remainder of the year here at NIU,” said Eliadis, “And the worst part is, it could not have been prevented.”

Superbowl Simas

GIANTS RECEIVER AMANI TOOMER CELEBRATES SUPERBOWL XXLII WIN - nfl.com

It was that annual Sunday when grocery stores sold out of guacamole and tortilla chips and advertising companies spent billions for seconds of airtime.

When Trinity International University (TIU) students gathered around televisions on campus, at local houses, and church buildings, senior athletic trainer and women’s soccer player Loryssa Simas sat four rows up from the New England Patriots’ end zone in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Manning threw a 13-yard touch-down pass to Burress with just 35 seconds remaining.
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“I lost ten years of my life watching the last two and a half minutes,” said Simas. It was about the time when the New York Giants began their miraculous 83-yard march down the field.

Eli Manning threw a 13-yard lob pass to Plaxico Burress for the winning touchdown with just 35 seconds remaining. Giants won Super Bowl XLII and beat the undefeated, two-touchdown favorite Patriots 14-10.

“It was terrible,” said Simas.

The New England resident has been a life-long Patriots fan, a product of her parents Dave and Lorry Simas, who live in Rhode Island.

Sunday was Simas’s third Super Bowl experience. She watched live the Indiana Colts beat the Chicago Bears last year in Miami and the Patriots win their third championship over the Philadelphia Eagles in Jacksonville, Florida in 2005.

In the late 90s things were looking up for the Patriots, and so was business for Mr. Simas, who bought season tickets to Gillete stadium. He upgraded from club seats to box seats a handful of years ago.

The Simases attended the Athletes in Action (AIA) Super Bowl breakfast, an official sanctioned event and award ceremony to honor an National Football League (NFL) player who “exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community,” said an AIA spokesperson.

San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson won the 2008 Bart Starr Award. Simas met Super Bowl XLI Championship Coach of the Indiana Colts Tony Dungee and retired NFL player Bart Starr at the breakfast.

“Even though the Pats lost, it was an NFL record-breaking year, and it’s always a blessing to spend time with family,” said Simas.

Belichick's Resume Impressive, Suspected of Cheating

VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY - nfl.com

Forty years ago today, Vince Lombardi resigned as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Many Trinity International University (TIU) students hail from Wisconsin, and to their dismay the Packers will not compete in Super Bowl XLII.

But Lombardi will be there, making his $25,000 sterling silver entrance, just as he has every year since 1971.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy was named in honor of the Green Bay coach who led the Packers to six division titles, five National Football League (NFL) West championships and to win Super Bowl I and II in the ‘60s. His post-season record was 9-1.

The undefeated New England Patriots are fated to be champions Sunday, and the win over the New York Giants would be Super Bowl championship number four for head coach Bill Belichick, and a 14-3 playoff record – second best in NFL history, as he trails only Lombardi.

Some NFL fans have tossed around the idea of a replacement “Bill Belichick Trophy,” and their voices have been heard in less reputable outlets – mainly sports comedy formats, late night television types, and random internet forums.

“It would be a dishonor to rename the trophy and replace the legend Lombardi,” said TIU student and Kevin Geldon, a Packers fan who calls Wisconsin home.

Others think it is inappropriate to compare coaches from different eras and dissimilar football styles of play.

“Lombardi is the history of football and one of the greatest coaches of all time. Football is the way it is now because of him,” said Rhode Islander Loryssa Simas, a Patriots fan. “Belichick is more of the now and he will be history. He’s hall of fame worthy.”

But Belichick’s entrance in to the Hall of Fame was potentially marred by accusations of illegal spying. In September the NFL confiscated a tape from the Patriot’s sideline and after an investigation Belichick was fined $500,000. The Patriots were fined $250,000 and lost a future priority draft pick.

The NFL prohibits taping an opponent’s signals on the sideline. Video recording is not allowed in the coach’s booth during the game, on the field or in the locker room.
Some Patriot fans are skeptical about whether Belichick really authorized the operation.

“Nobody knows if he was directly involved,” said Simas. “The Patriots aren’t the first ones to videotape games and read plays off of opponents lips. Whoever did it was just the first one to get caught.”

New York Jets coach Eric Mangini, a former Belichick assistant, was the one who knew of the Patriots spying tactics and ratted them out. But Mangini has been suspected of spying too.